This is my Life

Current projects

2009-12-13T15:42:00.003-05:00

These are images of orders I had from people at work. A Christmas card and bookmarks!!

September Shaped Cards

2009-09-07T16:56:00.003-04:00

This card was the "How to" card for September go to www.paperpopsicles.com for the how to!!
Cherry Pie anyone!?!?
Loved this Owl shaped card!

Check out all the fabulous shaped cards Melissa has at paper popsicles. They are really fun to play with!!

I am the new Shaped Card Designer at Paper Popsicles

2009-08-12T20:36:00.004-04:00

Here is where you can meet me and the rest of the Paper Popsicles Design Team. http://paperpopsicles.com/designTeam.html

So here are my first 4 cards I completed.

These were so much fun to make. So head on over to http://paperpopsicles.com/index.html and check out the online store. For $0.99 a piece you can get the templates to makes these cards and many more. Just select "Shaped Card Templates"

Freebie Friday

2009-07-29T08:04:00.002-04:00

Freebie Friday, Freebie Friday, Freebie Friday
I like saying Freebie Friday and you are going to like what it means. Yup, Cheeky Radish has graciously offered to give you FREE, ONLY on FRIDAY new digital stamp design. You love free, right????The new digital stamp image will be posted on the blog and to get it for FREE you need to head to the Paper Popsicles store, go to the Digital Designs category and order it. Here is the really good news...she is going to give us a new stamp image for FREE EVERY Friday during August. Now, just to make this EVEN better if you post our Freebie Friday information on your blog you will be entered to win a nice big surprise package of goodies!!! In order to be included on this drawing you need to post on your blog the information about our FREEBIE FRIDAY and link to our blog. Also you need to become a follower of our blog and put Paper Popsicles or our blinkie in your favorites or places I visit section on your blog.

Blog Hop Winner is...

2009-07-14T07:52:00.001-04:00

drum roll please!!!

MamaBug.

Congrats!!!!

It's time for the Paper Popsicles Welcome to Summer blog hop!!!

2009-07-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Paper Popsicles is having it's first ever blog hop, so you'll be asked to hop from blog to blog featuring yummy eye candy with a summer theme...and of course what's eye candy without a little blog candy...so just leave a comment before you hop along to the next blog and you just might pick up a prize!!! Each blog will feature a secret word...these words needs to be collected and then put together to form a phrase. This phrase will then need to be emailed to paperpopsicles@gmail.com by Sunday night, July 12 at midnight Central time to be eligible for our grand prize.

So......lets get started!!!

If you are joining me from Paper Popsicle's blog great...you are hopping right along...if you just stumbled upon my blog...you won't want to miss a thing, so hop on over to the Paper Popsicles blog to get you started.

Here is my project: the clipboard is by EK success, the paper and rubons I used are from the July Kit "Want A Popsicle" You can find this kit along with others over at http://paperpopsicles.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&zenid=c01be7e9d90bd3f4f1948a4df739f1ad
The sunkissed rubon was put directly on the photo, I also used pop dots to pop the picture up!

Did you know that the Paper Popsicles blog features a new card challenge every Wednesday?
Did you know that every month we have weekly theme challenges hosted on our message board?
Did you know that we have a monthly sketch challenge?
Did you know that we hold auditions each month for our next guest designer....details can be found on our message board!!!
Have you seen the kits in the store? Did you see there is one main kit, two mini-kits, and a card kit each month?
Have you been over to see the design team and guest designer's galleries to see their amazing work done with the fabulous products offered in the Paper Popsicles store?

now...for my secret word...it is (IS)

before you hop on over there...be sure to leave me a comment here so you are entered into the drawing here on my blog....

next...be sure to keep on hopping and collecting words for your secret phrase by checking out Tricia http://www.triciastreasures.blogspot.com's blog next...

don't forget to send an email with the secret phrase to paperpopsicles@gmail.com at the end of the blog hop....and good luck!

SALE SALE SALE

2009-07-02T08:15:00.001-04:00

Check out the sale at Paper Popsicles
http://www.paperpopsicles.com/store/

JULY BLOW OUT SALE! 20% off Embellishments, Stickers, Paper, Available Past Kits25% off Alter This, Chipboard & Die Cuts40% off Stamps
50% off Clearance

Some awesome deals on their already low low prices!!!

June Sketch Challenge

2009-06-01T16:03:00.003-04:00

Join the fun over at www.paperpopsicles.com!! I have fun with doing the sketch challenge this month.

Here is the sketch and a sample. Post your entries in the gallery over at Paper Popsicles.

Also check out the weekly theme challenges, this month we are focusing on "Life Changes"!!!

2009-05-27T18:42:00.001-04:00

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Card Sketch #1 Winner!

The first card sketch challenge has ended and there were some fantastic cards! Thank you to all that participated. Alas, there can only be one winner and that is....

Alex

She created this great graduation card with lots of texture!

Congratulations Alex! Please email your address to melissa@paperpopsicles.com to receive your prize.

This week's sketch is for a landscape card but feel free to turn it as you like. :-)

Paper Popsicle Challenge

2009-03-03T21:25:00.000-05:00

The Cosmo Cricket challenge prize
consists of the 4 packages of stickers shown below.
We have 4 sets for 4 lucky winners.

To enter you must show us your layout or altered creation that uses 90% of Cosmo Cricket products, and become a follower of our blog. Show-off your Cosmo Cricket project by linking us to your blog or gallery.

All qualified entries will be entered into a random drawing with the winner announced April 1.

It has been a long time since I last blogged!!

2009-02-25T06:30:00.003-05:00

Things have been busy!! Christ is finally starting therapy,and is on the road to recovery from his back surgery.

I have been busy with work, church and Paper Popsicles. I have also been reconnecting with friends on Facebook. It has been lots of fun.

These are some of my recent projects. The clipboards are for church and the two layouts were for an album I did for my niece for Christmas!!

Sale Sale Sale

2009-01-01T19:45:00.000-05:00

40% off EVERYTHING

Yes, we are having a store wide sale and offering everything but adhesives at 40% off. Our regular prices always save you up to 35% off suggested retail prices so with an additional 40% you are getting whopper deals!!

www.paperpopsicles.com

To blog or to Facebook??

2009-01-01T16:53:00.001-05:00

That is my most recent question????

I am having so much fun on Facebook, that I have neglected blogging. Part of me feels that I can accomplish the same thing with Facebook as I do with blogging.

I can show my work and keep in contact with friends and family!!

So my dilemma is do I blog or Facebook, as I don't have time for both!!!

Happy New Year 2009

Christmas 2008

2008-12-26T23:00:00.004-05:00

It's hard to believe Christmas is over. We have been so blessed to have had a wonderful holiday with family. Allison played the piano Christmas Eve at church. She played Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, and did a wonderful job.

Here we all are at mum and dad's opening gifts!!

Merry Christmas to all and I wish everyone a Happy New Year!!

A sleepover and an Afternoon at Build-A-Bear!!!

2008-11-22T13:22:00.002-05:00

We had so much fun taking my niece to build-a-bear. We had gotten her a gift certificate for her birthday and Sunday worked out to be the best day to take her. She had spent the night as my SIL and a friend were going to the Colts game on Sunday.

What a fun filled weekend it was, I had forgotten how busy a 2 year old can be!!! She got a panda bear and named her Princess!!!

4th place!!

2008-11-11T19:25:00.007-05:00

That's what we placed at state marching band finals!! It was a very busy day but well worth it.
The kids did an AWESOME job!

They got to perform at the new Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here we are with Ian after the performance!!

Love this slogan that Homestead has!

This was all 10 bands on the field for the awards. Love the big screen at the stadium.

Can you find Ian??? He is the middle tenor sax on the front row!!

Well, the kids had a week off from practice and now they are working on getting the show ready for their trip to the Fiesta Bowl. What a fun season we had and I can't wait for next year!!!

ISSMA State Marching Band Finals!!

2008-10-29T11:56:00.002-04:00

I cannot believe that Saturday is state finals, the time has flown by!!!

I am very proud to say that we made the cut and will be performing Saturday at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. We are the only Fort Wayne Class A band to be going to state finals this year. We are last in the line-up performing at 9:37pm.

We received Saturday's schedule last night, it is the days events for the kids. We will be dropping off Ian at 7pm and picking him up from school around 2:45am (sunday) What a long day!!

We had an incredible pep rally last night with the drum line playing through the halls of the school. Everyone was pumped up!!!

At this point all I can say is "We Believe" GO HOMESTEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Semi-State here we come!!!

2008-10-21T07:18:00.004-04:00

I am so proud of all the Fort Wayne area marching bands!! Northrop, Snider, Carroll and Homestead are all moving on the Semi-State Class A competition. They all did a fantastic job Saturday at Regionals.

This city has some really talented kids.

Snider quad drums playing tables and chairs!!!!

Here's my Ian playing tenor sax!!!

Good luck to all the school this Saturday, October 25 at Ben Davis High School!!!!

I have become such a band mom!!!

2008-10-12T15:53:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was our fall festival invitational at Homestead. So as a freshman mom what do I do??? I jump in with both feet!!!

I had to bake 2 dozen muffins for the hospitality room, 3 dozen cookies for the band (it was the tenor sax's turn to provide cookies), I also volunteered to sell buttons for 3 1/2 hours and I hosted a band. I hosted Snider who took 1st place!!!

It was a long day, but it was a GREAT day!!! High school is so much better the 2nd time around as a parent.

Here are some pictures from this weekend!!!
Ian is the front right person working the magnet. He looks do handsome in his uniform!!!

Here are the hosts!!! I even got a blue/gold purse from the Vera Bradley sale just for band events!!!!

We are on a roll!!!!

2008-09-29T08:37:00.004-04:00

Saturday Homesteads marching band was at Penn High School. We competed against 8 other schools. We were very fortunate to take 1st place AGAIN!!!! The kids did an AWESOME job!! We are very proud of all of them!!!
Ian was a magnet Saturday Night, he is the front corner of the very last magnet!!!
Don't they look AWESOME!!!!

This Saturday (October 4th) kicks off the ISSMA competition. District is being held at Homestead, here is the lineup for Class A.

Class A

6:22 PM - Huntington North

6:35 PM - Warsaw

6:48 PM - Northrop

7:01 PM - Homestead

7:14 PM - Snider

7:27 PM - Carroll

Awards (Class A)

I am really looking forward to helping out with the contest, I will be hosting a band, what fun!!!!

If we qualify at district we will then move onto regionals!!!!!

Have a great week!!!!!!

We're #1!!!!

2008-09-21T19:35:00.005-04:00

For the 3rd weekend in a row, Homestead's Alliance Marching Band took 1st place. They did an incredible job, we are so very proud of Ian. It all started Friday night with the Homecoming game. Homestead beat Bellmont. It was a great game, and the band did an incredible job playing at half-time. Ian went to his first homecoming dance and really enjoyed himself.
Saturday morning I was on pavilion duty for the band. What a great way to meet other band moms!! Then in the evening we decorated the car and were off to Northrop High School for their Invitational. The stadium was packed, but we were able to get great seats. There was only Homestead, Snider and Carroll competing in Class A. Homestead took 1st, Snider 2nd and Carroll 3rd. All three schools have an AWESOME show!!!

Today marks the 4th weekly challenge for the month at Paper Popsicles.http://www.paperpopsicles.com/This weeks theme is to use school supplies. Also at PP, it is an additional 40% of clearance items. WHAT A DEAL!!

ANNOUNCING!!!!!

2008-09-17T09:40:00.001-04:00

go to http://www.thegreatpumpkinsearch.com/ to get signed up to participate. The click here to participate doesn't work on the board!!

We did it again!!!

2008-09-15T09:47:00.004-04:00

We are so proud of Ian and the Homestead marching band. We were at Goshen Saturday for a competition. There was some tough competition this time, but we still pulled it off and took first place. It certainly makes for exciting weekends.

Now I just need to sort through my pictures and get some posted!!! I will definately have a bunch to scrapbook!!!

Another busy weekend!!!!

2008-09-12T15:41:00.004-04:00

We are off with marching band again this weekend.
I was hoping to post so pics from last Saturday's competion but I have not had time. We were at Bluffton and took 1st place and Grand Champions. It was great to see Ian out there marching. He is having a great time and doing an AWESOME job!!! We are so proud of him!!!

We will be at Goshen tomorrow night. Let's hope for another 1st place!!! Right now I am praying for no rain!!!!

Go Homestead Alliance Marching Band!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cards, Cards and more Cards!!!

2008-09-02T09:42:00.005-04:00

I have been busy making cards the past couple of weeks. I am so pleased I ordered the precut cards from Paper Popsicles http://www.paperpopsicles.com/ they make card making easy!!!!!

This round clipboard is also available at Paper Popsicles. I did this project for the September 1st Weekly Challenge posted by Valery. The challenge is to use a monogram.
Also, check out the Monthly Sketch Challenge also at Paper Popsicles. This is my sample.

Where's Waldo?!?!?

2008-08-25T08:29:00.006-04:00

We are not football fans but...we were at Homesteads first football game of the season. Not for the game but to see the marching band perform at half time!!! Ian has been hard at work with band for the last four weeks and it really pays off when you see them perform the show. It is incredible.
We are so VERY proud of Ian and the entire band for all the work they do.
Here are just a couple of pics I got, hopefully the next pictures I take will be better after I get my new camera!!!

Can you spot Ian?!?!?
By the way Homestead stomped over Huntington North 55-21!!!!
This one is from their practice Thursday night!! Ian is the tenor sax player behind the tuba (he is in a brown t-shirt)!!!!

Check out Paper Popsicles!!!

2008-08-21T07:15:00.002-04:00

Yep, there are now 179 items in the CLEARANCE section in the store. Melissa has been working like a little dog adding more items to clearance today. PLUS once again ALL clearance is an additional 25% off.
http://paperpopsicles.com/store/

You can't pass on a deal like that!!!!

First day of School

2008-08-20T08:35:00.002-04:00

Today is our first day of school. I think Ian and Allison were both a little nervous. As always first day of school pics were taken!!!

Not sure what is up with Allison's smile, must be nerves!!
As for Ian, he is always to goof!!

Good luck to both of you today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be thinking of you!

Great news about my job!!!

2008-08-19T14:06:00.002-04:00

About a week ago my boss came to me and asked would I want to go full-time in the new year. She was working on her budget for 2009 and really wanted me full-time, of course I said yes.

So friday she comes up to me and said "would I be able to start full-time September 1st?" I told her I didn't forsee a problem but I wanted to talk to Christ first.

So yesterday I let them know that I would be happy to start full-time in September. This means now getting benefits at a full-time status, plus the extra money. To bad this didn't come a few months ago while Christ has been off with his back. Oh well, better late than never!!!

Speaking of Christ, he goes in for another procedure on September 2nd. Thank goodness work is very understanding. My first day of full-time and I have to take the day off!!! He is having the nerve endings burnt at several levels in his back. They are hoping this will help with the pain, as he is doing well with physical therapy. Thanks to everyone for all your thoughts and prayers over the last 6 months. It has not been busy, but your prayers have helped. Lets hope he is back to work soon!!!!

My baby boy turned 15!!!!

2008-08-18T10:11:00.005-04:00

I can not believe that Ian is 15, where has the time gone!!! He will be a freshman in high school this year. One year away from driving!!! It just seems like yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital! We had a really busy but fun weekend celebrating Ian's birthday.

Saturday was the car wash for Homestead Marching Band. They are raising money for their trip to the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona. They will be there December 29, 08 - January 3rd, 09. The kids had a great time washing cars and getting each other wet!!! It was fun for the parents also, we got an opportunity to get to know each other. This was especially nice for we Freshman Parents!!!!! Here they are washing cars!!!

Sunday we had the family over for a birthday party. All the kids were having fun playing and running around. The adults sat discussing how fast time has gone by, and remembering when Ian was born. I would say he is pretty spoiled being the oldest grandchild.

Ian loves having his picture taken with my sister. He likes to see how tall he is next to her. Luckily, Sally was wearing heals!!! What do you think to Ian's new hat??? He loves it!!!
You are NEVER too old to have candles on your cake!!!!!

Happy Birthday Ian, we love you!!!!!

I just had to post this layout.

2008-08-14T14:08:00.004-04:00

I did this layout for this weeks challenge at Paper Popsicles!!! http://www.paperpopsicles.com/

I love the color of the tomatos!! I can't believe how well my plants have done. So far I have picked 4 dozen off of my 6 plants, and there are still a bunch of them to turn red!!!

I must admit they are REALLY good!!!! This is one of the things about summer I love, fresh produce!!!!

Just a quick post to say...

2008-08-10T14:10:00.002-04:00

check out Paper Popsicles!! Melissa is now offering monthly kits without having to sign up for a subscription. http://www.paperpopsicles.com/. There are also some great contests and challenges taking place this month, so stop by and check them out. Here are a few layouts I have had a chance to complete.

Thanks for looking. See you soon!!!

First week of band camp is over!!!

2008-08-01T22:38:00.002-04:00

Ian survived his first week of marching band camp, in fact he LOVED IT!! He has really enjoyed himself.

It has been a busy week for me, both at work and at home. Unfortunately, that doesn't leave much time for scrapbooking!!!

It's hard to believe...

2008-07-24T21:45:00.003-04:00

that a week ago Val and I were sitting in the bar of the Marriott Chicago, having cocktails with Paper Popsicles D.T. member Tricia Gordan. http://paperpopsicles.com/designTeam.html

Boy has this week flown by!!!! Work has been really busy, I have a new procedure that has been very time consuming. Hopefully the IT guys will get the bugs worked out soon!!!

Happy early Birthday to my mum!! Her birthday is tomorrow. We will be heading to the Allen County 4-H fair tomorrow night with my parents, sister and her children. It has become a yearly event to check out all the animals then have elephant ears!!!

Saturday we are having a girls day out!!! My sister and I along with our girls (Allison & Louise) are taking mum to Indy to shop for the day!!! We are already checking out what sales will be going on.
http://www.simon.com/mall/event_details.aspx?ID=166&EID=62917&TAFLID=LnLzE54cdz1DZsiRM%2fgQvg%3d%3d

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/department_sale.jsp?Nr=AND(CAT_SALE_FLAG:Y)&N=1200063&categoryId=152&cid=E000601

We have already decided we will have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. I just hope they let me try to scrapbook shop too!!!

Sunday Christ has a band concert in Ohio. The kids and I are giving this one a miss as Ian needs to gear up for marching band camp. 3 weeks of camp from 8-4pm Monday - Friday.
GO HOMESTEAD!!!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!! As a final note here are some pictures of a couple of projects I completed. A friend at church ordered these paint cans.

SALE SALE SALE!!!!

2008-07-21T10:19:00.000-04:00

Check out Paper Popsicles for an AWESOME sale!!

http://paperpopsicles.com/store/

CHA 2008

2008-07-20T08:28:00.003-04:00

What a great time we had Friday getting to go to CHA in Chicago. Val and I headed out Thursday afternoon heading to Pages in Time to get so "retail therapy" in!!! Then we headed to South Bend and picked up Tricia (DT member Paper Popsicles). It was great to finally meet her face to face!!!

Stopped at a fun restaurant on the way to Chicago, Quaker State and Lube I believe it was called. Obviously the theme was cars!!!!!

Friday we were up bright and early ready to start the day!! After an expense($18.00) breakfast at the hotel we headed to convention center!!!

There was so much to see!!! Exciting new products, manufacturers that we already love and friends!!! There is just too much to mention!!!
We all got to meet Melissa and Ardith, what great ladies!!!! And I can't forget Shannon it was great to meet her also!! I had to keep saying "I love my new cyber friends".

Val and I also got to meet up with some old friends. Tina, Jillian, Tracy also Carrie, Sue, and Andrea!!! You all look great!!!

Paper Popsicle Gang!!!!

Carrie, Andrea, Sue, Val and Samantha

Samantha and Tricia with new found friend!!!

Got some MOJO going!!!!

2008-07-09T14:00:00.003-04:00

I had some MOJO going over the holiday weekend. These are the layouts I got completed. They are for my SIL, I thought it would be a nice idea to put an album together for her for Christmas.

Thanks for looking!!

9 MORE DAYS!!!

2008-07-08T10:25:00.002-04:00

Only 9 more days before Val and I leave for CHA Chicago!!! We are so excited to be getting away even if its for a short time. We are also excited to be seeing some of our old scrapbooking buddies!!! Andrea will be there http://www.talkingincircles.typepad.com/.

On our way we are stopping at Memory Zone http://www.thememoryzone.com/ to do a little (hahaha) shopping. I think we are allowing 2 hours to shop!!!

We are also meeting one of our fellow cyper friends from Paper Popsicle http://paperpopsicles.com/index.html. Tricia is on the Design Team and will joining us for our advernture to CHA. A big thanks to Melissa at Paper Popsicle for giving us all this opportunity, you are AWESOME!!!

Speaking of Paper Popsicle, check out their website http://paperpopsicles.com/index.html
there are tons of challenges, and contests. Today is our fresh start all day crop!!! We are also looking for the August Guest Designer, it could be you!!!

Mark your calendar

2008-06-30T11:11:00.003-04:00

Paper popsicles is hosting a Fresh Start Crop July 8th hosted by our new FABULOUS Design Team.

http://paperpopsicles.com/index.html

WIN some cool stuff like maybe an ATB Phrase Maker; WE R Memory Keepers Alpha/Chipboard Box; Queen & Company Felt Border; Acrylic Stamp Sets by Autumn Leaves and Technique Tuesday; Paper Kits (various manufacturers) Making Memories Funky Clear ALphabet; Heidi Swapp Ghost shapes; Making Memories Acrylic Paints; Rub-ons, Stickers (various manufacturers); plus other stuff.

Another week gone by

2008-06-28T10:16:00.002-04:00

I can not believe that Monday is June 30th!! Where has the month gone????

Just wanted to upload some projects I have been working on.
Thanks for looking.

Babysitting

2008-06-25T12:54:00.003-04:00

What fun Allison and I had last night babysitting Miss Simone. She is 20 months and a bundle of energy!!! I sometimes forget how busy they are at that age. Allison and I took her to the park and for a walk. Then when we got back home out came the sidewalk chalk, not sure if she was having more fun coloring on herself or the driveway. I decided we would go get ice cream so we loaded up the van and headed to Zestos. What a good time we had sitting and eating our ice cream. (Even though I got in trouble with her mom for giving her ice cream!!!!)

We were so sticky after Zestos that we ent home and Miss Simone had a bath, then we hit the road again to go get Ian from marching band practice.

I would say overall it was a fun summer evening.

2008-06-16T12:58:00.001-04:00

Friday 13th, Christ's birthday on the 14th and Father's Day on the 15th!!! Things are crazy at our house, my calendar is full of doctor appointments for Christ. He just turned 41, ONLY 41 and he is falling apart. We are still dealing with his back issues from the fall at work. Unfortunately, workers comp is messing us about with doctors now. He has decided to have his TMJ treated so now he has weekly dentist appointments and on top of all this he may have Ulcerative Colitis or Chrone's Disease. We will know more after some testing in July.

I am looking forward to a mini getaway in July with my friend Valery. We are fortunately enough to be heading to CHA in Chicago July 18th. We are leaving early July 17th so we can stop at the Memory Zone in Plymouth, In to do some shopping!!!! With all this going on I am still finding the time to scrap, I think if I didn't I would go CRAZY!!!!

Here are some of my most recent creations.

Some new Layouts

2008-06-09T21:07:00.002-04:00

Thanks for looking!!!

Where does the time go!!

2008-06-09T14:20:00.004-04:00

I have just looked and I have not posted since March 1st, that was 3 months ago!!!! So here is an update of what I have been doing. Christ is still off work on Workers Comp, we are now getting the run around, W/C has switched his doctor. Ian has graduated middle school, and completed his confirmation class at church. He looked so handsome in his suit, we are very proud of him. Now we are moving in to Marching Band Season!!!! He will start practicing 2 evenings a week at the end of the month until band camp starts the end of July!!

Allison completed 3rd grade, my baby is growing up!!! Luckily we have no summer programs with her so things won't be too busy.

As for myself, I am still enjoying my job at Lincoln Financial Advisors. The hours are great!! I am also happy to announce that I was asked to be the Contest Coordinator along with Val for paper popsicles. http://paperpopsicles.com/index.html

In fact Valery and I will be at CHA in Chicago this year on behalf of Paper Popsicles!! We are so excited to be going, and running into old friends!!!

Hopefully in the next few days I can get some layouts posted that I have been working on.

It's been a long time!!!

2008-03-01T17:53:00.003-05:00

Where does the time go? It is March 1st hard to believe we are starting the 3rd month of 2008.

I am pleased to report that I officially got hired into Lincoln Financial Group February 4th.

https://www.lfg.com/LincolnPageServer?LFGPage=/lfg/lfgclient/index.html

I now work in the Financial Operations department for Lincoln Financial Advisors, who is part of the Lincoln Financial Group. I am really excited, my hours are so much better they work around the children's schedule so no more sending Allison to the YMCA for before school care.

We had freshman orientation for Ian. It is hard to believe he will be a freshman in the fall. I am proud to say he has decide to do marching band so we will be very busy in the fall. Homestead has an incredible marching band.

www.sacs.k12.in.us/se3bin/clientschool.cgi

They are also planning a trip for this year, so we are extra excited about that. Not sure where they are going, in the past they have gone to California and Florida.

We are currently dealing with Christ being on restrictions at work. He fell a couple weeks ago. As he was attempting to deliver a package in the snow he slipped and fell. The people had not cleared their path and there was cardboard under the snow that moved when he stepped on it, not knowing it was there. This comes 6 years after he had a back fusion done for a fall he had back then. We are just hoping and praying at this point that things will work out for the best. He is working evening hours, doing paperwork due to his restrictions.

Last but not least, Miss Allison turned 9. We had a great party for her and friends at the rollerdome. Then in the evening we had family over and surprised her with a new bicycle. It is a 24 inch bike and she loves it.

With all this going on I have still had time to scrapbook. Here are a few of the layouts I have completed.

Happy New Year!!

2008-01-14T18:22:00.000-05:00

Well, 2008 is finally here. I have been waiting for the new year to begin, it is always a time of new beginnings.

I have included a Christmas picture we had taken this year. We did it to show how much the children had grown.

The children start new semesters at school, you hang up a clean new calendar, and you make your resolutions. Mine, as always' is to loose weight. Unfortunately with my new job I have put on 5-7 lbs and I was not at my goal weight yet. So with that being said I have about 15lbs I would like to loose.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I know we did spending time with the family. We ate plenty, drank too much and just had a good old time.

Here are a couple of Layouts I completed this past weekend. One is of Allison at Halloween, I just love the Making Memories paper I got at Paper Popsicles. The other layout is of Ian when he was around one. He and my dad have always have a very strong bond, the "Da" is what Ian calls my dad he could never say grandad!!

Happy Holidays

2007-12-24T11:04:00.000-05:00

It is hard to believe that it is Christmas Eve!! Where has the time gone.

As we head into the holiday I have a sense of happines at how blessed I am. I have the most wonderful parents, they are always there to offer support in whatever form we need. This past week it was shown with my dad coming downtown to help me with my car that had broken down in the parking garage. He helped call a tow truck and stayed with me all the way to Hires and then he took me home. Mum is always there with her words of encouragement when things get tough.
I am blessed with the most wonderful husband and children. I laugh as I say this because like any other family we have our disagreements along the way. Christ has ended another year at UPS, struggling with his back issues along the way. We are thankful that he made it another year without and time off. Ian and Allison have made me very proud of them with their musical talent. They shared this yesterday with the congregation at Church. Both got up with such confidence and played solos. Not sure where the confidience comes from. I could not have been any more proud.

Tomorrow we head to mum and dads for Christmas. My sister will be there with her family. They kids will be so excited!! Then Boxing day we are back at mum dads, for a more relaxed day!!. And it wouldn't be Christmas without going to Plymouth Church to watch the Boar's Head Festival!! http://www.plymouthfw.org/specialevents_boar.asp
It is hard to believe that 4 years ago Rowan was baby Jesus!!

So with this being said, I will you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Christmas Shopping

2007-12-17T17:35:00.000-05:00

I did this layout for a contest on Paper Popsicles. It was fun to make and somewhat explains how I HATE Christmas Shopping. We finally got it done this past weekend and the worst part is the crowds. People are so inconsiderate.

Another week closer to Christmas!!!

2007-12-09T17:00:00.000-05:00

What a busy weekend we had again this weekend. Saturday was Breakfast with Santa and church. Ian was an elf and I helped with the registration table. As always it was a hug success. It is hard to believe that I was one of the original elves about 25 years ago!!! We were able to get some Christmas shopping done, and plan on finishing up this coming weekend.

Today my sister-in-law came over so we could get pictures of the 3 children together. It is for a Christmas present for my father-in-law. I think he will really like the picture. Ian and Allison look so grown up next to Simone. Ian 14 years old, Allison 8 1/2 years old, and Simone 15 months.

It is hard to believe tomorrow is Monday, and want a busy week we have. We have something going on almost every night.
Monday: Ian has a school dance.
Tuesday: Christ has a band concert. http://www.fwacb.org/fwacb_002.htm
Wednesday: Music lessons after school and Ian has a band concert.
Thursday: I have choir practice.

Sunday is the debut concert for my dad's Brass Band he has started. I am very proud of him for getting this off the ground and we are looking forward to hearing them play.
They are called The Old Crown Brass Band, they play Sunday December 16th at 7:30pm. IPFW Rhinehart Music Center. Admission: FREE

Season's Greetings!!

2007-12-03T13:24:00.000-05:00

It is hard to believe it is December already. This year has just flown by!!! As I look at my calendar I wonder how and when I will get everything done ready for Christmas. We were lucky to get our Christmas trees and decorations up on Thanksgiving weekend. Now we start with activities every weekend at church leading up to Christmas.

This past weekend was a busy one, I had a craft show Saturday morning. It was not as successful as the last one, but I was able to hand out some of my flyer's. Saturday night we had a confirmation class from 6-11pm. We made pizza's, and I got to help the kids decorated their prayer boxes. The kids really enjoyed the scrapbooking part. So this coming Sunday I am going to work with them on making cards for their mentors.

Sunday we were honored to be asked to light the first candle on advent wreath. We all stood in front of the congregation as I did the reading then Ian lite the candle. It always give me a wonderful feeling to be involved at that level especially during the holidays. Sunday afternoon was a nice lazy afternoon, I was able to get some scrapbooking done.

I will admit that I don't have all my Christmas shopping done!!! I feel that if I start too early I tend to spend more, as I will keep buying things I see!!! Plus, the kids can't snoop and find the gifts!! I am not too worried, I still have a couple of weeks.

So to spread my Christmas cheer here are pictures of our 3 (yes 3) Christmas trees!! We have our Star Wars tree, my traditional tree, and the new tree this year is dedicated to Christ's mom. We have her ornaments and put them on their own tree!!

Skinny Williams Concert

2007-11-27T17:10:00.000-05:00

My son is in Jazz Band at school and they have been having video conferences with Skinny Williams a Jazz Saxophone player from Chicago. Check out his website skinnywilliams.com

Well Skinny came to Fort Wayne for a concert. Tickets were only $3 and her performed for 2 hours!!! It was incredible! I have never seen anyone play the saxophone like he did. Even some of the kids got to go up on stage and do some improv jazz playing with him.

Both Ian and Christ really enjoyed it, they were really pumped up when we got home. Ian even got an autographed picture of Skinny.

Here are some pictures of the nights event!!!

Christmas Gift Bags

2007-11-19T21:10:00.001-05:00

Just a quick preview of some gift bags I am getting ready for the craft show on December 1st.
These were so fun to put together, and so easy now that I have my Cricut.

During this week of Thanksgiving...

2007-11-19T21:03:00.001-05:00

It is a time for me to sit back and give thanks for all that I have been blessed with. I have an incredible family who support me in everything I do. I have a wonderful group of friends that are always there for me. Finally I have a wonderful church family that I could not live without.
Without all these wonderful people in my life I would not be whole, they all complete me in their own way.

So this Thanksgiving holiday I say I love you to all these wonderful people who bless my life, and thank you for always being there.

Craft Show Items

2007-11-16T05:55:00.000-05:00

I wanted to post some of the items I am selling at the craft show on December 1st. It is at the New Hope Baptist Church on Aboite Center Road.

The gift boxes are chinese takeout containers that make really cute gift boxes. The stockings are gift card holders that can be hidden on the tree. Finally I have notecard holders that come with 10 notecards.

Weekend Away!!

2007-11-11T15:49:00.001-05:00

I thought I would post some pictures of Christ and I's weekend away. We were able to get away to Saugatuck Michigan for a long weekend to celebrate our 40th birthdays.

We stayed at the beautiful Rosemont Inn bed and breakfast.http://www.rosemontinn.com/index_flash.htm They served the most delicious breakfast. We enjoyed having a massage on the Sunday morning and then headed into town for some win tasting. We even took an evening bike ride (bikes complimentary of the B&B) and we got to watch the sun set on Lake Michigan. It was a great weekend, a wonderful time to relax and rejuvenate.

Here are some of my favorite Layouts

2007-11-09T18:57:00.000-05:00

Thanks for looking

Blog or not to Blog that is the question???

2007-11-09T18:52:00.000-05:00

I am finally going to do it!! I am going to blog, so many of my friends seem to be doing it so I thought why not!! I will share favorite family moments and and my favorite hobby scrapbooking!!