Love my new quote!

Look to the right; a bit lower. There you go! I found this cool quote while reading Stacey Julian's blog and love what it says because it is SO true! That's why i'm about to go and try once again to clean and organize my stuff a bit better than it is now in hopes i can scrap better, too! Oh, and i also signed up to take her Library of Memories class starting in January. I'm excited!!

I hope since it is a web class, that i'll do the work for the class and not procrastinate. It cost too much to do that!



Off to clean my scrap room . . .

Grownup Christmas list

Hello! To try to catch up on my goings on since last post, i decided to post a list of what's been happening since then. So here goes:

*Aaron did great in his first drama performance at school in "A Wonderful Life" based on the birth of Jesus.
* Caleb and Aaron both sang great in their Christmas choir performance.
*Thankfully didn't receive too many fattening goody gifts from the students!
*Left for the White House on the 23rd to visit my brother, his family, and my aunt and uncle (Dad's sister) who came in from Florida to be with us for Christmas!
*Enjoyed Christmas with my brother and our families - playing Wii games all the day long! We even tried to do the Dance Revolution game - quite interesting!
*My niece Brianna got an ear pierced! Long story, but she was brave even though it hurt some.
*Despite the age differences, the boys got along well with my nieces. Very thankful for that!
*Got to see two of my highschool friends - Mary and Reve. It was so good to see them both and got pictures to prove it!
*Will be home 4 days before heading out again to Lubbock. Long trip for the short time we'll be there, but you know family . . . .
*Now, trying to decide on which Canon camera to buy (digital SLR)

That pretty much wraps it up for now. Plan to scrap tomorrow with friends and clean the remaining days before leaving again.
Back with another post soon.

Life, music and scrapbooking . . .

Thought i'd stop in quickly and share the latest in my life, music and scrapping.

Life is good, busy this time of year. Just one more week of school then out for 2 weeks! So glad to be a teacher!! Don't be jealous, because you could be a teacher, too, if you wanted to! :)

Music - liking a few of the new Christmas tunes i've heard - "I Need A Silent Night" by Amy Grant, "Christmas is Just Around the Corner" by Barry Manilow, "2000 Decembers Ago" by Joy Williams, and of course enjoying traditional ones as well.

Scrapping - I'm really thinking of taking a few of Big Picture Scrapbooking online classes coming up. One on organization by Wendy Smedley and Library of Memories by Stacey Julian. They both start at the beginning of 2009 and are pretty 'big' classes. If i have to choose, i'll choose the latter one for I've read the book and fell in love with the concept. I have also read Wendy's book, but if push comes to shove, i can wait on that one, hoping they would offer it again. I haven't scrapped since the last scrapathon i attended, but i'll be going to another SBFF crop this weekend, where i plan to do my cards. If time allows after that, then i'll scrap some. I always say i'll scrap during my break, but i always end up doing something else. I think that's because my scraproom is a MESS!

So that you have me - in a nutshell - right now in my life. Nothing WOW or AWESOME, but just me!

Until next time, America!

I haven't been around because

I haven't been feeling up to par of late. If it's not one thing, it's another. This will be short and sweet for now, but i hope to be back again this week to post more. Until then . . . trying to find some relief for this stuffy nose.

Thankgiving week off!

Hello!

Well I have the whole week off, and all weekend i've been under the weather! Go figure! No fever, chills, anything yucky like that, but just enough to keep me down with a sore throat, cough and little energy. My grandiosa plans seem to be slipping . . . .

Boys are cleaning their rooms, and on youngest has such an attitude about it. Frustrates me to no end! Hoping to go to Archiver's (shhh, i know some hate that store, but it's the only one around!) just to see if anything strikes my fancy. Wanting to make Christmas cards this year; haven't sent any out in two years now. After Dad's passing in Nov. 06, just couldn't get myself to do it. Now, I'm ready. Want to keep it simple and have a few ideas! Thinking of maybe doing a family portrait. We'll see . . .

I'm currently taking most of my wood-mounted stamps and taking them of the blocks. They take up a lot of space, so trying to see how this method will work. I'll use them like acrylics. Lots of wood blocks to through away; keeping some to see if i can make little photo block frames or something fun. Should be cool. And IF i do this, i'll definitely share the results. That's another thing i need to do is post some of my works. It will happen, just don't know when.

Off now to clean some more and do other things.

More quiz revelations . . .

[b]Your 80s Hunk Is[/b]
[img]http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whosyour80shunkquiz/kirk-cameron.jpg[/img]
Kirk Cameron
[url=http://www.blogthings.com/whosyour80shunkquiz/]Who's Your 80s Hunk?[/url]

Previous post below . . .

According to the link below, i belong in the year 1972! I think i like that! Love classic rock, Brady Bunch, anything 70's or early '80's. Go check it out. Sorry it doesn't directly link you there.

sherry

What year do you belong in?

[b]You Belong in 1972[/b]
[img]http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whatyeardoyoubelonginquiz/70s.jpg[/img]
Bold and brash, you take life by the horns. Whether you're partying or protesting, you give it your all!
[url=http://www.blogthings.com/whatyeardoyoubelonginquiz/]What Year Do You Belong In?[/url]

Things I love . . .

These are a few of my favorite things RIGHT NOW:

*The new background i found - festive and fallish - LOVE IT!

*The cooler weather, and hopefully the rain to come

*Jewelry from Lia Sophia

*coffee - now that the weather is cooler; of course it NEEDS lots of fun flavored creams

*thoughts of making a Christmas list

*knowing i got my boys something for Christmas before they even asked and knowing they are going to love it!

*leaves turning color - what few trees around here that do

*smell of good candles burning

*the fact i found $200 in my jewelry drawer and don't quite remember why it's there or what it's from, but it's mine now!

*dark chocolate - always

*scrapping weekends - like the one coming up

*soups - again great this time of year

Just a few things that came to mind as i was putting on my new background. I think i might even try doing a scrap page something like it!

I just saw the most wonderful, hilarious Christmas tree in Pam's sight - Just Daily Life. It's a redneck Christmas tree made of Mountain Dew cans. It's really cool, and i'm sure the caffeine was needed just to make it!

Can't believe it's just a few more weeks before Thanksgiving break! Wow, it's gone by quickly. I'm looking forward to it and hope to get more scrapping done then.

Well, i'm going to get ready for Cold Case. Like that show. They ended last week's show with a Journey song - "Who's Crying Now" Loved it!!!

I hope to post again at least one more time during the week.

Sherry :)

I VOTED!

Beautiful rural area in
New York!

So the sticker says! I did my civic duty tonight and voted! Glad to get it done and done early! Still had to wait about 45 minutes, but i bet that's better than what it will be tomorrow and Tuesday! Now to see who wins!!

Can you believe it??????

3 posts by me in one week?

I think this is because i've needed to vent or ramble or . . .

Been a challenging week at work. Almost seems like deja vu' as it seems the headmaster and I are possibly at odds over a child once again. A child who will not complete and/or do his work and his mother said that his school work is all my responsibility, and not hers! See where the dilemma begins? Also, all of a sudden dh seems to be in a control-freak mode - wanting to keep all cd's in the jewel case and not anywhere else but the living room. Full moon?

Enough of that. Going out with a friend tomorrow nite to celebrate our October b-days. I'll be washing my worries away! I'd like to clean up my scraproom this weekend if i can spare the time. Got tons of stuff lying all around.

Well, i'm off. Happy Halloween and don't forget the extra hour we get!

I went on a trip . . .

pic from NYC Time Square

a guilt trip! Yes, Pam, it was good. And look! I'm back again and didn't wait 17 days.

I'm watching the news and almost in disbelief that the Presidential election is just a week away and we'll have a new President!

I'm missing SBF bad! I so miss stopping in and drooling over the new stuff and chatting with the workers. It's so good to still see them at the crops

they host monthly - mainly thanks to Patti and Marie! It's really good to know that even though SBF is gone, it's not gone in our hearts and the desire to still connect and scrap is still going strong!

Got report cards done and glad that's over! My boys did pretty good on their report cards, and I'm really proud of Aaron for doing so well in his first 9 weeks in middle school. I didn't know how he'd do, but so far so good!

Well, enough of my musings. Maybe you'll see me back tomorrow nite, then maybe not.

But I will be back soon!

This One's For You . . .

wherever you are! (Hearing Barry Manilow singing this in the background)! Who is the 'you'? Pam! Congratulations! This post is for you! LOL!

Pam told me it's been too long since i posted, so once again convicted, i'm here catching up. It's been 17 days; too long, i know!

So what's happened since the last post? Not much. Staying busy at work, finishing up the first 9 weeks of school, buying more scrapping stuff than using it, and reading the Love Dare. Good book for anyone/all who would like to save or improve their marital relationship. I have seen FIREPROOF, and this book is from this movie. I'm on day four right now.

WW - still struggling with these first dang 5 lbs. I guess i've kinda been trying, so i can't expect it to come off if i'm not fully committed. But i've just got to or else . . . .

Well, off to finish final grades for the first 9 weeks which are due tomorrow to principal.

I'll try to come back before 17 days!

Me at the Hershey store in NYC this summer. NOT really drinking that bottle of chocolate syrup!

"They say it's your birthday"

That's what they were telling me on Wednesday - you know, that it was my birthday. It was, and it was a good day. My students and their parents spoiled me with chocolates, flowers, balloons, gift cards and love! Got a g.c to one of my fav stores from dh; wished I had gotten an SBF g.c. though - :(

Overall a good week and looking forward to our 3-day weekend! Yeah!

Nothing else new, really. Pretty much the same-o, same-o.

Thought i'd pop in since i've not been a good blogger lately.

Can't wait for the next scrap i go to. I'm ready to do something. I hope to clean up my room tomorrow. Gots lots of junk in there now.

Until next time, America!

sherry

Ooops, my bad!

I didn't realize that it had been so long since i posted. Where did the time go? Guess going back to school is most of it! What have i been up to? Work, mainly. But i have finished reading a really great book, so i think, called the "The Shack". I think the author is William P. Young. Hope i got that right. Anyway, it's a best seller, and a very good read, but for me, i believe a person should be well grounded in their faith and Word of God before reading.

Oooo, also saw "Fireproof" with my dh last Sunday, and that was an awesome movie! I got a lot from it and it really spoke to me. Hopefully it did for dh, too.

Now, my son's b-day is tomorrow - turning the big 14! And mine's on Wednesday! 43 years young and feeling pretty good considering. I don't think i feel that old, and hopefully don't look that old - hee hee.

So another eventful and i'm sure busy week ahead. Off to make me a sandwich and open my mail - bday cards, magazines. . .

I'll try to pop in more often to post.

Good Saturday

Yes, a good day. Didn't get the rain I had prayed for; hard to believe such a storm could just miss us, but it did. I am hoping few lives were taken.



Had a good weigh in at WW - 1.2 lbs.! Best i've done yet! So if i can do that or a bit more by next Saturday, i'll have finally lost 5 lbs. I know slow is good, but i know i can lose it faster. I didn't track well this week; go figure! But this week, I will for sure, and write down EVERYTHING. That's hard to do sometimes, but i've got to do it.



Scrapped with Fever Friends Crop group today. It was nice. Desi wasn't with me, but i had my music and Nancy near by and a few new faces near me as well. It was all good. Got one of my many SBF kits done, except for pics of course. I'm getting through my stash of kits, but I need to get some pics in them soon! It was good to see Pam, Marie, Patti, Janet; missed seeing Susan and Lorrie.



Well, off to read my WW mag and maybe grade some papers tonite. Life of a teacher never ends - until summer! That's a lil' bit aways right now.



Ciao!

JOURNEY
w/ Steve Augeri

Do you like it?

My new background? I love it!! Thanks to reading Julie's blog tonight, i found that she had changed her background, saw a link for the free backgrounds, and finally figured how to add it and it worked! The Cutest Blog on the Block has adorable backgrounds. It was hard for me to choose but i chose this one for now. I'm sure i'll be changing it up often according to moods and seasons. Let me know what you think.

Hoping to scrap with SBF friends and
ex-shoppers (:( ) tomorrow for a while. Hoping the weather won't be so nasty, yet i am hoping for some rain. I do pray those who will be hardest hit will be as safe as possible. I just hope it will come a bit more this way for we need some rain! We had an early release planned for today which was going to be a teacher in-service day but turned into an everyone-go-home early, cancelling in-service! Guess God knew we'd be using for Ike!

I think i've done pretty good this week with WW. I'll go weigh in tomorrow and am hoping to have lost 2 lbs.!! It's been really slow this go around but i'm not putting it on, so that's good. I'll take up walking soon now that the weather is getting cooler. Can't wait - me with my MP3, comfy shoes and clothes, and I could walk for quite some time! Love walking in the fall and early spring.

Well, i'm off to bed; tired and my arms are hurting for some reason - weird!
I'm so excited about my new page background . . . .

Until then . . .
sherry

So sad . . .

Yesterday was sad - Scrapbook Fever's last day of business! I couldn't bring myself to go there this weekend because it just seemed to hard. As i was driving home from ladies ensemble practice at church, I happened to see off I-35 the store with a UHAUL in front of it. I knew then it was a done deal and that I made the right decision not to go there. I probably would've balled like a baby. Goodbye~SBF. I will sorely miss you!

On to other things - 3rd week of school and still feeling good about it. Let's hope that continues.

My post op appointment with OB-GYN went well and all is good. Nothing else too newsy right now.

So until the next time . . . Journey on!

Labor Day

Isn't this a cool pic? I love the colors it in - fresh, vibrant, inspiring! Can't remember where i found it, but i copied it because of the coloful simplicity of it.

Well, no going to work/school today! Nice 3 day weekend. What is a girl to do? Scrap! I hope anyway. I will be doing scrap related things - cleaning and reorganizing my totes and containers from the crops i've had in the last week, putting up new purchases and putting back what was packed for crops, cleaning off dining room table from my summer 'PHOTO FREEDOM' project, and whatever else may come my way. I'll also be praying for Gustav victims and praying that some of the rain may make it our way. It would be nice if the wealth was a bit more spread out - shared.

Pam, a wonderful scrapper and creator of Word Blooms (check her site out at http://www.heartoftexas.com/ ) made me some license plate albums for my trips to Alaska and New York. Can't Wait to do those puppies! They'll be so fun to do and cute! Thanks Pam!

Let's see - anything newsy? Well, had minor day surgery 2 Wednesday's ago and doing fine. From the tissue tested, all seems fine; i'll see Dr. on the 8th to possibly find out more. I didn't get to go to WW on the 23rd, but did on the 30th and lost 1/2 lb. Slow going but it's going. I'm hoping now that the surgery and previous problem are hopefully in the past, my body and i can start working together to get this weight loss going. I'm struggling with whether i should keep my Curves memebership as i'm not using it much and just not getting motivated enough to do it. I want to take up walking again since i enjoy it so much, but that's been slow going of late. Decisions, decisions . . . . Nothing else i can think of worth mentioning at this time.

Until later . . . .

Many thoughts . . .

WOW! So many things to catch up on here, so i'll see what i can recall.

Can't believe summer Olympics is already over! My son, Caleb, really enjoyed watching them this year. Definitely an Olympics to go down big time in history.

Last day of summer break for us is tomorrow. TUESDAY is the first day of school for us. I'm actually excited about my class and looking forward to a great year in 4th grade! I sure will miss 5th grade, though. My theme is monkeys! Mrs. Moore's Magnificent (or Marvelous) Monkeys! The decor is sooooo cute, and i'm really getting into this monkey/safari theme.

Trip to New York was beautiful. I'll have to share my pics later as i've not uploaded them yet. The weather was cool, beautiful mountains in upstate. and Town Square was WOW!! We went shopping in the M&M store and Hershey store as well. You can tell what was on our minds - ;)

I bought me a SWATCH watch there as well. We also saw the Twin Tower site; it moved me more than i expected. Especially when i saw the flag still flying in that hole. Of course rode the subway, which is an experience in and of itself. Was hoping to see Empire State Bldg. but we just ran out of time with a few other things we did along the way. But, that just calls for another trip to NYC in the future!

I'm doing okay on Weight Watchers. After some health issues and a minor day surgery this past week, i've pretty much have just stayed or put on a pound. I'm hoping to get back in gear and get going again. I haven't been working out because of these issues so that probably doesn't help. I'll get there. It's a life style change - not just something short term.

Well, i'm still bummed about SBF closing; sure am going to miss that store A LOT! After a brief trip to Michael's today with Desi, i just thought how i can't bear to think that i won't be able to go to SBF anymore for scrappin' goodies!

I think that's about it for a catch up at this point. I'm going to try and do better (Pam) at posting more often. And I REALLY need post more pics and projects i've completed. I will do that soon.

Scrapbook Fever - my LSS

I'm sooooooo bummed. My fav LSS announced today it is closing it's doors after 10+ years. I guess in the back of my mind i've been wondering for some time, but this summer i thought things picked up for them. Even if it did, it wasn't enough to keep them open. I've shopped at this LSS since it's opening and it has ALWAYS, ALWAYS been my fav LSS! Yes, i'd frequent others from time to time, but this was 'home' - "where everybody knows your name". What are we going to do without the monthly scrapathons? Personal service and conversation? Fun classes and contests? Lorrie? Susan? Patty? I'm struggling with the fact they will soon be no more.

"You had me at hello." SBF!!! You'll always be special to me - always!

Another Wordle - BOYZ

These are too fun. Could be a great tool for scrapping.
Enjoy this one. Click pic for larger view.

Wordle - try it!

Found this site when reading Stacey Julian's blog. Create word art. I did a scrapbooking one. If it doesn't show actual picture just click link and check it out!



Back later with more.

JOURNEY Rocks!!!!!!

I don't think i can put into words adequately how totally awesome the concert was Friday nite! Oh my, we, Mindy and I, had the time of our lives! It was sold out, but we didn't really know that until Journey came out to play. First was Cheap Trick, and the place was half full. They were good, but i don't know as much of their stuff. After them, Heart came out and were fabulous!!! More people had come in by this time but still not overly crowded. Ann, the lead singer, is 58 and still sounds the same as she did when she was in her 20's!!! Awesome concert from them. But the best was yet to come, and JOURNEY did not disappoint! This is when the rest of the fans came in filling up the place. You could tell who they were there for! OMGosh. We were blown away. Arnel, new lead singer, is a Steve Perry sound-a-like but added enough of his own style to make the experience PHENOMINAL! He sang for 1 hr. 30 mins. straight! His voice was impecable and stayed strong until the end. He is doing a wonderful job honoring Journey's legacy and starting a new one with them. I can't wait to hear them again! One of the best times I've had in a VERY long time.

With Alaskan cruise, Journey concert, and NYC to come, i've had one BLAST of a summer.

Here are a few concert photos:

I did it!

I joined WW this morning. I'll be attending weekly meetings and doing their etools, so with those two and some exercise, here's hoping to see some pounds fall off. I've had success before with just the online tools, so i know i can do it. But since dr. said i needed the "pack mentality" and support of others, i joined for the meetings as well.

I've so enjoyed the bits or rain we've had; wish we could have had more area-wide, steady rain, though.

Just about done going trough pics - at least the ones from 1990-current! Older ones may have to wait. Now to finish binders and begin filing other pics into category drawers. Love this Photo Freedom concept!!!!

Seeing JOURNEY tomorrow nite and it should be FAbUlouS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CIAO for now!

Que Pasa?

Translated - what's happening? Used to be a show back in the 70's in the DFW area; kinda like a weekly talk show.

Anyway, not too much new, but a few things that are coming my way or things i'll be doing soon:

*JOURNEY concert in 3 days! Get to hear HEART and CHEAP TRICK also, which i've probably already mentioned somewhere below.

Making layout(s) for SBF's latest contest; due the 27th. It's just a one page layout deal.

New York (and NYC) the first of August. Going to visit a dear friend for a few days before the school starts back up for us teachers on the 14th.


Right now i'm trying to figure out why my coveted MP3 player can't be recognized on this laptop but is on our older one. Weird! Frustrating, too.

Well, that's all for now. Here's another little bit of Journey eye candy - or at least it's eye candy to me - LOL!

P.S. I'll be signing up for Weight Watchers tomorrow morning. Dr.'s orders, but something i'm wanting to do as well. Wish me luck!!

Making things look 'purty'

I've spent too much time today trying to do something different and pretty to this webpage. I'm so not knowing how to do it well, but did get a new header and template. But it's still not want i want exactly. I don't know how to edit what i have; don't know if i have the stuff to do it right. If you have any tips or videos on SIMPLE ways to decorate a blog page, i'd appreciate it. Key words being 'purty' and SIMPLE.

See, isn't that pic to the left 'purty'? I want fun, pretty stuff like that. Maybe one day . . .

Motivation

Or the lack thereof! Have you every just not been motivated to do much of anything, even participate in your fave hobby??? It's seems for quite some time i'm just not motivated to do much of anything. Now, i'm not a totally lazy person, but i'm also not a go-getter, hard working type either. But, i tend toward the lazy end than the working end. Unfortunatley not the best traits, i know. But really for a year or so now, i just don't seem to get too much gumption to do much. Sometimes i'll just veg in front of the TV and i know i need to do something, but just don't. It's caused some conflicts and i'm working on it. But i just don't understand why i have the want to but not the motivation to just do it! So one place i'm starting is with the computer. I've told myself today that i'm going to choose at least one day a week where i'll check no other blogs, message boards, websites, facebook. I'll allow myself to check email and only open those that need to be. Summer break is halfway gone and i don't want to say i did nothing. I'd like to have something to show for it in addition to the Alaskan cruise. So, off i go to do something productive.

July 4th Eve

So i'ts already July and can't believe how the summer is just moving along. I am grateful for such a break from work, but i always hate that it comes to an end. I try not to complain, for i know any other job would not afford me such a break. Just hope it'll slow down just a bit before August comes zooming in.

We've pretty much been home bodies once the boys returned from their beach trip. With gas prices, heat, and some lack of motivation, we just haven't ventured out for summer activities. Not even to the pool. I've found that in the past few years, the boys would seem to get bored at the pool! It seemed i needed to entertain them. Which i didn't mind for some time, but i also enjoyed just laying out in the sun. Guess that's where they need to invite a friend to join them. Maybe we need to do that. I've also thought that we need to go bowling or putt-putt. I don't mind staying home, personally, but i'm sure it's not the best for the boys. You know, i wish they had summers like i had. Not that i didn't do my share of watching TV, but we played outside quite a bit. Rode our bikes all over the neighborhood, to Mr. M's for candy and soda, to the Mini Park or to a friend's. I remember on thing we enjoyed doing was riding our bikes to the water tower. It was uphill going but once we got there and began our trek back, it was downhill with no hands! That was always fun! We'd even stay out after dark with no worries. It was fun, safe, and just the norm. Kids can't seem to do that these days; plus i'd worry about mine too much. We didn't have all this electronic stuff to entertain us. We either played alone in our rooms, played with siblings or friends. Or, usually the last resort was TV. I often wonder if i'm a bad mom for not entertaining them more, but at the same time i want them to learn what i had to, and that is sometimes you have to entertain yourselves. I used to hate not having someone to play with or something to do, and it took me a loooonnngg time to learn that. Now i enjoy time alone; but i guess a hobby doesn't hurt.

I'm finally starting my photo organizing the PF way. Because most of my photos were already in chrono order, i pretty much skipped a few steps and am now putting photos that i want to scrap soon into the Storage Binders. The ones i kept but don't make it into the binders will go into Cold Storage (drawers with multiple tabs labeled according to Stacy's system). I'm getting excited as i look back through some of these pictures and can't wait to start scrapping some - IN ANY ORDER I CHOOSE! It sounds so liberating. What a way to celebrate the 4th - celebrating our freedoms in America and Photo Freedom!

Bye for now . . .

HELP!

Not that so many people read my blog, but for anyone who does and can help, please reply.

I can't seem to upload any pics from my cell phone. Adobe Photoshop Album Starter 3.2 doesn't recognize my phone when plugged in to the computer. It doesn't even recognize my digi camera of late. I didn't think it would be so challenging just to put pictures from cell phone to computer, but i haven't figured it out yet. Have you?

frustrated . . .

Don't know why

. . . but while reading early this afternoon, i became sleepy and took almost a 2 hour nap. I didn't even know i was tired!

Picked up Alaska pics and though the ones that were printed are great, at least 10 from each roll came out totally blank. Don't even know why or what they were. So that's probably a good thing i don't remember what they are, but i hope they weren't even better than the others that did print. Good thing, too, we had our digital for we would be left pretty empty handed as far as pictures go.

Short post - off to dry my hair and put wash in dryer.

Journey, beach trip, freedom . . .

I'm going to see-ee Journey! I'm going to see-ee Journey! (hear this in your mind in a sing-songy voice.) I'm so excited; i finally bought tickets and ready to go next month to hear my fav band along with Cheap Trick and Heart!!! Not too shabby, huh?

Beach - i'm not going on a beach trip; my boys are - for 4 days! Quiet in the house! I say again, quiet in the house! I'll miss them, but i know they'll have a fab time and it'll be so quiet here. Don't know what to think of that.

And along with the quiet, comes a little mommy-time freedom. No one to look after but me until dh comes home. And if he works Saturday, I'll even have more time to myself. Just think of all i could do . . .

Finished PF, now reading The Big Picture and still psyched about this Library of Memories system i'll be embarking on soon. Ordered the 3-up Pioneer albums from Costco online - 3 albums for $19.99 and free shipping!!! At scrapbook.com one album costs $16!! I think i got a pretty good deal. I hope so anyway. They better not be pulling one over on me.

Well, off to settle for the nite; gotta get up early enough to take boys to church for them to leave on the beach trip.

A couple more pics of COOL Alaska:

Photo Freedom - Take Two!

Several posts down, I mentioned I bought and read Stacy Julian's new book, Photo Freedom. It is great and I highly recommend it! It was a lot of info to take in and when finished, i still felt that it hadn't all soaked in. So I reread it beginning last week and just finished it again tonight, and I have to say I'm psyched to get the ball rolling on this Library of Memories (LOM) process she uses. It's awesome sounding and it can be easily adapted to an individual's style of scrapping. The main thing I'm hoping it will do for me is help get me out of this scrapping rut i've been in. With the passing of my dad almost 2 years ago and the burden of doing layouts chronologically, i've just not been into doing any layouts. Sure, i've made some cute albums and projects, but not many layouts. I think the last one I did was for my lss Design Team entry. SO, cheerst to PF and Stacy for the system! Now, i'll be reading her previous/earlier book, The Big Picture, which I hope will be just as enlightening and a breath of fresh air.

On another note, unpacked, most laundry done and souvenirs are in one place! Now to get my boys ready for their beach trip this weekend and hopefully some scrapping time for me. I purchased some albums from Costco.com for storage purposes, per PF, and have my category drawers ready as well (all part of the PF philosophy). Seems I got back on my original topic.

Ciao!

Summer's TO DO LIST and Alaska pics

Had an itch to make a list of what i hope and what i believe needs to be done during summer break. Not in any particular order and may not be complete:

1. Scrap at least 30 mins-1 hour every day

2. Get rid of old clothes/store winter clothes

3. Exercise

4. Make dr. appointments

5. Photo Freedom my pics

6. Donate things i don't want to keep for garage sale

7. Reorganize master and scrap closets

Now, for a few of my fave Alaska photos. Believe me, i took over 400 pics, maybe even over 500. These are my digital ones.

I'm (we're) Baaaaaaaack!

OMGoodness! What a FABULOUS cruise we had! I'll share more later as i just wanted to check in and say hi - to whomever may read my blog besides me and Pam. ;)

Just about everything went as perfect as could be. However, my dh decided to bring home a special souvenir - a virus that was on the ship! Very contagious; even my cousin and her daughter caught it. I'm hoping me and the boys won't, especially the boys for they have their youth beach trip this coming weekend.

But other than that, the cruise was fab, the weather was perfect, and the scenery outstanding! Honestly, for me, how could one not believe in God and his masterpiece!!! I'll be sharing some of His works very soon.

Until then,

Didn't realize . . .

It's been awhile since i posted last. Guess with end of year stuff at school happening, just been preoccupied. It's all officially over now, at least until August. I was offered the chance to move down to 4th grade. After a few days of prayer and lots of contemplation, i decided that maybe moving from 5th to 4th might be good for me. A good friend at the school is the other 4th grade teacher and really wanted me to work with her. Though that was not the reason why i moved, it definitely played a part. I think she and I will work well together. Actually excited about the change. I'll so miss my new 3rd story room with a view, for my new room will be second floor and windowless. But you win some, you loose some.

Now, focusing on Alaskan cruise. Leave out Friday a.m. to DFW to fly out around 2 pm. Tomorrow will be a pretty full day of packing. I hope i can remember it all. Surely a day will be plenty of time. Gotta buy Dramamene (?)!!! I'm waiting for THE BIG PICTURE book I ordered to come and was hoping to have it for the flights for some reading but it didn't arrive today. Bummer!!! I've got several mags to catch up on, so just in case . . .

Hopefully when i return, after unpacking and washing, i plan to scrap, and share some pics and layouts.

Chow for now.

Memorial Day musings

It's nice to have this day off from work and to enjoy with family at home. Nothing planned, but going to work in scraproom. Doesn't mean i'll be scrapping but hope it will include some.

Remembering my parents today. I believe this day, or tomorrow, would have been their 44th wedding anniversary. Miss them bunches.

Just ordered from Amazon.com The Big Picture by Stacey Julian, and Pagemaps. Hoping to get those before leaving for Alaska - to have for some good readings. I figured since i bought Photo Freedom by Stacey and she referes to BP a few times, thought i'd check it out as well. I'm really looking forward to using her ideas to incorporate with my ways of scrapping. I believe it will be more enjoyable for me and hopefully less intimidating. The other book just looks fun! Something else i ordered last nite was JOURNEY's newest album and a T-shirt to go with it! I hope it's a good cd!

Just 3 1/2 more days of school, including Tuesday. Friday is early release. It couldn't come any sooner. Found out that the young boy i've had issues with more of late (with parents more than him) is leaving the school. I was a bit bummed at first feeling it was my fault as my principal twice mentioned to me specifically not wanting to lose this 'sweet' family. Guess we are. I could get into all again, but honestly, i think his leaving will be the best thing for him. If they don't hold him back or homeschool him, 6th grade will eat him alive.

Maybe i'll post a few pics later after I upload them to my puter. Been taking a lot lately with end of school programs and events.

Enjoy the holiday; I plan to.

Sherry

Shocked!

Cook won! American Idol, that is. I'm shocked but so GLAD! I liked them both, but Cook was always my fav - so original, unique, and great voice. I just thought for sure Archileta had swept it. But 12 million votes separated them! What happened? And did Carrie Underwood steal the show or what? What a talent she is and to think she got her start with AI! And not sure about what George Michaels was singing about; he looked ill actually. I always hate when AI ends; one of my fav shows. CONGRATS TO COOK. I"LL BUY YOUR CD!

Went to scapathon last weekend without my scrappin' companion, Desi. It was good, but missed her dearly. It was good to see Michelle B. Small group but always fun!

I've decided that soon i need to start posting pics of layouts or projects i've done. I'm quite forgetful about doing that.

6 more days and school will be OVER! Tomorrow feels like Friday and i'm ready for the long holiday weekend. Plans? Clean some, organize some, and scrap! Maybe take the boys to a movie. Start making a list for Alaskan cruise. That'll be here before we know it.

Here's to American Idol!

Wednesday nite weather . . .

Okay, so i'm sitting here at 9:25 p.m. watching the news like a hawk and a bit concerned! We're under tornado warnings and they are telling us hail is coming and circulations/hooks are being seen on radar. We're pretty much in the middle of it right now! My boys and I prayed before they went to bed. I'm sure they're still awake for they are scared. I don't blame them. And i'm not hooked up to electricity right now on the puter, so don't think I am; using battery. Doesn't look like we'll be through for the night for they spotted more severe weather to the west of us. We could use the rain, just hate the bad stuff that can come with it. Seems now Avery Ranch is being hit hard right now with electricity being out. I know some people who live in that area and pray they are okay. Now they're mentioning Brushy Creek. Too close for comfort for me. I think i'll go for now . . . Praying

Mother's Day 2008

These two are the reasons I'm a mother today! Aren't they adorable??? Such wonderful boys - love 'em bunches!!

This was taken on Easter Sunday. Haven't taken any today - yet! This has been a good Mother's Day! It started yesterday with beautiful, colorful flowers from my husband. This morning I woke up to cards, chocolate, and gifts. The cards were funny and sweet. The chocolate was just sweet, and the gifts were awesome. I got a scrapathon weekend at SCRAPBOOK FEVER for next weekend - yessssssssssss. And the surprise i wasn't even expecting was from my oldest son - a book of poems he wrote in English class at school, bound in a nice hardback book, given and dedicated to ME! How awesome is that! I was shocked and near tears! He wrote a dedication in it to me and even a poem about me! There are other poems included but those really touched me. I'll definitely cherish this forever! I didn't know he still had it in him; you know when they hit those early teens, teens in general, they kinda pull away from some of that mushy stuff. So i got a bit of mushy stuff today and loved it! Went to Logan's Steakhouse for lunch - yum! Came home and took a nice nap to top it off. Now i'll be doing some MP3 downloading and whatever else i desire. I love being spoiled on Mother's Day. Miss my momma, though. When she first passed, I was a young mom, and Mother's Day were very hard for me - missing her and hard to enjoy for myself. It's only been in the past 3-4 years that i've been able to enjoy the fact that I'm a mother and to receive the blessings and honor given on this day to me and others. Doesn't mean i don't think of Mom, for i definitely do, but I can now enjoy celebrating my motherhood and hers, too.

These are some pics i took near our house of wildflowers on Easter Sunday; just love how they turned out! Trying to get some 'professional' looking shots. I think they're kinda cool! I'll share more later. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!