Commercial Break

I needed a break today, just to do something silly for myself. So because its my own challenge and I make the rules.....we are pausing for a commercial break. See you back here tomorrow at the same place at the same time. So for the fun of it I am tagging a few of my friends :

Answer the following question and then post it at your blog. Pass it on to one other person and have them do the same thing.

10 Random Thing About Me ( You May or May Not Know ) .

1) When I was younger I wanted to be an airline stewardess.

2) I refuse to walk barefoot anywhere ( including in the house ). So the picture above is very rare.

3) I have never traveled anywhere completely alone in my entire 42 years of life.

4) I am Philly girl born and bred ( well at least born ).

5) I hate seafood ( can't even stand the smell ).

6) I graduated from the Barbizon School of Fashion Merchandising ( not sure it even exist anymore ).

7) I am a pasta addict.

8) I love the water but can't swim a lick ( and I hate sand in my toes ) !

9) I am a list maker by nature ( you should see how many notebooks I can go through in a week ).

10) I go into Disney withdrawal if I don't visit WDW at least once every two years.

Of course you know this will end up being a scrapbook page.

Day 14 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Oprah Say's

"What God intended for you goes far beyond anything you can ever imagine. "

That's much needed info when you start to doubt the path you are taking is the right one. Its been a couple of days since I posted any layouts. Not because I haven't wanted to , and not because I have been busy with the wedding. I just can't seem to get my groove back. In part I think its because I started to question whether my work was good enough to submit. When I start to look at pages that other's submit I say ..." I can do that", and then fear sets in. But this morning a friend emailed me to let me know she was proud of me for stepping up and finally submitting some of my pages ( thanks Kelli ). She even said she had been praying about it! Then Oprah came on this afternoon and a lady talked about pursuing her acting dreams after watching an Oprah episode and remembering each time she went up for a part the quote from Oprah. A few months ago I received the same quote via email from Oprah's daily inspiration newsletter. I think I even mentioned it in one of my blog entries. But like most sayings you hear , you make note of it at the time and move on. Today God reminded me who was in charge........and just imagine what can happen when you let him lead ( and you actually follow ) ?

Day 13 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Day of Rest !

Sunday was a blessing because for the first time in days I did not rush ( to do anything ). I even played hooky from Sunday School ! I sat in the back of the church with Quisha ( Nicki spent the night with Jen, she deserved it after chauffeuring me around for the last three days ) enjoyed the service, then went home and propped my feet up awhile. I fixed dinner ( first time I have done that on Sunday in a long time ) ate a big scoop of icecream, surfed the web a bit, and went to bed at a decent hour. I'd say it was a day well spent. No rushing here and there, a little time spent with my Lord, good food ( if do say so myself ), pleasant company, and nearly 8 hours of uninterrupted beauty sleep. What more can a girl ask for ?

Day 12 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Cinderella's ( Pink ) Slippers ....... A Girl's Bestfriend !

Last night I came home and crawled into my comfortable bed, grateful that it was waiting for me after a long day. Tonight I came home grateful for my ratty old pink slippers. After many years of coordinating weddings the one great tip I have for any party planner is wear comfortable shoes! Today I wore my pink slippers while setting up the reception hall . My plan was to to change into my white mules for the wedding ceremony and then back into my slippers after the reception ( breaking down decorations is not as fun or glamorous as putting them up ). Those pink slippers ended up being my lifesaver . From the moment I hit the church I hit the ground running. Mostly trying to get people to there spot and back. A few times I ran around the church (literally) between the brides room and that of the groom trying to keep them informed of what was going on while they waited for the ceremony to start. At the end of the service Nicki and I got in the car and headed to the reception site to receive guest as they came in. The opportunity to change shoes never came! But the gratitude came at the end of the day after standing on my feet for nearly 6 hours. My feet felt wonderful ! Now, I can't say the same for most of the ladies there that day. I can recall at least 5 women say they wish they had thought to bring a comfortable pair of shoes with them because now their feet were killing them. I would look down at my feet, look back up again and just smile. And they say diamonds are a girls bestfriend (smile).

Day 11 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Bedknobs and Broomsticks!

Today was a long day filled with serious talk about starting a new business, 75 wedding favors, a wedding rehearsal and a rehearsal dinner. So tonight I'm grateful for my down filled comforter, cotton sheets and my rolling waterbed. Goodnight.....sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite !!! This girl is off to a hot bath and lala land ( a lady needs her beauty sleep when she has to be at a reception hall at 8 am to set up for 138 guest ).

Day 10 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Today God sent an Angel

My heart started going down hill last night. And just when I thought I was doing so good (well ?). I had just submitted to Scrapbook Playground for a guest designer spot and I have been feeling really good lately about my "art" work ( its still hard for me to say that one straight ). Anyway, Marc had gone to pick up my bp pills and when I called to check with him at work he told me the pills had cost nearly $50.00 ( for 31 days of pills )! They usually cost $15.00 so needless to say this was a shock. It occurred to us that now that we are without insurance that this may have been the reason why. I was reminded of my words a month ago about how I would not miss the whacko insurance from Marc's old job ( guess I will be eating those words ). Weeks of trying to stay strong after he had lost his job, and then having him to be blessed to have found a new one ( even with the lost in income , long hours, etc......still trying to remember that at least its a job ) I basically just fell apart. I started asking God....why us ? My emotions became overwhelmed by thoughts of how we would pay for everything ( mortgage, utilities, food, medicine ). For the first time in a year I felt like crawling up in a ball in my bed and just staying there. It had been a year since I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, a year since my migraines had disappeared. No more days and weeks laying in bed holding my head. The fact that I wanted to go back to that place seemed to increase my anger and frustration. So I went to bed early hoping that these feelings would wash away in the morning light. Not so, this morning I woke up crying...not even Marc could console me. I felt guilty for even burdening him with this, so I got up ...washed my face and went to my one spot of refuge (my scraproom). That's when it happened...I read a blog entry from Melody Ross and it not only made me feel ashamed for wasting most of yesterday evening but part of my morning time with Marc on something beyond my control. I will leave you to read the article "Expect Difficulty...Then Expect Miracles" on your own. I can only say what it meant to me. For one it made me stop the pity party I had going on. She didn't say anything new ( or that I didn't already know ), but she reminded me ( granted it required a swift kick in the butt ) that I am a child of the King and he has kept me and my family through worst and that he will bring me through this. Good grief, for the last 9 days I have been talking about gratitude and because of that I have done the best pages in my life. I even checked off one of my goals for the year which was to apply for a DT position. Even if I have to apply to 20 different places before it actually happens just the fact that I did is a miracle in itself. So Melody I was listening. And today I am grateful for an angel named Melody Ross who I have never met, but who I know was the miracle God sent my way this morning. I got up this morning expecting difficulty and instead I received a miracle.....God Bless You.

Note: there will be a picture on my layout but because it is a picture of Melody ( and I don't have her permission to use it ) I will not post it or the layout. But you can see the picture that will be used here: www.melodyross.com/

Day 9 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Sketch Crazy ( you never know what will bring on an attititude of gratitude ) !!!!

Ok, I have said it many times....I love sketches. Last year I splurged on the sketch book from Deluxe Designs. And although I don't have the templates I love pulling this book out when I am working on a layout and get scrappersblock. Anyway, a few weeks ago while blog stalking I found the Deluxe Design blog and bookmarked it. Today was the first chance I had to go back and check them out. Oh my goodness, they had some of their sketches up to share ( yes, I tend to get excited about sketches ). Then I went to Magictrips and someone had posted a site with lots of sketch links. Needless, to say this girl is in sketch heaven and I will be printing out ideas all day to add to my binder ( which is already brimming with Becky Fleck sketches and even some from Heidi Swapp ). I keep my Becky Higgins sketches in a small box filed by number of pictures. And I am leaning towards having her books spiral bound at my local Office Depot. I can honestly say this is my number 1 tip for scrappers who may have lost their mojo. That and scrapbook challenges ( but that's another story for another time). Hey, if you think about it...I can even say I am grateful for all of those people who create sketches to share....you helped a sister out !

Day 8 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Disney

Come on, you knew I would get it in there sooner or later (lol). But seriously, I am grateful for the opportunities I have had over the years to explore this magical place. Walt Disney was a genius! Where else can you go and become a child all over again like you can at Disney ? My childhood was filled with lots of good, but also some bad. So this place has become a refuge for me, a place where I can be a kid in a way I never experienced growing up. For as long as I can remember I have dreamed about going to Disney, being a mouseketeer, and meeting Mickey. That dream would not come true until I was in my mid 30's ( thanks again to that great hubby of mine). By then my children were much older and they ( having been raised on all things Disney ) also fell in love with the place. And surprise, surprise so did Marc. Since that first trip we have been back many times, but for me its never become old or boring. It feels like a second home almost. We know the parks so well that we rarely have to pull out a map. Now in the grand scheme of things Disney is not as important as my relationship with God, or world events, or even day to day living. And I know that there are lots of folks who will never have the opportunity my family has had to go even once. Maybe that is why I am grateful. I know that it has been a privilege and a blessing and perhaps the next time I complain about Marc's job hours, or not having the money that week to buy a sizzix alphabet, or not being able to find a thing to wear among my sea of clothes I will open up one of my 4 Disney albums, bite my tonque and get over myself. So, once again thank you Lord for all that you have given me and my family and for showing us favor.

Layouts

Day 7 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Special Man of God

What do you say about a man who loves to shop ? Not just for himself but for everyone he comes in contact with. Just ask our family and friends ( even his co-workers ). Don't get me wrong he loves his designer suits, shoes, shirts and ties. But, he gets more satisfaction out of giving to others. And how do you not fall in love with a man who is willing to scout out the local scrapbook stores looking for your favorite paper, embellishment or diecuts ? Not to mention setting up a beautiful scrapbook room filled with a few of my favorite things. I could even talk about the surprise trip to Hawaii for two weeks that he planned without any help from me ( the original trip planner )......but that would take all day. Let's just say that he is a very special man, and I am grateful that God placed him in "my" life.

Showers of Blessing Photo(s)

Not sure how I will use the pictures yet. Right now I have it in a collage form, but that may change by the time I do an actual layout. These are a few of my favorites. Of course Nicki was front and center as our Vanna White model . Anytime you say action that girl is ready. Hope you enjoy our crazy quilt of a family.

Pictures for the 31 Day Challenge

I'm thinking I may need to upload my pictures before I start journaling. Blogger has been giving me a fit, but I had no problems adding the pictures when the screen was empty of words ( go figure). Anyway, the bottom picture is the book I read for Day 4, the layout is from Day 3 when Quisha left for Nashville (its missing some elements....I'm actually waiting for the dies from quickutz to use on it). I will post again when its done. The rest of the pictures are for Day 6. I'm going to use all of them on my "Food on the Table" layout. I haven't decided which picture I will use for Day 5 "Showers of Blessings" yet ( my sister sent me more pictures this morning, so I may actually use more then one ). I'm not behind on my journaling just need to step up the layouts part, but hey...its my challenge ( so no deadlines...lol).

Day 6 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Food on the Table

Thank you Lord......for food on our table. Have you ever taken something for granted ? I don't just mean people, sometimes we take circumstances for granted. This week I know God has been speaking to me about blessing others as they have blessed me. Even right now in the midst of our own crisis he has been telling me that I can still be a blessing to someone. I haven't figured out yet how I am going to do that, I just know the opportunity will come along and that the true test of my faith will be how I handle it. I am also learning how to except blessings in my life with a new respect..... you could say I am seeking an attitude of gratitude (lol). For many years a neighbor of ours would drop off fresh vegetables and bread on our front door. Those of you who know me , know my cooking skills usually do not extend beyond...box, can and take-out (just ask my husband). I am ashamed to say that sometimes some of these items went to waste, mostly because of my own laziness. After reading "Julia's Hope" this weekend I came home to a bushel of corn, and a bag of fresh tomatoes in my fridge from a week ago. In the story Julia fed her family off of the land, and each day she would tell her children that God would provide. They had way less food then my own have ever experienced. Yes, we have had lean moments...when the cupboards seemed bare. But, just like in the story...God provided. The problem was that I didn't see it. He provided each day that we had water, bread, milk ( not fresh from a cow, but down the street in a store fridge waiting ice cold ). He also provided through our neighbor Mrs. V, who left a gift on our steps every few months. I don't even want to think about how many times I did not use this special gift. Even if I had not wanted it, I know plenty who could use it. I have promised myself ( and God ) that this will not happen again. This morning Quisha called me ( while still at the airport ) to tell me that one of the young ladies she had met at the conference this weekend was sending me her tote bag from the conference. Quisha had tried to get me one at the vendor booth the night before leaving but had been unable to get close to the tables because of the crowd. She ended up getting me a t-shirt instead. Even if I never get the bag, the fact that she offered will stay in my mind for a long time to come. This reminded me of the flowers I received earlier that day from my cousin ( the one who we did the shower for ). While we were still decorating the house for the party she stopped by with flowers for my mom, the grandmothers, greatgrandmothers, and aunts and godmother. There were even flowers for me ! It was a thank you for helping out with the shower. Needless to say several of us were in tears at that moment. As I type now I think about all of the "food" God has provided. Not just the kind to nourish my body, but food that nourishes my soul. Thank you Lord....this weekend you supplied food for my table.

Day 5 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Showers of Blessings

Yesterday was a great time to get together with family and friends. It was especially wonderful because we came together to celebrate a very special occasion. In a few months one of my "little cousins" ( if you saw how tall he was you would laugh) and his wife will celebrate the arrival of their first child, my "big cousins" first grandchild and the first great grandchild of my great aunt. If it is a girl ( as has been predicted ) it will be the 4th generation in my Aunt Julia's family. I enjoyed setting up for Virginia's baby shower, picking out games and prizes, decorating and mostly just happy to be there to help my cousins during this special time. At the end of the shower after most of the guest had left my mom called me into my cousin Pat's family room to introduce me to a young lady who was a guest at the shower. She is expecting her first child in a few months also and is a friend of my younger cousins. The young lady had confided in my mom and cousins that she would be planning her own baby shower. She didn't have close family and she had friends who in their young state of existence ( 20 - somethings ) have not really got to that place in life that they fully understand the importance of true friendship or dedication to a sister ( even if she is a sorority sister...I won't go into details just suffice it to say, they have a lot of growing up to do ). The blessing that day was not the baby shower...although it was a blessing and my newest little cousin will be a spoiled little one, it was in the way my family took in this young girl. On the spot my mom informed her she would be her adopted grandma, my big cousins her aunts, my sister and I her big sisters, and my girls and my cousin Trice became her cousins. We have vowed that she will not go through this pregnancy alone, nor will she be planning her own shower..at least not without help from her new "family". Last night I could not have been prouder of my family then I was at that very moment. I thanked God that evening for giving me such a loving and caring family. Don't get me wrong we sometimes have our issues....but if ever one needed the other we would be right there. Last night I told God I was grateful for the fact that he had placed little old me amiss such a Shower of Blessings!
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Day 4 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Cyndi's Hope

I am reading a book called Julia's Hope. I picked the book up this weekend while at my mom's. I have a tendecy to read a whole book in a day. My husband thinks this is a gift. In a way it is. I love turning the pages of a crisp new book and exploring the life of someone else. When Marc lost his job a few weeks ago ( actually its been nearly a month ). For once I did not panic or even worry a lot. Somehow I knew God would provide. I was reminded of this again when I picked up "Julia's Hope". It is a story about a lady and her family that lose everything. They literally go from having it all to being vagabonds on the street. But the wife despite this continues to see things through a bright life. Mostly because of her faith. She becomes the guide for her family when her husband is at his most vulnerable. We all know that (most) men take pride in taking care of their family. When they lose the security of a job they have two options.... 1) to sit down and admit defeat, or 2) pull themselves up, dust themselves off and start all over again. I am still reading the book, so I don't know the ending yet. But if you think about it, we don't know what is around the corner for our own life. It is like a story in a book sometimes. There are good days and bad days. And at times life's living seems impossible. But, just when we seem to be falling God is there to pick us up. Maybe if we spent less time trying to do his part and more time working on our own part we each could get a lot more done. So what does this have to do with gratitude you ask ? In a nutshell ...I realized last night while lying in bed reading this book and comparing it to that of my own life that sometimes I will have to carry the load for Marc, and at times he will carry it for me. But that if we both remain faithful and do our part together.. then God will bless us beyond what we can even imagine. He has provide for us thus far...and for that I am grateful.

Day 3 (31 Day Challenge)

Have Bag Will Travel!

Today my DD departs for Nashville. She is attending a conference for young Christian women sponsored by my all time favorite gospel singer…..CeCe Winan ! If I had the money I would be right there with her. But I am grateful for all of the people who stepped up to the plate to help my daughter accomplish her dream. Last month Quisha noticed an ad on Cece’s site about a young women’s conference hosted by CeCe and asked me about whether she should try to go (keep in mine the conference was only a month away). Her plan was to ask friends and family members to sponsor her on her journey (it had been only a week before that Marc had lost his job, and we were not in a position to help). She was hoping to scout out the conference for a possible future trip for the young women of our church. I told her go for it (not really sure what the outcome would be). She reminded me….”you have not, because you ask not”. We have both been amazed by the response. I can only think of two people who said they could not help, and because of the generosity of others Quisha met her goal of $500! It paid for her plane ticket, conference registration, food, concert ticket to hear CeCe, and hotel accommodations. She was even blessed by a church member who had family and friends in the area who have offered to take her under their wing while she is there. Words alone cannot express the gratitude we feel for Quisha’s band of angels. I call them angels because I know only God could have heard a young girl’s prayer for a seemingly impossible request and answer it. But the thing I am grateful for the most is the fact that my daughter would even have the desire to seek out Christian women and girls to spend time with in the first place.

Day 2 ( 31 Day Challenge )

" Thirst for Knowledge "

Its funny what we take for granted. Sitting in the comfortable air-conditioning of my home, and car I sometimes forget that not everyone is blessed to have this comfort in life. Look at how many people have died this past month because of the heat. Today Nicki and I went shopping with my cousin Pat and my mom for baby shower gifts and decorations for my cousins shower on Saturday. Each time we got out of the car we were hit by a wave of heat so intense that it took your breadth away...literally. We complained as we made our way to each store, and we complained as we got back in the car and our bodies touched the heat from the leather seats in my cousins Cadillac. After we left Walmart we each gulped down a cold bottle of Green Tea. Most of the time I am the last person to finish my bottle drink, usually it last me a couple of days. Today it did not even make it back to my house. It was not until I was back at home ( once again in my comfortable air-conditioned scraproom ) that it dawned on me what I would journal about today on my 2nd day of adopting an attitude of gratitude. At first I was grateful for the cold beverage , then I saw the news and I was grateful for my air-conditioning . Now that I have had all day to think, I am grateful for the workers who toil each day out in the rain, the sleet, the snow, and yes even 100 degree heat. That includes the mailman, the gas man, the electricity man, the cable man, and the men ( and women ) like my cousin John ( and my hubby ) who work for the telephone companies who refuse to put air-condiotioning in their workers truck because they might take too long a break ( give me a break ). So if I have to sweat a little from the car to the store ..then so be it. The next time I complain about the heat I will remember this day and just shut my mouth and be grateful. And just think, all of this started with an empty green tea bottle !

* Blogger is acting stupid as usual. So if you would like to see the layout you can check out www.loveisinthedetails.com in the gallery section under CyndiAKADisneyqueen. Look for "Thirst for Knowledge".

Day 1 ( 31 Day Challenge )

"Seeking an Attitude of Gratitude"

Today I attended a funeral for a man whom I have never met. But I am also grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of his home going celebration. You may ask why? The answer is fairly simple. Today I was reminded that each day that God allows me to get up in the morning is another day I am given the opportunity to share my mission with someone. I also have the chance to reinvent myself into a better person, a happier mom, a cheerful wife, a supportive friend, and a caring Christian. For this I am grateful.

My 31 Day Challenge

I have decided to document 31 days of gratitude through journaling and pictures. Each day I will post a picture and my gratitude statement for that day. I will then create a layout from it to add the next day. I will do this for 31 days. I came up with this idea after seeing this post from Adrienne's blog. I decided that even if my idea is not chosen I would still do the album. I'm excited about this because I think it will be one of the first classes I will try to teach ( it fits in with my motto of passion equals purpose equals opportunity ). Not sure what type of album I will use yet, I have been scouting out American Craft albums and AMM albums ( especially the Uptown Albums ). I love the look of both of them, just not sure what direction to take. Anyway hope you enjoy the journey.

5 Things I am grateful for :

1) My husband, children and many family and friends. I am a blessed woman.

2) My found passion for scrapbooking and creating a legacy of memories to pass down to my children, and my children's children.

3) Our home, which is a haven for me, even when its a chaotic mess of children's papers, hubby's shoes, and my scrapbook supplies.

4) My on-line community of friends. They have made me into a communicator, and have given me the courage to explore feelings, moods, places, and things that I never thought about or even imagined would be a part of my daily living.

5) Mostly I am grateful for my relationship with Christ and the fact that I am not ashamed to declare it, even out in cyber space. It is what makes me special.