Tidbit Tuesday

Do you know what a tidbit is? The real definition is: 1. a delicate bit or morsel of food. 2. a choice or pleasing bit of anything, as news or gossip. As much as I could love to share a delicate bit or morsel of food here on the blog - I think I'll go with the second definition instead.

So here are some pleasing bits of anything!!

THIS wreath is my FAVORITE part of my Halloween Decorations.

I've had this for several years and almost forgot to put it out this year.

Little bitty eyeballs looking at us. Cute!

And my most favorite layout I've done lately:

So the journaling reads: i luv u more than the stars in the sky, more than the sand at the beach and more than the water in the ocean.

This is something I've always said to Cole and we add things to it occasionally.

Currently I also love him more that the fish in the sea and the leaves in the trees.

Another tidbit here. This is one of my current 'starred' items in Google Reader:

December Daily

I saw Alie do this last year on her blog and I loved it but never did it.

This year I'm thinking about doing it!!

Another tidbit:

This is so yummy!! I love Chex Mix - and I'm thinking this is a special edition

kind of thing And I should buy lots in lots for fear it won't be around forever!!

That's all the tidbits I have for now!

lisa

It's been a crafty day.

I've been playing in my studio today. FINALLY using some of the new product I have. I finished up three layout I'd started a while back. I did a few more layouts - two, actually. I made some cards that you can't see yet. And earlier this week I made a cupcake!! Well, two cupcakes, but one is not very cute. And they aren't edible, sadly!!

This picture is totally staged - but ONLY because I couldn't get a picture the very first time he did this. Cole has played with rolling down the windows before but has never stuck his hand out of the window. I was following him and Jason home one night, after meeting for dinner. I saw Cole's little hand poke out the back window, but my camera was in the back of the van - so I missed capturing it. But, I did smile all the way home - it was so cute. So one day last week, on the way home from after school care, I stopped on our street and jumped out and took a picture before he rolled the window back up!!

Did this one at a crop at the store a while back. This was Cole just taking a little break at the zoo in Memphis. He had to have this particular type of Capri Sun because the Naked Bros. Band were on the box.

This cute little couple below may just be the future Mr. and Mrs. Cole Tanner. This is Maggie, my friend Michelle's daughter. Her and Cole were so so silly, I just had to snap a few pictures. I didn't get a single one that's normal - instead I got a bunch of silly faces. But they are SO cute, it doesn't really matter!!

Did this one today - just love the picture of me and Cole - I don't get too many, since I'm usually taking the pictures. Used a little U2 for inspiration on the title.

Finally got the first day of school taken care of - and used a fun little Piggy Tales Barn Door.

This was inspired by Virginia - she did a layout a while back that prompted me to do this one - just about what Cole may be later in life.

That's all from me today. Jason's taking a break from homework so we can watch last weeks House.

later,
lisa

The lizard has left the building

Jason came home Tuesday night (early from school) and removed the lizard. YEAH!! I really gave him a hard time about the whole lizard thing - but I was REALLY freaked out. (Sorry honey!)

Anyway, I've been busy lately but haven't really accomplished anything major. Finished up some Halloween trading cards for a swap at Scrap Etc. but I'm thinking I want to start another set just for fun. I had planned on doing one thing, did another instead, but still want to use the original idea - so everyone may get a bonus card!! :) I also made a cupcake out of paper - cute but a little bigger than I wanted it to be, so I want to play with that and adjust the size a bit. I've got some ideas in my head for some mini albums about Cole. He really is a quirky little kid. I mean, he's the best - adorable - funny - entertaining. But I'm wondering about all these little sily things he does - things he says all the time - when will they stop? When will he outgrow those little habits he has? I don't want to miss them, forget them. So I've started looking back through pictures looking for evidence of these things. I can't find many - so that means I've probably managed to tell him to stop whatever it is his doing at that moment so I can get a decent photo. Now I'm after taking the photos of him doing these things. So - now I think I'll go ahead and work on an album and just add pictures when I capture them. This may be something he'll outgrow before I can finish the book - so I should get moving huh? Kids just grow up so fast - how do you keep every little special moment in your memories? Scrapbook them, I guess.

I've been thinking about Christmas, too. Presents. Gift ideas that I can make. Cards. Santa. Good Grief - there aren't enough does between now and Christmas. I'm researching digital cameras for kids - but not find an inexpensive/decent camera that's good for kids I may have to scratch that idea. I do think it would be cool for Santa to bring Cole a camera, but we'll see.

I was subbing yesterday and sometimes when I'm there I get to see little peeks of Cole through out the day. At recess, marching down the hall, little things like that. That's always fun. He's beginning to blend in a bit more - he's not really the smallest kid in class. I mean, there may not be anyone shorter than him, but at least it appears that he's the same height as some other kids. I love that he doesn't stand out as much anymore. Blending in isn't always a bad thing - not at this age. I want him to just be a normal kid - just do those normal things, ya know? He did get a hair cut yesterday and it's a good bit shorter but it makes him look older. You can see a little more than an inch of his scar and I'm not sure how I feel about that. I don't want it to show, but can we hide it forever? No, not really.

Oh well!

Happy October - I love that fall is in the air. It's cooler outside and the leaves are beginning to turn. WOW, I love this time of year.

lisa

There is a lizard in my kitchen, among other things.........

I know, I know - it's just a lizard. It's more afraid of me than I am of it. I'm bigger, it's smaller. WHATEVER!!! I still don't want it in my kitchen. Its just sitting there - behind the sink. First it was green, then it moved and now it's brown. I considered sucking it up with the dust buster, but the dust buster is so loud that I'm sure it will scare the lizard and the lizard will run straight toward me.

I know I have issues.

I've lived gecko/lizard free since May of 2007. Why oh why is their a lizard in my house now????

On to other things - maybe, if I can possible concentrate on anything other than the D%^# lizard.

We had a super busy but fun weekend. Friday night we did dinner with my parents and Cole went home with them. So we decided to go see a movie. I really wanted to see Fireproof, but it started at 6 something and we were eating then. So we picked Eagle Eye - very good movie. SO good!!!

Then Saturday I spent the day at Scrap Etc. FUN TIMES were had by all. They got loads of new stuff in last week - I mean loads. Basic Grey and My Minds Eye being the favorites for me. Prima came in too and those flowers are yummy yummy as well. So I shopped a little off and on, helped by ringing some people up who had also picked out loads of MME and BG and Prima. Then I hosted a Happy Hour for Creative Cafe (it was a cute little blooming lollipop) and taught my VERY FIRST CLASS. I think it went well. I tried not to ramble on too much or give bad directions. We finished in plenty of time too - so that was a good sign. It's hard to calculate how much time you need to put something together. I even had kits left over to leave at the store and sell - so if you want one - let me know!! Then I did another Happy Hour - but no one participated, so we'll save that one for another day. I'm working on another blog. One that will show all the fun Creative Cafe stuff we're doing at Scrap Etc. I really really love all this stuff and the fun little projects and how cool it is that you can just run in and make something fun for next to nothing and in no time at all. I hope that the blog will help get people excited about it. It's not finished yet - you know I have to cute it all up. I want to take some pictures too - so I'll need to do that tomorrow maybe. Although, it wouldn't hurt my feelings at all today - sneak out of the lizard house and to the scrap book store. Hmmmm................

Ok, back to the weekend. Saturday night we went and watched the ALABAMA game with friends. Can I just say ROLL TIDE? Oh my gosh - we were amazed. All this talk now about how awesome the team is and National Champion stuff - WOW - we've been waiting for a good year for so long. And it's so easy to wrapped up in the hype and think "YEAH, we're doing it!!!" But on any given Saturday - everything could change. One bad loss could just ruin everything. Well, not really - but you know what I mean.

Sunday we headed to Alabama Adventure for the last day. It was hotter than we thought it would be and pretty busy. We got hungry once we smelled all the food and thought we'd get some chicken and fries. They were out of ketchup. Chicken and fries just aren't the same without ketchup. We let Cole lead the way and tell us what he wanted to ride. He is the boss, after all. So he rode the same old things he always rides, with the exception of the Scrambler - which was ok with me. It was gone actually - nothing there in it's place at all. That was a little strange. Anyway, a good time was had by all and I got some cute pictures that I'm going to use in a mini album about our Alabama Adventure Summer!!

Last week we also went to the fair in Pelham. It was nice. It was small though. Cole rode several things and fed the goats and did the pony ride. I'm really missed the Greater Gulf State Fair though. WOW - the fair in Mobile is loads bigger. I hope we get back to that here one day. Mobile always had great concerts on the weekends, too.

This week I have some scrapping planned - I'm uploading photos to Walmart.com right now. I'm going to work on cleaning out my studio too - it's a mess right now. So much to do - so little time without lizards!!

Alright - I'm going to check on the d#$% lizard again and see if he's moved (why are they always he's???) and then see if I can find anything to eat that doesn't require anything that's near the d#$% lizard!!

lisa

You just never know

Remember my lovely story about Tivo? Well, today I got my bill in the mail - and guess what? Yep - you guessed it - they refunded my 12.95. But it was done a week or so after the conversation so I'm wondering if someone actually did it or if that happens automatically when you cancel and no one knew to tell me that. It wouldn't surprise me.

Guess what I'm about to do? Go ahead - guess!! I bet you can't!!

I'm going to open an Etsy shop.

YEAH! I know I've talked about it and mentioned it several times. I'm just taking another plunge and doing it. I've got some cute Alabama glittery A's to sale and I'm thinking about doing some Halloween trees and Christmas trees like the ones I posted over the weekend. I've already planned on doing Christmas ones for out decorations - but not as many as the Halloween. I have tons of Christmas decorations - so I just don't need as many glittery trees. And there are so many other Christmasy crafty things I want to try to make. So, I don't want to over do the glittery trees.

Anyway - I'm hoping to post some things tonight or tomorrow in the AM and I'll come back and link it up here. I've got to make a few of the Christmas trees before I can post them - so ya know, takes a little time for that paint to dry.

I am starving and waiting patiently for my hubby to get home. I've had beef tips in the crock pot all day and it smells delicious!! As soon as he gets here - the bread will go in the oven and the rice will get to cooking. I can't wait. I love the crock pot and love cooking stuff in it, but geez - it makes it smell good for so long - I'm just starving. I did chili in the crock pot a few weeks ago and it was the same way - I was hungry all day long!! And I'm making cupcakes tonight too - baking them tonight and icing them in the morning. Me and Carol are meeting at Scrap Etc tomorrow for lunch and it's Vanessa's birthday - so I'm bringing some cupcakes!! :) YUM

ok - off to stir the crock pot a little bit more!
lisa

My Halloween mini album

Told you I'd blog a lot today!!

Here's my little Halloween mini album! It's got pictures of Cole from each Halloween, including a picture from this year. We're going to do one of these for a Happy Hour at Scrap Etc, but it's going to be a little more basic - all Creative Cafe stuff - and it'll be a $4 Happy Hour instead of $2 - since it's a little more than your normal project.



the cover



Sweet boy was Blue on his first Halloween and Bob the Builder the next year.





Cole's third and fourth Halloween - he was Captain Feathersword and then a Magician.
The Captain Feathersword year was so sad - he had just had a cyst cut off his heal and he could barely even walk - just wobble along really - and he had to be carried to do his trick or treating!



He was Tigger in 2005 - this was right after we came home from Memphis.
The next year he was Thomas the Tank but got a little carried away with a pack of Halloween stickers!!





There's Thomas and then last year he was Lightning McQueen's racecar driver.



And here's Buzz Lightyear. Isn't that little Owl super cute?
I used lots of Creative Cafe tags here, some twill and chipboard from them, too.
That little Owl is Fancy Pants, along with most of the paper. The rest is just cardstock!

and the back:



Another view:



I love how you could stick so much in the bags - tags, wrappers from the trick or treating candy - lots of cute stuff could go in there!!

Later, lisa

You're still in love with Dylan!!!

YES - finally we know the name of Sammy's father - you know, Kelly's son - Sammy - on 90210! Finally Brenda spilled the beans in last night's show. So, I've been waiting and waiting to find out who Sammy's father was and what the deal is. I know I'm only really watching because I want to see what happened to the ORIGINAL CLASS. Brenda is just in the way, honestly - I'm so over Brenda Walsh - have been over her since oh she left the show! Brief mention of Donna last night too - she has a baby. I'm assuming it's with David. Interesting stuff huh? Well, it is to me. Although the new class is not impressing me much. Drew Tyler Bell showed up in this episode and I'm not sure if I like him. He reminds me of Robert Pattinson. But I know him from his Bold and the Beautiful days - and he was a little cuter as a younger kid - he's a bit too skinny now. Anyway - the show is ok. Just ok. I'm not at all happy with Naomi - her nostrils flare a lot and that's weird.



Anyway - on to other things - I've subbed three days this week. I was asked to be on a committee that will look at the Language Arts program the school uses, review other programs and see what needs to be changed/tweaked. I'll be the parent rep from Trace Crossings! WOO HOO - that's just one more part of me in the door. I really want to work there.

I have tons of scrappy things to post - well not tons, but my halloween album (which I still haven't journaled in, but it's ok without it for now) and I made a fun little organizer the other night out of a file folder - just something to carry in my purse. Now I'm really wanting a new purse. I tried to find one at Target last night and liked a few, but they were more than I was willing to spend. Jason said 'just get it' and I couldn't - strange huh? :) Anyway, I also have started working on my Halloween ATC's for a swap at Scrap Etc. and I made some really cute little Halloween tags - not sure what I'm going to do with them yet - but they are cute! Polka dots + glitter + transparencies = halloween happies!!

Maybe I'll give one or two away. I only made 6 - hmmmm - I'll take some pictures and post soon and then do a giveaway. Speaking of giveaways - I have two people I owe goodies too - so I need to whip up something for them ASAP (hey Linh and Melita - it's coming). I sent a lovely package to Mandy yesterday too - with a super cute thing I made and DID NOT take a picture of before I packed it up. So, that means I need to make another for me!! :) (Which was already in my plans hee hee)

I went to a meeting Tuesday night about Wrappers Delight - and wow - if you are a scrapbooker - check it out - it's going to be great. This is the first time the store has done a holiday event and I'm so excited about it. Like, so excited, that I'm already trying to remember where I packed my Minnie Mouse Santa Hat!! I'm ready to wear it! and It's cute!! Anyway - check out the blog and all the updated details here >>> Wrappers Delight <<< There's a referral program!! So you and your friends can all sign up and be rewarded for coming as a group of friends!! How fun is that? And the post before that one gives you some details about what to expect. We're also doing a Secret Santa Swap and I've got to get a package ready to send to my Secret Santa Sister!! I wish we'd named it something else though - Like the Secret Ho Swap - or something like that. I mean, Christmas is really the only time of year you can refer to Ho in any way and it's okay!! My granddaddy used to come home from work, or anywhere actually, and the first thing he did was close the door behind him and say 'ho ho ho' - not like Santa but in a tired-and-I'm-finally-home kind of way. It was always something I loved to hear because I knew he was home - even if it was only because he'd run to the store to get something for my Granny. Good Memories - I wish I had more of them. Anyway - this is the point in the post where I would go back and link up everything that I could possible have a link for (like blogs of friends) but it's time to go through the car pool line. Then I'm back home to wash this gray right out of my hair and plug in the flat iron. It feels like a good day for straight hair!! And I need to watch FRINGE!!! Cole just hollared down from upstairs to tell me that Nick Jr is on and 'This track is slammin' - where does he get it? The other night, we drove the McDonald's on the way to church and got him a happy meal. He opened the box and said 'Come to PaPa' - referring to his chicken!! Then he took one bite and said 'this is the best chicken mcnugget i've ever had' - can you tell we laugh A LOT around this kid?? Have a great day! lisa

Little Scrappy Time Today!

Hosted a little Happy Hour today for Creative Cafe at Scrap Etc. Three people made my cute little dress tag!! So yeah - that was exciting. I hope they'll all three come back and do another Happy Hour with me. We've planned some really cute ones in the next few weeks. Just wait until the Halloween stuff!! Oh my goodness!! Cute Cute!!

I had to take Cole with me to the store - which I hated to do, but he was SO SO good. He behaved very well. Didn't make any trouble and barely any noise. I stayed longer than I planned, too - and he still hung in there with me - chilling!!

I worked on some upcoming Happy Hours and I tried to work on a cute little Halloween mini!! I love it. I've never done a paper bag album and just that Halloween and fall would be the right time to use one. So I made it at the store the other day. We had a little lunch fest one day and I did the majority of this album. Then today, I got another idea about binding it together and ended up taking the ENTIRE thing apart - but managed to salvage all of it except the bags - so I reconstructed the whole thing on more bags but sewed the bags together - which worked so much better. It's really cute. I took pictures but haven't uploaded them - so I'll do that tomorrow probably. I took pictures from every Halloween and put them all together. Cole loved going through it at the store and telling Linh and the gang what each costume was and what it reminded him of. He's crazy like that!! :)

I'm hoping to make a similar paper bag album for one of the Creative Cafe Happy Hours in October!! I wanted to do a whole class with it - because you can really put a lot in there and make it so cute. But rumor has it someone is planning a Halloween class already - I can't wait to see what it is. I've gotten more into Halloween lately - the last four years maybe - each year - it's just a little more and a little more - more decorations and crafty things!!

I actually spent a good amount of the day yesterday making decorations for the house - all Halloween!! I can't wait to get the displayed and pictures taken - then you'll get to see them. And I made THE cutest thing in the entire world for Mandy. Then, I saw her at the store, but didn't know I would see her, so I didn't have it with me. OH it's so cute. I can't wait to make one for me and mail her's to her - MONDAY - I'll do it Monday. It's just so cute!!!

Ok - Jason's home and we are headed to my cousin's to watch the rest of the Alabama game - I hate when they are pay per view - not fair!! We paid for it last weekend and watched it here with friends - but this weekend, we knew Jason wouldn't get home in time for the whole thing - so we're off to watch it there instead!!

Later
oh, and ROLL TIDE!!!
lisa

so, what have you been up to today?

Me? just playing in my studio!!

First I made this:



Used a Jenni Bowlin bingo card. some Walmart ribbon, some Making Memories paper and button (from last years release), sticker letters and that little bit of green with white dots is packaging from a set of MM stamps. Oh, and a Heidi Swap book plate and bling, too.



And will someone who know Jenni Bowlin tell her that I absolutely LOVE her bingo cards - the new ones (like the one above and the tiny ones) are just so fun. BUT how cute would it have been if there was a 31 on this one particular card? Adorable!! But since 13 is unlucky and this was a Halloween thing - it worked. BUT 31 - would have been better. Anyway.............

Then I made this:



Used a piece of Basic Grey paper here - it's from their new lines that I hope will be arriving at Scrap Etc. soon!! And tons of buttons - Making Memories buttons from last year (obviously I didn't much with them last year since I have so many), used my scallop punch on some Jenni Bowlin paper and more of that MM packaging. Oh, and a few Creative Cafe buttons and Thickers - which a love!! And the cute ribbon was in my second Scripts Kit.



And these guys are watching Toy Story 2, disc 2 - which has all the behind the scenes stuff.





oh - Cole is watching, too! He's in control of the remote. I really think Cole only has a few options as far as his career choices when he grows up. One - he can be a DJ - just because he know all these little tidbits of information and can introduce the songs just right - he does this all the time................1, 2, 3 - hit it - he's even figured out the timing so he doesn't talk over the music. His second choice could be a tour guide somewhere - anywhere that interests him. McDonald's would be a good one, or DisneyWorld, of course. He'd probably love to guide people around Toys R Us honestly. And thirdly - hmm, maybe a narrator for Pixar films. It's so funny how he can watch something and memorize the words, the tone and the humor behind it. Not just the words - but exactly how to deliver it!!! It's so funny. He also remembers slogans from commercials too - like Walmart's - Save Money. Live Better. He'll point out things in the grocery store - like Resolve Carpet Cleaner - and give me the slogan. He is quite entertaining!!


Basically - he's a nut!!

Well, I'm going to empty the dishwasher. We decided to try the evening service at Church - so we'll be getting ready for that soon. We're starting a new series that is supposed to be wonderful. It's called At The Movies - and - they are serving popcorn tonight at church!!! Crazy fun, huh?? :)

lisa

Hello there May

WOW - it's May - like the 5th month of the year and the last month of the school year. You know, I knew forever that I should be a school teacher because I've never really gotten away from my 'year' being a school year. I've always based my concept of time and the calendar on the school year. Strange? Possibly, but hey, this is me we're talking about.

So since the school year is winding down to an end I'll probably have more free time. Most teachers don't miss this close to the end of the school year since there is so much they have to do. My long term position ends in just 6 short hours. I'm excited so have some free time to myself, to not have to get up quite as early - and to be all alone at home. I haven't been home alone since we moved except for one night when Cole spent the night with Grammy and Granddaddy and then the morning I left for Nashville. I'm so used to having some time alone that I think I've been pretty grouchy lately when it comes to getting things done. I'd rather just ignore the laundry and sit in my sitting room and read - all by myself!! And the sackers at Publix must think I'm rude - I never let them help me out with my groceries. Sometimes those five minutes are the last ones I'll have alone for days - so it's ok that I do it myself. Am I the only person who longs for time alone? I hope not. I hope someone gets this and doesn't think I'm just selfish and want to be by myself all the time - I don't - not all the time. But occasionally it's nice to just go get your nails done with your son and his Nintendo DS.

Speaking on Nintendo DS - Cole was grounded from his last night because he stuck his tongue out at me and made an ugly face in the grocery store because I wouldn't let him look at the toys. I told him if he did it again, he'd get a spanking right in the middle of the store. The bad things is there were two teachers from the school in the store - one on the next aisle - so when Cole did it again I just felt like I couldn't pick him up out of the buggy and spank him in public. I really did not think he would do it again. He usually doesn't repeat behavior he gets in trouble for. He said to me - I was only doing this (insert the exact same face again) and I guess he thought it was ok to do it again that way. It wasn't. So instead of him getting spanked on the bread aisle - I told him we weren't baking the cookies he picked out and he couldnt' play on his DS tonight. This works much better than a spanking. He's been known to say "I'll just do it myself" and spat himself on the bottom any time we mention a spanking. Usually that's all we have to do is mention it and he's ok. But take away the DS and he's beside himself. He apologized 20 times and promised he would never ever do it again and that was while we were still on the bread aisle. He continued this at home last night. When he saw the neighbor kids out playing he wanted to go ride his bike and talk to them. We hated to say no because he hates riding his bike and since he actually wanted to do it - that meant something. But we stuck with it and said no since he'd been ugly to me. He stood in his room and watched out the window - even knocking to see if the kids would hear him and look up at his window. AWWWW - but still - he made ugly faces and he has to learn that's not a good decision. Maybe this weekend he'll get to ride his bike - if it isn't raining the entire time.

I hate when it rains and I'm going scrapbooking - I don't want to risk any of my things getting wet!!! But tonight, I'm going to scrapbook at Scrap Etc. - tomorrow is National Scrapbook Day. So I'm hoping to get a layout or two done and really work on some of the things from the event, work on my wedding album (8 years later) and a few other fun things. I'm going to do an altered project because I'm thinking about trying out for a design team and want to have a cool new project to use as my entry. I'm excited about that. I've been on one design team before. It was the for the store in Mobile, but the store had already closed. We have kept the message boards up and running and were trying this whole online community thing but it's really just remained a place where the girls from the store still chat and post their layouts, etc. We tried challenges and stuff like that, but everyone involved was so busy with real life that our Design Team is sort of non-existent in a way. And since I'm not there anymore, I don't get to see them anyway :( So, I'm trying for this other Design Team. I really love their online community and am loving the girls there and seeing all their layouts has been inspirational to me. I've never tried out for a Design Team like this - so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll make it. I would be so very excited!!!

In other news, I'm having some serious Edward/Bella withdrawals. If you don't know what I'm talking about - walk NO RUN to your nearest bookstore/target/walmart and find the book Twilight. It's fabulous. It's written by Stephenie Meyer and it's a young adult story. Don't let that fool you - don't think oh I'm a grown adult, not a young adult - it's a wonderfully written story - drags you in so that you have to read it - you can't wait until tomorrow to read more - you have to know right this very minute what will happen next. Well, I've read all three books in the series - Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse. I checked them out from the library the first time but love them so much I'm re-reading them and just buying them so I'll have them forever. Here's the background - small town community, daughter of the police chief moves in with him because her mom got remarried and is on the road, she starts to get to know people in the high school and is drawn to this guy (isn't this how it always happens??). Well it turns out that they fall for each other - but he's a (wait for it...........) VAMPIRE!!! Yes, you read it here (but also on the book cover so I'm not giving anything away here). She has another guy friend who tries to warn her to stay away from the vampire. Do you think she listens? hmmmm Well that's all I'm giving away here - but just know that they are the best books I've read since Harry Potter - seriously. I'm hoping to run in Barnes and Noble this evening and get the second book so I can re-read it, too. These books are wildly popular. The fourth and sadly final book will be out in 91 days, 14 hours, and 37 minutes. I feel as though the release of that book will be similar to the late night celebrations at Barnes and Noble when HP is released. At least I hope it'll be like that. I would love to go if it is. There's a website that has tshirts for the characters - they are so cool. I'm thinking of making my own though - I'm not sure yet. I would love one. I love the story so much, I want to wear it on my shirt - and spread the Twilight LOVE. We're even doing a ATC swap at Scrap Etc for the first book.

Ok Ok - enough rambling from me huh? So this weekend its supposed to rain - we had plans for Alabama Adventure, but now I think Jason and Cole are going to the pool at UAB to swim. Cole loves it and has been asking if he can go back every weekend, pretty much. Jason is officially out of school so things can get a little more normal at home. OH - we've sat down at the dining room table and had dinner together four nights in a row. Seriously - isn't that wonderful. This never happens and Cole didn't really know what to think. But it's something that will happen until August at least when Jason goes back to school. Oh that's sad - I'm going to love having him home every night and hate it when he goes back to leaving us!! Oh well, it's all in the name of higher education. Speaking of higher education - my brother in law graduates from college (again) this next weekend. He's just finished his MBA so we're heading to Mobile next Friday for his graduation. Fun times!!! I'm very proud of him for sticking with it - I know it's hard work. It'll be fun to get to celebrate with them. It's Mother's Day weekend too - I don't think my mom realizes that we won't be here for Mother's day - and that stinks. I hate to not see her on Mother's Day. And Jason and his brother have already planned a golf game for the day - that's not traditionally how things go on Mother's Day. He'll owe me for that. Maybe me and Jamie can get away and go to the movies or something while the boys do their thing. We've been to the movies on Mother's Day a couple of times I think - at least once and we all went - Grandma, Maw Maw, Jamie, me and Amanda. And we saw Monster-in-law - fun way to spend Mother's Day huh? It was really funny!

Ok - so seriously, now I'm done rambling - I guess.
later, lisa

30 Scrap Etc. Event Highlights

Once again - it's another list. These things were highlights of the event in Tennessee. There are in no way in order of importance. There is no way I could actually list these things in order of importance - they were all great!!!



1. Carpooling with Molly, Carol and Nubia and caravaning with Tracy and Carrie. (This included mexican food, having our picture taken as we were riding along, watching Carrie change lanes quickly to take pictures, and having some random guy take a picture of all of us at a gas station) Fun times!!! The ride back was fun too - loved getting to know Nubia and Carol better!! You girls are the BEST!


2. Wilna was such a sweetheart and so kind to us. Her husband was so sweet too and her kids are beautiful and just as sweet!!

3. Jenny Bowlin is super cute and was just as sweet this year as last year. (And her husband was hot, too)

4. Angelia was sweet too - her album was gorgeous and I can't wait to make it myself.

5. Vanessa is a doll - love her. Her sister-in-law, Amanda, was the cutest thing, too and really talented!

6. Heidi Swapp was great too of course. I mean, what can you say about Heidi?? :)

7. The Creative Cafe girls were great - even when I couldn't find their room and ended up knocking on a 75 year old half naked man's hotel door!!!

8. And last but not least in the instructor area, Gretchen was so super cool. Loved her class, love her, loved wearing my 'I HEART GRETCHEN' button. Out of all of the classes - her concept and idea behind her album is the one I loved the most and probably the one thing that I'm missing in my scrapping - it's something I haven't done or even thought about!!


9. Meeting the HAMBLY girls and chatting with them!! So fun! I met Stacey and Kerry Lynn - who I've chatted with at SIStv and done swaps with. Then Michelle was there too - I met her at the last event, but only briefly. I got to have a picture taken with all of them - fabulous!! I was really excited. Michelle even collected all my swap cards for a SIStv swap and helped us out in our group when things got a bit nuts. Those girls really were fantastic. Oh, I met Allison from Hambly too Saturday night and she was super sweet.


10. Seeing all the SE message board girls in one place!!! Melita (aka - Matilda), Linh, Kelly, Kathy, Katie, Mandy, Gabbe, DeAnna, Amy, Amy, Amy (yes, there are three) - who else?? Gosh Deborah, June and Pat - so many of the B'ham area SE girls and those that frequent the message board from other states - so fun to be in one place at one time.


11. Hanging out at Findley's with some of the SE Inspiration Team and a bunch of the event volunteers and Gretchen's mom too!!


12. Having cool room mates and a cool team to work with. I would not have survived without them - Virginia, Katie, Morgan, Tracy, Tracy, Carrie, Nubia, Carol, and Malory.


13. Meeting Morgan - super sweet - great room mate and Team B volunteer!!!


14. Meeting so many SIStv girls. I met several I've talked to on the message boards (Patricia, Jen, Tina, Julie, Erin, the Hambly SISters of course, who else........gosh - OH I met Becca and KA too, and I got to register Kelly Darr Super Star and I even called her that!! I know I'm forgetting some).

15. I met the OPELS - and that was fun!!! I was actually standing at the registration table and saw them and was a bit star struck. Me and Melita just kind of stood there waiting for our chance to meet them - we were silly!! AND I didn't even GET A PICTURE with them!! Sadness!

16. Seeing the Boobie Bungalow on our drive up was a bit funny - gave us lots of fun things to ponder during the event!!

17. Giving the instructors their charm bracelets was super fun - again - I didn't get a single picture with any of them. Well, I take that back - I think Linh got a picture of me and her and our bracelet with Heidi - but that's the only one!

18. Hanging out at the Nashville Palace with the most AWESOME scrapping girls around!!! HELLLOOOOOOO :) I really was so glad to have some girly time with everyone - Virginia and Carol were the ones I spent the most time with over the weekend I guess and they are so sweet. I really hope the weekend has created some good bonds with all of us and I hope we get the chance to continue hanging out together back home - not just scrapping either girls!!

19. Getting texts messages about Kenny Chesney - thank you Janna!! (who really WAS NOT there - it was really a look a like and Kenny was actually in Connecticut Friday night) And having girls come find me to tell me they saw the look a like!! So Fun - thanks girls!!

20. Adhesive is a wonderful thing.

21. Class kits are fantastic and I cannot wait to get a chance to work on all my kits.

22. Lucy was amazing - I canNOT even begin to imagine how she pulled it all off - there was so much to do!!! She just totally blows me away that she does it all in the most fabulous heels too!!

23. Monique - good grief, the girl has big dreams, doesn't she?

24. Alyssa and Alayna gave me hugs all weekend since I wouldn't get to see Cole and get hugs from him. Everytime I saw them I got the best hug - sometimes a double hug!! Thanks girls! (like they read my blog lol)

25. Reconnecting with TWO people I haven't seen in over ten years!! It's a little crazy that I had to go to another state to see people that I knew from Birmingham. That was great and I have the PHOTOS to prove it.

26. Wandering around the massive hotel taking photos.

27. Our room upgrade so we would have a fabulous view of the Garden.

28. Diet Dr. Pepper and Tylenol PM.

29. Blow pops.

30. Going home!!!


There are so many things that were fun this past week. I learned so much about how an event of this size actually happens!! I was shocked, amazed, tired, sleepy, grumpy, hysterical, sad, overwhelmed, happy, emotional, exhausted, restless, and physically done in. Lots of good things but it was lots of hard work. I totally wanted to go to the spa yesterday and get the works - just to rejuvinate!! We didn't get to site see any and I hated that - I really wanted to check things out in Nashville. I hope we get to go back as a family and see some cool stuff, take some tours around the city, and stay in the same hotel. It was just the coolest place.

Hopefully I'll get to post some pictures tonight - maybe 30 photos from the event?? :) Then I'll actually be one list ahead!! YEAH ME!!

lisa

A regular blog post

Ok - I know I've committed to the 30 things for 30 days - but this is a bonus post.

Pictures of MY STUDIO - WOO HOO!!!

here it is:

This is my cool paper rack and the storage containers with drawers are the first EVER scrapbook storage items I bought. And the wall the cross is hanging on was bright blue - sort of a neon shade - before we painted:

And below is a picture of two bookcases that came with the house.

Oh - and the wall behind these shelves was HOT HOT pink before we painted them.

the other shelf:
and this is my work space - two table and lots of junk!! The wall the windows are on was flourescent green!!
And this is another shot of the BLUE wall. This huge wall unit was too heavy for the guys to move upstairs and we really didn't have a spot for it up there, so I got it. Lots of shelves and spaces to stick stuff in. The opening in the very middle is my version of the Clip It Up. It's a tension rod with bags hanging on it that have handles that will hook on the rod. You can barely see the bags hanging, but they're there - behind a roll of paper!!

So there you have it!

There is also a closet directly opposite from this wall unit, but that area was still a mess! So of course, I didn't photograph it!

Thanks for all the tips and hints from everyone that gave me advice on storage, etc. I really appeciate it!!

lisa

30 things I wish I had

ok - Molly did a list of 30 things she wanted, so I thought I would do the same and these are in NO particular order at all.



1. Free tickets, with back stage meet and greet passes to just ONE Kenny Chesney concert and I would like for Cole to be able to meet him there even though the concert would be too loud for him.

2. I would like an endless supply of adhesives for my studio - hermafix dotto refills, sticky dots, tacky tape - all of that lovely stuff.

3. I would like to never have to pay library fines. Or at least the library should be able to take my check card for fines under $4 (like the $3.30 I currently owe them).

4. I would like to have a Vera Bradley lunch box that matches my purse, along with everything that could possible be available in the pattern of my choice - java blue!!

5. I love my dishes but they don't match what I want for my kitchen - these do though or even these!

6. I would love to have some curtains for my sitting room that looked like these. Just something sheer and breezy!

7. I'm going to sew curtains for my kitchen out of a red gingham print. Hopefully be next weekend.

8. I would like to have this shower curtain but it doesn't match the bathroom I want to put it in. But it would be awesome in my bathroom that has the coolest chandelier hanging in it.

9. I really want a Revolution and about 20 alphabets/shapes, for starters ;)

10. I would really like to find all my favorite songs from church, along with Cole's favorites on ONE cd.

11. I would love to have straight hair sometimes - without freezies and without spending 6 hours to get it that way.

12. I would like to not have to ever color my hair again because it would always be the most perfect shade of reddish brown WITHOUT the platinum, ok gray, highlights I currently have.

13. I would love to give the $5000 budget and advice of Stacy and Clinton from What Not to Wear but would die of absolute embarrassment if I were on the show.

14. I would like for the old Shawn to return to Days of Our Lives and Belle not be so princessy and for the writers to do better than sending them off on a boat. Oh, and I'd like to figure out what Max is up to.

15. I would like for all the boxes in my house to get unpacked, broken down and stored away, out of sight by someone other than me - preferrable a House Elf - again NOT me.

16. I would like to own the season finales of Dawson's Creek and Friends, oh and 90210 on DVD.

17. I would like for Party of Five to have all it's seasons released on DVD - and I'd like them too!

18. I would like for our flight to DisneyWorld to stop changing and once we walk into the Magic Kingdom, I would like for a cast member to tap me on the shoulder and give me the following: a night in the Cinderella Castle, a fast pass for every ride in every park, a $5000 shopping spree and I'd like to have our pictures made with every single charter.

19. I would like a new wardrobe - everything taylor made for me :)

20. I would like to have a new pair of tennis shoes - well two - one that's cute like these and one pair that is functional like these.

21. Back to the kitchen - I would like this clock.

22. I would like a cooling pad for the laptop since it keeps overheating and shutting down.

23. I would like a cool smaller camera case to carry just my camera in.

24. I would like a 60 inch flat screen tv (that's really for Jason).

25. I would like a radio that plays all Kenny all the time (without that You Had Me with Hello song though).

26. OH OH OH I would like a job - teaching - in the school I'm currently subbing in. That should have been number one.

27. I would like to win the lottery and give a huge giant chunk to St. Jude in Cole's name.

28. Random scrapbook supplies like some stamps, some cool mini albums ready to alter, ink in lots of colors, all of Heidi Swapp's paint, all the Making Memories paint too and some Stickles - I really want to try that out.

29. Time to actually use all the scrapbook supplies I want.

30. Most importantly a long, healthy life with my husband and son, my friends and extended family!!!



lisa

Thank Goodness it's Friday

I am so ready for March to be over. It was a good month - don't get me wrong - but a busy one!! I'm really pooped and so ready for my house to be in order and it's still not there. Still lots to unpack but it's things that I just can't unpack yet.

I did get some quality scrapping time last night. I worked on my ATC's for the fairytale/children's story swap I'm in at SIStv. I'm doing the Poky Little Puppy. My cards are nothing fantastic - it seems like every swap I've been in - the cards are close to the same. Some patterned paper or a picture - some type of journaling - my name and info - and some ribbon and a button. I mean, I've done several of these - and they all have these things on them!! I need to try something new, huh?

I've got two layouts planned that I want to get done this weekend. Some cards I want to make too. More ATC's as well. I hope there is enough time to do it all!!!

I have a gajillion errands to run this afternoon. I need to check the mail at our apartment and pick up our satelite boxes, which we have to mail back because they expect you to sit around and wait for them to come by - one of those 12 to 6 things - and I just cannot do that - will not do that. So I'll being paying postage instead I guess. I have to go to Walmart - isn't that always on the to-do list. I have to go by the post office (but that may wait until tomorrow and I can mail it from home if I have stamps). I have to go by the scrapbook store and drop something off and hopefully swing picking something up - like the new Basic Grey paper - if it's there and in the system already!! Crossing my fingers for that!! I also have books to drop off at the library.

And Cole has been promised a trip to Toys 4 Us (that's what he calls it) to look for the Flyboat. The Easter Bunny couldn't locate one in time for Easter so we're still looking. The Wonderpets are really worried because they can't go on any rescues until they have their flyboat. This morning, the Wonderpets were hanging out on the couch (looking rather lost without the flyboat) hanging out with Uniqua, Tyrone and Pablo (from the Backyardigans) and they decided they would all be Rock Stars. It was rather entertaining listening to them ROCK OUT! I know I must have the funniest kid in the world!!

Yesterday he told me he really likes cloudy days. We were walking to the car after school and I was so excited that it was such a nice day - warm, sunny - perfect temperature and a nice breeze. He just said it was too bright and he likes it cloudy and that a cloudy day is the perfect day. I wish I'd had paper to write down exactly what he said so I could - of course - scrapbook it. Today is rather cloudy, so maybe he'll tell me why it's his favorite on our way to the car again.

Well, that's enough from me. I'm stalking the Scrap Etc. Blog today while they have some fun posting contests and giveaways in honor of the big event that is coming up. I can't wait for that. They are currently giving away a Bind It All - which I want so very badly. I could do so much with it - besides making mini albums - I'm thinking of all the things I could do with it in my classroom. The room I'm in now has this cool alphabet thing that has big triangles, that stand on their own. On the top of each one is this binding stuff just like the bind it all and it has vowels on two and consonants on two - so you can flip the letters over to spell different things. I would love to make one for home - Cole plays with it every single afternoon before we head home. There are tons of other flash card type things I could make too - so cool. This is just another thing on my list - things I need and want - it's a long list huh?

Ok - really that's enough!
lisa

Is it Friday yet?

Nope - not yet. But I'm waiting, impatiently for it to arrive. I spent a little bit more time in my studio yesterday but not nearly enough. Too many other errands to deal with. I'll be back in there today though and hopefully will get it at least neat enough for me to work on some ATC's this weekend. I am currently in 5 swaps!! YES - 5. Not to mention the 10+ charm bracelets I need to have assembled by April 15th!! Good Grief. So as soon as the studio is livable and workable, I need to deal with the bracelets, then the cards? I don't know. I want to do it all. I'm doing a swap about Fairytales and Children's books - right up my alley!! I'm doing my favorite children's book ever - The Poky Little Puppy. I used to have this on a read along 45 - you know those vinyl things that you only find in thrift shops these days. I can't wait to get to work on this one. I love that little puppy!!! Then I'm doing two swaps where Kenny is involved, imagine that! And another is also a children's theme so my little puppy will get used for two swaps, too. Then the last one is a swap I started at SIStv and it started out as a teen crush thing because I'm obsessed with old school teen drama's - not Saved by the Bell drama but 90210 and Dawson's Creek and things like that - ok those are the only two. I do love Party of Five, but it isn't shown anywhere in reruns, sadly. And only two seasons have been released on DVD - which I have already. Anyway - I'm doing ATC's with Joshua Jackson. He played Pacey on Dawson's Creek. Not sure why I love him so - maybe it's just as simple as his good looks and how the younger Pacey reminds me of the younger Jason :) or maybe it's because he was always the under dog in the show but ends up with the girl in the end. The girl being Katie Holmes who was way more normal back in the Dawson days. I worry a bit about her now. Tom Cruise = Nutso!! Anyway, I have so many things I want to work on, so many layouts in my head that so need to be on paper. I have sketches on sticky notes - things that randomly come to mind during the day at work and I just have to write down before I forget - hence the sticky notes!! So maybe this weekend, I'll get some crafting time. Jason has to work Saturday morning for a few hours, so I'm hoping that will be MY time!! Then he'll have homework - again, more my time!!

We are hopefully going to a cookout Sunday evening for the small group I've been attending from church. If Jason gets enough homework done, we can make the cookout!! I'm hoping it happens - the people in the group are fun and I would love for Jason to get to meet them since he never gets to go with me to our meetings. I'm also counting down to summer for several reasons - first no school so me and Cole will have lots of time together at home. This means lots of scrapping time for me, lots of cartoons for him and a bit of summer school. Cole thinks we'll be 'playing school' every day!! :) fun stuff! And Jason won't be in school, so he'll be home at night all the time instead of just four nights a week. Cole misses him so much. I do too, of course, but I understand why he has to be gone. Cole just doesn't get it. Summer also means less homework for Jason since no school, which means more time he can spend with us, going to small group, church, etc - the things that are important to me.

I'm also hoping I can get Cole enrolled in something fun at the McWane Center or at the very least just spend a lot of time there. I would like to buy a membership and go A LOT. Cole loves it and it's really so big that we could go every day for a week before Cole actually got to everything.

Ok - that's about enough rambling from me. OH - Mandy asked if I finished my One Fine Day album that the wonderful Virginia taught at Scrap Etc. I haven't. I haven't done anything with my photos yet - but I want to so badly. It's on my list. I hate not having a completed album!!! So hopefully after the Scrap Etc. Event, I'll be able to get my wedding photos scanned and print a few and finish my album. I've already decided on a few pictures that I have to have in there - so that's an accomplishment. And Mandy - you mentioned a Kenny story - HELLO - spill it girl - you know I love him more than scrapbook supplies - and that's saying A LOT!!

Ok - one more thing - Cole watched a little of American Idol with me last night - he usually doesn't care about it until the end and I think really he just gives in at that point and still doesn't really care. Anyway, he watched last night and was actually moved to tears that Chikeze was sent home. He cried!!! He didn't want him to lose. Now, it's not because he's watched him everyweek and loves his voice - he just doesn't ever want anyone to lose - well, unless it means he wins. So I tried to explain to him that it was ok, it's like a game and the person with the fewest votes goes back home, but they are ok with it - since they get to see their family again. That just made him even more sad. Poor sweet thing. He's so sad for people when they don't get their way!! He fell asleep last night with tears in his eyes for Chikeze. Sad sad!! He loved American Idol last year because he thought Blake Lewis was awesome and loved to sing along with him - and he can beat box pretty well too!! :) I told him we could watch next week together and he could call and vote and hopefully he's pick won't get sent home. I would love for him to get more into this since there's no one else home with me to watch it - but if he cries for the loser each week - it's not worth it. I figure we'll give it another week with me encouraging him to watch and if it's too much for him, I'll just keep Spongebob on in his room and all will be happy again!!

Oh - and I'm hoping that Trace Adkins is THE man tonight and wins the Apprentice!!

lisa

Happy Birthday Kenny Chesney!

Just have to get that out of the way - (you know, in case he stops by and reads my blog today) and tell Kenny Happy Birthday!!! He's forty today - can you believe it? He sure doesn't look it, or is it just because I'm older too and I don't see 'age' anymore unless your like really young and you have that hair cut where its all in your eyes and I just want to take scissors and cut your bangs? Well, Kenny doesn't have that problem at all - he has no hair! And he still looks just fine to me. I've talked about my Kenny obsession here many times and it's really not all about the looks - I promise, really it's not. I love his music - no matter how many times I play a cd over and over, it's still good - great actually. I love the music blaring in the car with the windows down. That rarely happens since Cole would get blown away in the back seat and tell me it's too loud. But I enjoy it anyway I can get it - love it!!!

Ok - enough gushing on and on about Kenny Chesney. Well, it's not enough for me, but I'm sure YOU'VE read enough.

So, spring break is over and school is back in. I was actually very glad to come back to school and rest!! :) No, I don't nap at my desk or anything like that. We just had a busy spring break. We moved. Yep - we moved into a big giant house that's much bigger than the apartment was. And we really thought the apartment was huge. Well, we were wrong!! :) We now how a larger playroom for Cole that also has a desk area for us with a tv for him to watch. He doesn't hang out in there much yet, but I think he will eventually. We have a seperate living room that has NO TOYS IN IT! Well, most of the time anyway. That was Jason's rule since Cole has a giant toy room and his own bedroom - why should there by toys in the living room. So before Jason comes home from school and work each day, we pick up any random toys that have found their way into the living room to watch Noggin.

The best part about moving, besides the nice big house and cheaper rent - I HAVE A STUDIO!!! One whole room dedicated to nothing except ME!! Scrapbooking, crafting - whatever I want to do is there in my STUDIO. It's full of furniture and has lots of shelving for me to store everything (although it isn't all unpacked yet) and I have a tv and stereo in there (with kenny cd's of course), too. All I need is about a million dollars to buy more supplies. Ok, not really, but $100 to get the new Bind It All would be nice, and then I'd need a bunch of chipboard to make albums and all that fun stuff.

Anyway, we had a very busy week and still don't have everything taken care of at home. Lots of things to unpack - my kitchen is still in boxes due to a little bug problem left behind from the previous tenants. THEN - I almost forgot this - the neighbors daughter backed into my car. My car was simply parked in the front of the house - not really in her way at all. But she was talking on her phone I think, and backed up - right into my van. The van that isn't even a year old! The van that doesn't even have a ding or scratch anywhere except a small chip in the window from a rock. They got our numbers, didn't want to fill a report because it seems she hits lots of things and they don't want her insurance to go up anymore. So they got our neighbors and the dad was going to call. This was Saturday and we haven't heard a word!! The dad walked over to the house Monday and looked at my van in the driveway - without knocking on the door or anything. He was on his cell phone talking to someone about the van and I heard 'about $200 worth of damage' but no knock on my door. Strange!!! Jason says that have until tomorrow and he'll be knocking on their door. They have our home number and Jason's cell number - good grief!! We should have filled a report!!

Anyway - back to school - the kids are on the way in. So i've got to run and go educate!! :) I love teaching!

lisa

Ta Da.....

The paper rack is complete (except that it needs more paper). I rolled it into my guestroom yesterday and by the afternoon it looked like this:


And then I decided that it needed something else. So I got out some paint, a plastic cup, an a wonderful pink oral swab (we have a large amount of these from when Cole was going through treatment so now I paint with them) and then I ended up with this:

I like the end result now - and I added the names for each shelf with a dry erase marker so I can change it when I need something different. You can see that here (or check out my gallery at SIStv for more pictures):



A few days ago I posted a charm bracelet for a swap at Scrap Etc. and here are pictures of all the envelopes that are almost ready to be mailed. I was a little nervous about taking on such a task - and seriously still am a bit since I have to get them all mailed as well. Take a look:



So today, we're chilling at home. We went to church this morning and it poured while we were there, but stopped enough for everyone to get out and to their cars without getting soaked. We've been home since then just hanging out. Jason has been doing homework but is playing on the bed with Cole right now. The race is on and I'm wanting to get busy doing something scrap related but I'm not sure if that's going to happen. I want to start working on Cole's birthday pictures, but I really want some new paper first - maybe Basic Grey's Cupcake line - that would be nice. So I guess I'll wait a little longer and maybe play around on the computer while I can - Jason sometimes hogs it on the weekends with all the homework.


Oh I have a movie to watch, I forgot about that! We did watch a movie together the other night - this one:



And I have this one to watch sometimes this weekend - maybe tomorrow since school is out!

Ok - I guess that's all from me - I'm off to upload pics to the gallery at SIStv!

lisa

My new paper rack is fabulous!!

Before I show off my fabulous paper rack - I just have to say I'm so sorry I don't do spell check - I appologize to the few readers I may have!! I tried to update this earlier today with some random ramblings but the page kept freezing on me - which it did again tonight. I had to just go through blogger instead of my blog to log in and update. But while the page was stuck there glaring at me - I saw many typos. So, I'm sorry. I will try to do better with the spell check thing! And about this blogger thing - I can't open anyone else's blog either without the freezing up thing happening - so I dumped the music so we're Kenny free for now - sadly!

Ok - now to the paper rack........

It's fabulous. It's big. It's wonderful and it's still empty because they just left. So here a few pictures. Check it out.....

The full view!

A close up.

And another shot!

It has all those slots and hold 12x12 with no problems - the piece there on the top shelf is 12x12. I can just picture it with a little ribbon on the edge of each slot with a tag attached that states what's located there (brand name, cardstock - whatever)!! I'm a little giddy!!

Jason has decided he's had enough homework for the night and wants to watch a movie - but I only rented chick flicks since I knew he'd be doing homework the whole weekend. When I said I rented "The Waitress" and "I'm not the woman for you" he said - ok, maybe I'll just do my homework.

Off to find something interesting to watch - interesting to him, I guess!!


Lisa

Will the craziness ever end?

So just when we thought everyone was good - feeling good, healthy again - or at least on the way to being healthy - Cole got sick last night. Poor guy threw up sometime during the night and either slept through it - or just pushed his gross covers out of the way and rolled over. He didn't cry for us, nothing - and he has always come to wake me up if something was wrong, or cried at least. And I always hear him. So, I feel terrible that I didn't hear him and don't have any idea if he just laid awak all night or what?? So I kept him home today and he missed his Valentine party. I'm the room mom so I had to email and make some arrangements to get some things taken care of. I waited until I was sure Cole wasn't going to spew again (are you ever sure though?) and we drove up to the school and I ran in the stuff for the party. This was around 9:15 or so and he's only been up since 6:30. He fell asleep in the car on the way home - he was really tired. He only slept a few minutes (maybe five) but that revived him. He got a little burst of energy there for a bit. We made a bed in the living room (we had an inflatable mattress from the weekend) and he snuggled in with about a gajillion stuffed animals and watched cartoons. He's eaten some goldfish, drank some watered down Sprite and now he's napping again. He's been asleep about an hour now I guess. So I really hope the rest will help him out!! Bless his heart!



So over at Scrap Etc. we've done a charm swap fro a bunch of us that are attending the event in April. Everyone is mailing their stuff to me and I'm dealing it all out and mailing them back. The charms are so very cute!! I made my bracelet today with the charms I've already received and it's too cute!! Here's a picture:

There are several charms there that I'm so envious of - things I don't know how to make. Most of them I think I could do - but some?? I'm clueless how they did it. So I hope they will all share once we get everything completed - that way I'll know their secrets!! HEE HEE

My dad emailed me earlier with good news. He had a paper rack built for me. It's wooden and will have wheels - he send me a picture of what it's modeled after, but I haven't seen it yet. Since he's been sick and Cole's sickly today we won't be seeing them tonight - but probaby this weekend. So I'll be doing some paper organizing soon!

On the work front, I may be taking a long term subbing job soon - it'll be for someone's maternity leave and for about two months. That will be wonderful. I would love to be able to depend on steady work. I have several dentist appointments though and those are going to have to change so I can work - Working is way more important!! Well, at least the money is to pay for the dental work. So it'll just go a little slower than originally planned. That's ok though. I hate going to the dentist anyway. The only good thing about the dentist is it is right next door to a scrapbook store - Scrapbook Mania - that always makes it a little nicer. Sometimes I don't go in because my mouth hurts too bad to be fixed with scrapping supplies, but most of the time paper is purchased!!

Well, i'm going to check on Cole, he's been napping long enough I think - or we'll be up all night long!!

Lisa

I'm good again!

Not that I was ever BAD - but my blog was behaving badly. I just couldn't shake that pesky Happy Holiday's banner. It's all valentiney now! Yeah!

So I got to crop this weekend and did a total of 22 pages, finished a mini album, punched out about a gajillion Mickey Mouse heads, and got some nice chick time in! It was nice to work a little and visit with the other girls. Very Nice! And wow, 22 pages was HUGE - seeing how I have only done one page so far this year before this weekend. I haven't scanned any of my pages yet, but I will. Maybe this weekend. I'm adjusting to being busy with subbing, laundry, dishwashing, homework (cole's, not mine), trying to get to church more - lots of stuff going on. I've been out of this working all the time, trying to balance real life and raising a kid at the same time thing. I mean I haven't had a full time job since Cole was born, although I don't really have one now either, but any time I'm working three times in a week I get a little crazy. Add to that a few things to do in the evening other than veg out in front of the tv and I'm at a loss for what to do when. So I get up early and tip toe around while the boys sleep, empty the dishwasher, wash some clothes, etc - and in the afternoons I do the same things - again. I guess when it's something you do every day you get used to it. But subbing is random, you never know when you'll get called and you never know if you'll work the next day so you just have to plan ahead. Planning ahead is great really, I love the idea of it, but executing it isn't always my strong suite!

Anyway on to other things - we finally got a new set of glasses - remember in the survey the other day I mentioned always drinking out of plastic because I have strong dislike for our glasses - well we've been looking in many places trying to find a new set we both like - something that's big enough for jason and cute enough for me. We had a hard time agreeing, but finally at Walmart we found a set that we both agreed on - so now we own new glasses. The others were wedding gifts and about 8 years old. It was time to move on.

On the same shopping trip we bought a new printer. It'll print pictures, regular printing is quicker than our old printer and it scans, copies, reads memory cards - all that fun stuff. The best part - are you ready? It's wireless!! So now Jason can print from the laptop without having to email himself his homework, kick me off my computer to pull it up and then print it and then realize he messed something up and needs to redo something leaving me to wait and wait to get back on the computer. So we're happy campers. New printer that fits both our needs, new glasses we agreed on - what more do you need in life?

Ok - remember all that busy stuff - well it's time to get back to it. I've gotta run and get my clothes for tomorrow ready (i'll be in the fourth grade) and get Cole's clothes ready (he's still in first) and then get my clothes for Thursday ready because I won't be home tomorrow night. or tonight either. Cole is going to play with his little girlfriends tonight and we're going to church tomorrow night. THis is our first Wednesday night visit and I'm hesitant. It starts at 7 which means we'll be heading home around 8:30 and i'm certain cole will fall asleep in the car at some point and that stinks. I'm hoping instead, he'll fall asleep in the car on the way home from school, take a little 15 minute nape and be good to go for church. We'll see what happens. I just can't really get enough of this church, so we're going to give it a try. Plus Monique has to sit by herself on Wednesday night and I just can't let her do that!! :)

ok - the dryer just beeped, gotta go fold more clothes! yippee

lisa