When Valgal Sits Down

2009-11-16T11:17:00.004-05:00

This is my last post to this blog... whaa! I'm moving my blog to a new home for functional reasons. Please visit and bookmark the new site!

New Quiet Place

2009-11-12T21:46:00.008-05:00

I'm so happy to have discovered a nice, new quiet place this week.

It's by the water and very peaceful. Away from people, but not scary-wild-man-in-the-woods-secluded. Today I took honey & nutmeg coffee and a crisp apple with me.

I meditated today on boldness.

Just one problem... these friggin' evil birds.

My Special Hat by Eden Fowler

2009-11-10T10:50:00.004-05:00

Eden's class recently did a writing project where they were to write about an object that is very special to them. They were to write very detailed descriptions. Eden's was very detailed, just not about the hat. Most of the kids had about 4-5 sentences (I know because I was in there helping one day). Hers was 3 pages.

My Special Hat (spelling corrected by mom)

My special hat makes me feel like a taxi driver. It is so special. Here, I'll tell you the story.

Ring! Ring! It's time to get up! It's the big day! I got up and walked downstairs. Everybody was downstairs. They were all sitting downstairs on the couch and chair. My dad and brother were already dressed, but mom was not. I sat with my mom on the chair. I said, "We're going to Colorado today!" I said, "I am very excited." Soon we packed the rest up in the suitcase. Then me and my mom got dressed. We got our shoes on and drove to the airport. We got in line for the flight. We got through the important stuff and security and we headed for the airplane. We got in the airplane and we buckled in for the flight to Colorado. And we went in the air to Colorado. It took about three hours to get to the other airport and we got out of the airplane. We walked to the airport. We went to the bathroom and came out and walked to where the bus is and we drove to where we rent your car. And we got a Hummer. A Hummer is kind of like a truck. So you get the idea? "It is so cool, mom." I said.

We are visiting our aunt and uncle and cousins. We drove to their friend's house. It was their birthday. After the birthday party we went to their house. I slept in my cousins room, Hannah. She is very nice. She was three years old and she had curly hair. She loves to play. We went to the zoo and we went camping together.

I have a cousin named Tyler and Hannah and an aunt named Aunt Becky and uncle named Jason.

We went to the mall. I got some stuff like a wallet, glasses and, most importantly, my special hat! (I did not have the hat yet.) I bought the hat, then we went back to their house. Soon, it was time to go back home. We flew home and said, "Hi" to our things. And that is the story.

How to Rake Leaves

2009-11-09T09:51:00.011-05:00

Gather shovel (and the more appropriate choice, a rake)

Start with great enthusiasm.

Allow reality of job to sink in.

Watch in amazement as Dad quadriples the effeciency of 3 rakes with 1 leaf blower.

Romp and play.

Lay still as Dad buries.

Leave forlorn dog in the backyard.

Fall Quiet Times

2009-10-28T13:58:00.020-04:00

Today I went to my favorite place for quiet times in the fall. I sat on a damp bench under the trees while golden leaves fell all around me and was still, just knowing he is God.

My toes got really cold because I insist on still wearing flip flops. I read until my fingers got tingly. My jeans were wet from the rain-soaked ground.

I went to Target.

Back To School Cupcakes!

2009-09-08T13:34:00.005-04:00

Back to school party happening soon! This Who's In School kit by Penny Springmann is so fun. It's a classic school set with lots of untraditional pieces and papers. I am quite sure I'll be using it a lot the next couple weeks, lol!

Sweet Shoppe From Our Blog 2 Yours

2009-08-24T11:00:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite summer photos is of Natalie hugging London during Eden's birthday party. I just love the green grass, her shimmery hair and summer dress.

From Our Blog to Yours

2009-08-14T09:42:00.002-04:00

I have no idea what's cool or popular in music right now because I'm totally out of tune with the music scene (like my pun?). I just listen to what I like, so this is what I've got for ya ;)

Crazier by Taylor Swift
Somewhere in the Middle by Casting Crowns

From Our Blog to Yours

2009-08-11T15:12:00.001-04:00

http://sweetshoppedesigns.com/blog/?p=1879

Brace yourselves... the Monroe Co. Fair Parade

Proof that I've forgotten about my blog

2009-07-28T09:59:00.003-04:00

Today I was over at Shannon's blog looking at archives of her Works for Me Wednesday's for summer activites for kids. One of the links was 'punishment essays' by a blogger named Val. I thought to myself, "What kind of a mother would think punishing her kid is a summer activity??? Hey, her name is the same as mine. I'm going to check her out."

I was brought to this blog.

Facebook has killed the blogging stars.

From Our Blog to Yours

2009-03-28T19:47:00.001-04:00

You Are Facebook

You are social, outgoing, and excited to connect to your friends.

You are interested in your friends' lives, and you enjoy adding your opinion to the mix.

While you enjoy sharing online, you don't want everyone to know your business.

You value your privacy. Your life is an open book to those you know but not to strangers.

Are You Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter?

Hello Kitty Cookies

2009-03-23T12:13:00.001-04:00

Hello Kitty Cookies
Originally uploaded by sushi♥ina

The little girl inside is going nuts.

From Our Blog to Yours

2009-03-21T21:48:00.000-04:00

Umm, yeah, whatever. I ain't buyin' it.

You Are Chocolate

You are dramatic, charming, and downright addicting.

You have a strong personality, and and people are drawn to your fabulousness.

You are stimulating and exciting. It's hard to get tired of you.

You are incredibly likable and popular. You live a glorious life.

Are You Chocolate or Vanilla?

Progress!

2009-03-19T16:06:00.002-04:00

It's actually happening!

This will soon be a dark, chocolate brown. Floors are being stripped and sanded. Hardwear on all our cabinets stripped... finally getting pretty!

Sweet Shoppe From Our Blog 2 Yours 3/12

2009-03-19T08:40:00.002-04:00

My favorite Girl Scout cookie? Mmm... this year we did not sell cookies because we aren't participating at all. Gynmastics 2x a week is enough after-school activity for one 6-year-old. My favorite has been the Lemonades, but alas, they are no longer making them. It's a crime! Beginning this year the lemon variation is the Lemon Chalet Cremes. I've yet to try them, but there is no way, NO WAY, that they are better than the Lemonades. What is this world coming to?

5th Grade Spelling

2009-03-19T08:34:00.001-04:00

Ok, so when exactly does spelling improve? This came home in Johnny's report card.

Do I need an excuse...

2009-03-08T12:46:00.003-04:00

to make this fantabulous cake? An un-birthday party perhaps?

From Our Blog to Yours

2009-03-06T14:17:00.000-05:00

SSD Blog Challenge :)

Your Daisies Say You're Very Resilient

You have a spirt of pure optimism. Your view of the world is eternally cheerful.

You are bold and vibrant. Incredibly striking, you always stand out in a crowd.

You are adaptable and flexible. You can thrive in almost any situation.

You are often under estimated. Your critics and enemies are in for a surprise.

What Do The Flowers You Pick Say About You?

Sweet Shoppe From Our Blog 2 Yours

2009-02-19T08:21:00.004-05:00

I do not agree with one, single part of this, lol! I do, however, find the emotion parts interesting because it is something I have been pondering on this last month.

You Are a Chief

You are a cohesive force - able to bring many people together for a common cause.

You tend to excel in work situations, but you also facilitate a lot of social gatherings too.

Beyond being a good leader, you are good at inspiring others.

You also keep your powerful emotions in check - you know when to emote and when to repress.

Your strength: Emotional maturity beyond your years

Your weakness: Wearing yourself down with too many responsibilities

Your power color: Crimson red

Your power symbol: Snowflake

Your power month: September

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Well whatdaya know?

2009-02-16T22:23:00.003-05:00

I was just thinking this week, "I miss blogging." I have nothing spectacular to say, I just miss chattering away about nothing. I was getting ready to post such a thing when I got an a note from Today's Mama that they're going to feature one of my posts in their February Posts of Note article. Fun! So now I will get back to actually posting to my blog ;)

(And BOY do I ever need to update my header)

Holy snow storm!

2008-12-19T09:46:00.002-05:00

We're in the middle of a crazy storm... a lasagna that goes like this: ice, snow, ice. Kids and John are home. Johnny is using his logic by sitting inside and watching TV. Eden is out playing in the hail/rain/sleet/snow.

She is ingeniously holding a shovel over her head because hail started falling... bouncing off of the ice crusted snow.

Christmas Memories

2008-12-18T08:49:00.003-05:00

I have been torturing myself by shuffling through old Christmas photos this week. I get so weepy seeing how young my kids (heck, and John and myself as well) were and how much they've changed. Life is so different! I've forgotten how consuming they were as little kids, what a busy mommy I was. Everytime I look at these photos I say to whoever is around, "Oh! I remember this Christmas. Eden was just learning to sit on her own." or "This was the last year we were able to have a real tree." So it got me thinking... I have got to write all these little things down before they completely are forgotten. I'm pulling up those photos now and scrapping them. It was really easy till 2002, our pre-digi cam days. Had to dig through the closet and find actual, paper photos and scan them in. Maybe I'll end up printing a Shutterfly book for these. I'll try to do 10 years worth of Christmas's, starting with me and John's first Christmas in 1997.

2008-11-26T08:57:00.003-05:00

I decided to go a little non-traditional this year with the Christmas card. A couple of months ago our amazing Holly spoke out Revelation 1:12-16 during Sunday worship. I had read the passage before, but it never really got into my head till she read it that day. It is an incredible description of Jesus. I turn to it now and read it often. I picture those blazing eyes and I want to crumble.

And now it's nearing Christmas, and every picture I will see of Jesus for the next month will be of him wrapped up in blankets and snug inside a feeding trough. These are fine images, don't misunderstand me, but I think America too often dwells on JUST that image of him... of him being quiet and serene and helpless... and cute (though I'm sure he was. I have only seen a handful of UN-cute babies, so the odds are in his favor.) With all our concentration these days of Jesus being active and moving, it reminds me that He didn't just come to earth as a chubby little baby to take cool gifts from strangers.

HE CAME TO EARTH

He came in the form of an infant, though he is wild and untame and powerful and fierce and pure and amazing and beyond anything that I can imagine is beautiful. The night of our dear savior's birth... and of the Mighty lion of Judah's.

"I turned around to see the voice that wasspeaking to me.. . . he was dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a goldensash around his chest. His head and hair werewhite like wool, as white as snow, and his eyeswere like a blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice waslike the sound of rushing waters. In his righthand he held seven stars and out of his mouth came a sharp, double-edged sword. Hisface was like the sun shining in all its brilliance."

Well, it could get interesting when my family receives these cards.

Weird

2008-11-15T09:56:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted to the ol' blog-erino in ages, but this is so weird I knew I had to post it as soon as I heard it.

While playing Uno with the kids I made a comment about the red cards

Me: The red cards remind me of tomato soup.
Johnny: They remind me of tomato soup too.
Eden: They remind me of the blood of Christ.

New Bag

2008-10-21T16:08:00.002-04:00

I liked making this one a lot. The front has two pockets for all the papers that always get stuffed to the bottom of my purse. That pink plaid is to die for. Had a little trouble with getting the straps attached to those rings. Will have to work on that technique a little more. But I loooove the pom poms and ric rac. Yummy!

Numero 11

2008-10-11T10:44:00.001-04:00

Tutorial Tuesday!

2008-09-30T13:37:00.000-04:00

Tilt-a-Whirl

Johnny's Life on Paper

2008-09-29T08:43:00.002-04:00

I'm not sure how well these scans will appear, but I just had to try to share this school assignment Johnny has worked on. The pictures are SO funny. The project was to create a timeline that started from his birth to present and to document 10 significant things that have happened throughout his life.

Here are his 10 things

Sept. 23, 1998. I was born
2001. I first get on the computer
December 2001. I bought my first pet, a goldfish
July 2001. We moved into our first house
January 2002. I played my first video game
July 2002. My sister was born.
2002. I bought my first Bionicle
2004. I learned how to ride a bike
June 2004. I lost my first tooth
June 2007. My first rollercoaster ride

Try to see these pictures. They are cracking me up. (Oh, and he got an A. Of course.)

New from Heather Roselli!

2008-09-27T09:33:00.002-04:00

Ok, this is SO fun for me because I take a rediculous amout of pictures of my dogs (esp. the cute one).

Dog Gone Cute

LOL O' the Day - Sunday

2008-09-21T09:15:00.001-04:00

LOL O' the Day - Saturday

2008-09-20T09:08:00.001-04:00

A well-placed note from Johnny

LOL O' the Day - Friday

2008-09-19T08:58:00.000-04:00

Another joke that I'm telling everyone with 1/2 an ear and that my 9 year-old told me...

Why did the rock band hire a chicken?

Because they needed drumsticks.

Thank you. I'm here all night.

LOL O' the Day - Thursday

2008-09-18T08:55:00.002-04:00

Because my life is SO hard right now...

LOL O' the Day - Wednesday

2008-09-17T08:45:00.001-04:00

I have set up a DVR series recording for Body in Numbers to use as an educational tool masked as a TV show for the kids. First one we watched was really good and talked about the human body from birth to age 10. After it was over there was a blurb announcing what the next episode would be, which will cover age 10 to middle age. And what do they blurt out? "How much sex will we have?" John and I stare at each other, our so wide they start to dry out. Eden pipes up with her all-knowing ton of voice,

"You know what THAT means Johnny..."

eyes wider... dryness is definitely an issue at this point...

"LOTS of kissing."

hands over mouth... racing to the kitchen to laugh.

Mental note: view show BEFORE plopping kids in front of 'educational' TV.

LOL O' the Day - Tuesday

2008-09-16T08:43:00.006-04:00

Actual science fair project... Barbie Doll Electric Chair

Also, it is Tutorial Tuesday on Heather Roselli's Team Blog.

LOL O' the Day - Monday

2008-09-15T08:37:00.004-04:00

I have decided to post something that I find very funny everyday this week. I love to laugh. I think it's important and I think I probably laugh more than most people... and too loud. I have suspected for a long time that it annoys people. (I'm also at a loss on what to post these days.)

My new favorite joke..

What did the farmer do at the candy factory?

Milk chocolates.

New Tutorial Tuesday is up!

2008-09-09T16:38:00.002-04:00

This week's tutorial is up at ready on Heather Roselli's Team Blog. This week diffuse glow is being discussed.

Ohmyfreakinggosh she did it again.

2008-09-02T15:12:00.003-04:00

A couple years ago Eden put the fan of a toy sucker too close to her head at Blockbuster, got her hair tangled up in it and I had to ask for a pair of scissors to cut it out. If you're in my family you probably remember this. I was able to see the humor in it pretty quickly.

THIS, however, is utterly ridiculous. Same story, different tangling device. She found this remote control car in the basement, took it apart and was fascinated by the moving parts inside. She leans in to listen to it.

I'm on my way out the door for the kid's cross-country practice and I hear her from upstairs, "Uh, mom. Emergency!"

I'm beginning to be a pro at this!

Also, I'm starting a series of tutorials on Heather Roselli's blog. A new one is up today and since I'm calling it Tutorial Tuesday you can wisely assume that another one will be available next Tuesday. There was another one posted last Tuesday if you scroll down a bit.

Spray 'n Wash vs's Photoshop

2008-08-28T09:45:00.002-04:00

Last week I pulled out coordinating clothes for the kids to take them down to a historic, civil war homestead that's by the river. It has a bridge and tree stumps and is a popular place to take portraits. I don't do a good job of keeping up the laundry, so it took me awhile to find outfits that would match. After I got Eden dressed I, against my better judgement, let her take a RED popsicle outside. Yup. Don't need to go any further, do I. She came in with a nice red splash on her white shirt. ARGH! Can only blame myself.

"Well," I tell her, "I'll just clone it out."
"What's clone?"
"Permanent stain-remover."

Who Were You in High School

2008-08-28T09:39:00.001-04:00

Seriously, who comes up with these quizzes? This is totally wrong.

You Were the Arty Kid

Whether you were a drama freak or an emo poet, you definitely were expressive and unique.

You're probably a little less weird these days - but even more talented!

Who Were You In High School?

Show Me Happy

2008-08-22T16:37:00.002-04:00

This SSD blog challenge is so show a layout that makes you happy, and this one is definately it. I made this for the 2007 MMM contest and so I put a lot of work and heart into it. Seeing all those baby photos paired with her big girl photo just melts me!

See?

2008-08-18T23:56:00.000-04:00

I knew I didn't have an accent.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
Philadelphia
The South
The Inland North
The West
The Northeast
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Are you ready to rock?

2008-08-15T18:59:00.002-04:00

***

Good luck, Johnny!

Grease, it's the word

2008-08-10T08:23:00.002-04:00

Little quizzie for my Sweet Shoppe point :) I somehow answered 11 out of 15 Grease trivia questions correctly.

How about you?

Trying again...

2008-08-09T09:13:00.002-04:00

Long story short... Eden had her ears pierced when she was four and through a series of following circumstances they grew over. A year later she started asking to have them redone. After another year I decided that at six years of age she is now mature enough.

Well darn it all. The embeded video isn't working. Try this link.

Couch to 5K week 2

2008-08-06T09:53:00.005-04:00

I've decided to grab onto the tail-end of the Couch to 5K bandwagon and give it a whirl. A lot of my Biggest Loser girls have worked on this, but I never had any desire to try. I've been trying to break out of my comfort zone, though, so I'm going to do it. Of course, I know myself well enough to make this statement... I hope I stick with it.

Couch to 5K is a running program that trains you over a series of 9 weeks to run a 5K (three miles), by following a schedule of intervals which increase each week. Robert Ullrey has created a set of podcasts to guide you through each session, so you're not having to watch the clock or your watch to get the walking/running times correct. They're free.

I had trouble downloading week 1 for some reason, so I'm starting with week 2. It was really easy for me, so I don't think I need week 1 anyway. It was 2 minutes of walking, 90 seconds of running. 6 sets of this. Piece of cake. Unfortunately I had to pee really bad. Nothing like trying to jog with what feels like an over-inflated water balloon inside. Note to self: hit the bathroom BEFORE hitting the treadmill.

Get your tissues ready...

2008-07-28T20:56:00.003-04:00

Even if you've already seen this, you'll be reaching for that Kleenex box again...

Lion Reunion

Sweet Shoppe From Our Blog 2 Yours

2008-07-27T08:41:00.001-04:00

What kind of music are you?

You Are Classical Music

You are a somewhat serious person who enjoys studying subjects deeply.

Art of all kinds interests you, and a good piece of art can really effect you emotionally.

You are inspired by human achievement, and you appreciate work that takes years to accomplish.

For you, the finer things in life are not about snobbery - they're about quality.

What Kind of Music Are You?

Well, I totally disagree with this, but it earns me my Sweet Shoppe point, so who cares? LOL!

I LOVE having a babysitter...

2008-07-11T09:37:00.006-04:00

Besides having a few hours away from the drama of parenting, I get to come home and find this...

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=65b409e9dd85f581b58f92&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

Aww! It's cracking me up to see so many pics of London sporting the hideous haircut that Petsmart gave her, and Maggie sporting the absense of a haircut. They are just about as opposite from one another as our kids are. You know, as much as I complain about all the work they create for me, I really adore these canine monsters. They worship the ground I walk on (can't possibly complain about that) and when the kids are in school they keep me company. I love walking them. When I lay down on the floor Maggie RACES races over to me and flops her whole body down on mine. (I push her off and she is then happy to lay just her muzzle on my calf. Reminds me of the woman in the bible who reaches through the crowd to touch just the hem of Jesus's garment.) London tries to appear that she could care less, but eventually wanders over and curls up in the crook my legs and tummy make.

Now, if only I could stop the little one from digging in the backyard and the big one from slathering my hand in her slobber when I pet her.

Six (going on sixteen)

2008-07-06T15:21:00.003-04:00

My baby is six! Geez, Louise. Every 4th of July I get all nostalgic and stuff thinking about the year she was born, because I labored all day on (everyone together...) the 4th of July. I remember just about every hour of the day. It was so sweet. I insisted on staying home until the last minute... sitting on the porch steps, contracting while watching fire crackers and saying to Johnny every 5 to 6 minutes, "Don't touch me. Don't touch me. DON'T TOUCH ME!" LOL! Ahh... such a fun day. Went to the hospital about midnight and had to wait till 3:00 for my epi because the anesthesiologist had been at a holiday function. And then the next morning, July 5th, our own little fire cracker was born :)

I decided to let her have a slumber party because it would be easier than our traditional parties. Uh... not so sure about that anymore.

The reason for this photo is probably self-explanitory. She received a Hannah Montana Barbie from us and was so enamored with that hairstyle that she wanted me to copy it. I'm not even good with my own hair, so being able to pull this off pleased me quite nicely. (That's the Barbie over her left shoulder.)

New from Scrap Kitchen Designs & Mandabean!

2008-07-01T08:20:00.004-04:00

If you think you have no use for this kit because you don't have dinosaur pictures, you need to rethink. This is friggin' adorable! Lots of pretty elements, many you can use for summer pages and the color scheme is so pretty.

It's a Beautiful Day in the Dinohood by Scrap Kitchen Designs and Mandabean is available at Sweet Shoppe Designs!

New from Heather Roselli!

2008-06-28T14:46:00.003-04:00

New play stuff!

I think this might be a kit that was previously sold at The Digi Chick, but I've never used it and it was pretty darn fun! We have a BBQ to go to on the 4th and I'll be able to use this to scrap the many photos I'll take of the kids with their cousins.

Freedom Rocks

This one is a collab between Heather and Amanda Heimann and I'm not just saying this to pimp the kit... it's rockin' awesome! I had so much fun with the just the few pieces I used. This is a MUST buy. That's an order.

Tiki Tiki Boom Boom

Gratituesday

2008-06-24T09:58:00.002-04:00

Today I am grateful for an atypical Michigan summer. The last 3 days have been the kind where the AC is turned off and the windows are open. Instead of the air reciruculating the oder of pets and food and laundry, I'm getting the fresh scent of cut grass. Instead of the rush of the AC blasting I'm hearing lawn mowers and barking dogs and kids playing. I don't feel cooped up and I don't feel like I'm breathing water when I step outside. It's all so good :)

*For more Gratituesday blogs, click here!*

Summer Pond by Heather Roselli

2008-06-22T20:42:00.004-04:00

Brand new from Heather Roselli Designs... Summer Pond. Heather stepped a bit out of her comfort zone for this one, and the result is really lovely. Now that I've pulled it out and played with it a bit, I can see all kinds of potential for the photos I take this time of year. You'll be seeing me use this one a lot.

Summer Pond is available at The Sweet Shoppe

This photo is from my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary picinc last weekend (I know, mom, I need to send you photos). 60 years. I told John that I can't even imagine BEING 60, much less being married for that long, lol!

Works For Me Wednesday - How to Say NO

2008-06-11T09:20:00.000-04:00

I have a wonderful tip today... how to say 'no'. I realize it's not an original idea, but I've been working on it for awhile and I think I've nearly perfected it.

Here's now it works:

First, you wil need to practice at home. You never know when you'll need this skill and you need to be able to react quickly.
The word 'no' consists of two sounds... N as is 'nnnnnnever again will I try to wax my own eyebrows' and O as in 'ooooooopen the door for me there are some Jehova's Witnesses on the porch.'
Now, say those two sounds... 'n' and 'o'. Very good. Say them again. Doing well. Now, here comes the tricky part. Say them a little more quicky and slur them together. 'nnnooo'. VERY GOOD! You're on your way to being a No Pro.

If you practice this technique daily, you'll be better than me in no time at all. I thought I had this method down-pat, but I was wrong-o. I was close, though. I tried to say 'no' but didn't get it quite right and ended up committing myself to doing something that I had no desire whatsoever to do. But I wasn't ready to give up! I called my attacker back and used the 'no' technique on her. It worked! I was glowing with pride. My attacker must've been equally impressed because she reacted in a surprisingly posotive manner.

After that I was pumped up! I called another woman who had lured me into submission earlier in the week. I was ready to say 'no'! However, her line was busy and I lost my nerve and never called back. I apparently need a little more practice.

Try this! It works! Amaze your friends and simlify your life with my easy to master 'no' technique.

For more Works For Me Wednesday blogs, click here!

Gratituesday... summer storms

2008-06-10T06:00:00.002-04:00

We've had a couple of really crazy storms the last two days. I LOVE SUMMER! There isn't anything much more exciting than an approaching summer storm... and maybe even a tornado. Well, ok, I wouldn't REALLY want a tornado where someone was hurt or major damage was done, but it's always such a thrill to hear of a funnel being spotted and venturing out after it's passed to find trees knocked down. I know, I know, it's sick.

Here's one from yesterday and I swear on my life that I did not doctor this photo up one bit. This is straight off my camera.

I also just drove through another one with the kids. John called my friends house, where we were hanging out, to suggest that I scurry on home because of a tornado watch. I'm glad I did, because as we headed out to the van I realized that the sky was green and black and the thunder was starting to rumble. OOooo... the thrill of it all! BUT, I will also make it quite clear that I am very, very, very grateful that I have a strong, safe place of shelter.

For more Gratituesday blogs click here!

On another note... today is the last day of school for the kids. I woke them up by jumping on their beds and crying out, "Last day of school! Last day of school!" For some unknown reason they were not thrilled with this. Kill joys.

Now, the older I become, the more and more schedule oriented I become. So I'm a wee bit sad about giving up my morning routine, which goes like this:

Up at 6:00 for quiet/bible time
Kids up at 6:55
Breakfast for kids, rotate laundry
Lay out clothes, pack bookbags, sign papers, lay out shoes
Declutter downstairs, vacuum, fold laundry
Out to the bus stop at 7:50
Coffee with neighbors
Computer and coffee time

So I have this little nagging fear that my new morning schedule will go something like this:

Up at 6:00 for quiet/bible time
Computer and coffee
Computer and coffee
Kids up and in front of cartoons
Breakfast for kids
Computer and coffee

This is a real weak spot for me. I don't think I sit here because I'm 'lazy'... I just love being here! I love connecting with my friends and being creative with Photoshop and organizing things. BUT... I will work on this!

I told Johnny ahead of time that he WILL cooperate picture-wise this morning.

This has been an awesome year. My kids have done SO well. Johnny is a 4th grade graduate and Eden an kindergartner one. I'm so proud!

*Yes, it's raining this morning so I had to use the dreaded flash. GAH!

If you have a boy...

2008-06-09T11:35:00.002-04:00

or know one, or have a sick sense of humor...

Death of Three Chocolate Bunnies

*Edited to add: I think my son piddled a bit when he saw this

Mischief & Mayhem

2008-06-07T06:00:00.002-04:00

New from Heather Roselli... Mischief & Mayhem. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!

The kit...

Or the album...

Of course, had to scrap my trouble-making dog. Two times in 5 minutes she escaped the backyard and ran across the street (could possibly have something to do with me leaving the gate open). The second time she shoved her nose into the gate of a huge lab that lives over there and got bit. Despite the blood, I have no reason to believe that she won't head straight over there the next time she gets out (cause you know it will happen.) She still shreds tissues and stalks the cat and chews my hairbrush and flip flops.

Also, my current obsession...

Scrap Kitchen Designs Product Spotlight

2008-06-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

This is my current favorite kit. It was released several weeks ago, but I'm still excited about it, lol! Barefoot In the Grass is a collab between Scrap Kitchen and Gina Miller Designs and they make one dynamic duo.

Barefoot In the Grass is available at Sweet Shoppe Designs.

Here's an example of how I've used it...

Check out more Barefoot inspriation at the Sous-Chef Blog.

Works For Me Wednesday... Punishment Essays

2008-06-04T06:00:00.004-04:00

My parents would occasionally dole out punishments in the form of essays and I'm starting to figure out why. It's SUPPOSED to be for the reason of making your kids think through their actions and really dwell on their stupidity... but the BEST part is the funny things they say and that you have it recorded on paper FOREVER. Oh yes... it's a beautiful thing.

Johnny NEVER remembers to brush his teeth when he spends the night at his buddy's house. It just drives me nuts. We've gone over and over it. I'm a very picky, annoying mother when it comes to dental care. Every night I'm all, "Brush your teeth REALLY GOOD." One night I got out the "brush your teeth..." part and Johnny interjected with, "I know, I know... REALLY GOOD." So anyway, he once again 'forgot' (ie. chose not to) brush his teeth during a sleep-over and I made him sit down and write an essay. Here are the questions that I wanted him to answer, and his response. Oh, I love being a parent.

What happens when you don't brush your teeth? If I don't, they will gather plack. And plack isn't good for teeth. And then I have to go to the dentist more often.
Why did you not brush your teeth? I didn't do it because we were making a Lego video.
Why is it important to obey? It is important to obey because I could get hurt.
How will you remember to brush your teeth next time? I will remember next time by putting a note on my pajamas or something. Put something on my underwear and not take it off until I brush my teeth.
What should I do if you do not brush your teeth next time? If I forget again, you should make me do this again.

Re:#4... one of his original answers was "And I will tell Max's mom to remind me." Uh.. no way, pal. The whole point here is that this is YOUR responsibility, not someone else's.

Re:#5... make him write this again? Yeah, right. I'm uppin' the ante next time. But nice try!

And yes, this approach DID have a posotive outcome. So, it works for me.

Check out more Works For Me blogs.

Gratituesday

2008-06-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

The simple things that make life my life easier/better in superficial way...

allergy medicine
programable coffee maker
coffee
Swiffers
detangling (hair) spray
DVR
skillet meals
this crazy little thing called email
digital photos
air conditioning
automatic van doors
dishwasher
dogs who lick up spills
drive-thru pharmacy
microwave
kids who shower/bathe on their own

And that's it. Nothing deep or thought-provoking. Just me being grateful for little things.

Check out more Gratituesday blogs :)

This is why we have pets...

2008-05-31T23:13:00.000-04:00

The set up...

The Fowler's are easily entertained...

and it just never seems to get old...

I swear I have a son...

2008-05-15T12:00:00.000-04:00

I felt the need to make this disclaimer... I do not love my daughter and dog more than my son. My stubborn, irritating 9-year-old child will NOT let me take his photo anymore. I did get a couple shots the other day by telling him it was his payment for me doing another favor for him. Eden, on the other hand, is always ready to pose for a shot. And London is just downright cute (Maggie makes my camera whine in misery).

Therefore, this is why 80% of my scrapbook pages these days are about my daughter and my dog. Someday my son will pout and point this out to his therapist, at which point I will have to restrain myself from smacking him with my cane.

And totally not scrapbook related, this image is totally cracking me up.

Works For Me Wednesday

2008-05-14T11:00:00.000-04:00

(lookit me being all house-wifey and stuff)

I have finally learned to cut my grocery shopping time in half. This isn't brainiac type stuff here... just one of those 'duh' things that struck me one day.

About 4 or so months ago I started jotting down the aisle number next to each item as I crossed it off my shopping list. Mayo, #13. Frozen breakfasts, #2. And so on and so forth. After I had most of them recorded I typed up a simple Word doc. with the aisle numbers and the items in each one. Then (now this is where it get's REALLY geeky and fun) I created an Excel worksheet to map out my entire trip in aisle number order. Start with the fruits, then veggies, deli, bread, aisle #1, 2, 3 and so on. I jot my list down on a piece of paper, then plug them into my Excel sheet, print and off I go. The first time I shopped using this method it took me only 20 minutes to pick up 50 items. Sweet! It has taken some time to tweak and perfect, but it's really worth it. Also, I can send John to the store for me and he knows exactly where to find everything. None of this, "I couldn't find the artichokes" business.

Gratituesday

2008-05-13T12:13:00.000-04:00

Right now I am SO grateful for simple "toys". More and more often I find myself saying, "See? This is why we don't need to buy our kids toys." In the last month this is how Eden has been occupying her time... filling her old Easter bucket with dirt and carting it around outside, "planting" (and I use that term loosely) in the front flower beds and flinging rocks into puddles to see how big of a splash she can make. In Scouts last week her troop made "bug habitats". They were given plastic cups to prepare for their bugs, which they filled with dirt, grass, water and whatnot. Then they went on a quest for bugs. Johnny was with me and joined in with the girls who collectively unearthed 100 worms. Yes, 100. After dinner Eden continued to look for bugs to put in her cup. On Saturday both of them made a game of stacking the couch pillows in various forms and then racing across the house, jumping over said pillows and landing on the sofa. This went on for at least 30 minutes.

We truely do not need to provide them with 1/2 of the store-bought items we have in the past.

*Want to read what other women are grateful for? Click here for a good time.*

What Does Your Latte Say About You

2008-05-10T18:36:00.000-04:00

I really can't say that I agree with 90% of this one, but I still get my Sweet Rewards point, so why argue?

What Your Latte Says About You

You are very decadent in all aspects of your life. You never scale back, and you always live large.

You can be quite silly at times, but you know when to buckle down and be serious.

You have a good deal of energy, but you pace yourself. You never burn out too fast.

You're addicted to caffeine. There's no denying it.

You are responsible, mature, and truly an adult. You're occasionally playful, but you find it hard to be carefree.

You are sophisticated and daring, but you are never snobby.

What Does Your Latte Say About You?

How DID we end up together?

2008-05-09T00:46:00.000-04:00

Remember the silly personality quiz? Turns out it's really quite accurate, in a creepy sort of way. So John takes the quiz and confirms that there is no way that we should still be married (with all body parts intact).

Me: An Idealist

You are creative with a great imagination, living in your own inner world. (true, esp. the inner world part.)

Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships. (At the ripe ol' age of 30 I don't know how 'open-minded' I am anymore, but 'harmony' in relationships? Sounds good to me.)

It takes a long time for people to get to know you. (Could be)

You are hesitant to let people get close, but once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop. (Absolutely. I've been working on developing my husband for 10 years now).

In love, you tend to have high (and often unrealistic) standards. (HMPH!)

You are very sensitive. (It's not what you said, it's the way you said it.)

You tend to have intense feelings. (now that's just mean)

At work, you need to do something that expresses your personal values. (I don't have a job. I can't find anything that expresses my personal values. Oh, and I like that whole mom-job thing)

You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist. (why, spank you fairy much)

How you see yourself: Unselfish, empathetic, and spiritual (not sure about the 'unselfish' part, to tell you the truth. 'Honesty' should be in there somewhere, shouldn't it?)

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Unrealistic, naive, and weak (yup. have actually been accused of being 'flighty' by someone I no longer associate with.)

OK, and here's JOHNS

John: The Duty-Fulfiller (already laughing)

You are responsible, reliable, and hardworking - you get the job done. (hands down, correct)

You prefer productive hobbies. (this is why yard work seems to be his only hobby. He wants a hobby, but golfing is only available a few months out of the year).

Quiet and serious, you are well prepared for whatever life hands you. (except when he married his wife)

Conservative and down-to-earth, you hardly ever do anything crazy. (The craziest thing I've ever seen this man do is chuck a screen door into our backyard. That was CRAZY!)

In love, you are loyal and honest. (SO VERY LOYAL)

If you commit yourself to someone, then you're fully committed. (He darn well better be)

For you, love is something that happens naturally. (Guess I'd have to check with him on this one)

And you don't need romantic gestures to feel loved. (I have to disagree with this one. I know the little things he needs to feel loved. I know he feels loved when he gets up in the morning and there is a fresh pack of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups with a sticky note on it that says, "Happy Friday". Gosh, his wife rocks.)

At work, you remember details well and are happy to take on any responsibility.You would make a great business executive, accountant, or lawyer. (True on the details and responsibility, not sure about the career ideas.)

How you see yourself: Decisive, stable, and dependable (I would say yes on this one. Still answering for him here.)

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, conservative, and egotistical (I can see why some people might think that he is boring. (I LOVE YOU DON'T BEAT ME). Often at social functions he sits a little off to the side... not because he's 'dull' but because he doesn't have anything to say and when he wants to talk he will. Bottom line... confident.

So... question is. HOW IN THE HECK do we co-exist?

Yay! - fun news! - yay!

2008-05-07T18:17:00.000-04:00

I'm really very excited to announce that Susan Bartolini of Scrap Kitchen Designs accepted my application for her new creative team. Yay! I bought one of her kits while working on The Amazing Digi-scrapping Race and absolutely fell in love with her style. I mean, we're talking looooooooooooove, people. So when Susan put the call out that she was looking for a new team, I jumped at the chance and, whaddayaknow, she was in a good mood or somethin' and picked me. Woot!

So, naturally, I just have to show off some of her kick-butt kits and what I've been doing with them. You can buy Scrap Kitchen products at Sweet Shoppe Designs.

Sugar High - Lauren Grier & Scrap Kitchen Designs

Chillaxin' - Melissa Bennett, Eva Kipler & Scrapkitchen Designs

SSD's From Our Blog to Yours

2008-05-01T17:27:00.000-04:00

Quiz Time! Hope you studied (ha ha, I'm a geek).

You Are An INFP

The Idealist

You are creative with a great imagination, living in your own inner world.

Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships.

It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close.

But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop.

In love, you tend to have high (and often unrealistic) standards.

You are very sensitive. You tend to have intense feelings.

At work, you need to do something that expresses your personal values.

You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist.

How you see yourself: Unselfish, empathetic, and spiritual

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Unrealistic, naive, and weak

What's Your Personality Type?

Long time, no bloggie

2008-04-25T11:27:00.000-04:00

Won't bore you to death with the reasons why I've jaded my blog, I'll just get to the cute stuff.

Johny's teacher just had her first baby (with a very short labor, so I hate her) and we, as a class, had her baby shower yesterday. All kinds of typical baby shower games, including the 'Finish the Nursery Rhymes' game. I had Eden with me, so I decided to help her play along. She got a couple right, but here are the funny ones, with her answers in red.

Mary had a little lamb, it's fur was white as snow.

Little Miss Muffet, sat on her tuffet, eating her wool and sheep.

Peter, Peter, pumpkin-eater, had a wife but couldn't eat her.

Jack Sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no cat.

Hey diddle, diddle, the wink and the fiddle.

I seriously need to improve her childhood skills.

Help me!

2008-04-01T10:46:00.000-04:00

*Post updated! Check below for add-on freebie!*

I am so excited to talk about this. If you've visited this blog at all in the last 12 months then you know I've been working very hard at losing weight and getting in shape. It hasn't been easy, but it's been rewarding and I've learned so much, not just about nutrition and health, but about myself as well.

One of the goals I set for myself on my 30th birthday was to run in a 5K, and the perfect opportunity has arrived. In January of 2007 I met some of the most incredible and inspiring women anywhere when I joined The Biggest Loser Digi Style. In the last year we have all lost so much weight and become such good friends. We all have the chance to participate in a 5K benefit run in Portland, Maine. To date, five of us are registered. We come from all over the world... from Canada, the US and even Germany. This is an incredible opportunity.

Guess what, I need funds. I will need money for airfare as well as hotel accomodations. I'm doing all kinds of things to raise the money, and one thing I know I can do over the internet is sell digital images. So I've put a kit together that I think is really cute and versatile and is available for a $5.00 donation.

Please email me at get_herbie at yahoo dot com with the words Achievement Kit Donation in the subject line. I will try to respond within 2 hours, except overnight, naturally.

If you can help, I would be so grateful! And I hope you enjoy the kit!

Here's a perfect add-on for this kit... enjoy it for free!

*Click here to download!*

For goodness sake...

2008-03-23T03:39:00.000-04:00

I've lived in Michigan my entire life, so I should be used to this, but still.. didn't expect to wake up to this the day before Easter.

Conversation during lunch:

Johnny: (looking out at the snow) So what ever happened to global warming?

John: Good question.

Johnny: Seems like it's more like global cooling.

John: Hmm... interesting.

Eden: So what ever happened to chocolate cocoa?

ADSR layouts #5 and #6

2008-03-21T20:46:00.000-04:00

Well, #5 was supposed to be an interview with an 'inanimate object' and since I didn't read the challenge clearly enough I had to re-do my page. I was in my own little world for a bit there.

*credits*

And the corrected page...

*credits*

Challenge #6 was for one teammate to Spin-a-Lift an existing page from the other teammate. Laura did the work.

*credits*

She lifted this layout...

New Blog

2008-03-18T09:08:00.000-04:00

I would like to invite you to check out a new blog I'm running called Everyday Atkins. Don't try to stifle it. I can hear you gasping.

Yes, I am trying out the ol' Atkins plan. You can read my thoughts on it on the blog. I intend to update it every day during the first 2 weeks. So, if you've ever thought about doing Atkins, are personally using it, would like to learn more about it or would like to taunt me, head over here.

ADSR layouts #3 and #4

2008-03-09T14:18:00.000-04:00

*credits*

No title needed...

2008-03-07T19:41:00.000-05:00

High School Musical: The Ice Tour

2008-03-04T01:00:00.000-05:00

We got a surprise call on Friday that John's boss was inviting us to see the High School Musical on ice show the following day. What a rockin' surprise! We got to watch from the box (ie. suite) and have lunch and everything. Is 'thrilled out of your gourd' an expression? I nearly peed myself.

Johnny was not in the least bit interested in going. Once we got there, however, he decided that he would keep his binoculars glued to his head in hopes of seeing someone wipe-out. He finally got his chance in the last 10 minutes of the show when Troy bit it.

Eden declared on the drive up, "Mom, I'm probably going to scream." Ok. I can handle that. I'm probably going to scream too. Er, um... I really need to teach that child the proper concert-scream, as she mostly sounded like a pigeon having its legs ripped off.

I was not the only mom singing along.

I was not (I swear) one of the mommies who whistled when Troy changed shirts in act 2.

I did scream and clap when Troy and Gabriella fiiiiinally kissed in Act 1.

We caught up with our best-friends after the show. Maddie and Eden plopped down right there on the floor to flip through the program/yearbook-that-plays-music. I think all yearbooks should play music now. Eden has her HSM purse and Maddie has her Sharpay Barbie. Eden also brought an extra pair of underpants in her purse ("Just in case"). They were very prepared.

ADSR #2

2008-03-03T19:27:00.000-05:00

Challenge #2 is for you and your partner to split the page and each create half.

*credits here*

ADSR Week #1

2008-02-25T12:05:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited to be participating in this year's Amazing Digi-Scrapping Race with my girl, Laura! This is the third year of the race, but a first for both of us. Here's my first page :)

*credits here*

Introducing Chirpi!

2008-02-24T18:57:00.000-05:00

Chirpi is a brand new digital scrapbooking store that is owned and operated by Victoria Greenless. Her designs are so sweet and pretty and I was thrilled when she invited me to be a part of her creative team. I've only left the design gig for a couple weeks and I'm already keeping myself busy :)

Right now you can sample some of Victoria's designs with her free kit, Wild Love. It's deliciously cute, isn't it?

I've been having fun with her newest kit, Mums the Word. The paper and element packs are sold seperately.

Picture update for Tyler

2008-02-21T17:30:00.000-05:00

My nephew was bustin' my chops today about seeing new pictures, so for him I will put these up. I hate this time of year for photos because the lighting is terrible and I hate using the flash, so I don't have any really good ones to share. But I'll swallow my pride just this once.

Johnny and Max at their school Valentine's party... being intelligent.

Eden, who never cares what the temperature is. The girl thrives on being outside. Well, the 10 degree and less weather has stopped her.

And lastly, a cute profile pic of London. Scotties are so friggin' cool. I have finally found a great guy who knows how to groom these babies and is working hard to fix the crap job that Petsmart did. He was horrified at how they chopped her up and said I'm not the first to come running to his shop. Said we'll have her looking like a scottie again in no time.

So, there we have it.

Way To My Heart by Heather Roselli

2008-02-16T20:21:00.000-05:00

I am really enjoying this new kit by Heather. It's hard to do a page with a masculine twist when all you've got to work with is pink, red and dainty hearts. Heather has boys, she knows how it goes and she made this fantastic Valentine's kit.

Way To My Heart is available at Sweet Shoppe Designs.

Here's how I've been using it. Click on the titles below for a full list of credits.

Babe

Our Traditions

The More

Star Wars Movie #1

2008-02-11T11:49:00.003-05:00

Johnny and Eden made this little movie with some Lego guys and it's too cute not to share.

J - "A monkey! And a guy."
Eden - "But not for long!"
J to E - "Press it! Stop." pause "Eden."
E - "This is weird!"
"That's not good."
"Oh well, go back to the ship! Vroom, vroom!"

The end!

Going out of business.

2008-02-08T14:06:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's true. I'm turning in my Digi Chick Designer badge and closing shop. For me, this is a good thing. I've been considering it for several months and I know that now is the right time.

I've been toying with the thought of opening my own store someday, so John and I are currently researching some web hosts, but I'm definately not in a hurry. I've been selling for 2 1/2 years now... pushing sales and staying up till the wee hours of the morning finishing kits and promoing products and hosting chats and running challenges and I am out of wind. It has been very fun, probably the most creatively challenging time in my life, but I am so excited to just be a 'regular' scrapper again. I want to record my photos and funny stories without thinking of how many of my own products I can cram onto a page.

My good buddy, Heather Roselli, has warmly welcomed me into her creative team and I intend to scrapbook and just have fun, fun, fun.

So, this weekend will be your last chance to stock up my goodies. I'll be running a 70% off clearence sale Saturday and Sunday and then everything will be gone. *Discount will appear during checkout process.*

Link to boutique.

Thank you for all the kind and encouraging comments over the years. The digi-scrapping community is like none other, I tell ya. My blog will keep on rollin' and you'll be some of the first to know of my future plans :)

Can't help lovin' that man of mine

2008-02-03T18:26:00.000-05:00

I love having a husband that makes me laugh.

An email exchange from last week:

Me (upon receiving information that our weather would be warming-up again): "Grr.. more doggie mush [in our backyard]. I think I'll run out there today and pick up the doggie no-no's."

John: The frozen no-no's? Really, a 30-year-old woman is going to call it 'no-no's'? Come on now, you can be more creative than that.

If you want to be socially responsible (and green): biodegradable nutrient nuggets
If you want to be crude: dog-s***
If you want to be christian: dog mana
If you want to be british: squish n' chips
If you want to be technical: anally extruded dog food waste by-product
If you want to be two-years-old: augi pooh
If you step in it: uh-oh's

But please, don't ever call it 'no-no's'.

Time to grab!

2008-01-31T09:41:00.000-05:00

Ha, ha. That was lame.

Ok, my January Grab Bag is up and ready!

CLICK HERE

Remember that with purchase of the grab bag you can also pick up my new Tiny Buttons element pack for free. Details are stated in product descriptions.

The bag will be in the store through the weekend. Have fun and keep it hush hush till everyone has a chance to peek!

Get ready to get your GRAB BAG on

2008-01-29T00:36:00.000-05:00

Oh boy, it's grab bag time again! Now, I'm not kidding, you are really going to love the new products I have in store for you. Of course, I can't tell you everything that's in there (that would be no fun at all), but I got all clever and gave you a sneaky peeky.

Grab bag will be available on Thursday... only at The Digi Chick!

Also, when you purchase my $2.00 grab bag you'll pick up my new Tiny Buttons pack totally free of charge. These buttons are $1.99 on their own... so you're making out like a bandit here :)

New Favorite Artist

2008-01-19T13:36:00.000-05:00

I think I have a new favorite artist who is doing the most incredible photo manipulations. Inspiring.

Bunch o' Scrapbook Pages

2008-01-18T12:32:00.000-05:00

I don't usually post my scrapbook layouts, but as I don't really have anything to blog about...

We doubled our RAM yesterday and, OH MY GOSH, my Photoshop is running smooth as silk. I've been so frustrated with it lately. It's been using so much RAM that it has had to move over to our hard drive and it was slowing down all my actions. I put together a very graphic intensive layout last night (the 'Mine' one) and it just buzzed right along the whole time.

John has unknowing recreated a monster.

Investiture ceremony

2008-01-16T11:19:00.000-05:00

Aww... what a sweet afternoon yesterday. Eden had her investiture ceremony for Scouts and is now a truely, offically, 'pinned' Brownie. Do you know the story of the Brownie? I never did, but I think it's pretty cute, and as a parent I appreciate that Brownies are supposed to be good-deed do'ers, lol! Her pin is currently upside-down, and she must do three good deeds before it can be turned rightside-up.

Being silly before she takes her walk through the magic forest to look in the pond

With her Scout leaders

Please wish her congratulations!

Year in Review Album Kit

2008-01-10T11:11:00.000-05:00

This is a fun one. I had no intention of attempting a Year in Review kit till I decided to put this together. Now I'm just plugging my photos from each month and adding some journaling and, viola, I'm done.

Click here!

Healthcare and my kids... you want me to do WHAT?

2008-01-09T13:37:00.000-05:00

I find myself getting more and more frustrated with our health care system and their opinions of what is necessary for my children. Even in the nine years since I had my first child it has gotten more and more ridiculous.

When I had Eden, my now five-year-old, our pediatrician was freaking out about how small she was. Maybe I'm not small enough to warrant having a small child? She was 6 pounds 2 ounces and didn't grow very quickly. It was suggested that maybe she wasn't growing because I was strictly breastfeeding her. Never mind the fact that she was perfectly proportioned (ie. head circumference matched the rest of her body), that her color was good, that she was active, content and developing perfectly. In order to be a 'good mommy' and not be reamed by the Dr.'s office I had to go in once a week to have her weighed. Once a week. Can you imagine being a busy mommy and having to drag your infant child and four-year-old into a germ-infested office every week to have your perfectly healthy baby weighed and your parenting scrutinized?

I can't tell you how many times antibiotics have been thrown at both my kids. Now that we have a new, well-educated Dr. we can take an antibiotic script home with us and only fill it if the illness doesn't improve. We've had about three ear infections clear up on their own w/o antibiotics.

Last time I had her in for a checkup I was told that a new chicken pox vaccine is being administered, since the first one my kids got at one year of age is now resistant to a new strain of the virus. I refused it.

It was also suggested to me that we should being to consider giving her the Gardasil vaccination. HUH? You want me to pump an experimental drug into my young girl? A vaccination that MAY prevent only CERTAIN types of cervical cancer? My child who isn't even developing in that area? You have got to be kidding. Needless to say, I didn't hesitate in making my opinion known.

Yesterday I took my dental-phobic son in for a cleaning. The hygienist was awesome, kept his nerves at bay and made the whole process nearly enjoyable. Then the dentist comes in and thoughtlessly throws her opinion at him that he needs braces at him. ARGH! She didn't even wait till I was in there. When she finally did discuss with me that he should see an orthodontist specialist she said that he would probably wear a wire device for a few years to stretch his teeth apart so that when he finally got braces it would be 'as bad'. Again... are you on drugs or something? Make him wear metal in his mouth for about four years???? I had braces in high school. I had already been through elementary and Jr. high school and was very confident in myself and my looks. Can you imagine wearing metal in your mouth through the rest of your elementary and early middle school years? I told him on the say home to not even worry about what she said. "Johnny, forget that she even said that. Dad and I will discuss what is best for you and what is common sense."

I Went home and had an interesting discussion with John about the connection between private dentist and orthopedic specialists... about the kick-backs that these dental offices get for their referrals to specialists. This makes me angry. This makes me sad. This makes me feel like less of a patient and more of a potential money-maker.

I was recently reading a Newsweek article about the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This manual is the 'bible' by which pharmaceutical companies decide which conditions warrant medications. If something is considered an 'illness' a medication can be manufactured and distributed. What was once considered 'shyness' is now an illness called 'social anxiety disordered' and is generally medicated. This is what scares me though, this 'bible' has more than doubled in the last ten years. Not only that, but more than half of the researchers who defined this book have at financial ties to the drug companies who design the medications.

People who have educated themselves on the subject can have frank conversations with their doctors about what medications they do and do not need, but what about us parents? I wonder how many parents crack under the pressure of being a 'good mommy' or a 'responsible daddy'? Five years ago I didn't refused to bring my infant in for weekly weight tracking, because I wanted to be a good mom. I didn't want it written in my child's health record for all eternity that I turned down a recommended treatment. Maybe some parents will decide to have Garasil injected into their little girls because, with the best of intentions, they want what's best for them. I hope we all start to use common sense in to determine what really is best.

Stepping off my soapbox now.

25 Days of Christmas PAD DAY 25!

2007-12-29T03:58:00.000-05:00

I finally have the template finished and ready... so here you go!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

If you're like me and didn't end up with 25 photos you can still easily work with this template.

I used all kinds of fun stuff on here... the 25 Days Freebies, and misc. items by Kim Giarrusso, Shabby Princess, Eva Kipler, Jen Wilson, and Christine Smith.

Playing catch-up

2007-12-27T12:26:00.000-05:00

Here is the download that is meant for Day 20. No photo prompt, just snap something, lol! Working on your page templates now!

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

25 Days of Christmas PAD Days 21-24

2007-12-24T14:10:00.000-05:00

No other excuse than Christmas stuff, and not tons of time to elaborate or update. So quickly...

Photo ideas...

something fuzzy
at night
someone sleepy
a beverage

Freebie set
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

My intent is to have at least one layout template ready tomorrow that will accommodate 25 photos, HOWEVER, if I am busy enjoying new toys, I will post it in a few days.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

25 Days of Christmas PAD Day 20

2007-12-20T09:14:00.000-05:00

(oh dear, I just realized that the PAD stuff isn't in here and I can't find the download at this moment... will get to it soon!)

Some fun stuff I've found...

These are cracking me up. Most of this stuff I blurt out as the gift is being opened. I think it might could be nicer to have it sitting silently on the tag.

Article on how to keep my dog from chewing shoes.

Put shoes out of reach. (My shoes are kept in a basket by the door. They are eye-level with my dog. If I move them up they will be on the diningroom table. Not acceptable.)

Spray with a scent/taste they don't like. (Well, my dog ate a pile of puke yesterday.)

Be consistent. (well, ok, I can work with that one).

Distract puppy (trade a fluffy, feather-filled slipper for half-chewed bone?)

Buy some fun toys (like new shoes?)

Buy some chewing bones (think they come in shoe shapes?)

Take energy-butsting walks (Ok, I can get behind this one, only it's 25 degrees out and for all I know she'll come home ready to relax with a good shoe.)

The puppy days won't last... the puppy days won't last...

Get lost here.

25 Days of Christmas PAD Day 19

2007-12-19T12:19:00.000-05:00

We're getting close to the end already... can you believe it? I thought I would be done with shopping by now, but I still have a few things to get together. My sissys are coming in on Sunday and I just want to make sure I have the bulk of things done so I can relax when they get here. They don't know it yet, but they are going to be forced to do real gingerbread houses with me (insert evil laughter here).

Today's photo prompt... something you are grateful for.

Today's freebie
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Here's how I used this template. I made it so that everything already has drop-shadows. No guessing, just plop your photos in.

*Opps, I meant to say that the LOVELY kit I used is Holiday Delight by Eva Kipler. It was the first time I've worked with Eva's designs and I am in LOOOOOOVE. She just did a fantastic job with this kit.

25 Days of Christmas PAD Day 18 + NEW PRODUCTS

2007-12-18T11:21:00.000-05:00

These new products were in this week's ad but there was a glitch and they didn't make it into the store. So they're up and ready now if you've been looking. Sorry for the delay!

12 Inch Magazine Collage Frames

Curled Blossoms

Pendant Templates

And now for today's photo prompt... snap a shot of the number's '2' and '5' (yup, gotta get creative on this one, folks. Tee hee.)

Today's freebie
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

25 Days of Christmas PAD Days 16 & 17

2007-12-17T12:39:00.000-05:00

Good morning to all our snowstorm survivors! The kids had spent the night at a friend's house and were up getting ready to play in the snow at 7:00, lol! John had to go to church because he was ushering and said there were only about 65 people there. The roads were bad and it was still snowing and blowing and freezing cold. London was SO funny. The snow was nearly over her head... she was totally baffled. So we stayed inside and watched movies and made graham cracker versions of gingerbread houses. John went out and shoveled a few times, but other than that it was a jammie day.

Back deck

This was taken about 11 AM... we got several more inches after that. So I'm guessing a total of 7-8 inches?

I forgot to add the text to me and Johnny's pictures, but I figure you're smart enough to figure out whose is whose. I also forgot to take a picture of John's. He made a manger scene with a gummy bear for baby Jesus.

Photo prompts...

Day 16... snap a shot from the inside of your house looking out.

Today's freebie
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Day 17... snap a shot of something sentimental.

Today's freebie
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

25 Days of Christmad PAD Day's 14 & 15

2007-12-15T16:40:00.000-05:00

Opps... I did it again (hey, speaking of... is Britney really pregnant again? Anyone know?).

So, I'm reading a new book on dog obedience because I'm at my wit's end dealing with 2 dogs everyday. I've even been (small confession) crying about it because at the end of the day I feel hopeless. With 2 hyperactive dogs and a cat I am greatly outnumbered throughout the day. So anyway, I got this new book that has gotten nothing but rave reviews and have been working on it. I was mostly thinking of the new puppy when I got it, but the crazy thing is that it's working on the dog that we've had for 4 years. 4 years of annoying behavior is changing over-night. LOL! For example, licking me in the face. She is a big dog with a big ol' nasty tounge and can not help but to lick any part of our exposed skin. It is G-R-O-S-S. Last night when I was on the floor and she was trying to lick my face I grabbed her muzzle firmly, but gently, and growled at her. I know, a human growling is so intelligent. She looked at me like, "Dang, girl!" I let go and she licked again. I grabbed her muzzle, growled 'nooooooo' and stared her right in the eyes for about 5 seconds. Let go. She did it again, I did the growling again. After about 4 rounds of this (brace yourselves) SHE STOPPED. She was 3 inches from my face and did not lick me.

WOOT!

We have smacked (don't call the cops), yelled, shoved, and done all kinds of other things in the past 4 years to correct this issue. One session of growling and she stopped.

If you have an unruly dog, get this book today.

Ok, so onto the photo prompts...

Day 14

Photo prompt... snap a shot of something green.

Todays' freebie
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Day 15

Photo prompt... snap a shot of something girly.

Today's freebie
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD