Another Day

Today has been great. I get the next two weeks off and I am excited. I really enjoy my job but I need to get my house in order, literally! I need to paint and clean closests and do some deep cleaning. I am looking forward to getting this task started and finished. Is it just me or do you feel better about everything when your house is clean?

Earlier this week I had my husband pose for a picture with me. We are two big goofballs. I want to enter some challenges in the near future and I wanted to take a few fun photos. These are my favorite goofball pics. We are good together. He helps me to be better.

My Sweet Angel

Y'all my sweet little girl has finished the second grade and she has to be one of the sweetest little girls in the world. Her second grade class was tasked with writing the graduating Seniors some words of wisdom. This is what she had to say:

Seniors

I know Seniors leave their parents. But you can do it. All of you can do it. Don't be tempted. Don't be nervous. Never be nervous. Congratulations! Always have courage no matter what. College is wonderful. Always make good choices.

Your parents can't make you do your own homework. You have to do it by yourself. Don't be mean to others. Be nice to your teacher. Don't fight nobody. Never hate somebody you don't like. Love people, they want to be loved.

I love this kid. She makes me so proud. Have a great day and thanks for reading.

Where in the World...

have I been? Nowhere. Just straight LAZY. No excuse. I have not scrapped a thing since Feb/March.

Lots going on and here's the skinny:
1. Finished our first round of P90X. It rocked.
2. Still working and enjoying that. I work with some wonderful women.
3. Had my B-day and that was over too fast.
4. Hubby gave me cash for my B-day and I spent it quick.
5. My teenager is still dramatic and working my last.
6. Son is in football and band and that has me running.
7. Oldest trying out for Volleyball and she is in night school due to moving from FL.
8. Getting ready for a Caribbean cruise.
9. I signed up to run my first 1/2 marathon...I think I must be crazy.
10. Started our second round of P90X.

That is life in a nutshell.

-toodles

Daddy/Daughter Dance

Here is a pic of my husband and daughter before they left for the Daddy/Daughter Dance. Our church hosts this dance every year around Valentine's Day. There is also a Mother/Son event but it will be later this month.The Daddy/Daughter dance has dinner and dancing. They have crafts and games. But the sweetest part was that they were able to write each other love letters. She wrote her dad:

Dear Daddy,

I'll love you forever, even when I get a woupen (whooping) very baddly. And cry so maddly.

I love you because you care about me and treat me like a human bean. And teach me! So well I love you sooooooooooooooooooooooo much. You are my very and only dad.

Love Always,
Lizzy

I love you! Happy Valentines Day! Daddy!

*******************************************
They are so sweet at this age. I wish I could just keep her this innocent and sweet for a long time.

How we do it in Alabama

Okay. It has snowed in Alabama for the second time this year. I am not a real fan of snow or cold weather but it nice for my children to experience the snow. I know it is only 2 inches worth, but that is a big deal to us.We actually got to play in the snow. They had a ball throwing snowballs. Okay, please make sure you check out the down south mittens my children are wearing. That would be socks on their hands and my son has on garden gloves. Yep. We don't buy gloves very often.You have to see my favorite picture though. Seeing as how we don't get much snow, my babies still wanted to make a snowman. Here it is.....The Bootleg Snowman.I gotta teach these babies how to build a snowman. They did the best they could in 2 inches of snow. See his hair and button eyes. He has a baby carrot nose, stick arms, and I was way to scared to ask what his mouth was made of. Gotta love it.

Have a good Sunday and thanks for reading.

My Grandma

My sweet grandmother passed away a week ago today. She was a very sweet lady. She was funny and caring. She was a wonderful grandmother and because of her I am here. I am going to miss her. She was a beautiful lady that was tough as nails. She loved her family so much and we all knew that. I am so grateful for her. We have so much to be thankful for in having her.
Things I love about her are the memories. She used to keep me when my parents were at work. I remember throwing a tantrum at about age 3 or 4. I threw a whopper of a tantrum. I was laying face down on the floor kicking my legs and pounding my fists (I saw Wiley Coyote do that). My grandma was on the phone and kept stepping right over me like she didn't see me. After a few minutes I just got up on my own and I never did that again. She was the kind of lady that made you pick out your own switch, she could make you a meal out of anything, and could squint her eye in just the right way to let you know you were in big trouble. She was generous and giving to her family.

I love her so much. She was so beautiful in every way.

Photo Organizer

Was I the only one who didn't know about Picaso. I have Photoshop Elements 4 and I am totally okay with that. I realize that there is now Photoshop 8, but I found out about Picaso. I realize that it is quite limited but it is FREE. You can organize and edit, and it's FREE. Picaso 3 is user friendly and....it's FREE. So, I downloaded it to my new computer and I am enjoying how easy it is. I like how the program organizes the photos and how quick you can edit and enhance the pics. It has all kinds of cool features. So if you don't have Picaso 3 you should look it up and read the reviews.

Here is something I did, just playin' around with it. Please note that I am an amateur and this is most definitely a regular people app.

Original Picture (Yes, I know the makeup is too light, I was playing with the wrong bronzer...yikes!)

Same picture, cropped to get a close up of the eyeshadow. I was experimenting with color.

Third picture, tried to mute the color a bit.
That's all for today people. Have a goodin'!

FYI

Do not cross state lines with a child in high school. Poor Tyler (my oldest daughter, I call her MyGirl). She has started back in school today in AL and she has none of the "right" core classes. Bless her heart, she has to take night classes for 8 weeks and 2 sessions of summer school to get the "right" core classes. I feel so bad for her. You know what she said, "Well Mom, I won't be alone (her school is not the best)." She had a way better attitude than I did. I don't think she has considered the amount of time she will have to be in school. This is nuts!

Today, I am thankful for a journal. I am going to pitch a full fledged hissy-fit in that thing today. I mean I am going to let it all out on that poor piece of paper. I need to get these emotions out. I love to read blogs where people just say what they think and are so unapologetic about it. That's why I love my journal, I can say whatever, and no one knows but me and Jesus! I need a place to be honest. What about you? Where do you go to be perfectly honest?

It's that time

I am saying goodbye to Florida. It is time to head back to Alabama. I am really sad about this. I am going to miss being here. I loved the weather, I loved the schools, I loved the community. Like everything else around here we have to change. Have I mentioned that I am not a fan of change. Some change is great like a new car, a new house, a new baby, a new pair of shoes, a fly new hair cut, a new outfit, a new job. Those are just dandy. Some change is just un-fun. However, what I have found is that every time we have had to move the Lord has provided me with the things I thought I'd miss...like new friends, new experiences, new church community, and a deeper relationship with my husband. When all you have is each other you have a tendency to cling a little tighter.

Have I mentioned I am going to be looking for a JOB!!!! Talk about change! I am hoping to get the most perfect job that fits my family. So if that means, "Welcome to McDonald's how may I take your order?" Then.... there it is...and...there it go. Whatever, Dude.

So anyway, Good-Bye FL. It's been real.

Blog Challenges

Hey my Peeps!

Have any of you heard of this website: Scrapbook Calls

I keep checking it and it gives you lots of Design Team Calls, Challenge Contests, Teacher Calls, and Crops. Very cool website. Very current and well kept. Maybe you can get motivated...maybe I can get motivated. I think I am getting motivated.

Check it out. Let me know what you think.

Another hobby

Hey y'all!

Maybe I will scrapbook again. Not sure when. I am gearing up for my transition back to Alabama the Beautiful. Florida has been really good. School was great for my kids! They have done well. I will miss this place. I am going to take pictures all over town to do a layout about our stay. I'll do another post about that later.

Things are good. I have no complaints. I have not bought a scrap item in months...I think. I did get a few goodies for Christmas as gifts. I am in the process of packing all my scrap stuff. I am really hoping the MOJO will bite me hard when we get back to AL. I look forward to visiting my local scrap store there.

Oh wait, I did buy something. Silhouette had a 50% off sale on all digital designs right before the New Year. I bought 27 of those. They really have some cute stuff out there and every week there are new designs. I love all the nesting designs. Everything is becoming more and more affordable...'bout time!

On a HIGH note, I had been having more and more trouble with my computer. I had virus after virus after stinking virus. I had to take it into the shop twice and that was not cheap. However, Christmas morning my husband surprised me with a new laptop and I was VERY surprised. I was not expecting a new computer at all! It was a very welcomed gift. I can start blog hopping again. Because of the viruses, I was really leery of surfing the net, so I just quit getting on all together except to check email and facebook.

My current project in lieu of scrapbooking has been makeup. I am still practicing techniques to find the right makeup foundation for my face and skin. I am wearing Mary Kay Bronze 607 and Bare Mineral's powder on top with Mac Fix+. Here's a picture:My husband says I don't need make up but I disagree. I can't tell if I am wearing it right or wrong, or if it is too much. So, I keep practicing to find what works for me. YouTube has amazing makeup tutorials. This chic is my favorite.

That's it people. Have a happy Friday.

Hey...

it's late and I am tired. I've been doing a gig and it has been pretty cool. Life is going great. Kids are great. Gearing up to shop for Christmas. My computer has been to the shop...twice. I have been loaded with viruses on my laptop. That really makes me nervous to blog hop.

I have not touched anything scrapbooky in 2 months. I don't miss it yet.

That's that in a nut shell.

--fox

Just Dang!

Hey Ladies,

I am in such a pickle. My computer has been JACKED for the last 2 weeks! I don't know what happened to it. All my pictures and my Photoshop Elements software are on that thing! Why...why didn't I back up all 2500 of my photos. It needs a professional to fix it. in the I think it can be fixed. I hope it can be fixed. You will know if it gets fixed. So int eh interim I am using my husbands computer. It is just not the same thing though. Its kind of like going to someone's house and going in their refrigerator. Its awkward and its just not mine, you know.

There is nothing exciting going on down here. It was freezing last week and now it is 78 degrees. Bought coats on Friday and Tuesday, now it's a heat wave. We are all going to get pneumonia. Remember when your mother used to say that? I am not going to complain because I'll take hot over cold any day. I am thinking my honey and I should retire in the tropics when we get old.

I have not scrapped in 25 days. Haven't touched a thing. I will get back in to it in a couple of weeks. Right now I have some bigger fish to fry. I am writing some talks for a Women's retreat that happens in November. It is consuming lots of my thought processes currently, this is very exciting and very scary. I wanted to try out for a design team but now is not the right time, I have got to get through this retreat and then the fun can return. However, I am going to do a LO for the PBP Challenge, I can't wait to see how it turns out. It is going to be a bit...dangerous. I will get that uploaded some how.

Anyway, just thought I'd check in.

Toodles.

It's happening!!!!!

Okay Girls,

I know some of you can relate to this. Do you ever have one of those moments when you realize, OMGoodness...the thing that you thought would never happen has happened...you woke up one morning and everything became clear...

...I look like my MOTHER!!!! Not only do I look like her, but sometimes I swear I act like her... I move like her, I sound like her, I say the things she says and I have her ways! Ughhh!!!! Not that Mom is bad or anything, but she's Mom. I want to be me and not her! Don't get me wrong I LOVE my mother, she's a hoot, but dang. I am getting older...my youthfulness is giving way to my transformation into my mother...(sigh). Here is the picture that says it all. It's me and my daughter.I know I am not alone in this, somebody understands my pain. LOL!!!

Have a great weekend. My friend series continues tomorrow.

-FOX

Series of Layouts-Friends #3

Hey y'all! (That is southern for Hello)

I love being from the south. Currently it is still in the upper 80's and I am loving it. We were watching a game on Saturday (Iowa vs Penn) that was being played in Pennsylvania and it was 53 degrees and raining. Poor Pennsylvanians. But at least you can tell season from season in the north.

Anyway, here is another LO I did of a wonderful woman in my life...y'all know her..it's my girl Brick. She told me once, "Girl, you know I'm from up north."
I had to stare at her for a minute and I said, "Girl, you from Tennessee!"
She said, "That's north of here!"
We both died laughing!!! She is so funny. I remember the first time I ever laughed with her...til I almost peed in my pants. We were at our small group's Bible Study (of all places). We were in the break room area where we would set up food and I remember she had me bent over from laughing. I cannot for the life of me remember what we were laughing about, but I knew at that moment she was going to be my friend forever. How neat is that?

Since then, we have become bible study partners. She sharpens me. This is my layout of her. I used Cosmo Cricket for the patterned paper and Sassafras for the chipboard clouds. The circle flowers are Scenic Route. I painted them with Tim Holtz paint and added some bling. The butterflies were puched using a Martha Stewart punch.

Thanks for looking. Have a wonderful glorious Monday!

Point Blank Period's 1st Challenge

Hello Blog Buddies!

Okay, I am taking a break with my friend series to post my first Point Blank Period layout. Point Blank Period is a blog you can find by clicking here. The ladies over there are so stinkin' talented! I am loving the layouts that have been done. The blog challenge is only ONCE a month and very creative. My girl over here sent me the info and I am so glad she did. Here is my take on the Challenge prompts:

My son took the photo of me. Not bad for a 6th grader. I did quite a bit of embossing. I use the Zing by American Crafts for embossing powder.I used very fluorescent neon colors for the pink and green. I threw in a few Sassafras stickers and Basic Grey chip board. I like how this turned out. It's....different. Thanks for looking.

Series of Layouts-Friends #2

Here is the layout I did of my girl, Renee. Renee has visited twice since we moved to FL. We have so much fun on her visits. On this last visit we scrapped, went to a rec football game, and we were supposed to go to the beach but that did not happen. It rained that weekend so we ended up going to the movies instead. We saw All About Steve with Sandra Bullock. The movie had terrible reviews, but we decided to see it anyway. We laughed so hard! I mean the kind of laugh that no sound comes out your mouth, you're stomping your foot, slappin' your thigh and tears start rolling down your cheeks. (sigh) Those are the fun times!

Everyday and every night we scrapbooked while we watched Tyler Perry plays and laughed even more. I love it when Renee and I can get together. We have way too much fun!

This page is dedicated to her. Please make note of how hard she is laughing in the bottom photo! I was having a "wardrobe malfunction" and she was crackin' up laughing about something while my "sweet" husband just kept snapping pictures!
LAYOUT DETAILS: I have been trying to incorporate circles (I see that on Sasha's LO's often, thought I'd give it a try). I used October Afternoon Cherry Hill. I also used a mist and a cherry mask from Heidi Swapp. I think the chipboard stickers are from Basic Grey Lemonade.

Thanks for stopping by have a wonderful Wednesday!

Series of Layouts-Friends #1

Hello to All,

For the next 4 posts I will be featuring a layout of my friends. You know the kind of friends that get in the trenches with you. I have several ladies who are really good to me and I will be working in the future to add them...the problem is I don't have current pictures of them. I may have to dig through the stash of old pics and work some magic.

Anyway, here is the LO of me and my sister.

The journaling says:
My Sister Michelle is my BEST friend. She knows my every secret and she loves me anyway. She is one of the greatest gifts God has ever given me. She is kind, gentle, SMART, funny, beautiful, faithful, a great mother and godly.

On the back of the pages I right more personal stuff that talks about how they effect me, change me and make me better. True friendship and real love make you better.

Y'all, I LOVE my sister. She is amazing.

Hope you like the LO. Thanks for taking a look!

First Day of School LO's

Hello Foxes! I had a ball last week when my girl Renee came for a visit. She and I scrapped for three days over the holiday weekend. We watched like 7 Tyler Perry plays and laughed. We caught a movie (All About Steve) and laughed our heads off. She also made Lemon Bars...my favorite. I found my husband eating the last Lemon Bar and I had to demand a brother give it back! He had eaten most of it but those last two bites were mine! I don't know what he was thinkin' eatin' the last one. Anyway here are my school LO's.


Thanks for stoppin' by.

Football and Layouts

Hey you guys. I am posting a picture of my son in last week's game. My son's team took a butt whoopin' like you would not believe! Here he is playing safety. However, staying true to being a little boy he still had a blast because they played in the pouring rain.
Also, I am so excited to post these LOs . These are for Scrap Pink that Scraphappy is going to host at the end of September. These will go on the Pink wall during the month of September. These are stories of people who I know and love that have been affected by Breast Cancer.

You all have a lovely day and thanks for stopping by.