Let the Sun Shine In~

What a week huh?...
I tell you if it werent for stress and drama Id have no life.. well...
Thankfully its changing... SWEET!!!! I left my 2nd job and am making some other changes as well in my daily schedule. Im going to spend more time with Hunter and more quality time with Justice and work on my hobbies in my free time and if there is no free time.. OH WELL. Working the 2nd job was like a wake up call. I didnt work it long, but long enough to find out that my family misses me and that Im a vital person within it. Especially me being Momma! Im glad to be back home in the evenings and have found that Im able to still get out amongst the public working at the hobbies I love, taking part in classes and sharing and hopefully in the future selling some of my art. That would be wicked awesome {as so eloquently stated by my husband}. haha It sure as heck would support my habit anyway!

What about CHA and all the sneak peeks this week? Wow.. I tell ya.. Bo Bunny and Melissa Frances are like my favs this year... oh and I cant forget about Pink Paislee!!! Im loving looking at all the pretty fall and winter stuff. And cant wait to purchase it!!! I wish we had a fall/winter convention here as well as the spring one.. that would rock!

Ok, so this isnt the best layout, but give me a break, I havent been scrapping in a while.. only a small card here and there! This was made for a RAK challenge I sponsored over at Crazy 8's this past week. I actually got to scrap a new card today for a card challenge for Creative Scrappers so that was good and have a couple ideas on my work table to tackle this weekend... I hope to take a pic and post later tonight.... but for now.. I leave you with a lil piece of sunshine and great weekend wishes!

To you~

Go ahead and....

What do you do when a girl breaks your heart?~

buy her a puppy...
or so this is what my son thought he'd do to win back the heart of his girlfriend who apparently lied to him. I dont know why he felt he should do this, but I know he was feeling way low and this purchase has made him feel much better. He and his girlfriend named the puppy Princess. Preston will be taking care of her and teaching her how to do the various things little puppies need to learn. hehee. Ive felt guilt ridden for years over not being there for Preston and right now especially Id love to go to him and let him know how much I love him and am here for him, but he is a man now.. he doesnt need cuddles..he just needs reassurance that things will get better.. and I hope that I have helped in some small way. He does in fact know the things I felt guilt about and forgives me luckily. I hope so much that he gets stronger and puts his foot down so that people dont take advantage of his kindness. He has lost 30 pounds in the past few months and Im worried, but I also know that he is a smart and blessed man and will find his way.

Lady Bug Lady Bug~

Fly away home... and in this case to the homes of the girls that were in on the Summer Card Swap over at Crazy 8's! I was laying in bed the other night after teaching my first card class at work about all the neat things you can do with just some brads, paper, ink and some bling.. hehee One of the cards for class was made to swivel using a brad-revealing the message underneath, it was pretty simple but got me to thinking of the things I could do... so I dreamt about this........amazingly they turned out real cute! I love the color combo of brown and pink and got to digging into my stash and decided ooo this would be a perfect color combo especially since I didnt really know what or how to do the eyes. The only thing I regret now NOT doing was adding some stickles to the wings, blinging them up a bit. I will be sure to do that next time though!
Note: Did you know that ladybugs symbolize Luck and Love? They sure do.. just another reason to love them and cherish them even more I think.

Hope your 4th of July weekend was safe and relaxing!!!

My Brother~

Thought Id write about my brother... Im starting to think that he is like my best friend in the world. I actually have 2 brothers.. and they are both pretty much close to me... but my baby brother Daniel just KNOWS me! The other day I called him and just confessed my soul and he listened, gave me the advice that of course I already knew... and loved me... loved me unconditionally the way brothers and best friends are supposed to. He hasnt had an easy life, but he knows about life and he knows the differences between right and wrong and how to get me to see the different sides of it even if I am a woman, one with a stubborn head at that. He made me feel better... he made me realize that all the years I spent wasted worrying over him being a danger to me were really unfounded worries that I regret now. He wouldnt hurt a fly.. and especially not me. He means well and works hard. He loves hard too. I just wanted to pay a little tribute to my brother... my best friend.... and even if he doesnt read this its my lil shout to him.. Love ya bro! ;)

Take me out to the ballgame~

So this past weekend we went to the Cards game against Philadelphia... we won! ... and we sweated and had 7ups and twizzlers and peanuts... and tons of fun! This was Hunters very first MLB game and he loved everything about it but being in the bleachers.. hahaa. It was sooo flippin' hot! The weather was actually nice, but we were just in the sun the entire time.. from batting practice til the 9th inning! Hunter and I got up one time and headed to the bathrooms and shade to cool off. I got him a squashed penny with the Cards logo on it, and its placed on a necklace like thing. He was and is so proud of it. I was so very happy to not only have Hunter there, but Justice and Preston came along and Todds sister, niece and brother-in-law came too. Great weekend.
Now onto other things.. a grueling schedule!!! I dont know about this 2 job thing.. but Im going to give it a 110% til I drop or something... hahaaa. Have a great summer everyone! :)

Who I am Makes a Difference~

Uncle Greg, who is actually Todds Uncle sent me this in an email... a very touching story. I decided to challenge the girls at Crazy 8's to make a card using this sketch by Valerie Stangle and make this card for a child or loved one that they wanted to tell that they indeed make a difference.
I made this card for Justice last night... and let me just say... it was tougher than I had imagined {the sketch that is}... but I think it looks pretty cool. I hope maybe you are inspired today to do something of the same magnitude for someone who makes a difference to you..... Im sure they'll appreciate it!!

Family and other items of importance~

This is the layout I did for the May contest. Im not real happy with it, as it didnt turn out near what I imagined. I challenged the girls to do their best interpretation of Valerie Salmons sketch as well as using the word Family and depicting a family vacation memory as inspiration, and they really rocked it! I then had Tammy Kay come in and be the guest judge. Ive always admired her work and was pleasantly surprised and overjoyed with her willingness to do a very difficult job judging and taking time out of her busy schedule to help out! Cat has posted the new challenge for the month and whoa is it ever a challenge, thankfully I have some cool ideas swirling around in my head!!!
Other items...
Today was procedure day. I had what they call a Her Option
My Doc was fantastic and had told me it would be a piece of cake, but believe you me I was scared as scared can be. As back in April I had a uterine biopsy and LORDAY did that ever hurt. Well, Doc was right, today was pretty much a piece of cake... although the recovery at home since has been anything but wonderful. Just really crampy and yucky feeling in general. Sitting up is the absolute worst. Todd went with me and we decided before the procedure that if it got too painful that I would hollar out *Sweet Jesus* and that was the code word for him to get his buns over to me and hold my hand. Luckily, I never had to utter those words! Hallaluha!!! Tonight he went and got me a wonderful iced coffee and I will take the day off tomorrow to finish hopefully being cranky and crampy. ehhee. The doc says a good 2 weeks and I should feel like a NEW woman. Go Ang!!!
Other EXCITING news...
Im the newest customer service/instructor employee for one of my all time favorite haunts EVER!!!! Im sooo flipping excited!!! I have so much to learn and so much admiration for the other girls and my Manager! As soon as Im healed up I will be on the schedule working part-time, probably a few nights a week and weekends. Until then I have a bunch of research to do about the company and different things. The other thing about this new lil job of mine is that it will afford me the opportunity to learn, make extra money and hopefully-eventually move into a position to where I could possibly leave my full time day job and move up in a premiere company doing what I LOVE!!!

You are Beautiful~

in every way... and yes she is!!! This is a layout I did of my neice Aimee. Isnt she gorgeous? I have to say Im sure she doesnt believe in herself much, but is getting better. She has a wonderful and supportive family that loves her more than she knows... and a daughter that adores her. Im so proud of Aimee as she has recently joined the ARMY... and how fitting that I tribute her on Memorial Day. I wish her all the best always in her life. I love you Aimee.. and you are beautiful in so many ways!!! ;)~

Just color me PROUD!!~

Sooo totally proud that my oldest son, Preston, graduated from high school this past Friday night. He has not always had such an easy road, but he did it and with his head held high. Im happy to say that he will be using some of the skills he learned while in Vo-Tech {Building Trades} at his new job working for a small construction company. He is also looking into Taxidermy school and trying to get on with Real Tree, traveling and hunting. I wish him all the success in the world. He deserves the best!!! Great job Preston!!!

Hey Momma... Happy Day!!!~

Happy Mothers Day to all you Mommas and striving Mommas and Grandmas too..

A little birdie told me~

Well... Todds sister is moving to LA. Ya the big city.. So this weekend we will be saying goodbye to her as she takes off for a new chapter to her life story... to chase her dream. Im so happy for her, but sad too that she will be so far away. I wish her the best and made this little booklet for her for her going away gift.
I also am participating in our week long crop over at Crazy 8's. {the book was part of the challenge too-to alter a book w/ a birdie featured}... then I did this layout too of Justice. I just dont scrap as many pics of him as I should. So its a new goal for me.

He is a fisherman!~

Yup... my son has become a fishin' fool!!! Last weekend Todd took Hunter and Justice down to Boonville, Missouri to camp with my brother Neal and turkey hunt. Justice got to turkey hunt and although he didnt have a good shot at anything, had a wonderful experience. The next day they all went fishing and caught a few small fish. Todd said that Hunter threw down when they told him it was time to leave the lake. Other than that the kid did real well all weekend ... imagine that.. away from Momma and all. I enjoy the fact that Hunter is going to be a fisherman... He is taking to the country like his brothers, Daddy and Uncles have. He will grow close with Todd in the future while doing their outdoor sporting. I hope that this summer they do more outings.. it means a lot to me to go with them too, but every now and then Momma needs a break and it eases my mind to know that they are actually enjoying the break from me too! ;) Yay Summer!!! Yay Hunter!!!!

Do you ever~

...get the feeling that someone is waiting for you to say something profound? I get that feeling, if not something profound something of importance to them. Well hell.. I have that feeling and Im sorry to say that I just have nothing to say..nothing to argue, nothing to sing about ... just nothing. Do you think this is an effect from Prozac? Possibly ... possibly it could be that Ive grown stronger than I ever thought possible and I just dont let things bother me as they used to.
Recently my Grandma passed away... she and I were so very close... but the past two years she has been without mind. Of course I was saddened by this and cried every night that she lay there in that hospital bed... finally after a prayer of asking her to let go... she went. Since then, Ive had no emotion. Nothing. No tears, no worries, no more love than usual, no more nothing. Im just *being*... I dont know if thats a good thing or not. I dont want to be un-emotional.. but dont want to be over-emotional either. Did I mention that since the emotion is gone the analyzing has increased... hahaa
Onto another subject...Relationships~
I dont know people... I try hard to be fair, to give the benefit of the doubt. I welcome new people with open arms. I try to protect them, listen and be there for them. Sometimes it works out and sometimes not, as does any relationship. I cannot, however, take the non-working relationship failures onto my shoulders and let them bring me down. I have to just learn from them and be weary of the next relationship that forms. It just wouldnt be fair to the people in my life that mean the world to me... my sons and my husband if I let my strong side wither to pieces from a toxic relationship.. especially one that was with a person that Ive never met in real life. To me its just not worth the aggravation if I am the only one working to resolve issues within the relationship... is it for anyone? We all go our separate ways at times and I can respect that. At least I have the courtesy to say goodbye and thank you for allowing me to know you even though it didnt work.
What would the world be like if we could all do that???.......... yeah... peace out~

New layouts and altered projects to follow...

You know you're a scrapbooker when...~

So.. we've been doing some home improvements lately and currently our shower in the master bedroom is out of order. We are now going to the main bath to take showers. While showering this morning, washing my hair... lalalaaaa.... I look up and see the decorative nails that are holding the ceiling up... and think wow, they look just like prima flowers!!!! My thoughts then turned to ... I wonder what it would look like if I put bling in the centers of them..... laffin I had to giggle and say to myself... yup you are a gonner... you are hooked.. a mess... a true scrapbooker!!!

In other news....
Two more days and Becky, Cat and Sunshine will be down to shop, scrap and enjoy the CKC Convention... Im sooo damn excited. Im off the next two days to get prepared and primp.. Yay for girlfriends and yay for scrapbooking that brought us together. Woot Woot!!!

Why O Why?~

Why o why do I post blogs you ask? Well.. I started out blogging thinking, well this would be a good way to release some of the creative thoughts swirling around in my head. I love to write and for the most part think its good for us.. no matter who we are. On a deeper level, blogging is like journaling in a diary to me... I try to stay away from the too personal stuff, but in different spots it still comes out. I know that Ive come a long way in my journaling as two years ago it was dark and depressing.. and I guess that probably means Ive evolved over time. As with my scrapbooking Ive took to the notion that blogging is also something that after I pass, my family can look at and read and hopefully understand my thought process. Feelings on different subjects, like self, people, the Earth, friends and family. Hopefully they will understand that Im just striving to be the best I can be, and sometimes even though its rough.. getting through lifes obstacles and bumps just fine....Be it with their help, or not.. or my writing. Its just good therapy!!!

Happy Easter!!!~

That went by fast... the time between St. Pats and Easter! It has been a whirlwind. Ive felt so overwhelmed with things in general... home projects, work, cleaning, self-preservation... the boys, the upcoming events. Tonight I went and got my nails done and it took a good 2 hours, almost 3.. I just sat there like a zombie. No expression, No thoughts... just in my happy place I guess. Ive been trying to get over a nasty ear infection and boy is that going slow. I still feel pretty yucko from that. Then top that off with another injection in my knee... which hurts like HELL! Hopefully with the springy weather I can pull out of this funk and get my groove on again. :) I got a lot to do and take care of thats for sure!!! Like tomorrow... Easter... what are ya'll doin? Im going with the family over to my sister-in-laws {Melly} and the rest of the family is coming for dinner. We are smoking a turkey and Im making a new cold *baked potato salad*. Im looking forward to it... which is good because earlier this week with all the stress I just wanted to be alone.... bruding I guess. hahaa. Last night I was searching for some cute bunny pics for the forum and came across two of my FAVORITE books as a child. I was sooo delighted!!! I have to say if you have children and you come across these books, buy them!!! Your children will absolutely love them. I have them on order and looking yet for another book I had when I was little, but cannot remember the title at all. Having trouble finding that one. So the search is still on! Anyway, the books are above in the photos... Have a wonderful Easter everyone! ;)

St.Pattys in the StL~

Omygoshhhhh... Ive always wanted to be a part of the St.Patricks Day Parade downtown St.Louis... and finally this year got to go. I thank the good Lord that the weather held out and we had an awesome day for it!!! I think next year we are going to make this an adult* thing.. there were some rather un/kid-friendly folks around us... so much so that I thought I was going to have to punch about 7 girls... but alas we made it through and we all had a great time. I asked the boys their favorite parts... Justice says the beads and the Irish Dancers... Hunter said the Shriners in their little cars... For me it was all the whacky outfits, sea of green, the shamrocks painted on the streets, the bag pipes, roller girls... and the lawn chair brigade.. hahaa. Lots of fun. And really we timed it perfect and found a great spot for parking! Cant wait til next year!!! ;)
Here is a slide show of the day!

Not a Baby~

Not anymore....and I cried... cried like a lil baby.. hahaaa
Hunter finally sat and got his hair cut like a big boy yesterday. He didnt even have to hold my hand. We were praising him and praising him and all the sudden I teared up. I hate when they start growing up.. it just goes so fast and furious.. and I want it to stop so I can enjoy the moments. arghhh. But alas Im happy and he is happy. This morning he told me he looked just like a redneck. laffin. His Daddy got his hair cut too.. real short.. I just LOVE it.. he is soo sexy with it short like that. Reminds me of when we got married. I do love his hair, and he is so particular and vein about it. Its sooo flipping soft! ahhhhh ... I feel my mojo coming back... woot woot! ;)

In other news... Im getting pretty excited about the girls coming down from MN for CKC in April. Im a bit nervous in trying to figure out what to do to keep entertainment rolling.. but hey we'll figure out something, just us together will be hilarious Im sure. I have so many home improvement projects too that Id like to get done before I have company, but it keeps snowing and fouling up my/our plans... grrr haha It will come and if it doesnt oh well, we will be on the run most of the time Im sure.

Other news... My Mom and her Hubby are on their way back home from their wintering* in Arizona.. I cant wait to see the jillion pics they took. They sounded like they had a wonderful time. Im not sure when we will get down there or them here. Maybe sometime in May... Preston graduates on the 16th and Id like to have a lil party for him after we come back home. We'll see though... thats a way off. In the meantime I have to think of a gift... so if you have any suggestions or ideas.. please o please let me know... its so tough!!!

Im off Friday.. woot woot. Maybe we'll see a movie... what a marvel idea!!! Any suggestions there??? hehee.. Have a good week people! ;)

*The Change* ~ {possibly TMI}

Whats the deal??? Why is it that Im 40 but feel...oh say...90?? I could list a list of ailments that have struck this week and this isnt even hitting on what is REALLY going on. Im in so much pain all over my body I just dont know what to do. From my ear to my thighs..oh wait yeah my calves hurt too... Lucky for me the feet and toes are still going strong. I wish I knew what the underlying problem was... is it the weight??? and why now??? Ive been heavy all my adult life.. is it just now catching up? And what about mentally?.. I thought I was doing good....now I find that Im moody and depressed, yet at the turn of a dime.. Im feeling giddy and happy and optimistic. Is this the change??? Is this what its like? I dont know, but if you would... say a prayer for me, I know its selfish of me to ask... but seriously.. Im TOO young to feel this damn old!!! Thank you!

Good thing Spring is on the way... I think of and look forward to many of the wonderful pleasures it brings. :)