Snow Snow

So, all week I have had this great idea to spend all day today spring cleaning. I had it all mapped out, what I really need to get done, even made a list to add to throughout the week.

I wanted to steam my floors, clean the upstairs areas which is where all of the kids rooms are and then just general things around the house like cleaning the walls and such. I have been planning to do this spring cleanign for some time but never got the right days off or time or energy.

As luck would have it we would get inches of snow last night. Normally wouldn't be such an issue but after a weeks worth of decent spring is near weather...I foudn the snow I normally love a bit disheartening. I really wanted to open all the windows in the house and fill it with freah air...i have done this on decent days during the window as I hate the smell of a stuff house but its different. The snow is pretty but, just when the kids get used to being able to get out and about they can't again...lol...poor them....pooor me...lol

I spent the better part of the morning doing little things, but hoenstly can't bring myself to steam the floors when I can't open all the windows and air it all out...so I've piddled all day with laundry and general Saturday cleaning things.

This last week was spring break, I barrely saw Taylor as he was at sleep overs or having sleep overs nearly each night. Desi also spent quite a bit of time at freinds houses throughout the week. I'm ready for school to start back up though. I hired a new assistant of which I adore here. She's very much so like myself in many ways. Which could of been a complete disaster...but it's worked out wonderfully. This I am greatful for as looking for a new one was exuasting.

I plan on trying to get some new creations scrapped this afternoon. A good snowy day is a good day to craft...also considering a bit of inline shopping for some new CHA items that have been released. Other then that just plan on kinda hanging out today with hopefully minimal excitement for this weekend. I could use a calm weekend to just beathe.

Love & Attachment

I'm sure I'm going to catch alot of flack on this post none the less I'm posting it.

I have 2 children and talking with a friend one night found myself trying to explain that I love both of my children more then anything in this world but the love I have for each child is soooo sooo different. It's even hard to put into words. Which if you personally knew me you'd know is very abnormal for me not to have words...lol

When Taylor my first was born I was very excited and scared as every first time mother is. However, I was 15 and the emotions that cam with him and his pregnancy and birth and everything were far different from those I experienced with my daughter. So, many things were different with her. I loved my pregnancy with her, loved her delivery...loved it all. It was picture perfect besides the complication associated with it but even with those it was great.

I often find myself feeling guilty over these emotions. I know I love both of my kids soo much but there are lots of things that are far different with them both. For instance when Taylor went to school I was literally skipping back to the house with newborn Desi. I have been dreading Desi going to school for a year now. I look at Taylor and can't believe how fast he's grown up and how mature he is. Desi, I look at her almost daily feeling like I'm missing things with her. Hard to explain but she'll do something or give me a look and I'm just like...what happened I blinked and I missed it, when did she learn that. In all actuality I'm extremely lucky as I've been with Desi everyday practically of her life...didn't have that with Taylor as I went to school and worked all the time, so it would seem he would be the one I should feel like I missed things on but its not so.

Taylor is very calm and collected a bit emotional but over all not very confident in who he is and desi is a walking image of me. She spunky, and fun and always says whats on her mind, very confident in herself and what she can and will do, a great mini mommy to the daycare kids and always full of energy. I think that's maybe why I connect with her on so many levels. None the less I have a guilt associated with it. We all have guilt as moms for all kinds of things but this one seems to bug me the most. Like I should feel more connection with taylor, or is it cause he's gone all day and the moments that make me say awww aren't aas often as he's growing up. Don't get me wrong we have a wonderful relationship...better then most I know, but I feel guilty and I never know why. we talk about everything and hate to put it like this but experienced alot of life together, not necessarily me leading him through it but together. Not what i think is idea but its how it happened.

I know its not from a lack of love cause theres love there but I feel bad...like I feel bad cause I don't have those feelings of missing all the little things with him...does that make me a bad mom? I'd like to think not..I'm sure theres some of you out there who say it's exactly the same between your two children...and to that I say ...........BLAH-Good for you. Yes, that's just how mature I feel...lol. I just can't wrap my head around why I'm so much more emotional about the things that Desi does or says or goes through then I ever remember being with Taylor. Maybe I was and just have forgotten the little emotions I felt here and there over the last 10 years.

So, my questions to all of you is do you ever feel this way or is it just me. Do you ever feel guilty because you did more with one child then you were able to with another? Do you feel like your attachment is stronger to one child...notice I didn't say love as I believe I have just as much love for each child...just different attachments to each child if that makes sense and even if it doesn't its all I got.

Single Mom's Dating

Being newly single for the first time in like almost 6 years I've found myself at a point to where I don't have answers or even suggestions for myself. i try to think what my answers have been or would be to a friend and coming up blank...

Whats the rules for dating as a single mom.

Do the kids meet the guy? If so do they meet him as a friend as in he's over to hang out and watch movies or wait until there's something serious?

How do you handle over night stays when you have kids? Or are you even suppose to have them?

I know for each person its very different as to what their comfortable with and what their not but its confusing to say the least. Can you show affection in front of your children. I always thought it was healthy for children to see 2 adults share love and tid bits of love...I'm not talking about straddling a guy and going to town but what about little kisses...and hugs...acceptable or not?

There's alot of uncharted waters I'm walking in here lately and not too sure how to go about it all but just testing things out to see how they go. I was single when I met my X husband and only had Taylor but obviously the ways I went about things there were not the right way...lol

I'm interested to hear what the single moms out there have to say about this...how do you approach dating or sex for that matter....I'm just going to put that out there...cause I'm curious. So, whether your single or not I'm interested in your opions.

Odd tid-bits of this and that

The last few days have been filled with interesting things around my house. All interesting enough to make mention of right there but not necessarily write about it depth details. Going to make a few bullet notes to update all of u.

- To my dear Friend: your not a horrible mommy...kids do dumb things.....hahaha just think of all the dumb things u did as a child...lol...might not seem so bad then.

- The knot on my head is huge and sore...helpful note to others when falling on tiled floor covered in water in the bathroom grabbing the shower curtain is not the smartest of ideas...

This weekend was pretty uneventful for me personally. It's spring break for my son and with that comes the whines and moans of boredom...which I being a good mom saw coming a mile away. If the weather would pick up and be nice at least he'd have more options but its been pretty dreary here the last few days.

So, my father has ventured back out into the exclusive dating world. News to me this week when I find out the woman I just met last week he's been dating since November and going on a weeks vacation with. She's far to sweet for him...no offense to him but I see him corrupting her...none the less he's never stuck his nose into my dating world..however note to others when I begin dating someone he normally meets them when I think its serious...so I explored the idea that its not serious...but quickly disregarded that thought when he said their taking a weeks vacation together to Florida. He deserves it and i know he's been lonely...or not lonely per say but missing that part of his life for some time...that part of completion.

I've discovered this week that facebook is now the world connection point. Tell me when we entered a world to where we have to ask permission from another person for them to admit their family...hahahah much less someone ur in a relationship with. i being lame...just now found out where to add the family members on facebook and thought to myself I'm really sending a request for someone to admit their family...WOW...then my mind wondered into what if someone didn't want to admit they were family....hahaha a whole new way to offend others...lol. As my dear friend put it...it hasn't happened or doesn't exist unless facebook says it does. I've seen people get stressed, laugh, sad, and all out pissed from a simple sentence that someone puts in their status section...leaves so much room for interpretation.

Odd Note: my son is having a friend over to stay the night tonight...my way to salvage the fact that hes stuck here for a week with preschoolers...and the kid just walked in and says "so when is Taylor's mom getting home"...hmmm I just smile and say she should be here soon....Taylor blurts she is my mom and the poor kid turned bright red in embarrassment. while walking up stairs to play games I catch the tail end of a convo they are having to where my son says "so ya I'm teaching you to be cool." the kid replies back "ya, thanks i really need it." I have a moment to where I think I might say something...but decide against it.

I personally have been discovering alot about myself here lately which I'm grateful for. I feel like since matt and I split that somehow I have more time to focus on the things that I want and need and don't want or need at all. I love it.

Daylight savings time way today...which I might just say I think BLOWS....I love the extra day of light for me personally but makes it harder for kids to go to bed at night when they don't understand why they have to go to bed when it's still light out...and spent all day feeling like I was catching up on rest. I know I know its only an hour but feels like 5 was taken away...lol

As of yesterday my birthday is officially a month away. I must be honest only goign to be 26 but somehow I feel like im on the brink of 45...most days anyways. I'm not too excited about it...not sure why...normally I'm all about the birthdays even my own and I get way physced about about them but just not feeling it this year for some reason. I don't have anything I want or need for that matter so kinda just feels like another day...lol....maybe excitement will build as it gets closer....who knows...or maybe I really am just getting old to where the thought of my own birthday no longer excites me...in past years its like one of my fave days...even though I knew when with matt he'd forget to say happy birthday much less make an effort to get me something...lol

So, there are my little tic bits for today...might post something of usefulness tonight but just not feeling it at the moment...

Knowing Your Limits

As mothers, wives, girlfriends, women we have so much that is expected of us on a daily basis. Cooking, cleaning, working, balancing home life and work and if they mesh together god help u...lol, maintaining healthy adult relationships, marriage, dating, activities and everything else that comes along with or without notice. We're expected to move the world a little each day...we may not notice or think that we are but we do.

Today while visiting with a girlfriend we got into a discussion of limitations and expectations. Knowing as a person we have limits and although most days we do the impossible and go above and beyond what we ever thought we could do, we all have breaking points and limitations. Limitations for patience, helping, nerves,discipline, everything else that comes with having a vagina. There's only so much one person can take. For each of us its different. Some of us know our breaking points but normally the only way we learn what they are is by actually reaching them. It's kinda sad and horrible when you think about it. Why must we actually reach the final straw to know where our point is at. Is it just me or does that suck!!

There was never a book they handed you when you become a mother or step mother that says "Hey when you reach this point...STOP...before you fall off the cliff." We don't actually know until we have one foot off the cliff teeter tottering on the edge, looking ahead to the solid ground where we want to be but then our heads look down as we never should and see the sharp rocks waiting for us...ready to fall with the smallest of winds. What saves us from falling...well some have nervous break downs...lol....kidding...well sorta...haha I think what keeps most of us from falling is the love, guidance and appreciation we get from Friends and family. When your to this point do u hold it in...most likely you do because we're taught at a very young age that women esp. are the glue that hold together a family, children or any relationship. It's unfair but its true and you know it.

As my friend sat over here this afternoon I truly felt blessed. Although, the relationship her and I have is more often then not....not understood by others we love it...lol. I was happy...happy we could sit and share the things we did. Knowing there was no judgement from either of us and what we felt we just openly shared about how we felt...reach limits is never fun and it sucks they sometimes get reach or even get tested however I've never been happier to have someone so close to me to be able to share it all with, the happy things, the scary things the things no one wants to or rarely even talks about!

Learning To Say NO!

For once I'm not speaking of anything concerning a child. Although, i do believe that each child should know and respect the word no. Tonight I'm writing concerning how often we spread ourselves too thin.

In the last week I haven't felt like I was on my feet at all. Felt like the entire week I was just floating from one task to the next barely remembering to eat much less take breathes. I took a moment to examine why I felt this way. I am a rather busy person by nature and with my job working 7 days a week, however here lately things have been even more hectic. It all boils down to one thing. I rarely tell people no. Whether its to take a child additional days or hours then I should of had them, or to come over and hang out when i just feel like being left alone, or to host a party, or do them a favor. What is it that makes us feel like we can't say no respectively?

I have told people no, don't get me wrong, however when I have said no was normally because I absolutely could not in any possible way figure out how to say yes to them. I don't kid myself this is a very very rare occurrence. More often then not I will tilt the earth on its axes to help someone or figure out how to help them in any given situation. Sometimes I feel as though what it takes for me to move things around takes more effort then the actual favor they needed. It should not be alot of work for me..I think helping is fun and love being there for others but at the same time I feel stretched thin.

I enjoy feeling wanted...who doesn't? but, even more so then feeling wanted i like more so feeling appreciated. I find that in what I do day in and day out I don't get a whole lot of appreciation. It's rare...who am I kidding its never that a 4 year old looks at me and says thank you for providing a safe, secure and fun environment for me to be in. Ha I'm lucky to get the parents to say that. So, when I can do odd little things for people it makes me feel good.

However, this last week to where it seems more and more everyone is asking for little favors. All those little favors add up to me having little to know me time. So, I'm making a pledge to myself to begin saying no. Not to everything, but I really want to work on if I feel like its taking away from the little me time i do or will have then i should step back and say no....respectively of course. I'm challenging you to do the same as well. I'm not sure how people will respond to begin with as they are all used to always hearing yes coming from my mouth but def. worth a try for sure! I'll keep you posted as to how it goes.

Out of the mouthes of babes

Yesterday, my daughter and friend are doing tattoos...they start discussing how both of their dads have tattoos...then comes the bomb

"Well my mommy has a tattoo on her vagina!" she pratically screams.

OMG, did my daughter just say that to her freind. LOL. I have always taught her the proper names for body parts so that was no suprise. However, its on my hip...lol. I tried explaining this to her and she turns to her freind and says.

"Well my mom has a tattoo next to her vagina."

One of those OMG moments...thats all I can say about that. Luckily her friends mom is very down to earth and took me explaining it with alot of humor and understanding. Last thing I wanted was her freind goign home saying Desi's mom's got this on her vagina...lol...NOT GOOD.

Does it happen to u?

It's amazing how fast desi has grown up. Seems like yesterday I was saying she was going to be a handful and today she actually is. Desi is something special for sure, any of you who personally know her can atest to this hard but true fact. I like to say she's everythign scary about havign a girl wrapped into one mini-me.

Tonight is not a rant or rave or even a blissful post but one of confusion.

So, here's how this plays out.

A few weeks ago I happened to notice the lip gloss was missing from my make-up bag. Now as any good mommy and state liscensed daycare should, I have child proofing on my drawers with my make up in them to keep out of reach of small hands and mouths. hahahaha before any hate mails come about those who dont have them... 2 things...they're only in place because the state inspection lady...who just adores me. (fatest joke ever) said I had to. Taylor survivied just fine eating half the non-ediable things in my cabinets, and that boy ate everything. Number 2 ya their not childproof when ur kids is smart enough to mimic. They observe you do it once or twice and then presto a few times trying when you not looking and they got it down. Personal not: I should write a note to the companies who guarantee my kid wont be smart enough to get into them. Ok back to the discussion at hand.

So, lip gloss missing...I think to myself maybe its in the car or I've misplaced it...wouldn't be the first thing I've misplaced...and go about my day. While at the store later that day i buy a new one...cause honestly I don't have time to check the 5 billion places it might have ended up and prolly even then would come up empty handed. A few days later I notice a tube of deoterant is missing...now that's an odd thing to go missing...hmm my mind wonders and yet I don't investigate...mostly due to the lack of time and energy of grilling first the go to culprits who will deny at all costs and then the secondary ones who might not say anything at all. Then a few days later a mini bottle of my "stripper" perfume is missing...i call it this because well its the stuff that just wreaks of stripper and yet smells so sweet...lol...u all know what I'm talking about..even for those of you that don't broach the stripper schenes...lol...hmm 2 things come to mind if someone had gotten into it and used it all I would notice..while house would wreak of cheap girls...hahah yes that right...I like to smell like a cheap ole hooker...lol...sue me... girls gotta have a few vices.

A few more days lapse and I start to notice a few things here or there...now keep in mind I'm not really putting all of these petty thefts together...because as I happen to b going through the day one thing missing really isn't any concern of mine but one night while cleaning out drawers it all came to me...light bulb on. There's a thief in my midst. I have no hard evidence to this fact of course but it's def. a good mommy hunch.

My primary suspect, Desiree of course. She's the go to person here. Number one she can't keep her hands out of my make-up back and well anythign I have she thinks she needs at the ripe age of 4.5. Now had I actually found any items on her or in her room I'd go to her...alas I found nada. I deep cleaned her room this very weekend. No evidence at all. But, it's not like kids are stuffing things in their shirts as they make their way out my door...lol...I wonder where she hides her forbidden treasures...secrets holes in the wall, in her vent, some place I havent thought to look...where does all the mommy stolen goods go to. I will probably ask which won't turn up much help at all...I'll get the innocent play on it most likly and the fight to know where they are or if any of it is still useable is one that I choose to not have in the large scheme of other worthy things to fight about. It's like the sock monster that every mom knows well,we never really know where they go...but we knew we had them.

I'm curious is this a girl thing? Or maybe an every kid thing and I just happened to slip by it without Taylor catching the thieving bug...lol.

Ever Had One Of Those Days

or weeks for that matter to where it seems no matter how hard you try or do good you just keep getting smacked in the face by everyone you know...the last 4 days have been like that for me. Booooo Not much else to write those words explain it all.

Spring Fever

So, this morning it occured to me that I beleive spring fever has hit my house. Every child here seems to b wired with an oddly more then normal amount of energy. Perfect timing as today my assitant called out sick. I feel their pain though so try to sympathize with them. I can not wait for those perfect spring says to where you step outside and its just right...not too hot and not too cold...I find those days onyl come in spring and fall...but I adore them! I can't wait to go camping this summer, get everyone out of the house. Winters are always hard with me running a preschool...as some kids can go out some can not...it becomes one large mess...but this winter for some reason seems to of gotten to us all alot more then usual.

Yesterday, I watched it snow soo hard and fast that I could not see out my windows...and within 20 minutes it had stopped...ground covered in a new fresh coat of snow and the sun was out. I have foudn the last week that I felt decieved by what I saw outside. There would be no snow and the sun would be shinnign and it would "appear" to look beauitful out...take a step outside and you freeze to death...lol. I can't wait for warm weather. I happen to love snow and love the cold as it always seems I'm hot, but this year I just want it overwith.

Here's some pretty pictures of some of the snow in the last week...lol...sorry for the lighting but it was like 5am ...lol

Change

Everyone knows chage is hard. Hardest when theres people you care about involved. I recently made the decision to become yet again a single mom. Hardest decision I have had to make probably in 7 years. However, I truly felt it was needed for the health and well being of all involved. Not matter is the decison was easily or hard in coming to all chages are hard. Even harder when children are involved. I have found myself in a home by myself for only a few days now. Somethings are easier to adjust to the others I will admit. The hardest is at night after all of the kids are in bed. Its quiet....I dont want very much tv ad dont have cable so theres not eve the sound of tv in the background. Just silence. Its something for sure that will take me time to get used to. Sleeping alone...yet another thing to get used to.
Durig the day is much simplier as the 12 childre running around keep me on my toes and leave little room for silence or for my mind to wonder. I find myself curious how it all turns out as I suspect anyone in this kind of situation does. I know it won't be easy but nothing in life...lol...or my life has been easy so I almost find a comfort in knowing challeneges are coming. I've had the talks with the kids...which was less then enjoyable. However I wanted everything out there. While my 4.5 year old only takes away that her "brother" won't be around very much my son at 10 seems not to be fazed by it. Not sure if hes holding it in or if the last two years with Matt he has't formed the bond I thought maybe had been there...even if just alittle.
I always thought it would be easier to leave someone whos not the father of your children but it has prove to be no easier as I looke dinto desi's eyes and she says "so I dot have a daddy anymore" I almost broke down but held it together...she will always have a father but hes far away which is hard for her to understand. Moments like these make me question what I asked for in him leaving to figure things out. But then I look and say is it better hes here while figuring it out. I guess none of us kow the answers really. We make educated guesses with every decision in life.
It's nap time and the house is quiet aside from a few giggles from the girls trying to chit chat while napping and soft country music playig in the background. The music I have found breaks the silence. I spend my days looking over budgets repeatedly wondering will it work...sure it will...then I revisit it an hr later making sure I didn't forget anything.
It hits me...everything is more complicated now. I work from 5am to about 9pm watching other peoples kids 7 days a week. It's scarce that I have a day off and while I have hired a assistant for during the day how will I work out goig to the bank, paying bills, grocery shopping. If it were just my kids thats simple...I have done that before. I'm scared but you can't show that or the kids eat it up like candy. I'm not scared on making it and I'm one of those who survive no matter what. I'm scared of more bad decisions that affect everyone lives. I hate cats or I might turn into one of those crazy cat ladies...crosses my mind....lol...I decide against that. I'm more so scared...scared to make any decisions...every decisions seems to backfire...lol... I want to make good decisions from this point o however I thought previous decisios were good as well...so who really knows.
I have decisions to make Im not quite ready to make but I know are shortly coming up to make.I'll do the best I can...thats all I can ask of myself. I know it will be harder and many of those silent nights I may be found curled up on the couch crying but...thats ok. I did what I thought was best....

OK, so after many e-mails.....I'm back

So, yes I know........I've gotten prolly over 20 emails wondering where in the heck i have been. Hmm best answer I have to muster is...ummmm I fell into a black hole and spent many months thinking deeply in meditation...and now I'm back. Refreshed and rejuvenated and BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH

So, seriously...umm Ive just been far too lazy. I remember about a year ago I'd read of ladies not have the time or energy to blog and I thought...wow how can they not...but in the large scheme of things...blogging might of been good for me but I set it aside...for ever online chat, phone call, child, time alone, naps, and anything else I could come up with not to get on and just type.

Been following my faves none the less. Some of those moms just crack me up on a daily basis I tell u. I thought I was blunt and some of these ladies make me blush. I'll have to be sure to share them in a post after i get them all compiled.

So, my best freind had a baby......omg....... soo cute...I adore her. Been waiting 9 months for her and oh my gosh made me wish i had 10k lying arund to pop one in...lol...cause i miss the touch and the feel...o u remember before htey can give u that dirty looks, or say no...they are sweet and innocent and oh my gosh...so baby in love...lol

So, what have I been doing. Well I'm sure I could list tons of things....but their all things all of u do day to day...so nothing new. Ohhhhhh want to hear some exciting yet totally depressing new...I no longer fit in my fave jeans...hmm and yet I have a special person who doesn't care...lol...hows that for something interesting....hmm not too impressive.

For those of u following my past woes with my daughter....hmm well lets just say goign to bed is no longer an issue but oh my word...shes a walking talking mini version of me...I thank god everyday shes not 13 yet. She challenges me daily. The latest. This morning I was talking to her about what she would like from santa. I got some general cute things..."earrings, lip gloss" stuff like that...keep in mind shes 4.5. So, then she looks at me straight faced...630 in the morning and says..."but next yr mom I will be 5! ad in school.....so I think I'm going to ask for a bra then so my boobies will grow" I chocked on my coffee and about died............

Taylor is doing well.....seems to like his teacher more this yr..which is a blessing cause i hated the woman from last yr also....she need a broom to ride off on....serioulsy...she was that bad.

Sad to say I haven't scrapped for about 3 months. I have been doing ton do stuff for my etsy shop and for others but lacked the motivation to get in and do anything...but that will change as some family members have asked we do not buy anything but only make gifts....hmm 2 thoughts here...i have money and want to buy...see here's how i see this...I can't get more time but i can always get more money...lol...time is of the essence...and I just have none of it.

So, preschool is great...gotta a group of kids in right now i adore....well most days. Parents are ....hmm they might read this...they are great...wink wink

I know many have asked y I am no longer continuing on my teen mom blog...well I started on a new site.......dont hit me blogger.com but its for writers and when it comes down to it they publish it for u and do all the crap no one thinks about when it comes to writing a book.

Owww...i cut off all my hair...matt said not to...hes soo not big on short hair...soo umm I had to.....needed a drastic change....lol..but it worked..hence the change in the profile pic....and I soooo love it!

So, ok thats it. This shud suffice for an update blog and no worries I'll get back to the helpful and comical stuff I've been asked to continue...lol...this of this as a rough draft back into my blog...lol

A delightfully Sad Day is coming

Desiree is Turning 4!

So, yesterday was Desirees birthday party. She turns 4 on the 4th of July. We had a great day. I rented a great inflatable obstacle course for the party and had pools and more kids then I knew what to do with.

But, later that night I began reflecting "wow in a year she will be in kindgarten." Now it might just be me but for some reason when my son went off I was estastic with joy...lol. I was caring for newborn Desi but was filled with exceitment to have a clean house all day long and hours to myself! I was waving at the bus smiling and pratically went skippingback to the house...lol.

However with Desi I dont think this will be the case. I was almost brought to tears thinking about how quicky she had grown. I guess with Taylor is all happened so fast and I didn't knwo what to expeect and with Desi, now that i have been through it I want to savor each day- hmmm wel for the most part...you all have read about the days I'd rather forget...lol

I guess she's growing up and with her its just hitting to fast for comfort. It might of also helped that I had a fresh newborn when Taylor went off so I was focused on that more so then not having him around.

Has anyone else went through this to where for one child you felt great joy...lol and the other your not looking forward to the day? I'm eager to hear about this.

Sharing some pics of yesterday's events.

Recent Creations

This past week I just had soo much time even with the prechool kiddos that I was able to devote to scrappin. I have been 1-4 pages a day done and I ove it and I have noticed that whie I have been scrappin it seems the flow of my day has been 100 percent better. Not that I dont have good days- cause I have great days! But, I noticed things havent seemed to bother me as much, it's as though I have a bit of a creation release. So, here are some pages done over the last 2 days. I'm not listing materials used but if you want to know them shoot me a comment and I'll spill it.

The above page was soo much fun to make. I loved the gear background paper but wanted to add some depth to it so I added some painted chipboard gears as well as some mini-brads and some metal gears- you can see them below more closely.

Heres just a close up of the gears and such.

The above layout was spun by this adorable paper!!! Im sure everyone has some of these pics lying around. You know the ones around Easter time where the kiddos put the baskets or bucket son their heads...lol...makes me augh just thinking about it. I also did a little something different for depth by vutting slits in pattern paper and rolling it for some great depth...and it takes no time at al for such a great affect.

Hopefully, I will start sharing more of my pieces as well as getting back to writing a bit more about actua things going on...as I do miss that and have soo much to share with you all!!!

Tuesday and Wednesday Creations

Here's a layout created as well. I just adore it. It took al day to complete due to drying tmes of things but I love the way it turned out!

Materials: Pattern paper and solid paper- My Minds Eye- 29th Street Collection (love the texture of this), Spinner Card and Bird, floral, compass Rub-ons- My Minds Eye, Flowers- Prima, Token and metal spinner and grundgeboard flower and butterfly- Tim Holtz, half pearls- Basic Grey, Title rub-on Creative Imaginations, Scrap works- Nails, Paint-Ranger, fibers, ribbons, vintage german glass glitter.

I flocked the stem of this grundgeboard flower and painted the top with lake mist color. I crisscrossed the ails and fibers. The prima flower was originally red- but I oved it's stye so I painted it to tone it down.

This rub-on was black which I felt was a bit too bold for the paper and accents so I ran the lake mist over it. I did this to the whole sheet of paper to tone down the stars a bit.

This is a spinner card by MME and spinner and grundgeboard butterfly by Tim Holtz. The card was a bit bare so I touched up the edges with paint and then put the MME compass rub-on in the center of it. The butterfly is adorned with vintage german glass gitter- which I adore!

I ran the lake mist paint over the entire page and rub-ons to tone them down the green folage was a bit to bright so by rubbing pant over it as well I got a great look. For the center I simple cut out a pointed oval shape free hand and then distressed it and heavily put paint on it. Then I placed a solid coordinating piece behind it where the hole was and ran paint across it as wel to lighten it up some.

Here is a really fun layout. Ironically the title I chose is also the collection of the papers...lol The Chipboard tree is inked to give it better definition and the die cut letters have epoxy on them that you can't see that well- but its great! I also cut out a litte fox from a scrap to use at the end of the title. Pattern papers and solid papers- Imaginisce- twitterpated collection, Chipboard bunnies- Sassafrass, die cut letters- Color Bok- Friendly forrest, Ribbon- SEI, Chipboard Tree- Maya Road, Super Mini brads in tree- Queen and Co., Epoxy, ink.

I just adore these great trees. They come in soo many shapes and sizes. I added little brads just for fun!

So, this week somehow I lucked out and have 4 kiddos on vacation at once....leaving me with a rather relaxed week with a more spare moments to play. I got one a day done...lol...not my best work or speediest but gad to be playing none the less.

Thanks for looking!

If you say it- stick to it

Ok so when Matt and I first began dating I would aways take his soda or beer can and remove the tab from it. I'm not sure why but I have just always done this. I quickly learned that removing these was a large irritant of his. He didn't like it off and was fearful he woudn't know the tab was in the can and he'd choke while drnking. So, I quit doing it. He'd get soo frustrated when I did it...it was comical. The benefit was thought hat I always knew which can was mine...as mine had no tab and his had a tab on it. All is well, make no difference to me.

So, last night my dad and a friend of Matts were over and everyone was sitting on the porch watching the kiddos run wild and play. I sat my drink down and went inside to get ice cream cones prepared....I come back out. Sat down and grabed the can without the tab- I do this naturaly because well I dont have to look I just know its mine- because the tabs missing.

Well, last night I learned just because it can irritate the crud out of you and you never do it- doesn't really mean that you won't do it. I take a large drink from the can-----

and begin gagging and spitting from the horriable taste and wondering whats swimming in my mouth!!!!

The men had been smoking- my dad smokes cigs. and matt was having a cigar...hmm he also chews. I guess he had removed the tab....so he knew which can they had used.....for their spit out chew, cig. ashes and buds!!!!!! NASTY-- all swimming in my mouth!!!!!!

So, here's my public plea...if you say something!!!! Stick to it.

It wasn't funny then but luckily I can laugh at it now--- 40 mouth rinses later!

Summer candid pics

These kids just crack me up here are some candid shots of them the last few weeks...

Circus Fun

The kiddos had never been to a circus but at the end of the school year a smal one came into town and I had no kids so...I took al three of them and they had a bast!

Summer Fun

Well, it's officially summer again! We finally got all the pools pulled out and bought some new ones for the kiddos. They love everything from the sprinkers to the pools. We bought two 10x6 ft pools for the kiddos to share, some sprinker things, a large round pool for the older kiddos, and thens ome other fun things! They love it a and it keep them occupied forever! Sure beats a t.v.

Some of my Latest Creations

Here are a few pages I have completed lately! Enjoy
Above is the cover to a paperbag abum I have been working on for a customer! I normally hate working with reds...but this is for a teens graduation and I think its turing out well!

Above is a layout of my son. Rather simple but I had fun with this one!

Above is a layout I created as a challenge for one of my groups. The halenge was to use packaging materials on a layout. I used cardboard stripped, masking tape and electrical tape. I also used more than 3 pattern papers which was another chalenge.

Above is a layout created for yet another challenge on my group of using a sketch and embellishming fowers. Youc an't see it but many flowers have pearls and rhinestones and gitter on them, the pink ribbon sike strips are painted masking tape and the heart was created with scrapers floss dipped in paint and then shaped to dry on wax paper.

Above is a ayout created trying to use up basic grey papers! Many used from diff. lines.