Christmas Day

Christmas Day was filled with lots of surprises. For one thing this year it was impossible to get to our Christmas decorations because Marc usually stores the lights, trees, etc himself. And with him being out of commission we had no way of getting to ( our even knowing where he kept everything). So I picked up new stockings from the dollar store and a few ornaments to decorate my Valentines tree ( which was still in the house from last year). Not bad if I do say so myself. And it was cheap!

We also had agreed to not buy gifts until after Christmas in part because Marc is still waiting for his disability to be approved ( don't even ask). Of course I should have known that my family would not be good with that one. Even the children were scrapping together a few funds here and there to surprise each other on Christmas Day. And mom and dad not to be outdone....well let's just say we made sure there were a few trinkets under the tree ( well actually just on the floor of the diningroom, sense the tree was on the table). The one lesson I learned this year...is that I have some really great kids. Not once did they complain about the conditions this year or even the gifts that they were given. as a matter of fact they seemed to be pleased and content with everything they got. I told Marc we must have done something right. Even Marc "hobbled" out to JCPenney's on Christmas Eve morning to surprise me with a new coat ( a must needed item ). My son got me good also....I am the proud new owner of an Ipod Nano. The kids found it very funny that I kept it around my neck all day ( after Nicki loaded a few of my CD's on it ). I was not expecting anything for Christmas and in the end I felt very special because of my family.

I even took the advice of my friend Molly and handed the camera over to others this year. We have a few pictures from the day but mostly we just set back and let the memories surround us. I plan to scrap a page with journaling about the day later this week. My mom and sister came to us for Christmas so that Marc could stay off of his feet ( which he didn't do very well, especially after my mom handed him a cane....thanks mom).

I surprised Marc with a DVD series from a conference he wanted to go to this year that he unfortunately was not able to attend. I think he was pleasantly surprised. I will be busy in the coming weeks completing an album for my mom and sister which was suppose to be their Christmas gifts. I have been so busy with Marc's recuperation that a lot of my plans got put on the back burner. Hoping to rectify that as soon as possible.

My mom gave me cash for Christmas ( to be spent on myself ). Not sure what I will get...I may just hold on to a while. She also gave me a bag of Calgon bath products with instructions to "let it take me away". That one will be put to very good use in the very near future. All in all I have to say that we had a very blessed Christmas. And even though it was low key and not my "ideal" Christmas, I can't complain. After all the real reason for the season was the celebration of our Saviour Jesus Christ. And after all he has done for me...who am I to complain?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ( yes, I know it is early but I may not get a chance to get back on here for a while).

This year brought many challenges and triumphs for our family. 2006 was a rough year ( car fires, job lay-offs, fences being ran over in our front yard) so we were glad to usher in 2007. The year started with the celebration of my mom’s retirement after 36 years of service to the State. This allowed one of my lifelong dreams to come true...which was to visit Chicago with my mom, where we got to see the sights of Chicago and the Color Purple. 2007 also marked the first year that the cousins in my family held a reunion in which we honored our parents. TJ turned 24 (of course if you asked him he would deny it). Nicki recorded her first single (still waiting to be copyrighted) and got to sing the National Anthem for our State Chief Justice. She will soon be entering her Senior year in college where she is studying Mass Communications. Quisha became a graduate on December 8th with a BA degree in Psychology (YAH). She is now pursuing a job out in the “real world“, and hopes to hone her skills by working with young children. At the end of the year Marc was forced to let go and let God have his way when he suffered and infection that has taken him off of his feet for the next month. Through it all we have been “overwhelmed” by the love shown to us by our church, family and friends. We are not sure what adventures await us in 2008. One bright spot will be the celebration of 25 years of marriage. We look forward to continuing to serve at our church....and watching the development of the lives of our children and family. Our prayers for you are that you have a blessed and Happy New Year.

Still here, just busy with home and hearth. Marc is doing very well. Monnday they took the pick line out of his arm.......so no more iv. Hoping the stitches will come out soon. Found this on a blog today and it so speaks to our life right now. It's really hard to let go and let God have his way. So sometimes he has to sit us down anyway (LOL).

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,

not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.........Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

I Introduce You to the Graduate!

Its been a rough couple of weeks. It started right after Thanksgiving....Marc developed an infection in his foot. Within a few days ( after the antibiotics they started him on didn't seem to work ) he was admitted into the hospital. His sugar levels were through the roof and his infection was not getting any better. He has had surgery and lost his small toe, but we are thankful that it wasn't any worse. He has been home a week now and although he is still on iv he is doing a lot better. He will be at home for the rest of the month though. I am dead tired having played nurse, mother of the graduate, etc. I will never take for granted what family's go through when a loved one is in the hospital. Thankfully we have been very blessed. Our church, family and friends have been out of this world. Words can not describe how overwhelmed we are by their love. The doctor's gave Marc permission to attend Quisha's graduation. I cried like a baby when I saw her name printed in the program. She has worked so hard for this day, and we have been so worried about Marc that our focus has not been where we wanted it to be this week. Quisha didn't care...the most important thing to her Saturday was that her Dad and I were there.

I will be away from blogging for a while. Marc has been admitted to the hospital. Please keep our family in your prayers.

Christmas Came Early

I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving. Ours was fairly quiet. Spent the day with my mom and sister just relaxing and laughing. Nothing formal or stuffy. We just got together for dinner then set around the table talking and exchanging stories. On Black Friday Marc and I avoided the lines and only stopped in M's long enough to pick up my Big Kick. I have been saving to get this since the wedding I did a few months ago. But thanks to hubby and a couple of coupons from Michael's I will now be able to use that money for something else. Maybe that Big Picture Class I have been begging for (smile). I love the fact that I will be able to use my various dies from different manufactures in one machine ( that includes a couple of Disney dies from cutterbug).

The Day Couldn't Get any Better then This!

Guess what just got delivered to our door in time for the holidays!




Yes. I am back! I have been working on a surprise Birthday Album for Nicki with pictures from her trip to DC. With the exception of a few details here and there I am finally done. I had a ball working on this. It just seemed to come together and the style fits my style of scrapbooking. I used DCWV cardstock, my 7 gypsies stamps, a few of my new punches, and embellishments from Target. All that is left to add is journaling...and I am leaving that up to Nicki.

The Importance of Pictures


This past week I worked on an album for a very special family. Earlier during the year they asked me to help them plan their first trip to WDW. Well, as you know that is right up my alley. I created an itinerary for them along with several tips on what to see and do. I even got to speak to them a few times while they were on the trip.

The most memorable being the last night they were there. My girlfriend called me to say that they had been picked as the family of the day for Chef Mickey's. Part of their promotion for a "Year of a Million Dreams". My girlfriend was actually crying and wanted to share the experience with me. I felt so blessed at the time. Mostly because they "got" why this place is so special to me. And I knew that it was a memory that would stay with them for a lifetime.

The biggest blessing came this week when I asked her to let me put together her book. She didn't want anything fancy, and she is not a scrapbooker. She just wanted a simple book that her daughters could look at and remember the wonderful trip that they had. Part of me wished that I could do more, but I took her album and pictures home and started laying the photos out to organize them......and a flood of emotions came over me. It brought me back to our first trip to Disney. The look on my children's faces when they experienced Magic Kingdom for the first time. The first time they danced on Main Street with the characters. Our first monorail ride up front. Our first character meal. Driving through the gates of Walt Disney World and realizing we were actually there. The first time we saw the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom. Nicki's first experience with a "Small World". Buzz Lightyear's reaction to her braids. the day I fell in love with the Grand Floridian Hotel after a trip across the water on the Disney boat. Our first Safari ride and the first time we saw the Electric Light Parade. So many of our first, I saw again through the eyes of my friend and her family.

Then I started thinking about my scrapbook pages and the many pictures I have stored up on my computer ( not even on a disc..big mistake people. Back those photos up ). For years we took pictures that never made it into a scrapbook, but were in albums just waiting for family and friends to see. Now because of the digital age and scrapbook albums most of my memories are still waiting around to be scrapped, not even a tangible image in my hand. As much as I love scrapbooking I love the pictures and the memories more. And so I have made a decision to start developing my memories again. Some may make it into a scrapbook page, others may just be a photograph in a "safe" photobook. There is room for both, but if they stay in my computer to me that is just as bad as when we had them in boxes underneath our bed. I got so much satisfaction from creating my friends book as I did the first time I created a Disney album for my family. And to me that is what its really all about. Not the magazines, or the manufactures, or even the scrapboards or the Design Teams. If you are not enjoying the process then all of the other things are for naught.

My girlfriend has thanked me for blessing her. I want to thank her for blessing me. Seeing her memories reminded me of my memories. My memories reminded me why I got into scrapbooking in the first place. And that was for my family. I don't think I will ever stop being a scrapbooker. I will be the first to admit that I love the shopping, I love touching the products. I love the friendships I have formed because of this hobby. But most importantly I love the picture memories I have and the look on my family and friends faces when they see those pictures....whether it be in a scrapbook or just a plain old album.

You Light Up My Life

OK, so many of you know I have one of those rare husbands....the kind that doesn't mind shopping for scrapping goods. So look what he brought home last night ( the men in my life are famous for gifting ). We saw this light at office depot last month...it was already marked down to $40.00, but I told him to just keep an eye on it. Surprisingly he remembered and they marked it down another $20.00 so he picked it up. It has made a significant difference in the lightning in my room. Since my scraproom is actually my livingroom I don't have overhead lighting which stinks on gloomy days ( like today ). But I have a huge bay window that brings in lots of light on a good day. The one floor lamp I had just wasn't cutting it, so I am going to love being able to scrap day or night, sunshine or rain. And that is especially needed today since I am working on a surprise gift album. Thanks honey for lightning up my life (lol).

Combining the Old With the New ( lesson learned...............stop hoarding Cyndi ) !

So its not my favorite page in the world, but I finally used some old products that I brought over a year ago ( sad I know ), with new products from a few weeks ago. So at least I have started the process of letting go and just scrapping. I realize now that when I started scrapping to get "published" that I lost a little bit of what made scrapping so much for fun for me. I wanted to do what everyone else was doing when in reality my pages have always been about me. Somehow the me in me forgot that. And even though I have said this before...I didn't realize how much I lost by trying to fit in with the crowd. Its time to get a little piece of that back again. So let the scrapping begin (lol).

Its Been A Good Day



Today was a good day. I finally cleaned off that messy desk in my scraproom. And just as I was finishing up my son handed me a new friend to add to my collection of bears. Isn't he cute?




Then hubby came home with some new cd's. Guess its time to pull out the Christmas tree and start playing the Christmas music.

It was also a productive day. I finally added my new punches to my expanding punch collection. And my new M's $1 Christmas stamps. I also used my crop-a-dile to punch holes in my Heidi Swapp stamps so that I could put them on a binder ring to keep them all together. I have even started to sort my acrylic stamps into jewel cases like my friend Jeanette did a while back.

I am hoping tonight to actually scrap a couple of pictures for a surprise mini album.

Veteran's Day

Headed out tonight to have dinner at our local Golden Corral where they are honoring veterans. Hubby is a Dessert Storm Vet so I feel very honored to spend the evening with him and other veterans in our area. This picture was taken when Marc first went off to join the military over 26 years ago. We salute all of the military personal and their families who sacrifice each and every day for their country.

My One Indulgence for the Day

Yes it had too much margarine, too much syrup, and too much sugar.........but it was sooo good. I also cut up apples and cooked them with cranberries, brown sugar, walnuts, cinnamon and a bit of lemon juice. And that's turkey bacon so I didn't do too bad (lol).

Sing Girl, Sing!

I didn't have to fix dinner on Friday because I went to a reception with Nicki at her college. She was asked to sing The National Anthem for a service where one of our state senators and a state supreme court justice was attending. How cool is that?

Ramblings ( again )


Yes, I know it is not Monday....just can't seem to get my act together until midway into the week. I don't even remember what I had Monday ( may have been leftovers ). Last night I attempted to make the Pasta Bowl you can find at Applebees. Tasted pretty good according to the family. Tonight is spaghetti ( a staple in my family.... if I believed in another life I would probably have been Italian ). Tomorrow night I plan to make my fav. soup.....Broccoli and Cheese ( had to learn that one after several trips to Panera Bread ), and Friday....well we will just have to wait and see.

Ok, I want to be like Nicki when I grow up. The girl is still receiving birthday gifts! She had this waiting for her when she went back to work yesterday. Her boss felt bad because she missed the big celebration for October Birthdays.

The roses were from my hubby. He has this habit of taking flowers to some of the ladies in our church when they are in the hospital or have been sick. Smart husband that he is........ he never comes home without a dozen for his wife. I always make sure to tell them that I don't allow him to take roses to just anyone and if he brings them flowers then they are a very special person.

Lastly, had to throw in a scrap post (lol). I brought this yesterday so that I can do this. Will let you know how it goes.

Well that's the ramblings for today. And sense I usually post a quote by now, thought I would piggy back on the quote that Stacy J posted a few days ago. With all the stuff going on in the scrapbook world....this is a good piece of advice.

"We could learn a lot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty,some are dull, while others bright, some have weird names, but they all have learned to live together in the same box."
Robert Fulghum (b. 1937)author, pastor

Much Ado About Nothing

Just a few ramblings from this weekend:

This is for my friend Peggy who I have been doing some pages for. Just thought I would let her know that I am still at it ( be it a little slow).


You would think by the mess on this desk that I have been very productive when in fact the desk has looked liked this since the LIITD on-line crop last month. Guess I need to get busy cleaning so I can get some scrapping done.

Nicki and Quisha made it back in time for Nicki ( Quisha wanted to rest ) to go with me to church Sunday evening. Of course the fact that they were serving food after the service probably added in her coming along. Marc took this picture, so I am not sure what I was doing at the time (lol). I think I was singing.

Saturday was suppose to be my day to scrap ( especially with the girls out of the house for two days ). Well instead Marc and I slept in late, then went out to lunch and shopping. I had this bright idea to use my Michael's and AC Moore coupons but instead I picked up the label punch ( which was already on sale ) and then hit pay dirt when I stopped in Tuesday Morning. They had Marva punches for $4.00 and Sizzix Sizzlets for $7.00. I picked up three sets of Sizzlets and 2 Marva punches. I am thinking I may need to go back again. I have been eyeing some of the cool techniques on this blog for a while and one of the things on my must have tool list is the new Nestabilities. I know most scrappers are addicted to paper and cardstock but for me nothing gets me more excited or inspired then a new tool. I love the flexibility that it allows with my pages. I love the fact that I can create some of the same embellishments that the manufactures put out but with my own spin. Down the line I am hoping to get the punch that creates holes for a spiral album, a few more punches and top on my list is the Fiskars circle tool.

Just in case a few family members are listening a great Christmas gift for me would be a gift card to Michael's or AC Moore...or cash for The "Library of Memories" class over at Big Picture( just in case you wanted to know....lol).

Nicki's Photos

A few of the photos from Nicki's trip. I told her she really needs to take some photography classes next semester. She has a good eye (and I am not just saying that because she is my daughter).

Miss. Nicki goes to Washington

This past weekend the girls traveled to Washington DC to celebrate Nicki's 22nd Birthday. They got to visit their adopted Big Brother and Big Sister. The girls tell me they had so much fun that they did not want to come home.

Fall Harvest

Nicki ( as Nicki the "Glamour Girl" ) and one of the members of our church.


Quisha ( Queen Esther)




My Aunt taking a break at the craft table.



As usual my family was thick in the middle of things. For the last three years Nicki has volunteered to be our face painting person. Its actually one of the most popular stations at the event. This year we added a craft table to our list and thanks to Quisha and my Aunt Maryland it was a successful addition to the many booths we have set up. The event is held each year at our church as a alternative to Halloween for the neighborhood and our church members. Its free and open to everyone and has become a family event. We offer lots of food and fun ( mini golf, ring toss, bowling, tin can alley, tic tac toe .............just to name a few) and prizes. Marc and I never got to take a picture together, as a matter of fact I ended up giving my camera to someone else because I kept getting pulled away from the photo booth to assist here and there. All in all it was a great evening.

Tired but Happy

I'm out of here. Well, just for a few days of rest ( if you don't include choir rehearsal tomorrow evening and my minister's wives meeting on Friday). Do I look as tired as I feel? Its been a long month and although I thought I was done ( now that the birthdays, youth revivals, and our Fall Harvest are over ) I plan to chill for a while. At least that was the plan until someone reminded me tonight that I have the Christmas program ahead of me. Considering the fact that Drama Ministry at our church has long been a dream of mind, I can't not stay involved. So I will be back at it again soon. Tonight had its challenges and ups and downs. But all in all I think the children enjoyed themselves ( and several parents came out to share in the Festival. This has been my third year coordinating the event with our Youth Ministry and as much work as is involved I wouldn't change a thing (except for maybe a few things). Especially after seeing the smiles on the children's faces and even on parents, and grandparents. Even our volunteers got into the spirit of the celebration. I worried that I would have a hard time sticking to my diet with all of the tempting food ( which included cotton candy, hamburgers, hotdogs, popcorn, and nacho's with cheese ) but I kept it a minimum. Headed to bed now.....I hurt in places I didn't know existed anymore (lol).

On another note I have to wish my mom Happy Birthday. October is such a busy time for our church that rarely do I get to spend time with my mom on her birthday. But in a few weeks I will be going home to help her with some stuff. That always makes for a great time. Growing up I thought my mom was crazy ( mostly because she didn't fit the typical "mommy" mold ). She still doesn't. But she is a cool mom ( especially in the eyes of my children). My mom would dress up on Halloween ( in part because it was her birthday but also just because). That embarrassed me, but of course my kids now think that is what makes her so special. When I was younger I disagreed. Years later I appreciate all that is my mom. She has offered to go clubbing ( is that even a word) with the girls, offers them certificates from Victoria Secrets, and even though she has a lot on her plate..she is never to busy to make out time for us. I love her to life.

And on that note this girl is calling it a night. See you all soon.

Menu Monday..........This week is a work in progress (and a day late...lol).

Monday

- Spinach Ravioli ( with homemade sauce and lean ground turkey)

Tuesday

- Salad

Wednesday

- I will be working the booths at our Fall Festival ( hotdogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, popcorn, and nachos with cheese.....hence the salad tonight).

Thursday

- Spaghetti ( with ground turkey)

- Salad

- French Toast

Friday

- Roasted Chicken

- String beans ( with onions and walnuts )

-Baked potatoes

Saturday

- Not sure yet ( any suggestions? )

Sunday

- Steak with rice and mixed vegetables ( cauliflower/broccoli in a cheese sauce )