Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Christmas Where are you?

Can we move Christmas back a week? I am not ready! I still have way too much stuff to do and too little time! I would like a vote. Who would like to move Christmas back a week?



I don't think this one will go for it!

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

E is for Eclectic

E is for eclectic. Is that another word for scattered brained? I have too many irons in the fire. Not only do I scrapbook, I am trying to learn how to crochet and sew in may spare time. What spare time!?! I think I need to simplify! Now if I could just find a pad of paper so I can start my list!

Thursday, October 25, 2007

D is for desire

What is the desire of your heart? Mine is for my family to healthy and happy. I need to be more intentional! I drift along and do not think about what I can do to reach this goal. I think I will plan something fun this weekend!

PS I bought a Bread Machine at Goodwill! I have wanted one for a long time but I did not want to spend so much money on something that might just end up on my shelf. I have been looking for one every time I went to the local thrift shops. I finally found one I liked! It looked brand new. It does not have a instructions. I guess I will try to wing it. I have a recipe book I found at Half Price Books. I cheated today and bought a mix from the grocery store. I am hoping for a yummy smell to great DH when he gets home this evening.

Wish me luck! And send your favorite bread recipes!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Monday Goals

Did not walk :(
Clean sink!
made the Thanksgiving napkins ans started the placemats.
Hung leaf banner in dining room
Good School day! Gots lots done there!

K

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Goals

I think I will try to set goals, publish them and see if that makes me stick with them.

For Oct.
1. walk 3 times a week
2. finish new Thanksgiving placemats
3. Have a clean sink at the end of at least 5 days a week. (I would love for it to be each day but I want to be sucessful!)
4. Email at least one friend a week to catch up with them.
5. Stay in my Budget!!! ( I really think budget should be spelled with only 4 letters!)
6. Finish scrapping a gift album.

It's already the 21st! I better get started!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Computer woes!

I know it has been a while since I posted. We have 4 computers n this house and right now 3 are on the fritz! Of course two are the ones I use! I am hopeful we will get them fixed soon and I will be back to boring you with my every day life soon!

Thursday, August 16, 2007

C is for Community

I have been thinking a lot lately about how much community means to me. We moved across the world, back again and then to a new city all in the last year. I know many families move a lot but our family had lived in the same house for 12 years in the same town that I grew up. We are really not world adventurers!

What we discovered was that the ex-pat communities in other countries are close knit and they really went way out to help us get settled. I worried about whether or not my kids would have friends. Would I have any one to talk to? Would we feel isolated in a strange country where we did not know the culture and language? Sure it was the chance of a lifetime and something our kids would never forget but would it be good memories? The people we met were wonderful. They shared tips on where to shop, where to eat, how to hire an Ayi and even found us a tutor so we could learn a little of the language. They made sure to invite my kids over for play dates and church youth events. I found that since every one is in the same boat they where all far away from home!

When we moved back I didn’t worry about the kids, their friends were near and it would just take a little time to get hooked back up with them. Then my husband’s job change and we would be in a new city. In our home country would we find people as friendly? Americans are so busy now (too busy! We are certainly too busy!) Would any one have time to get to know a new family? Especially one whose heads are spinning with all the changes, many unexpected, we were going through. I found the home schooling community really stepped up and invited up to Park days. My kids are getting to know new friends and are excited about the new activities for this year.

I miss my old community. I have friendships there that are almost 20 years. I am not a telephone person. I have trouble keeping up with friends long distance. I am trying to be better because other than my husband and family these are the people that mean the most to me. I love the internet and I love that I can go back to see my old friends but I am really thankful that we are here and God is sending us so many new friends.





Tuesday, August 7, 2007

B is for Books and Boys

These are some of the constants in my life. Books came long before boys. Growing up I could always be found with a book in my hand. If it was a good book I would read it over and over. Some of my fondest memories are going to the bookstore with my family. We did not have much money but my mom would scrap up enough money and we would head to the mall. We would spend hours looking at all the books and would always have the hardest time narrowing it down to just one book. I still do! I like owning the books better than going to the library. If it is a good book I will reread it until it is falling apart. Some thing my dear husband doesn’t understand. He reads a book once and then is done with it. He is slow and careful and takes forever to read a book. I read it as fast as I can to see if is good, if it is I reread it slowly to take in all the details. I do the same with good movies. He sees a movie once and is done. I watch them until the video tape falls apart. Usually its just bits and pieces here and there as I am cooking or cleaning.

I am surrounded by boys! Growing up I always knew I wanted to be a mom. I always pictured myself with a bunch of little girls in ruffles and lace and playing house. I was blessed with 4 boys and only 1 little girl. Boys are so much fun! They are noisy, messy, loud and rowdy. It doesn’t seem to matter how much or how little sugar you give mine they are always in all out full speed ahead mode! I don’t have any breakables out right now and with many years ahead I probably never will. I will be in my 50’s when my baby is 18! I love every minute though!

All of my boys (my girl too!) love books. They can be found with books in their hands everywhere. My older ones read at all times of day. It just amazes me because they all learn to read on the late side. I worried and worried about the 2 older ones. I talked to other parents and agonized over it. It amazes me now that they are a history major and a English major! I am much more relaxed with my younger ones. They come from a long line of book lovers! Their family gives books at Christmas and Birthdays. One of the most popular gifts is a gift card to a bookstore! When we emptied our house in order to move over seas, books were the hard thing to give away! It was a great comfort that most of the books went to fellow homeschoolers and I know the went to good homes that will treasure them like I did.

Friday, August 3, 2007

ABC's

A is for accumulate.

I thought this was an interesting idea. Blog the ABC’s of your life. I found this idea at this blog: http://belladia.typepad.com/bella_dia/

I started with accumulate because I come from many generations of Packrats! I am one that is recovering! Hi, my name is K and I am a packrat.

How much stuff does a person really need? Last year we sold our house and moved overseas for a while. When you have to pack everything you want to keep in a bin and pay storage for it you begin to think differently. Do I love this? Why is it special to me? Could some one else get more use from it? I worried for months knowing I would have to get rid of most of my stuff. I knew it would be a hard day; I put it off as long as I could. I DREADED the day! Image my surprise when I found it was the most freeing thing I have ever done! I have not missed anything I gave away! (Well, except for some of my books!) But I know they are blessing some one else and there is always Amazon, Half price books and new library sales I can visit! We are back in the states now and are quickly, way too quickly, refilling it with stuff. I am trying to be picky about what I bring into our house. I try to ask myself, Do I love it? Do I need it? Does it bring me joy?

The hardest part of this is that I am bringing up packrats! They save everything and I have trained them well.

I am going now. I have a sudden urge to go and give things away!

Thursday, August 2, 2007

What I did this summer

I taught myself how to make Granny Squares!
It only took 2 books, a U-tube video and countless restarts!
I confirmed that I am a visual learner. I always thought that I was but I just could not figure this out with out good pictures and the video.

This book was great! It had clear up close pictures and even I could figure out the directions! Why the bright colors? I don’t have any of these colors in my house. They were just the colors that jumped out to me when I bought yarn. One of my daughter’s best friends was over when I was working on these and said that she loved those colors and they were the colors of her room. So if it ever gets big enough to become anything I know where it can get a good home! Don’t look too close at them or as my best friend always says, “I may have to poke you in the eye!”













I also bought this book. I love the projects! This is a great book for beginners with quick easy projects that are not too overwhelming. I have been making the placemats and napkins. We are trying to make less trash around here so I plan to make several sets of the napkins for everyday use. So far I have made some Pirate placemats for the boys entertainment (Well, at least they entertain me!) and some happy summer watermelon ones. I have already bought material with cherries for another set. Again, they are a little crooked but I am going with, “It gives them personality!”




















I have not scrapped much this summer. L I tend to be a little obsessive with my projects and right now it’s placemats and Granny Squares. I keep taking classes at www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com I love, love, love these classes! This summer I took 2. I haven’t done much toward them except to save all the lessons. I feel the scrap bug coming though! I know I will be getting back to that soon! Until then here is a gift I made some time ago but just gave to my friend!

What did you do with your summer?








Saturday, July 21, 2007

New Hobbie




I need a new hobbie like I need a hole in my head! I am trying to teach myself how to crochet Grannie Squares. So far they are turning out to be Grannie Blobs.




Friday, July 20, 2007

Roladex Swap


Here are the July tabs I made for a Roladex Swap. I mailed them a day late :(
I hope they get there soon. They are the second set I made. I have lost the first set. I made them at a crop in June and they only needed ribbon and a brad to be finished. I have torn my scrap spot apart and cannot find them! I know I have seen them here at the house since the crop. Where could they be?? When I find them does any one want a July tab? I do not need 13 July tabs!
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Saturday, July 14, 2007

Where does the time go?

Wow! A whole month! I knew I had not blogged in a while but I did not realize it had been this long. We have been busy with Backyard Bible Club, swim lessons, dance lessons, t's loooong hours at work, and a broken finger. In other words life.

I hope this week will be slower and I will be able to catch up!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Ipod

I just figured out how to use Itunes for the ipod my kids gave me for Mother's Day.

What are your favorite things to listen too while you scrap???

Friday, June 1, 2007

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

May, Memorial Day & Organization Tips

Happy Memorial Day! Thank you veterans and families!

What is my best organization tip?
Well, I am still working on that. I have found I must see my stuff if I am going to use it. I just bought these at Target and I am trying things out here and there. I have moved my stamps to the shelves so I can see them easier.

I do love the vertical storage for paper! Right now I have my solid color cardstock by color. ROY G BIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet) I have my patterned paper by manufactorer. I have just joined a kit club so I am working on the best way to keep it.


What a great way to spend Memorial Day! We went to the pool and visited with new neighbors. We are really enjoying getting to know our new town and neighbors! We ended the day with a cookout imagine our surprise when we looked up in the sky and saw both the moon and a rainbow!





Pictures from the last week. No particular order. We have had so much rain lately, please remember to "Wipe your paws"


Shhhhh, I am hiding.




Monday, May 21, 2007

May 20


R has a new bike with Training wheels! We took it out for the first time today!






Projects from this weekend

Box from the May Cocoa Daisy kit. I also used one of the stamps from Ali Edward's KOTM from CK.
A new Layout using stuff from Cocoa Daisy Jan. kit, Stampin' Up and buttons from Hobby Lobby.

Layout using the May Cocoa Daisy Kit. There is hidden journaling behind one picture. The green daisy is the pull tab. I double posted because I am having trouble with some of the post being too dark and I want to see which one I like better.


May 19









Here are the pics for May 19. It really needed 2!



R has been dressing himself! Yay! We are still working out the details.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

More pictures a day

Two More days!

O.K.- After giving my naughty camera (how dare it lose my photos!) a time out, I have forgiven it and strarted snapping away. Hopefully I won't miss anymore May days!



May 19
The after picture. Would you give this man a job? He was getting ready to go spend the weekend with his big brother playing paintball. When I pointed the camera at him all he kept saying was, "I haven't fixed my hair!" I snapped anyway. I have to strike when the fire is hot. My older kids are hard to keep in one place long enough to get pictures!
















May 17- Retail therapy!
I found these at Kirkland's. I now have two tables to use on each side of my bed and some goodies to hang on the wall above! Fun!

Mini book and banner


I jumped on the banner bandwagon! Here is one I did for M's birthday.
Here is one side of the accordian book I did for B's Mother's Day. Sssssssh. I haven't given it to her yet!


The other side.


The front cover.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

May 14, etc




May 14
My littlest and I planted some flowers for my patio table.

On another note! My camera is losing pictures!!!!! I told my husband that I thought I was missing pictures that I thought I took. He told me to watch and see. (I take some many pictures I usually don't keep close track of them, I love digital!) Well, I know I took a before picture of my son's haircut and its GONE! He had all his hair cut off yesterday afternoon to aid in his job hunt for the summer!!! It's GONE!!! I am soooo bummed!

The 2 peas challenge is to named 3 things on your desk that do not belong there.
1. two towels to keep the cat hair off my scrap supplies.
2. A trash can to block the cat from jumping onto my scrap supplies
3. THE CAT!

They really do rule the world!

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Tuesday Blog Challenge

What new technique do I want to try?

Well, it's a little behind the times but I just bought my first Heidi Swapp ghost stencils. I have not had a minute to play with them. I can't wait to pull out all my stuff and try!

Monday, May 14, 2007

May Continued



May 12- My son at Last Review



May 9- My sister's new Florist Shop



May 6-Yummy!



May 9- New Headshot



May 10-On the way back home from helping at the Florist.



May 7- Haircut!



May 4- Getting ready for summer.


May 5- National Scrap Day! What a fun crop!

My pictures are out of order :(
I will try to fix them when I have more time. Gotta go make dinner.