They are...

 the air around me, the laughter inside me, my heart, and my soul

they are....

good, kind, loving, and important

they are.....

mine

and when something happens to one of them.... when they are in trouble and need you
when there is nothing you can do.... when you just don't understand how or what
when you are praying it's a bad dream and you will wake up

the air is gone... the laughter a distant memory... your heart physically hurts... and your soul feels empty


Today....
I'm remembering the disbelief and shock of the last few days
the pain and fear
the feelings of helplessness
how things are more vivid when you are scared
how it feels when your world comes crashing down

today I'm asking God that He replace the anger with gratefulness.... because there is much to be grateful for

we are together... we are loved.... and we will face this... as one, with the strength and courage that He gives us

hug those you love

Not the time!

This is not the time to be going through a creative funk. It's awful!   I've got many, and I mean many, things to get made.... before Christmas... and I've been in this mojoless, creative funk, nothing looks right, I don't like any of my supplies anymore mood for the past 2 months. Yes, 2 months!

That's really not entirely true. I've actually finished several layouts in the last couple of months. I think I'm just in denial. If I pretend Christmas isn't super close, and I don't start any of my gifts or cards or December Daily, then it will not come! Somehow, I don't think it's going to work that way.

My daughter did ask me a couple of weeks ago why I haven't been blogging. I didn't really have an answer for her other than I don't know... when I should have said cause I'm feeling blahhhh about it all, but.... it put a smile on my face. Just knowing she takes time from her day to go check my blog and misses it, that makes my heart smile!

In daughter news, she will be officially a college graduate come Saturday! We are so excited and proud of her!! Now I have to make a cake. We've also found THE place for the wedding & reception... have colors picked... making plans to go wedding dress shopping... and have all kinds of ideas for decorations floating through our heads. Pinterest is a wonderful place is it not!

Here are a few layouts that I do not think I've shared yet. I did some playing around with masks and mists. They are a lot of fun and I love how they add a little sumpin' sumpin' to your page.

Winter has definitely hit here at home. There was even snow to the south of us last night, just a little odd. Time for me to hibernate!!

Hope you are having a fabulous day... that you are all warm and cozy.... feeling inspired and creative.... and full of love during this most magical wonderful joyous time of the year!

it's happened!

yesterday, I had to wear shoes. Not just any shoes, but boots... with leggings. It really did hurt my heart to have to put them on! Today is another day that they are needed. This morning, I even had to turn the heater on! Can you see my terribly sad face.... summer is over and winter is right around the corner. Almost time to pack up the flip flops and strappy sandals.

our photo shoot turned out great on Saturday. You know why, because I now have pictures of all of us together. I didn't have to plan them, or take them, or remember to hide the remote. I don't care if we don't look perfect, if I'm having a bad hair day, or if it's obvious I'm not in my 30's anymore! I don't care about all of that... the most important thing is that I have them! Forever! I can't wait to see them all!

On a side note, 5 years ago, why even 2 years ago, I would have picked apart a dozen things with these pictures... found many things I didn't like and rejected most of them... now I'm just thrilled to have them. Isn't it amazing how not only do we change, but our priorities as well.

Here's another layout for Kristen's album. I really like the sweetness of this one. She is going to have a nice album full of great memories when it's all finished. The little giraffe is too stinking cute!!

Wishing you all a fabulous day full of inspiration! :)

do you??

read the blogs when you go hopping, or just look at the pretty pictures?

I wonder because I have found that the more blogs I look at, the less I read them.. which is really sad, some of them are soooo funny and can make you laugh out loud.  I'm trying to read them more.  You can learn so much by reading ya know!

It's a cool and windy day in Oklahoma.  I hear we are getting rain this weekend, 5 inches predicted.  I don't believe it!  We need to get the pool closed up, but my pool boys assistant is gone to the city for the weekend.. I have a feeling I'm going to be out there tugging and pulling on a tarp.  I lay odds that there is going to be some whining going on too!

Here's another layout of sweet BW.  Newborn pics are just so very precious.

I did a bit of misting here, edge punching, paper layering, and washi tape!  Love me some washi tape!

It is now time to get busy in the scraproom. I'm doing some re-vamping, some major purging, and hopefully there will be some creating going up in here today!

Have a fabulous weekend!

I want......

someone to come mow my back yard.
my laundry finished.
to be done entering these 50+ new oil wells into the system.
$150.00 to go spend at Victoria's Secret.
to not automatically hit the snooze button each morning.
for winter to not come.
to sing out loud and no one howl.
to have a retreat 4 times a year with my peeps.
to find a happy place in my scraproom.
oh. and.
world peace.

what do you want?

I really do want to blog more... can't believe it's been 2 months and I've had nothing to say! I'd like to tell you I've just been super busy, but truth is I'm really just coming home and sitting on my lazy butt either watching tv or reading. I've just been too lazy to get up and upload a picture to the computer, then sort, the crop, then upload to blogger.. yikes, just talking about it makes me tired.. and since I think I can't post without a picture... I just kept saying "there's always tomorrow!"

Here are a couple more layouts for the baby album. Doesn't he make you just want to squeeze and squeeze him!!

Ok, now I'm off to take my David out to eat... cause it's his birthday!
and he is special.
and I don't tell him enough!







. You know what I'm talking about!

Memory Makers Magazine Blog Bounce - Ch-Ch-Ch-CHANGES!

Welcome to the August edition of Memory Makers Blog Bounce!

You should have just arrived from Kimber McGray'sBlog. If not, you can click on the Memory Maker Magazine link below for a full list of the hop participants and start at the beginning!



Our theme this month is about ch-ch-ch-Changes! I must admit I struggled with this one a bit, but then in the middle of having a heat stroke and thinking why oh why can I not take the heat anymore...my mind suddenly turned to this months theme and an idea was born!!

I'm hoping you can read my journaling. While I tried to keep a little humor in it, it is from my heart.

My pictures aren't the best tonight, hope to retake them tomorrow.. if life will give me a five minute break! :)
Thanks for stopping by!

Your next stop is the Memory Makers Magazine blog... click here or the button below to hop on over. Thanks for stopping by my blog, and have a fabulous day!

Road Trip!

I'm not sure what we were thinking on Saturday, but with triple digit temps we left for a little biking adventure. This was our first bike run with people! We normally take off by ourselves and just ride to no place in particular. I'm happy to report that we do play well with others and have been invited back again!!

Out of the group, we actually knew 3 people, well 5, but we'd only met two of them the weekend before. That would be our host and hostess. They are both two of the nicest people you could ever meet. So genuine and real, and fun! We had such a good time.

I do wish I'd gotten more pictures. I was just a little timid about going up and snapping pictures of people I'd never met before. I know, hard to believe me being timid. That didn't stop some people though... it's funny to see how some people react when they see a bunch of bikes together. Everyone was posing for a group pic up on top of the mountain, I'm standing there taking pictures and look over to see complete strangers taking pictures of us too.

This was really a great group of people! I believe we went away that night with some new friends!

This was the view in front of us....

and behind us....

on top of the mountain...

coming down...

The group before we took off...

I didn't get any after pictures...don't think I had the energy left to even hold the camera. It was a long, brutally hot day, but I'm glad I went!

Hope you guys are having a great Monday!

How many days did he say?

I know this morning I heard the local weatherman say we've now had 63 days of temps in the three digits! I believe, except for a 30 minute sprinkle on the 4th of July, that is the only rain we've had since back in May sometime. I also believe now that I have figured out my sprinkler system, my grass will not be the greenest around and my utility bill will go down! One can only hope?

Have you ever driven by somewhere and seen someones sprinkler system going while it's raining.. or just right after it rained? I used to laugh at them... thinking don't you know to turn that puppy off. Well, if it had rained any this summer... I'd be one of those people. Who knew there was an A & B section to the this puppy, and that each section has 3 phases. I set it for 6am, 3 days a week. What I didn't know is that it was also going off at 11pm, 1:30am, & 4am... 5 days a week!! We are in the middle of a drought, triple digit temps, and I've got water standing?? When I discovered that, you should have seen me trying to get it all deleted before David came outside to see what I was doing. I don't know who would scare me more, him or the water police!!!

(Note: I'm really not afraid of David... he just has a way of transforming into a growling bear when spending money is mentioned!)

(Note: I should probably also mention that I know this, that he turns into a growling bear...and sometimes I make a game out of seeing how many times in a week I can transform into that bear... and yet, he still loves me so!)

Here's another layout for Kristin's album. Remember, I'm leaving all the journaling for her to do.
This little cutie loved the food table. I think the cupcakes were her favorite...not that you could tell from all the icing on her face!

A few more supplies from my out of control stash were used on this layout. You just have to love that!!

Thanks for stopping by. Have yourself a fabulous day!!

I'm Sorry.... Bi-WHAT?

Happy Monday People!
(I could be Lady Gaga and call you my little monsters! But I'm sure someone would not be happy about that!!)

So, Friday I went to the eye dr. A new one... determined, I was determined! I wasn't crazy about my last one...he was a bit dry and the lady at the front desk very snotty and rather brash. (I'm allowed to say this because it's my blog!!) Anyway, I didn't care for them...but I hung in there for 3 years.... until the dr just wouldn't listen to me...and I said "poof, there goes my business"! I even took David with me! So, I begin the search for a new dr.

I like this new dr.... well until he said the dirty word...but I like him! He's young, has some personality...we chatted about photography, internet connections, the hot weather and high elec bills we are all having here, and....wait for it..... about My Texas Rangers!! Woot! How can I not love a dr who will talk about my Texas Rangers with me!

We are talking and he is handing me this little cardboard thing to read... I'm slowly moving it away from my face so I can see it better. He brings down the little cardboard thing from above and says read line blahblah... I have to lean back to see it... yep... he said you are ready for BI-focals! I just looked at him for about 3 seconds...said "oh wait a second".... doubled over in the chair and went NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I looked back up at him and said..."ok, go on" in the saddest voice you can just imagine. Poor man didn't know if he should laugh or hand me a tissue.

Anyway, very long story short... my main purpose for going was to get contacts. I didn't like the kind my last dr had me in...they really bothered me. But now... I don't think I'm liking this either. Evidently, I have a astigmatism...I may even have one in each eye, I just don't know at this point! Which means, I get this different type of contact than what I was getting 3 years ago. PLUS, one contact is to see near and one to see far...and I DON'T LIKE IT! I'm squinting my eyes so bad I swear I look drunk! My BFF says just get the normal ones and use reading glasses to which David says just go get new glasses. I seriously thought about just going back to my old dr... the one I had before I moved here. He understood me..but I probably didn't have the stupid ole 'stigmatism back then!

So now, I feel drunk all day, but without the buzz, which sucks!
I could take my contacts out, but my new dr tells me it will take some getting used to, so I'm trying to give them a chance. And I'm weighing the pros & cons...well that's not true, just the pros. Contacts are a must have for the motorcycle rides... glasses seem to hide the age that has attacked my eye area. 20 years ago I didn't really like the glasses...but now the styles are so cute...and let me tell ya... I rock them puppies!

I really think though.... that I just want my eyes back from when I was in my 20's. They were firmer, no 'stigmatisms, no darkness or lines... and Jessica has them!

Here's another layout that is finished for Kristin's baby book. I've not used naked chipboard really before, but I'm liking it. I have a feeling it might just be showing up in more of my pages. We've got some punching and zinging going on here, along with some layering.  This page was just fun for me!

Ok, time to get some work done, that is if I can see! 
Wishing everyone a wonderful Monday!!

Simply Saturday!

A nice Saturday it has been. I was up early this morning... not liking it much at the time, but up I got and hit the road. Off to a photography class... and I am so glad I went. I was actually very surprised at what I already knew. Not that I'm trying to pat myself on the back...just that some of it I'd already read 100 times and it all made sense! I think I may fall in love with my camera all over again!!

Now I'm ready to do a little scrapping. Well I'm going to go outside and play with my camera for a bit first...then some scrapping. David is recording and I need to be quiet... hahahaha.

While at the scrapbook store... yes I was at the scrapbook store and I was good! For real... I didn't even look at everything...and they were having a sale on Sizzix dies! There were several I didn't have and several of the new ones that I've been thinking I wanted, but I walked away without buying a single one!! All I bought were a few pages and trim for Kristin's baby album. I am so super duper proud of myself.

To be honest, I'me feeling very overwhelmed in the scraproom right now. I have way too much stuff and I really think it's slowing me down! I spend more time looking through things trying to decide what to use than actually using it. I know many of you can relate to this! Anyway, I've promised myself...again... no more scrappy purchases until I've made a dent in the stash I already have. Well, unless I stumble across some Washi tape! I'm pretty sure I was meant to have rolls and rolls and rolls of it!!

Here's another page for K's album! My thoughts are she can journal on the tag. I just love the little owl, even if they are so last year! If it looks like the border bits of pp are not straight...it's because I planned it that way. It didn't actually turn out the way I was seeing it in my head...but then again, what does! It's ok, I still like it!

Have a great weekend!!

On Tuesday, I think...

that if you can not obtain the speed limit while driving and eating or while driving and talking on the phone....
THEN DON'T!   This has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I am not blessed in the patience department... just that I've got places to go, things to do, and Move the Heck outta my way!  but, that's just my thinking!
smiley face.... smiley face!!

Here are a couple of more pages for the album I'm working on. If you are thinking hmmmm, there doesn't appear to be any journaling... that's because I'm planning to let Kristin do her very own journaling! I like that plan!

Here's wishing you all a fabulous Tuesday!

A few things....

Happy Monday Morning!

These last few days I've spent some time thinking about all the people that have come and gone from my life over the last (I'm not going to tell you a number) years. I don't really know why I've been thinking about this...there is no rhyme or reason to my brain function. Anyway, there's been a lot! The people you know in school, then your first job through the 12th job...no I've not had that many jobs. Different people you date and their families or friends. It really adds up when you think about it. Some you miss and are sad that you no longer are in touch, some... not so much. I blame our busy lifestyles for this...well, that and my foot that seems to always end up in my mouth! I think instead of breast enhancements we should have 'add a filter to the mouth'! I would probably benefit from that much more!!

I've not been doing much of a job blogging of late. Somedays I'm busy...somedays I think why bother, does anyone really care, somedays I'm just too lazy to take pictures or post, and somedays I can't get David off the computer. He has a new obsession...and he is slowly getting me addicted!

I must say that I'm just a little unhappy that Casey Anthony is walking the streets today. While she might be in hiding right now, she wont always be, and if she takes just one of the offers she's been given, she will have more money than most of us! There is something seriously wrong with this picture!

I actually cooked yesterday. I think that's probably about the 6th time I've cooked since I went on strike back in April. I roasted a chicken and made us some veggies. David's back on his diet and has lost 10lbs in the last 9 days I think. He's doing so great. Then we settled in our chairs and watched True Blood. Kristen is a big fan too... Matt, well he just tolerates it.

I have been doing a little creating while I've been absent from the blogging world, working on a gift album. I always get nervous and worry while making these...and have to remind myself that the recipient is going to be more focused on the pictures and having them in an album than if the page should have had more or less embellishments! This album is for a first time mommy, a very good friend of Jessica's, who in my mind is still just 14 and should be on the ball field!

I'm having fun making the pages, but worried about making them all look different. I don't want the pages to all look the same, you know what I mean. I'm not going to list all my products. Some I've had in my stash for awhile (yay for using them) and some are from kits. I am doing better about using my supplies and not just collecting them. Could be because I am so out of room, and have you seen then new releases that are coming?

Gracious, for someone who hasn't been blogging because she thought she didn't really have anything to say.... I can't seem to hush! I hope you all have a great day.... and before I go... I have to say...

HOW ABOUT MY TEXAS RANGERS!!

note: spell check doesn't seem to be working... and sometimes I just type away not worrying about my spelling, knowing spell check will catch it...and then it comes back to bite me in the butt!  So.... if you see something wrong... well, don't let it bother you too much!

Wishing you all a fabulous day!

Memory Makers Magazine Blog Bounce - VACATION!

Welcome to the July edition of Memory Makers Blog Bounce!

You should have just arrived from Lisa Pace's Blog. If not, you can click on the Memory Maker Magazine link below for a full list of the hop participants and start at the beginning!



Our theme this month is vacation! While David and I have had several really great vacations in the past, this year we've opted to have a staycation! As in we are staying home. There are a few reasons that we are staying home this summer, but the main one is the year just really got away from us before we realized we'd not planned anything. Well, nothing for the summer anyway...one never knows what just might be in the works for the fall!

I had fun creating this layout. Lots of layering, some zing, and punching! I finally used my cloud punches that my were a gift from a dear friend. She may have just gotten tired of hearing me whine that I couldn't find them anywhere...at any rate, they are awesome!

(The title actually shows up better in person. Can you tell my photos were taken after the sun went down.)
Supplies used:
Cosmo Cricket's line - Salt Air
Bazzill Cardstock
Zing - Apricot, Lemon, Glacier & Powder
Stampin Up! Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon & Trim PomPom
Fiskars Cloud Punches
Stamin Up! Ink - Pool Party
American Crafts - Paperback Fabric Thickers
The Twinery - Lemondrop & Caribbean
Tags for hidden journaling

Your next stop is the Memory Makers Magazine blog... click here or the button below to hop on over. Thanks for stopping by my blog, and have a fabulous day!