It's another beautifully HOT day in Western Pennsylvania! I'm enjoying my air conditioning immensely!!!

Memorial Day weekend was gorgeous. We spent the holiday up at our camp in Leeper, PA. It started out pretty rainy on Friday night, but shaped up to be awesome, weather-wise. We celebrated Blake's 4th birthday on Saturday instead of his actual birthday due to some scheduling conflicts with church. He was soooo excited! Nick and I went to Dollar General that morning to purchase some gifts for him. He mainly wants shooting things, so that's what we bought. We purchase them at Dollar General because my children are so rough on toys it just makes it easier on us when we have to throw "cheaper" things away. KWIM? I made a strawberry cake for him, because he had requested it for months. That's all he ever told anyone when asked about his birthday. I'm gonna have a strawberry cake, but it's going to be red...not pink! I am a boy, not a girl! Pink is for girls! - LOL! The photo of Blake is with all of his loot. Nick's photo is with some of Blake's "loot." Kaila's photo is from a couple days prior to the party in her cousin's glasses. Those girls were so cute!

I received yet another awesome kit from The Memory Safe for June. I've posted two of the projects I've completed so far. I just haven't had a lot of time with everything lately. I still have quite a bit of the kit left and should get some more items done within the next couple of days.

School is not out yet for Nick. He has 6 more days after today. He's thrilled and just can't wait to be stuck at home doing NOTHING! He doesn't realize yet that's what's going to happen. Ahhh, he's in for a rude awakening. I, of course, can't wait to hear every five minutes, "What are we going to do today? I'm bored! Can I call Papa???" I'm sending him to Michigan to my parent's house for a couple of weeks. He can't wait for that.

As for me, I'm looking forward to next Friday when I'll meet a gal from The Memory Safe - Nancyroo! Don't forget, Nancy! You and I are hitting that big Scrapbook Store in Butler! I can't wait to meet/see you!

Anyway, I'll post again soon. I've been visiting other blogs recently from the girls at The Memory Safe and find them quite comical. It gives me a good giggle to know that I'm not the only one out there going crazy with everyday "life" stuff.

I'm off to try to accomplish something else today.

Shawn

I tried posting an update last week, but for some reason it wouldn't take :(((

Anyway, there isn't really a whole lot to update. School is drawing to a close. I'll have my 7 1/2 year old asking what we're doing everyday. Doesn't that sound fun? He would LOVE to spend the entire Summer with my parents in Michigan, but he'll only be going for two weeks (without me).

I just can't get over how fast this year has gone so far. I'm just floored. That's what I get for blinking!

I'm not sure if any of you know that I've been trying to lose weight. I went on the Atkin's Induction Phase two weeks ago, today is Day 14. I'm happy to say that I've lost 5 pounds and 7.5 inches. I haven't been exercising yet, so hopefully when I actually start a workout I'll lose more weight. I am bound and determined to get into the Summer clothes that I was in the Summer after Kaila was born. I can't afford a whole new wardrobe...there's scrappin' supplies to be had! LOL!

I wasn't lucky enough to move to the next round in The Memory Safe Spring Survivor. I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed, but that's the way it goes. The layouts this week are just AWESOME so far. The ladies are really steppin' it up! Their challenge was to scraplift someone in the gallery other than themselves. I'm still going to attempt to play along. At the top you'll see last week's layout.

The other photo is of Kaila rummaging through Mommy's drawer and playing dress-up. How hilarious is this? Not quite as hilarious as her brother doing the same thing!!! Those are blackmail photos to be used at a later date ;)

Anyway, I'll post again soon. Have a Happy Memorial Day, Everyone!

Shawn

I've been tagged by SusieQ!!!


Four jobs you have had in your life:

1. Christmas Tree Trimmer
2. Dishwasher
3. Blueberry Picker
4. Engineering Assistant

Four movies you would watch again:

1. Diehard
2. Mummy
3. Lord of the Rings
4. Harry Potter

Four places you have lived:

1. Grand Rapids, Michigan
2. Manton, Michigan
3. Grove City, Pennsylvania
4. New Wilmington, Pennsylvania

Four TV shows you love to watch:

1. LOST
2. NCIS
3. CSI
4. 24

Four places you have been on vacation:

The only VACATION I have had was my honeymoon, so these are other places we've gone to to relax, but couldn't really be considered a vacation.

1. New York
2. Our Camp in Leeper, PA
3. Texas
4. Niagara Falls

Four websites I visit daily:

1. The Memory Safe
2. Trusty Red Wheelbarrow
3. Sassacraft
4. Ebay

Four of my favorite foods:

Great time to ask me this while I'm on a DIET! These are my favorites in this order.

1. Ice Cream
2. Pie
3. Chocolate
4. Oreos

Food-Food

1. Pizza
2. Steak
3. Bread
4. Chicken Parmesan

Four places I would rather be right now:

1. Sleeping in bed
2. Scrapping with a friend
3. Visiting The Memory Safe Girls at an agreed upon location - HEE! HEE!
4. Scuba Diving on a Deserted Island

Four names of your children you may or may not have?

1. Nicholas Michael
2. Blake William
3. Kaila Mae
4. Kelly Marie (if I had another girl)

Now I tag Jenn, Rachelsmom and Elise.

I've been tagged by SpoilAmy - sorry it took so long!

What's In. . .

My Fridge:

1. Milk
2. Slim Fast (who didn't know that one?)
3. Diet Pepsi
4. Amoxicillin (spelling?) for Kaila
5. Deer Meat
6. Soft Tortilla Shells
7. Baking Chocolate

My Closet:

1. Jeans
2. Slinky Nighties (don't get too excited...not very many of them fit, but they were $$$, so I'm not ready to part with them yet)
3. Bathing Suits (yeah, here we go again...none that fit)
4. Halloween Costumes (not mine)
5. Books
6. My Wedding Veil
7. My Scrabble Game (LOVE IT!)

My Purse:

1. Wallet

2. DD's pants/wipes

3. Whitening Gum

4. Receipts

5. Tampon (yeah, gotta have 'em)

6. Spare Change

7. Pen

My Car:

1. Scrapbook Supplies from Friday's Crop (going on another crop tonight, so didn't unpack everything)

2. Tote

3. Water

4. Pop

5. Stuffed Animals

6. Peanuts

7. CD

Now, I tag Jaci, Margo and Bree.

First Communion went off without a "hitch!" It was a little hair-raising getting the two little ones to cooperate while I was getting ready, but all in all, it went well. Nick didn't drop the host, so I was happy. He was more nervous than I thought he was. No one could get him to smile properly, but none-the-less, he looked very handsome in his suit.

We also had some family photos taken of the entire clan, but I do not have those at this time. My MIL was nice enough to email this one to me. What? You mean YOU didn't have a camera???? Yes, I know! I am sorry to report that I didn't think I would be able to take photos due to the fact that I would be a part of the ceremony, so being the knucklehead that I am, just didn't bring a camera! Lesson learned. Let's move on.

Mother's Day 2006 - It's been a great day so far. I don't usually get anything for Mother's Day besides the phrase, "Happy Mother's Day, Mom!" Oh, and of course the satisfaction that I brought these little munchkins in to the world. Did I say, "I?" I meant, "we." - LOL! Anyway, I received a nice, non-stressed morning followed by a gift certificate for tanning and tanning lotion from DH. Little Nick gave me a handmade bracelet and card. Wow! Not only that, but my wonderful husband cooked me breakfast!!! Can I just tell you out infrequent that is??? Ok. So, I have to go to Wal-Mart and I'm thinking - sheesh! This place is going to be packed! Not only was I able to move fairly freely, but I got part my film developed from this morning's photoshoot. Color me happy! There are many more photos, but I wanted to have the ones with each child and me to post and I don't have Blake's. So, Happy, Happy Mother's Day to me!!!

The Memory Safe Spring Survivor is going great! I'm loving everyone's creations and the overall feel of the way the contest/competition is going. I did a slightly different style for me for Challenge #7, but I love the way it turned out. Of course, the layouts always look better in person, but you have deal with what you have, eh? Challenge #8 - using stamps on a layout, is something I've been wanting to do, but haven't hunkered down and actually completed yet. I'm curious/anxious to see what I come up with.

I have alot to deal with this week, as far as cleaning is concerned. I have my semi-annual Scrapbook Supply Party on Sunday. So, I have to get everything spruced up for the ladies to come and ransack my home - LOL! It's hilarious! I'll have to take a photo this time. It's half-off of the supplies, so you can just imagine.

Well, I have to make a card, so I'll be signing off for now.

Until next time...

Shawn

We had a great time at Scrapbook Station on Friday. I only completed 3/4 of one layout, but I had fun spending time with "the girls." I'm hoping some of them will be able to come scrap sometime this week ;)

Sunday we had to go to an open house for the chapel at Thiel College that my husband did the electrical work for. We then picked up the children from their grandparents' house and took a little detour to Lowe's on our way to Coney Island. My DH had purchased some containers/organizers for his new van. I saw them and wanted two instantly! I've needed something for my chipboard for a while now. These are perfect!
While I'm on the subject of organization, I thought I'd share how I store all of my ribbons. I have quite a few and need to conserve space, as this place is still a mess!

I am the Guest Designer for June for Scrapnews on Ebay. I have purchased several of her items, which she sometimes has before the stores do and I get excellent service! I have to finish a couple more items for that within the next three weeks and I'm very excited about it.

Nicholas has First Communion this Sunday. We're having a party for him and his cousin following the service. He's so excited! I ordered his cake yesterday. The lady at Wal-Mart was soooooo nice! I love nice people! I have to make a banner for him to be completed by Saturday. We have an activity day from 9:30 until Noon to prepare for Sunday. It should be fun.

The Memory Safe Spring Survivor's challenge for this week is another sketch, which I'm thrilled about. It's a two-pager, which is about all I ever used to do, so it will be nice to complete another one. I haven't done one in a while, so it may take me a couple hours to get into the swing of it. I'm not scared - LOL!

Until next time, People!

Shawn

TGIF! Wow! Another week has gone by and Summer's creaping up on us. I can not believe how fast time goes.

I survived another elementary field trip yesterday. The 2nd grade class traveled to Pittsburgh, PA to visit the Science Center. It is huge! It is filled with so many facts and awesome activities for the children to experience. They had a blast and were exhausted! We couldn't have had a better day weather-wise. Talk about gorgeous! I have to say my favorite part of the center was the MALE Seahorse giving birth to tiny little Seahorses. Yes! You heard it here! The MALE goes through the agony of Seahorsebirth. HA! That slays me! They are quite beautiful little creatures.

My friend, Charlene, called me to schedule some Scrap-Time for last night. Yeah! Give me a reason to lock myself in here! I completed my project for The Memory Safe Spring Survivor Week 5, so I am one happy camper! Not only did I finally get to scrap last night, but I'll be traveling with my awesome friend, Angelina to Butler, PA tonight to meet up with another great friend, Lori, to scrap the night away. Ahhhh, life is GOOOOOOD!

Until then, I must complete many tasks to keep DH happy.

Later!

I just wanted to update everyone on the events from last night. We had to hustle and bustle to get the timing worked out between DH's Uncle's viewing and Nick's play, but everything went fine. DH's Uncle's viewing was so sad. It's heartbreaking enough to lose someone, but when they're so young it's even worse. I know for some people 50 (almost 51) doesn't sound young, but I gotta tell ya...to me you're in your prime. Then again, I may be saying that if I reach 80 ;)

Charlie's sister took Nick to the play so he could get there on time just in case we were late. I went back to his room to make sure everything was okay...his clothing that is. Well, it's a good thing I checked. He had missed two belt loops and his shirt was half untucked. So, being the mother I am, I went right in there and fixed everything in front of everyone. The little girls were laughing. I asked them if they wanted his pants to fall down in the middle of the play. There was an uproar of little girl giggles followed by several giggly "Nos." It was so cute. It was a very cute play filled with lovely songs and hand motions.

We finally arrived home at around 7:00 p.m. to prepare our dinner (sloppy joes). I sooooo wanted to scrap, but I think the events from the day just wore me out and I was in bed by 9:00 and sleeping by 10:05-ish. I know...sad, but true.

So, here I am ready to face another bright, beautiful day and take on all of my tasks in the hopes that tonight I'll be awake enough to get some scrap "work" done.

Here's hoping...

 

 

It's been a while since I'm posted, so I thought I better get my butt over here.

Volleyball ended last week, so now I have every Monday night to scrap if I so desire. Well, lately I've been too tuckered out, who knows why, to scrap too terribly much. However, I'll be playing Volleyball on Saturday nights starting in June, so I'll be getting at least a "little" exercise ;)

I received my May kit from The Memory Safe and I soooo love it! It's the A2Z Island Blossoms Kit. I'll post the layouts I've finished so far at the top...I think. I haven't gotten the hang of doing this blog correctly yet and haven't taken the time to ask anyone, so until then...I'm just going to wing it.

We traveled to Michigan for Easter to visit my parents. It was BEAUTIFUL! I had to plan all of the meals due to my Mother's recent gall bladder removal. She doesn't like to plan, so I took that burden away from her. Everything was delicious! We also had a great Easter Egg Hunt for the nine grandchildren that were there. They had a blast! Those little buggers are soooo fast I could barely get pictures of the older ones. Sheesh!

We had some bad news this weekend. My husband's Uncle on his Mother's side passed away unexpectedly due to heart failure at "almost" 51 on Saturday. He would have had his 51st birthday this Sunday the 30th. It is a great loss and he will be missed.

I must prepare for tonight's events which will include Nick's Spring Play. He actually has a part, besides singing with the entire class. He'll be doing what he calls a "solo", but is actually a "number" with 5 other kids. He insists he needs to wear his new suit that was purchased this weekend for first communion next month. I told him he was nuts and he'll just be all spiffed up in his regular dress pants, shirt and tie. He's too stinkin' cute!

Until next time, Bloggers...

We all recovered from my first Scrapbooking Crop held at my house on Saturday. DH took the children to camp for an overnighter and had a great time. They returned home around 10:00 p.m. to four of us diehards still scrappin'! We had a fantastic time! I can't wait to organize the next one ;)

We had church this a.m. and I was having a hard time staying awake..big surprise after all that scrappin'! Anyway, we made it home for me to prepare some breakfast. I ended up making breakfast 5 times...once for each person! Sheesh! Make up your minds already! We ate leftovers today from the Scrapday, so I didn't have to cook anything new...how cool is that?

I took several photos of myself for Sassacraft's - Sassavivor and The Memory Safe's - Spring Survivor contests. I thought they turned out pretty well, but I took so many of them with the digital camera I was bound to get one eventually. I used Picasa 2 to edit and "enhance" them. So, no, I don't think I really look like that, but it will look good on a layout :}}}

I did my little ebay job today as well for about 1 1/2 hours. So, I decided I'd earned the right to scrapbook. Well, it's 2:00 a.m. and I haven't figured anything out yet. Also, big surprise! I'm exhausted. Here's hoping for a more productive day tomorrow...

Now, what to feed DH for lunch, besides pb & j...

 

Saturday morning...a day I think everyone should be entitled to sleep in. Ask me if I really ever get to SLEEP in. Ha! If that's what you'd like to call it! I scrapped until 1:30 a.m. working on my Playing Along entry for Sassavivor at Sassacraft.com. I didn't even start until almost 10:00 p.m. I had numerous interruptions from the children. Does anyone else find that extremely frustrating? I know Friday night is a "stay up as late as you want" night, but a stipulation for that should be...if you don't bother Mommy!

Anyway, I finally crawled into bed at 1:40 a.m. I was dragged out of bed four more times before 6:00 a.m. What is up with that? When will these kids sleep ALL night EVERY night? It makes for a very cranky Chicki, ya know?

The kids are all outside with Daddy right now. Ya gotta love that! I plan on cleaning and scrapping and cleaning and scrapping today. That's the story of my life!

Well, here's hoping something actually gets accomplished today :)

See ya!

Shawn

It's a great day to be alive here in Western Pennsylvania, but I would seriously love to see some signs of Spring besides the birds taunting me. I am SOOOO ready for Spring this year. I can't even tell you how fast these first 2+ months have gone so far. It's just amazing!

Well, I went scrapping at my friend, Lori's house last night until 2:30 a.m. That may not seem very late to some of you, BUT she lives an hour away from me. Boy, is that a rough ride home. So, by the time I got home it was 3:30 a.m. I crawled into bed and not 15 minutes later, Kaila needs a drink! Then 1 hour later she needs something else. Then about 15 minutes after that Blake is up and ready to take on the world. Okay, so that takes us to 5:00 a.m. Blake will go back downstairs and let me sleep. Long story short, I catnapped until 10:00 a.m.

I have a couple errands to run today, as well as make some bread. Then, the night is mine! I shall be scrapping again. I have sooooo many things to get done it isn't funny. I did accomplish a couple things last night. I don't have much time for any other hobbies besides SCRAPBOOKING!

Well, it's now 11:08 and I need to get crackin'!

Later!

Shawn

Nut Slightly Cracked

http://www.thememorysafe.com

http://www.trustyredwheelbarrow.com

This is me at almost 31 :) 

Hello, Blogger World!

This is my very first post and I thought I'd never see the day! Me have a Blog? I thought not!

I never would have thought I'd be typing my thoughts, feelings and everday ramblings to the cyberworld. I guess stranger things have happened.

I'm a SAHM to three beautiful children. I enjoy scrapbooking, family outings, volleyball, reading and cooking...not necessarily in that order.

Signing off for now until I figure out all of the other cool stuff I can do here.

Thanks for reading!

Shawn