I hate fighting...really.

And it wasn't a "fight" per se...it was a tiff, but it was before bed (while going to bed) and wasn't resolved by morning and we NEVER do that...so I made this page to remind myself of just how LUCKY I am...it wasn't hard - not one bit! My Lar is an AMAZING best friend, a WONDERFUL husband, and an EXCELLENT father. This one's for you Babe!

I'm blaming it on the SNOW...

Yes, the half inch of snow we got on Sunday night. It was apparently enough to cancel school on Monday and make school two hours late on Tuesday. Which caused me to have to miss my 9:30 yoga class (can you tell I'm still cranky about it?) and has thrown off all of my weekly chi ever since! Oh my!

I have been creating a bit...right now I have a migraine, so just a bit of eye candy and off to bed it is...more tomorrow...promise!

All products on these layouts is CTMH (see links) except for the shipping tag on this one...

Hope you enjoy!

And Poof! A week has gone by!

Just like that! I tell ya'...live a little life, let the house get messy, scrap a bit, go on a couple of family outings and POOF! Time flies!

Well let's see...I've been BUSY! And not working out either! YIKES! I DID go back to yoga today - felt SOOOO good! WHEW! Speaking of yoga, here's a page I did about one of my favorite RELEASES:

Oh yes, and I got a bit sick with a cold...I put up a really good fight,but finally one day it won out and so, for my L.O.A.D. that day (see links if you have no idea what I'm talking about) I made this page (thank goodness for self-timers!)

And then let's see...I was inspired by another scrapper's layout at the LOAD challenge to scrap my scrap space one day - WITHOUT picking it up first (OH MY!) and this is what I came up with:

Oh! And the day Jonah bonked his head? My last blog? Remember I told you we took some photos? Well I made another layout with some of those photos...and here it is:

And let's see...I got really inspired by Stacy Julian over at http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/ and her new book that's going to be released on Feb. 1st. So I started organizing our photo albums and assessing what photos I have and what I need to do to get them where we can actually enjoy them and make it easier for me to be able to "pluck" them for scrapping (because I DO NOT scrap chronologically at all, nor to want to scrap every photo I own - EVER)...so this was my page that day:

I was in a VERY LARRY mood one night this past week and made this layout to honor my best friend and soul mate - the only person in the world who truly knows how to soothe my soul:

And I needed a QUICK layout to do one night so I used this matted photo of Jonah Bug that I had sitting in my favorite photos pile and cut up some cute patterned paper and paired it up with some FABU orange flowers I had just bought (I'm REALLY into orange right now - it is HARD to find accents in ORANGE!) and ended up with this:

And another day I needed a quick page and took an idea off of my Inspiration Ring that I made (from page layouts I've cut out from mags) and scraplifted this one - well sorta kinda - they made a cat page on a b/w/red paisley paper. I added the hearts and the name, etc. But it gave me the start! I would NEVER have thought to use this paper otherwise! That's what it's all about - finding INSPIRATION somewhere and GOING with it!

I have been getting sooooo much done! I also managed to go to my cousin's baby shower this weekend, we took the kiddos to the "Specific" Science Center (that's what Seth calls it! LOL!) and to Spaghetti Factory afterwards - YUM! Have had appointments, appointments and appointments this week - I really don't like weeks like this, but hey, it's life. So I try to pack them all into one week. Oh! And I lost my car/house keys! And they haven't been turned in yet! And I lost them in a store! YIKES! So throw up a prayer if you think about it...speaking of prayer and FAITH...here's what I made RIGHT before I sat down to do this CATCH UP post:

This is for a 9x9 accordian album that I'm going to be teaching at the end of February...I need to go post this on my CTMH glittergirl website - see my links if you want to sign up for the class.

Okay, off to put dinner in the crockpot and then off to my dental cleaning...oh the life of a ROCKSTAR - I just can't keep up! LOL!

What goes BONK during the day?

Jonah's head on the playground! Well at least today it did! Apparently he says he blacked out for a second or two and then fell down the slide on the play structure...oh my. So, I dutifully picked him up from school so I could keep a watchful eye on him and make sure my little Pumpkin was okay. I however, did not dutifully make him take Tylenol nor did I make him take a nap. I DID however, take silly photos with him, watch movies with him and interview him to see what he knows about his dear 'ol Mom...and here's what came of that:

If you're able to click on it and can actually read the text, it's pretty funny to see what his answers are - he knows quite a bit about me - scary! The answers in red are our "realities" compared to the black text which is what

we thought about each other. I've been working on another fun layout (2 pgs.) too from some other photos we took today too, but that won't be glued down until tomorrow...I'm pooped.

Hasta Pasta! And what's up with the comments section? Are you all mute? Or is it not working? Please let me know...thanks so much!

The Dark Side

Okay, HAD to share this layout with you...had tons of fun messing with it last night. It put together VERY quickly (less than half an hour and that's photos too!). The photos just looked BLAH in their "normal" mode...but here it is now...what do you think?

Choices

"BE TRUE TO ALL YOUR CHOICES. CHOOSE WELL."
-Homer

Excerpt from Alexandra Stoddard's You Are Your Choices: "So many people have a terrible time making up their minds. Indecision drains energy, causes procrastination, and keeps us from moving forward with life. We become scattered and confused. There is no absolute certain choice. There is only the wise, good choice at the time." "Choice by definition contains ambiguity."


So...choices. How do you feel about them? Do you relish them? Struggle with them? I talked a few days ago about my youngest son, S, who NEEDS them to operate. Then there's my oldest son, J, who, when presented with choices, is always afraid of choosing "wrong" - he always wants to make sure he's choosing the "best" of the choices presented. What about you? Do you like choices or do you like to be told what to do? What about when you MUST make a choice? Do you procrastinate until it has caused undue confusion and unrest for so many others? Make a choice and stand by it. Change your mind later, if more information presents itself. Be proud of your choices. Let your voice be heard. Be confident. Go forth in the world and choose. It is your right and our ancestors worked hard to give us these rights.

I laugh a bit as I write this because I know so many of you are rolling your eyes and thinking, "Oh sure, it's EASY for you!" But NOT TRUE. I just fake it. Because if someone doesn't make a decision, doesn't choose, doesn't speak, doesn't move forward, then where would we all be? Well I for one, don't want to know.

Just a thought for the morning from a bit of reading I did last night. Feel free to CHOOSE to comment :)

View from a computer...

Well, well, well, time flies when you're running around chasing your tail! That's what I like to say :) That's what it feels like this week! This was the first week of me getting into my "new" 2008 routine...and it's looking like I may have to tweak it a bit, we'll see.

So far I've managed to keep up on my L.O.A.D. commitment - and it's been a lot of fun creating a page a day (sometimes more) - challenging sometimes (like last night when I was teaching a workshop until 9:30pm), but fun :) I'm not going to post any layouts today - you can see the most recent on my CTMH site at: http://www.glittergirl.myctmh.com/ if you like :)

Today I decided I would post photos "View from a computer" (namely,mine). Lately I spend a bit of time here, creating digital layouts, blogging, emailing and checking out my favorite sites and thought you might want to know what I'm surrounded by...if not, oh well, here goes anyway :)

As you can see, it's a lot of BOOKS! That's because Big Lar cut a space into our uber-cool library (which my ultra-talented F-I-L made) for our computer. I love that quote "A room without books is like a body without a soul." I have it on my fridge. What is your favorite quote? Please let me know in the comment section - I LOVE quotes and am always on the lookout for good ones to use in my blog and scrapbooking. There is also a very messy Inbox for items for me to post on my CTMH website and stuff I have no idea where else to put it and for things like tonight - photo paper for the photos I'm printing while typing this :) Plus, there's always a dog or two just a foot or two away (or underfoot!) Speaking of feet...those are Big Lar's sexy feet...he's sorting out photos (gasp!) - I think he may scrap a page or two yet with me from his Marine days...I bought him the album and the papers but I don't have the memories so he's going to have to do it. I KNOW his boys are going to want to read the stories some day! I know I do now! :) What stories do you have that if you don't write them down somewhere, in a notebook, scrapbook or record them onto a tape or the like, will die with you? Think about it...some of them are probably worth passing down.

Okay, don't forget to share your favorite quotes with me! I'll post some funny photos tomorrow or Monday...

Hugs not Drugs...

C

OOOOOOO....Hmmmmm....Tellie Land....

Okay, so we were soooooooooo proud that we didn't have television since June of last year. We were loving the "quiet" around here (well "quiet" is a relative term when you have two dogs and a 5 and a 10 year old boy in the same house). Anyhoooooooooooo, we have been really UNHAPPY with our phone/DSL situation and heard about this bundle package and let's face it, tv once in a while is really nice to have (and I myself, LOVE it at times!) Well we did it. Today I waved goodbye as the Comcast man was pulling out of the driveway, happy as a clam because Martha had just finished up a scrapping segment and was now talking to a bird expert about different types of bird feed and how to attract diff. types of birds! I mean seriously, this was God himself talking to me through the boob-tube, right? Telling me it was meant to be? I don't know about that, but it was really cool. Two of my favorite subjects right there! Then Rachael Ray gave out a NUMMY recipe that I just HAVE to try! Sarah Jessica showed the CUTEST clothes on Oprah and......oh my! oh no! It's taking hold! Beam me up Scottie...beam me up! I think Lar may have to use a crow bar to get the remote control out of my hands! YIKES!

Well not REALLY...but just kinda :) I did get a page done today, very quickly actually. It was inspired by another scrapper's page from yesterday - LOVE that! I'm going to post it here then we're off to dinner at my P-I-L's house - LOVE them! They are the bestest ever! I am so blessed! Here's the page - CTMH inks, papers (LOVE those textured cardstocks!), & alphbet stamps. Heidi Swapp flower & XL brad. Memories Complete sticker.

This is the first time Jonah realized he had cousins. We went down to Arizona for my brother's wedding and he met Madison (left) and Kate (center - she lives here in WA) - they had so much fun together - he was soooooooooooo excited to realize what a cousin was! Too cute!

Have a great night!@

I just want to say.....

ALLLLLLLLLLVIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNN!

You can read all their bios here : http://www.chipmunks.com/bios.php

I personally had (maybe still have?) one of their Christmas albums when I was (ahem) younger - they rocked then and they still rock now! I did NOT know that they have been around since 1959 though!! Did you???

L.O.A.D. page today was super-simple, just a pocket page to keep holiday cards/letters in...I'm also going to put the photo cards of people that the kiddos know into a flip book for the coffee table. I think I'm going to make a similar page like this for every year that I saved my holiday cards! It's so easy and makes it nice to go back and read through for those nostalgic times. Oh! And a bonus RECYLING IDEA I got from a new friend over on the BPS board at the L.O.A.D. challenge (see links) is to take all of the regular Christmas cards that weren't extra special in any way and tear off the fronts and then use them as postcard thank you notes for gifts, dinners, etc. for the holiday season! Wonderful use! LOVE IT! Well here's the page....let me know if you want directions on making a pocket page:

Just a note about comments....

I tested it out and if you want to leave comments, just click the "#comments" thing at the bottom of the blog entry that you want to comment on and your comments will appear shortly. If you want to send me a private email, click the envelope to the right of that...HTH! :) More later, after something really exciting has happened for me to blog about! Off to play with Hudson!

D(ANGER)! Embrace your inner Dork!

HELLO!

Well I was experimenting with the 'ol camera yesterday and basically being a complete Dork (Notice, with a capital "D"!) But it helped me to clear my head and laugh a little...and here's one of the shots...personally, I think we all need to accept our inner-nerd and love him/her completely and let him/her out once in a while. It makes us appreciate ourselves a bit more, especially when we manage to be "normal" for a complete day! ha! I don't know about you, but that, in itself, can be completely exhausting! :)

Let's see...the boys spent some time at Games Workshop today and I spent some time working on a digital layout...I'm having fun experimenting with this digital stuff. Since I then combine it with paper and embellishments I guess you'd call this hybrid scrapping.

Whatever, I like the results of this one, because I got more out of it than I intended. What I mean is, I thought I was just going to be scrapping a mocking page of one of Seth's typical

Temper tantrums when I bought the paper that said "Danger" all over it, but then as I was making the page I reazlied that the word "anger" is nestled right there inside of the word "Danger"! How apropos for my youngest son! Sad that his temper flares like it does, it's actually scary at times...we've worried and wondered about it since he was 2 years old. He is a VERY sweet boy most of the time, but when it builds up and he lets it go - BOY does he let it go! We took him to see a psychologist at the ripe 'ol age of 2 1/2 but she told us that he was normal and so I asked for some parenting tips, for parenting a child like this. She told us that he seemed to want nothing more than to be in control, so CHOICES were a good thing to present to him. It's just a matter of knowing how to skew the choices. You know what I mean? Do you want to go climb into your bed now and I'll read you a book? Or, do you want me to place you into your bed and get a spanking instead of a book? Creative choices. It's also exhausting at times, but his tantrums are fewer and further spaced out as he's getting older, thank goodness. But the choices still work the best with him. If we forget, and try to fall into "militant" style parenting he gives us a run for our money...

So...didn't mean to get so serious...sorry, anyhooooooooooooo, make sure to let your inner dork come out and play - it will definitely help to relieve any stress you may be having!!!

HASTA PASTA!!!!

xoxoxoxo

Jenna - you were and are truly loved.

In Loving Memory of my friend Pam's daughter, Jenna Latsha, Feb 12-19877 - Dec 22, 2007

Her Celebration Of Life service was held today at Alki Beach Community Center in Seattle, WA...it was very poignant and loving and had several moments of laughter. After family and friends spoke about Jenna's life we all went down to the beach and released red balloons to honor her memory. I came home and was so moved, I made this page about all of the things Jenna taught me today. Though her physical body may be gone, her spirit will definitely live on. You can click on the image to read the text. I definitely learned some life lessons today from a 20 year old girl's life cut short, as well as learned what I want my Celebration of Life service to be like someday. I will be lucky if it is filled with as much love as Jenna's was today.

xoxo -C

Guess who's back in town???

and that makes me happy :) She is my dose of fun when I need it and vice versa. Nice to have a person like that don't you think?

Had a dr. appt. today, did some shopping...for fun shopping...oh my! And did manage to create a page for the L.O.A.D. challenge I'm participating in over at http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/ here it is:

The boys and I all went to the chiropractor today and got "fixed up"...well most of the way...Seth ended up freaking out when he was 85% of the way done...it was bizarre. Oh well...it happens when you're 5 1/2. And that's about all I've got for today...more tomorrow, promise. And oh, U.K. Boyz, if you're reading this...I TRIED and TRIED to upload the New Year's video...I think it's posessed...ERGH! It's a no go...will have to redo it for you...maybe at the rate I move it will be a Valentine's video!

xoxoxo C

Musings on 2007

I made this layout for a challenge I received from A Beautiful Mess - Elsie's blog - love those challenges - they always kick me in the 'ol patootie! So here you go..."Musings on my 2007 and what I learned"

Some of the musings (which you probably can't read) are as follows:

Find your Passion: and dump the rest! Spend time on your hobbies - it's okay! Take care of yourself first!

journal: Blogging, scrapping, art journals, scraps of paper, it's all cheap therapy!

Continually strive for balance...plan your work and work your plan.

Choose Love

Choose Joy

Work In Progress...and it's okay. It's okay to be wrong, and it's okay to admit it publicly.

Do what you LOVE. It's okay to let go of things you don't love - life's too short to waste time on them.

experience new tastes, places, peoples, charities, lifestyles, ways to be green

Choose grace

walk the dog more often

Pet me! (on dog)

Kiss me

Hug me

Love lots

Love passionately

play God gave you two active boys for a reason - so go play!

experiment with new colors!

go organic!

Give back!

Be green!

Take no more than what you need.

spend time with seniors, for one day you too will be one!

Loving touches

pray

Volunteer!

Practice something calming like yoga, gardening, walking, drinking tea, scheduling out your time...this will avoid undue anxiety.

Candles and music make me feel calm.

Refresh

Relax

Rejeuvenate

Believe

Breathe

Be

What's your word?

Do you have a mantra? How about a theme song? A word to represent your upcoming year? I got this idea from Ali Edwards' website - www.aliedwardsdesign.com I find her to be a very unaffected and inspiring human being. Someone that when you begin to read her website you immediately want to get a cup of coffee and keep reading. Anyhooo, my word for this year is Purge. It's time. I started last year with "Green" and going organic and entering a basic cleansing phase, but this year, I'm going to really continue it with:
Purge the excess "stuff".
Purge the negative self talk.
Purge the yelling.
Purge the excess body weight.
Purge people who creep into my life who aren't healthy.
Purge bad habits.
Purge limiting yourself.
Purge the urge to spread yourself too thin.
Purge the urge to...etc., etc. and so forth :)
Have a great 2008!