A Tale To Tell

Testing,Testing..........

2011-09-18T17:32:00.002-04:00

is there anyone still here?????????? Seriously I don't know why I haven't just shut this down.I never seem to have anything crafty to report,but maybe I'll change that.Anyway,I saw a fun post on my friend Vanessa's blog,so I thought hey......I might as well do it,at least it gives me some inspiration.

A. Age: Dear Father.........the big 40 in two freaking days!!!!!!!
B. Bed size: Queen
C. Chore that you hate:Putting laundry away!
D. Dogs: Would love to have something hypo-allergenic
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee + Facebook
F. Favorite color: Navy,Burgundy,Black........call me Johnny Cash.
G. Gold or Silver: I have more gold,but I like silver too.
H. Height: 5'8
I. Instruments you play: Spoons.....LOL.I can play a little piano.
J. Job title: Domestic Engineer,and Homework Hitler
K. Kids: 3 that I adore
L. Live: White Head Island
M. Mother’s name: Karen
N. Nicknames: Jule,Jules,Norman,Babysquinchface( from my brother)
O. Overnight hospital stays: Several for asthma,3 times for delivery of my children,a longer stay in ICU following brain surgery.
P. Pet peeves:Gobbed up toothpaste tube,when someone doesn't properly cover the cheese! I could go on.....
Q. Quote from a movie: All I can think of is......." feels like warm apple pie" LOL
R. Right or left handed: Right.
S. Siblings: Two brothers
T. Time you wake up: 6:40 am on a school day,and around 7:30- 8 am on the others.
U. Underwear: Ya,I don't like chaffing:)
V. Vegetable you hate: I love em all!
W. What makes you run late: Always other people
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Chest,head,sinus,arm,leg......you name it.
Y. Yummy food that you make:taco macaroni salad,hing hang goo,love to cook
Z. Zoo animal: Monkeys

Maybe I'll be back with photos of my grand hamster children :)

Z.U.M.B.A.

2010-11-02T06:31:00.002-04:00

Yep,I've been bitten by the Zumba bug.A lady started offering classes twice a week here,so I thought I'd try it out.You get a discount if you have a child who would like to attend,so Allyson goes with me.She is so cute,and in no way shape or form should be embarrassed at any of the moves,but she is.I love watching her when she has to shake her bootay......lol.It's a great workout,but you can put as much into it or as little as you prefer.I still feel most times like salsa is something I should just stick with on my nachos,but I will get it sometime.They have the coolest clothes too,but a little pricey.So have any of my blog readers tried it?????????? If so tell me all about your experience.

Not much else too exciting happening in my life,other than work and home life.I need, I stress I need to get scrappy real soon!!!!!!!!!!

Well I'm back...................

2010-10-03T06:40:00.005-04:00

Howdy blog friends.......man, it is cold and dusty in here.I guess I haven't been around in a bit,like a whole summer to be exact.Well I feel my mojo slowly coming back,so I think I'll be updating more often.

I worked more this summer,so that put a damper on scrapping,plus our weather was unbelievably good this year,so I enjoyed the beach with my kids,and going away with them etc.I also got the worst sunburn of my life.........ON MY LIPS!!!!!!!!! I am telling you, I have never ever had anything like it.It hurt for over a week.I didn't want to eat,smile or a thing.It kept me taking advil,and it looked disgusting.

Evan and Allyson both contacted swimmers ear too.They have both had earaches,but never anything like this.The pain was unreal,and Allyson's wouldn't go away.We had to switch antibiotics and she needed to go every second day to the Dr.It was a mess.Her poor ear looked like a Mexican party dip inside.....GAG! I never saw an ear bleed like that.

My mom's 6 mth marriage to a loser ended!Actually it never even really began as the dough head who performed it never sent the papers to vital statistics,so she was never labeled as being married..........Thank You God:) I cried through the whole ceremony for a reason people!

Later I will update with the few summer photos I took,and I hope to soon be back with some layouts also.Lots of inspiration out there!!!!!!!! Make sure to check out this week's Creative Scrappers sketch,Mission Create is having a blog-aversary...WHOOT,WHOOT............and Creative Prompts4U has added a new little twist to their challenge this week also.

Good Sunday Afternoon All

2010-05-16T12:35:00.004-04:00

Isn't it nice to see the sun? I sure hope that the sun is peeking out where ever you are. I've had a busy weekend,but I did manage to complete a layout for this week's challenge at CreativePrompts4U.I just love the color combination they asked us to use.So bright and nice for those summer photos.My layout features photos taken last summer when we met our little cousin Atticus for this time.He was trying out his new wading pool.

Creative Scrappers Sketch 103

2010-05-11T14:02:00.004-04:00

Just wanted to share a layout I did with this weeks Creative Scrappers sketch.It was a wonderful sketch by Aphra Bolyer.I used a photo of my daughter and niece,at my niece's wedding a few summers back.My niece was my flower girl.I love comparing photos from my wedding.

How True It Is !

2010-04-29T06:58:00.002-04:00

I got these from a friend on facebook.Some of them are,well most of them,if not all are so true and kinda funny.

1. I think part of a best friend's job would be to immediately clear your computer history when you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?1.

6. Was a learning curve really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this - ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

21. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

22. I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

25. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a dick from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?

29. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

30. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.

31. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

32. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet my ass everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

33.Even when opportunity knocks, you still have to get off your ass and open the door.

Some Scrappy Goodness

2010-04-22T18:45:00.004-04:00

Just wanted to share a couple recent layouts that I've done. I had the photo for the first one for eons.I scrapped it once,but didn't really feel that I did the photo justice,so I waited until I got some new scrap supplies and was inspired by them.The photo is of three of my on-line scrappy friends.I just wanted to showcase them in a pretty feminine way,and journal about how I've never met them in real life,but still they are very special people in my life! I got a sheet of burlap and it kinda scares me,but I decided that it looked great on this layout.Primas.........oh my,what I weakness I have for them.I love every color,shape and design!

The next layout is of my youngest Evan,actually working at school.The photo was taken by his teacher,it was hat day,so they could wear them in class.

I hope to be back with some more layouts shortly.Right now we are renovating our kitchen and most of my cupboard contents are right where I scrap!GRRRRRR....it will be worth it in the end though.

Check It Out!!!!!!!!

2010-04-20T06:01:00.005-04:00

I was fortunate enough to be able to submit a layout for Creative Scrappers Birthday Bash! I got to work with an awesome sketch by Zarah Peterson.Everyone did a wonderful job,and much to my surprise this morning,my friend Vanessa was playing along with the same sketch and I had no idea........LOL.Great job ladies! If you decide to do this layout,leave a comment and let me know.I'd love to see it.Thanks Kristine for the opportunity.

Here is my layout.I used a photo of my daughter,taken last year by her school teacher on a class trip.I think she's quite pretty,and photogenic,but I might be biased.

Stay tuned for some more scrappy goodness coming up soon:)

Something Near And Dear To My Heart

2010-04-19T18:32:00.003-04:00

Quite some time ago I heard that there was going to be the very first Relay For Life, right here on my island.I was so excited,and wanted to find out all I could about it.I knew I had to be a part of it one way or another.I started asking some of my friends if they'd be interested in being on a team with me and everyone jumped at the chance.It wasn't long before I had a team and many others waiting to see if they could join my team.

Cancer was something that other people dealt with in their families,not me.Well in the fall of 2003 my dad started having some back problems which wasn't something new to him.He came in from fishing and decided he'd rest and maybe call a chiropractor later on.Not many days after,he couldn't walk.He was flown out to a larger hospital where we found out that he had a malignant tumor on his spine,which had originated in his kidney.My dad was given 18 mths roughly to live.He made it 15,but he never walked again.The Cancer Society was so good to my family during dad's illness.They were quick to set up an account for help with travel and medications that weren't covered by his insurance.I knew right then if I could help in any way to assist another family dealing with cancer, I would.

Now I am proud to be the captain of the White Head Walking Hotties...........I did not pick the name however......LOL.

We have already raised well over $2000 in on-line pledges alone.I am truly overwhelmed by the response.I could scarcely believe my eyes when the pledges kept pouring in.I have great family and friends.

If you would like to donate towards our team and such an awesome cause,please feel free to click on the link,that I will give at the bottom.You can also check and see if there may be a relay going on in your area to participate in.It will be great fun and for a worthy cause.

To donate click............The White Head Walking Hotties

HAPPY EASTER!!!!!!!!!

2010-04-03T14:10:00.004-04:00

I'd like to wish all my blogging friends near and far a very Happy and Blessed Easter.I don't think that we celebrate Easter like we should.I am sad to say that I am so busy making sure the kids have enough candy and hiding it...........like they don't get enough treats on a normal day eh? I worry about getting a ham and who is going to be here to eat it,and about how much rushing around I'll be doing getting the kids ready for a Sunday Easter service and fighting with them to wear something special,that I totally think I forget what the real meaning of Easter is and why we celebrate it.I must try harder.

I managed to get the last Mission Create challenge completed using all 5 elements before the cut off time.Tomorrow is a new one..........make sure to check it out!

Here it is...........I decided to do a photo of Evan sleeping.Man, he's so innocent and precious when he's asleep.Some mornings he wakes up the same way,but others he's full of it! I will never wake him unless I have to....lol.

Spring Is In The Air

2010-03-18T15:43:00.003-04:00

I can just feel it.I haven't been feeling too springy the last few weeks,but this past one has got me hopeful.The robins are out,the days are longer,the weather is better.My kids have started with the spring fever thing way too soon.Already they want school to be over with.I do,for nothing more than the fact I hate making lunches.

I have been such a bad blogger,but life has been a bit turned upside down recently.I am hoping to get back into the swing of things real soon.

How about taking part in this.Lots of fun and inspiring sketches.Make sure to stop by April 1st.........and this isn't a joke:)

The Three Words.............

2010-02-19T07:32:00.002-04:00

no one who lives in a small fishing community ever want to hear........."Two Fishermen Missing"!:)

My day went fairly well until my mom called me to see if I had heard anything about two of our island men missing up the bay scalloping. I hadn't heard a thing,but I called my husband at work to see if he knew anything and shortly he called back confirming my worst fear.............it was true.

When you come from a small area such as I do,these aren't just fishermen,they are our men.My friend's husband,my son's best friend's dad,my sister-in-laws brother,my fellow classmate and childhood friend,our bus driver's son........the list of connections and relations could go on,but the main thing is that they are loved and missing.

I know how cold the Bay of Fundy is this time of year and the time that they have been missing for.I hold little hope of survival at this point,but please pray that God would allow a body to be found for the families,for some sort of closure in this horrific tragedy.

Hold those you love tight my friends,think before you deliberately set out to tear someone down or hurt them in any way shape or form.Life is too short,and too uncertain.What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind????? Make it right why you have the chance.

A Girl On A Mission

2010-02-09T14:10:00.003-04:00

Mission Create posted their latest challenge Sunday and I got right on it and completed it using all 5 of the concepts on Sunday,but believe it or not it has taken me until now to get some decent sunlight to photograph it.I had one near mishap as the layout started to blow away in my yard,and then I quickly snapped the photo and took for the house before the neighbors thought I'd lost my mind.

Check out the Mission and create your own layout for a chance at an awesome prize :)

A nice photograph of Evan with one of his scowls that he always seems to through at you.Especially when things don't go his way or sometimes when they do.I can't quite figure the kid out.

Kustom Die Kuts!!!!!!

2010-02-04T16:55:00.002-04:00

Wow am I ever glad that I went to the Creative Prompts4u blog and clicked on the link to Allison Cope's new business venture, Kustom Die Kuts .These look great and such an array of colors to choose from.Check out her blog and grab yourself a blinkie too.You could win a prize :)

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

2010-02-02T07:40:00.002-04:00

are coming live to you from Capture These Sketches.For the month of February there is going to be a great contest on the sketch blog involving Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.That is basically all I know,but I'm super excited to find out more.See the little blinkie I have off to the side? This is all part of the contest,so head on over and grab yourself one.

Oh I'm sooooooo bad

2010-01-31T15:46:00.009-04:00

Seriously I have neglected my blog. I get it all made over and looking pretty and then I do absolutely nothing with it.I'm gonna change that........I truly am.

Well I felt a little mojo yesterday so I decided to try my hand at Mission 0009 at Mission Create.I wasn't too sure that I could do all the elements,but when I sat down and realized that I just had to have a tiny bit of whatever was stumping me on my page......book print paper..........ahem Deborah,that I could do it.These girls work so hard to come up with a great mix of items and awesome layout samples for them that it only seems right to promote them and play along.Not to mention the fact that there is always a great prize involved,and that they are my friends and friends should support one another.So I Julie Duncan pledge that I will complete every Mission Create challenge from here on out if it kills me,and it might very well :) Man, it feels good to get that off my chest.So here is my layout and I used all the concepts.I downloaded the new Picasa and quite frankly I was lost.It took forever to download my photos and edit and well my picture never looks as nice as the layout does IRL.I seriously need some tips on better photo taking for my layouts.I don't know what I am doing wrong,but here it is anyway.
>I might also encourage you all to check out my friend Nicole's new venture with Allison Cope.........at Creative Prompts4u.This is a new sort of challenge blog starting I do believe Feb. 1st with the introduction of the new DT and perhaps the first challenge,or a bit of info on how the whole blog is going to work...Not completely sure about that.I am sure that it will be awesome and inspiring.

Busy,Busy,Busy

2009-12-16T07:48:00.003-04:00

I love Christmas,but I must confess that I do not like the hustle and bustle and busy,panicked feeling that I have until it is over.Between work,concerts,projects,shopping etc. I find myself on edge and stressed.Not to mention the fact that the money tree is not producing the fruit that I would like this year:)It is just a busy time of year. I enjoyed it much more when I was a child.Now I see all that my parents went through to make Christmas for us.

Well there is going to be a wedding in my family this weekend.Yep, my mom is getting married.Something I never thought would happen.I am a bridesmaid,a slightly lower position than I started with,but I'm fine with that.....lol.I just really want it over.I'm sure I'll have an update after the festivities.

Check this out! I wasn't the Cover Girl for The Paper Passion's newest contest,but I was the one behind the camera,who helped Jillian get on the front page of a classy mag:) The photo I submitted won and all the participants had to do a layout using it. It was an awesome contest and I can't wait to do another! You need to click on the blog link btw.

Check this wreath out.I think it is pretty cute and I may try one next year. A great way to use up some of my Christmas paper stash.The possibilities are endless as far as color combos with this one.

Now off to make myself useful this festive season.I hope you are all doing fine and having a wonderful Christmas Season.

Over The Top

2009-11-20T10:04:00.003-04:00

Ok,so Nicole gave me this little award and all I have to do is respond to the questions with one word,so here I go..........

All I have to do is respond to the following phrases with one word:
where's your cell phone: Away
your hair: messy
your mother: changed
your father: Heaven
favorite food: chicken
dream last night: none
favorite drink: coffee
what room are you: living room
hobby: scrapbooking
fear: water
where were you last night: candle party
something that you aren't: organized
muffins: blueberry
wish list item: vacation
where did you grow up: White Head Island
your pets: Penny
friends: Several!
something you are not wearing: makeup
favorite store: Old Navy
favorite colour: Burgundy
last time you laughed: Yesterday
your best friend: Jo/Marlene
place you go over and over: store
person who emails you regularly: Nicole
favorite place to eat: Jungle Jim's

Now I have to pass it out to some people,so I choose

Laura
Jenn
Cindy
Carole
Kristine

The rest of my friends have been chosen already..........

Mission 003

2009-11-14T14:56:00.004-04:00

Well something good has come about from being stuck in the house sick,and no I don't have the swine flu,or at least I don't think so.You wouldn't believe the phone calls and messages I have gotten wondering......lol.OK,tomorrow there will be a new mission up on Mission Create,so make sure to check it out.I am sure that it will be a good one,and if you want a small peek you can check out Vanessa's blog.I'm thinking animals have something to do with it,but I'm not sure.Can't wait to see......

Anyway here is my layout for Mission 003. I chose the sketch by Kristine,which I truly did use. I just flipped it,and went kinda foolish with the embellishing.I also used pink and buttons.So three out of 5 for me :) Thanks girls,for the great challenge,and awesome examples!

SKKKKKETCHYYYYYYYYYY

2009-11-13T13:51:00.002-04:00

Yep, I love a good sketch.Vanessa did last Saturday's sketch at The Paper Passion and below is my take on it.I have started trying to incorporate more than one photo on my layouts and I'm liking it, I must say.Thanks to Vanessa fro the great inspiration.Make sure to check out a new sketch tomorrow :)

Here is the layout.......I mixed some Fancy Pants and Sass for this one.My first time using Sass products in a longggggg time.

Ta Da!

2009-11-13T11:50:00.001-04:00

Well it's finished with the help of Kristine,my blog makeover consultant.I chose the Zoe Pearn Hawaiian Sunset kit! I love the colors,something bright,and cheery,yet the burgundy shades are fallish too. Thanks Kristine for all the help.

I will be back with a LO or two,just waiting for the paint to dry,and you know how long that can take..............

STAY TUNED

2009-11-12T16:32:00.001-04:00

For a blog makeover coming real soon...............

GUESS WHO IS ONE YEAR OLD?????????????

2009-10-10T12:19:00.002-04:00

Well why don't you run right over to the The Paper Passion and see.Yep,the store/forum is one year old and to celebrate we are having an on-line crop running from Oct.8-11.Lots of fun challenges and games have been issued and lots more to come.Not to mention prizes!!!!!!!!!! Rosa gives out great prizes.Make sure to leave a comment on the blog before mine..........Miss Nicole's,mine and the next one as you hop along would be Dorrie,keep hopping along to The Paper Passion and leave a comment and participate in the crop and you could be in for a special prize.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!:)

I'm Back!!!!!!!

2009-10-03T15:35:00.003-04:00

Not that I ever went to far,but I have neglected my blog for so long.I know have some interest in keeping it more up-to-date.Now that it is fall and the kids are back to school I find I have more things to talk about and stuff to share.

I want to tell you all about an exciting new adventure a few friends of mine are starting out on............

Check it out,and make sure to stay tuned for tomorrow,as it is their premiere challenge. I'm pretty excited to see what the girls have in store for us all.I've known these ladies for a few years now,and they always come up with fun and creative challenges,not to mention awesome layouts to support them!

MISSION CREATE

I'll be back shortly with another post and hopefully a new blog look.Gotta spruce things up for the Fall!

Results Finally!!!!!!

2009-08-07T08:05:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I finally got a chance to meet with a Dr. over my U/S results.It was great and kinda made me feel more at ease.He told me that I was probably born with these tumors.I have 3 in total,and the largest is over 4 cm.Sometimes nothing is done until they are larger than 10 cm,or if they are bothering neighboring organs etc. My larger one is very close to a major blood vessel for my heart.I did however find out that I have several free moving gallstones,giving me the discomfort other than the tumors.This was good to hear.He was kind enough to book my abdominal CT scan along with the head one I will have next week for my neurosurgeon.The Dr. just looked at me when I told him it was a routine check up for the tumor I had in my brain.I think I shocked him.

So what else has been going on in your little part of the world? Our weather is starting to get better now. It always does right before school starts.I have been playing co-ed volleyball in the evenings,and love it,but my arms are a sight.I'm all bruised and swollen.No pain, no gain I guess.

I planned and pulled off an island wide picnic,which had great food and good attendance.I however, need to be more specific in food directions as I asked a lady to bring a tossed salad made with 2 heads of lettuce,and that is precisely what I got..........two heads of lettuce in a bowl......LOL. When life gives you lettuce, make a salad.

Here is a LO I finished of DD.I loved the bright colors of the BG Lime Rickey for this one.

Here is another LO of Evan. I had these photos for quite awhile.I just so happened to be out on the front lawn when he decided he'd be a dare devil and take off Mock 3 down our back hill on his bike.I had to capture the moment,then I went to his aid.

Home Sweet Home

2009-08-01T06:55:00.005-04:00

I love to go away for a couple of days,but I really love to come home.We made a flying trip away the other day to pick up some hamburger that my BIL had for us and get Evan's birthday gifts.I was hoping to see a bit of that bright yellow thing up in the sky,but I only saw it briefly.On Thursday,we had torrential downpours.I thought I was going to need an ark.

While I was away of course, my Dr. called with what could finally be my U/S results.I guess I won't know anymore until after the holiday weekend,but I'll be on the phone the first thing Tuesday morning to see what is up and get this ball rolling.Sadly it looks like getting in to a Dr. that deals with the liver,can be a lengthy process........like a YEAR!!!!!!! especially if what you have isn't deemed as an emergency,which is a good thing,but still it shouldn't be there and I'd like to get it either removed or the assurance that it is fine and won't affect me.I may qualify to see a general surgeon and if that is the case, it will be somewhat faster.We so need more Dr.s around here.

Here is a layout I did for the layout tag over at Skrapnchat.I just love Crate Paper! I think I'll add a little more to this layout now that the tag is over. I didn't want to go too far away from the original one.

I'll be back with a few more layouts shortly.I've got them stock piled here.

B B B B BELLA!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-22T10:04:00.001-04:00

Go and check out Bella Blvd peeks for CHA and post a link on your blog and you too have a chance to win some goodies.I think there is going to be some great releases!

Well you know what thought thought..............

2009-07-12T09:23:00.003-04:00

So this is a new version of the old tale,it's a she not a he and she thought she was having an ultrasound to identify some gallstones,but oh no that was not the case!

So Allyson and I make a short trip away on Friday for an ultrasound that my doctor had set up due to complaints of a nagging back pain by times and sometimes pain in the front.As I was sitting in the waiting room someone said that Dr. ???? would be right with me,which I thought was strange,since generally it is just an x-ray tech who does them.In the end, I was thankful as she was very nice,thorough....way thorough and comforting.

She found that my uterus is nearly tipped right over backwards,making her wonder how I ever delivered my children with ease.Perhaps I now know why my bladder has gone south...lol.I have a kidney stone in my left kidney and oh ya a fibroid tumor in my badly tipped uterus,but what I found shocking was that my gallbladder was in immaculate shape and had never had a stone in it.My liver,wasn't so fortunate as she found 4 tumors on it!! One is 3 cm and on the back of it,which may be causing my discomfort.She told me that they are fairly common and not to worry because she was 99.99999% positive that they were benign.However, they are vascular in nature and sometimes when they get larger like mine,they can bleed.She told me that I will need a CT scan of the area and a Dr. dealing with the liver to see what needs to be done.If I will just be followed or if they will remove the larger one.

Honestly, I nearly fell of the table.Not what I had planned that's for sure.I have been to just about every type of Dr. there is except a psychiatrist and I think I may need him sometime soon...lol.Well I guess know that it is just a waiting game to see what is going to be done.

I now know why I can't grow plants.......it's because I specialize in growing tumors..Geesh, you might as well laugh as cry I guess.

I do find keeping myself busy and being around the people I love whether IRL or on-line takes my mind off of it.

Thanks for listening to my long drawn out post:)

Come Join The Fun

2009-06-30T18:05:00.002-04:00

Scrapbooking Gone Wild!

2009-06-29T18:27:00.005-04:00

Yep,the name says it all,as I ventured out on my very first IRL crop this past Saturday. I got up shortly after 5 am to catch the 6:00 am ferry out of here.I barely slept a wink,but it was all worth it.No one could believe that I'd go all by myself,but I did and I am so glad that I did. I learned a long time ago that there are some things that you just need to do,because if you sit and wait for someone else to come along with you or help you.........you'll never do it.The crop was hosted by Scrapbooking Gone Wild,and the store was also on site,which can be bad on the pocket book.The lady looking after the tab laughed every time she saw me coming.I ended up using more new things then my stash,but that's OK. I still went home with money,so I was happy.

I felt like I was eating the whole time.I would just get done with a snack,when it was time for a meal.The food was outstanding!!!!!! Yum, to chocolate chip scones.

I got the chance to scrap and meet some girls that I only knew on-line or from our blog visits.It was great! I didn't say too much at first,trying to feel my near by scrapping partners out to see if they were talkative,funny or whatever.It wasn't long when I broke forth with chatter and it continued the whole crop. I know you will all find that hard to believe.

Whenever we finished a LO we got to go and steal the coveted monkey from another cropper.This was great fun,as you won a prize if it was in your possession when Chantal decided to give out her prize. I actually won twice.The first time I got a complete set of Little Yellow Bicycle papers and embellishments and the next time some cool Making Memories chipboard tags.I manned my monkey ladies,in fact I laid him down and covered him with felt hoping to disguise him from other scrappers.I made sure he kissed whoever I stole him from before he went on his way over to my table.I often broke out with the Bare Naked Ladies song If I Had A Million Dollars,cause you all know the....."I bet you always wanted a monkey" line...lol

I got 5 layouts completed all in all and used products that I would never of thought to purchase,but once I saw them IRL, I couldn't refuse.This first layout is using the Basic Grey Wisteria line.I would never ever purchase this on-line,but once I saw the papers I did like a few of them.

Now you'll have to wait until tomorrow for some more as I still have some journalling to complete and find some good light for photos.

I won't let this fog get me down

2009-06-26T10:25:00.004-04:00

No I won't.....even though it is really tough.I feel bad for my poor kids who can't seem to get a decent day to play outside.

I am super pumped to be going to an all day crop tomorrow hosted by Scrapbooking Gone Wild!!!! This is my first away IRL crop and I'm pumped.I've been packing,unpacking,re-packing.I needed to maximize my space and I had stuff I wouldn't use and forgot stuff I'll need,but the good thing is that there is a store right there.Not good for my bank account,but good for my scrapping.I'll be back on Sunday with an update:)Have a great weekend.

The LO tag for June has finished up at Skrapnchat and here is my layout for this month's tag.

If you ever get a chance to

2009-06-25T06:54:00.002-04:00

buy or even go in and sniff these lotions,sprays and perfumes...........YOU MUST!They are the Victoria Secrets Body Rush line sold at La Senza.I first got a taste of a perfume that a friend of mine had bought for her daughter. I had no idea who made it,but it smelled just like cotton candy.A great sweet,funky teen scent.Well then I happened to stroll into La Senza last time I was in the city and they had a whole line of delicious smelling scents.There were shower gels and spritzers,but my fav was the Slice Of Heaven swirl body cream.It is the brown and beige one pictured on the end of the photo I've posted.I immediately purchased some for a friend,yes a friend, not myself but a friend that I needed a gift for.I will be buying some for me the next time though.I put it on my hand and I wanted to eat my arm off. Check them out girls! I'd never steer you wrong in the good smell department.

I'm pathetic!!!!!!!

2009-06-23T11:59:00.002-04:00

at updating this,and you know what is even more pathetic than my updating abilities......OUR WEATHER!!!!!!!!!!!! Honestly, I can't believe it.I'm going to build an ark soon.

Well we did manage to get away for a few days to have a change of scenery and do some shopping.The kids were pretty excited to do something different,but ended up missing some of the festivities at the end of the school year.It was their choice and they opted to go,so who am I to argue.

I'll be back shortly with a layout. I am just waiting for the LO tag to end,and then this weekend I am off to a real life full day crop!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so super excited.I was booked to go to one a few years back and Allyson got lice,so that was a no go.There is going to be lots of ladies,great food and a store on site. I'm pumped and I have money all saved.I'll have to leave here on the 6 am ferry,but who cares,I'm getting away to scrap for 10 hrs straight.YIPPEE......I will have to spend the night with my aunt and return home the next day.I'm sure I'll have lots to share when I get back.

I think I'm on the road to recovery

2009-05-27T06:32:00.005-04:00

Man, I don't know what type of virus I picked up,but man it hung on an wiped me out.I guess it wasn't really a virus as I had to get some antibiotics to help with my sinuses.

Not much new to report around here.Kyle got back from Ottawa and had a blast.His favorite thing was the zip lining and rope obstacle course.He got himself beat up a bit on the zip line though.Burned a whole right through his glove trying to stop himself.Now I am not too sure this is something I would want to try.He came back with some snazzy new clothes and thankfully an almost washed off air brushed tattoo of a playboy bunny........LOL. I'd be burnt at the stake if that got shown around these parts:)

His photography skills suck however!

Here is a photo of the class,which is mainly boys......not always a good thing.Kyle is the one looking oh so cool under the 1 in 1918.

Here is another one of him and his friend in their newly purchased purple AE shirts. Man, Kyle looks like a peanut next to this guy.........lol

Seriously I laughed right out loud. I never thought Kyle was small,but this kid comes from a family of tall big built people so maybe that is it.

I am going to search through is very few photos and see if I can find anymore.I need to impress upon him the importance of taking photos I guess.

Well He's Off

2009-05-19T14:29:00.002-04:00

I got up bright and early this morning to see Kyle off on the 6:00 am ferry to start his long bus ride to Ottawa.This is the trip that they have planned and fundraised for all year.He was so excited,and me well I was frantic trying to make sure he had everything and then worried that he won't return with half of it.This is the longest and farthest away from home that he has been without me:( I sent him with a camera,so let's hope he gets some decent photos.Photos of nice things,not boys acting dumb and cute girls.

As for my tongue.........still not normal,but better.I keep burning it though,since I can't completely feel it.I can't explain it.People wonder how I know it is burned if I can't feel it,but trust me I do.Food feels weird on it and tastes funny too.

Good Day Fellow Blog Readers

2009-05-15T12:48:00.002-04:00

Once again I have been slack in updating. I really hope that this changes.At least once the weather improves I should have some outdoor photo opportunities.

We had a great stretch of good weather,but lately it has been back to the drizzle and fog.Makes me want to curl up and have a nap every afternoon,which is not good and habit forming.

Not much is new.I've started going to classes at our new fitness center and I really, really like them.I was sore,real sore the first few times,but now it is getting better.I have worked muscles I didn't even know I had.

I went to the dentist on Monday for a filling and it seems as though he hit a nerve when injecting the freezing,so now I am left with a partially numb tongue for what he told me may be weeks!!!!!! It feels terrible and food just doesn't taste the same :( Leave it to me to end up with something like that.

I'll leave you with a LO I did of Evan,after coming home with his certificate telling me he had moved up in his reading.Evan is all boy and really doesn't want to put much effort into school work.He'd rather put it into playing.This was a big step for him and me. I was so proud and still am! You wait and wait for them to move and then finally they do.The waiting is hard on the parent.I have a tendency to be the Homework Hitler,so I've been told,so this made it seem worth it all.

HAPPY NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!

2009-05-01T10:46:00.002-04:00

Yes, I know it is typically only a day,but in the on-line scrapping world it's all weekend! Yippee......

What could be any better than on-line friends,on-line games,challenges to get your mojo flowing,and in participating you get some layouts completed!

I'll be taking part in the festivities at Skrap-N-Chat and The Paper Passion.That is what I love about the scrapping world.There is lots of variety,different places to have fun and many many great people :)

I hope to be back soon with what I have accomplished this weekend.Let's hope I can stop chatting long enough to participate.

To all my on-line scrap buddies where ever you are hanging out this NSD I hope you have fun and enjoy yourself.

I must do better

2009-04-27T06:54:00.007-04:00

at updating this thing! I could update it every day with random nothingness ,but I try to wait until I have something great to share or something...........

Well I made a quick trip away with Dave the other day to see my uncle who just had surgery.It was great weather and we had a fun time just the two of us.We purchased an electric guitar for Kyle.Clearly I have either lost my mind or hope to soon.He is so interested in music,that I just feel like I need to do whatever I can to help nurture his talent and interest.It is just a starter kit,but we'll see what it works into.

I got a great surprise when I went to visit my uncle.His nurse was actually my maid of honor in our wedding! I hadn't seen her in almost 14 yrs.We kept in touch over the phone for a bit,and she moved and we kinda lost touch.Man, was I ever surprised Tto see her.Now that I know where she is,I think we'll do better and keeping in touch.

I have scrapped a little recently,but I'm hoping to do so much more come National Scrapbooking Day!!!!!!

This is my page for the LO tag on over at Skrap-N-Chat. I have no idea why this picture looks so dull and dark,but here it is.

Next is a LO I did for The Paper Passion.It is a great little forum that I just joined. I browsed Rosa's store in awe of her prices and the next thing I knew, they started a forum,so I had to join and before I knew it,it was filled with some of my dearest most loved on-line friends!!!!!!!

We received 5 products in the mail and we had to use them all on a layout! It was great fun,and this is what I came up with.

Well I guess that is it for now......

I have orders from my cleaning lady

2009-04-17T06:56:00.002-04:00

that it is time to get rid of the tumbleweeds that have been blowing through this blog...LOL.I guess there were more than she could handle.Nope, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.I've just been busy and didn't feel that I had much to share.I do have layout to share,but it is in a LO tag,so I have to wait for that to end and be revealed.

Not sure if all my on-line friends know,but my brother had a pretty scary episode of being taken to the hospital with a suspected heart attack.All symptoms pointed in that direction,and he had relief after being given some nitro,but sad to say that the follow up since hasn't been too hot. I am a little worried and concerned as he is a good candidate for a heart attack,but the blood work indicated that it wasn't a full blown heart attack,but could indeed be heart related. I just wish they would send him to see a specialist before it happens again and it is too late.He is only 44 with 4 young kids and 3 foster ones right at the moment.It wasn't his liver,gallbladder, or kidneys.....which is good,but what else causes you that much pain!?

Easter has come and gone and I had a good long weekend with family.The younger two kids were pretty excited,but I didn't see a whole lot of excitement in Kyle.He took his little bucket and plunked a few eggs in it,but for the most part he let the other two have at it.He wasn't long snatching up his Aeropostale T's and Twilight movie though.

Speaking of Twilight......I don't think I could get into the books,even though they are supposedly better,but I loved the movie! I wanted him to suck on my neck......LOL.Love those dreamy,seductive eyes of his,even though I am old enough to be his mother.

Well that is it for now,but I'll be back with a LO hopefully and some NSD happenings around my scrap hood :)

Just a layout to share

2009-03-22T15:01:00.003-04:00

Not much going on this Sunday afternoon.I can surely say that I have Spring fever.I just want it to hurry up and get warmer and stay that way.I hate that it is nice one day and freezing the next. No wonder all of the kids have colds and sore throats and weird viruses.

Here is my layout for the March LO tag over at Skrap-n-Chat. I used the new MME papers along with photos from a wedding I attended last summer.I loved that the colors matched so nicely.I love doing this tags and am looking quite forward to the April's as it has some stipulations as to what you need to have on the layout,plus I am the first on one team so I will be lifting an awesome lift from Tracey.......YIPPEE!

Not sure why one side of my layout looks a dingy yellow,because the background is really white.

Good Sunday Morning

2009-03-15T07:58:00.005-04:00

I'm up,but not too bright eyed and bushy tailed.I ended up sleeping with Evan last night,as he wasn't feeling too well and I figured it be better for me to get in with him instead of him getting in with Dave and I and puke all over his father.Now that would be legendary chaos I tell ya!!!!!!!!!!!! LEGENDARY! I have never seen anything render a man useless in my life as vomit does my husband.It's as if he slips into some sort of comatose state.

I have a LO to share from last weeks Creative Scrappers Sketch.I figured I better get it up as there is another awesome one posted this week.Make sure to check it out!

I am loving working with more than one photo now.Never thought I'd make it to that point.Lots of embellishments like my Fancy Pants felt on this LO. I was hoarding it I guess.

I also got my first LO kit from Kristine and I love it! I got the complete line of MME Bloom papers,plus Pink Paislee alphas,some glitter,chipboard pieces,flowers,kaiser bling and some buttons.Definitely bang for your buck.I love getting up-to-date supplies without a lot of things that you won't use.The kits come with two sketches.You can improvise them as you wish.There are lots of PP left over after too.

March Break Is Over

2009-03-08T09:40:00.004-04:00

Well it is back to school for the kiddos tomorrow.Can't say as we had the best weather,but we survived.At least no one was sick this year.

To start my first week of March off,my dear friend Nicole gave birth to a beautiful baby girl!!!!! Now her cute family is complete.I hope all is going well with them.Could you send me a smoke signal or something Nicole,to let me know you're all still kicking.....LOL.

Not far into my week I got an awesome RAK from Deborah.She made me a gorgeous card and sent me a sweet plaque.I have it sitting right in front of me on my computer desk.It keeps me thinking positive,and makes me smile as I remember all my great on-line friends.

I ventured out sliding with the kids,and what an awesome time I had. At first I didn't plan on actually sliding myself,but when I saw how much fun they were having, I thought I'd give it a whirl.A whirl indeed as I slid down the hill at break neck speeds in a flying saucer.I never thought I could be a contortionist,but somehow I managed to wrap my body up and placed it oh so delicately in a flying saucer.The only problem was that I had no control over the bloody thing and I kept twirling and twirling and ended up backwards for most of the descent which was a bit scary.The snow was so packed in and icy that you couldn't stop yourself if you tried.Good family fun!

I ended my week with the delivery of scrap goodies.I went in with a few friends and placed an order,so we'd get free shipping and well I was most impressed with my new alphas and dotted swiss in many colors.Plus I bought the MM Flower Patch Embellishment Kit! It is a little pricey,but oh so worth it.Many buttons and journaling tags and flowers come with it,plus my favorite felt flowers and butterflies that are quilted like and puffy.I LOVE IT!!!!! Nice spring colors too. My friend Jolene threw in a Prima Swirl for me too.

The Month Of Love,The Month Of Loss

2009-02-24T11:38:00.003-04:00

Well I guess this month will always be more than just the month of love for me,as today 4 yrs ago I went to the hospital to be with my dad for the last time.I had just left the night before so my brother could take his turn,and he called to tell us that there had been a drastic change in his condition.Well nothing prepared me for what I was going to find the next morning when I arrived at the hospital.My mom and I spent the day and then my brother's joined us for the night, our last night.It was Thursday,and everyone knows that Thursday is a good TV night,and this one was no exception.At this point I had come to terms with the fact that Dad was dying,so I didn't want to miss a minute of it,and I grabbed my cot and bunked in with him and we watched Survivor.Well I watched,but he listened or at least I like to think he did. I babbled to him just as if he was awake.I guess at that point everyone else went to the lounge to rest,but I rested in the room with dad.I couldn't leave him.He finally gave up his courageous battle with cancer shortly after 2 am with me and my mom and brothers at his side.I just can't believe how fragile life is and how it truly is over in an instant. I was left standing,thinking..........is that it? Is this all I get! Thankfully some way or another I made it through these past 4 yrs and today is actually easier than the ones before it.I sometimes find myself feeling a bit guilty that I'm not so upset now.I guess I have faced the cold hard reality that nothing I can do, or say or feel is going to change the hand I've been dealt.You have to remember what you had,instead of what you lost.

Now on to something much more cheery and bright! I took part in a LO tag at Skrap-n-Chat for the month of February. Below is my lift of the LO,and boy oh boy when all was revealed and I saw the layout that it all started with, I was shocked!!!!!! We started out with an awesome LO from Nicole.....LOL.The layouts after were awesome,but ended up looking nothing like the original. I love how they all evolved.My LO is of a friends baby.

The next is a LO I did for the Creative Scrappers 1 picture,many pages contest.We all received a photo and had to do a layout with it.It was a photo of ice shacks on the Kennebecaisis River.Thankfully I had seen them before and kinda knew what it was all about,but many ladies who participated in the contest knew nothing about them or the area. It was so great to see all of the layouts and different titles and ideas.

Good Scrappy Day

2009-02-20T16:25:00.003-04:00

Well some of my friends were getting together to crop today,and I am half sick,so I didn't go. I thought that I might just as well dig the stash out and scrap at home though.It was the perfect beginning to my weekend. I hope to accomplish some more if the kids cooperate.

Here are a couple of layouts I finished.The first is my LO for Vanessa's Mystery Scraplift Challenge.I just had to scrap these cute photos I took this past summer of my friends darling DD,showing me her pearly whites.The second is a layout of Allyson in 2002,cuddled up with my SIL. I love the sweet,contented look on her face. She was enjoying the cuddle.

I'll be back shortly with some more layouts:)

Still Winter Here

2009-02-17T09:34:00.003-04:00

I don't know about where you live,but I'm not seeing a sign of Spring yet! Today we have some more snow,but school wasn't canceled. I suspect it is because they know we are going to get lots later on in the week and they'll really need a snow day for it.

I've been having fun scrapping lately.One layout I can't share just yet as it is in a layout tag at Skrapnchat,and the tag hasn't been finished by all teams and revealed just yet.

I do have my take on Feb's Sketch Challenge though.This time we got a great sketch made by Allison Cope.She operates her own sketch blog called So Sketchy and her sketches are awesome.I also have a couple friends who design for her too.

Here is my take on her sketch! Thanks for the sketch Allison and the challenge Tracey.

I started out with pinks and blues for this layout,and then I totally threw them aside and went with reds,greens and browns.I do this almost every time I start a layout.

Well we have gone from Strep to Vomit

2009-02-08T13:29:00.005-04:00

I guess it is the season,but man why does everything have to hit all at once.Evan has only had the stomach flu one other time and I was with my Dad in the hospital,so I didn't even have to tend him.He is on the mend,because he is starting to act up. He was up way too early this morning for my liking and jumped on top of me and wanted to know if I could read him a story............backwards........LOL.

I did some more scrapping and I still have some more to do. I need to do Vanessa's challenge,my One Picture Many Pages Contest at Creative Scrappers and my layout tag.It is almost to me......YIPPEE.

Below is a LO I did for Tracey's One Is The Loneliest Number Challenge.One wasn't lonely here because we had to incorporate 14 red and pink things on our LO,of which PP and CS didn't count.I thought it might be tough,but once I started layering my flowers,picking buttons and felt....I had 14 plus items in no time.

Feeling The Mojo

2009-02-05T13:23:00.005-04:00

My mojo has actually been cooperating with me lately.I think I got inspired during the Skrapnchat Oh The Places You'll Go Crop.It was so much fun, and cleverly designed with awesome challenges all centering some how around Dr. Seuss. The DT did an awesome job thinking up creative challenges.I had fun with some new friends and many old.Roll call was unbelievable! I just couldn't believe all the people logged in and taking part. I am sure that there were some just there to see what was going on,but there were lots scrapping.Nicole,Vanessa,Debmarie,Lisa,Joce just to name a few of my far away scrapping friends and then I had the locals like Norah who scrapped with me one evening. It is so much easier to just pack up enough stuff for a layout out two and go with it. We had a blast!We scrapped,drank coffee.........I swear that was all it was even though I was acting a tad bit foolish on the computer.I was logged in under Norah though,so she looked crazy not me.......LOL Pretty clever eh?

One of the challenges was the Who's Who's of Yous or something Dr. Seussish. We had a selection of things to pick from for this challenge and I decided to scrap about who inspires me and who better to choose than Nicole.She can take the ordinary every day photo and turn it into a real piece of art. I am inspired by many of my scrapping friends.I just so happened to have a photo of Nicole too:)

We had a challenge where we had to use three different types of hearts,so I decided to continue on with some of my niece's wedding photos using the great Basic Grey Ambrosia line.Ambrosia just isn't a great salad.

WINTER WONDERLAND

2009-02-03T13:06:00.006-04:00

Well as another blizzard is upon us I thought I better post my photos from the last one.Thankfully the kids got to school before the one today started or I am sure they would of had a snow day.Perhaps tomorrow they will be home.I love the snow when it is new,white and glistening. It isn't so pretty after the vehicles have driven through it,kids have trampled in and well dogs you know what they do in the snow.....lol.

Anyway after our last unexpected storm I decided to go out for a little walk with my camera to capture some of the nice white fluffy stuff. After all I have lots of scrapbook paper with winter themes that I need to use up.

This is a photo taken from my front lawn looking out the road that my mom lives on.

One of the best things about snow is that the kids love it and will play for hours in it. I however, hate the mess that it tracks in,the wet dog smelling mittens and the coming in and out to get me to tuck pant legs in boots etc.,but I remember how much I loved it when I was a kid too.

Since this was a pretty heavy post, I'll be back soon with some layouts to share:)

I Spy With My Little Eye

2009-01-26T12:58:00.003-04:00

A great friend card that has been on two other blogs,but now sits on my entertainment center.Can you guess where it was seen first???????? I love it, in fact I had the ingenious idea to take the flower off and stick a heart on it and send it back to the person who made it,from me for Valentines Day. How creative of me and I know she would love it.....lol.I won't really do it though people.

So I scrapped a wee bit yesterday.I started out with a sketch and photos from my niece's wedding and ended up without a sketch and a photo of my friends baby.I actually used some of the cute girlie paper that came in my Christmas pack of MME papers.I love the pink,blues and yes even red together.

Streptococci Is In Da House

2009-01-24T13:08:00.002-04:00

Ugh! Tis the season I guess,but I was sure hoping we could escape it this year.My kids always whine over sore throats,but if I don't see pus I'm generally not to alarmed.Allyson has been complaining a bit of a sore throat,but she had a swab two weeks ago or so when she had her bladder infection.Well this morning I looked in and YIKES!!!!!!!!!!! there was no pus,but there was also barely an opening for food to go down,so off we went to the hospital.The strep test was definitely positive this time,and then the nurse told me that the on-call Dr. would be in at 3.......ah, I wasn't waiting 5 hrs to see the Dr.Thankfully my Dr. who I love to pieces was there visiting his sick wife,so we snagged him and he took her in right away,examined her and like always had a little teaching lesson on the complications of strep.I aced the test and he said that I should be sitting behind the desk.I thanked him over and over again, and off we went to the pharmacy.

Notice off to the side I have a new little blinkie.This one is advertising Stephanie Hart's little Etsy shop.She is a local talented scrapper who makes the cutest buttons and embellishments from polymer clay.Make sure to stop by her shop as she is doing a give away and has some great things to purchase....

I hope to scrap some this weekend and perhaps Monday and Tuesday while one child is home sick and the wild one is at school.....crossing my fingers.

Next weekend I will be taking part in the "Oh The Places We'll Go Crop" going on over at Skrapnchat.Why not drop by and have some scrappy fun with me and like a gazillion friends.

Little Reno

2009-01-14T10:11:00.004-04:00

Hi, blog readers, just letting you know that I am doing a little blog renovating,well actually Kristine is doing it for me.I am so dumb when it comes to all things digital,thats why would I sit and totally screw the whole thing up when I can have someone come in and do it for me.Be patient, I'm telling her stuff that I want and whatever via e-mails,so it is a hit and miss kinda thing.She works, I don't,so it could take a day or two,but I'm loving what I see so far.

On a scrapping note, I did a layout for the Monthly Prize Challenge at LIITD.Check it out below.I started with a sketch,but the layout kinda took on a life of it's own,but I guess that is the good thing with sketches. You can take a little bit of it that appeals to you and go a long way with it.I love sketches!!!!!!!! In fact, you can never have too many.

Man, I love Fancy Pants! This Daily Grind line really caught my eye,plus I won a prize on their blog awhile back and it just so happened to be some of the Daily Grind product that I didn't have.This layout is exclusively done with FP product other than the MM journaling page and liquid pearl.

Which brings me to my other new obsession,yes the liquid pearl.I love it! Thanks Mel:) I have wanted to get the dimension that Melanie does on her layouts but I just couldn't and still can't do it like her. I tried puffy paint,which turned out WRONG!Melanie sent me three kinds of liquid pearls and I used the baby blue on this layout.I need to play around with it some to get the right size droplet etc.but it drys way faster than I expected and it gives you a nice raised dot.

Is There A Doctor In The House

2009-01-12T07:49:00.003-04:00

Well hello fellow blog readers...........Tis I! Can you even believe that I'm here? I can barely,but I plan on being around much more often.I just needed a good slap.

Ok, I need someone to take a look at this picture of my daughter and tell me why she does this if she is outside for any period of time.Perhaps she got snow on her face too.Now in this picture, it isn't quite as bad and is just around her eye.Generally the welts are around her mouth and there are more of them.I asked her if she got hit with something and she said no.Her brothers were out with her and they said that nothing happened. I have been called up to the school before after recess to give her Benadryl. I did the same last night and it does go away,so I know that it isn't an injury.

Check it out,and tell me if you have ever heard tell of the cold making people get welts. I should add that out temperatures are not bone chilling! This is not frostbite.It wasn't far below zero and she was dressed appropriately. It is only on skin that is exposed.She wasn't outside 10 minutes either.

LOL

2008-11-29T19:13:00.001-04:00

You can check back often,but I won't have my layout for the next Say it in Scrap challenge,because that would be off of Lisa's blog. I guess I copy and pasted a little too much:) I am working on a Dec. challenge though for LIITD

My Great Little Reward

2008-11-29T08:09:00.005-04:00

I was given this cute little blog award by my friend Lisa.Thanks Clifford:)

Here are the rules

1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.

2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.

3. Nominate 5 blogs.

4. Provide links to their blogs.

5. Leave a message for your nominees

Check back soon, I'll be back with my layout from the newest Say It challenge!!!

Of course like any other award,it comes with rules.Sometimes these are really hard to follow for me,as lots of my friends have all ready been give the award,but here I go.......

I am going to give this award to my friend Eva, who has one of the greatest blog templates in town.She always posts the coolest pictures and keeps you up-to-date with her life.Very intelligent women,this one:)

Next I will choose Laura,another friend who always makes me laugh and believe it or not actually shares my warped sense of humor.She is a great mom to 4 boys!

My third award goes to the Puffy Paint Princess herself,Miss Melanie Blackburn. I can't even tell you how inspiring I find this ladies work.She rocks a layout,and is a super mom.I love reading about her girls,and seeing her photos.

My next award goes to another on-line friend and awesome scrapper,Tracey Spencer.I have followed this girls work for years,and she always amazes me with her unique one of a kind designs.She is oozing with inspiration.

Last,but certainly not least I'll give this award to Carole,a fellow friend and scrapper. She even knows where New Brunswick is and has been here too.

What more can I say

2008-11-14T14:16:00.001-04:00

I'm jumping on the favorite brand of pop train and I'm posting for the world to see that COKE rules.Now all you Pepsi lovers,don't waste your money on toilet bowl cleaners........use your Pepsi,it does the same thing:)

Good Saturday Morning

2008-11-08T09:04:00.006-04:00

Nothing too exciting to post,but I did think that I would share some pictures that I have taken recently.

We had a nasty day last week and a friend and I went out hoping to capture some of the rough water pictures. We didn't go far before we spotted a buoy that had been up anchored and set adrift. It was being tossed around aimlessly in the seas. It was kinda hard getting some of the pictures as I was afraid to expose my camera to the salt water.I was hanging out the back of a truck window on the road and I still had droplets on my lens.

Does Anyone Know Where

2008-10-29T07:00:00.002-04:00

the love of God goes,when the winds of November come early???????????? Sing it with me bloggers:)

I am up ,well I was actually up a lot in the night because the wind was blowing so hard that the house was shaking,my bathroom fan was whirling and grinding,the BBQ was beating against the side of the house,and yep you guessed it..........my wood furnace was completely out:( I was truly expecting a bed full of freezing children,but they slept through it.

Now as I look out across the water, I wonder how many trips the ferry will make.Will Kyle get to school? Will Dave get home? I miss him! My chief fire starter:)

My friend Melanie wanted us to each post a RAK that we had encountered recently on our blog,so I will share mine as I am sitting here reaping the benefits from it.Shortly after 7am, my phone rings and it is my friend wanting to know if her husband could come up and start my wood furnace for me.I quickly said.........YES! Anytime......Come on baby light my fire........LOL.He came and started it and I have a nice vent near my computer chair.Thanks to his generosity me and the kids will be toasty on this wild and windy day.

Unexpected Gifts

2008-09-18T20:00:00.003-04:00

Don't we all love to get unexpected gifts? Sometimes they come in the mail,to your door,or some where that you least expect it.

Today I ventured down into the basement to see how my husband was doing with the removal of our old oil furnace. He had it all out,and what was left was an old cement foundation that was strangely shaped,in the middle of our floor.It was truly and eye sore,and an accident waiting to happen. I could see it being the cause of many trips and stubbed toes. I asked him if he was going to take it out,and he replied that it was solid cement and there to stay................and then out of the corner of my eye was my gift.Was it in a box tied with a bow?No it certainly wasn't,and if fact to anyone else it might not mean a thing,but to me it was priceless.There in the middle of cement some 33 yrs ago my father had put his name in cursive writing.I couldn't believe my eyes.His writing was clear and kinda fancy in my opinion.More of what you would expect from a women.My grandmother was a school teacher and had beautiful handwriting.Dad's looked a great deal like hers.I knew from that moment that what looked like an eye sore, would forever be in my basement,as I was only four years old when my father must of helped my grandfather install his furnace. I had to get right down and take a closer look at it.I took my index finger and went through ever letter,making strokes just like dad might of done.Somehow I felt as if I had been given a gift from Dad.As soon as everyone was out of the house I called my mom to tell her about my newest discovery, she cried as she too saw great meaning in this autograph.

This is why we scrapbook ladies,so that one day our loved ones will get an unexpected gift:)

I even took a picture of it.My Dad's real name was Quinton,but he went my his middle name Judson and then somehow that got shortened to Juddy.

See my unexpected gift.Isn't it great!Not everyone has one of these.

I'm still alive!

2008-09-13T12:10:00.002-04:00

Did you think that I dropped off the blog scene all together? So many times I would have something I wanted to share and then life would get in the way and I wouldn't post it.With my memory loss if something gets in my way of posting and I don't write it down,it is forever lost in the depths of my brain.

Ever feel that you know someone just because you read their blog,look at their work etc.Well this is how I feel about this talented scrapping lady, Aleida Franklin.

I first noticed her name in a comment post on another blog that I read,and I was drawn to her name. I think I thought it was Aretha Franklin.......LOL.Anyway, I clicked on it and went to her blog and there I saw some amazing talent.I found out that she was on the Studio Calico DT and I so love their kits and designers work.

Today as I read some of my blogs I came to the realization that this lady whom I have never met,yet feel that I know somehow,passed away due to a motor vehicle accident.My heart goes out to her husband and children,other family members and friends.The scrapping world has truly lost an inspiring talented women.

Here is a link to her blog

http://ricanlaw.typepad.com/the_scrapping_rican/

TA DA!!!!!!!

2008-08-25T15:37:00.004-04:00

Well look at this cool little award that was given to me from my friend Eva.Here are the rules for passing it on.

1. Only 5 people allowed.
2. 4 have to be dedicated followers of your blog
3. one has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
4. you must link back to whoever gave you the award. quite simple really - it is a way of saying thank you to those who take time out for wonderful comments to boost your day.

I tag

Jolene
Cindy
Laura
Terri-Lynn
Chelsea

I See The Sun

2008-08-13T09:28:00.005-04:00

Finally I see the sun,amidst a little fog.Our weather has been so miserable lately. I think I'm going to mold.Having said that, it is not an excuse for my husband to start the wood stove in August. I nearly died yesterday,and way into the night it was still smoking hot here.

As most of you know I was asked to be the August Guest Designer at Creatively Yours.Here is my layout for the latest sketch.

So tomorrow bright and early we are heading out for a bit of a vacation.It is that time of year when we have to take the kids school shopping.Not sure how relaxing that will be,but it has to be done.I am just hoping that the weather cooperates and that DH likes to shop,because mamma is on a mission:)

Creatively Yours Card

2008-08-10T17:58:00.002-04:00

Well as some of you know, I was asked to be the August Guest Designer on Creatively Yours.This is a sketch blog created by Noella,a lady from right here in New Brunswick:)

When I read my assignment and saw that I had to make a card, I thought Dear Lord what will I do.I am not a card maker at all.I sat down one night with her great sketch,hauled out some paper,and found myself quickly pulling a card together. I loved the finished product and it was lots of fun.So much cheaper than buying them, and I have all the supplies right at my fingertips.I was not only inspired by the sketch,but given that little boost to start making more.Check out her site that I linked above under its name,and below is the card I created.

Yet Another Birthday In The Duncan Household

2008-08-09T08:39:00.006-04:00

Well one birthday down,still another to go. It seems like all summer I am doing birthdays.Last but certainly not least was Evan's,yesterday.The holy terror turned 6.He was such a good baby,I was sick and he was content just to lay beside me in the bed whether he had just napped or not.If I was really sick,mom would watch him and bring him to me when he needed to be nursed and then take him again. My dad always said that a baby that was that good,was going to make you pay later.He was right! I love him dearly,but this little guy has a different type of personality from my other children and certainly has made me sit and shake my head a few times.He is always smiling,and like the saying goes.....when he's good he's very good,but when he's bad he's TERRIBLE!Thankfully I am one of those mothers who will admit that my child can be bad.I don't try to always blame it on someone else.

We love him dearly and he brings lots of energy and excitement to the household.

Here are a few snapshots from his birthday.It was kinda hard to take pictures with all the kids popping up.

We went with a Transformer theme and I got these great party hats in the States.

Here is Evan most pleased with his new Cars pencils for school.Shame the darn things won't sharpen in the pencil sharpeners there.

Now here he is opening the perfect gift.It is a shirt with an arrow pointing up to him that says......"Here's What Trouble Looks Like".My friend picked it up for him and it is totally suitable.He loves it!

August 1st.....Where is the summer going?

2008-08-01T21:15:00.005-04:00

I seriously can't believe that the kids will be back in school in a month from now.Where did the summer go?I remember when I was younger and in school,summer seemed to go on and on.You couldn't wait to see your friends from school,because it seemed as though you had been apart in like forever.

So I heard today that I have been chosen as a guest designer for the sketch site Creatively Yours.
I am pretty excited about this and can't wait to get started!I am supposed to get more information tomorrow..........YIPPEE! I love a good sketch.

Not much else going on in my world.Dave and I have been wrinkling,and I am sore......not as sore as I was when I first started,but still sore.I am not as flexible as I thought or as quick on my feet on those slippery rocks,but someones gotta bring home the bacon.....lol.Don't tell Dave I said that!

Stay tuned for some scrappy goodness coming up soon:)

Where did the time go?

2008-07-27T10:16:00.005-04:00

It is already the 27th of July and it is already 13 yrs ago that I Kyle was born...**sniff**. I can remember the day like it was yesterday.I was all excited,and then I got him home and it wasn't quite like playing house.My doll wouldn't sleep when I put him in his crib, and all he wanted to do was eat.I felt like a human milk machine.None of my friends had kids yet, and they were all off to the beach and doing their thing while I was stuck in the house trying to figure out this child that came with no manual.I remember thinking......why did I do this? It didn't help that Dave went away to school shortly after, and I was stuck home with my doll,my doll that didn't sleep, and ate 24/7.Thankfully my parents made many visits and I went to there house all the time.

Here I couldn't wait until he slept through the night, until he ate solid food, until he walked.......and now I am wondering why that all went by so fast.Why am I know hoping that he will do well in school, chose his friends carefully, stay out of trouble, when just yesterday this didn't matter.All that mattered was getting him to go 4hrs between feedings,getting him to sleep through the night.Now I wonder if he is ever going to wake up.Looking back, those moments were precious and I didn't see it at the time or enjoy it like I should of.

I am so very proud of the boy he has become and I have high hopes for his future.

Here he is acting goofy with his cool aviator glasses that he found.I'm thankful that Evan sat on them and snapped off the leg. They were driving me crazy!Not sure whose hat he has on or why?I just love him to bits!I'm so glad that he was given to me:)

2 Posts In One Day

2008-07-21T09:50:00.002-04:00

Wow! How lucky are you guys to get two posts in one day, in less then 15 mins. apart.If I had of read some of my fav. blogs first I could of grouped it together.This is just too good not to share IMO.

So I have been a die hard Christine Middlecamp fan every since I stumbled across her blog while I do believe looking at Studio Calico Kits.Amazing, is all that I can think of to describe this women.Her eye for detail and layering of embellishments surpasses all IMO.She also has quite a story to share as she is a recent widowed mom of a gorgeous little boy Ethan.She brings her blog readers right with her on her amazing journey,and quest for some sort of normalcy in this situation that she finds herself in.I feel like I am reading an inspiring novel on how to move on and deal with what life has given you,plus a scrapping tutorial on the side.I would love to meet her face to face.

Anyway enough of the introduction.........She has been to CHA and has posted some super photos of new product. Things that I didn't catch on blogs peeks or anything. I drooled all over my keyboard.It looks like American Crafts are bringing it on in the Thicker department,and the Remarks for that matter. Anyone who knows me, knows I looooooooovvvvveeeee Thickers!Along with Christine, I too am a K& Company fan.I don't have much of it,but I have surely been inspired by what she does with it.

Check out her blog ladies for some great photos,definitely drool worthy and there will be more to come.

Retrospection

Pub Call Discovery

2008-07-21T09:34:00.003-04:00

So I often check out pub calls for things that I may be interested in or friends of mine.I clicked on this ladies call for her sketch blog,and my mouth nearly dropped to the floor when I discovered that she was from New Brunswick.Someone with a cool sketch blog that lives right in New Brunswick and I had never heard tell of her.I e-mailed her and told her that I would be willing to do a layout for a sketch sometime.She sent me a sketch a few weeks later.I love doing sketches,and I hope she'll send me another sometime soon.

Check out her blog:)

Creatively Yours

There are some really great sketches for layouts and cards on this site.

Like living in the desert!

2008-07-14T12:14:00.003-04:00

Gee, I had to make sure that I didn't spell it dessert,because that would be a great thing to live in.Well as many of my friends know,we have a dug well.That is one of the not so nice things about living in an older house.Back when it was built,men got together with shovels and dug their own wells.I'm sure that it was cost efficient and since they didn't have 5 people showering every day and the mountains of laundry to do that 3 kids go through,I'm sure that they had more than a sufficient amount.Times have changed,and I have no water!We were getting by with a little water,and then someone turned on the tap or flushed the toilet and the pump stuck on and pumped what little bit I had out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course it was all my fault,because us women are supposed to notice the starting and stopping of a pump don't you know.Well thankfully it is raining today,so some of that will hopefully sink into the ground,but in the meantime we had to do something we have never had to before.............Call on the good old White Head Fire Department to give us a load of water.........LOL,at a minimal fee I might add.This is great,but it kinda stirs the water up for a bit,so I don't wash my whites here or drink it.

21 Boxes of Berries to Hull

2008-07-09T15:24:00.008-04:00

21 boxes of berries to hull.......sing it with me please!

So I made it back from away with my berries and not a moment too soon as they were starting to get to that mushy point. Dave and I hulled, and hulled and hulled. My poor hands are stained with berry juice and I will be forever getting my fingernails looking white again.It will be worth it though when I start mass producing jam in a few days.

We had a great trip away and the weather was super! Hot,hot,hot and then I come back to the fog.

I hit the best dollar store ever.I generally don't buy much in them,but this time I picked up some spoons and funky ice cream bowls for the kids that you put in the freezer. They are filled with the liquid like freezer mugs.I am such an impulse shopper. It was a great place to pick up little odds and ends to stuff in birthday gifts,as my kids always have a lot of summer birthday parties to attend.

The high light for my kids was to get to go swimming for sure.They had so much fun,and I snapped away with my camera.....yelling at Evan from time to time as he didn't see why he couldn't throw water at me, or blow it through his pool noodle.That kid might very well be the means of me being institutionalized......seriously.

Summer Scrapping

2008-07-02T12:03:00.004-04:00

Well here it is the first of July or it was yesterday and I have managed to whip up a layout.Most of my friends say that they find it hard to scrap in the summer,but not me.I find that I have more photo opportunities and I stay up later and have more alone scrapping time,because I know that if I am tired, I can sleep in the next morning:)

Anyway, I put together a layout of Allyson getting all ready for her debut as a flower girl. I used the yummy Heidi Grace PP's and chipboard that were in the June Kit at LIITD! I love the colors burgundy and navy together so these papers really caught my eye.I loved that color combo so much that I used it as my color scheme when in my wedding.

I have only had a few Heidi Grace papers in the past,but I really love these ones,and all the flocking on them.Her chipboard is great and so nicely packaged for easy locating of different items.I am anxious to see what she comes out with next. Maybe we will get a CHA peek of a new line.

I forgot to mention my new found love.Right up with my flower obsession is my love for journaling pages.On this layout I used one of the Making Memories noteworthy tear out pages.It matched perfectly and I just had to use it. Even though I wasn't sure if I would journal on it, I knew that it had to be used as a decorative background paper somewhere on the layout. I love it when I go to put something together and everything just clicks,matches well and I can locate it all with ease.

Come one ,Come all

2008-06-16T20:27:00.001-04:00

Come on out and play at our Anniversary On-line crop put on by all the lovely members of LIITD.There will be lots of fun,challenges and prizes to be won.I hope to see you there:)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-15T07:20:00.003-04:00

Well here we are at another Father's Day.Man, how time flies by.This is my fourth Father's Day without my dad.For those who are having their first,my heart goes out to you.It really is a difficult time,especially if it is a time your family used to get together and celebrate.Now I use it has a day to look back and reflect on cherished memories of my dad. I'll still have days that are harder than other,but for the most part I am thankful for what I had,and not so sad about what I lost.

The pictures above are of my dad .The first one is him and Evan.Evan loved to take a scoot in Dad's wheelchair with him. There was many an adventure as Dad learned how to get around in this.I was there to be part of his plowing down the table and tearing the door casing off.He was terribly upset,and so were we for him,but now looking back at it I can laugh.The air was blue! For some reason it was Mom's fault for putting the table there,not Dad's for going fast forward and not using any brakes......lol .Evan loved dad,but sadly will never remember him walking,and in all likely hood probably not much at all. We do what we can to keep his memory alive for him.The second picture was taken exactly 2 mths before he died on Christmas morning.I can't believe how the steroids he took made his face swell so.He doesn't even look like the same man!Sometimes I think it's the treatments that kill you,not the disease.

White men can't blend!!!!!

2008-06-09T08:27:00.003-04:00

See this lovely picture?............Take a wild guess on what it is?Well let me rewind a bit,to me last night making smoothies for the kids,and along comes DH with his divine smoothie making wisdom.He thought that he could help me process the frozen fruit quicker by sticking the spatula in the not completely stopped blending blender! I was instantly furious and looked at him with fire in my eyes and horns on my head.Once my eyes met his and I realized that he had smoothie completely covering his glasses and hanging from the side of his head like something on that "Something About Mary" movie, I could no longer contain my laughter.It was dripping off the coffeemaker,in and on my already prepared kids lunch boxes for the next morning,perched nicely on my shoulder,and has you can see from the above picture......it was hanging like stalagmites off of my ceiling!!!!!!! My fits of laughter sent the kids running,wanting to know what had happened and if the smoothies were ready.Just as Allyson was near the blender a big gob of smoothie fell from the ceiling.......SPLAT.She jumped and screamed thinking that she had been hit by land knows what.This led to yet another outbreak of laughter.Mamma was standing bent over,legs crossed as to contain her bladder.Too many more of these episodes and I'll be all done in.Despite the catastrophe, the smoothies,or the next batch of smoothies were delicious.

Hope to be back with some scrappy items,but I have company,so it is putting a damper on my scrapping.

I am happy to report that today is the hottest day we have had so far! It is freaking gorgeous out.

Good Morning June 4th

2008-06-04T06:00:00.003-04:00

On a scrappy note,this is a layout I did quite some time ago for a sketch contest on Creative Scrappers.It was done with a great sketch from Becky Fleck:) I so love those MME papers.I wish they would come out with another line that I would just fall in love with.Allyson was so pretty and just bubbling over with excitement on the day of this wedding.When the hummer with her and the bride arrived on the beach, I could just see her eyes peeking up over the window,but they were just a snapping.I thought my mouth might split from smiling:)

Well I am up and sooooooo sleepy.I was up late last night with Kyle trying to figure out his book report.It was done on his laptop at school which crashed and then he had to re-do it from home,but we had some problems as we don't have the same computer programs as the school.He was tired,I was tired.......I ran out of ink.All in all,this mother was seriously wondering why they took away the pen and paper.Technology is not always the best thing. I feel so bad for the kids who have no computers at home,because I do know that there is still a few out there

JUNE 1st WOOOOHOOOOO

2008-06-01T11:56:00.003-04:00

I so can't believe that it is June! I love summer,I love having the kids home and doing all the fun stuff that comes with summer.Going to the beach,eating fresh produce,being able to travel without worrying about the kids missing school is at the top of my list.

I was honored to be asked to be a guest designer on Creative Scrappers for this week!Thanks Kristine:) The sketch had me kinda thinking at first and my LO so ended up in a different direction than what I planned for it too,but I loved it.I should clarify for those who don't know what the picture is of....it is of the beacons that boats follow to lead them safely into our harbor without going aground or hitting anything.I think most fishermen breathe a sigh of relief when they see these,as they have put in a long tiring day,sometimes without much to show for it.They are a sign that they are almost home.

Check it out here http://creativescrappers.blogspot.com/

Dave and I decided to watch PS I LOVE YOU last night.What a great romantic comedy. It wasn't too far into the movie when I could feel the old eyes watering:(Wouldn't it be great if we all could receive letters from our loved ones that have passed away!

Late Night Scrapping

2008-05-30T07:00:00.004-04:00

I so love to stay up after everyone has gone to bed and scrapbook.Just me and the sound of JUNE BUGS hitting my window! Frig,don't they know it is May still.Nothing gives me cold chills anymore than them.I know a girl who was at the drive in and of course it was dark when she walked back to her vehicle with her newly purchased fish and chips.CRUNCH.............she thought she bit into a tough over-cooked piece of fish batter,but once the dome light was turned on,she realized that it was a piece of a JUNE BUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!barf.

It was a good thing I did stay up later,as the phone rang after 11pm,and on the other end was my sobbing, homesick,stuck on another island from her mother.........daughter:( What was I to do? I talked calmly to her and reassured her that she was fine and that we loved her.I told her she should go to bed and say a little prayer to God,and that he would help her to fall asleep and wake up in the morning all excited to go on her little gps treasure hunt.I felt terrible.........How must kids feel when their parents abandon them or something happens and they are taken from them.Allyson was clearly beside herself,and she was in no threat of danger.She was with a bunch of kids she knew....even her brother.I would just have her calmed down and she would start to cry all over again.I am hoping that this is just a phase she is going through.She never has had this problem before.

2008-05-28T06:41:00.003-04:00

Here is a series of events on my trip.......I'm going,going,deep into the belly of the boat and now I am all aboard and thankfully not on the ramp that you can see up above us,because for some reason they don't take into consideration that some women actually carry junk in their trunk and find it very difficult to squeeze out by the railings!Now if it was my breasts,I'd smile and stick em over the railing,but I can't do that with my butt......lol. I have watched poor pregnant ladies trapped and men dangling infants in car seats over the side just to make it to the passenger area.

Happy Hump Day:)

2008-05-28T06:31:00.003-04:00

Well since I am up way before I need to be,I took sometime to read a few of my fav. blogs and now I will update mine.Not much exciting has happened in my life since my last post.DH and I did make it away on our little anniversary excursion to Costco.We had a great time.....LOVED Costco and I can't wait until it comes a little closer.We ate at Montana's and we both give it a thumbs down.We waited for sooooo long to get our food.I'm talking they celebrated 9,yes 9 birthdays in that length of time.It must of been because the people had sat there a whole year!DH ordered a club sandwich,his old standby and it came with processed turkey slices!So we won't be back there anytime soon!We had to cut our trip a little short as the bow broke on the ferry and the schedule got all screwed up because of the time it took to back everyone on and off.Oh well, there will always be a next time and it was great to come home with money in my pocket.

I took some pictures of us driving on the ferry,and I will put them in the next post,so that they will actually be under what I have just typed.I can't get this picture placement all figured out.

5:52 am

2008-05-22T04:51:00.002-04:00

I am up and ready to roll.........don't have to leave until 9:30,but I can't sleep.The birds are chirping,my belly was growling,my bladder contracting,so up I got.Now I am just chilling before the school routine starts.Yum.......I love coffee and a piece of chocolate cake with boiled icing!!!!!!How many WW points would that be?!

I am super excited to go away,even if it is only for overnight.We don't go to far with out at least one child in tow,so it will be fun.Now if I can just get Dave to stick to my schedule,we'll be alright.Might stop to the drugstore and see about a mild sedative that I could easily slip into his drink......LOL.

HAPPY 14th ANNIVERSARY

2008-05-21T06:45:00.002-04:00

I can't even believe that I have been married that long! Especially to Dave.........LOL.Seriously,where does the time go? I remember starting off on our newly married lives in our tiny two room house that we were so fortunate to get.It was a shame that a man had to die first:( We painted and papered and tried to make it our own.LOL.........there was only an oil stove and a hot plate in it,and if anyone knows me,they know that I would of never survived as a poineer! Thankfully,it didn't take to many times of Dave coming home and seeing me beet red after cooking in the summer time,that he decided we would buy an electric stove.Man, that was hot.

The winter was another story, we were thankful for that oil stove then.Like when I was trying to look out to see when the ferry was coming in,and I had to first plow the snow off the windowsill the inside window sill!We survived though:) I have it much warmer and spacious now.

Tomorrow we set off on our little anniversary excursion.It isn't much,no swanky hotel and hot weather..............but it has COSTCO! I hear all these ladies talking about Costco and their purchases,so that is where I chose to go.Pathetic......I know,but after 14 yrs of marriage and dating 7 yrs,face it...........THE HONEYMOON IS OVER BABY.Sure I would love to be wined and dined,but I'll take shop and drop this time.

Back from the Dr.

2008-05-20T16:50:00.003-04:00

Well today was my DH's apt. with the Dr. about his blood pressure. We never knew he had a problem until the eye doctor looked in his eyes and requested that he see is family Dr. A nurse friend of ours monitors his BP twice a day and we took the recordings with us. Thankfully the Dr. isn't alarmed just yet,and wants bloods, and another week of monitoring before he thinks of meds.Dave needs to exercise more and shed some of the weight he gained after quitting smoking.

On a scrappy note.............I did the MNML with Vanessa last night and it was super. They changed things up a bit. No more step by step instructions and measurements,but now we have a list of things we must include on our LO,but other than that what we use is totally up to us. I loved the freedom,and the requirements.Great fun I say!My LO is at the top as I can't seem to ever get it in the spot that I want.

VOILA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-05-19T06:40:00.002-04:00

I woke up this morning and PRESTO NEW BLOGGIEO..................Gotta love friends who know what they are doing.So I am just starting to get my blog spruced up with the help of Kristine:) I will be adding more fav. sites and goodies,so if I haven't linked you..........blame her.........LOL .I will have all my inspiring links and peeps posted soon.I am so excited!

I am a blog hypocrite!!!!!!!!!!

2008-04-21T14:08:00.002-04:00

Here I sit,hanging my head in shame when I realize that day after day I check blogs and get annoyed that they are not updated to give me that tidbit of entertaining info that I need.............and then it dawns on me in a lightbulb fashion that I am one of them!

Sorry for the delay,but not much of any significance has been happening in my life,other than sickness.The kids have had several rounds of colds and the flu mess,and now I have this terrible cough that won't leave.It wakes me up at night, and I feel like I'm strangling in my own juices......TMI eh?

Well this is short and sweet,but at least now that I have diagnosed my hypocritical blog nature,I might be willing to do something about it more often.

Oh and someone tagged me.I am to list 7 random things about myself,so here I go

1.I was the only child born on White Head in 1971
2.I can't swim
3.I'm not above using whiskey for medicinal purposes.......lol
4.I love to be by myself and in a group setting.......strange eh?
5.My bladder has gone South
6.I am a movie critic.....I need just the right type of movie to watch
7.I prayed for my freckles when I was younger,because my brother had them and I didn't.Now I wish they would leave!

Frig..........

2008-03-11T12:22:00.001-04:00

Just forget me saying that I left you with 2 layouts,because I see that I started you with them.Some day I will get on to when to include things. I thought they would be uploaded at the end of my post,but they got in at the first.Oh well..........

Ever hear a song.................

2008-03-11T12:07:00.003-04:00

that makes you flash back to your youth? Oh, the days.........I just heard Rick Springfield's "Jesse's Girl" on the radio as I drove Dave back to work.I cranked it up and didn't let my hair blow in the breeze as I was too freaking cold! Anyway, I love those moments that make me feel not quite as old.

I am so bad in blogging lately.........Not much new in my life.March break is over thankfully and the kids are back in school,so I have a little more me time. I love having them home,but I don't enjoy the constant bickering. We did manage to get away for a couple of long boring snowed in days.

Everyone is home from Florida and Julie is pumped to go. I can't stop searching and reading and looking. I have become possessed with this. I love to plan fun! I could be payed to plan other peoples fun. I think that would be an awesome job.Fun,fun,fun.........I love to have fun. I will probably only get to Disney once with my kids and I want it to be a trip to remember. I want them to have the time of their lives and be filled with that magical feeling the whole time they are there.

I have been scrapping some,and I have found out that I am the embellinator.I know,my own little word,but I don't know what else to call it. I can't stop..........I want more and more flowers,more chipboard,more bling!!!!!!!!!! Speaking of that.......I made a little E-Bay purchase today. I ordered some Maya Road chipboard hearts and stars. I never knew they sold them all painted. I got neutral colors.You can always paint them.While I was at it, I figured that I might just as well through in some office sheers..........tee hee, I made myself all giddy submitting that order.Next on my E-bay list of must haves are those stinking cute little Prima Pop Up Birds.....Like who doesn't like a Pop Up Bird........LOL.Then on my quest to find them, I found that they have pop up dragon flies,hearts,stars and oh yes tags and bookplates......I tell ya, I nearly Popped out of my chair.There was a whole lot of purring going on.

Ok enough senseless banter from me.....I'll leave you with a couple of my recent LO's.The Teddy Bear one was for the MPC. We were to rough it up..........and rough it up I did. I was tearing and sanding, inking and ripping. I love this look on a LO.The next LO was one I did for Pencil Lines.I have sooooooo many pictures of Jenna's wedding to scrap.I know that they are now split up,but I love the pictures and who knows, maybe they will get back together,but for now I need those pics.and I'm a gonna use them.Not to mention that many of them have the world's cutest little flower girl in them!

2008-02-17T11:24:00.003-04:00

Ok so I am not quite sure how to get the picture and my writing all in one post.I took this picture of a new house while sailing into the harbor on our ferry.It isn't hard to tell that this is a summer home owned by someone from away.Someone who doesn't realize how much wind and freezing spray that they are going to get.Not to mention the fact that the drive way up to the house is pretty scary.Scary like the plumber couldn't get up the hill and started rolling back and smashed his van up.Oh well, it is a new addition to the island and you,yes you could rent it for $1000 a week!Let's get those telephones ringing girls:)

I think I might feel some mojo starting to bubble up within me.Could be gas,who knows.....lol. I was just searching some blogs and WOW!!!!!!!!! there is some awesome talent out there. My mind is whirling.I think that some of these ladies must have everything they need right at their fingertips,kinda like Macgyver or however you spell it.Honestly, I have never seen so many embellishments! I love embellishments.Can't wait for the new CHA stuff to start rolling in.

Good Sunday Morning:)

2008-02-17T11:22:00.000-04:00

LOL

2008-02-08T14:04:00.000-04:00

Ok I will be right back ladies.You are so lucky that I got one pic. uploaded because my second time I got them uploaded,but they were not the pictures that I chose.Couldn't be, I couldn't of done something wrong.......LOL.I think once I get the hang of this, you will be sick and tired of seeing my pictures. I am going to play sneaky like Vanessa and just show a tiny bit of a picture.

I should actually play Stump The Dummy with you guys.This is a new facebook group from around here. People take pictures and we have to post what they are or where they are taken.Dh guessed one last night and was pretty impressed with himself. Some of them are so hard,and have never been figured out. The people who took the pictures will give hints after a bit.Sneaky and right up my alley.Stay tuned for a Stump The Dummy Julie D Style:)

A Layout I finished recently:)

2008-02-08T13:51:00.000-04:00

SUPER NANNY WHERE ARE YOU???????

2008-01-23T15:13:00.000-04:00

I am here to tell you that Evan has been home for less than an hour and it is has been one hurdle after another. Who helps with these sort of things? Why is my son so difficult,and demanding.I seriously think he has anger issues and I have never dealt with it and I don't know how.People will tell me that just needs a good stick on his you know what........Well guess what.....done that,after I chased him through the house and out the door. It is -10 or something and him with no coat or shoes on his feet.

I should mention that this all started because I got tired of him demanding I do things without saying please to me.It is just a simple request and he knows his manners,so why not use them? Instead we will engage in a manners standoff,in which I am ultimately the winner,but I end up feeling helpless and sad.I think I am failing in the parenting department with child number 3.I never had any issues with the other two.

I sent him to his room and I sit in the livingroom on the verge of tears while I listen to him scream and holler and kick and threaten to smash his window out.

He always talks nasty to me,and everything is "friggin" this and "friggin" that.He calls his siblings jerks.I am at my wits end here. I don't know what to do!!!!!!! Am I doing something wrong.

Now I should mention that there are moments when he is an angel,other than when he is sleeping. He never ever cuts up these actions with his father.

Sorry for the long boring vent:(

One Proud Mom

2008-01-22T07:53:00.000-04:00

Not to much going on in my life lately,other than the fact I have been scrapping and having fun with it:)

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the award ceremonies at Kyle's school. He received an award for his marks,and I was so happy:) I was also shocked and saddened by the lack of parent participation in this event.There were kids getting awards with no parents to watch:( The look on Kyle's face when his eye caught mine sitting at the back of the auditorium.......PRICELESS!

My mother kinda hurt my feelings yesterday.She sticky noted me on facebook like 3 weeks ago to tell me that she was going away to her sister's house for a bit.See her sister lives near her new man(insert rolling eyes smilie here).I don't think she is ever coming home,and then she told me yesterday that she had nothing to come home for:( I guess her three children and numerous grandchildren rank lower than her new man.She will return in time to take off to Europe for 6 weeks........oh to be so carefree.

I found that it is better to e-mail camera man through E-bay,he responds pronto.He aske me for my phone number and he would contact me with my tracking number.I am thinking buddy I have left messages for you and my phone number for a week now and you have never responded,why should I think you will this time.Why can't he e-mail me the tracking number????That is because he doesn't have it!He did call me however last night,and was just a sweet as could be,and even thanked me for my patience.He will have a tracking number for me today and will e-mail.....YA RIGHT! I don't think this man knows right from left or has any contact with his customer service. He yet again mentioned sending me the wrong camera.....the one I just sent back to him.I may have a nervous breakdown before this is over.

I am so TICKED

2008-01-18T23:11:00.000-04:00

In fact,I'm pissed,and I am so unpissoffable..........LOL how is that for a new word.Kinda sounds like a Czech last name or something.Anyway,for those following my camera saga..........I think I have been had.I was seriously on the verge of tears on the phone with customer service at the E-bay store we won my camera from.There is no record of a camera being shipped out to me,other than the wrong one I received. They guy assured me that it was a good camera.I told him that it might very well be,but it wasn't what I paid for:( In fact, it was a $200 cheaper one.Now come on,who is going to go for that?

I feel worse to think that my hubby saved all of his pocket change and hid it in the basement to buy me this,and now.......................it's gone:(Not that he couldn't of just gone and bought it,but he wanted to surprise me with it.

Oh what to do?????????????

The Secret is out

2008-01-15T13:27:00.000-04:00

that everyone has a secret or is telling a secret......there's a whole lot of secretive talk going on,so I started thinking about secrets.When someone tells you they have one,it sure does peak your curiosity doesn't it?But really if you tell someone than it isn't a secret anymore.

I have many a secret hidden in this pea brain of mine. I have shared many a secret.Many a secret of mine has been shared with the wrong person too.

You ever tell something and you just assume that the person is smart enough to know that you wouldn't want it all over town,but since you don't come right out and tell them that,they decide to spread it.It happens to me all the time.I often share with my closest friends the on-going saga of my mother,and for some reason they decide to tell two friends and so on, and so on. Not that it is a big deal,but I hate it when someone comes up to me with that sympathetic look in their eyes and makes a comment about her,just hoping that I will have some sort of breakdown and divulge everything I know about her.Not because they are concerned,but because they want to know all there is to know so that they can gossip about it. That is the only problem about living in a small area. Everyone knows your business. God forbid you do something wrong and people find out,because you will never redeem yourself here.

I kinda have a secret,but I don't want to say to much about it in case in never comes to pass and then I end up feeling bad for the other person involved. I wouldn't want to let them down:)

I have something going in the mail shortly that is a kinda little secret sorta thing:)

I HAVE NO FREAKING CAMERA YET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT ISN'T A SECRET!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DUFUS THAT SOLD IT TO ME IS GETTING NEGATIVE FEEDBACK!!!!!!!THAT'S NO SECRET!!!!!!

I love secrets<3

I want to be Queen for just one day

2008-01-12T19:39:00.001-04:00

is that too much to ask for?I want to be pampered and waited on.Feed me grapes and fan me with branches.(psstttt I put branches because I don't know how to spell that word for palm leaves. I don't want to spell it like the son's name on Swiss Family Robinson)Whenever I mention this to Dave, he looks at me like I have two heads,like I think that I am special or something.Well guess what? I do think I'm special and why don't I deserve to have everyone running around at my beckon call,getting me this and that,cooking my meals,preparing my snacks............I do it 24/7 almost.Please.................just once.Then I realize that I am fighting a loosing battle.

I think I do too much for my kids.Now when Allyson wants a drink, I tell her to get it herself,nicely though:) She spills the milk,I get angry............so why not just do it yourself the first time.

You know if I was trampy I could get a role on Desperate Housewives.......LOL:)

I'm sure that I am not the only mom who is overworked and underpaid.I wouldn't trade my job for anything in the world though.Girls gotta dream.

My word for the year 2008

2008-01-11T13:33:00.000-04:00

is going to be...............drum roll please............................

BELIEVE!

I thought long and hard about what word I would choose.I thought of focus,but I'm not a focusing kinda person.......LOL. It just didn't seem to suit me.Then I thought of achieve,because there are so many things that I want to achieve,but then I had a light bulb moment and realized that if I want to achieve it, I must first believe it.So there you have my word for 2008:)

I want to achieve a goal in my weight, in my creativity,in my over all well-being.I want to learn to accept the things I can't change. Why get down over the turn of events in my life regarding my mom,if I can't do anything about it.I need to BELIEVE that things will be fine and that I will be OK with it all.I might need Dr. Phil to help me or Betty Ford,but I'm going to do it;)

Rewind the tape please

2008-01-08T19:10:00.000-04:00

the one titled Julie's Life,and I would like you to go as far back as you can.Back to the days where I was cute,tiny and had long black curls and no gray hair. When my family was functional,when death was for old people,so I thought.When everyone made a point to visit their loved ones and be a part of special occasions.When people were thoughtful and considerate.When people didn't make a hobby out of tearing others apart,but a job of building each other up.

Oh the tape has been erased and there are no back-ups:( Don't mind me,I'm just thinking back.

Do you ever look back at your childhood and smile?Think of things that you did, that your own kids today do not have the privilege of doing,or just don't want to do because it's not as fun as the playstation or PC. Those were the good old days.

I got thinking today about some of the choices I have made in my life,mostly regarding people I have allowed to come into my life,loved and for the most part got nothing in return.Yep,friends......would you pick the same ones if you had to do it over again? Some I would keep,and others I wouldn't. Some of would make sure that I found sooner and others I would hold on to a little tighter.Of all the girls who stood up with me in my wedding,I only have contact really with one,and she is my SIL.I wouldn't necessarily pick the ones that live the closest.Good grief, most of my friends today, I have never met other than on-line,but I talk to them every day and they make me smile. I know they are there if I need them,and well........I'm there even if they don't need me:) I wouldn't necessarily chose the ones that I have the most in common with as I found out later in life that opposites attract. Take Jolene and I,she is a little rock-n-roll and I'm a little country:) but we are one when it comes to the stuff that matters.We talk each and every day,sometimes more than once. We talk about absolutely nothing for the most part.I'm sure that I say things that bug her and vice versa,but we don't remember it the next day.We don't come out and say "I love you" to each other because we don't have to, it is just understood.........plain and simple!!!!!!!

Anyway boring perhaps,but I was feeling a bit reflective today.I cherish my friends both near and afar.The ones I see often and the ones I've never met:)

I'll leave you with a bit of Evan humor........Did you know there was a new version of the Bible,yep I like to call it the New Evan Version Acts 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and though shalt be shaved.........LOL I didn't bother correcting him because I thought it was cute. No whether his Awana leader will think so, is a different story.

Back To School

2008-01-07T12:44:00.000-04:00

Well the kiddies are all back in school.My house would be quiet if hubby wasn't grinding something in the basement.Oh well, he'll be back to work shortly.

Mamma didn't like getting out of bed this morning,but she did and once the coffee IV was in place all was good in my world.

Evan came down the stairs minutes before the bus left dripping wet.He was trying to spike his hair.Well all he managed to achieve was the wet drowned rat look.Honestly, where did this kid come from:)

I've been scrapping!!!!!!!! YIPPEE, in fact I have like 7 LO's that just are sitting waiting for a title or journaling or Kristina Contes to come and assist me.I am pretty excited about scrapping in 2008. I think once,and I do mean once.......my camera arrives, it will open a new door to me in regards to my scrapping.

BTW, I should get off here and give Jeanette a call and see how she likes my camera. ^&!@#(!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-12-31T13:35:00.000-04:00

I can't believe that 2007 is almost a thing of the past.I better start practicing writing out cheques with 2008.

Did you have a good year?I guess all in all my year was OK. It will go down in history as the year of the LICE! Now I'm telling you that is something that I don't want to re-live anytime soon.I will never call anyone nitpicky again either.

I am looking forward to 2008. I will embrace it with a smile:)

Anyone got any New Year's plans? I guess we are going to my brother and SIL's for a fondue.No one better tell me I'm big or eating too much or they might go home sporting a fondue fork in their eyeball...........ain't that right Nicole?:) It should be interesting to see how it turns out. A lot of different types of personalities coming tonight.I am sure that I will blend well with them all. Those who I don't blend with well..........I'll pretend I do as long as I can cook my food in their pot......LOL.

How about those resolutions.......Are you making any? I seriously am going to try to loose some weight,and if I don't so be it,but I would like to give it a try. I will open that new pilates DVD I bought eons ago and give it a whirl.Sure wish I had carpet instead of hardwood.I will get more creative,and try new things.I will shop ahead of the occasions eg. birthdays and Christmas. I will use up a lot of my scrap stash! I will try to not let my mother and her new life she has set out on bother me.I will blog more often.I will love more. I don't think I could possible laugh more,but I'll try.

Be safe tonight everyone:)

Back after a hiatus

2007-12-30T11:25:00.000-04:00

Yep, just like your favorite TV shows take a break,so did I. Not really because I had nothing to report,but because I didn't think anyone would be interested in the boring daily happenings of my life.I love reading other people's blogs,so I will give it another shot.Maybe now that I have high speed I can soup it up a little.............with help from some of my hi-tech friends.

So for those that are following my on-going camera saga........I am happy to report that it is somewhere between here and NJ.YAY!!!!!!!!!!! even after all of the troubles I have had I am still excited to get it. I will not be leaving positive feedback for the seller though:(Get your act together buddy!!!!!!!!!!!

Guitar Hero.........Do you have it? Do you like it? Kyle got one for Christmas and he is rocking out as I type.He calls himself TenaciousK........LOL.I love it when I catch him actually grooving with it.

2007-04-17T12:53:00.000-04:00

Here is a different view of the water and how rough it is.