Emergency Sale!

If your into digi scrapping you might want to know about this. I never thought I would know someone that this is happening to. You've probably heard about the people that are being forced out of their homes because the landlord is having the house or apartment foreclosed on. Well this is happening to Royanna Fritschmann. So if you want to give her a helping hand she is having a fire sale to get the funds to move in 3 days.

"We found out that the house we rented was just foreclosed on, so we have to unexpectedly move to a new home within the next 3 DAYS! We weren't prepared....and with things so financially tight we REALLY weren't prepared for this! So my husband pleaded with me to run a "Buy MY ENTIRE STORE SALE" for $29!

The $29 will give you access to my entire personal boutique for STUDIO RA DESIGNS. You can grab personal or commercial products and includes licensing on commercial and professional use designated products. You will have a shopping code to purchase all the items and then 7 full days to download them! ALL for the small price of ONLY $29.00! Over 400+ Products valued at well over $2000!

We have 3 days to leave this rental home - which means we have to find a new home, figure out how to pay for it, pack it all up and then move in 3 days! So ALL proceeds from this sale are going to pay for all the moving expenses and the deposit on the new house! So we are asking for your help and prayers as we go through this turmoil! THANK YOU from the FRITSCHMANN FAMILY!"

Who will you vote for?

Candidate Match Game II - USATODAY.com Another one of those tests. In just a few hours the first voting polls will open. Make sure you vote. Just to be sure you really are voting for who will work for you best and not just listening to the latest media take the test. Who is your Presidential Match? Remember we make the decision not the press. It seems to me that the press is trying to influence the votes. Well don't just look at logic and not the press polls.

The next site hint from DigiScrapStation!

Before I go I'm posting what took me all day to do.

SORRY! No Halloween Pictures

Can you believe I took no pictures last night. I had a migraine come on so bad the kids were lucky I could answer the door and pass out candy without puking. First chance I got the light went off and I passed out after taking my medication. Today the medication seems to be doing it's job but just barely. I can feel that migraine just tingling in the background.

Boy Scout Coffee Anyone???

Yeah that's right Boy Scout Coffee. Francis came home with 36 bags of coffee at $10 a bag. There's Sumatra, Sumatra Decaf, Chocolate, Amaretto, Hawaiian Hazelnut, Irish Cream, and French Vanilla. Now for my dear friends and FAMILY email me if you want some. Yes that is a big hint Aunty Terry, Grandma Cherie.

Hi There!

Here I am again the worlds worst blogger. Why is it when I think I'll actually have a Saturday to get things done suddenly it's like filled to the max? So turns out Francis had his Scouting for Food Day today. That's where all the Boy Scouts collect food for the local food bank, which happens to have had some pretty barren shelves up until today, then they box it up for them too. Load it up into some big, huge army trucks and haul it down to the food bank. There I sat going I'll stay home with Bryce. NOT! I completely forgot about the Family Connection Day at church! So at noon we headed over and had some fun. I took some great pictures too. Which reminds me I need to get those burned onto a disk for Pastor Josh tonight. So now I have not 2 boys in the house but 4! Yep they have two friends spending the night. Then tomorrow they will go to church with us. Yeah, that was supposed to be my quiet Saturday. LOL!

Costco is HERE!

Finally at long last today was the grand opening of the Costco here in town. The kids and I spent the afternoon checking it out, and tasting all the food samples. There were so many samples the bottomless pit actually got full! I know I wasn't going to buy anything but I caved when I saw bathroom globe light bulbs for $3.49. It was a special deal with the power company that gave you an instant $7.00 off at the register. Then there was real, I mean REAL Parmesan cheese! Also there's the price of gas at the Costco pump! So I dished out the $50.00 for the renewal fee. Now I have to go back, and get socks for Francis. So that when he goes snow camping with scouts he has the right socks. I also have to take one of my empty containers of flax sprout powder, and ask them to get. That way my mom doesn't have to ship it to me from Hawaii all the time. Yippeee! Costco is Here!!!

Vegan Lasagna

I know I may have used regular cheese, but it was good. To tell you the truth I think I would have done better to just leave the cheese out. Only I just have to have cheese! Check out the blog The Thrifty Soaper and her thrifty ideas.

PMS, PMS, and PMS

Did the title tell it all? I have been in so much pain today. I just hope I get Bryce's reading lesson done. It's days like this that I feel like I'm lacking as a homeschool mom. I think I'm going to have them watch the history series that I have been recording by David Barton. If you ever get a chance you need to watch this series on TBN, on Wednesdays. Yes TBN actually has something other than preachers preaching. They even have some really good movies that I've watched on there. So don't let your pre-conceived ideas get in the way. Ugh! Yep American Heritage it is.

Were'd Fall Go???

I tell you we had one week that really seemed like fall and now the weather man says SNOW!!! Geez, guess I better go pick the rest of those green tomatoes and get them pickled. Phil and I don't care for fried green tomatoes so that's out. But pickled they are to die for! Those and maybe I'll make a relish out of those zucchini I found as big as my thigh. UGH! Tonight I'm making a vegan or vegetarian at least lasagna. I just haven't found a decent cheese replacement in this town so I will stick to just regular cheese for that part. Though I did make the tofu recotta myself.
Any ways I'm going to leave the acorn squash and the butternut squash just a little longer on the vine. So long as it doesn't snow till Saturday afternoon they should be fine. Then I'll have to bring them inside to finish ripening on the counter. Next year we are going to have a waaaay bigger garden though. So much for summer and fall, I guess winter is here!

It's a Giveaway!

The Values Driven Family Site it doing a giveaway. They are getting their home ready for sale and are de-cluttering. So they have some great homeschool, and values driven items that their giving away if you comment on their blog today or Friday! If your a homeschooler visiting then head on over and check it out.

Is it Just ME?!

Or is the world full of flakes? This is the second time I have put this stupid Omnichord up for auction and then in big letters I say "I SHIP ONLY TO THE U.S., MILITARY, AND TERRITORIES!" I don't know what the deal is maybe some people can't read well enough to have an ebay account. They bid and win the stupid thing and they're in Australia!!! I emailed them told them ok if you want it it's going to cost like a total of $60.00USD to ship it too you. That's like $250.00 AUS. So do you really want it? Do they respond? Can they have the decency to say oops sorry my mistake. NO! They just don't answer, don't respond. Just pretend you never got those emails and the seller will go away. Give me a break!!! Just tell me so I can give the next person who bid a second chance offer, before they buy a different one. NOOO, the just let it sit for a week till I fill a non paying bidder claim, then I'm stuck waiting another week before I can relist. Way too late for a second chance offer. Man this guy better not flake. I will scream!!!

Rice Milk Test 2

Ok, I admit I was too tired to comeback and tell you how my little test turned out. I got this great idea that converted rice tends to be harder and less starchy soooo... I got the idea that maybe that would make a better rice milk. Well this time the Soy Quick didn't boil over right away, but it still ended up boiling over. The end result was still the same goopy gloppy mess. I know it says in the book to use the multi grain button, but I'm thinking it is taking a lot more time heating the slurry than it does soy. Maybe next time I will use the soy button. It just seems like the rice milk is being over heated and cooked too long. I'll report after that test.

Shoe String Budget

With the ever increasing prices in addition to the fact I have less and less money to buy groceries with this economy is going to kill me. Remember I said that so that my family can sue Wall Street for being the cause of my death OK.
Any way I managed to get almost everything I need for meals this week on just over $13.00. Yep you heard me right. With Phil now driving all the way up to Idaho Falls it is costing more than we have. Actually the real killer was the first month that was costing a fortune that put us in a pretty deep hole. Now he's part of a different carpool and it's costing us considerably less so we're now clawing our way out of that hole. If we can just pull off another 2 to 4 weeks we should be out of it. Just pray, pray real hard that nothing goes haywire. In the mean time I plan on digging up a lot of dollar friendly meals to serve up. Hey, I may not be Ree the Pioneer Woman, but I'll at least post the recipes on the cooking blog. Then those who need that type of recipes can find them, and hopefully give their budget the much needed boost.

A Day in the 'Tater Patch

Yep, you read that right. Today was Potato Gleaning Day! At least for this bunch of homeschoolers. This time we got to see the machinery that turns the rows up pretty close. Then I got some pictures of the harvester dumping the 'tater's into the truck.

Sorry for the fuzzy picture but it was through the dust windshield of my friends van.

I'll post them in a few here. I just hope the aren't blurry. I couldn't stop sneezing. Any whoo, we got us 3 big burlap sacks of potatoes and another half that will go to another family in the church. They both lost their jobs and are out of work so it will help out some. This year we found some HUGE ones too.

One of Those Days

I guess it was bound to happen sometime soon. I think I just have to let Bryce take a little break. I've been pushing him and pushing him now that he's been doing so good on his reading. Today we've just been butting heads over his lesson. I think it's been working up to this for the last week the way he's been goofing off more, and more while we do his lessons. Today was just in the works I guess. So now I have him laying down for a nap and maybe tomorrow we will do better. Well that's been my day so far how has yours been?

Latte Yum!

So this morning I used my new Soy Quick soymilk maker to make some lattes for us. Can I say YUMMM! Just a few coffee beans and 2 measures of soybeans. 15 minutes later we just added a little simple syrup to sweeten it up a little. My new favorite drink. Matter of fact I need to soak waaay more soybeans since I think I'll be making this tomorrow morning too. Did I mention I'm really loving this new soymilk maker? Because I am.

New Soy Milk Maker!

Today I got my new soy milk maker. I waited all day and it would figure that I was the last delivery today for the UPS driver. Isn't that always the case! I know, I know I'm really poor right now, but it was a gift.

First I tried making some rice milk, and the texture was much better than the SDZ5 which is my old one. I'm still not big on the end product, but it does make me wonder what the big manufactures do to make is seem less glutinous. Kinda of suspicious isn't it? Now that I know what the real deal is like compared to the secret processed milk.
So next I jumped into making a batch of soy milk. Just so happens I like to keep a supply of soaked re-hydrated beans in the fridge ready for the next batch of milk. All you need to do is give them a good rinse, and toss them into the pitcher with the water. Put the top on and push the button for soy milk. 15 minutes later I had soy milk. I just poured the milk through a hand strainer (which comes with the maker) and the milk was done. First thing I noticed is the color and texture of the soy milk was really milky. I love the milk that my SDZ5 made, but WOW! Silk Soy eat your heart out. Add some chopped dates and even more WOW! Well I'm going to be making soy milk more often. Like almost every night now compared to 2 or 3 times a week. I really want to try the Soy Latte. Just add some coffee beans to the mix it says. Well I'm all for trying that. Think I'll do that tomorrow morning for my coffee. Oh and also on my list of too try is making some milk from oats.
Oh, did I mention that this machine is filterless. Really nice, makes for a faster easier clean up. The top starts out looking the same but it has a blender guard that has big holes in it and no bottom. The guard just slips right off everything scrubs up really easy and fast. It was all cleaned up in a matter of minutes. No filter to scrub and make sure it was cleaned good. Just run the milk through the hand strainer that's provided with the machine. You don't even have to worry about another pitcher or container to strain the milk into. It comes with that too! I thought my SDZ5 was the greatest, it figures the only thing that could do better is also made by Soy Quick. I highly recommend you give the NEW 2009 Soymilk Maker 930P by SoyQuick a try you'll be hooked for sure.

The News Coverage

Channel 6 news


Channel 8 news

Ice Comes to Chubbuck!

More to come after the press conference.
Well I guess football is more important than our kids. I mean pigskin football not soccer. (for my foreign friends) Any way channel 8 and 6 did come down and shoot some footage. We had the Mayor there and Senator's Diane Bilyue, and James Ruchetti.(sorry James I really bad at spelling your last name) They got to ride the Zamboni's around a bit too.
Come this winter we will have an outdoor ice rink! Hopefully this will bring in more attention and some major donations. The Zamboni's were purchased with funding from the Charlotte Mason Foundation, and hopefully other foundations out there will feel encouraged to help fund an ice rink with a compressor, and boards next. The end goal is to one day have an enclosed ice rink where the kids can play ice hockey year round. Wouldn't that be awesome. So I guess we are taking a break from baseball for a bit. After all Phil is now on the Chubbuck Hockey Association Board, and he found the Zamboni's in Canada for the Association. I'll post some pictures later and the video of the news coverage.

Is Just Wishful Thinking? Or Have I Changed Some?

I've noticed so far this school year that Bryce, and I are interacting very differently. Is it just my imagination? I feel like I've been more patient with him and he seems to be more patient with me. I mean today was one of those not so good days, and yet??? I think I handled the problem a lot more different than I would have a year ago. Matter of fact different than I would have a few months ago. Could I have finally had that break through I keep praying for? Will I be laughing at the whole idea of having gained some patients by next month. I sure hope not!!! I've been kind of liking this so far. Now if I can just get control of the laundry and my desk I'll be just where I need to be.

Ever Have One of THOSE Days?

Not one of those bad days. I just know that's what you were thinking when you saw that header. I meant one of those days when you feel like you got nothing done. Bryce woke up sick, I woke up with a throat that was a little sore, and now it I just feel like I shouldn't have taken that Thera-flu. It knocks me out every time, and I mean every time! So here I sit going now what? It's too late to start some chicken soup, I have to take Francis to a Boy Scout function in about an hour. So what do I do now? I guess I'll sit down with some photos and get them edited so I can do a layout or two I guess.

Who Am I

Coolest video. A friend emailed this to me awhile back.

Casseroles

The request came up last night on Fluther so I thought I would post some recipes. Not the thing to do before laying down. Let me tell you! Now I'm starving!!! Thought I would give a heads up on new recipes posted before I went to bed though.

My Baby's In The Newspaper!

Go through the gallery at the Idaho State Journal and look for the Boy Scouts. My oldest is right smack dab in the middle! He's the one with the big smile and wearing the hat. It was so hot it's a good thing he remembered his hat too. OK, done with the brag fest.

Inquiring Minds Want To Know.

So I've started the cooking blog. Now I would love to hear from everyone what type of recipes would you like me to post. Go ahead and ask, I would bet I have a recipe for it. If not on my recipe program, then among my 4000+ recipe books that sit in boxes still. It will give me an excuse to go through them and thin them down to a reasonable 500 or so. Check out the site and tell me what you think.

Somen Salad

I have been carting this recipe around since High School. It was something I got from my Japanese class in oh 12th grade I believe. It is so simple and easy to make. Great for lunch on a summer afternoon.

Scout Mountain

Today my friend Kathy took us up to Scout Mountain to show us where it is, and find a cooler place to go with all the heat down it Pocatello today. It was just beautiful up there. With camping spots hidden all over the place. Now Bryce wants to go camping sometime soon. Haha! I took upteen million pictures. Well maybe not that much since my card only holds 317 raw photos. LOL!
Annnyhoo, Not only did I take a bunch of pictures of flower, but landscape pictures too. I kept trying to take a picture of one of the bees on a sunflower, but everytime I tried to they took off. I almost caught this one on film but he took off on me too!


Background paper is from the mini kit "Old Surf" by Christina Sturmaggio at Sophia Sarducci's. Frame on picture is from her kit "Ol' Frames", and the flourishes are from her kit "Felt Flourishes". Burnt paper that journaling is done on is from her kit "Journaling Bits"Black Rub-On Alpha is by Christy Sturm at Butternug Squash Designs. Arrow doodle is a Freebie from Weeds and WildFlowers. Font is Pea Happy Girl.

Broccoli Salad

New recipe posted on the cooking page check it out!

Don't mind me just trying to kill myself AGAIN!

I know my mug not what you want to see. I just had to show the rash left all over my face from my allergic reaction to the Neutrogena (I know I spelled it wrong) sun screen. You would think by now I would have learned that I break out with this stuff everytime! This time my face swelled and my throat swelled up too! Yeah, call me totally dense. What do I do? I still walk up to the shelf and start to reach for you guessed it Neutrogena. I guess that tells you that their packaging is working just not the product it's self. This is the third time I've reacted to their product and this time almost had me break out the epi pen. Next time someone slap me. QUICK!!!

Hello Again

Well I'm sure everyone now knows that "Hello" will be gone come June 11th. If you haven't heard about it there is a new program in the works called Hello Again that is now taking sign ups for the beta version to come out hopefully in the next week, just in time too. So if your wondering what now? What next? Got to the Hello Again sign up page and sign up!

Poor Bear

I couldn't resist. I think poor guy every time I see this.

New Computer

Well I guess we reached the point that we had to shell out the $$ for a new one. Phil's work finally got around to downloading one last delayed bonus to his AMX. Just enough for us to get a new computer. I mean I was on the verge of tossing my old one across the room or out a window. Now if only we could get the tax stimulus check. But that's another story. I'll do that one up and post it later.
Anyway I have layouts to do. Then to top it off my MIL sent me a huge box of slides that I have to run through the slide and negative scanner. It took like 20 minutes to run the scanner and like 4 hours just to do a few minor adjustments per slide! So like 2 slides and 2 days into the project I canned it till we got a new computer. Then I go to work on some pictures to scrap and I'm up to like 3am! I haven't even got a chance to scrap them yet! So when Phil got the download it was off to get the computer. Happy Mother's Day he says. I'm happy with that Mother's day gift. LOL!
Now I'm doing a file transfer from the old computer to the new one. I started last night around 11pm, and it's still going! Well wait I did have to update my Bit Defender first since that wasn't compatible with Vista. I just hope I don't have too many Vista problems. Wish me luck!

Another Day Another Computer Problem

Good grief I have spent the last 30 hours trying to get my desktop working again. Phil said it wouldn't take long for him to install a new hard drive and get it going as my new main drive. HAH! Fat chance we are talking about my computer so of course anything that can go wrong has gone wrong.
First I was up till 4am trying to get my sound card driver. What a pain that was. Then I got up this morning and proceeded to waste pretty much my whole day trying to get my wireless to work. No it still isn't working I just found my extra, extra, extra long ethernet cord and am working on a direct connection. Wait I'm posting this from my laptop since I'm still trying to get my Photoshop and ACDSee to work on the desktop. Come tomorrow I better have that Stimulus check! Because Phil said no matter what Sunday I can get a new Computer. I know then I have to start all over. Don't laugh!!!
So far I do have a new Video card out of all this. Phil said it might get the desktop moving faster, and when I get the new computer I'll use it in that too. I sure hope it works since tomorrow morning I have 2 co-op classes to teach.

Recipe Page

I finally got to making my recipe page. Now Melly I need advice on how to customize this recipe site. Blogger doesn't seem to like anything I do to it and just wants me to use the templates. So if you can help? Please?
Check out the site and let me know if your looking for anything in particular. I have not only a large computer data base of recipes, but cookbooks up the gazoo. Some where in the count of 4 or 5 thousand books. Of course I'll have to unpack them one day and get some book shelfs up but I'm working on it.

Road Trip!

Hey! I almost forgot to fill you in. So anyway we took a trip up to IF to see where Phil's work work was moving to. Then we cruised around trying to find a Subway for lunch. Turns out the Subway was in the parking for the Batteries Plus, another place we were wanting to stop in and check out. Phil's van was giving us problems so he didn't want to turn it off while we ran into the Batteries Plus to check it out. Great call! While we were in there one of the water hoses decided to burst! Imagine if we had been on the freeway. What a mess that would have been. So the owners dad who was up visiting and helping her start her business took Phil to the Auto Zone for some parts, and helped us get the hose fixed. I am so thankful that he was there to help us. So if you in the Idaho Falls area and need a battery and no one seems to have what you need go by the Batteries Plus the owner is a really nice, and give 110%. So anywho the drive to Idaho Falls isn't so bad but I don't think his van will be making the trip. So now we'll be looking for a really gas efficient car for his commute.

Qwest Closes Pocatello Call Center | KIDK CBS 3 - News, Weather and Sports - Idaho Falls - Pocatello - Blackfoot, ID - Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Blackfo

Qwest Closes Pocatello Call Center
I don't know if this is me whining or just plain old upset. Last month they had a meeting and told the employees that the call center was staying and that they were hiring more people. Now this! I had to hear it on the afternoon news too! They didn't even give the employees notice first. We moved across 2 states for Phil to keep this job and now he's going to have to drive all the way to Idaho Falls now! I need some time to go cry and be upset.

Thief deposits loot with victim | Oddly Enough | Reuters

Thief deposits loot with victim | Oddly Enough | Reuters
What a hoot. I wish something like this had happened when we were robbed in California. I would have loved the thief coming in and trying to return some of the electronics to my work.

EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed

EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed
I won't deny it. I won't hide it. I believe that God created the heavens, and the earth, man, woman, all the creatures that inhabit this world of ours. The government, and our schools though are on a mission to ban this belief, and any scientific proof of it. Telling our children in the public schools that WE their parents are wrong and ignorant for believing this. I don't consider myself ignorant do you? Do you believe that you're ignorant? I don't think you are (unless your a spammer). Expelled is a movie showing how the government has created their own inquisition of the modern age, and expelled one "theory" or "opinion" out of the schools in favor of only one. This is so contradictory to what America is about. We are a country that allows free thinking, right? Free speech, right? Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm going to go burn some bucks to go see this movie.

Well I've been SPAMMED!

Sorry but I guess I need to put on the verification, and confirmation so I don't get spammed any more. What's so bad is that they can't even pull it off in decent English. "This post is likeable." What The _ _ _ _ is that? Much less the Congratulations bit. Good Grief not to mention why? would I? want wireless from Brazil? Go figure! Anyway seems to me like they should at least make the comments match the post. OKAY! Rant over going to bed now.

SNOW?!?!?!

Where in the world did all this snow come from? I thought the weather man said this stuff was going south of us! It's still snowing too! I guess after yesterday I can believe it. Man was yesterday one loooongg day of not so good things. The co op classes did go very well though.

Well I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing. I guess it's bad in the sense I have been sick. Correction I went down hill fast on Saturday afternoon. Hit the bottom that night. Spent the day on Sunday in bed, and Monday for that matter. I did try to drag myself out of bed and do some school then gave up and went back to bed when the kids were correcting me! Tuesday I went to the Doctors to make sure it wasn't Strep. Since Wednesday Francis had the first of 3 ITBS tests to do, and it couldn't be missed. Not strep thank the Lord! So OK I was sick 3 days and spent the rest of the week with a frog in my throat and a cough. The good part is that it was only a WEEK! this time of year it always seems to be a 2 month long thing. You know like all Spring! So I knew I had to be feeling better when I felt the need to scrap something. So This is what I made.

Christy has a new mini kit out called The Art of A Child, and it was just so perfect for doing this card that Chris, Terry, and Phil made for their mom when they were kids. It's going to go in the Memorial book for Chris. I just couldn't find the right papers for the job and Voila! Christy does it again with the perfect kit. If you like it as much as I do you can pick it up at Butternug Squash Designs, or NDISB

My baby is 8!

Yep yesterday was Bryces 8th birthday. We took the day off from homeschool, and Phil took the day off from work. We always do for Birthdays. First we took Bryce for Breakfast at IHOP. Then we took them sledding. I'm going to download the photos to post. (I also have to get a desktop made for Phil's mom.) Any way Phil won this Flip recorder from work and he and Francis had fun with it.
Now this is the good part! Courtesy of Francis my budding videographer, I received this lovely thank you. I hope the link works. YES, that is the birthday boy singing to himself. LOL! Yep "What a Ham!"

Take the Test!

Take the test and see who really has the same opinions as you! Don't listen to the press take the vote and see where the candidates really stand on your personal issues. I know you can stop laughing at me now. I really did take the test and surprise, surprise! You want to know who was highest score? Ron Paul!!! and second was Fred Thompson!!! I would never have dreamed that those two would really think like me. So before you make a mistake see where they stand on the issues. Don't peek while taking the test just wait till the end and see what happens. I was really surprised that Huckabee wasn't as high as I thought he would be. (no pun intended) Though Mitt Romney was as low as I thought. Actually I was surprised that somewhere on some issue he had one thing that matched. Yep Mitt Romney is not a good choice. So go ahead take the test and don't forget to let me know how you did. I told you how mine turned out.

One Day Down Four to Go!

Well it's been one whole day since Francis got on the plane to visit his friend in Vancouver. I miss my baby SOOOOO MUCH! I was worried that he was having so much fun he would forget to call and say goodnight. He didn't though. When did he grow up? Did 11 years go by that fast? Another 7 and he'll be an adult! I just can't seem to wrap my mind around that right now. I have a feeling that the next 4 days are going to be looooonnnnngggg ones too. I miss you Francis.

I swear my heart stopped beating

Or at least if sure felt that way. Then I woke up. I'm still thanking God it was just a bad dream. One that let me know exactly how my Mother In Law felt the day the police came to the door and told her that Chris had died.
It feels like a hole in your heart. I get ahead of myself though.
It was a dream nothing but a bad dream. Of a place I didn't recognize, but seemed familiar. It was home in the dream. For some reason there was a fire a few blocks away. No worry right? In this dream Bryce stayed home with the dog in the back yard. The backyard had 2 sheds in it. Don't ask me about that detail but it sticks in my mind. I remember being with a friend. Then going home. Except the firemen wouldn't let me get back to the house. I told them my son was there. The next thing I recall, after all dreams kinda jump from place to place and all that, is being back at a neighbors house and watching the fire flash and jump over several houses right into the backyard. Then the next thing is someone saying the fire department was monitoring and at that time the dog stopped making noise and all signs of life including Bryce stopped. They were sorry but Bryce was GONE! There is no describing the feeling. The world went blank just all white, and my heart felt an empty hole tear through it. Then I woke up. I just couldn't shake the feeling of being so afraid that I was going to lose Bryce. Phil had to drag Bryce into our bed before going to work. I'm still trying to shake that feeling of dread. If you've read this far thanks for listening/reading. I know crazy thing to write about but I just can't seem to shake this dream. I feel so exhausted like I never got any sleep. Yet I'm afraid to sleep because of the dream. I guess I'll try to get some layouts done now.

Mele Kalikimaka!

That's Hawaiian for Merry Christmas. I want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas. Not just here in the U.S.A. but all my friends that I have gotten to know around the globe. To all my cousins that I have had the chance to communicate with this last year, and those I so miss and have not. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Day.

OH GREAT!

I need to take Francis to the doctors to confirm it but I think he has the chicken pox! Sure looks like it anyway. At first I was trying to figure out what he's been eating that could be causing his eczema to flair up. After all he was vaccinated a 2yo. Then he got out of the shower tonight going "MOM this itches SOOOO BAD!" I took one look and thought "oh great!" He may be vaccinated but he has chicken pox. I looked up some visuals online and it looks the same. Poor kid. Now I have the itches just thinking about it. At least Phil and I have already had the chicken pox. Bryce well it might not be so bad if he gets them but he's been vaccinated too. Blah!

Just one week left

and I am still not into the Christmas thing. Can you tell I have to make my cards today print them up and get them ready to mail. That way when we are out tomorrow for Contenders for the Faith I can mail them out. Matter of fact!!! We won't go shopping till next weekend. Heck maybe I should stop playing around and get that card designed a printed what do you think?

Yes Josiah

We have never met your mother in person. Still we feel like we know her like a sister. In the bible, it says

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 NIV

You, your siblings, and your mom needed help. God called on our hearts to do his biding. I hope that this is a lesson of how God answers prayers in the most surprising ways. God is great yes, but God it also good to us all the time. Remember that.

I got a few layouts done.

At First Evangelical Church Vancouver we always had a Christmas Eve show, or play. For 2005 our last Christmas there it was a play that gave a first hand account of the birth of Christ, as witnessed by the Inn Keeper. -December 24, 2005-
Kit used is Mid Winter's Eve by Christy Sturm at Butternug Squash and NDISB.

For the Christmas show at Francis’ preschool, Portland Christian, Francis got the part of the Inn Keeper. December 2001
Kit used is Mid Winter's Eve by Christy Sturm at Butternug Squash and NDISB. Circle stitches by Gina Miller. Font in title is FrancineHmkBold, journaling is Pea Girly Girls Print.

This is what you get with the lights off, the tree lit, a flash, and 2 active boys. A really cool ghost effect. Francis and Bryce had a great time goofing off just for the pictures. December 2006.
Kit is Rustic Christmas by Shandy Vogt at Elemental Scraps.

Winter is Here!

Yep snow is on the ground and it's COOOOOOOLD! That and I haven't taken any of my pain medication or muscle relaxers for a week now. So I'm sore but I can think straight at least. Can you tell? I redecorated! I love it when I can think straight enough to look at code and understand it, kinda sorta. LOL!

Check out my Challenge!

Butternug Squash Forums I've got an impromptu (did I spell that right?)challenge going on at BSD. Stop by take the challenge and I'll give you my homemade calendar file for this month and next just so you can do the challenge. Just post in the comments or email me and I send you the file.

Happy Dance!

I NEVER win. This time though I did win something! haha! I just won a Gift Certificate for Amazon.com!!! using Blingo for my searches. yeahhahahaaa! I'm doing the happy dance!

So Not Fair!

I tell you she only gives you a part each week. I though the story was supposed to be for her Anniversary, and that's long gone. She'll probably take another year and it will be her next year anniversary that she'll finish this! ARRRGGGGGGHHHHH!
Confessions of a Pioneer Woman » Black Heels to Tractor Wheels: A Love Story. Part XXII

Happy Turkey Day!

Hope everyone in the US had a great Thanksgiving, and your now sitting in that haze of tryptophan serotonin releasing coma. Me I thankful for all that leftover turkey! Surprisingly there seemed to be not as much as I anticipated. Dern boys just keep eating more and more. Oh well, that's life with two growing boys. I got a bee in my bonnet to work on decorating the blog for Christmas. We'll see how it goes tonight. If not I'll be home tomorrow GLUED to this chair refusing to go out on black Friday. Trust me I worked retail tooooooo many years to not know better.

I Was Thinking...

that maybe I'll do a recipe page. What do you think? I love taking recipes and morphing them into my own unique dish. I just hope I can keep it up. I have been such a bad blogger lately.

39 Days

Yep only 39 days left till Christmas. Just a mere measly 8 days till Black Friday. I plan on staying home then. Matter of fact ebay and Amazon.com sound very appealing right now.
Matter of fact it will be less than 24 hours and I will be another year older. I'm not sure if I'll be wiser.
Well I guess that's about it. My brain is foggy with the muscle relaxers so I can't think. Word of advice don't stop taking your muscle relaxers after a fall down the stairs. Unless the doctor says so anyway. I stopped taking them because I don't like the way they make me feel. Like now I can't seem to think straight or type straight. Well by Saturday I was in sooooo much pain. I was crying, and could barely move. Now I'm taking them and I can't think, but I don't hurt any way. I'm going to go take my foggy brain off to bed now while I can walk straight that is.

Veterans Day!

Layout is done with a mixture from the Military Kits at Butternug Squash Designs

Coming from a family with cousins in the military I can't forget today. Uncles, my Dad all served in our military. My brother who maybe a civilian, still does his duty serving as an engineer for our Navy. I want to make sure that everyone remembers that we have the freedom to say what we think because of ALL VETERANS! Don't use that freedom to insult the work that they do everyday for us. Make sure you use that freedom to thank them for what we have. I thank God for them everyday. Do you?

A Sprained Right Side

Yep I guess when I fell down the stairs I grabbed the hand rail so hard I wrenched all the muscles. There by spraining my right side. I also bashed both knees which are messed up already. So now I'm on muscle relaxers and the Dr. said sleep lots of sleep so the tissues can heal. I'm still surprised that there weren't any nail gouges in the handrail. I'll live though.

Got another great blog for you

So how did this not get posted?! I guess the fall just has me all jumbled up. Well here it is just a little late.

The Country Doctor's Wife I got this link from the "Pioneer Woman". Another great blog I have to share with you.
Now I'm going to go run off the the Urgent Care. Because blacking out on the stairs didn't kill me just skred me really bad and now I my right arm and side hurt real bad. Matter of fact I think I'm miss spelling almost every word and it's just getting more sore. That and I'm sure when I stand up my knees are going to protest. BUT! I did save the COFFEE! LOL! How lame was that? Or should I say how lame was I? Well I'm off!

Allrecipes

I just love this site. I had 3 gianormous leftover baked potatoes so before they went bad I figured I needed to make something with them. I already did twice baked potatoes last week. Then I got this great idea! Baked Potato Soup!!! I asked the boys what they thought and they were like YEAH! so I poked around on line for a good recipe. For one it was going to have to use bacon in the recipe. I had 3 strips of thick cut bacon leftover and it would be perfect. I also used my homemade soy milk and vegetable broth (had to save my chicken broth for other meals). Then I took my hand blender and gave the potatoes a few jolts. Just enough to break them up a little. I still wanted some nice chunks in it. OH MY! It was sooooo yummy! You just have to give this recipe a try.
Oh, and I do still have one potato left. Maybe I'll just eat it cold. mmmmmm
Baked Potato Soup

This is sooooo not fair!!!

OK I have to complain. Not a bad complain, a good complain, MAYBE! My friend Kathy started me on this blog "Confessions of a Pioneer Woman", which in some ways this will be better for you than it has been for me. It started off as a story about how she met her husband "Marlboro Man" (as she calls him). Just leading us on with one episode after another, just a tease here and a little more there. BLAH! Well this has been going on for WEEKS now. I swear I'm going to go crazy if she keeps this up. It is better than any soap opera I have ever watched. Way better than "Who Shot JR" or Flamingo Road or Knotts Landing. Start at part one and hope and pray she finishes the story before you get to the last episode, or you'll go crazy too! The suspense is just way too much for me I just had to share this with you all so you can join in the hundreds of others screaming for more. OK done with the fit, sorry if I put you in the same situation. heehee! I just had to have someone else I know screaming for more too. haha! Let me know if your hooked too.
Confessions of a Pioneer Woman » Black Heels to Tractor Wheels: A Love Story

Kailua High School - Class of 1982

Class Report
This is for all my classmates. There is a new site that is FREE! All they ask is if you can afford it to donate and help keep the site going. So for everyone that is like dishing out the bucks like was at classmates.com or reunion.com go get registered. Theresa has volunteered to be admin for the site. So far Ian Benouis, Chris Connely, Colleen and Seth Connell, Ruby Lui, Bernie Solomon, The Reis Moniz Brothers, Kurt Hutchison, Jim Jackson, David Morse, Kehaulani Asing, and lots more have found the site. So come join us! Let everyone know about it too!

Busy Busy Busy!

Well I had a great time while my mom was here. I really hated to take her to Salt Lake Airport. Now it seems just a little oh I don't know empty. Yeah I would say there's a little empty spot in our lives here. I know the boys really miss her too.
On the homeschool front we have started the Mystery of History curriculum. I ssssoooooo lack in the history department. I'm finding this really pretty easy to do. Of course the hardest part so far has been finding the laminating sheets today. I ended up going out and buying more. By golly I'm going to do this time line right! LOL!
Then I have like hundreds of photos to go through and scrap too. I think it's easier when you get a kit or 2 each week to work with, but when you get behind have three totally awesome designers and like 923754 photos it gets to be just a bit much. I feel so overwhelmed looking at all of it and needing to get some layouts done.
I just would like to find some nice down time and be able to scrap, read, and sew. Just leave the school work out. even though we had 2 weeks off for my mom being here we still did school work. I just hope I can pull of my half of the job. The boys are really doing a great job. Bryce is really putting up the effort of trying to read on his own and Francis is trying to do more than he can handle. I actually found myself telling him tonight to slow it down and not burn himself out. I just hope this week is as great as last week. We will just have to see. I'll try to keep up more on my posting too. Really I'll try.

Christy's Blog

I could write that it's snowing again. I could write about mom leaving. I could write about her visit. I could even write about what we're doing in homeschool, but I'm going to link you to my friend Christy's Blog for a very important message.

September 29th

I was just reading my friend Angie's blog and was reminded that this was the day her daughter Caroline had her heart surgery. If you want to read up on it go here. Check out the layouts Angie did last year about the surgery. When you get to the last one you will see why Caroline has captured the hearts of everyone that sees her. Here's to you Caroline.

SNOW!

WOW! What a year first we have the hottest July ever recorded. Now we have Snow in September. I could see late October or in November but end of September? It isn't sticking so the roads are clear, but it's supposed to start again this evening. My brother is thinking of leaving for Salt Lake tonight so he won't have to drive in any possible ice or snow tomorrow morning. After all he's from Hawaii and not a state that has regular snow in the winter. Pictures of our snow.

MOM IS HERE!

Oh yeah and my grumbley brother. Grumbley is that a word? I'll have to go look that one up. So any way! They got here on Saturday afternoon so that was spent getting them settled in.
Sunday mom came to church with us. Casey as usual refused to go. You know all my childhood I went to church. No wait I was forced to go to church, while he got to sleep in on Sunday. He still refuses to go to church. Monday we were going to go to the Idaho Museum of Natural History, but they were closed. Figures right. Not only that but Phil had some appointments he had to keep so we stayed close to home.
Monday night we got the call that it was time to go potato gleaning so Tuesday they got a taste of our usual fall activity. We gleaned close to 6 bags of potatoes too. Talk about beat we were worn out.
Wednesday we went to Soda Springs to see the captured geyser. They also have a phosphorus plant out there and we got to watch them dump the slag creating a form of man made lava flow. That was really cool to see.
Today or yesterday now we went to Yellowstone Park to see Old Faithful. The geysers there are really pretty with these beautiful colors. I have like 400 photo's that I'm downloading now. I'll try to remember to get some posted here later on. Now I'm going to let the computer continue to download and go to sleep. Updates later gang!

SIGH***

I don't like to show my political opinions usually BUT!!! I have to say I really do no support Mitt Romney. Personally I think he is part of the LDS church trying to force themselves on the rest of the world. He will try to become President by any means even lying. Just watch this video and see what I mean. O! and I apologize to Bush Jr. There are other options worse than him as President! Mitt Romney!

Hey I got a new calendar

What do you know the month isn't over yet and I actually got around to making a new desktop for this month. I finally got so frustrated trying to find the right calendar that I made my own perpetual calender. Now I'm set! So hopefully I can get my October one done before my mom gets here Saturday.

I used the kit I Met a Boy by Michelle Godin for this desktop.

My poor neglected blog

I have so ignored my blog. So much has been happening and I just don't know where to start.
The church had their School Supply Giveaway. That was a success. Next year we plan on expanding it to all of Pocatello not just Chubbuck. I'll post some pictures later since those are all on my desktop. I did do a few layouts from that too.

To top it off we started school this last Tuesday. I'm returning to the Lapbooks, or Thematic approach again. Makes it easy to wing when you still have books in boxes. Tuesday we started with Science and the microscope. I tell you they wanted to do the whole 3 months in just 1 day. I had to stop them at 3:30. LOL! We flew through our reading assignments Wednesday so they could hit the microscope again. That was a big mistake. I knew it felt like a headache was starting, but I think the lights in my eye triggered a migraine. I was down for the count. I'm still dealing with it just on a lesser scale now. 4 days and counting.
Thursday it came down to the absolute have to fix the fish pond day. The pond was losing water to the point we had to fill it almost every 2 hours or the poor fishes had no water. So I had to go buy a fish net and some pond adhesive to fix the pond. We move the fishes to the top pond and let the bottom go till there was hardly any water left. OH WAIT! What's this? The pump that pumps the water to the top pond for the waterfall is set up just so... and the water siphons backwards and out of the pond! WTF! So all this time the pump has been literally pumping the water out of the pond! No wonder when we bought the house the guy said that they didn't run the pump because "it evaporated the water from the pond too fast." That made no sense to me, but NOW it did. You see he had just set the hose up between some rocks and let her go. Well it ran under the rocks into the pond and around the rocks out of the pond too. So we took the whole shabang apart and used the adhesive to seal the rocks together so not backwashing allowed there. (the adhesive was also for building waterfalls hooray! no extra expense needed there) Then we cut a longer hose so the water doesn't really hit the rocks, but goes into the pond. So it's dark about now and we have to clean out the bottom pond might as well since it's empty anyway. Fill it and run it over night. Yippee! No water loss! Fishy's are saved!
Friday was another busy day. We did the first co op classes for the PCHA. Very small not ready for anything like First Class but a forward step anyway. Then we went gleaning for fruit. I just wish I knew where all the fruit went to. Last year there was tons of fruit this year it was sad really sad.
Matter of fact now that I think about it last year there were tons of stickers and weeds around and this year there were none of those too.
Today is just work on the yard day and relax. We had thought to go to the fair but the fishy rescue took that money. So we have prepaid tickets for the Reel Theater and we're going to do the family movies tonight. Just which one first. "Evan Almighty" or "Pirates" hmmm.

WalMart and Disney are full of it!

My seven year old picked up one of those all access tickets from Wal Mart for the High School Musical thing at Disney.com. I have never been able to "connect to the server" to finish his registration so I could enter his ticket number. Now I have a very upset seven year old! My advice don't bother the next time they try to do a big promotion at Wal Mart. It was a totally bogus promotion. I doubt any of the "Kids" were able to register. I was never able to find an email to let them know I had a problem either. So beware the next time! I sure will!

The Reluctant Recluse

You have got to check out this blog. She has some awesome layouts posted there and to top it off with extra icing she is giving away a calendar template every month. That is so nice of her isn't it? So go check it out.

Check It Out!

We have a blog for the Amazing Digi Scrapping Race 2! I'm going to try to keep up my layout posts. So stop by and check out our latest layouts for the race.

Free, Free!

I meant to post this yesterday but took a nap instead. OPPS! The rental house is rented! The new renters moved in Saturday! Hooray!!!! So now all we have to do is wait for them to figure out how much we get back. Face it the only thing they had to do was clean the carpets cause they could get a better deal. I did the cleaning and the house is in waaaaay better shape than when we moved in last year. My only advice to the owner is to install a sprinkler system since that yard is so hard to water. Might be able to keep the grass alive that way. Off to church now. Have a Happy Sunday.

Out of the rental

Now we just need to get it rented. Yep since our lease isn't up yet we need to be the ones to find someone to replace us. So if you know anyone in Pocatello that is looking for a house to rent I know of one. The house is waaaayyyy cleaner than it was when we moved in, and the old rancid paint smell is now gone. It even has air conditioning. All for just $850 a month. Just email me and I can take you for a look see.

Little update on me here.

I am so pooped. This house had better rent quick with as much moving that we have done and the weather seems to like hitting 100F. Matter of fact the radio said today was over 100F! The guys are moving boxes and 2 other homeschool moms came to help with the cleaning. We finished sometime after midnight. I sooooo want this to be over. Tomorrow and this part of the nightmare will be over. Then I have to get my dishwasher and microwave installed in the new house. Yipee! Get the kitchen in order and I'm taking a break and scrapping for a week straight! That's my grief therapy. I have a ton of photos my MIL has emailed me that I'll be making a scrapbook for her and SIL. Any who I've got to be up early and at the rental house by 9am. ICK!

Little update on me here.

I am so pooped. This house had better rent quick with as much moving that we have done and the weather seems to like hitting 100F. Matter of fact the radio said today was over 100F! The guys are moving boxes and 2 other homeschool moms came to help with the cleaning. We finished sometime after midnight. I sooooo want this to be over. Tomorrow and this part of the nightmare will be over. Then I have to get my dishwasher and microwave installed in the new house. Yipee! Get the kitchen in order and I'm taking a break and scrapping for a week straight! That's my grief therapy. I have a ton of photos my MIL has emailed me that I'll be making a scrapbook for her and SIL. Any who I've got to be up early and at the rental house by 9am. ICK!

This has not been a fun day

It's been a day full of mixed emotions. I will write this up when I have a chance and post it for you. Right now the brains are kind of foggy for us.
I wrote down our Tuesday for those that are still wondering what happened.

This morning I was doing the hit the snooze button thing with my alarm clock when the phone rang. When I answered I heard this gasping sound. Turns out it was my mother in law. She just kept repeating my name, in this gasping way. The hazard lights turned on in my brain and I KNEW something was wrong. At first I thought it was Phil’s step dad Herb, but then she started repeating Chris, Chris. Chris is dead. What!? Dead!? No bad joke! Not funny as far as I was concerned. So I asked what happened. Did he have and accident?
“No” she said “he died in his sleep.”
Right then I told her I had to hang up and call Phil. “Your going to call Phil?” she asked me like she didn’t understand what I said.
“Yes, I’m calling Phil”
So we hung up and I called Phil’s cell phone. Left a message, then a pager number with 911 on it, and started the ring the phone hang up ring again till he answered. It was not the type of news anyone wants to give their spouse. Phil called his mom then his work sent him home. Talk about a loooooong day. Bryce still had a baseball game to play so we went and watched that. In the mean time Phil called the mortgage company and asked to have our escrow signing moved up. Good thing too. Turns out the funeral arraignments were made for Thursday morning. This meant that we had to leave for Portland ASAP. We took the van in for an oil change, went to the escrow signing, and purchased drinks and food for the drive to Portland. We got the dishes washed so no icky dishes when we get back, and washed clothes to pack. By the time everything was ready it was 3am, and off to Portland we went. More on that adventure later.

Friday will never get here!

After Friday we can breath easy about the house purchase. But until then I'm terrified I'll be stuck renting this stinky old place for another year. So everybody! Pray! Pray real hard that all goes well!

Yep still up

I'm still up and wondering how the day went for Francis and Phil. Talk about getting a bad nights sleep. I couldn't sleep last night because I was so worried the boys wouldn't wake up to meet the rest of the den to go up to the camp grounds. Never fear here comes Francis at 5am, a good 15 minutes before Phil's alarm went off. Never the less I still didn't go to sleep till after they left at 10 to 6. Then I had to get up at 7 am to get Bryce up fed, and ready for his baseball game. Never fear here comes Bryce right at 7am to make sure I got up. Where would we be with out these wonderful little guys. LOL! So if your wondering technically we don't keep a win loss score, but Bryce's team lost again. These little guys and gals are all new to Tiger Ball league so the scales have been just a little uneven for them. Their having a great time playing ball though which is all that matters.
Today Bryce and I cashed in my points at Subway for a foot long sandwich, and then I took him for a shaved ice.(yeah that's right here in Chubbuck we have REAL! Hawaiian Shaved Ice! Not that fake stuff) It was a cheap date with mom paying. Heehee: The rest of today was spent just lazing around Bryce played on his computer, and I have so far washed too many dishes and still have a ton more to go. Then we grilled up some hotdogs for Bryce and me for dinner. Along with that I grilled up some eggplant , and zucchini for me. While I had the items out I threw together a Caponata yummy. Then Bryce wanted cookies so I made some of my famous Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies for him. The little booger changed his mind then and wanted soft pretzels. Now I'm pooped out and have another busy day tomorrow. I will sleep in though this time.
Oh, and so long as nothing blows up on us this next week we will be closing on our house next Friday Yaaa! We are so broke right now with all our money into this and paying bills. At least after this the payments will be for our own house not someone elses. sheeesh! Well I'm going to go crash maybe if I can stop worrying about Francis and Phil.

Diamond Backs Proved Me Wrong!

Well last night I told Melly that Francis' team the Diamond Backs would lose their game since they won the night before. "It never fails. They always lose the second game when they play 2 in a row." So now I'm eating my words. They almost gave the game away at one point when they were behind by 6 points in the 4th inning at 4 to 10. Then they pulled themselves up by their well you know, and held the other team back and managed to pull of a win by 1 POINT Yep 11 to 10! So I didn't jinx them Melly. LOL!
In the morning Francis leaves super early for scout camp and lucky Phil gets to go. I get to stay home and take Bryce to his baseball game. Lets hope I crawl out of bed early enough on my own. ACK! I guess we will see. Night all long day tomorrow.

2007 ALS DoubleDay Bike Ride

The ALS Association:: "2007 ALS DoubleDay Bike Ride"

My cousin Shari will be riding in this years Double Day Bike Ride. So I'm giving her some free ad time here on my blog. Go by her site and read all about ALS and maybe even sponser her. Thanks!

Which do you like better?

Sometimes I just can't decide if I like something I did.
There's the first one.


And then there's the second one.


Which one do you prefer?

New Scrap Collection

As I said in the previous post I'm a guest CT for Michelle Godin this month. woohoo! Any waaaays. She has a new collection out called "Reel Inspiration" Totally awesome papers and alphas. I figured I give it a little push here before I head to bed. I can't wait to do some Pirate Party layouts with the Savvy Papers. I'll post those when I get them done.

Yard Sale Bonanza!

You'll be proud of me to know that I resisted very well. We did pick up some catcher stuff for Bryce. $4 instead of who knows how much. I also picked up a whole set of Childcraft books for just 2 bucks! Yep that was my goal look for books we can use for homeschool. We spent more on Shave Ice later. heehee. It was a nice day for us just enjoying the nice weather and being together. God has been good to us since we've moved here, and we are enjoying it.
No layouts tonight I may do one later on since Michelle Godin has a new one in the works, but I won't be able to post it till she says ok. Talk about designers things are getting slow since all my designers are taking off this week. That's fine with me I need to start working on cleaning and packing this place up for moving. I just don't know when the move is going to happen. Just have to leave that in Gods hands for now. And as I leave you I recommend stop by Christy's blog and read up on her vacation so far. That's the Motherhood Unscripted link.

Re-Decorated!

Well the rest of the day went by pretty good. It rained most of the day but stopped in enough time that Francis got to go to practice. I went to Wal-Mart and got some necessities and some splurges. Most of all I sure hope the lime away works on all the hard water marks around the sinks. If not it's off to Don Aslets. Now it's time to get the house cleaned up for moving. I have to remember to stop by the liquor store and ask for boxes. You know those are perfect for moving. Now the only question is will the sellers be ready to move out at the end of the month or will they be renting the house back from us for another month or two. It has to be either the end of the month since Phil has that week off or else they can stay till August. Phil won't have another week off till the last week in August so we would be moving until then anyway. Just pray that every thing goes smoothly.

Another failed chat

I must be the loser of the century. No one ever shows up for my chats. I don't even know why I bothered to wait to go to the store. I should have just gone. I just spent an hour alone in the chat room. I guess I should spend some time making custom actions so I can bribe people to the chat with a freebie. Though that doesn't even seem to work. I'm feeling like just giving this chat business up. I know next month it's not happening because it sounds like I'll be in the middle of a move and might not have internet connection. I doubt if anyone will miss it. So much for the pity party, I'm going to WalMart!
Well on the bright side things are going along pretty good for then house. I just hope this one gets rented out right away so we won't have to pay the rent on this and a house payment at the same time.

Two More Layouts

and I'm rather pleased with how they turned out.
The paper is from the set Nature Papers, Doodles from the kit Chansey all by Shandy Vogt at Elemental Scraps. Title done with Black Rubon Alphas by Christy Sturm at Butternug Squash.


Kit is Sweltering Summer by Michelle Godin at Scrapbook Graphics. Mask is Photo FX by Shandy Vogt at Elemental Scraps. Title is from Ten Very Random Titles by Jen Wilson

OK I know I'm tired

Bryce had his first baseball meeting and practice today then Francis had his game tonight. The last time we played this team the pulverized us but this time the boys held there own. Then they WON! WOOHOOO!
The boys did a great job tonight. Tomorrow or should I say today Bryce has his first game at 9am I know don't say it. Then Francis has another game tonight too. Busy busy busy! I just hope I have time to get a layout done. In the mean time I was organizing my layouts when I found one I had done for a scraplift. Call me dense, call me a dork but I forgot which site this challenge was at and who's gallery. Totally DUH! But I'll post it any way.
Kit is Paramount, with Swass Masks all by Shandy Vogt.

It's a Rendezvous!

Today we took the kids to the mountain man Rendezvous. It was hot and DUSTY! First we went up to Kathy and Denny's house where they gave the kids a review about Mountain Men and what a Rendezvous was all about. Then we headed out to the rendezvous. We got there just as they were starting the kids games. So the boys got to get candy from the Candy Cannon. Yep Candy Cannon, sort of like a pinata just they blow the candy out of a cannon. Then Francis and Bryce did the Three Legged Race. They won bead necklaces from that. Pin The Tail on the Buffalo was a blast too. Then they got rock candy and taffy, with a sugar high on the side. LOL! By then my knees were hurting and it was really hot, and dusty with cotton wood fluff floating around like snow.
We went back to Kathy and Denny's for lunch and spent some time looking at all the things they've been doing to the place. Kathy's garden is starting to really get growing, and Denny is putting in a huge workshop. I just love going up there and looking down over the valley below. And while we were there the humming birds kept showing up at the feeders. They are so cool to watch and their wings make this humming/buzzing sound. Then we headed back home to maybe meet with the realestate agent. We'll do that tomorrow after church. I'll keep you updated on the house sale in the mean time. That's it for tonight.

Elemental Scraps Newest Designer! Shandy Vogt!

Elemental Scraps has some new designers and Shandy it one of them. She has some new stuff just for the opening of her store. You won't find it at her other store so stop by and check it out.

finetune

finetune
I found a new video player. It works much better than and it fits without playing with the code! So much for VideoCure, I give up with that one. Finetune lets you have a max of 3 songs per ARTIST! Up to 45 Songs!!! I'm all for it! Oh and the cherry on top it shuffles the music everytime you start it up. Check it out!

Guest CT Gig This Month

Credits:Kit is Popsicle Punch, Quirky Word Tags from Quirktionary 1 Shakesperean by Michelle Godin at Scrapbook Graphics. Vintage frame is by Nancy Comelab. Quirky Month Tab by Poppy Andrews. String on tag from Grace Bennette. Dropshadow from Traci Murphy.

My first layout for my guest spot on Michelle Godin's Creative Team. I never thought that I would use those fairy wings on a layout. Then I saw this photo of Madeline goofing off on a swing. Tell me doesn't it look like she's flying? Her sweater and the wings match so perfect too. I did the whole layout with Michelle's new kit Popsicle Punch, and her Quirktionary 2 kit. So how'd I do with a girly layout.

AHHHHH! I Made It For A Second Time!

Natural Designs in Scrapbooking has one of my layouts on it's main homepage for this week. Each week they choose 5 layouts of the week and this is the second time I've had a layout make it. I see all these awesome layouts out there and just can't see any of mine being even close to them, and yet they actually thought this layout good enough to put on the main page. This is one of the pages I've made for Mike and Becca's wedding book. I'm so jazzed that now I know I'll get this book done. It's taken me awhile but it'll be done. I love you Mike and Becca!

Here is the layout!

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Strawberry Meth

Just a little warning, well maybe a big warning!
Urban Legends Reference Pages: Strawberry Meth

I haven't announced it yet but...

I'm on a second Creative Team!! That's right the lady with a full plate just made it fuller. LOL! I'm not only creating layouts for Christy at Butternug Squash Designs but now am creating layouts for Shandy Vogt! You can find her store at shandyvogtdesigns.com. Isn't that awesome?!?!?!

chills blog

I found the most amaaaaazing blog today. She has some really awesome layouts I'm just going to have to lift!
chills blog

You know Bryce is sick when

he doesn't run off to his computer to play games. Doesn't eat his favorite breakfast, lunch or dinner. He woke up Tuesday not feeling well and with a raging fever. Thursday he woke up and said his neck hurt and had no voice. Hooray for something. LOL! So off to the doctors we went. Turns out they say it's the virus that causes croup in infants. Since he's older he has a larger air passage and there for is just plain old miserable. Francis has been sick too and not getting better either. Same virus it seems. Hopefully by Monday it will have run it's course and they'll be back to normal and Francis will be off to baseball practice. I'll be able to go to the gym again, and life will be back to it's abnormal self.