The House of Spike and Opal

Meet Charlie...

2009-11-16T20:39:00.003-06:00

This is Charlie. I am his new foster mommy. He is registered with HOPE, but he is not quite ready for adoption. He still needs some shots, tests and neutering before he goes to a new home. HOPE estimated him to be between 2-3 years old.

He was a stray in my complex. Some of my neighbors started feeding him and I put out some food too. He was skittish at first, but it didn't take long at all for him to feel comfortable. It is obvious that he was just dumped by someone because he is so relaxed with people. He would even try to get in the car with me. He is the most friendly, laid back, affectionate kitty I've ever met. He loves to sit in your lap. He's good with other cats and even dogs. My neighbors have two yorkies and he would follow them the whole way when they went for their walk. Another neighbor got a new puppy and he immediately made friends with him too. He's in my house now and there is no trouble between him and my other two cats either.

Unfortunately, three cats is just too much for me. I've totally fallen in love with Charlie, but I still need to find a new home for him. He is going to make someone the most amazing new best friend.

Totally random...

2009-11-11T15:49:00.003-06:00

Since I haven't been here since February.. but...

I was watching the TV show Mercy yesterday and Veronica said something that made me LMAO.

"I like my feelings pushed down, compressed... so they come out at random and inappropriate times."

It made me laugh. So I thought I'd share. xoxo

Seeing a new Dr. today...

2009-02-03T11:00:00.002-06:00

Wish me luck!! Hopefully I will get some answers and help for something I've put off for way too long.....

The tote is sold too!!

2009-01-28T16:07:00.000-06:00

Thank you...

XOXOXOXOXO!!!

XPCS is sold!

2009-01-26T16:04:00.001-06:00

Yea!!!!

I still have the tote available if any Houston are girls are interested. Let me know!

A question then an offer....

2009-01-23T13:00:00.003-06:00

Can chardonnay taste like mushrooms? The bottle said apple, pear and oak. Is oak a secret code word for fungus? I thought I would be all sassy and cool last night and have a little glass of wine while I was getting ready for bed. But ew. It tasted like mushrooms. BLECH. The rest of it went down the drain.

Anyhoo.... I'd like to sell a few scrapbook things. First is my super cute, super awesome rolling tote. I LOVE this tote. But I'm just a tiny little person trying to drag this thing up and down the stairs and it's just too heavy for me. I end up using shoulder totes and this just sits around not getting used. Let me know if you are interested. Here's a link....

The Butterfly Tote

The other thing is my XPCS. I love this too, but I have a Cricut now and there just isn't enough room for me to keep everything. I have the machine, the tote bag, 11 of the font/shape books and some xtra mats and possible an extra blade. Here is a link to that too...

Xyron Personal Cutting System

Hello again....

2009-01-20T12:58:00.002-06:00

Do you ever just feel crabby? I love it when I can blame pms, but right now I don't have that as an excuse. I'm just crabby. My weekend was frustrating to say the least... lunch plans jacked up, shopping plans jacked up, jacked up purchase from the containter store that has to go back, my shoulder is jacked up, my kitchen sink is full of dirty jacked up dishes, I have a mountain of laundry to do.... ACK. So what did I do about this? Last night I just scrapped. Didn't worry about anything, just scrapped and watched 24. A little Jack Bauer can cure any worries. I will fix the kitchen and do my laundry tonight. I promise.

Warning, image of a graphic nature below...

2009-01-10T09:24:00.003-06:00

This, my friends, family, and anonymous ugly comment leavers... is the face of PMS... (and my dinner last night)

It's not pretty, but sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

tap, tap....

2009-01-08T16:12:00.004-06:00

Is this thing on? Helllloooooo????

I know, it's been since September since I've blogged. I'm ashamed, no need to hand slap me. One of my resolutions for 2009 is to keep my blog updated, so here I am. It's the 8th of January, but better late than never right?

Here is a quick update of all that has happened since I was last here.

Happy Birthday to me. LMNOPEA retreat. WOO HOO fun. Blood clot. Not WOO HOO fun. Happy Thanksgiving. Broke my ass. Also not WOO HOO fun. Trip to Dallas. Happy Hanukkah. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year.

Alrighty then. With that out of the way.......... It's 2009!! Bring out the noise makers, the fire crackers, the confetti!! I love fresh starts. This is why I am hosting a January Journal challenge on Willow Traders. If you are anything like me, you forget about your resolutions by the end of January. Well, not this year. No way no how. I am keep a daily journal/scrapbook to stay on track. Hopefully this will help me make and keep a few new healthier habits.

Unfortunately, my journal is a disaster so no pics of that yet. I will be spending the weekend starting over. But here are a few layouts I did last night with the Septemer 2008 kit from The Scrap Room...

by the way... what's wrong with my blog? what happened to my links and music? sigh. another project to work on...

LEO Challenge #14

2008-09-30T12:12:00.002-06:00

We were challenged to use a sketch. I didn't love it at first, but I'm pretty happy with how my layout came out. These are pictures from my cousin Beverly's bridesmaid's luncheon.

LEO Challenge #13

2008-09-30T12:10:00.002-06:00

I'm almost done updating. WHEW! Exhausting work.

This was a "now and then" challenge. I used a baby pic and a current pic of Spike. It says "how did my little love bug get so big".

LEO Challenge #11 & 12

2008-09-30T12:08:00.002-06:00

I didn't do number 11. So... moving on to #12. This challenge was called "maxed out". We had to put more pictures on a page than we ever had before. These are pictures from Carolina's bridal shower at the Rainbow Lodge.

LEO Challenge #10

2008-09-30T12:04:00.002-06:00

The challenge here was to "go over the edge". This is going to hang in the twins newly decorated bedroom.

LEO Challenge #9

2008-09-30T12:02:00.003-06:00

We were challenged to do a layout about someone that we love or who made an impact on our lives. I chose this picture of me with my cousin Sandy because we loved her and miss her very much.

LEO Challenge #8

2008-09-30T12:00:00.002-06:00

These are a few of my favorite things! I used some Love, Elsie for the background and lots of different numbers.

LEO Challenge #7

2008-09-30T11:58:00.002-06:00

Challenge was to use a punch. These pictures are from Thanksgiving 2004.

LEO Challenge #6

2008-09-30T11:56:00.003-06:00

This challenge was to use old paper. I used some old Chatterbox for this layout to go in my "Dad & Me" album that I keep at mom's house.

This challenge was to use old paper. I used some old Chatterbox for this layout to go in my "Dad & Me" album that I keep at mom's house.

Leo Challenge #5...

2008-09-11T15:14:00.004-06:00

The challenge was to do a layout that was not square... I used the September Story of My Life kit for this page.

LEO Challenge #4...

2008-09-10T15:44:00.001-06:00

I am keeping up, woo hoo!!

Thanksgiving in Taos (about 10 years ago)...

Another post today...

2008-09-06T10:30:00.001-06:00

LEO Challenge #3!! This challenge was to scrap summer pictures. This is Brian when we went to Galveston last summer. Brian is a friend of mine that I met through Sandra.

LEO Challenge #2!!

2008-09-06T06:45:00.002-06:00

Here is my layout. This is my mom and her mother. Unfortunately she passed away when I was only two from breast cancer. From what I hear I take after her in many ways so I'm very sorry to never have known her. I do think I see my eyes in that picture though!

I used some really old Wild Asparagus, Anna Griffin and Basic Grey paper. The challenge was to use 5 pp's and 5 different embellishments. This layout will go in my mom's heritage album.

No shoe pictures for today...

2008-09-03T14:41:00.002-06:00

But I'm playing along with the Willow Traders September challenge and I did one layout so far. I haven't scrapped since the retreat!

I have a serious shoe problem...

2008-08-14T20:03:00.002-06:00

I can't seem to stop buying them. I need them though, right? I'm a dork I know, but I've been taking pics of my shoes so I can put them on the outside of the boxes. I buy the clear ones, but most of the time I can't tell what's in there unless they are a bright color. So here are a few of my faves...

So anyhoo....

2008-08-13T11:11:00.006-06:00

My paypal was hacked into and my checking account depleted...

My mom is in the hospital and just keeps getting worse by the day. She was in a room for three days right across the hall from where my dad died last year. It really felt weird to be there again. My dad's favorite nurse was there to take care of my mom so that was quite a relief....

BUT..... I have fun things to talk about too...

I went to the last LMN-O-Pea retreat!! I wish there was another one this weekend, because I sure could use another vacation!

I am usually not very productive at retreats, but this time was different. Here are a few pics of what I accomplished...

I also won a prize! This was my contest entry, and me winning first place....

This is me with the "peas". We played a game where whenever you finished a project you took possession of these cute little ladies. If you had them when Michelle or Nicole looked for the peas you won a prize. We had lots of fun passing those around.

Here are a few more pics from the retreat. Like my pink shirt? Michelle and Nicole gave me one for teaching the LMN class. I love it! Sorry Jessica, I could not resist posting the picture of you with the ear plugs up your nose!

I have lots of great new pictures of my precious nephew Jeffrey. I will be back!

Oh one more thing. My new favorite quote from Yves Saint-Lauren....

"We must never confuse elegance with snobbery."

Dear Jewel....

2008-08-11T18:38:00.003-06:00

You have taken the time twice to leave comments on my "insipid and boring" blog.

I think it is you Jewel, who posts without giving me any way to respond to you, who is insipid and boring.

No one is forcing you to continue to read my blog or to take the time to leave your nasty comments.

Fuck off.

Over the weekend I went to...

2008-07-21T11:39:00.004-06:00

The Tamarie Cooper Show with Chandra.

I thought it was cute. It was fun to see old friends doing well and having a good time like that. You can read all about it at the Catastrophic Theatre website.

Yesterday I watched the movie Bobby. I thought it was great and the cast was amazing.

Monday I saw.....

2008-07-17T12:56:00.002-06:00

Sigh. George Michael. He was great. I kept thinking, I can't believe he's RIGHT THERE IN PERSON!! ACK. I screamed so loud when he finally came out that the people on both sides of me were laughing.

Seeing him and hearing him sing brought back so many memories from high school and college. You know, back when I thought life was so complicated. I had no idea what was to come. I cannot stop listening to his new album. Hmmm.... I feel a scrapbook page coming on....

Spike in a drawer.....

2008-07-13T22:10:00.002-06:00

The Diva Prayer...

2008-07-08T13:56:00.001-06:00

Armani
Which Art in Neiman's
Hallowed be thy shoes
Thy Prada come
Thy shopping done
On Rodeo
As it is in Paris
Give us this day, our Visa Gold
And forgive us our balance
As we forgive those who charge us interest
Lead us not into Penney's
And deliver us from Sears
For thine is the Chanel, The Gaultier
and the Versace
For Dolce and Gabanna
Amex.

So this is what...

2008-06-26T19:46:00.001-06:00

Jeffrey Michael thought of his bris...

Working on my aunt responsibilities....

2008-06-25T13:21:00.002-06:00

And doing lots of shopping!! Here are a few things on the way...

My new nephew

2008-06-24T14:06:00.003-06:00

First an apology to those who read this exact same thing on Willow Traders. I just copied and pasted here.....

I have a new nephew!! My SIL gave birth last Tuesday night, 10:58 pm. He was 6 lbs 8oz and 19.25 inches. She was in labor for 17 hours and then they decided to do a C-Section.

Here is Jeffrey Michael!!

This was taken right after he was born...

This is the first time I held him sitting next to my brother, two days later. I will explain why I wasn't there the next night.

I took this picture because a friend of my SIL's daughter asked if those were his original fingers, LOL!! So I had to get a picture of his pretty long fingers.

So, here's what happened that night. My brother asks me to go spend the night at his house with his dogs so they won't be alone. I know, they are just dogs. But anyway.... I get there at about 2 am. He had mentioned to me that their front porch light was out, so when I was on my way out there I grabbed this little lantern thing that I have. SO glad I did that. I get out there, open the door, battle the jumping monsters he calls dogs, and turn off the alarm. Then I go around flipping all the light switches I can find and no lights are turning on. The house is cool so I don't think the electricity is out. So I send a text message to my brother asking how to turn on the lights.

Text from me: How do I turn on the lights?

Text back from Mark: What?

Text from me: How do I turn on the lights?

Text back from Mark: Which lights?

So I give up and call them at the hospital. Missi's holding their baby for the first time and I'm bugging them about lights. Turns out the power was out in the whole neighborhood. I didn't realize how dark it was out there because I'm never out there in the middle of the night. I don't know what it normally looks like.

So Mark directs me to the emergency numbers and after this, that and the other, I fall asleep around 5 am. Fast forward to about 10. I let the dogs out. I let Betsy back in but Geddy was still playing with a toy. I wait about 15 minutes, go to bring Geddy back in and he's gone. GONE. I walked around to the side of the house and the gate was wide open. OMG. I have never felt terror like that in my whole life. I run up and down his street calling for the dog and no dog. So I get in my car, roll the window down, hang my head out and start driving up and down the streets screaming GEDDY!! About two streets away I see him in my rear view window chasing my car.

I almost passed out from relief. So I get out to put him in the car and he realizes that I'm mad. So here's the dog (staring at me blankly....). He won't get in the car. Did I mention he's about the size of a pony? I try to drag him in the car and he starts whining and crying. So I freak out.....

GET THE F*** IN THE F***ING CAR YOU STUPID F***ING DOG RIGHT F***ING NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then I PICK him up and throw him in. He weighs more than I do so I'm not even sure how I did it. I get him back to the house, open the car door to let him out and again, here's the dog (staring at me blankly...).

So I won't go into details again, but I said pretty much the same thing trying to get him back in the house.

I was supposed to stay there for the next three nights, but needless to say my brother came out to the house right then, brought me lunch and took the dogs to the vet to be boarded.

THEN I got rear ended going to work. I'm ok, and the car was only a little scratched, so I just went on. The poor girl who hit me was so scared. I was like, really, after the night I've had this is nothing.

So I didn't make it to see the baby that night, but they can't keep me away now!!! He's so stinkin cute!!!!!!

Just a few new cards....

2008-06-04T10:43:00.002-06:00

George Michael

2008-05-22T15:55:00.001-06:00

Sigh. He was on American Idol last night. Love me some GM. I have to go to the concert on July 14. Let me know if you want to go with!

My good cheer for today....

2008-05-13T12:01:00.001-06:00

AMM NSD online crop

2008-05-04T19:58:00.004-06:00

I've done a little scrapping this weekend. I did a few projects for an online crop, and I've been working on puzzle pieces. I don't have any of those finished yet, but here's a few pics of my other projects...

What's your funky inner hair color?

2008-05-01T09:06:00.000-06:00

Your Hair Should Be Pink

Hyper, insane, and a boatload of fun.

You're a traveling party that everyone loves to follow.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

I didn't post these?

2008-04-30T15:56:00.001-06:00

More proof I am a terrible blogger. Both of these layouts were made with Bad Girls kits. Wendy, your kits ROCK!!

I am a terrible blogger....

2008-04-24T11:33:00.004-06:00

I have so much to catch up on! My daily inspirations, pictures from two weddings, and of course, Scrap Etc!! I can't get my pictures to upload to my computer, and I bought a card reader and it's the wrong size! GRRR!!

But for now, I have a scan of puzzle pieces for Linda, Diana and Bev. Hope you gals like them!! The flower themed one and the heart one have lots of sparkle and glitter, but the scanner didn't pick that up.
:-(

First puzzle piece!

2008-04-11T10:08:00.003-06:00

I'm doing another puzzle swap. This piece is for Carmen...

Another one bites the dust...

2008-04-10T12:10:00.002-06:00

I've got another good friend getting married this weekend. That's two in three weeks. Ugh. Always a bridesmaid.... yada, yada!!

I offered to make tags to go on the gift bags for the out of town guests. I love the way they came out. I hope the recipient's do too!! These are pictures of the pocket and the tag inside.

Be careful what you wish for...

2008-03-21T10:39:00.000-06:00

It's over....

2008-03-19T10:24:00.005-06:00

Seriously. No, I can't believe it either. I didn't see it coming at all. WTF? Was our relationship perfect? No. Was Rodney always Mr. Wonderful? No. Was I always flawless? No. Was it good enough to keep investing time in? I thought so. He's going on tour for 5 months. So we are over for now. I thought maybe there would be a chance later down the road to see if there was still something between us, but he left me sitting at a table in a restaurant crying my eyes out to go socialize. Left. Me. Sitting. There. So I walked out. And that was it.

Please do me a favor. If I call you, IM you, e-mail you or text you about how I've met the most special, thoughtful, wonderful man.... just slap me. Hard. I need to learn. Slap some sense into me. Remind me that I've got a great life and a lot going for me and I don't need a guy who's going to hide his true colors until he's sure I've fallen hard.

I have some advice for everyone out there, just in case you are interested in hearing what I have to say. I do consider myself somewhat of an expert on dating since I've done so much of it. Here it goes...

When someone is very particular or sensitive about how they are treated by others, be wary that they are in fact too worried about that to notice that they are most guilty of being rude and inconsiderate themselves. Who gets up and walks away from a girl who's crying because her heart is breaking? Who. Does. That? Is that someone I'd want to wait five months for? No.

I took pictures, I scrapbooked, I ordered custom gifts.... I lived and breathed the possibility of something great. I must be insane.

Where is the guy who is going to think he's lucky to have me? Isn't that what every woman wants? I want a guy who's just going to wonder what he ever did to deserve me. I know I'm not perfect. But I'm not that bad am I? I try really hard to be someone that I can be proud of. I try really hard.

I've been listening to Kelly Clarkson for the past three days. She has anger down to a science. She rocks. This song has really been speaking to me. One Moment....

You're going crazy
Running on empty
You can't make up your mind
You try to hide it
But you have to say it
Restless all this time,
So completely drained from every thing that`s in your life,
It`s so wrong but you had to scream every thought you kept inside,

[chorus]
one minute you laugh
The next minute you are slowly sinking into something black
I get the feeling that lately
Nothing ever really lasts

I keep trying to get up
but I keep falling back
in your love, in your hate, and you wait
one minute goes fast

you can't just escape it
You are losing patience
you wonder what went wrong
everything changes
Happy then jaded,
ohh, it's a different song
Playin` in your head when you think you got it down
Out of nowhere you realize it`s different music playing now

[chorus]
one minute you laugh
The next minute you are slowly sinking into something black
I get the feeling that lately
Nothing ever really lasts

I keep trying to get up
but I keep falling back
in your love, in your hate, and you wait
one minute goes fast
One minute goes fast
One minute goes fast

[chorus]
one minute you laugh
The next minute you are slowly sinking into something black
I get the feeling that lately
Nothing ever really lasts

I keep trying to get up
but I keep falling back
in your love, in your hate, and you wait
one minute goes
one minute goes
one minute goes fast

So that's all for now. Turning up Kelly Clarkson now.....

So not happy today....

2008-03-18T14:22:00.000-06:00

So all I have for you today is this:

Challenges & Swaps!

2008-03-06T16:33:00.002-06:00

I've been having fun playing along with the anniversary challenges at Willow Traders. I can't do as much as I would like because of work, but I am having a lot of fun seeing what everyone is coming up with.

These two layouts are for an album I'm making for a friend. I will add titles and journaling later...

And a new card for a swap...

A few new pages...

2008-02-28T16:32:00.002-06:00

I'm so behind with everything! My posts, showing you layouts, my daily inspirations.... I'll catch up. I promise!!

Here are a few new-ish pages...

One of my New Year's resolutions was to do all 52 challenges in Elsie Flannigan's book. I've only done 2. Here is the second. The challenge was to focus on one picture turned black and white...

I was inspired by a challenge on the Bad Girls kit club message board. Your layout had to be about "treasure". I couldn't submit my layout since I didn't make it with their kit, but I did a page anyway...

I saw an amazing layout on 2peas using the 7gypsie stickers that I LOVE. So here is my take. I'll try to figure out who's idea I have stolen and give credit where credit is due...

Thank you for visiting!

So much to catch up on...

2008-02-21T21:21:00.004-06:00

So I will just start with the cards I just finished for a swap. These were a lot of fun. I used Love, Elsie Roxie stamps, American Crafts paper, Anna Griffin paper, Rhonna Ferrar paper, vintage sheet music, black tulle, white ribbon and various buttons. I embossed the skull with sparkly embossing powder and put some stickles on the eyes.

Lots to catch up on....

2008-01-24T16:06:00.000-06:00

I've totally slacked on my daily inspiration!!

I LOVE this one... "Seek and you shall find. Snap your ruby slippers and revel in the acknowledgment that everything you needed in your life has always been there."

Life is a journey home. Home is acceptance.

Sometimes when you think the answer is "no", it's "not yet".

Science struggles with, "is it nurture"" or "is it nature", but forgets the 3rd element - the spirit.

What color is the soul anyway.

Children know - adults remember that the fun, the love and the bonds we make are as everlasting as the spirit.

Act "as if" you are happy - soon you will feel that way.

When a storm bends a tree to the ground, the roots become stronger.

The opportunity for spiritual growth is always there - we have a choice to see a situation that way.

I will remember today that I do not know what is best for another.

The process of "acceptance" is a universal experience - this process has been called grieving.

To complete the process of aceptance we need another human being.

Put down the umbrella - let the rain in.

When your unconditionally loving "child - within" expresses itself - give to another freely - you will always have enough.

We've put much focus on technological development - the new millennium will bring a renewed focus on spiritual growth.

Look at teh "nother/daughter" design - can you see infinity? Your mother has seen your best and your worst and has loved you - thank you - send a card.

January 8th inspiration

2008-01-08T22:21:00.000-06:00

God's love is powerful and gentle at the same time.

U rock Dad...

2008-01-08T09:58:00.000-06:00

A while back I had started an "Dad & Me" album for my dad. I'm still adding pages to it. This is one of the last pictures taken of me and dad. I was holding the camera. I think it came out pretty well! But I have to give credit where credit is due. I was inspired by a layout I saw in the Two Peas gallery by Viviane Amaral called "She Rules". I used the November Story of My Life kit. The paper is Scenic Route and there are some Rouge de Garance stickers and MM brads. I traced some Heidi Swapp chipboard letters for my title. I am so brad challenged. I cannot get a little strip of brads straight to save my life. I may take those out later and cover the holes with a piece of ribbon or a paper strip. Anyone have feedback for me please?

One of my 2008 scrapping goals is to do all 52 challenges in Elsie Flannigan's "52 Challenges" book. So I did the first one last night. My SIL and I have a tradition of taking a picture of ourselves at most every occasion, and I found a cute "Sister" album at Hobby Lobby I'm going to use for the pictures. It's an 8x8 album so my pages will probably be pretty simple. But anyway.... here is the result of my first Elsie challenge. It was to journal on cardstock strips.

Check it out!!

2008-01-07T20:03:00.001-06:00

Wow!! I got this in the mail today. It's from a "Junque" swap that I did. Holy cow! I sure got a ton of cool stuff back. I can't wait to go through it all!!! I'm going to be a scrapping fool!!! :-) Everyone keeps talking about purging. I've purged some, but you know what? I'm going to USE MY STUFF. That's right. USE IT. I bought it because I liked it. So I'm keeping it. I've scrapped every day in 08 so far. If I keep it up I will make a dent in all this fun stuff anyway.

Here is my January 7 inspiration from "Children of the Inner Light"...There is a greater plan - laid by the master designer.

My weekend!

2008-01-06T18:33:00.000-06:00

I've had a great weekend. I did some shopping with Mom Saturday, then Rodney and I had dinner at Chacho's and watched a movie.

Rodney and I had lunch today with KaRan and Kyle. The got engaged over new year's, so it was exciting to see them. KaRan and I walked over to Priscilla of Boston so we could make an appointment for her to try on dresses. I'm so excited!!

These are a few pictures from today...

I also have two quotes from "Children of the Inner Light"...

One must experience Love to "know" it. One must experience God to "know" him.

As we connect with ourselves and each other we participate in the experience of spiritual growth and through this experience come to know God.

I didn't forget

2008-01-04T21:04:00.000-06:00

The January 4th daily inspiration from "Children of the Inner Light" is...

How can I see God doing his job if I don't stop long enough to look?

Off to a scrappy start....

2008-01-04T13:03:00.000-06:00

Here's what I've created since January 1st. I think I have wasted too much time collecting and planning the perfect page, and never spent any time actually using anything!! I'm on a roll, hopefully I don't lose my momentum!!

This is a page for an album that I did for my friend Mollie. She has the album, and I add pages to it as events happen...

Card with Bam Pop paper and a dollar stamp from Michaels...

A little page of me and my brother for a Basic Grey lunch pail box that I just put "random stuff" in. Also using Bam Pop....

These are two more pages for Mollie's album...

January 3rd...

2008-01-03T18:21:00.000-06:00

Gratitude is a gift I can choose each day.

So I'm a day late....

2008-01-02T21:17:00.000-06:00

I received this amazing book as a gift this holiday season. It's called "Children of the Inner Light Daily Inspiration". I thought a great goal for 2008 would be to post a daily inspiration from the book every day. But I'm already a day behind, so I have two for you today.

First.... To develop one's beliefs and live by them is to know integrity...

and second...God always waits until I ask for help.

I hope everyone who reads my blog will find a little daily inspiration here. I am!!

Paying it forward....

2007-12-05T14:53:00.001-06:00

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on this post requesting to join this Pay it Forward Exchange. Not sure what you'll be getting as my brain is flooded with ideas and you may not receive it next week, but you will receive it within the New Year :)

The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. So basically, if you comment, you’re on. I’ll send you something crafty that I’ll make for you. Once you sign up, copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog, and three other lucky people will be recipients of your handmade work.

Fun! I'm so glad I found this on Nicole's blog!! Now.... three people have to read my blog.... tick, tick, tick.....

Stevie Wonder!

2007-12-05T14:47:00.000-06:00

Rodney took me to the Stevie Wonder concert last night. And we got to meet him! It was amazing.

I was not having the best day. I don't know how Rodney put up with me when he first came over. He saved me though!! It was an awesome way to spend the first night of Hanukkah, and a fabulous end to a miserable day.

Still no...

2007-11-29T10:36:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving weekend pictures... but I did get my scrap on Tuesday night!! The layout is of me and my friend KaRan, and the cards are a gift for her.

The last two reindeer cards are from a crop I went to almost a month ago. I forgot to post!! The cute little reindeer is from a TAC set called "Retro Reindeer". I buy my TAC stamps from my friend Lisa, so if you need a hook up let me know!

Thanksgiving recap....

2007-11-26T10:30:00.000-06:00

I really need to start updating more often. I promise I will!! But here is a quick recap of my Thanksgiving weekend...

pictures to come...

Dinner at mom's
Kara and Chris
Mr. Kitty and Yoyo
Galleria shopping
New shoes (and lots of other stuff)
Doing lunch
Apartment hunting (not for me)
Chacho's
Cleaning house
Dinner cooked by Chris
House of Pies
Rodney
Hard Rock Cafe
KELLY CLARKSON!!! :-)

My S[crappy] weekend

2007-10-15T15:26:00.000-06:00

Somehow I got a lot accomplished this weekend. But I did it with a jacked up neck and shoulder. You know when you just reach for something or turn weird and that's all it takes? I was reaching for hair spray and OUCH!!

Well, I went to a CTMH Christmas card workshop and made 20 cards there. Then Sunday I made 3 more cards and an altered picture frame. The frame is one of 4 that I'm making for friends.

Not a lot to say, but....

2007-10-09T15:23:00.000-06:00

I'm here.
Finally.
I'm tired, and sad...
But I'm here.
And I finally scrapped.

Here's a card with new Love, Elsie stuff. This was one of the make and takes I did for the LMN-O-Pea retreat in September.

And here's a card with old Anna Griffin stuff. It feels good to use up that stuff that's been living with me for so long. ;-) I even made the envelope.

My first clear album, and more....

2007-08-21T08:52:00.000-06:00

I had so much fun making this for my mom. These are pictures from her birthday party that we had for her. They aren't the best pictures, but I still wanted her to have a special memory of that day, especially since dad had come from home from the hospital that morning. We had a lot to celebrate!!

I made the clear album after my mom's birthday party, but I made this on to give to her FOR her birthday. I used library card pockets that I made and tags that have pictures on them. Two of the tags are blank for future pictures and there are two pics of me when I was still in the hospital being born! I know the pictures are blurry, I'll try to get better ones. The pockets spell out MOM & ME.

Been quiet....

2007-08-20T15:52:00.000-06:00

Sorry I've been so quiet lately. I came down with some kind of stomach bug last week and can't seem to shake it. Or at least that's what I think it is! :-(

I did get something new and fun though. Here ya go, my new lunchbox....

Are there any changes in your life (big or small) that you'd like to make?

2007-08-10T15:20:00.000-06:00

This is the blog QOTD from the Scrapperie. I've decided to start blogging along with my friends over there... so here's my first...

A BIG change in my life that I want to make is keeping my house clutter free. I just have too much stuff crammed into not enough space. Actually I have a nice space, just too much of everything. I've started purging in every room. It feels good to get rid of stuff!!

I scrapped!!

2007-08-02T10:46:00.000-06:00

It's been a long time, but I finally did two layouts last night. It felt so good to get going again.

Nothing much....

2007-08-01T10:52:00.001-06:00

I had a second date yesterday... we had lunch. It was very nice. Two dates!!!! I'm breaking a record, LOL!

My dad is still in the hospital, we are on day nine. The drs think he will be strong enough to go home in a few days. My fingers are crossed.

I started a few new layouts last night. It's been a while since I've scrapped. I'm finally motivated again, but my scraproom is such a mess I can't get going!!! HELP!! I'm motivated to scrap, but not to clean. :-(

Run, don't walk....

2007-07-30T12:05:00.000-06:00

To buy this book. I picked it up yesterday and could not put it down. It's full of handwritten inspiring stories and great doodled pictures. There is even a little tear out "scrapbook" with inspirational quotes that has spaces to add pictures to. This woman is SO creative. If I had half of her talent I'd be over the moon.

This weekend turned out pretty well.... I spent some time on the phone with another Willow (Angela), and we had a great time getting to know each other better. After that I was off to a pool party for my 7 year old cousins and had a lot of fun. Swimming, cupcakes, pizza, family, friends.... it was a very nice day. Sunday I spent most of the day at the hospital with my dad. He had a very bad night Saturday night, but as Sunday progressed, he got stonger. His nurse even took him for two walks. He was very tired and short of breath after walking, but he did it!! I'm working on turning my parents shower into a "handicapped" shower with grab bars and everything. What a project!!

Today I'm going for another follow up with the plastic surgeon who did my nose, and then up to the Woodlands to see KaRan. We have big plans tonight.... mac n cheese and the first Harry Potter movie. FUN!!! :-)

Good news or bad news first?

2007-07-25T11:07:00.001-06:00

How about the bad news first... My dad's back in the hospital. They took too much fluid yesterday during dialysis and he collapsed. He's going to be ok....

The good news.... I got asked out on a date!! No, really, I'm serious!! I'll keep ya posted....

Monday was a good day

2007-07-24T09:08:00.001-06:00

I did get a little carried away at the book store though. Actually two bookstores. What can I say? I was on a roll...

Fun website!!

2007-07-23T10:17:00.000-06:00

http://fredflare.com/customer/home_NBT2.php?siteID=null

I'm LOVING this site!! So many adorable things, here are a few...

Moll Flanders

2007-07-20T12:23:00.000-06:00

I love this movie. It's ridiculous. I've watched it a hundred times, but every time I pop it in I'm mesmerized. Check it out if you've never seen it. It's a beautiful movie. Robin Wright Penn is in it. I have been a huge fan of hers since her Santa Barbara soap opera and Princess Bride days. And you can't go wrong with Morgan Freeman and Stockard Channing either. I'm not sure what it is about this movie that grabs me. I think I need to scrap a page about it, LOL.

1991

2007-07-13T13:45:00.001-06:00

Don't ya just love the bushy eyebrows and crimped hair? MEOW!

It's been forever!

2007-07-11T12:46:00.000-06:00

I don't even know where to start!! My dad (who has been hopitalized 4 times since June 1) is coming home today. Woo hoo!! He started dialysis last Saturday and he's feeling much better. I don't know why I was so scared of that, because it turns out to be the best thing that could have happened!

On a lighter note. Spike. What am I going to do with him? I flipped my mattress over Sunday. When I went to put the mattress pad back on the mattress started moving. OH NO. I just froze for a second. I lifted up the mattress and there he was. Sort of sprawled out and dazed like something that would happen in a cartoon. Poor guy. He gave the bed a really dirty look and pouted for a while. He's all good now. :-)

I finally finished all of the puzzle pieces for the swap I'm working on. I am still waiting on 2 pieces before I can put mine together though. These are all of the pieces that I made:

One more!

2007-06-15T13:43:00.000-06:00

I did another layout with the June Scrapperie kit. I even used their title, "Are we there yet?". I also used a new technique that I learned in the current 1 in 48 computer techniques class that I am taking from Hillary Heidelberg right now. The first lesson was how to draw curved text in Drawplus. I'm loving it! These are pictures of my road trip to Taos for Thanksgiving several years ago. My layout got cut off a little at the top. Darn scanner!

The week of Mollie

2007-06-14T12:36:00.001-06:00

My good friend Mollie is having a really important birthday this week. I won't say which one though. She might not like it. :-)

Anyway, she and her boyfriend had me over for dinner Sunday night and to watch the Sopranos finale. I was not a Sopranos watcher, so it didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. But I enjoyed it! You don't see a guy's face getting smashed by a tire just any old day.

Tuesday night we went to Birra Porretti's for dinner and then to see Norah Jones. I'm a fan of the restaurant, but I'm not that familiar with Norah Jones. So another night with new, unfamiliar-ness to enjoy. :-)

So I've found two new things to enjoy, Sopranos DVDs and Norah Jones. I've also had enough Italian food this week to feed a small nation.

Mollie's birthday isn't really until tomorrow, so let's keep the party going!!

"Are we there yet"

2007-06-12T09:49:00.000-06:00

These are the projects that I made with the June Scrapperie Essentials kit. These are such fun colors and papers to work with!! I am still so honored and excited that Kim and Sandi chose me to be one of their June guest designers. Thank you Kim and Sandi!

FYI... This is what comes in the "essentials" kit:
Bazzill cardstock (two pieces of each)
Green Tea
Hillary
Jacaranda
Jet Stream
Papaya
Scenic Route Metropolis Collection (one piece of each)
Broadway Street
Carter Drive
Johnson Street
Kraft Arrows
Kraft Stars
Main Street
Market Street
Paradise Lane
Scrap Strip 3
Yasoda Street
Piggy Tales Hansel Collection (one piece of each)
Alone at Night
Mr. Hansel
Old Witch
Urban Lily To the Extreme Collection (one piece of each)
Allstar
Attitude
Maxi Dot
Extras:
Scenic Route Redmond chipboard alphabet in Clover
Scenic Route Metropolis Die Cut Arrows
1 package Heidi Swapp arrows journaling spots
1 Heidi Swapp Foto Folder in Pumpkin
15 brads: All My Memories brads (3 of each) in Aqua and Wheat Grass, Bazzill Brads (3 of each) in Hazard and Splash and (3) K & Co big brads in Dusk Blue
Assorted ribbons (one yard of each) in orange, white/blue polka dot, green stripe and turquoise
Daisy D’s transparency block quote
1 12x12 piece green flocked, patterned paper
2 matching 2x12 scrap strips

Got some scrapping done!

2007-06-11T12:44:00.001-06:00

All of these projects were made with the NPCE June kit. The Heidi Grace paper ROCKS!

Another book...

2007-06-05T13:11:00.000-06:00

I just finished another book. Murder Unleashed by Elaine Viets. If you haven't checked out her Dead End Job mysteries you are missing out! It's a really cute series.

For everyone who knew that my dad was in the hospital.... he's back home now! Yippee!! I'm taking dinner over there later tonight. My mom asked me what I was going to make. Um. Right. LOL! I'd have to cook first.

I've been getting a little scrapping done lately, so I'll have pics to post soon.

Memorial Day weekend

2007-05-29T09:21:00.000-06:00

It rained all weekend!! I spent the whole day yesterday reading and finishing Size 14 Isn't Fat Either. It was hilarious! I can't wait for the next in the series to come out... Big Boned.

I also watched a few movies this weekend. I saw Picture Perfect with Jennifer Aniston, and Just Married with Ashton Kutcher and Britney Murphy. I had already seen Picture Perfect and I thought Just Married was really funny. I started Season 5 of 24 last night too. I'm so addicted to that show. I can't wait until I am caught up and watching Season 7 next year when it airs.

Ode to french fries

2007-05-26T21:47:00.000-06:00

I created this for the Sussies & Cupcakes challenge going on at Willow Traders. I didn't get anything done for the first two challenges, but I finally got something done for the third. The challenge was to scrap your favorite food. Most of what I used on this page was found in the May Poppy Ink project kit. The only things not from the kit are the two pieces of cardstock and the yellow flower. The flower is actually from an old Sussies kit.

My self portrait

2007-05-15T10:39:00.000-06:00

Elsie Flannigan is hosting a self-portrait challenge on her blog today, so I thought I'd give it a shot. This is my favorite self-portrait. I cropped all the the background stuff out of it and this is what I came up with.

New toot for me!

2007-05-11T13:42:00.000-06:00

I found out today that I was chosen to be one of the three guest design team members for the Scrapperie June kit! They said they "love my fun, graphic style"! That's interesting because if someone had asked me what my scrapping style was before today I would not have known. Now I can say it's graphic! I'm really excited and honored to be given this opportunity. I've added a link to the Scrapperie to the right!

Do you love tea?

2007-05-11T09:02:00.000-06:00

I am becoming obsessed with tea. This may be a great alternative to the shoe addiction, come to think of it. It's much cheaper. Anyway, my friends Sandra and Cody invited me to join them at a great new little place here in Houston called The Path of Tea. They have over 100 teas to choose from and you can order a small pot, a large pot, or buy loose teas to take home. The owner's were very warm and friendly. I think this is going to become a regular hangout for me! I have added a link to their website to the right!

12 step program?

2007-05-10T15:07:00.000-06:00

Someone stop me!! My shoe shopping has just gotten completely out of control. Seriously. I bought two pairs when I was in Dallas (the red ones and the ballet slipper one), and then I made the mistake of popping in to DSW last night because I had some time to kill. Who was I kidding? I bought two more pairs. I got those adorable black striped espadrilles and some really cute Nine West sandals. I haven't found a picture of those yet. Tonight, yes tonight, I will go through my closet and get rid of four pairs of shoes that I don't wear. I have to. Then tomorrow it's off to Goodwill. Here are the new little darlings!!

Trip to Dallas

2007-05-10T14:56:00.000-06:00

I spent last weekend in Dallas with my good friend Rachel. I finally got to meet her sweet baby, Lea Joy. It was great to finally catch up with Rachel. We did a lot of what we do best. We ate a lot, shopped a lot, surfed the net, played with Lea and even danced! Everyone, meet Lea!

New book in the mail

2007-04-18T10:26:00.000-06:00

Check it out! I bought "The Modern Jewish Girl's Guide to Guilt". It's a collection of short stories. The description on the back reads, "twenty-eight of today's top Jewish women writers tell the truth about all the things their rabbis warned them never to discuss in public". It looks great. I can't wait to get into it.

I'm on a roll...

2007-04-17T20:41:00.000-06:00

Two posts in one day! I just had to show off my cool find. I stopped at TJMAX on the way home from work today and came across this cool jar. I thought it would look great full of my flowers. I had no idea that I would fill it up this quickly. I'd better get to scrappin!!

I came across another great find in my very own closet! I have had this great serving piece that belonged to my Great Aunt Molly for years. My mom thought it was ugly, but I insisted on saving it. Doesn't it look pretty full of buttons and embellishments?

My first blog post

2007-04-17T12:30:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone!! I'm finally posting my first blog post! I have really been enjoying looking at all of the wonderful blogs out there, so I'm very inspired. Today is the last day of tax season and things are finally winding down around the office. I can actually take a minute to relax and take a deep breath.

This weekend I am traveling to the Wind Sock Inn outside of Dallas for a weekend retreat. My SIL Missi is joining me and I am going to meet two more of my wonderful Willow Trader friends, Lara and Annette. I can't wait!! I will take tons of pictures, I promise!