Do I Love Today OR WHAT???!!!

I'm on top of the world today. Let's just recap the day - 9am - My brand new furniture arrives. It looks so awesome! New dinette set, new couches, a really sweet giant ottoman, and a side chair that is to die for. The other day Tony was off work for a snow day ( I know, right?) and he surprised me by painting one wall in the living room to match the furniture ( a pale robins egg blue) and put up wood blinds on our giant picture window - then he added some new valances that he picked out and let me just say WOW!!! This guy is the farthest thing from an interior decorator BELIEVE ME - so when he crosses over to my side for a bit, he earns major brownie points! Ok, I got sidetracked - back to the best day ever...
So, I'm off work today, and I spend the entire day cleaning up the house and rearranging my new furniture (cuz hellllooooo, there's no kids here so I can do whatever I want!) At noon, I realize that (dread) I have to go to the bank and being a sucker for self reward for doing hated things, I decide to treat myself to lunch at Chipotle - I bring lunch home and spend an hour surfing the net and relaxing. Then I mosey into my scrapbook room and finish packing for my super fantabulous weekend away at the scrapbook retreat!! Now I have officially started to count down the hours until morning when my friends arrive and we start our journey to all the stores over on the west side. Yeeee Haw! I'm so stinkin' excited I could just jump up and down!

Thanks for letting me brag a little.

On to scrapbooking - since I'll be spending the weekend with some great friends, I decided to post a paper bag album that I did for my best friend, Frances. Obviously, this is BEFORE I added the photos. TFL!!

The countdown has begun!!

I am going away scrapbooking this weekend and I am sooooo counting down the days. I have not spent a weekend kid free in I don't know how long. I love those guys, but mama needs a break! I plan on working on my Hawaii album which is 2 years overdue. I'm having trouble limiting my supplies that I want to bring. I want to take it all!!!

In honor of everyone being all cooped up with cabin fever, I decided to show you guys this layout I did. I hand pieced the cabin ,the canoe, the trees and of course, the bears. Hope you all are having a great Monday!

J

Calling all Scrapbookers!

Hey guys, I just noticed as I am hopping from blog to blog that I am surfing in stamp land - which I love - but I'd love to find a bunch of scrapbooking bloggers. If any of you know any could you send me a link? Thanks!

We've been gone for the weekend. We went up north to Grayling to take the kids snowmobiling. We had an absolute blast, despite my wonderful head cold that seems to still be lingering around. The kids all go back to school tomorrow and I go back to work. Man, I haven't worked in ages it seems.

Happy Sunday all! I'm off to my niece's baby shower in an hour.

No thought to ponder today cuz I'm running late!

Here's a layout I did that features that country song by Rodney Atkins "I've been watching you" It's all about a little boy and how he wants to be just like his Daddy when he grows up. I did this layout for Ebay but it didn't sell and it fits my son, Joshua and my husband, Tony perfectly so I will use it in my own books.

Thanks for looking!

Princess layout

I loved how the carriage came out on this layout. Princess layouts are always so fun to do because there's tons of embellies that work with this theme.

Little Prince layout

I did this layout for one of the chickadees (Click on The Paper Hen House to the left to find out who the chickadees are) - for her son Andrew. I thought this one came out cute.

Just laying on the couch today

Seems the flu has taken a liking to me today. I'm feeling under the weather with a head cold. This will be a short post because I cannot trust myself when I am under the influence of Dayquil. I might post something crazy! So instead, I thought I'd post a couple pics of my work that I can still access through photobucket. Remember, my computer is down for 3 WEEKS so I have nothing new I can load in.

Enjoy!

Can you see me?

I have hijacked Kalea's laptop to check in and let you all know that my computer has crashed - it will be about 3 weeks before I'm up and running again. I will try to post regularly via said laptop, but I can't do any photos. :(

Bare with me!

Here's your thought to ponder today: Eat your vegetables.

Seriously, I think I'm catching that stinky cold going around and I bet it's because the only green vegetable I've put in my body lately is that delicious guacamole from Chipotle!

More of my work

I've had a request for more pictures of my work so here they are! If you want to know what any of the supplies are, just ask!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!

Birthday Invitations

This is for my friend Frances. She needed some rockstar invitations done for her daughter's 12th birthday so this is what I came up with.

Hurry Up Spring!!!!

I chose to show you this layout because I am hoping it will bring Spring a little sooner than expected. I'm tired of this Michigan weather!! This layout was fun because when you untie it, the right and left side open like doors to reveal the other layout inside (the top picture). This isn't a practical layout for putting into an album, but would be great for displaying on a coffee table!

I just got in from work and the roads are terrible! I'm sending out some "be safe" vibes for my friend, Bonnie who is stuck at work right now and my hubby who is driving home from Canton (gasp!). Be safe!

Here is my thought to ponder for today: When you empty the dryer and fold clothes, WHERE DO those missing socks actually go?? ;)

Off to cook dinner... tonight is Chicken Kiev, Couscous, and corn. YUM!

Patience young grasshoppa...

Before I begin my daily ramblings, here's a picture of a clipboard I did for the store. I was really pleased with the final design. Tony (DH) said, "you should have done the title in a darker color" but what I heard come out of his mouth was "blabbity blab blab I don't know anything about scrapbooking blabbity blab" I really like the monotone white on white look. I always said if I had a big wedding (which I didn't and now never will) I'd have my bridesmaids wear off white, of course I'd be wearing white, and they would carry boquets of wild flowers in the most brilliant of colors. Anyway - to get back on topic - this is my beautiful daughter Kalea (the one on the right) and my gorgeous niece, Erin when they stood up in my SIL's wedding a couple years ago. Ok, there's your scrappin' fix for today -

I was sitting in church today and found myself severely distracted by the mom with 4 kids in front of me. Her kids were talking and singing out loud, laughing and carrying on and the Mom was just at her wits end. At first, I was extremely annoyed because I'm TRYING to get something out of today's mass that I can carry with me through my week and I can't hear a stinkin' thing. As I'm watching her littlest one, I realize that he's actually quite hysterical and acting his true age - probably 2 and I am instantly catapulted back to when my kiddos were little and the stress I carried just trying to exist when raising 3 little ones. Immediately, I bowed my head and prayed for God to give her strength today. I prayed that for just today, let this woman be happy and stress free - Please God, give her a good day today. When I raised my head from prayer, I felt a tear trickle down my face. Quickly, I swept it away so I didn't appear crazy. I FELT crazy - why was I crying??!! Because my friends, I could feel my own need for prayers in days gone by. I remember what it was like to be in her shoes. My point and my thought to ponder today: Have patience and understanding for others. Before you go getting all angry at someone who's kids appear to be out to ruin your day, think of that Mom trying to hold it together and if you are brave enough and can muster the strength to speak to her without crying like a nutjob, tell her she's doing a wonderful job. You've been there too.

Lastly, let me add that the one thing I was able to tune into during mass, during the homily was when the priest said this "Have patience with YOURSELF, for it is only then that you can begin to have patience for others." WOW. If that wasn't God talking right to me!

Have a fabulous day everyone! And keep warm! It's freezing out there today!
J

Enchanted Princess and Motorcycle Mania!

I know, you're like "WHAT??!!" - today I took Kalea and her girlfriend to see "Enchanted" at the theater - very cute. Especially all the Patrick Dempsey scenes. He is such a hottie. It doesn't help that it's a "fairytale and why doesn't my husband do that" kinda movie. *Swoon*

Tomorrow after work, we are going to the Motorcycle Motorcross thingy at The Palace. Josh will totally dig that. I think I might like it to. What's not to love about motorcycles zooming around a dirty track and flipping in the air with super loud sound effects? *wink* - It should be a blast!

I just got done preparing 25 make-n-takes for tomorrow's croppers. Super tired tonight and gotta work early in the morning so nothing too profound for my thought to ponder. I think I'll keep it light and silly.

Thought to Ponder: Do what you love and the money will follow.

Hmmmmm, this is interesting because as you all know, I really do love my job - I scrapbook for money - um, hello? Who wouldn't love that job? So I gotta say that yes, the money is following me - little tiny bits of money, but money nonetheless. So today I'm at work and I get that sense that something is following me (I'm all alone at work so it's kind of a creepy feeling). Then it occurs to me, OMG!! it's probably the money everyone talks about when you do what you love. So excited, I turn around with a big smile on my face to greet said money and immediately a frown washes over my once bright smile. It's not a lump of money - it's a lump of a customer that wants 15 cuts done on the Pazzle machine. *sigh* I hate that machine.

So today friends, do what you love! You never know, a little chunk of change might end up on your doorstep.... or a chunky customer might be there cuz I sent her to your house! LOL!

J

Having Snow Much Fun!

Did you all survive the day with your kiddos home from school? I was lucky enough to be able to go to work while Tony stayed home with them. I can only take so many "I'm bored"'s before I go nuts.

I was really productive at work today - it was quieter than normal - the snow must have kept everyone homebound - so I finished two kits and a store display. I love that sense of accomplishment!

Any Lost fans out there? It's on for 2 hours tonight - Woooo Hooooo! Love it! I don't watch any shows except that one and Scrubs - I hate being committed to my TV. If it were up to me, we wouldn't even have a TV - yep, in my eyes, it really is just a boob tube.

Last night at 9pm Tony had the great idea of taking the kids snowmobiling around the area so we layered up and jumped on the sleds - this was a huge deal for me because I am such a rule follower and the whole "noise past 9pm" and driving illegally around subdivisions made me a nervous wreck. Anyways, as I was driving with Kalea holding tight to my waist, we came to a very steep hill. Tony and Josh flew down it with full He-Man glory. Kalea and I stopped dead in the snow and quivered at the thought of flying down it. What if we don't make it? What if Kalea falls off? What if I lose control? What if, what if , WHAT IF??!!! And then out of nowhere came this inner voice that said (get ready, cuz this is the thought to ponder for today) "When you stop living in fear, you start living" - Man, is that profound. I beg to differ with this quote around 20 times a day. You see, I'm a real live in the flesh scaredy cat. I fear EVERYTHING. My fear often paralyzes me and keeps me from enjoying some of the most exhilarating facets of life. I think of all things that I fear, the biggest is "The fear of what others will think" - Holy cow, if any fears should be thrown to the wind, that's definitely the one. Who cares what others think???? Oh, if only I could honestly not give a rat's butt, then I bet I'd surely do some livin'! I fear failure, success, the dentist, myself, anything fast and spinning, spiders, driving a snowmobile, driving a car, sports... seriously, I could go on and on.

So back to that moment at the top of the hill - I can hear Kalea shouting over the sound of the snowmobile engine, "Mom! I don't want to go down that hill, I'm afraid!" So I turned to look at her, took a deep breath, assured her we would be fine and yelled "HOLD ON!!" I threw my caution to the wind, put trust in my inner voice, and gunned it. Guess what happened? Absolutely nothing. That's right friends. I did something that I feared, and I'm stronger because of it. I also set an example for Scaredy Cat Jr. (Kalea). Would I do it again?? Probably not but I'll take it one step at a time. Baby steps - yeah, that's it... baby steps.

J

Does your scrap space look like THIS???

How sickening is this?? When I am in full blown creative mode, my space looks like a tornado came through. Does yours??

This is for Bonnie...

Bonnie wanted to see this layout I'm working on - it is not near complete. It needs lots more embellies, and one bear needs paws, colors may change etc...

A little bit more of my work...

Here's a baby layout I did last year titled "Precious Baby" - The papers are from We R Memory Keepers, the chipboard border at the top is by Gin-X, the brads I found in a dollar bin somewhere, and the bear is a Paper Runway original! Thanks for looking!

Have Faith

I decided to start today's blog entry with my thought to ponder so that I could do some out loud thinking about it.

Today's thought: Have faith and believe that you are exactly where God intends you to be right at this moment.

This is a thought that I struggle with daily. If you are like me, you are constantly rushing around day to day in search of a final destination. This brings to mind another quote "Life is a journey, not a destination". So often we all get caught up in where we need to be going in our life that we forget to stop and enjoy the moments... the little daily events that mold our entire lives. I am always in a hurry to get absolutely nowhere. I spend my free "me" days overwhelmed with anxiety about all of the things on my "to do" list. So much so, that I end up doing absolutely nothing. I feel like I'm trying to find my niche - my higher calling - my career - my sense of self peace - my self affirmation that I'm doing just fine as a wife and mother. All of these things and more tend to haunt me on a daily basis.

That's where today's thought comes into play. "Have faith and BELIEVE that you are exactly where God intends you to be right at this moment." Maybe if I just slow myself down (GASP!) and live each moment, knowing that if I miss something on my "to do" list, that it really will be ok, maybe if I just stop chasing the dollar for a second, then my true happiness will be there staring me in the face.

I often make fun of the stereotypical PTA Mom, running around from classroom to classroom donning her latest embroidered holiday sweater - but in all honesty, I envy her. She knows that she is doing what she does for her kiddos - she knows that she gets nothing in return except for life long bonds and love. She is the one who actually scrapbooks with pictures on her page - unlike me who simply scrapbooks for the artistic outlet. Sure, she's probably one sugar frosted homemade cookie away from a meltdown, but you never see it. She appears content in her role and accepts that this is where she is supposed to be.

So today my friends, scrapbookers, moms, wives, women ~ join me for just 24 hours of believing that you are important, and you're doing a great job at whatever it is you're doing today. You are a success and there is no need to rush to get to whatever awaits you in the days to come - it will get here on it's own anyway. For just today, we will breathe slowly, stop to memorize the small wonders of the minutes passing and KNOW we are exactly where we are meant to be.

J

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

As promised, here is my Tiny Dancer Ballet Layout. I sold this on Ebay last January. It's one of my favorites. The picture isn't all that great but here's the scoop - I used patterned papers by Daisy D's, Bling cardstock and regular cardstock by Bazzill, chipboard by Lil Davis, Rub ons by American Crafts, and embellies by Jolee's. The flowers were from Michaels. I just bought a huge branch of them and pulled the flowers off - it's way cheaper that way.

We're expecting 7 inches of snow today. Practically the whole state's schools are closed except for Utica school district. They NEVER cancel school. So now I'm wondering when school lets out this afternoon at 4pm, what kind of mess are these buses going to have to travel in? I'll be at the school today anyway because TODAY IS MY BABY GIRL'S BIRTHDAY!! Kalea is 10 today. We made loads of Rice Krispie treats last night for her birthday treat for her classmates. I guess I should be glad that they still have school, otherwise, those treats would be sitting on my butt in about 2 days. And believe me, I can put a whole pan back all by myself!!

Ok, off I go to brave the roads on my way to work... bah, who am I kidding? I'm making Tony drive me today! (yep, I'm a snow driving wuss... who knew??!!)

Today's thought to ponder: "Find time to do what you love." I'm so lucky that I get to do what I love every day and get paid to do it. I am truly blessed.

Be safe today!
J