April Scraplovers Projects!

This month, we have the pleasure of working with the awesomely unique products from Zsiage! Our theme this month is poetry/quotes, one of which must be incorporated into each of our pages.

The "welcome home" project was made by altering a 5 x 15 inch plaque from the Dollar Tree. I had so much fun painting and inking the Zsiage chipboard letters! The swirl is a foam stamp by Teresa Collins for Junkitz.

I love how the page about my cat turned out. The paper was just perfect for showing off my handsome old man!

April Scrapncircle Projects!

I had so much fun playing with the SEI "Such a Boy" paper line. Such beautiful colors with those aquas and terra cottas... it makes it a very versatile line! Perfect for beachy layouts! Thanks, Jeri, for challenging me with the boy papers! I always love how that makes me think outside the box!

Yay!

Well, first of all, we finally got my dd into the bathtub tonight, and she feels much better. She even wants to try to go visit at school tomorrow!

And another toot! This one for a photo for Simple Scrapbook's Focus on Photos column! It is scheduled to appear in the September/October 2007 issue!!!

As much as we try...

As much as we try to protect our kids from danger, accidents still happen. And I am so sad. My older dd broke her leg yesterday. She's only 5. And she cannot bear weight on her leg for at least 3 weeks. I did at least know to ask for a script for a wheelchair from the doctor today. Being a PT does come in handy sometimes. I called my favorite medical equipment provider, and we had the chair by this afternoon.

*sigh*

We spent several hours in the ER yesterday evening. The pediatric orthopod on call would not come in to cast it. By making us wait, he sent me the message that my child was not worth his time or effort to get up off of his butt and go to the ER to set it. He made her wait until today, but was expecting our call... or so he told the ER doctor. When I called the office this morning, he was not in today. It was a scheduled day off after being on call. The receptionist told me I must have been mistaken, not the doctor. (my discharge paperwork even has this info about the expected office visit on it!) Needless to say, I was more than a little PO'd..... the other pediatric specialist was in surgery. She told me I would have to wait another day. I told her no.... and asked her how she would feel if this were her child who was injured and in pain and a doctor had lied to her. She found another doctor who was willing to see my dd, but made it very clear to me what an inconvenience it was for her office, that I would have to wait a long time, and that we were being worked in. It was a complete fiasco!!! I asked her to tell me about any other orthopedic practices that had peds specialists, and she would not tell me. So, I stuck with them. They were fine in the office, and the doctor was nice, so I guess it all worked out. But I'm still feeling like a momma bear.....

She's in so much pain despite the pain meds. And I feel totally helpless in how to help her. I told her that I wished it had been me that broke my leg instead of her... and she told me that she wished that, too!!! LOL!!! Still a smarty pants, that kid!

So send my little girls some prayers and positive thoughts, will you? She really needs them!!!

You take the good with the bad....

So, the bad news, obviously, is that I did not get a call of any kind for HOF. *sigh*.... but I see some names of some truly talented folks on that list.... so kudos to them!!! It's been an exciting couple of days!!!

But, the good news (which really softened the blow!) is that Paper Trends wants to publish the shadow box I made for Scraplovers using Hambly products!!! Yay!!! It is by far my favorite project I have created thus far! Yay!!! My second pub with this family of publications! Even more fun? I will be in the SAME article with 2 of my fellow Scraplovers DT members!!!

So, I am happy! And grateful for another opportunity to have my work in print!

March project #3!

Our theme this month is inspirational women. So, I had to do a layout about my mom!!! Where would we be without them, right? My mom is special. I just wish I could spend more time with her! It seems like since I moved an hour away it is nearly impossible to coordinate our lives :(. I miss our shopping trips especially!

Patterned papers and brads from American Crafts. Bazzill cardstock.

Some days I just love my job!

I am a physical therapist, and I specialize in geriatric rehabilitation. I never thought I would end up in this specialty. I originally entered this field because of an interest in pediatrics. I swore I would never work in a nursing home, but the truth is, the most rewarding job I have ever had has been working for one!

I have an amazing patient right now who has suffered a stroke. He came to us just a week after the event. He has the significant advantage of not having suffered any cognitive deficits, but his affected leg was pretty much flaccid. In other words, little to no voluntary movement in that leg.

His first day with me, I made a point of walking with him. I have a few tricks I've learned in my years of practice for teaching someone how to walk who is paralyzed on one side. Well, he did it. And he did it well. He was so excited... and so was I. Those are the days PT's live for!!! He has now progressed from using a rail in the hallway to a large based quad cane. He has lots more movement in that leg... his progress is phenomenal, and I am so glad to be a part of it.

I guess the bigger challenge of working with this population is assisting those with dementia... especially those with significant issues, such as what you find with advanced Alzheimers. I have one patient now who is a retired Baptist minister. He just happened to go to the same seminary as my father. And I found a connection with him.... which is the key to helping these patients learn to trust me to help them. My breaking moment with him.... asking him what his favorite hymn is. He could tell me. And I told him mine. And he told his wife that they have some fine people working there....

I try my best to treat everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve. I imagine how I would want my own mother or father to be treated. And I pray that I never have to see them that way....

Sometimes the best toots in life are not scrapbook related. I am so lucky to have the job I have.

How ironic....

that while I was searching in my car for one of the latest and greatest inventions of the past couple of years (my bluetooth!), I came across some quite older technology.... one of my cassette tapes from my college years.
You know you made mix tapes from your CD's when you were younger, right? This one was my favorite. From 1994! I remember that I had put it in my car when I sold my little red Corolla last fall. It has songs from the Smiths, REM, the Cure, and bands I've even forgotten the name of.... each new one that played was like uncovering a long forgotten gem!!! I had fun listening to it again.... and it suddenly dawned on me. The only tape player I have now is in my Subaru!!! Once I get rid of that car, I will have no way to play it anymore!!!!
Hmmmm.... I wonder how many more years I can get out of my Subaru?

March project #2!

I bought this chalkboard from Big Lots months ago. I kinda forgot about it... but found it again the other day while searching for something else! I had this crazy idea about ribbon for the center of a flower, and I really like how it turned out.

More with the fabulous American Crafts products. Love these colors!!!

March project #1!

Here's my first of 2 projects for Scraplovers. We got some of the AWESOME papers and embellishments from American Crafts to work with, including those cute Thickers letters!!! Love those things!!!

Anyway, had to do a page about a girls' afternoon at Krispy Kreme. We call the doughnuts "hot nows." LOL!!! I don't know how often we will be going from now on with this change to a more organic lifestyle, but I'm sure we'll sneak a trip there every couple of months!

On going organic...

I have to say, it is really agreeing with me! I have lost 11 lbs., and have dropped 2 pant sizes!!! I'm back in the single digits!!! It's a lifestyle change, really... of course, groceries have gone up considerably. And now we make a special trip to Ellwood Thompson (our biggest natural foods market here in Richmond) at least once a week. My dh has lost over 20 lbs. The thing is, we're not dieting! Just changing the type of foods we eat.
http://www.ellwoodthompsons.com/retailer/store_templates/shell_id_1.asp?storeID=U68APW9PKBSR2LHA0G03N0ET9DM96189

We have also been doing some herbal detox kits by Renew Life. They seem to really work!http://www.renewlife.com/

We also bought a juicer, and drink fresh, organic juice at least once a day.http://www.powerjuicer.com/?src=JL249TG They sell this one at Costco in silver.

So, we may have just crossed the line into granolahood. Even my older dd has been asking about what she eats, interested to know if it is organic or not!!!

The funny thing is, as I have lost weight, started to have more energy, and organizing my eating habits, I have started to organize other parts of my life better, too!!!

Check it out!!!

We are having a cyber crop over at Scraplovers this weekend... lots of prizes, games, and challenges... so head on over... and get your scrap on!!!

Do you want to see the "before"?

Here's that picture of my baby girl before all of the marker was edited out!!! Her babysitter was doing some dishes... and she though the baby was being awfully quiet!!! And when she checked, she discovered marker everywhere! Keep in mind that this was AFTER her face had been washed several times!!! LOL!!!

More of my muse!

So I'm on a string of creating layouts about my baby girl.... with this one I used Basic Grey Lollipop collection with a bit of Gypsy. The use of the tags was sort of inspired by a commercial I saw on TV. The journaling is on a transparency which was painted, then stamped in green with a Junkitz swirl stamp. I also used various ribbons by Offray, May Arts, and the Michaels dollar bin. Title was hand cut.

The paint technique was inspired by Lisa over at Scraplovers!!! She posted some amazing paint technique tutorials over there...

Photo was shot with my 50mm 1.4 lens. It's a bit soft... but still scrapable, IMO!!!

My baby girl...

My 18 month old has learned the most infamous toddler word this week... "MINE!!!"

So, she says to me, "Mommy. You fun!" And then, a few minutes later, as I am holding her, she pats her hand on me, and says, "mine!," gives me a big hug, then looks up and giggles at me.

Too sweet!!!

Here's a shot of her the other day.

Guest DT calls!!!

First, Scrapncircle has a guest DT call for March!!!

We are looking for a Guest Design Team Member for the Month of March. Do you have what it takes??? I bet you do!!!! Your challenge is....Create a layout with the theme of *LOVE*. This can be love for your child, your husband or a dear close friend. Of course even those pets count. Your layout must consist of Basic Grey products.. At least 70%. ALL layouts must be created for this challenge and must be NEW. They can not be posted on other sites until the designer for march is chosen. Deadline is the Feb. 25, 2007 by midnight ESTOur current DT will be choosing the winning LO. We will post the winner March 1,2007Please upload your entries in the gallery here: You must be a registered member to be eligible for this challenge.http://www.scrapncircle.com/Photopost/showgallery.php?cat=620Winner will have all the luxuries our current DT has. including the DT packet for the month!! Feel free to ask ??? if you have any.

And Scraplovers also has a guest DT call for March and April:

Scrap Lovers is looking for a couple of talented scrappers to join the Sweetheats as Guests Designers in March or April. I can't even believe I am thinking about April!!!!Outlined below are the requirements for the position and the application procedures. If you have any other questions feel free to send me and email (Christina@scraplovers.com) or a pm.The deadline for entries will be Feb 12th. I will announce the Guest Sweethearts on Sunday during the Sweethearts crop!!To apply you need to upload one layout and one project into the Guest Sweetheart gallery. The theme for both the project and the page is PASSIONS! This is the same theme that the Sweethearts will use for their reveal in February. You will also need to send an email to designteam@scraplovers.com with your responses to the questions below. We will pick two team members one for March and one for April. Guest DT members will receive a discount in the Scrap Lovers store, a shipping allowance, in addition to the DT supply kits. Guest Designers will be responsible for the following during their appointment:• Each month the Guest DT will be required to design 2 layouts and one project. You will receive a selection of products/gift certificate from ScrapLovers.com or a selected sponsor to create these uploads.• The guest DT member will need to upload other work throughout the month.• Guest DT member needs to participate in the weekly challenges.• Guest DT member will need to participate on a consistent basis and maintain an active presence on our message boards. This includes posting praise and starting threads, as well as joining in and sharing on threads.Restrictions• Guest DT members may be on other DTs. Please make sure that before you apply you are certain that there will not be a conflict and that other positions will not impact your participation in the above responsibilities.
Questions for the Entrant:
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
2. What are your favorite product lines to work with and why? How would you describe your style?
3. Are you currently on any other Design Teams? If yes, for whom?
4. Do you have an online gallery? Please provide a link.
5. Why do you want to be a part of the Scrap Lovers team?

You should check these out!!! :)

Happy Birthday!!!

Yesterday, my first baby turned 5!!! I can't believe she's that old already!!! How time flies...

Anyway, we went out to eat last night, and as luck would have it, it was kid's night!!! And they had a clown who paid special attention to my little girls. Well, he kept us in stitches all night... and we got some great souveniers, including this SUPER TALL hat!!! It almost touched the ceiling! It was like something out of a Dr. Seuss book!!!

Photo taken with my 50mm 1.4 lens on 1.6 shot in AV mode.

Here's a fun birthday page I did for the PubCalls Birthday Bash!!! Scraplovers is a sponsor! The sketch is by Becky Fleck!!! Patterned papers and stickers by KI Memories except for the black "5" by American Crafts.

My second February project for Scraplovers!

This chipboard paisley mini-album by Maya Road screamed to be a quote book!!! I also used ribbon by Maya Road. Stripes... ribbon.... true love for me!! Gorgeous stuff! I am only posting a few pages here... you can see the whole album posted in the Feb 1-7 DT reveal gallery at http://store.scraplovers.com/index.html

Did you know that Scraplovers is helping PubCalls celebrate its first birthday? Head on over to http://pubcalls.blogspot.com/ and check out the celebration!!!

My first Scraplovers February Project!

OK, we got to work with the wonderful products from both Maya Road and Fancy Pants Design. Woohoo!!! Love them both!!

The Scraplovers theme this month is passions... so, I had to scrap something about my dh, naturally!!!

There is more to come... I am working on a cute little mini-album!!!

February Scrapncircle projects!!!

Jeri gave me the awesome We R Memory Keepers Boho Chic line to work with!!! She also gave me coodinating ribbon, a huge silk flower, and some white Doodlebug letter stickers. This was fun!!!

I'm in love...

With my new lens!!! I was planning on buying the 50mm 1.8 (because I'm cheap!!! but also because I was saving for the 85mm 1.8). However, as luck would have it, my dear friend Tisha decided to sell her 50mm 1.4. (I think I would, too... she replaced it with a zoom L lens!) So, I am now its proud owner!!! Yay!!! This lens has not left my camera since I brought it home!!!

This is my favorite shot from yesterday!!! The only photoshopping was the b&w conversion with a bit of contrast boosting. Those catchlights are real!!!

So, THANK YOU Tisha!!! You are the bestest friend EVER!!!!

Well, the reason for my absence...

I've been busy. I know... excuses, excuses. But I am done, I think, with my HOF entry. I'm quite sure I don't have a snowball's chance, but, you know, I've got to try!!!

We have also begun making more definitive plans for building a house. We hope to break ground soon!

And there's always work to keep one busy!!!

I'm sorry I don't have much to share right now!!! I will be working on some DT projects this week, so I will most likely post those.

The transformation is *almost* complete....

Into full granola status!!! LOL!!! I made this realization as I was in line to pay for MORE orgainic groceries today. My selections included: Amy's Natural cheese pizza (YUMMMMMY!!), raw almonds, Tofutti chocolate "ice cream" sandwiches (tastes just like cake batter!!), and distilled water.

Some of you who know me from the message boards know that my dh is on a kick to lose weight. In his quest, he found a book by Kevin Trudeau that discusses an all-natural lifestyle and how environmental toxins have contributed not only to the rise in health problems but to obesity as well. We were already doing some organic, but we are pretty much transistioning over to all organic if possible.

I buy into his philosophies. My preferences tend to be on the natural side anyway... breastfed both my kids until at least 1 year old, my older dd goes to Montessori school, and I am a semi-vegetarian. I also avoid artificial sweeteners and trans fats.

I gave up all sodas 2 weeks ago... I was really addicted to Coke!!! Love the stuff!!! But, some days, I would drink 2, 20 oz. bottles a day!!! That's 480 calories in soda!!! So, my first step was to eliminate that. I have already lost 5 lbs. And I really haven't craved it too much!!!

So, we'll see where this journey takes us!!! It will mean much less eating out than we do... but it will be good for us. Our goal is to limit "regular" foods as much as possible, and aim for a healthier diet and moderate exercise that we can live with. Wish us luck!!!

A few pics...

Here are a few photos taken with my Canon XTi. All but the last one are taken with the kit lens, wide open! The last one was taken with my Canon EF 70-210mm f 4.0 lens at 70mm, f4, AV mode.

Thanks, Tisha, for teaching me how to create a vingette look with my pictures!!!

I've been tagged!!!

Thanks, Stephanie, for tagging me!

A - Available/Single? Married
B - Best Friend? I have 3: Tisha, Tabitha, and Misty!!
C - Cake or Pie? Hmmm... yellow cake with chocolate icing, or my mom's Impossible Pie (custard!)
D - Drink Of Choice? Coke or unsweet tea with lemon.
E - Essential Item You Use Everyday? Besides the usual toiletries, Great Lash mascara!
F - Favorite Color? Oh, boy. I love lots of colors... aqua, plum, spring/sagey greens...
G - Gummy Bears Or Worms? I'm with Stephanie on this one... SOUR gummy worms!
H - Home or Homesick? Um... a bit of both. I love my new home, but at times I miss Tidewater.
I - Indulgence? Any Starbucks coffee drink. Don't have it that often!
J - January Or February? February, because my older dd was born in that month!
K - Kids & Their Names? Kendall and Anna.
L - Life Is Incomplete Without? My family.
M - Marriage date? October 23, 1999.
N - Number Of Siblings? 1
O - Oranges Or Apples? Gala apples.
P - Phobias/Fears? Hmmm... I could have a heart attack trying to find a parking space in a busy shopping center!!!
Q - Favorite Quote? "Music expresses that which cannot be said and cannot be suppressed."
- Victor Hugo
R - Reason to Smile? Hearing a favorite song. Watching my kids play well together.
S - Season? Spring or Fall. Love those transitional seasons!!!
T - Tag 3 or 4 people? I'm definitely tagging Tabitha!!! I'll have to get back to you on the others!
U - Unknown Fact About Me? I have a MS in PT.
V - Vegetable you don’t like? Hmmm... not fond of mushrooms!
W - Worst Habit? Letting people aggravate me on the road!
X - X-rays You’ve Had? Elbow, foot, chest, back, dental
Y - Your Favorite Food? Right now, turkey burgers!
Z - Zodiac Sign? Virgo!

Whew!!!

I thought I had lost my blogger access....

My computer lost my cookie (now, doesn't that sound interesting!!) But I finally was able to access it to post!!! (I am blonde, you know!!!)

So, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I have been tagged by Stephanie, so I will try to post this very soon!!!

December projects!

Here are my December projects for Scrapncircle!! Jeri sent me the super cute Kaliedoscope papers from My Mind's Eye. It was fun to play with them!!! You will recognize the first photo... it is in the last post! The other photo was taken with my old Panasonic Lumix! TFL!

My new camera!

It's sad how "stuff" can make you feel soooo happy... but my new camera really does!!! I finally saved enough money to buy a Canon Rebel XTi. I'm still learning, but it's way better than my point and shoot... don't tell my old Panasonic that I said that!!!

Here's a couple of pics from the XTi... using an oldie but goodie lens that I'm test driving from a very dear friend of mine. It's shot in AV mode, f4.o, natural light; the lens is a 70-210mm f4, originally produced in 1987 and discontinued in 1990. Comments appreciated!

Merry Christmas!

I made these trees from styrofoam cones, various patterned papers (from Gin-X, Provo Craft, and Scissor Sisters), ribbon, a few QK dies, and a large tag punch. I used the punch to make all of the "branches," inking the edges, and rolling each tag around a pencil. I attatched them to the cone with low temp hot glue.

I thought it may be time to get into the Christmas spirit!

Oh.... and if you pull up beside me at an intersection... I'm the crazy one with Handel's Messiah blasting on my car stereo!!! (my parents would be so proud to know how much their fondness for traditional Christmas music has rubbed off on me! After all, I can only take so much of "Feliz Navidad" and "I Want a Hippopotomas for Christmas"!! Although I am enjoying Michael Buble's version of "Let it Snow")

Hope you are almost done with your shopping so that you can enjoy the season a bit!

Scrapncircle November Projects

Jeri sent us some wonderful goodies from Wild Asparagus by My Mind's Eye to play with. I really had fun making these pages!!!

I'm ready to play with the big girls!!!

After months of saving and numerous serious discussions with my dh about how much it will cost to get one, I finally purchased a real dSLR!!! A Canon Rebel XTi.

It's silly to think about how happy "stuff" makes us... but I am VERY happy I finally have a real camera! I love my film SLR dearly (and it has sentimental value, since it was a gift from my father), but it can't keep up in the digital world!

I'm so nervous about using it that I haven't even really taken it out of the box to put the kit lens on it! It arrived on Tuesday. I tried out a couple of lenses at Richmond Camera today... trying to decide a reasonable one to purchase. And I got a 2 GB memory card on Thursday. So, I'm ready to start shooting, I think.

My dear friend Tisha is going to work with me on how to make the most out of this camera. I can't wait...

Well, we survived...

Our annual trip to the Outer Banks this year for Thanksgiving was punctuated by a most powerful Nor'easter that blew through ALL night Tuesday and well into Wednesday morning! We're talkin' about 60+ mph winds that just wouldn't quit! My girls were awakened at 4:30 Wednesday morning (does that time actually happen twice a day? LOL!!!) when their night light went out!!!! We were without power for several hours and cable for a few days, but we fared pretty well, all things considered. Some water damage to the house we were in from the wind literally blowing water into the house!

I have some pictures of what is now left of the dunes on the beach... the view of the waves crashing into the parking lot of the beach access area across the street from the house we were staying in... and one of the many sets of steps leading to nowhere after they were detatched from their beach walkways. I will post later!

Otherwise, we had a nice, relaxing time. I did lots of thrift store shopping, especially for items I can use in my scraproom. I'll have to post pics of those, too!

It is nice to go on vacation... but it's even nicer to be home!

Yipppeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

I came home to an e-mail from Scrapbook Trends for a request for the April, 2007 issue!!! Yay!!!!!!!!! It will be my first time in their publication!

Fish!

Thought I would post something scrapbook related for a change... since I have become political in my old age!!! LOL!!!

I created this layout of my dh for a challenge over at Scraplovers during their birthday bash cyberchat! The challenge was to use only cardstock! Letter stickers were also allowed! These are by American Crafts. TFL!

I got the new John Mayer album, Continuim, as a birthday gift from my dh. This is the first song on that CD. Keep in mind that my birthday coincides with the week of 9/11. So, when I first heard this song, it was a beacon of hope.... it made me realize that I was not the only one frustrated by the system.

I just listened to this song again after not hearing it for a while, and now it plays like a victory song for me.... hoping that the change has begun, that we can bring our troops home, and that we can work on healing our great nation.

-----------------------------

Waiting On The World To Change

me and all my friends
we're all misunderstood
they say we stand for nothing and
there's no way we ever could

now we see everything that's going wrong
with the world and those who lead it
we just feel like we don't have the means
to rise above and beat it

so we keep waiting
waiting on the world to change
we keep on waiting
waiting on the world to change

it's hard to beat the system
when we're standing at a distance
so we keep waiting
waiting on the world to change

now if we had the power
to bring our neighbors home from war
they would have never missed a Christmas
no more ribbons on their door

and when you trust your television
what you get is what you got
cause when they own the information,
oh they can bend it all they want

that's why we're waiting
waiting on the world to change
we keep on waiting
waiting on the world to change

it's not that we don't care,
we just know that the fight ain't fair
so we keep on waiting
waiting on the world to change

and we're still waiting
waiting on the world to change
we keep on waiting
waiting on the world to change

one day our generation
is gonna rule the population
so we keep on waiting
waiting on the world to change

we keep on waiting
waiting on the world to change

The winds of change....

Ahhh!!! Today is a good day!!! I didn't expect voter turnout to be sooo overwhelming. Nor did I expect the shift in the political landscape of our country that occurred yesterday. But I'm glad it did!!

I'm kind of proud of how we, the people, all went out, voted, and told our government what we needed them to hear. I don't think this election was truly about specific issues. It was about telling Bush that the status quo isn't good enough.

It's not about left vs. right, liberal vs. conservative, or morals vs. immorality, as some may believe. It's about CHANGE.

So, if you voted, be proud that you let your voice be heard... whatever that voice was!!!

I voted!!!

I did make time to vote today on my way home from work.

I actually enjoy the political process and fulfilling my "civic duty." I got that goosebumpy feeling when I hit the big "submit vote" button on the computer screen of my voting kiosk. I don't think my choices will win, but at least my voice will be heard!

At my voting station, they had so many voters that they ran out of stickers!!! That is amazing! a 65% turnout in Virginia!!!

So, did you vote today?

Woooohooooo!!!!!

I have a TOOOT!!!!

I have been invited to join the creative team at Scraplovers.com!!!! Yay!!!!

This is a SUPER group to chat with... and lots of talent over there!!! You should really go and visit... I have added the link to the sidebar.

My term begins January 2007. Yay!!! Again, I am soooo excited for this opportunity!!!!

Looking for something scrappy to do this weekend?

Come over and visit me at Scrapncircle all weekend for our crop.... or at Scrappinchicks tomorrow night for the chat, and all day Saturday for our crop! I will reveal a sketch for Scrapncircle and a sketch and an ad for Scrappinchicks!!! So come on by and say hello!

I never thought this day would come!!!

But I got an e-mail today from Simple Scrapbooks magazine! They have requested a layout for the March/April 2007 issue!!!! I am floored!!! It's a layout about my older dd fishing... and one of my favorites!!! Yay!

OMG!! I actually won something!

I hardly ever enter contests, but I did enter the September layout one at Scraplovers.com! And I actually won!!! Woohoo!!! So excited! http://store.scraplovers.com/index.html

It was a contest using Piggy Tales papers! This is my layout!

KI Album

I just thought I would finally post these layouts... well, 4 of the 6, anyway.

Surprise! A post about scrapbooking!

Well, I guess it's time to move on from my worries about our big world and focus on something far more trivial for a change....

This is a point I have pondered for quite a while now: the social (or, perhaps, not so social) aspects of the scrapbooking industry.

If you are in pursuit of design work, do you ever feel as though you are in school again? I kind of feel like I am "rushing" a sorority when I try out for a DT, especially for an online team. You go to such great lengths to create great designs.... and for online teams, for them to get to know you... and in the end, for me, anyway, there is rejection (well, I've only tried out for 2 so far.) The teams I am on have invited me without "trying out." Sometimes it's all in who you know. That's how I became a designer for Scrappinchicks and Scrapncircle!!! (so maybe I should consider myself lucky?!)

The sorority feel is in the air at CHA... I have been snubbed by some who I thought were so great from their online personalities... and pleasantly surprised to find that some others were NOT as their online personas conveyed! And yet others were just as I had expected (good and bad!!) Of course, I won't tell about the bad...

Anyway, why can't we be nice in this industry? Behave like women, not girls.... and that has NOTHING to do with the DT calls. I have just seen friends hurt in this business, and it just really SUCKS!!!

I can't pretend that snubbing and rejection doesn't sting... but I am still happy with my creations and with ME.

And you know what? I already have my sisterhood of scrapbooking friends... our own sorority, if you will.... and I love them dearly!!!

In rememberance...

I am posting this in honor of those who perished one year ago tomorrow. I am posting this for all of us who still mourn that time where we lost our "innocence" as a nation..... for those who lost loved ones... for those who feared they had lost someone.... for everyone who has to explain to their children where they were on that horrible day.

I'm sorry to be so sullen with my blog these days, but 9/11 weighs heavily on my mind this time of year.

I actually completed this layout last year. I had to edit so much of what I wanted to say to get it all to fit on the page. I could have hidden the journaling, but I wanted to force the viewer to see what I had to say.

The photos were taken of Ground Zero on a trip to NYC that I made with my dh in October 2003.

Journaling reads:
Where were you on the morning of 9/11? One day, my girls will ask me that question. Where was I? I was at the hospital where I practiced PT. I remember that morning--one of those beautiful, crisp, late summer days that remind you that fall is near. I walked onto the rehab unit and took note of how pretty the sun's rays looked as they flooded the hall with light. And I remember thinking that something was going to happen that day that would change me for the rest of my life. I had only been at work for about 20 minutes when I heard about the first plane hitting one of the twin towers of the WTC in NYC. A few of us found a TV and watched the news coverage, including live pictures of the second jet hitting the other tower. Absolutely horrifying! As we all know, the news became progressively worse. I frantically called family members to make sure everyone was OK, including my father who worked on an army base and my husband who worked in one of the tallest buildings in Richmond. We prepared for survivors at the hospital that never came. The events of that day turned my world upside down. I was 5 months pregnant with my first daughter, and it was the week of my 27th birthday. I found little joy in celebrating either. When we visited NYC in October of 2003, I knew that Ground Zero was a place I had to see for myself. Then it was real. There is an ability to remain detached from it all until you see it with your own eyes... the vacancy in the skyline, the makeshift memorials that aren't supposed to be there anymore, the miracle of a cross found in the debris of the WTC, and the collective solemn reverence of all the visitors to that place where so many perished.

It's that time of year again!

I love September! It's my favorite weather month. And it's my birthday month! Love late summer/early fall. The angle of the sun changes, and you start to feel the onset of crisp nights and pleasanly warm days. Love it! Today was the first day I noticed that this year. It struck me as the light shone through the window of our upstairs hallway.

It was the same feeling I felt on the morning of 9-11-2001. I noticed the angle of the sun had changed as I was walking onto the floor of the hospital where I worked. The light was flooding the hallway from one of the patient rooms. Beautiful morning light... I will never think of that good feeling without the bittersweet thought of that day again.

It just makes my heart sink to think about how my most favorite time of year is now tainted with the memories of that awful time. As we approach the 5 year anniversary, I realize that it's really not getting easier to deal with. It doesn't consume me... but it's there. Every day, it's there. And I can' t believe how much this disaster affected me even though I don't personally know anyone who perished that day... I only witnessed their murders. It brings me back to the "what can I do to change the world" ideas... and again, I come up with nothing. I can only hold my babies and try my best to protect them.... that's all I know how to do.

Oh, well... again....

I'm kind of tired of posting things like this!!! I have seen more than my fair share of rejection this week.... the worst being no call for the KI Memories contest... I know my chances were slim, but it still hit me the hardest of any other contest yet. It was as if I were in high school and a boy I had a crush on walked right passed me and ignored me... ahhh... but I guess I'll get over it.

However, I am very excited for my dear friend Tisha McCuiston, who DID get a call!!!! Yay, Tisha!!! I'm pulling for you to be the grand prize winner!!!

A toot of a different sort...

I had a patient come back to me and tell me something wonderful. Some advice that I gave her actually made a big difference in her life. I was working in one of the outpatient neuro clinics a couple of weeks ago and met a rather young woman that had suffered a stroke. She was doing fairly well physically, but was still having trouble falling up her stairs to her home. She had no trouble on normal stairs which are closed in the back, but hers were open, and she tended to place her foot straight on through the back of the step and fall. So, my suggestion to her was to buy some of the anti-skid strips from Lowes or Home Depot and place those on the step to reinforce the visual end to the step. And you know, it actually worked!!! I was so happy to see her again yesterday and have her tell me that. Yay!!!! It's such a good feeling to know that I helped someone.

Isn't she lovely?

Anna loves to try on things... like her daddy's sunglasses... I caught her in some good light holding his glasses... isn't she cute?

Whew!!!!

I just finished my album for the KI Memories contest... now I have to make copies and get it in the mail!!!

What kind of radio listener are you?

So, I 'm on my way to work. Do I:
A: Be socially responsible and listen to NPR... so I can keep up with what is really going on in the world?
B: Indulge my inner teenager and listen to old 80's and 90's rock on the mediocre appeals to those approaching middle age station?
or C: Be totally irreverant and listen to the DC 101 shock jock?

Well, this morning I was irreverant.... yesterday I indulged my inner teenager... but this afternoon I was socially responsible!

My dh has XM radio, which is nice (especially the Lucy station!!), but I kind of miss local radio... I somehow feel very connected to my community by listening to local radio. Anyone else ever thought about this?

Here's a new layout!

I had to scrap this photo Tisha took of me with Anna.... it speaks volumes about this stage in Anna's life!!! Thanks, Tisha, for such great material to work with!!

Bazzill, ribbon (Michaels), leather photo corners and flowers (Making Memories), letter stickers (American Crafts).

Calling all designers!!!

Here's a great opportunity!!! Scrapncircle is looking for a few new DT members!!!

Scrap N Circle (www.scrapncircle.com) is looking for 5 Design Team members and 1 Coordinator! We are looking for individuals who are willing to be active members on our forums and our gallery. You will complete projects using the products sent. This will be a 6 month term.

DT Requirements are as follows:
Post a minimum of 4 new tops a week.
Reply to other topics created by members.
Comment in our gallery! We all like to hear praise about our work.
Projects to be completed are at least 2 NEW layouts monthly with products.
Create an altered project every other month. We will have 3 members do this every other month.
Advertise for us wherever and whenever you can, if another board allows you to post a blinkie please do.

DT Coordinator Requirements are as follows:
Set up a list for our DT members, such as dates challenges are to posted.
Help put together contests for the following month
Help send emails to manufacturers for sponsorship if need be.
Communicate well with Design Team and Members or our forums...and most of all
Keep our DT motivated!!!

IF you think you have what it takes to be on our design Team please send 3 examples of your work, along with the following questions answered, to scrappinhero@comcast.net

1) Name, Address, Phone
2) Please tell us what other boards you are active on.
3) Do you belong to other Design Teams?(this does not affect your chances of being chosen)
4) How long have you been scrapping?
5) Do you enjoy altered crafts, if so what item do you enjoy to alter MOST?
6) Why do you feel you would make a great member of our Design Team?
7) Tell us a bit more about yourself.

There's a great group over there!!! I have been on their DT since the fall of 2004... this site is like home to me!!! Jeri just re-opened the store (very exciting!), and we have had several great sponsors in the past few months!!!

So, check it out!

www.scrapncircle.com

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHA was a blast!!! I had so much fun bonding with my girlfriends Tisha, Tabitha, and Shannon! I had never met Shannon before, but we had talked on the computer and phone... but it was as if I had known her my whole life!! And, of course, Tisha and Tabitha are local to me, but I never get to see them enough!! We also met Jenn from Scrappinchicks!

We even got into town to see the city (thanks to Shannon... so glad she drove down to meet us!!). We went to Windy City Scrapbooks (awesome store!!!), Margie's Candies (still the best hot fudge EVER!!), the Navy Pier (the pic of Tisha is from the ride!), and did some shopping downtown, including the American Girl store. I can't wait until both of my girls are old enough to make that trip! Shannon dropped us off in town after the pier, and Tisha, Tabitha, and I rode the El back to Rosemont!

Anyway, I met so many fabulous people!!! The pea gathering was fun! I even got to crash the CK reception with Tisha (who was actually invited!). And I loved walking the floor! Did some ordering for Scrappinchicks, but mostly just oooohhhhed and aaahhhhed over all the beautiful new scrapbook supplies! And networked!!!

So, I'm happy to have gone, but even happier to be home now. I really missed my babies!!!

Happy Birthday!!!!

My baby turned one today! We had her party last Sunday... nothing too big and overwhelming, just our close family.

She sure did enjoy her cake!

I feel guilty that I am so lucky...

Truly, I do mean this. I must take the time to thank God a few times a week for allowing me to be born in America. Not only that I am American, but that I live relatively comfortably, that I have a good husband, good family, and two beautiful children.

I feel guilty sometimes to have all of this. Proud, but guilty. Why, you ask, should I feel guilty?

When I look at what is going on in the rest of the world, I do feel guilty. I am conflicted. I live my life in my own little world, full of my family, career, hobbies... and then I look at all that is happening in the real world... the big picture. It's disturbing.

How can I go about my day to day activities and pretend like there is nothing happening in the Middle East? in Africa? in Indonesia? in North Korea? or any third world or developing nation? Again, feeling guilty that America is the cause for much of the unrest in the Middle East.... I know I did not make the choice to invade Iraq, but I am a part of the nation that did.

I recently watched part of Farenheit 9/11. I had to turn it off. I literally bawled my eyes out for nearly an hour after I did... it was awful seeing what happened to innocent children... I couldn't help but think of my own and how tortured I would be if anything happened to my babies! And to see how our troops have been forced to cope with the stress of war... ugh!!! So glad my husband does not have to fight over there and that I don't have a son old enough to do so. That documentary is a brilliant piece of propoganda. It had the desired effect of making me feel angry, disturbed, and extremely guilty....

I'm having nightmares, too... since before seeing the documentary, I have had recurring dreams that my country has been taken over by terrorists. Women have no rights, even being told what to eat and wear. And we are not allowed true contact with our children... I always wake up from these and have difficulty falling back to sleep.

Yet, here I am, still self-absorbed and living my life in my own little world. How do I react to what is happening? What can I do? I don't think I can change foreign policy!

I wrote a letter to former President Bush (when he was in office... I was in high school.) I actually coplimented the way he had managed the Desert Storm conflict in Iraq, comparing him to such great presidents as Jimmy Carter with specific references to foreign policies. Do you know what I got back? A form letter that had NOTHING to do with what I had written about. That was enough to disinterest me from spending 3 days writing such a monumental document and sending it off the the circular file ever again!!! It really burst my idealistic bubble to know that my letter did not deserve a true response.

I have a friend who lives in Israel. She actually has dual citizenship both in America and Israel. She lives there with her husband and 4 children. I worry about her. I asked her when she told everyone she was moving over there if she was afraid, and she said no. Well, now I am afraid for her.

I am tired of seeing images of death and destruction on TV.... and don't know what I can do to stop the chaos in this world.

So, I guess I will continue to live in my happy world, as most of us do, and pretend that these conflicts don't exist... except when I pray at night. And I will continue to hold my children close... and hopefully, I will figure out a way to change the world eventually....

Such a little diva!!!

This behavior started in the womb... I actually have an ultrasound picture with her hand resting on her forehead as if to say, "Enough pictures already... I need to rest!!!"

And this is how Anna relaxes in the pool. Without fail this summer, she has whined to lie on the raft every time we have gone swimming. We attended a BBQ in my in-laws neighborhood, which we attend every year every July 4th, and one of their neigbhors has a pool. It wasn't long after Anna got comfortable on the raft that she drifted off to sleep. I had to take a snapshot!

Wooohooooooo!!!

The top 30 finalists (including the 3 winners and 5 HM's) in the Junkitz Designer Draft were posted yesterday!!! I was THRILLED to be among the 22 finalists. Sure, I didn't win a spot on the DT, but I feel like a winner just being a finalist!!

So, thanks, Stacey and team, for making me feel like a winner!!! YAY!!!!

A 2 pager!!!

I shocked myself with this, really.... I used to do all 2 page layouts, but have pretty much done only one pagers for quite some time now! But last night, when inspiration struck, I could only think of 2 pages!!! I knew I had to scrap these pics of my dd playing in the sprinkler!!

I used Kelly Panacci for Sandylion patterned papers, Gin-X coaster flowers, Doodlebug letter stickers, and buttons by Doodlebug and Foo-fa-la. Sorry about the crummy scan... it was very lumpy!!!

In other news, Anna has quite taken to this whole walking thing. After much practice since she began taking steps at 10 months, it has finally become her preferred mode of transportation (that is, if Momma isn't carrying her!!!)