Jozzie's Chalet Blog Challenge --- #13

If I was a T-shirt I'd definitely say, "I'm skinny on the inside." Because I certinaly don't feel as large as I am. It's sad, but true. I hope to be able to join the country club over near me soon, but until that happens...I thus remain as I am.

I was able to complete a couple more layouts using the M2Y MOD kit. I'm not usually a very bright colored person, but I really enjoyed working with these papers. Click on each photo for a better look. I used a Basicgrey sketch for the two-pager and a Scrapbooks, Etc. sketch for the single page.

Thanks for popping in.

Shawn

Chalet Blog Challenge...my most favorite indulgence.

If we're talking food, it's definitely my homemade apple pie. It doesn't get any better than that and I just can't resist it! My Mom taught me how to make pie, but she says that mine tastes better than hers. I really don't get to eat hers very often, so it's hard to say. My husband says that my pie is the best that he's ever had BAR NONE. He says he's never tasted a better crust and that I get it so perfect every single time. That makes me feel good. So, if I need to lift his spirits, or make him a little happier than normal...I whip out the granny smith apples and get busy.

I had the pleasure of creating a layout using the August kit from Memories 2 You with the inspiration of a Basic Grey sketch. I decided to do more of the frog photos that I took of Kaila in May, because I took SO many. She's just hilarious with her love of frogs and all of those other slimy creatures. I also used my new Autumn Leaves flourish stamps. Those things are so versatile and you can create such a huge flourish with all of the little stamps. The flourish in the bottom left of the layout is three stamps.

Anyway, I have to get ready to go shopping and everything else.

Thanks for popping in!

Shawn

My most prized possession...

is the hope chest that I made in eleventh grade. I paid $74.50 for the wood/hinges. It's made several moves with me from Michigan to Pennsylvania (a couple different locations) until resting in its current location. I didn't really care what happened to anything else in my dwelling, but I was very involved in the relocation of this one piece. I'm not a terribly sentimental person and I could always purchase a new hope chest, but it wouldn't come with the memories of carefully choosing the wood, designing the "backsplash" or the many hours of sanding it to get it to the exact smoothness that I desired. I have a lot of great memories going to my shop class my Junior year. It was one of my most favorite classes. I loved to make things that were going to be useful. I'm not into things that aren't practical. So, when I look at this hope chest I not only see an heirloom for my daughter and her daughters...I see the many cherished memories that go with it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Scrapbook Chalet Blog Challenge with Jozzie!


I'm not sure how many of these I'll be able to do, but it's a great idea to keep my blog hoppin'!

Number 1 on the list is the one scrapbook item I cannot live without, as I'm sure no other scrapper can live without as well...a camera!


I have some very exciting news in my little world. I did post it on the Chalet, but some of my bloggers don't know that I received my new Nikon D40 via DHL yesterday. I charged that baby and I took it on a test run. I took a total of 75 photos the first time out. It is so different than my other camera, which is why I already LOOOOVVVVEEEE it! I've been waiting so long for this. Can you tell I'm excited? I can't wait to see what other amazing images I get with this. The lighting was really low yesterday and I haven't read the entire manual, so I didn't touch very much except the automatic setting. I'll get into everything else later. I just wanted to PLAY!



You can click on the image to see it closer, if you so desire.

I guess I better get on to less enjoyable things...like cleaning. UGH!

Thanks for popping in!

Shawn

I've caught the bug...not that I didn't already have it, but it's worse this time - LOL! It's the "Scrapping" bug. Yes, I too have succumbed to scrapping instead of getting my duties done. Duties...do children/dh REALLY need to eat? Do they REALLY need clean clothes and a towel after their shower? I do believe we, as Americans, have life entirely too easy and should have to go without once in a while to truly appreciate what we DO have...especially when Momma wants to scrap! I mean come on! Is that too much to ask? Clearly...it is! I can't really complain. I've scrapped about 13 pages in the last 24 days, whilst tending to other things/duties. "Super Star" and "ahh...snake!" are based a sketch by "Jill" at Memories 2 You. The other two are based on sketches from the July Pagemaps. The photos in the "Beauty" layout were taken by my wonderful friend, Angelina Schwarz. I've scrapped them before, but I just love them so much I keep whipping them out.

We're currently trying to get ready for the kids' annual birthday party this Saturday. And, of course, I have a TON of stuff to do. Wouldn't you know it? The kids are completely underfoot. I mean every stinkin' time I literally TURN AROUND I'm accidentally knocking one of them in the head or stepping on their feet. All day long! Not only that, but they're at each other's throats! Even the two little ones, who are normally very nice to each other. They're on an aggravating rampage! Mom, WHERE ARE YOU!!!!????!!! That's a little tidbit for my dearly beloved mother, who forced me to take my children back - LOL! I'm just kidding of course. They're deeply loved my their father and me. It would just be nice to kick them to my Mom's while I'm getting ready for this party. I do not have that luxury.

I don't know about anyone else, but I am a giant Harry Potter fan! Yes, I was there at 12:01 a.m. for the release of the latest/last HP book. Yes, I saw the madness and the anticipation on all of these people's faces. I felt so bad for the people who waited to long to actually come on down to good, old Wal-Mart to get in line. They had to wait longer and may have not even gotten a book. I didnt' stick around to find out. I went home and stayed up until 2:30 a.m. reading...until my eyelids couldn't take it anymore. It is a fantastic read. Loved it! Can't wait for the next HP movie already - 11-21-08.

That's all that's going on around here. Nothing really exciting, but then again, life is good...it doesn't NEED to be exciting!

See ya!

Shawn

I know, wonders never cease. It is I! Yes, I'm updating my blog. Imagine that!

There has been quite a bit going on over here since my last update. The kids are currently in Michigan with my wonderful parents. GOD BLESS THEM! Which, of course, gives me opportunities to get a great deal of things/chores/projects completed. Well...not as many as I'd like, but better than nothing. The freedom to do what I want...when I want is almost overwhelming, but not quite :)

So, what have I been doing...besides a tad bit of scrapping? Well, I've been switching the kids' rooms around that's what! Kaila had a bigger room and for some reason I thought the boys needed a larger area to destroy...I mean be comfortable in. Not only did I switch their rooms, but I painted Kaila's new room. Yes! It is complete! Can I just say that two little humans of the male gender can cause such HAVOC in a living space? It was worse than I had feared, but still manageable. We also had to order some beds for the kids that would look more presentable in their new areas. They shan't be in until September...sigh! When all is said and done, someone else may enter their rooms without silent gasps sounding in my head.

I was lucky enough to be able to spend last Friday with my good friend, Lori. She started out by giving me a pedicure. Yes, what better way to start the day than your friend "messing" around with your feet. I have to say that it was a pure delight and I may just have to do it more frequently when the children start school. Talk about a good friend, eh? We then proceeded to the great LSS to spend the rest of the day scrapping. Nancy was there when we got there, so we all went out to lunch. We were starving! We'll be going again on August 3rd for anyone else that would like to join us. The more...the merrier!

I know that that doesn't seem like a lot going on, but I didn't give you every stinkin' detail. I'm tired ya know!

Here are some layouts that I created with the "Love, Elsie" kit over at Memories2You. The "Fuzzy Accessories" was created using a sketch from July's Guest Designer, Shannon Pressner. I used a July Pagemaps sketch for the other two. Memories2You has a monthly sketch challenge. You get all month to complete it. You should see what these scrappers are coming up with. Amazing!






































Here are some of my creations from the past week. I used last year's Chatterbox paper on these four, which is 50% OFF at http://www.scrapncircle.com/. Take a jaunt over and snatch up whatever is left. I don't really think this paper gets "old." I just loved working with it. Did I mention that it is double-sided? That's a plus for me. Three out of these four were created using some July Pagemaps sketches for inspiration.




















Thanks so much for stopping by! Drop me a line, if you get a chance. I love to read your comments.

Shawn

Just a quick update...we're enjoying the Summer and looking forward to our trip to Michigan to drop our kids off for 2 weeks. Yes! Two whole weeks of "freedom!" Can you blame me for scheduling something every single day? I have to say that there are two events I'm REALLY looking forward to. #1 - a whole day to scrap with my friends at Scrapbook Station and #2 - Harry Potter movie!!!! Pure heaven, I tell you!

I'm seriously trying to get the kids out more this Summer than I normally do. I usually stay home ALL the time! Can you believe that? It's true. Well, today we tried to get together with friends for a photoshoot at the park, but alas, it was not meant to be. Next time, Ange! I then decided that I would take the kids, all 5 of them (nieces too), to a movie. No problem. Now, if the movie would have been good...it would really have been nice. What did we see, you ask? We wasted our money on "Surf's Up!" Yeah...did NOT like it AT ALL! A complete and utter waste of money. I really wish I would have gone and seen "Shrek 3" or "Meet the Robinsons."

Anyway, I was able to complete a two-page layout the other night while out with the girls. I did this for a challenge over at M2Y. I completed the "Funny Faces" layout as well. I have one more sketch to complete. It's almost done...just need to add the journaling. It's been a great challenge to complete all of Becky Fleck's June Pagemaps sketches.

Here's to another great day of Summer!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

It's been 10 years since DH and I took the plunge into the institution of Marriage. I suppose 10 years goes by pretty quickly when you've been blessed, which is exactly what we continue to be. It's hard to believe it's been that long. Nieces, nephews and small cousins have since grown up quite considerably. Who would have thought we would be where we are today? We have three beautiful, healthy children, a home and a loving extended family. It's just amazing!

Charlie and I were lucky enough to be able to go out to dinner and a movie last night while the kids spent the night at my in-laws. I couldn't possibly have better in-laws...another blessing. Charlie and I ate dinner at Lone Star in Boardman, OH. MMMM! I had delmonico steak! Yum! I just can't get over how good it is there! Jaci, if you have a chance to pop on over there...take it! We then proceeded to take in Ocean's 13 at the Westgate Cinema in New Castle, PA. It was good, but not great. Of course, that is just an opinion. Oh, prior to leaving for the restaurant, I received a delightful gold/diamond bracelet! So, so pretty! What a doll he is!

Anyway, I took these photos before we left last night. Don't we look happy? Well, truth be told..he's pinching me ;)

Cheers, Everyone! And thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

I know...I know!!! She actually KISSED it!! Try not to freak out too badly. She's just too quick. For your information, she also kisses fish! I try to explain to her all of their germs, etc. She doesn't seem to care yet. What's a Mom to do?

I did this layout using one of Becky Fleck's June PageMaps sketches. M2Y is currently having a month long challenge. The challenge is to complete as many of PageMaps June Sketches as you can by the end of June. There are a total of 10 sketches and I have done 5 so far. I'm leaving the double pagers for last. Imagine that! I'm happy with how everything's turning out so far. So, I'll keep a-scrappin'!

I've accomplished quite a bit today. Laundry, dishes, floor scrubbed, floors vacuumed, counters cleaned off...yes, it's been great! I think I deserve to scrap now. Well...it COULD happen!

This is just a quick post to show you what I was doing until midnight last night. I was down here scrapping...listening to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on CD...the time just FLEW!

Jaci - I'll be waiting for that phone call ;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

What do you think? Do you like the new look? My dearly beloved friend, Angelina, made this banner for me. Can you say, "What a friend?" It goes very nicely with my color scheme. Thanks, Ange! You rock,Girl!

There's been some scrappin' goin' on in my house. I've been able to complete a couple challenges are various websites using things that I love...sketches and my stash! How could anyone go wrong? I'm lookin' to scrap again tonight if my sinuses will cooperate.

Well, school is finally out. And, yes, there is already some, "What are we going to do now?" questions floating about on the premises. Imagine that! Well, Nick spent the night at his grandparents' house last night, so I'm not hearing much of that today. There's plenty of Summer left for that! I actually plan on doing some things/activities with the kids this year. We usually just stay home ALL the time, but not this Summer!

Gotta go...bad storm!

Shawn

Holy Cow! I bet you all thought I dropped off of the face of the earth. It kind of felt like it there for a while. Now I know why a lot of you don't update your blogs very often. I haven't updated since I left for Texas.

Texas Trip - It was great! Weather...perfect. Very relaxing. I even scrapped a bit with my buddy, Becky!

Thursday - We went to a big scrapbook store called "The Scrapbook Pad." It was very nicely arranged with lots of goodies that were cheaper in Texas than in PA. I spent about $60. I also found things there that I couldn't get up here, so it was nice. We took a trip the Cabela's, ate at a cute little restaurant and caught one of Nathan's baseball games. Boy, did that game bring back memories of my days playing softball!

Friday - We took a trip to Fort Worth to tour the Stock Yards, eat and go to the RODEO! That was so stinkin' cool I could barely stand it! I took a lot of photos, but can't find the memory card that I used. Imagine that! I took some photos with my 35MM point and shoot, so all is not lost. I need a better camera - plain and simple!

Saturday - We had a cookout with some friends and their reletives. Yeah, and we "tried" guacamole. Ummm...didn't care for it. Well, apparently, if we don't like guacamole...we're Un-American! I didn't see that in the rule book, Becky! - LOL!

Sunday - Charlie wasn't too keen on the idea of going to a Catholic church that didn't speak English, so we ventured to my religion..Baptist, which is what Becky and Chris are. Can I say how happy I was about that? Becky is on the Praise Team and was unable to sing with her Mother/Partner, so I filled in for her. I'm not quite sure if anyone even heard me, but I sang anyway. It sounded to me like I was really loud, so I backed off of the mic. I had a good time and felt very comfortable. Later that evening, we went back to church for a pot luck. Aren't those the best? Man! It's been ages since I've been to one of those. OH, and let's not forget we had great TEXAS Home-Cookin'! Ya gotta love it!

Monday - Becky and I scrapped most of the day while the guys went to pawn shops, etc. We then prepared a nice homemade pizza dinner for everyone. Yum! I believe the guys watched A Night at the Museum while Becky and I scrapped.

Tuesday - Our last day there...sad, but true. We scrapped again for part of the day, while the guys left us again...no problem. That night, we played dominoes for about 3 hours. Wow! That time went fast. It was so fun. I rarely get to play any games, so it was perfect for me, since I LOVE games!

Wednesday - We left early for the airport to get back to PA and our darling children, who were taken care of so well by my inlaws. It was awesome to see Chris and Becky again and we're already planning another trip with them for next year.

I returned home to scrap...just a little...for ScrapNCircle using the My Mind's Eye Tres Jolie papers and embellishments. I used some of Becky Fleck's (pagemaps.com) sketches for Half Maps. How cool are those! So many sketches! It's a new size for me, but it's great to work with. ScrapNCircle is having eatch Design Team member put coordinating kits together to purchase beginning in July. What an awesome idea! So, be sure to check it out to see what we come up with! ScrapNCircle also has what we lovingly call "Thrillin' Thursdays" about twice a month. It's an online challenge day with challenges, questions and chatting. Feelin' froggy? Then stop on by and join in on all of the fun!

My most recent creation was put together using a kit from Memories2You called Junkitz Extreme Boy. Can I just tell you how fun that was! I did an Ad Challenge at ScrapNCircle on our Thrillin' Thursday. Thanks for the inspiration!

I'm currently in "get the stinkin' laundry done" mode. What a drag! My dryer is way too slow at drying these clothes, so it takes twice as long to complete anything. It doesn't help when you have 20+ loads to do either. May I borrow anyone's "Laundry Fairy?"

We still have 4 days left of school. I can not believe that Nick is just about done with 3rd Grade already. Wow! That year went fast! Next year will be 4th Grade for Nick, Kindergarten for Blake AND Pre-K for Kaila. Imagine that! Two hours of freedom three days a week. I can hardly wait, but then again...I can. Sniff! Sniff! They're growing toooooo fast!

I think that's enough for now. I hope you've all enjoyed this post and drop me a line.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Happy blogging, Everyone!

Shawn

Wow! It's been a VERY long time since I last updated. I can not believe how time flies!

I've obviously been pretty busy, but don't ask exactly what I've been doing, because it's not very exciting. The only really exciting thing is preparing for our trip to Texas. It's a mere 13 days until we depart. We're still figuring out what we'd like to do while we're there. I had mentioned seeing a Medieval Fair/Dinner, which I think would be COOL! Oh, and let's not forget the possibility of attending our first ever RODEO! I never would have thought I'd be luky enough to go to one, let alone take some photos. I'm really looking forward to that. If any of you have any ideas or information on some good activities...please let me know.

Easter was fun up at my parent's house. It was great to see everyone. Those kids are so stinkin' cute! My Aunt Connie even joined in our festitivities. My husband helped me prepare the main meals. He's such a dear! We fed anywhere from 13-20 people. It was delicious! I'm not thrilled that we had too much snow to have the egg hunt outside, but it's been a long time since there was snow for Easter. So, I'm not complaining. I got some really cute pictures of the kids. I'll be posting them later.

I made it back in time on Monday to help win the championship for our volleyball team on the co-ed church team I play for. It was fun, but maddening. Sheesh! I can't believe the season is over, but I welcome the 6 month break. Hopefully, I'll be in better shape come October for another great season. We finished 2nd in the league and won the overall championship.

I've been lucky enough to receive advance sketches for layouts/cards from Di Hackman for her blog. There's nothing like a bunch of cool sketches and examples to go with them. Take a minute and check out her blog. It's very cool! Here's a couple things I've done for her.

Who's ready for some serious Spring time weather? I'm waving my hand furiously! I am so ready for sunny days and 70 degrees. I want to kick those kids outside to explore and burn their energy. Okay...okay...I would like some great outdoor shots as well, but I'll settle for wearing them out.

I don't really do any outdoor sports during the Spring/Summer, but I'm waiting to hear if I can possibly get on a beach volleyball team for one day a week. Sand is harder to play in, but at least I'll get a little sun. I like to look more tan than ghost-like.

As it turns out, the kids and I will be in Michigan for quite a few days on and off this Summer. Nick, my eldest son, would just like to stay for three months with my parents. It ain't a-happenin'! It's bad enough, or good enough - however you'd like to look at it, that the kids will be there for two weeks straight WITHOUT me! I'm looking forward to some "me" time, but I'm a control freak when it comes to them and many other things, if you'd ask my dearly beloved Mother. I just like to know constantly that they're safe, and I won't have that luxury when they're there. Believe you me, I'll be calling at the very least EVERY day! You may be asking exactly what I'll be doing whilst the children are away...well, let me tell ya...a whole lot of whatever I WANT! I can't wait, but then again, I can.

Thanks for stopping in and taking the time to comment. Your thoughts are great appreciated!

Shawn

Believe it or not...I survived the island! I remain shocked as I tell you that I won the Survivor Contest over at the Scrapbook Chalet by a small margin of 22-20. I am now the proud owner of a Cricut die cutting system, as well as the Guest Designer for I believe April. I used a Becky Fleck sketch and photos that my great friend, Angelina took to create Week #10's layout. It was an ad challenge where the ad was comprised of 4 letters that were cropped photos. We had to draw our inspiration from the ad. It took me HOURS to figure out what I was going to do. I dreamt about it..I thought about it for days...I drew sketches and jotted down ideas. When I finally did the layout, the day it was due, my idea to crop letters out of a photo and place on the same exact photo creating a shadow effect just popped into my head. I really didn't want to use the letters as a title and not have the remaining pieces of the photo. It just wasn't large enough and I felt the rest of the photo was important. I was lucky enough to have some SEI So Girly patterned papers left from my Design Team projects over at ScrapNCircle that matched Kaila's jacket in the photos perfectly.

It was a thrilling contest filled with absolutely AMAZINGLY TALENTED women. I am honored to have been in the contest with them. I thank everyone who voted for my layout. It is greatly appreciated. Congrats to Amber and Didi who also won prizes with their creations! You ladies are AWESOME!

Scrapbook Chalet is getting ready to launch another great contest with the grand prize being a gift basket full of products worth $250! Be sure to check it out and enter soon!!! Just click on the link, go to the message board and look it up under Chalet Contests.

We're about a month away from taking our long-awaited trip to Texas. And when I say "We" I mean my Husband and I...just us :) You read it correctly! We are taking a litle 8 day vacation to visit friends in Texas. Chris is actually Charlie's best friend from high school. They were in each other's weddings. The first and last time we flew on a plane was in 1996 to go to Chris and Becky's wedding. So, it's been a while. Charlie's parents are nice enough to watch the children for the week we're away. I'm excited, but nervous about what may or may not happen on the plane. If I didn't have to fly I'd be ecstatic! I just don't want to take 24 hours to drive down there. We're planning on going to a bed and breakfast for the weekend we're down there with just the four of us. Chris and Becky have two children of their own. We're easily entertained and just are happy to see them and visit. We're all counting down the days, because we haven't seen each other since May 2000.

On the homefront, there is mud everywhere...not just outside. These children and husband of mine have tracked mud into the house on numerous occasions. I can't wait for the dry season. So, I not only have to deal with a trashed house, but mud all over too. Needless to say, it's a cleaning day today. I better get back at it!

See ya!

Shawn

ScrapNCircle SEI So Girly papers...

These papers and accessories were a dream to work with! I'm just thrilled at how fast I whipped these projects together. Ordinarily, I am a very slow scrapper, but with these products, ideas and inspiration just came to me! Just in case you can't tell, the clock has pictures of my husband feeding our children sour worms like little birds. It was a site to see, let me tell you! For a closer, more detailed view of these projects, just click on the image.

Please be sure to checkout the ScrapNCircle website to purchase all your SEI needs/wants!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Can you say, "AHHHHH?" That's my cyber-scream. I am fortunate enough to have made it into the final 2 for the Scrapbook Chalet Survivor Competition. I can not believe it! A big THANKS to EVERYONE that voted for my layout this week. I'm just stunned. For this past week's challenge we had to create a layout using a Pencil Lines sketch. The original sketch has a half of a heart, instead of an egg. We have, what I believe is, the toughest challenge yet for Tuesday. It's an ad inspiration. It's very cool, but I'm going to have to borrow a thinking cap to put on for this one. My husband is, of course, cheering me on emphatically. Yes, emphatically. Because, as some of you know, the grand prize is a CRICUT!!! Not to mention, the winner will be a Guest Designer for a month at the Chalet. The good news is I still win a $50 gift certificate to the Chalet's AWESOME store!!! I'm a winner either way.

Speaking of the Scrapbook Chalet, the new Creative Crew has started posting in the gallery for the Chalet's April Kit. And, can I just tell ya how amazing the designs are!!!!??? Those girls ROCK! So, if you have a minute, or two be sure to skip on over to the gallery to see what the new crew is cranking out!

Another great site to checkout for awesome products is ScrapNCircle. The Design Team's Reveal is today, so be sure and visit the gallery to see what we've come up with this month using SEI Girly papers. I love working with SEI, especially the girly stuff. I have so much more to create! Awesome, awesome line of paper, stickers, buttons, brads...you name it! Get over to the Shoppe before it's all gone!

Lastly, but certainly not without merit, is my darling Mother's extreme weight loss. Can I just say that she has been an inspiration to me in the last several months as I've tried and tried to stick to some sort of diet to lose my personal spare tire? Who ordered that tire anyway? Obviously it doesn't have a return policy. - LOL! Anyway, she has managed to lose 47 pounds since August 2006. She's a bean pole! She's actually thinner now than in this after photo that I'm posting. She's on the Michael Thurmond's 6-Week Body Makeover. She eats 5 small meals a day and then an evening snack, if she so desires. Oh, and let's not forget she exercises everyday for about 45 minutes (walking). She did the body blueprinting for her body type and sticks to the "allowed" foods. She's boosted her metabolism and can go on little binges with little effect, but she tries to refrain from hindering her progress further into the world of slenderness. If you haven't guessed, I am currently trying to do the same program that she's been doing to help boost my metabolism and lose that nasty "tire" I spoke of earlier. Thanks, Mom!

That's it for now. I've got to clean, because and this isn't the ONLY reason, I'll be watching/guarding/protecting a total of 8 kids tomorrow! That's no typo, Folks! That's a big whopping 8!!! Wish me luck!


Shawn

Looky! Looky! My darling friend, Angelina, took these awesome photos of my daughter. Thanks, Girl! You so made my day!

Here's another creation using the Scrapbook Chalet's March 2007 Cherry Arte Kit. It was a blast to work with! If you'd like to see more, you can either visit the gallery, or scroll down to see what I did with the Junkitz Tin Box add on.


I am in the process of cleaning, laundry, baking bread and organizing my scraproom. You know, there isn't enough time in a regular day and the fact that we lost an hour today just doesn't help! Oh, and let's not forget that I'm trying to get the kids to actually help clean-up THEIR stuff! Yeah...not going so well. We're going to be disposing of a lot of items, I can tell ya that right now! I'm sooooo in THAT kind of a mood!


I can smell SPRING! I can see the mud! I can see the sun! It's gonna be great to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine (minus the mud)! I'm ready!


Volleyball on Mondays and Thursdays is coming to a close. I have no more than two weeks of Thursday and approximately 5 weeks of Mondays. I'm going to miss it, but I'll be happy to have those nights free to work on other things. It will be here again before you know it anyway.


That's about it for today.


Thanks for stopping by!


Shawn

I made it to The Final THREE at the Scrapbook Chalet Survivor Contest!!! I am so shocked and excited! Congrats to DidiR and Hardcorescrapper as well! I had to scraplift a layout done by Carla. "Piggies in the SAND" is my lift of her "Hugs and Kisses." I am absolutely thrilled and look forward to the next challenge, which is using a sketch from Pencil Lines. If you like sketches, especially with examples, go checkout that awesome site!

Now, I must go and prepare for Stamp Club and scrapping at my friend, Lori's house tonight.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Book of Me - these are my final entries into the book from the challenges presented at ScrapNCircle. I had a lot of fun completing them and getting out those old photos. Wow! You forget how old you're getting when you look at photos from high school. It's been 15 years for me since graduating. I can hardly believe that.

Just so you know, you can also purchase Bazzill cardstock over at ScrapNCircle for $.40 per sheet! Yes! I just received a bunch that I had ordered. So, so pretty! Ya just gotta love that stuff!

Jodie K. won the March Guess Designer Spot and is doing a great job on the message board and in the gallery! She has a challenge going on right now for leaving love in the gallery. Also, ScrapNCircle has the May Guess Designer Spot up for grabs. Be sure get over there and check it out!

The Scrapbook Chalet just posted some challenges for March. Hurry up and go sign up! It started this past weekend, so there's still time to jump right in! You HAVE to go checkout the gallery! It ROCKS!!!!

Well, I've jumped on the weightloss bandwagon again. As I'm sure I mentioned, DH and I are taking a trip to Texas in April and I need to shed some of these pounds. We are flying and don't want to be the target of "dumping" excess baggage - LOL! I even worked out today! The heck you say...no REALLY! I was dripping sweat and everything! Anyway, we're pushing like 55 days until we leave, so I needed to get hopping.

Blake has his full speech evaluation tomorrow. He had "passed" the previous evaluation, but I pretty much said that she hadn't really gotten the full effect of his problem. So, tomorrow they're going to really "test" him. I'm not anxious or anything, I just want him to get the help he more than likely needs. He starts Kindergarten this September. I mean, catch a clue, People!

I have volleyball tonight and am, of course, taking the three kids with me. It's actually working out well. They behave almost perfectly and DH still gets to go shoot his bow. So, it's not considered a night where he's watching the kids. I feel less guilty about going to volleyball on Thursdays now. We have about three weeks left of Thursdays, so that will be over soon. I need that, there exercise!!!

That's all for now. I have to do my job as President/CEO of our little ebay business now. It's my "other" job.

See ya and THANKS for stopping by!

Shawn