Ahhh, a rainy day here in paradise...

Can I just say that I wish the rain would cease for a measley day? I mean really, can't we have a little peace to go trick-or-treating without getting drenched? It's bad enough to have to trudge through the mud, but come on!

I have a couple of things coming up that are exciting this week! The Scrapbook-Chalet is set to have its grand opening tomorrow. Yeah! I can't wait to see the new website and see what Laura has in store for everyone.

The Memory Safe is going to have a new contest very soon with some exciting new challenges. Sign-up ASAP.

Scrap-n-Circle is constantly having challenges and sales over there. So, go check it out and join in on the fun!

Not much scrapping going on here, but I'm going to a crop this Friday. Wahooooo!!!! I can't wait!

The layout that I posted today was completed for Scrap-N-Circle's Surviving the Circle - Play Along. I made this cedar chest my Junior year in high school. I hope for it to be a precious heirloom one day to my daughter.

Thanks for looking!

Shawn

New Questionaire:

I saw this on Roo's blog and decided I'd like to answer some of these questions.

1. In two words, explain what ended your last relationship? he cheated
2. When was the last time you shaved your legs? (yesterday) Monday afternoon
3. What were you doing this morning at 8am? eating breakfast
4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago? scrapping
5. Are you good at maths? yes
6. Your formal night? LOL!
7. Do you have any famous ancestors? unknown
8. Have you ever taken out a loan to pay for school? No.
9. Do you know the words to the song on your myspace profile? no sure
10. Last thing received in the mail? DH's paycheck :)
11. How many different beverages have you drank today? tea, water, Diet Rite
12. Do you ever leave messages on people's answering machines? Yes.
13. Who did you lose your CONCERT virginity to? Never been to one. I don't like that much noise.
14. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach? No
15. What's the most painful dental procedure you've had? Nothing
16. What is out your back door? breezeway leading to a porch
17. Any plans for Friday night? Yes.
18. Do you like the ocean? never been
19. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different kinds of popcorn? Yes, I like the caramel.
20. Have you ever been to a planetarium? No.
21. Something you are excited about? Re-opening of the Memory Safe and the big contest and the Grand Opening of Scrapbook-Chalet!
22. What is your favorite flavor of jelly? strawberry
23. Are any of your great-grandparents still alive? no
24. Describe your keychain. It's just a plain ring.
25. Where do you keep your change? In my purse, pocket, kitchen drawer, dresser, car, "piggy" bank
26. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people? Unsure
27. What kind of winter coat do you have? pink/white/grey
28. What was the weather like on your graduation? gorgeous
29. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed? slightly open
30. What are your siblings middle names? Andrew, Daniel, Lynn
31. Where is your dad right now? Vacation in Massanutten, TN
32. What was the last thing you said? "Tell Troy Thanks!"
33. What is something you've learned about yourself recently? I'm a tad too fat.
34. What color is your watch? I don't wear a watch.
35. What do you think of when you think of Australia? Steve Irwin
36. When was the last time you squatted to pee? Probably about 20 years
37. Who is the last person you liked? Don't know.
38. Are you close to your mom? Yes.
39. Where does your best friend work? Chris Levitt Electric (DH)
40. What is your least attractive feature? Stomach
41. How old were you when you started wearing a bra? 9
42. What color are your pants? blue denim
43. Do you have a roommate? DH
44. What color is your bedroom flooring? hardwood floor
45. Do you have a chair in your room? no
46. What time of day were you born? at night
47. Do you know anyone who is engaged? no
48. What's your favorite number? 17
49. Do you know anyone named Laurie? yes
50. What color is your mom's hair? red
51. Do you have a dog? no
52. Where did you live in 1987? Manton, Michigan
53. What happened to you in 1993? I was living on my own in a different state than any of my reletives.
54. Does your first memory involve your dad? yes
55. Do you remember singing any songs as kids? yes
56. When was the last time you went swimming? In August
57. Has your luggage ever gotten lost? no
58. When was the last time you talked to one of your siblings? 5 days ago
59. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? yes - church camp
60. Do you play an instrument? piano
61. Have you ever thought it would be Cool to smash a guitar? no
62. Do you like fire? yes
63. Where is your best friend from? Edinburg, PA
64. Are you allergic to anything? Penicillin
65. When was the last time you cried? Saturday the 21st
66. What kind of shampoo do you use? Pantene, Finesse, Suave, Head & Shoulders
67. Have you ever been to a spa? no
68. Were you popular in high school? No
69. Did you take science all four years of high school? yes
70. Do you like butterflies? yes; they are beautiful
71. What is the last book you read? Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
72. Do you like Coke or Pepsi more? Pepsi
73. What is one thing you miss about your past? Lack of freedom
74. Did you ever see the school nurse? yes
75. Have you ever wanted to be a teacher? Yes
76. What is one thing you've learned about your life recently? I love it.
78. Are you jealous of anyone? No.
79. Is anyone jealous of you? Yes.
80. When was the last time you were in an elevator? September 17th

Just a quick update and a few layouts. There's not really a whole lot going on here at the moment. My parents were here for a couple days...I'm sure it was just for my Mom to kick my butt playing Scrabble, but we had fun nonetheless.

I had my scrapbook supply party on Saturday. The kids seemed to have a lot of fun and no one got hurt. So, I was happy. Oh, and let's not forget that my house is clean and hopefully will remain that way for 5-10 days ;)

Sunday I informed DH that I would be scrapping since the house was clean. Well, I didn't get a whole lot done, but I did get to scrap between emergencies and obligations. I was trying to do some of the challenges for ScrapNCircle's ScrapNSpooktacular this past weekend. I was able to get two layouts done for the crop and one finished that I had started last week. It was a nice and leisurely Sunday though. That always makes me happy.

Today I have to spruce up the house so it doesn't get out of hand. Then, I have volleyball practice tonight. I'm really looking forward to some exercise. Speaking of exercise, I have lost 9 pounds since I started this "new way of eating." I'm really happy about that and will hopefully stick with it. I'd like to be into my size 12's comfortably by Christmas. That's not too much to ask.

That concludes my quick update. Enjoy the layouts!

Shawn

I've been cropped out of the circle! Yes, much to my dismay, I was cropped out of the Surviving the Circle competition going on at ScrapNCircle. I was the last to upload and since everyone except the person with immunity had one vote, I was automatically cropped due to my untimeliness. I'm going to still try and play along. My layout for this week is in the works. I did, however, enhance my Week #3 layout. I added some more chipboard and the rest of my title that I couldn't get to work before.

"Kaila's Special of the Day" and "Stiles" was inspired by an Ad Challenge posted at ScrapNCircle. I'm thinking I'm going to go looking for some other ads to inspire me ;)

We're still anticipating the long awaited Scrapbook-Chalet Grand Opening. We're anxious to see what the new site has in store.

I'm currently getting ready for the arrival of my parents on Thursday. Yes, there's much to do since I've been scrapping so much lately. I've found some laundry to put away that I haven't seen in months. Who knew my kids really DO have a ton of socks and underwear? It's always an accomplishment to me when I can empty a laundry basket putting items in their proper location. Ahhhh.

Well, I'm off to get something to eat, maybe feed the children and finish some much needed house cleaning.

See ya!

Shawn

Another Surviving the Circle layout has been completed. I couldn't get my computer to work very well. I was going to do a hand cut subt title - through the years. But, alas, it would not cooperate. So, given the supplies on the island, this is what I came up with. I can't believe how much Nick has changed. He looks so old at 8. I had a lovely dream that my other son was only 1 1/2 years old. When, in reality, he is really 4 1/2. They're growing tooooo fast!

Scrapbook-Chalet will be having its GRAND OPENING on October 15th and I just couldn't be more excited. The Memory Safe website is now owned and operated by our lovely Amy Norman. A big congrats goes out to her as she prepares many new and exciting things! Keep your eyes peeled for both of these awesome websites!

I have absolutely no plans for this weekend, except cleaning...cleaning and more cleaning. I truly love an uneventful weekend when things need to be done. I'm going to need the weekend, because next week is almost booked! My parents will be in town on the 19th, which I am always happy about. They'll actually be spending two nights, which is odd when my Father comes as well.

Anyway, I've got to get caught up with today's events. You know...teeth brushed...refrigerator with milk all over the floor cleaned...laundry...etc.

See ya!

Shawn

Holy Cow! It's been a week since I last posted on this poor blog! I can't believe how fast this week went. I've been busying scrappin' up a storm! Ya gotta do it when your mojo's flowin'! I created 11 layouts since I last posted. I did 8 of them within 72 hours. I don't have those scanned, so you'll have to go to www.scrapncircle.com to check those ones out. I did, however, scan in my ScrapNCircle Design Team projects for October. I used the 3Bugs Jovial line. I still have another project to complete using Kaila as my subject. I really enjoyed working with these papers.

I did do my second layout for SNC's Surviving the Circle Competition. I was allowed to use textured cardstock, patterned paper, eyelets, brads, sandpaper, pens and adhesive. We were ALSO required to also use two pieces of fabric and items from our children's clothing. Just so you all know, I DID NOT put lipstick or anything on Blake's lips. They're just RED! It's just amazing what you can create given guidelines.

Well, Volleyball has finally started! I have the sore muscles to prove it! I started the Ellwood league on Thursday. It's a little far away, but it's great fun and exercise! Yeah, yeah...that's it...EXERCISE! It may just be the only exercise I actually get. So, from now until April, I'll be busy on Mondays and Thursdays (insert huge smile here).

What does this week entail? Well, let me just tell you...ALMOST nothing! The scheduling should be pretty nice this week. I don't have a whole lot going on, but there are some places I need to be. I should be able to get some actual housework accomplished this week. Because, we ALL know that I didn't do much this week with all my scrappin' going on ;)

My dearly beloved parents will be joining us for a few days next week. I always enjoy their visits. I usually get to play Scrabble with my Mother. Yeah, you'll see a layout with pictures about that soon.

Anyway, enough about me. What's going on with all of you? I seriously enjoy any and all comments made to this blog. So, I thank you immensely for taking the time to post.

Shawn

Just a tad to share with y'all today. First of all, I was featured in this month's www.pagemaps.com newletter. I was sooo excited. The layout I did with the sketch Becky provided is called "Photoshoot Madness." I was so excited to get the sketch and see my layout in the newsletter. I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again...I just love PAGE MAPS!!!

Secondly, I have had a few people ask how my ear stapling has been going. Well, I did sleep very well after I had the procedure done, but I wasn't seeing the results with the appetite control. So, I went and had two sets put in each ear. Let me tell you...it hurt like a son of a gun!!! Holy cow! If it doesn't work this time, I'll just take them out and be done with it. I do still sleep VERY well though. It's worth it just for that.

Thirdly, The Memory Safe's Scraptathalon is coming to a close this evening. It's been great. I posted a mini challenge at the beginning of the week regarding the cleaning of scrap areas. I actually completed some of that and here is an after shot of what I was able to do. It isn't finished by any stretch, but it's way better than it was.

Fourthly, and certainly not to be put towards the bottom of my "list," is ScrapNCircle's Survivor competition. I made it to the second round! Yeehaa!! I just love being able to complete the challenges. These girls are so spunky and creative. I just love it!

Blake, Kaila and I also took a field trip to Apple Castle in New Castle, PA, complete with hay ride and demonstration of the Apple-Picking process. We then were able to purchase some items in their store, including freshly made donuts. YUM!!!!

I hope to be able to scrap something this evening. How about you?

Shawn