3 months to the day!

since my last blog post!  what's with that?  I wonder, do I suddenly have nothing to talk about?  wait, me not talk, now that's funny! perhaps it is just that there are not enough hours in the day!!!  yep, that is the story I'm going with!

sitting at home this Friday morning, waiting for an electrician.  we are starting to replace the light fixtures in the house.  they are ALL gold, gold, and more gold.  which, to be honest, not my thing.  lots of work going on out in the yard. this girl bought herself a chainsaw, even if it is a small electric girly one, it still works, and truthfully, anything with more power would probably be a danger to me and the neighborhood!  I am excited to get my new light fixtures in, and about all the things we (read me there) have planned to do to the house !!

we've spent a lot of time outside this summer with the cupcake in the pool! she loves it, and I really think could stay in all weekend.  she doesn't even care when the water is a bit on the cold side!

 

 

just a few pictures from summer.  that's Jessica and Brett in the picture with Evelyn, Jessica flopping off Brett's legs into the pool, and us celebrating Matt's birthday last month.  been a busy summer so far, but one full of great memories! 

find myself

 

in a bit of a quandary, and I don't like it.  I'm a talker.  as if some of you didn't know that.  I can talk all day long, if I'm in the mood.  talking is good for the soul, the brain, and the heart.  oh and your nerves too!  there is a person, that while I don't see them often, our lives are connected. this person does not like me. period! I'm not sure why, I think I know why, but most likely they would tell me I've got it wrong, if they would talk to me! I've tried. I've reached out. I've made gestures. nothing, I get nothing back, except ignored. ok fine, you don't like me, that is ok, but could we at least try and be civil to each other!!! I think if we could just communicate a little, get things out in the open, we might find it was just a huge misunderstanding. she still doesn't have to like me, but she could sure be a grownup about it!  I know I just need to pray about it, and let go of it!

 

A bit of good news!!  Everyone remember Jan 2013, when David was suddenly let go from his job, after the dealerships were bought out and the new owner was cleaning house??  David was let go, because they didn't like him! (what is with people not liking us??)  anyway, that guy who bought the dealership, well he was using company/investor money, to buy and furnish his home. take his large family to Disney World. he and his wife took a few vacations.  in 8 months he about had them all bankrupt. it was a mess!  the dealership sold again, a few months ago. the new owners called David. he starts back next week.  do you all know what that means???? it means he will be home before 7pm at night, way before, AND, he will be cooking dinner again, not me!  can I get a woohoo!!  it's really great news for us. there are plans for him to step into an upper management role, and I can't even begin to tell you how much he is looking forward to it.  

 

and now, a few pictures from a couple weekends ago.  went out with Matt, Kristin, and the cupcake.

the pictures I really really wanted, it just didn't work, the cupcake needed a nap and was cranky! when she gets her stubborn on, it's just not going to happen.  always another day, and my camera isn't going anywhere!

 

 

 

A Glance at November....

I'm really stinking at blogging here of late, and I know I'm going to look back in a few years and wonder why???  So.... as a reminder to me, this is why I can't manage to find time to do the things I enjoy....

 

 

but really, what a super cute reason!!  I mean, who can resist this squishy little slobber face!  She is almost 8 months now, where does the time go?? and curious about everything!  David gets golf magazines each month, along with Rollin Stone and some other music one... I keep the current ones on the coffee table, and she makes such a game of pulling herself up and pulling them off... and then she beats on the coffee table.  I'm thinking she just might be a drummer girl!   

 

We also think the house might be haunted, and she is the only one who can see "them", because she is forever talking to someone, in some other language.... and it appears they answer her back.

She has discovered that there is more than just the living room and kitchen to this house, that there are hallways and bedrooms too! When I take her into my scraproom, her eyes get so big and she just looks in utter awe at all the stuff. I really think the wall of ribbon hypnotizes her! I'm still waiting for the moment that she discovers the music room and starts trying to play with the guitars. Wonder how fast David will move??

She has 4 teeth, with 2 more about to break through, and knows when you have food!  She hasn't been very fussy while teething, but you can tell when she doesn't feel good, because she just wants to cuddle.  She is just a mess, and I had forgotten how much work babies are!

 

 

I have managed to get in my scraproom to work on a few things that I'm planning to give as gifts.  Yes, I know I am running out time... but I'm not going to stress.  This is going to be a stress free holiday.  Stop laughing, really it is.  I was remarkably calm at Thanksgiving.  I mean strangely so, plus it's the 5th of Dec and I have a total of 3 gifts bought... and I'm not stressed. Bwhahaha.  Care to place bets on what day it is that I totally wig out?

So let's take a quick glance at November.   My semi-annual girls 4 day weekend at the lakehouse was fun.  With the help of a friend I made a church out of paper. (it's really cool and I need to post a picture of it)   My daddy turned 70, which is so hard to grasp.  Matt got hit from behind, on the ice, on a overpass, and put his pickup into the railing.  It's most likely totaled, he is just waiting to hear from the insurance adjuster. Thanksgiving was at our house again, minus Jessica and Josh, who went to Georgia. I slept in on Black Friday, didn't get out in all the craziness!  One weekend the temps were in the 80's and the next in the 20's.  My photographer workshop wrapped up, and I think I spent more time being confused than saying "ohhhh, I get it".. but that is ok, because it means I'm on the road to understanding!  

 My highlight moment....  my last picture I posted for critiquing... Karen Russell said

Exposure - Perfect

White Balance - Perfection

Let me tell ya, this girl got up and did the happy snoopy dance!  I think I might have even punched David in the arm, which he does not love, but I was so stinkin' excited!  BECAUSE, I've been struggling with my exposure and white balance.  Granted, the picture was taken outside, BUT, you still have to get it right.  AND,  it was straight out of the camera for critiquing, no editing!  Just thinking about it still makes me do a little happy dance!

 

And that folks, is a wrap on November.  I shall leave you with this picture of Cupcake in a box.  She loves pushing it around the house.  Ahhhh, to be amused by the simple things in life.    Now on to December, and time to get all the Christmas Decorations out!

Quick Glance at October

October seemed to be either really busy or go by really fast or both! truthfully, I'm going with both. November seems to be moving at the same pace, and so far, I've just not been able to find a way to slow it down.

October found us in Wichita Falls, Evelyn got to meet Devia and loved playing with the chairs in the salon. really, what child doesn't! then we were off to the pumpkin patch and Uncle Josh bought Evelyn her first pumpkin.

love love love her laugh

 

she wasn't too sure about sitting on the straw

 

 

 

I spent 4 days in Louisville, KY with some good friends. we went out messing around downtown. took some silly pictures with some metal birds, under a bridge, in kiddie cars at the mall, yes, we just had a silly fun good time! it was the middle of the day, the sun was playing havoc on my thinking and my pictures, and I spent a good portion of the time more than a little frustrated over my sudden inability to remember how to operate a camera!

yes, everyone was looking at us, and we didn't care!

 

again we didn't care who was watching!

 

Suze showing her love for the peeps.  couldn't keep the sun off her face

 

 

 

back home, and things did not slow down. took the girls, all 3 of them, to Oklahoma City to Affair of the Heart, in the rain, but we had fun. we also spent a little too much money, but really, you know that is going to happen. anytime Jessica and I are out shopping, too much money gets spent! I did get started on Christmas Presents and bought the cupcakes holiday outfits! winning!

then off to Wichita Falls to do a photo shoot for a young family. KL and Jess have been friends since high school, the went to the same college, both with a degree in education, and even though life is busy they stay in touch. KL wanted some new family pictures, her little one is about 8 months now, and it was time. I was thrilled to go do this for her and hoping she lets me again!

aren't they sweet!

KL and her family

 

 

 

Halloween arrived, and the kids dressed up. M and K both have jobs where the dressing up is required, which works out great for a little family trick or treating. they only went to a few houses, the ones down our block, then came back, sat out in the driveway and started handing out candy. somehow, I didn't manage to get them to understand to not give out ALL the candy, save some from D, so he isn't grumpy, and by 9pm three huge bowls of candy was gone. all that remained were 4 little pieces of bubblegum. Jess dressed up for her classroom and I wish I'd been able to get a picture of that, I'm going to have to figure out how to be in two places at once!

everyone goes, even Fruitloop is dressed up

the little princess, ready to go

 

 

if you don't know, that is a Dallas Cowboy tutu she has on.  Her daddy is a huge Cowboy fan, and her momma is becoming/has become one.  E has her little foot lifted up, her eyes squeezed shut, and is giggling here.  I've had this tutu for some time now, been dying to get pictures of her in it, but she can't stand alone yet.  this is a chair that one of my snowmen sit in, and I thought, hey...  it's not very pretty, I might paint it, but then again, she will be standing alone just fine in a few months.  anyway, it's not the photo I have pictured in my head, but it'll work for now.  :)

 

 

the holiday season is almost upon us, retailers seem to think it already is, and the weekends will just be getting busier. that is ok, because I'm really determined to get out, create memories with the kids, and give them traditions to remember, because you just never know what tomorrow brings.

one last note, it is Nov 7th, and I still have a yard full of flowers, pretty blooms, and color. how crazy is that!

October what?

someone please tell me how it got to be October the 8th already? little miss E is going to be 6 months old on Friday, summer/pool season is over, if I lived farther north, my trees would be turning, and wasn't it just Easter yesterday???

maybe time seems to be going so fast because life is crazy busy?? I don't know, but I feel as if I should be doing something as the days speed by, something other than playing Candy Crush! :) kidding!

I have been taking a lot of pictures, David informed me 2 weeks ago that I've taken over 5000 pictures of Little Miss in 5 months time. I said "is that all", he thinks I'm insane, I think he just doesn't understand. and the photography workshop, I'm loving it, but it is kicking my rear! I should have taken a leave of absence from work, grandma duty, and hired a maid before signing up. the forums are fast paced, the information makes my head spin, and I have discovered there is a lot of info out there that not only I didn't know, but I needed to know!

I was thinking about my blog this morning, and how a group of us all got started, think there were maybe about 10 of us... of the 10 only a couple still regularly blog themselves or even visit the blogs anymore. It's a bit sad, because it used to be a great way to keep up with what everyone was doing... and now, it's pretty much just me rambling about a whole lot of nothing, which I understand I'm pretty good at.

gotta run.... work is supah supah busy..... have my girls retreat next week! woohoo! and the workshop which has taken over my life, at least I'm not saying I'm bored! :)

here is Mr. Neurotic, A Giant Among His Kind Oz! This is one of the photos taken for the workshop... I excited to read Karen's critique later this week.

Have a super great Tuesday!

Can I get a WooHoo!!

really! seriously!! I wanna woohoo! while it is a Monday, it's also the first day of the photography workshop with Karen! woohoo! (ok, so now it is officially the second day because I didn't get this post finished yesterday!)

here's a little picture I took of just a smidgen of the flower beauty in my backyard. I seemed to play with my camera quite a bit over the weekend, and it felt good! I have no idea if the picture is correct, but I like it!

and now for a couple of layouts that I've finished. slowly I am getting back into scrapping. the desire is there, just seems to be so many other things needing my attention. anyone else feel that way?

and.... how could I not include a picture of cupcake! her momma is a big time couponer, and Sunday spread out over the living room floor cutting her coupons. miss cupcake thought her momma needed help! does she not have a look on her face that says, "do you mind??? I'm trying to read the paper". she is a hoot! and such a happy happy baby, except when she is fighting her sleep, like last night. even then she makes me laugh!

I have a feeling Karen's workshop is going to keep me pretty busy over the next 9 weeks... but I'm pumped! I'm ready! I'm excited and ready to get snapping! Have a great Tuesday!

My Jess-a-belle!

I've been meaning to write a post about my Jessica, the lady she has grown up to be, how proud I am of her, and how she really is a bright star in my life.    let me warn you, it's picture heavy.


This was her 20 years ago, waiting to perform at a dance recital. That smile she has on her face, she kept it there daily for about the next 10 years.  She'd smile while playing soccer and softball, the entire game.  She'd smile while on stage dancing.  She'd just smile at total strangers.  She loved me so during that time, until one day she looked at a picture and saw how I had styled her hair.  That was they day she told me I could no longer fix her hair!  Only her Aunt Devia.

Then 15 years later she met a boy.  Somehow I knew this boy was going to be different from any other one she'd ever met.  It could have been how on Christmas night, just two months after dating they told me they were getting married... and I went nuts.. told her that was the most insane thing I'd ever heard.  She didn't even know him... but she says, he is being deployed to Afghanistan in a few weeks and we want to get married first. I'm thinking if she is going to marry this boy then I'll have to stop calling him this boy!  Josh was very nice... teased me a lot about them getting married.... cause you see, it was a big mean joke... that I didn't find out about for a few hours because I left the house.

But propose, Josh did, and with great style.  If you haven't read the story of his proposal, you shoul d take and minute to go look at her webpage. It's a great story.  What her story doesn't tell is I'd have Josh texting me telling what was going on and her texting asking if I knew what was going on.  Anyway, take a minute and look at it if you have time.       www.mywedding.com/jgreeneandjmckee

Then things got crazy after that.  Jess first needed to finish school, and she did.  She did really well, sat on a couple of boards, and maintained an excellent GPA.  There are no words to describe how proud you feel at that moment.  It tends to make me get a little weepy, and I just get really quiet and find me a corner.  Strange for me I know.

An education degree, with a certification in Special Eduacation. Then she went out and got a job. A 5 day a week, teaching 3 & 4 year old children. She loves it!  And she loves those kiddos.

She's had quite the year, because then she treated herself.  She and Josh went shopping and she came home with a new car.  She loves this !  It's a sweet little ride... and she hasn't let me drive it yet. I don't understand!

And since she has now graduated college, it's time to work on the wedding.  We gathered up her bridesmaids and went dress shopping.  I must say, I was a little worried about having them all there at once... but it was not bad at all.  They are really funny.  I had my BF there as well, she took care of the dresses and Jess, cause she knows that stuff, and I stood back and did what I do... took a 100 pictures!

The girls all going through the dresses trying to help her find one, and they each picked one they liked and made her try it on. Some of them she'd just give her friend a look, not even say a word.

 Here are the girls, (we are missing  one, K'Lea, she arrived a little late) as they wait for her to come stand in front of the mirror and ooohh and ahhhh, or do her quick 5 second glance and say nope!

Here's a little sneak peek at the dress she feel in love with.  She rang the bell, and I started to cry.  I walked towards a corner and she followed me... guess so she could cry to.  It truly was a moment I'll never forget!

The picture is a little blurry.... but it's ok... it's supposed to be a secret!  Her daddy isn't even getting to see the dress until the moment!

A few weeks ago I went with Jess & Josh and took some pics that they could use as engagment and to get their Save The Dates ordered. I think we will be going back in a month to do more... but for now thought I'd share a couple of my favs.

And the final thing I want to say, is that yesterday was my Jess-a-belle's birthday, she turned 23, so Happy Birthday My Beautiful Daughter!   I'm pretty positive she's happy, and isn't that what we really want for our kids... to be happy.  Well that and for them to take care of us when we are old!!  And now, guess we'll be getting busy with wedding plans.  The next few months are going to be busy.  But great!

I love you bug!

What a Difference

2 days can make!! And I do mean H-U-G-E difference!! But, normal for Texoma!

Tuesday...we had sunny skies, temps in the upper 60's, and I jokingly told David.. "think it's time to open up the pool!" To which he said I don't think so... hey, I said jokingly. Today... TODAY.. there are icicles hanging off the diving board! Me thinks a fire would be a great idea for tonight!

It does need to warm up though...not only am I so very over the cold...but I need some pictures.. of the kids and all of us together, some recent, not having a bad hair year, with green grass and trees in the background pictures! I'm wanting to put them on the mantel and on my sofa table. They are both looking a little bare right now!

Here are my pics from my 1 weekend 2 shots that I'm doing. Yes, I am still doing it... no I've not posted my pics for a few weeks. I could go into major explaining..but it'd really just sound like a broken record... so lets just say I had to do some prioritizing... while I took my pics still, I just didn't post them. I could go back and pull them up and post them now...but I'm trying to be so about living in the moment!

bahahahahaha......Talk about B.S.! I really just don't want to mess with it! Besides, they will be in the book. Yes, the book! I'm pretty sure this is week #30. Has it really been that many already? WOW!



My most favorite coffee cup! I got this about... oh my, back when Jessica was in Jr. High. She's a Sr in college now! How crazy is that! I think that came from my last trip to New Orleans. I love visiting there and hope to go back someday.
Shhhhhhh, don't tell Matt it's sitting on the laptop.



Batch like #42 of the choc chip cookies that David & Matt would devour within a couple of hours. There was no having a couple the next day!


I do plan to make a book with my weekend shots in it. I really think that will tell so much about me for the last year. It's on my list to do.. after the DD is done...which is close people! Anyway, I got to thinking earlier that it just might be smart to go back and send the pics I have already to Walgreens. Trying to print a year at once will be crazy stupid! I'll spend days trying to make sure I've got them all.

I've still got Jessica's album to finish.... yes bug, I haven't forgotten! And my mothers. Ya know, all kidding aside...just thinking about the albums I want to do exhausts me! I'd best get busy! Why oh why can't I be one of those people that will only scrap a few pics from each event? Why must it be so many that I scrap? I'm talking hundreds. Like if we go on vacation or to the races, or even Christmas.. I'll take 100's & 100's of pics, and scrap at least 100 of them. Well, I'll want to scrap them...most of them are sitting waiting! There's no point in crying over it... that certainly will not help any at all. I'll get done what I get done I suppose... and I'm thinking this is my year! There will be much accomplished this year!! This is the year of Lisa Accomplishments!

Alrighty, I've rambled enough I do believe... there's work to be done!

Thanks for stopping by. Send some sunshine my way if you've got it!

Leftovers & Letters From Santa

What do you do with your leftovers? Wrapping paper leftovers that is. I don't normally save mine...well sometimes I might save some of the wrapping paper if I just really love it. Always before I'd throw most of what was left, if not all of it away, telling myself it was a space issue. Now, I've got the space, just not sure I want to take it up with leftover wrapping paper and bows. I know it's a waste, and that stuff is soooo expensive! For some reason I save and reuse the bags...but not the paper or bows. Just wondering what you guys do with yours.


Santa came.... and must have had a little extra time this year. He played a little trick on the kids. Instead of leaving their gifts under the tree as he always has in years past... this year he left each one of them a letter in their stocking with clues as to where to find their present in the house.. well, except for Josh. Josh had to go find his in the garage. The kids didn't know this was happening, although they did corner me asking as to why Santa didn't leave their gift!
Below are the pictures of them as they are each reading their letters.



It was too much fun, and the kids really enjoyed it.... although there seemed to be moments of frustration from not being able to find what was literally right in front of them at times!

It's been a busy month. We had a wonderful Christmas, all of our families together. This was the first year that both mine and David's family celebrated together and it was really nice, even if David and I were sick.

I've had this nasty mess of coughing, sneezing, fever, sore throat for over a week. It's better now, but there were some nights with very little sleep this last week due to constant coughing. I only worked one day last week due to being sick and then off for holidays, at least I know I'll have plenty to do in the office for the next few days!

I must run... want to do a quick post... it's been weeks since my last I know, and I've truly missed it! It's time for David and I to watch one of our favorite shows.. "The Closer". We luv it! Maybe now that I've stolen Matt's laptop I'll post more. It's pretty cool sitting in the living room with David and being online.... hmmmm, I think I see a laptop in my future! Is it to early to start asking Santa for next years present?

Tis the Season

To be merry and bright and fun and loving and .... send me presents!! HA!

Tis also the season for all the blogs to be doing giveaways! How exciting! If you can keep up that is! I can't! I'll admit it! With trying to work and play and cook and take care of the puppy and answer the phone... oh and shop... I'm starting to feel like I'm being pulled in too many directions... so... the cooking must go!

I've gotten some more pages done for my December Daily... and hey, today is Dec 1st! Woohoo! Be sure you check back soon for the first page to have the picture attached!


But first, a pic of Josh, Jess, and Zoey...taken at mom's this past weekend. I purposely did not blur the background, wanting to capture the lights and Santa's.. but now wondering what it would have looked like if I'd played with the aperture. Should have done both! Either way, the picture turned out really good...could be because of the subject matter!


Pages 4, 5, 6, & 7! Pg 7 seems to be missing it's number at the moment.






Here is a canvas wall hanging that I've made. It's hanging on my scraproom wall. Slowly but surely I'm starting to get some things made for that room... I do mean slowly! I've had this for over a year and glad I saved it. I love it...and love seeing it on my wall!


Alrighty.... gotta bounce peeps! Lots to do!
Have a blessed evening!