SCRAP DAY!

I'm scrappin today.... I had great intentions yesterday, but ended up doing lots of things instead. I did get two layouts done, but not too much..... here's my intention list:
1. MFS August contest (done)
2. Challenges at Mojo (7 total/1 done)
3. Mojo DT project
4. Paper DT project
5. TKM Contest
6. Queen Kat Blog contest (3 projects/0 done)
7. CJ for Mojo
PLUS, I'd better get the roladex cards done............. They are due out tomorrow.... Glad I got some photo paper yesterday.....
I feel a headache coming on though.......... I wish I could just scrap today! It would make me feel better I think.

Tagged??????

Sheree got me....

I'm not quite sure if I'm rockin'... but I'm definitely a girl, and I'm trying to be a blogger more LOL!!

I'm gonna tag......

Laura

Gabi

Meghan

Cheryl

and Amy/Jen.....

Your turn girls.....

UPDATE!!!! Finally....

Ok... so I've been ever so gently reminded that it's been a MONTH since I blogged....

Geesh, you'd think I have nothing in my life LOL.

SO.... update thread......

1. Weight loss progress: I weighed in at 170 this week.... total weight loss to date is 34 lbs. I also have increased my workouts to 4-5/week over the last couple of weeks. I'm very happy with that. I'm starting to see lots of progress. I even put a pair of shorts on Thursday and they are on the line too big... YEAH!! I hate to buy new clothes, but these bigger things are starting to annoy me. I did put two pairs of scrub pants away because they are just too big to be comfortable. YEAH! I tried on a size 12 pair of shorts at Old Navy and they BUTTONED!!! WOO HOO!!! I didn't like how they fit and didn't have time, but it was cool!!

2. Work: Weird weird schedule. This weekend and next, I'm doing weekends. Then I do two weeks of nights, then back to weekends.........

3. Family: Not a lot of excitement, thankfully. Nathan would LOVE to go to school this year, but alas, it's not till next year..... I don't know if I'm ready.... but he will be!

4. Scrappy stuff: Had a crop at Mojo a couple of weeks ago and that was SO MUCH FUN!!! We are planning another one in September and I'm SO looking forward to it!!! All about the sketches and scraplifts...... I just love our Mavens!! I also decided to go ahead and apply for DT at Piggy Tales and American Crafts..... either of these would be FABU!!!! I use AC on EVERYTHING...... between the chipboard/plastic elements and the YUMMY YUMMY letter variety they have.... DROOL. And Piggy Tales.... everytime I get a line of their product, it's GONE....... again.... DROOL! I doubt I'll get either, but wouldn't it be cool?!?!



That's about it........ I need to blog more often......

Summer Activites... SM Prompt

Well, I've long neglected my blog... AGAIN! So I grabbed the prompt that Gabi posted at SM and I'm here!

What Summer Activities do I just wait for??

AMUSEMENT PARK!!!! We got a Six Flags Annual pass this year and I'm still very excited. We've only been once, but I tell ya, I could probably go every other week!! I'm like a big kid when it comes to the rides. And I just LOVE seeing the kids on the rides... how fun! And they love the waterpark part of Six Flags too... oh my.... it was like trying to take a zebra away from a lioness when we had to leave!

My only wish is that I could take better pictures!

I've been tagged!!

Oh gee.... seven fun facts about me.... hmmm

1. I could scrap for 3 days straight without a break and still have supplies
2. I hate shopping for clothes
3. I love going to garage sales
4. I only work 3 days a week, usually (that's full time though)
5. I resisted FIERCELY getting a mini van... now I love it!
6. I usually only wear my wedding and first anniversary rings, no other jewelry
7. I wear my Birks all the time, even in winter

Now... who to tag???? I don't know if I know seven bloggers...... but I'll tag Lora, Sheree, and Angela!

http://angelaprieto-bluejeans7.blogspot.com/
http://sheree412.blogspot.com/

Online shopping disaster..... SM Prompt

Well.... I shop online a great deal.... I really don't like shopping so online is the BEST for me, I'm able to get what I need and don't have to go out..... Especially living in Hawaii, things are difficult to come by. SO.... two years ago for Christmas (2005) I decided to avoid all the insanity and buy most of my stuff online. I shopped like crazy on Thanksgiving day and the day after.... and got it all done. Paid for Priority Shipping for everything to make sure it got there on time. About two weeks later, I got most everything..... except the "Santa" (and everything else) gifts for my kids from Wal-Mart.com.... no problem... don't need them till the day before right? So I waited. You got it.... NEVER got the stuff. SO, instead of avoiding the insanity, I was shopping on Christmas Eve.... ARRRRRGGGHHH!!! I called and got a credit. They had NO idea where the stuff was.


Funny part..... in JULY of 2006..... the package showed up!!!

It's 4:24 am....

and I'm at work.
Bored out of my mind.
I've been done for three hours.
Just rounding every hour or so...
walking around every 1/2 hour.
Trying to stay awake.
This sucks.

Bad Habits..... Mojo Blog prompt

Thanks to Gabi.....


Well... I have lots of little bad habits... I blogged about my food issues a few entries back, so that one's out of the way.....

But here's some more of my dirty little habits:
1. I don't clean the tub... rarely anyway... hate it. It's like trying to stand on your head and scrub your butt at the same time.... what a PAIN!
2. I take the elevator almost all the time
3. I let my car run down to the light coming on before I fill up
4. I pay the bills sporadically..... it's pretty regular and rarely things are late, but it would be much better if I just paid them on a regular SCHEDULE
5. And my last one.... I don't sort laundry very well.... Light/Dark/Towels.... it works though.


So.... there's some honesty for ya

Venting post... Mojo Challenge

Things that I have found out that totally irritate me.... beware.... these are things about my hubby.......
1. PUT THE DISHES AWAY.... I'm very glad he washes them, but sheesh.... do you not know where they go?
2. Can you use a BIGGER bowl to save things in the refrigerator... come on, do you need a salad bowl for 2 cups of mac and cheese?
3. TOYS.... We have MANY buckets for toys... they are arranged by type... it's not that difficult. The children can sort them and put them away if you get them to do it... can you?
4. Laundry is NOT DONE IF IT's STILL IN THE DRYER
5. Why do we have to watch the NFL network ALL THE TIME????
6. Coffee sucks when you can see through it.
7. Finally.... I sort clothes VERY SIMPLY... dark, light and Towels...... and the kids' clothes are seperate..... how difficult is this????????

My new do....

I finally took a pic.... it's fun, but it's getting difficult to get used to having hair! LOL.... Definitely not my usual "Whack it off and call it good..."

Now... Martha let me borrow her flat iron... guess I'd better go get one of my own.... cause it certainly doesn't look like this before the flat iron LOL

SM Prompt... my scrappy space

I'm so excited.... I want to talk!! LOL

Naw... but I LOVE my room!! I'm SO SO SO SO THRILLED to have my own scraproom... and plenty of room to play too! I have a 13x13 bedroom with a large walk-in closet to scrap in.... we have a regular dining table in there and I recently put the large leaf in and it's so much better. I love it when Martha comes over and scraps... she has one side, I have the other. I have one table on the door wall that is open for her goodies..... I have a 6ft table for my computer and scanner and stacker, I have a bookshelf and several drawered organizer things......

I need to do two more things. First, get a new light source..... the one in there has only one bulb and it's awful. I bought a lamp and it helps, but it's not good at all. The other thing I need to do is to find a way to put out all my embellies... the odd ones.... I have these old fashioned wooden strawberry crates and I think I'll staple them to the wall and sort that way... but I haven't done it yet.

Anyhoo... that's my room! Pictures later.

Lots going on....

Man... for being relaxed and not too bad... I sure have a lot going on!!! LOL.


So, I'm going to try to blog several times in the next couple of days to get caught up and to make it easier to read... and not end up sounding like Grandpa Simpson LOL


The thing on my mind this morning is my weight. And my cholesterol... and my blood pressure. I went to the doctor on the 19th to talk about my cholesterol. She (and I) was not happy... she was very blunt. She asked me if I wanted to change my lifestyle or start taking meds. Geesh. 35 and on meds for cholesterol? Ewww. I don't want to be that person. PLUS... big bonus... my BP was REALLY high.... .like 150's over 110. It's NEVER been high..... I'm sure it was partially anxiety, but holy moly. I don't want to be on blood pressure meds at 35!!!!!

So what's the problem.... my weight. I weighed 203 at the doc's office.

SO... she sent me to the dietitian. I went yesterday and she was very good and didn't belabor the things I already know, but did give me direction and specifics. The good part... I was 199 lbs there and my BP was like 128/80 or something.... much better.

And I started my "diet" and exercise. I put diet in quotes because it's really just eating RIGHT, not some kind of crash thing.

Fortunately, we're not looking at total calories.... but I know we are looking at 1500-1700 calories per day...... She's got me watching my carbs/fats/proteins.... it's not hard. I just have to do it. And exercise. I got on the treadmill last night and I didn't die!!! AMAZING. It was only 20 minutes, but I figured I'd be really hating it if I did more than that.

So now I'm thinking of ways to punish myself/reward myself.

I'm goin with both...............

And it's all about the scrappy purchase power.

Lose 5 lbs: Get $5 worth of goodies

Lose 10 lbs: Get a kit

Lose 15 lbs: Get $5 wort of goodies

Lose 20 lbs: Get a kit

And so on.....

Now... my goal is 145. My reward will be a Cricut and two cartridges.

I can do it. I can do it. I can do it.

I must keep the denim shorts that I ripped out in the belly for a reminder too.

My Sketch World.... my first layout!

Yippee.... it's up!!! Check it out at http://www.mysketchworld.blogspot.com
Here's my layout for the sketch (AWESOME ONE Lucy!!!) this week. Thanks for letting me play :)

How cool huh????

WOO HOO!!!

It's my first day home and I'm so relaxed... I slept all night last night... it was wonderful to wake up without an alarm!!! WOO HOO!!!!!


Plus, I had a couple of little toot type things this past week.... Lucy asked for volunteers to create layouts based on her sketches for her sketch world blog (I'll link over on the blog links when I figure out how LOL). I did my first one this weekend!!!

The other goodie was that I got one layout accepted at the Basic Grey gallery!!! It's the My Sister, My Friend layout I did of Martha..... she just loves the picture too... HAHA... I told her to get me a better one and we'd talk LOL

So... I'm trying to get a few things done this morning... and not get too "scheduled" if you KWIM... So far, I got the kids' toys cleaned out and rearranged... I'm THRILLED. Next BIG challenge will be clothes... Does it ever end?? Rotating, growing out, too big, too small..... plus the season thing... I haven't had to do seasons for 6 years!!! LOL.

So... back to work :) TEE HEE!!!

VACATION Time.....

Ok... so it's not time yet, but with Spring Break next week for the folks around here, I've sure been itching for one!
Well.... plans for us are kinda vague right now for this year. DH starts his new job tomorrow and we'll see what kind of time off he'll get.
SO.... the one thing we did already is to get season passes to Six Flags.... we got a smokin' deal on them and wanted to jump on it before they went up..... So I hope we'll go about once a month.... of course it's 2 1/2 hours away or so, so makes it difficult just to run out and go. BUT, sounds like fun.
We're going to go to Arizona to visit DH's mom and family.... and burn some timeshare dollars too..... but probably not till later in the year.... last time we went it was July and MISERABLE......

My DREAM vacation I'm looking forward to in about 2-3 years.... I want to do a Disney land and sea adventure.... where you have like 4 days on a cruise to the Disney private island and 3 days at Disney World.... HOW FUN WOULD THAT BE?!?!?! I want to wait till Emily and Nathan can both enjoy and before they don't want to be seen with us..... but I want to do this!!!

Besides these things, I want a weekend getaway with my sister.... and maybe later with my hubby.... at least one night away.... it'd be a novel idea!

Well.... enough about vacations... back to reality LOL!

10 Things That Make me Happy (SM Blog Challenge)

What a fun, quick blog challenge!!!
Here's a few quick things that make me happy.....
1. Giggles from my kiddos
2. A hug from my husband for no reason
3. A clean car
4. A Pedicure
5. "I Wub You Mommy"
6. Scrapping
7. 75 Degree weather
8. Cheesecake
9. Clean sheets
10. A full night's sleep


Now, of course, these are just random things, but they are the first ones I thought of!!!

Scrappin Mojo Blog challenge: Friendship

Funny how these challenges come up at just the right time... I was just thinking about this the other day.

All my friends, with the exception of my family and my sister, are online.

You know the little blinkie that says "I love my computer because that's where my friends are" ? Yep... that's me.

Part of the reason I was ready to leave Hawaii was that I really didn't have any hang out with kinda friends... you know the ones you don't have to knock when you enter their house... the ones you can ask if you need a tampon... that kind of friend. I had a few good friends at work, but pretty much, it was limited to that. NOW, I have my sister. And I'm so looking forward to being home during the week and having someone to play with!! And having our kids play together and doing things together.... won't that be awesome?!?!?

My only hope is that she and her DH don't decide to move away. I really love Columbia and LOVE my house and my job is pretty good....schools will be pretty good for the kids... and lots of good midwestern activities. So I really don't want to move away..... but I don't want her to either... (SELFISH!)

Anyhoo... that's my take on friendship.

MFS Blog challenge: Scrapbooking

Yes, I'm one of them.

A crazy psycho mom scrapper take my picture no wait I haven't got the camera out yet look over here I have a great idea for a page woman.

Never woulda thunk it.... but that's me.

And I LOVE IT... every second of it!

But it's my mom's fault.... she did it.... no, she wasn't a scrapper, BUT she did make me want to scrap. See, she kept baby books for both of us... and we just LOVED looking at them. From our first photos (thanks for the sticky curl Ma) to the funky early 70's clothes and do's and my dad's big huge sideburns.... to the birthday card duck with a quacker (who knows where that sucker went after being abused for so many years).... to the "favorite foods" page or the immunizations. I still love looking through that book.

And I want my kids to also.

I never wanted to stop there either....I want to chronicle our lives as a family so that our story isn't lost when I pass on..... I don't want my grandkids asking my kids after I'm gone about funny stories that I used to tell about their childhood.... I want to share them now and then, when time has passed, remember.

Another quote I love is about memories being moments... not events or things. I SO believe that and my scrapping and pictures reflect that.... life is full of moments... if you don't take the time to appreciate those, they are gone.

So yes.... I am.

That crazy scrapper mom oh no do we have to go to Hobby Lobby again what do you mean you are out of adhesive again where do you want me to stand how do you cut your hand with scissors get that glue stick out of your hair person.

That's me. I don't plan on changing. But if I do, my moments are recorded for now and ever.

Love.... Scrappin' Mojo Blog challenge

A quick entry......

but I want to get it done while these thoughts are lingering....

The topic is love.

One of my favorite quotes is about when you have kids that you forever wear your heart outside your body.... that's SO TRUE. I had no idea until Nathan was born. And as we are in his birth month and he's going to be four, I remember, just like it was yesterday... looking at him, laying in his crib, or even in the bassinet at the hospital... and just being filled with such a sense of overwhelming joy and love that I cried tears of happiness. Gee, even as I'm typing, I'm getting misty. And the same thing happened with Emily... but of course, by the time she came to us, I knew what to expect.... didn't make that feeling any less, I just knew that overwhelming feeling was coming.

And now, almost 2 1/2 and 4 years later, I can still look in on them while they are sleeping and just feel that joy and INTENSE LOVE each time. There is nothing like it.

TIRED

Long day... no reason except it's Tuesday. Great day at work, kids... no naps. Good part there though is that they were so stinkin' tired that I got mommy time by 7:30... bad part is it's 9 now and I'm almost asleep. I'm pooped.

I DID get two LO's done and the other one scanned......

and I got my page protectors (6 of them) sewed up the middle for my alpha book.... THANK YOU MARTHA for getting me my alpha book........ I can't wait to get my letters ORGANIZED.... I'm so glad I came across this in CK... hope it works for me.


Well... beddiebye time....

Blog Challenge: Scrappin' Mojo

First.... thanks to Corrina for comin' up with this idea... AWESOME

So... blog challenge... FOOD

About food.... I LOVE FOOD. And I hate it. I think that most women who have had kids go through this... but I was sorta in this battle before kids too. I eat eat eat and don't exercise. I'm hungry even when I'm not. I hate that I can't wear anything I want because it looks like crap on me..... I hate the lumps. But I love food..... weird thing though is that I don't really like to cook. Part of me wonders if I liked to cook, would I like to eat healthier?? And I KNOW HOW to cook, and I know HOW to eat healthy, but I don't. I make bad choices and I eat way too much. Boy, this is sure turning into an emotional ramble..... Just like I tell my patients who are "noncompliant" with stopping smoking or eating right.... THEY have to make the decision... no one will do it for them... DUH...... I HAVE to........... I want to be around for my kids.... I want to be able to get on the stinkin' floor and play cars and be able to get right back up without hurting..... I'm beginning to notice these things. And my joints hurt... now in all fairness, they always have hurt, but I think it's much worse now that I'm so heavy. I want to be able to wear a size 12. I would LOVE to be saving for a tummy tuck, rather than lamenting my food choices. When will I decide to make better choices? huh? Maybe if I set a date.... like the first day I start my "new" job... March 26th.... birthday week too...... I need to exercise.... I need to eat right.... I need to eat in moderation. That's my D day..... I have time to plan and relax.... it's not tomorrow, so I can look ahead with calm.........

List update.... at 1:32 pm CST

I'm so proud.....
1. Get storm shelter set up DONE
2. Laundry (always laundry).. I'd better fold and put away those 1 1/2 baskets of socks and underwear I've been ignoring too. LAST LOAD IN THE DRYER.. socks are done
3. Post FH2S challenge and three challenges at Scrappin Mojo DONE
4.. Clean the NASTY dog blankets...
5. Pay bills DONE
6. Clean the basement floor if the mood strikes. Hasn't struck yet
7. Get my RAK goodies ALL ready to go DONE
8. Get started/complete my database for addies for my scrappy friends. Got it all started and some names in


I think I'll take a nap now that the kids are sleeping....


CHALLENGES:
Check them out!!

Neato three to four picture sketch at www.fromhere2scrapternity.com on the Sunday Sketch forum

and for Scrappin' Mojo..... (www.scrappinmojo.com)
Word of wisdom this week: Happy
Recipe: 3+ PP, 1+ CS, Frame or chipboard letters, brads, and handjournaling
Technique: Using ARROWS

Check them out!!!

Long day... long list for tomorrow

First.... was planning on going to Laurie to help mom and Mart pack for grandpa, but I did NOT expect to get up spontaneously at 4 am.... ICK. So, now I'm tired. And I have LOTS to do tomorrow.... but I'm just sucking wind right now and may have to give in... I'm not going to be any good if I don't get some sleep soon...

And second... my to do list for tomorrow (in random order)
1. Get storm shelter set up
2. Laundry (always laundry).. I'd better fold and put away those 1 1/2 baskets of socks and underwear I've been ignoring too.
3. Post FH2S challenge and three challenges at Scrappin Mojo.... I still need to do two layouts and adhese down the first... This is why I'm cranky that I'm tired.... I WANT to scrap tonight... not gonna happen
4. Clean the NASTY dog blankets...
5. Pay bills
6. Clean the basement floor if the mood strikes.
7. Get my RAK goodies ALL ready to go
8. Get started/complete my database for addies for my scrappy friends.


Gee.... are there somehow 70 hours in Sunday?????????????

I'll try to check in again tomorrow when Emily is going to bed.

Here we go again!!

Every time I start again, I get sidetracked....

BUT.... here we go!!

UPDATES!!

1. HUBBY: Daddy is home!!! He's been here since 12/8/06 and we are settling in well. He HAS been working nights at Wal Mart and watching the kids all day.... but on 3/19/07, he starts a full time day job (civilian) with the National Guard in Jeff City. Oh yeah... he raised his hand today and committed to 6 years with the NG too....
2. NATHAN: My goodness.... he's gonna be 4 in a few weeks!! He's lovin having daddy home. And LOVES having his hair in a "high and tight" courtesy of pop.... it looks good on him. He's GROWING like a weed.
3. EMILY: is 2 1/2 now..... my goodness... and going on 12!! ATTITUDE! Mostly good, but still 2.
4. WORK: Well, ya gotta do what you need to do..... I'm going to be changing jobs..... I'm going to be working nights on Fri, Sat, and Sun and then staying home M-F with the kids.... so much more time for them and for fun...........
5. SCRAPPIN!!! Lots going on here.... Martha and I opened Scrappin' Mojo, a website for inspiration and fun (www.scrappinmojo.com) on 2/22.... and we are THRILLED that it's hoppin! We have a DT call going on, three montly contests and five challenges a week right now.... WOWZERS...
I am THRILLED to be the Guest Designer this month at one of my new hangouts.... Memories from Scrap.... HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!?!
Still on the DT for HYWWP and FH2S..... My Scrap Shak Closed at the end of January, sadly.

SO.... that's about it for the three minute synopsis.... Hopefully, I'll start keepin up!