CYBER CROP FUN!

so my fave on-line scrapping home -- www.cropperscottage.com -- is hosting a CYBER CROP for it's one year anniversary of the current owners! WOOHOO!!

classes, challenges, games, celebrity chats, and over $1000 in prizes!! it starts on sunday the 1st at 2 pm central time with a chat and finishes with prize announcements on sunday the 8th at about 8pm central...

sign up now for all the fun!!!

2005 in Review

Rhonda posted this in her blog & I thought I would follow up...

2005 In Review
JANUARY
1. Did you have a new year's resolution this year? weight loss & scrapping ones…
2. Who kissed you at midnight? no one :(
3. Did it snow where you live? nope
4. Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop? nope, but I would like to one day
FEBRUARY
1. Who was your valentine? no one
2. What did your valentine get you? nothing since I didn’t have one
3. When you were little, did you buy valentines for your whole class? of course! And I buy them for all the kiddos in my class now
MARCH
1. Are you Irish? a little bit in there somewhere
2. Did you wear green on St. Patty's Day? always
3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day? worked
APRIL
1. Do you like the rain? sometimes
2. Did you play an April Fool's joke on anyone this year? I might have, I don’t remember
3. Did you get tons of candy on Easter? no, but I love Easter!
MAY
1. What's your favorite kind of flower? daisies
2. Do you like the spring? yes, I like all the seasons
3. Finish the phrase: "April showers bring...": may flowers, of course!!
4. What would you think of as a spring color? pink
JUNE
1. What year did you graduate from school? high school 1997, college 2000
2. Did you go on any vacations last June? I started my 3 week trip to Ukraine in late June
JULY
1. What did you do on the 4th of july? I went to a really bad concert in a small town square in Ukraine that a cell phone company was putting on.
2. Did you go on any vacations during this month? Finished off my 3 weeks in Ukraine
AUGUST
1. Did you do anything special to end off your summer? nope
2. What was your favorite summer memory of '05? spending 3 weeks in Ukraine
3. Did you go swimming a lot in the summer? once a week for work
4. Did you go to the beach a lot? not this summer
SEPTEMBER
1. Did you attend school/college in '05? yup, I took a Foundations in Education class
2. Who is/was your favorite teacher? no clue
3. Did you like fall better than summer? usually
OCTOBER
1. What was your favorite halloween costume ever? a generic person in a white sweat suit and a homemade “barcode” sign
2. What is your favorite candy? peanut butter and chocokate
3. What did you dress up like this year? nothing this year
NOVEMBER
1. Whose house did you go to for Thanksgiving? my Godparents
2. Do you like stuffing? yup!
3. What are you thankful for? faith, family, friends
DECEMBER
1. Do you celebrate Christmas? of course
2. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe? nope
3. What do you want this year for Christmas? new pants, scrapbook stuff
4. What's the best present you ever got for Christmas? lots of gift cards
5. Do you like cold weather? if it is snowy
6. How would you rate your year on a scale of 1-10? 8

what a life.....

Supposedly if you've seen over 100, you have no life. Number the ones you've seen.

(X) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(X) Grease
(X) Pirates of the Caribbean
( ) Boondock Saints
(X) The Mexican
(X) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and hutch
(X)Neverending Story
( ) Blazing Saddles
( ) Airplane
Section 1: 6/10

( ) The Princess Bride
( ) Young Frankenstien
( ) AnchorMan: The Legend of Ron Burgandy
( ) Napoleon Dynamite
( ) Saw
( ) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
( ) Anger Management
( )50 First Dates
( ) Jason X
Section 2: 0/10

() Scream
() Scream 2
() Scream 3
() Scary Movie
() Scary Movie 2
() Scary Movie 3
(X) American Pie
() American Pie 2
() American Pie the Wedding
(X) Harry Potter
Section 3: 2/10

(X) Harry Potter 2
(X) Harry Potter 3
(X)Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil I
( )Resident Evil 2
( ) The Wedding Singer
( )Little Black Book
( )The Village
( )Donnie Darko
(X)Lilo & Stitch
Section 4: 4/10

(X)Finding Nemo
(X )Finding Neverland
( )13 Ghosts
(X)Signs
( )The Grinch
( )Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( )White Chicks
( )Butterfly Effect
( )Thirteen Going on 30
( )I, Robot
Section 5: 3/10

( ) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
( ) A Series Of Unfortunate Events
( ) Along Came Polly
( ) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
( ) Never Been Kissed
( ) Meet The Parents
( ) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
Section 6: 0/10

( ) A Cinderella Story
( ) the Terminal
(X) the Lizzie McGuire Movie
( )Passport to Paris
( ) Dumb & Dumber
( )Dumb & Dumberer
( )final Destination
( ) final destination 2
( ) Halloween
( ) The Ring
Section 7: 1/10

( )the Ring 2
( ) Harold & Kumar Get the Munchies (H&K go to white castle)
( )Practical magic
(X) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
( ) Hellboy
( )Secret Window
( )I Am Sam
( ) the Whole Nine Yards
Section 8: 1/10

( ) The Day After Tomorrow
( ) Child's Play
( ) Bride of Chucky
( ) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
( ) Gothika
( ) Nightmare on Elm Street
(X) Sixteen Candles
( ) Coach Carter
( ) Bad Boys
Section 9: 1/10

( ) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
(X) Se7en
(X) Oceans eleven
( ) Ocean's Twelve
( ) Identity
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
( ) Predator I
( ) Predator 2
Section 10: 2/10

(X)Independence Day
( ) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine
(X) ET
( ) Children of the Corn
( ) My Boss' daughter
(X) Maid in manhattan
( ) Frailty
Section 11: 3/10

( ) Best Bet
(X) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
( ) She's All That
( ) Calendar girls
( ) Sideways
( ) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
(X) Ever After
(X) Forrest Gump
( ) Big Trouble in Little China
Section 12: 3/10

( ) X-Men
( ) X-2
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
(X) Catch Me If You Can
( ) The Others
(X) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
( ) Cruel Intentions
( ) The Hot Chick
Section 13: 2/10

( ) Swimfan
( )Miracle
( )Old School
( ) The Notebook
( ) K-Pax
(X ) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
( ) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
( )Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
( ) Walk to Remember
( ) Boogeyman
Section 14: 1/10

(X) Hitch
(X)The Fifth Element
(X) Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace
( ) Star Wars Episode II Attack of The Clones
( )Star Wars Episode III Revenge of The Sith
(X) Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope
(X) Star Wars Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
(X) Star Wars Episode VI Return of The Jedi...
(X) Troop Beverly Hills
( ) Swimming with Sharks
Section 15: 7/10

( ) Air Force One
( ) For Richer or Poorer
( )Trainspotting
( ) People Under the Stairs
( ) Blue Velvet
(X) Sound of Music
(X) Parent Trap 1
( ) Parent Trap 2
( ) The Burbs
(X) The Terminator
Section 16: 3/10

( ) Empire Records
( )SLC Punk
( ) Meet Joe Black
(X) NIGHTMARE before Christmas
( )The Silence of the Lambs
( ) Sleepy Hollow
( ) I Heart Huckabees
( ) 24 Hour Party People
( ) Blood In Blood Out
( ) The Virgin Suicides
Section 17: 1/10

( )Legally blonde 1
( ) Legally blonde 2
( ) Pretty woman
(X) Terminator 2
( ) Terminator 3
(X) WAYNES world
( ) Waynes world 2
( ) Blade
( )Spongebob squarepants the movie
( )Prey For Rock N' Roll
Section 18: 2/10

42 out of all of those...not sure how much of a life i have, lol, but i do see that i see a pretty wide range of movies!!

nice relaxing day

this morning i got up and went to the LSS to drop off what i created with my design team kit...then i went and bought tickets for a movie...

my friend katie & i went to see "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" with its IMAX experience! woohoo!! i love that movie!! it was fun to see it so huge...

then i went to lane bryant and bought some new black pants -- a size smaller than i had -- so they fit now :)

when i got home i relaxed and did nothing much except go downstairs and scrap 2 pages...now i am going to go to bed soon...and tomorrow i work, but i don't have to be in until NOON!! i get to sleep in!!! yay!

toodles.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

i pray you all have had a wonderful and blessed Christmas!!

i woke up to see a light dusting of snow (didn't last long, but it was nice to see)...went up to church to wish people a Merry Christmas...came home and worked on laundry and scrapping :)

tonight my brother came down for dinner...we had most of what we used to have when my mom was alive...my dad did a good job cooking :)

Christmas wishes for everyone!!

happy Christmas eve!

well, christmas eve is almost over, but it has been a very nice day :)

tonight was the church service where the kids sing, etc...meghan did AWESOME! and the four of us who were playing tone chimes did well, too...the messages and readings were nice and the songs were wonderful...

after church we ate dinner with meghan's family -- and we ate what my mom used to always make -- dollar rolls sandwiches, chips, rainbow jello and cookies...then we opened some presents up there...my brother came down for dinner and presents...

my brother, dad & i came back to our house and opened up our presents, so there is really nothing for tomorrow except dinner...i may go to church in the morning -- one of my sunday school girls said she had a gift for me, and it would be a nice example to go...

but, i got some nice gifts: money & MS Office from my brother, a necklace from meghan, a ring, 2 books & a sweatshirt from my neighbor, longaberger dishes from my Godparents, a 20 questions game from a friend, a tea cup set from the pastor's wife, and the latest American girl doll & some gift cards from my dad...

SO, monday i hope to see a movie, but i can also go shopping at: Lane Bryant (dad), For Keeps Sake (dad), Target (2 kids at school), Blockbuster (2 kids at school) and eat at St. Louis Bread (2 kids at school)...this will be nice :)

happy christmas eve!!

day off #1

this is the first of the 4 extra days i have off during the school's "winter break"

so far i have slept in, gone to drop off a present, stopped at the LSS, went to lunch with a friend & cleaned out my car then got it washed...

later today i plan on scrapping WOOHOO!! and i have one present to wrap :) then i will be ready for tomorrow :)

12 more hours...

until "winter" break!! woohoo!! i have some hours this afternoon & then my hours tomorrow...

then friday i am FREE! i am planning on sleeping in, going to see a movie and scrapping (which i haven't had a chance to do in ages!)

saturday is the children's service at church, so i have to get meghan there, plus i am playing the tone chimes :) my family and meghan's family are going to eat dinner together after that

sunday might be church, not sure if we will go or not, but we will open presents and my brother will come down & we will all eat dinner together...maybe bob will spend the night so he doesn't have to drive all over the place to come eat with us every night

monday i am off as well :) so more sleep and scrapping!!

have a wonderful day :) i might just be back later :)

2 years ago today...

was the day my mother died...Christmas sucked that year...she died on her 61st birthday...

i miss her everyday, but today is just worse...

here is an older photo of her (probably a year or so earlier)

running all over this past weekend

man, i am tired of running all over and working all day and just being tired!!

friday i worked my 10 1/2 hours...then i went to dinner with my brother & dad...i had a really weird experience at work -- one of the dad's gave me a 4-pack of beer for my brother, lol, since he gets like 3-4 cases free from his job...and since i don't drink, i gave it to my brother...

saturday i got to sleep in some and then it was laundry and cleaning and i had to run to dierberg's (gift for brother), johnnie brock's (the one in fenton is closing & their stuff is CHEAP! i got party paper goods for a quarter a package!!), target (baby shower gifts), party america (other paper goods for baby shower) & petco (present for meghan's dog)...after all that running i had tickets for "A Christmas Carol" at the Fox -- thank you kezk! -- and my friend renee went with me...this performance was by one of the touring companies that are a part of the Nebraska Theatre Company -- they were AWESOME!! there were a few sound issues (echo-y) but those got fixed...

sunday i had to go pick meghan up from her friend's house before she sang at church...then was practice for saturday & sunday school...after that was a baby shower at church...there were SO many people there (and of course some had NOT signed up)...but it went well & they got a lot of fun things that they really will need in the first few months :)

today is just work and relaxing :)

hapy holidays all!

gr!!!!!!!!!

somehow the power cord for my laptop is not working!! and the thing is only a couple months old...

GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it is plugged into a working outlet, all the connections are correct, all the connections have been dusted with air, but still nothing!!

GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Thought for Today...

Life is like a box of crayons...
full of colors to use and enjoy,
wisely!!


i thought of that this morning at work -- no one likes a broken crayon, and no one likes things broken in life...

Cards for Recovering Soldiers

I have a special request.

I'm sure many of you are currently writing cards to friends and family. If you can, please send an extra one (or 10, or 20) to our American military heroes who are recuperating from wounds this Christmas Season. Please enclose a short note thanking them for their service and personal sacrifice. They are the protectors of our freedom, we must let them know. Your small act of kindness will be greatly appreciated.

Here's the address...

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001

busy like bees here with me...

so i have been EXTREMELY busy since last week & my birthday!!

saturday i went to a class at the LSS with Tracy Niehaus from K & Co -- we made THE - MOST - AWESOME mini book!! the class was only $15, too!! we had SO much product that it was well worth the price -- it is a "Christmas" mini book, but it is all pink & brown & teals & fun colors, and nothing is too Christmas-y, so it can be used for just about anything :) PLUS, we used jewels & sequins & so much FUN BLING!! lots of neat little tips & tricks, too :) i also spent most of the day on saturday doing laundry & cleaning my room...it still needs to be cleaned more, but it is better than it was & i found quite a few things to get rid of

sunday was sunday school & practice for the Christmas program...i am going to be playing tone chimes for one of the songs -- they are similar to handbells, but cheaper & easier to play...i also had to go pay my Lane Bryant bill (www.lanebryant.com) since it was due, i went to a local mall to pay -- and it took me an HOUR to find a parking spot & pay my bill!! that was ALL i did there!! i also went to target & bought a bunch of picture frames that are part of gifts, etc...

monday was back to work & the swing of things...class is done, but i TOOK A NAP -- which i never do...then monday night i had a thing at the LSS -- the design team got to meet the EK rep! www.eksuccess.com we made a cute little notebook & then learned more about some of their products...she asked our opinion on what they should work on next & then did some trivia questions! i won a book of quotes & a small album...then she had 2 things left & i got one because my birthday was closest :) Jan ROCKS!

today (tuesday) was: work, YMCA, bank, home (for a little bit), haircut, lunch, work, design team meeting at LSS, NYOBC meeting at LSS...finally home about 8:15 ish...

tomorrow is work & a staff meeting...and a trip to the YMCA...

thursday is work & dinner with my Godparents...

friday is WORK ALL DAY...and possibly out to dinner with my brother...

saturday is laundry, cleaning, make baby album for sunday, "A Christmas Carol" at the Fox

sunday is church, sunday school, Christmas eve practice, baby shower for Carolyn, Christmas party for LSS...

i need time to SLEEP and RELAX!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!

well, i am officially 27 now!

today is my birthday, it has been pretty uneventful, but it has been nice...

my birthday stuff started on friday night -- my dad & i went to dinner at Red Robin (yum yum!!) then to Best Buy where he got me a NEW TV! my old tv was about 10-15 years old and it barely worked, so it was a very practical gift...i got a couple cards in the mail yesterday from family friends who live out of town...

today i took treats for the kids at work (twizzlers in the AM & tootsie rolls in the PM)...my dad took me to Red Lobster for dinner (i love their crab cakes!!)...i also got some e-cards from friends...my friend wendy even left me a voice mail where she sang to me, lol...i got a really cute s'mores ornament from my neighbor -- it is holding a little scrapbook!

my brother is coming down on friday (so he says) to take us out to dinner...if i get something from him, it will be in january along with whatever he gets me for Christmas...

well, i am off to relax & enjoy the rest of my day (and maybe even go to bed early, lol)

i'm a winner!!

I WON!!

today i was listening to KEZK (www.kezk.com) because they play Christmas songs ALL DAY LONG (and i *heart* Christmas)...well, right now they are doing a call-in contest called stocking stuffers...they announce what the prize is & which caller will be the winner...

so i'm driving home from some errands & they announce the 13th caller will win 2 tickets to see "A Christmas Carol" at the Fabulous Fox (http://www.fabulousfox.com/) on December 17th...i think, what the hey, and attempt to call -- i get a busy signal (of course!)...i try again (for no real reason at all) and I GET THROUGH!


AND I AM THE 13TH CALLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i have to go to their office sometime this week to pick up my tickets! but i WON! i have never won a call-in anything before!!

woohoo for me!

Happy Advent!

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice!Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Refrain
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
Refrain
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Refrain
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Refrain
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Refrain
O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
Refrain
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Refrain

More information (and a MIDI file) can be found at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/c/ocomocom.htm

I hope this song can help remind us all of the right mood & attitude for this season. Jesus is why we celebrate -- remember His coming as a baby so long ago to grow up and die for us all...and remember that He will be coming again.

snow!!!!!!!

it is FLURRYING
(just a teeny tiny bit)
not a lot,
but it is SNOW
and
i *heart* snow!!

Birthday Gospel

i saw this on my friend Mark's blog...you take your birthday numbers (my birthday is december 6, so 12:6) and look up that chapter & verse each of the four gospels...here are mine (from NIV)...

Matthew 12:6 "I tell you that one greater than the temple is here."

Mark 12:6 "He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, 'They will respect my son.'"

Luke 12:6 "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God."

John 12:6 "He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it."

Random Acts of Kindness

so RAKing people has always been a nice thought....and to help others in need is always wonderful...but how can a regular person like me impact on a higher level? i try to do good every day for anyone...but here is a place to see how 2 men have been impacting people around the country!!

http://organization.random1.com/index.html

on a Christmas HIGH!

well, yesterday i went shopping! i left my house at about 5:30 AM...went to Kohl's & bought nothing...went to Michaels to use my 25% off coupon & bought a new eyelet setter for me and a few small goodies for gifts...went to linens n things and go a couple of Christmas gifts for my brother...Target was next with some needed kitchen items & a gift for my dad...drove to Gordman's and got another gift for my brother...next was Old Navy -- waited in line for OVER AN HOUR and bought things for ME, lol...i headed to CostCo after that for a huge box of plastic silverwear and lunch...after that was For Keeps Sake for more gift items...i went to Walgreens for a few last minute things and then went to Ben Franklin & bought a gift for my secret pal at church...

once i made it home after all that shopping, i was running on adrenaline -- brought up our nativity sets & angels and got them all set up (after vaccumming the living room)...brought up the tree and got it set up (no ornaments yet, but the tree is all lit)...i also wrapped all the gifts i had bought....sorted laundry, relaxed, etc, for the rest of the day...

this morning i went to church to get some things done (copies for Sunday School, signs posted, etc)...then i headed to Dollar Tree to buy a stocking for a Secret Santa Stocking swap at Cropper's Cottage...next was For Keeps Sake (again) to get supplies for a baby book i need to make before December 18th...after that i went to Sears to finish shopping for my dad...once i got home i have been doing laundry & finished wrapping gifts...

i am completely done with my dad's gifts (unless i find something else, lol)...i need one more thing for my brother...i am done with most of my friend's gifts...there are a few gifts that i need to MAKE, so that will take some time....BUT, i feel AWESOME and i am SO far ahead of the game so far!!!!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

i hope you all enjoy the day!

eat well, but not too too much.

drive safe where ever you may be going.

make sure to tell people that you are thankful for what they have done for you.

inexpensive dinner tonight

my dad & i went out to dinner after church tonight. we headed to Red Robin - www.redrobin.com - for some of the best food you can get! my dad ordered his normal gourmet burger & diet coke...i ordered my normal twisted ceaser/pasta salad & a vanilla shake...i also had a coupon (from their e-club) for a free chili chili cheese fries...

we got our drinks quick...then waited...they brought out the burger & salad...i said what about the chili fries, so thy brought them out...the manager (who looked like doogie howser) apologized for the fries coming so late, so he said he would comp them, i said that's ok, they were free, so he gave us a coupon for a free onion rings on our next visit...(ok, so we are already ahead)...

the waitress comes to check & such & notices my salad had grilled, not crispy, chicken on it -- so she comped my salad!!!!

my dad only ended up paying for my shake & his burger & soda!! :woo:

red robin has AWESOME food, but they also have AWESOME service!!!

it's wednesday!

woohoo!!

no school or work tomorrow or friday!! i am so happy!

this afternoon is going to be very relaxed and fun. we should be low in numbers because a lot of our families are going out of town, etc for the holiday

tomorrow i go to dinner at my Godparents house :) it should be nice to see everyone and just relax and enjoy. i need to remember to take pictures because i took a coaster book class at my local scrapbook store & it is a fall/thanksgiving theme. once i have pictures, i am going to give it to my Godparents to remember thanksgiving 2005. i think they will enjoy it. i am planning on taking the pictures with my digital in sepia and then getting them developed at costco this weekend in 3 1/2 x 5 size so that they will fit better on the coasters :)

friday i am hoping to go shopping!!!! i have some ideas of what i need to get for people, so i just want to get done!! PLUS, i *heart* shopping on black friday!!!

toodles!

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

i have just returned home from the magical land of Hogwarts & the Harry Potter universe...this movie is THE BEST by far!!! there are things that i would change/add (little things that make no sense whatsoever to the story line, but are in it for whatever reason)...

we got to the theater about 2 hours before the movie was the start!! sat in line that long, then sat through 15 minutes of ads, lol, then the movie finally began! what an awesome awesome awesome experience & movie!!!!!!

i encourage EVERYONE to go and see it!!!! but be forewarned, parts of it are rather scary (so PLEASE take heed of the PG-13 rating & do NOT take young children)!!

it made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me think...

tomorrow!!!!!

tomorrow night i go see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! woohoo!!

btw, any harry potter pictures i post were found at www.mugglenet.com :) there is AWESOME art there!!

i am fiber

You are Fibers!

Fun and crazy at times. You are a warm fuzzy kind
of person. You run around getting things done
but still find time for fun! You have so many
diverse interests that it is often hard to pin
you down to any one thing. People love your
friendly attitude and carefree ways. You often
brighten other people's days. But Fibers Beware
- Sometimes people don't take you seriously
because of your happy-go-lucky ways. Sometimes
you find yourself feeling left out from
decision making that could directly affect you.
Even though you like to be happy and cheerful,
make sure others know that you can also be
serious and in tune with reality.


What scrapbooking item are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

a list to fill out...

another "i saw this at another blog" thing!

Copy, paste, answer, add one of your own:

Have you ever...
1. smoked a cigar - nope -- GROSS!!
2. crashed a friend's car - nope
3. stolen a car - nope
4. been in love - nope :(
5. been dumped - nope
6. dumped someone - nope
7. taken shots of alcohol - once, i had 1 shot of a peachy liquer in barcelona, spain
8. been fired – nope
9. been in a fist fight - nope
10. snuck out of a/your house - nope, never had to
11. had feelings for someone who didn't have them back - isn't this a universal yes?
12. been arrested - no
13. made out with a stranger - no
14. gone on a blind date - nope
15. lied to a friend - possibly, but i don't remember
16. had a crush on a teacher - nope -- all my male teachers were old, lol
18. seen someone die - yes, my mother...
19. been on a plane - lots of times!! to omaha & california & maine & spain & amsterdam & ukraine & st. louis
20. thrown up in a bar - nope, i have never thrown up outside of my home/my mom's car -- and never from alcohol
21. eaten insects/grubs/worms/larvae - no, but my friend Roz did when we were in Ukraine -- a fly flew down into her mouth at night when we were talking
22. miss someone right now - yes, a lot of people
23. laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by - of course!
24. made a snow angel - every year if it snows!
25. played dress up - of course!
26. cheated while playing a game - probably
27. been lonely - yes
28. fallen asleep at work/school - nope, but i have come close at timess
29. used a fake id - nope
30. felt an earthquake - only at the science center where they have an earthquke disk you stand on & feel what it feels like
31. touched a snake - at the zoo
32. run a red light - yes, but not on purpose -- just missed the yellow
33. had detention - nope
34. been in a car accident - a few fender benders -- i also rearended someone (it was slick & slushy & he stopped quick)
35. hated the way you look - sometimes
37. been lost - occassionally
38. been to the opposite side of the country - i live in the middle, but i have been to the other side of the world & both coasts!
39. felt like dying - nope
40. cried yourself to sleep - yes
41. played cops and robbers - no
42. sung karaoke - no, but i like to sing, i am just a chicken, lol
43. done something you told yourself you wouldn't - not really
44. laughed till some kind of beverage came out of your nose - not that i can recall
45. caught a snowflake on your tongue - yup! it's a tradition
46. kissed in the rain - nope
47. sang in the shower - yup
48. made love in a park - nope
49. had a dream that you married someone - nope
50. glued your hand to something - nope
51. got your tongue stuck to a flag pole - nope -- i'm not stupid like that
52. worn the opposite sex's clothes - possibly, but just as clothes, nothing weird
53. Been a cheerleader – not my style
54. sat on a roof top - nope
55. talked on the phone all night - nope
56. ever too scared to watch scary movies alone – only movie that scares me is The Exorsist
57. played chicken fight - nope
58. been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on - nope
59. been told you're hot by a complete stranger - nope
60. broken a bone - nope
61. had a 3-some? - nope
62. dipped snuff? - disgusting
63. lived overseas - traveled, yes; lived, no
64. Ever passed out/fainted? - nope
65. blown bubbles in the wintertime - maybe
66. slept in your car? - nope
67. given money to a stranger? - if you count the red kettles, then yes
68. forgot your birthday? - nope
69. forgot your best friend's birthday? - probably
70. been in the presence of the Pope or the President? - yes, i have listened to EX (thankfully))-Prez Clinton 2x
71. failed a test? - yes
72. failed a class? - nope
73. accurately predicted a future event? - not really
74. slept overnight in a hospital without being a patient? - nope
75. realized a dream? - i don't have a lot of dreams/goals, but i have reached some
76. changed the clock at work so you could get out sooner?- nope
77. driven a stick shift? - nope, i refuse to try!

here i am!

here i am -- hoping this works for me to add to my profile!

Becky needs....

so i have seen this in a couple blogs & then someone posted it at cropper's cottage -- go to www.google.com and type in "{your name} needs" the results can be very funny!! (i tried to avoid other blogs where people were searching the same thing)

Becky needs...
-- Our Help
-- all dues ($15) as soon as possible.
-- to turn her life around
-- more people like you on her side
-- to go to bed!
-- more friends, since she’s so lonely
-- to figure out what she's relatively best at doing, then specialize in it.
-- a nanny
-- to be given proper credit
-- at this point in her life is information
-- round the clock, one to one care and supervision

i got my ticket!

just a few more days & i will be able to say i have seen Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire!! i am going on friday night at 9:45 with a couple of friends :) we are planning some fun snack foods to take with us -- sand-WITCHES, carrot stick wands, etc...we are a little dorky with this subject, but we are going to have FUN!!

quizes are fun!

You Are Changing Leaves

Pretty, but soon dead.

What Part of Fall Are You?

You Are Boot Cut Jeans

You're fashionable and sexy - in an understated way.You're more about looking good than following the latest look of the week.

What Style of Jeans Are You?

Your 80s Heartthrob Is

Kirk Cameron

Who's" Your 80's Heartthrob?

12-hours of cropping fun!

i went to a 12-hour crop at For Keeps Sake -- i finished TWENTY (yes, 20!) pages!! they are all using pictures from my Ukraine trip this past summer...i also won a cool prize with some awesome new Studio K papers & embellishments :)

i will (hopefully) be taking some digital photos soon of the layouts i did so i can get them posted at cropper's cottage -- i will let you know when that happens!!

i also got some cool items for my charity scrapbook basket/bag -- some page kits & metal letters & stickers & scissors & albums & other fun goodies :) it should be a nice full auction item!

toodles

are you sure it isn't saturday??

i know, it is friday, but i am off, so i was able to do all my errands that i would normally do on saturday!! i went to target (x2), ben franklin, michaels (x2), office max (x2), office depot, and one way! i had to go to 2 of some of the stores because they were out of what i wanted, etc. i also got the laundry started & my car cleaned out...

tonight i am going to a benefit dinner for a family friend's little girl who has an inoperable brain tumor...please keep little maddie in your prayers -- she is a wonderfully sweet & smart & funny little girl...i remember seeing her last thanksgiving at my Godparent's house...she had on the cutest black & pink dress -- i would ask her what color her dress was and she would always answer (with a mischeviously silly grin) "yellow" -- i am always going to remember her.

i am anxiously waiting -- the first part of the orders from my longaberger party should be getting here today!! and part tomorrow and part next monday or tuesday...there are a few things that are backordered, but i think they will still make it well before christmas :)

tomorrow i am going to be gone most of the day -- i am going to a 12-hour crop at the scrapbook store by me...it goes from 10 to 10...they are going to have a thanksgiving dinner for us, lol...i am going to take all the papers, etc, that i am using for the photos from my trip this past summer, and i hope to make a HUGE dent in them!! i have SOOOOOOOO many pictures, i just need to get them scrapped :) but it should be fun

toodles to do more laundry & start prepping for the dinner tonight...

tomorrow will be NICE

tomorrow i get to sleep in! woohoo!! i am sleeping until 7 (instead of 5) and then i work from 8:15 until 2:30...i have a class at the LSS to go to from 6:30 to 8:30...and then on friday i can sleep as much as i want because i have a day off!!!!! yay!!!!!

i forgot to mention my basket at my meetings last night :( but some of the ladies from the cottage are mailing me some items to add to the basket...and i will mention it at the class i am going to tomorrow oand the crop on saturday :) i hope to get some nice goodies to add to it -- i have some things i will be adding, i am just hoping i won't have to add a ton of items to make it seem "full"

well, this is short, but i am bushed & can get a good amount of sleep tonight, so toodles all!

scrapbook basket for charity

i am putting together a basket of scrapbook goodies for a local charity...they are having a basket raffle soon, so they will do that to make some money...i am going to ask my friends tonight at the scrapbook store if anyone would like to help; i also put the word out to my scrapping pals online. i have a couple of different scrapbook tote bags that i will use instead of a "basket", plus i have some other goodies to start filling it with...i hope some other people are willing to help to make this a huge cool basket!

the charity is called Angel's Arms -- www.angelsarms.org -- and they are a foster home that can take in 15+ kids at a time...they do this so families can stay together...what an awesome cause! :)

ATCs galore!

tomorrow night i have 2 meetings at the scrapbook store -- first is a design team meeting, then i have a NYOBC meeting...

for the NYOBC meeting we exchange ATCs (aka Artist Trading Cards) which are a lot of fun to make & trade...well, i had to do mine for tomorrow...we had a thanksgiving theme, so i made a turkey one & i think it is way cute, but it is also messy because i used feathers on it, and they are shedding!! i finished all 18 tonight...

i am also a part of an international ATC swap about famous women that nancy at the scrapbook store found...they are due later this week, but i wanted to get them done for tomorrow...i did mine on Anne Frank using a photo i downloaded & a quote from her diary...i finished all 16 tonight, too...so i am ATCed out for awhile!! lol,

but we will do ones for Christmas for our december meeting, and those i am going to be as simple as possible on...i need the break from the more difficult ones!!

i will need to take a picture of my latest ones -- my dad disconnected the scanner, so i can't just scan them quickly -- POOH ON YOU!

a forest of giving....coming soon to a church near you!

well, our youthgroup has gone from one 6 foot tree to a set of SIX smaller trees (2 each of 2 foot, 3 foot & 4 foot) -- AND, we used our money wisely & got all six for a little under $30!!

the additional money from our car wash a month ago (that was to benefot the giving tree) went to buy $60+ worth of toiletries, socks, hats & toys at target!! we were lucky & they had all the $1 item stuff - 4/$1 - and they had SOCKS there! so we stocked up on socks :) plus we had some coupons to use & were tax exempt, so we were really good stewards with our money.

stumbling toward divinity

stumbling toward divinity

my friend mark is a hoot & a half! he is in his final year of seminary to become an ELCA pastor -- which he will be awesome at!! i met mark in college & have enjoyed talking with him ever since...

yyyaaawwwnnn!!!

i am just so TIRED!!

work has been crazy this past week...but this coming week MIGHT be better -- we have 2 days of no school, so we will be doing special days & i will be working different hours on thursday & friday...i requested friday off, i doubt i will get it (even though there is no one else that day), but you never know!!

then this past weekend was our high school retreat at church...i did NOT spend the night!! after 10 1/2 hours at work, i rushed home to eat dinner & then to turn back around & head to church -- after mixers & a bible study & cosmic bowling, i got home a little after midnight (after being up at 5)...back on saturday by 9:30 (after going to walmart) for rec time & lunch & helping set up for an event on sunday...i did not do too much with the retreat, even though the majority of the kids are from my church & my church hosted, i just couldn't! i was just too exhausted!! then today i had youthgroup again!! lol we were some busy bees this weekend!! after a breakfast at church & sunday school, youthgroup went to lunch & to buy our new giving trees & items to put on them -- we got 6 small trees (2 to 4 feet tall) and then $60 worth of toiletries & socks & hats at target!! woohoo!! we have an AWESOME start!!

i have a cold, so i have just been hanging around all afternoon doing nothing in particular...i snoozed a little earlier this evening & watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition -- i *heart* that show!!

until next time!

what a day!!

today was an interesting day -- i worked & had a meeting & worked some more...same old same old...but during the hour where i watch kids sleep during their nap time, the FIRE ALARM went off!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!! i had to get 18 sleeping/resting 3-year-olds up & lined up at the door & flip all of their cots to make sure that no one was hiding, etc...LUCKILY, both of the regular teachers were still in the building & so they came to help (have to)...

i had to get gas tonight & i am SOOOO happy!! it was $2.19 a gallon, so i didn't have to pay $30+ to fill my tank for the first time in about 2 months!! woohoo!!!!!!

my friend danielle -- http://spaces.msn.com/members/danimoemommy/ -- is so funny!! i love the photos of your red rashy face, lol...but keoki is ADORABLE!! i can't wait until i get to go to colorado and meet the cutie!!

my friend kathi is now in CHINA!! she is helping some friends watch their oldest 2 girls while the mom gets their NEW chinese baby girl! the youngest of the ones they have so far (3 so far) is at home with her dad...but i saw him today & he told me they arrived safely and within a couple days they will have a new baby girl to love (even though she isn't a baby, she is a toddler, lol)

hugs & blessings...

Lavras near Kyiv. 

Meghan and Molly 

What a pose!! Meghan at Woody's in the climber... 

My friends Kathi & Wendy with Fredbird at the Autism Walk. 

happy halloween!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

we had about 30-35 kids come through tonight...it was raining and it was SOOOOO dark by the time they started!! our first kids came through a little after 6...our last one was about 10 'til 8...most were done before 7-ish...

as you can see, i have figured out how to get some photos up on my blog! woohoo!!! now i need to figure out how to get a photo into my profile...but, i will be sharing some photos here -- especially from my trip this past summer to ukraine to teach vacation bible school (VBS)...

this past weekend was busy...on saturday i took meghan to build-a-bear to create her birthday present -- she built a bear, named it molly & dressed it really cute in a pink & black outfit...we also spent some time just shopping at the mall -- i got some crocs (finally!) and a new purple leather coat,some jeans, a belt & a scarf...on sunday was sunday school & then meghan & i went to the zoo!! it was so FUN!

well, i am pooped out & need to get some sleep...nighty night all!

Diema, Anton & Paul showing off one of their crafts at VBS in Ukraine! 

Elena, my Ukrainian "sister" and me on the train from Kyiv to Oleksandria. 

This is my FIRST design team project for For Keeps Sake!! I altered an old grimey bulletin board with some fun colored paint & loads of fun papers & embellishments. 

weird....

i posted about my basket party on sunday & it never went through (according to my computer), so i reposted something on tuesday...now they are BOTH there!??!!? weird!!

this week was fairly calm -- no extra meetings at work, no crazy days with the kiddos, nothing extraordinary happened! woohoo!! i like weeks like that! i may even take some time & go SHOPPING tomorrow, just for me!! i want to try and find a new winter coat & i want to buy a pair of crocs (green, i think). :) i may also take meghan to get her birthday present -- i am taking her to build-a-bear (i promised her in august that i would take her for her birthday, lol) i have to go to the post office & mail offf some cards for a swap at cropper's cottage...sunday is sunday school as usual, but that is all, so i will be able to relax some :)

next week isn't too bad, but i have a feeling i will be sitting at work with ONE kid left until exactly 6 on halloween, and he will probably be the only one there by about 5...we have ONE boy who is ALWAYS the last to be picked up right at 6 o'clock when we are suppose to close...maybe, JUST MAYBE, he will get picked up early!!

after monday work should be normal as usual, but i am busy just about every night -- monday is halloween, tuesday is meghan's birthday party, wednesday is church, thursday is nothing (ahhh, so nice to do nothing) and friday is the start of the high school retreat at church...and, since i am the youth group leader, i get to go...i only have one main job, i am in charge of the "mixer" time on friday night, plus i told pastor i would help out with the rec time on saturday...i am not spending the night or any of the other stuff, though, unless they need my help with food or something simple like that...then that sunday my youthgroup is going to go SHOPPING to get a new Christmas tree to use as our Giving Tree...if we have money, we will also be buying some items to place ON the tree...

i feel like such a sloth on friday nights...all i want to do is go to bed & it isn't even 8 o'clock!! i am just so boring, lol...i need a night life, but i am afraid i would fall asleep right in the middle if i did...fridays are just TOO long!! working from 6:30 AM to 6 PM with a 1 hour break is just too much....especially at the end of the week!! BLECK

hugs and such to all...

and GOOD NIGHT!

basket party update

i never got an update up about my longaberger party last sunday!! i had TWO people at the party :( BUT, i took some catalogs to a few people who couldn't make it & i ended up with someone who couldn't make it having an $800+ order!! added to my other orders, i had a $1000+ show!! (and this is my SECOND $1000 show!! woohoo!)

so, since i had $1000 in orders, i got to pick THREE half-price items AND spend $125 in hostess dollars!! i ordered some mugs and other pottery, a COMPLETE christmas basket set for 2005, a fun basket that swivels & a Christmas present for my brother :) (plus some other various goodies)

i am excited -- i should be getting my order sheets tomorrow from my consultant...then in a few weeks i get the joy of making a ton of deliveries :)

OH, and i booked a party for january (so i got a booking gift of a cute little tote)...and if that party is $250+, then i get ANOTHER free basket!!

basket party update!

well, i ended up with TWO people at my basket party!! i thought it would end up being a DUD for sure, but i took catalogs to a couple of people that couldn't make it, so i had hopes for SOMETHING!!

so i get an email from my longaberger consultant, carla, and she lets me know that my Godmother had called her with an order and it was an order for $880!!!! so i ended up having a $1000 show!! woohoo!! with that i got to order 3 items at half-price and i got $125 to just spend...so i ordered some mugs, a set of Christmas baskets and a spinning basket with my half price items and picked out all sorts of fun goodies for the $125...PLUS, i booked a party for january because if i have a $250 show in january (since i had one in october), i get a FREE basket!! so, since i booked for january, i got to pick a free booking gift...i'm making out like a bandit with this party :)

www.longaberger.com

target practice....

so a friend asked HOW MANY targets are in my area...here we go...

1) hampton village (new one)
2) fenton (one of my usual choices)
3) south county (my other usual choice)
4) kirkwood
5) chesterfield (about a half-hour away)

when you type in my zip code to target.com, there are TEN that show up (it only lists infor for the top 3)...so i have A LOT of targets by me!!

the walk

the walk was AWESOME!! i ended up meeting my goal of $100...

there had to be close to 10,000 people at the walk, it was just AMAZING!! the team i was on, Crestwood Cares, had (it seemed) 30+ people! there were inflatable for the kids, free food for everyone (breakfast & lunch & lots of beverages), team photos, local celebrities...it was SO COOL & FUN!!

it was a truly inspiring experience to be walking with such a huge mob of people for a cause that is so important! whether there will every be a true "cure" for autism, the research being done can also benefit everyone by helping find techniques that work, even for one child/family...

if only i got paid for going to target!

yesterday was a LONG day filled with walking & cleaning & shopping (oh my!)

i got up at 6 and did started some laundry...cleaned out my car...then i had the autism walk this morning -- very inspiring!! after the autism walk i went to the NEWEST target in my area...then i went home & relaxed a little & did some more laundry & finished picking up the living room....

after that i went to a DIFFERENT target to get a new bath mat!! mine was falling apart & i forgot it earlier in the day...i also went to costco to get food for my basket party tomorrow...i did a quick run to the LSS and bought a couple sheets of paper & some other goodies....when i got home i vaccuumed the living room, cleaned in the kitchen, made dinner and finished the laundry...

at 9 pm, i went to YET ANOTHER target!! i had to get some blocks for a game tomorrow with the baby shower at church...then i went to walmart to get paper goods for my basket party...then the grocery store for the final foods for tomorrow's party...i got home at about 10:30...now i was tired!!

what a weekend

i am so BUSY this weekend!!

it is a friday night & after working 10 1/2 hours today, i still came home & cleaned my bathroom & have been working on laundry & other cleaning...tomorrow i have to finish laundry & cleaning...plus tomorrow is the Autism walk that i am participating in...and i babysit tomorrow evening...i have to shop for treats for my party and a baby shower gift...then sunday is sunday school followed by a baby shower at church and then i have my longaberger party that afternoon!!

i need/want to get some scrapping done this weekend, too...i have had no time to be creative at all this week!! grrrrrrrrrrrrr

off to clean some more....

yay me!!

i got an AWESOME call today!!

me (after wrestling my phone out of my purse while driving/closing my window/turning the raio down): hello
the voice: hi becky, this is nancy at for keeps sake and i wanted to let you know that our first design team meeting is going to be next tuesday at 6.
me: i'm guessing you want me to be there?
the voice: of course!!

so!!!! i have made a design team!!!!!!!!!! and it is at my all time favorite scrapbook store!!!!!!!!! www.forkeepssakescrapbook.com

yay me!

go CARDINALS!!

GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!!!!

they won last night (5 to 2) and they can won again tonight & then sweep the Astros in this series...then they will sweep whoever ends up being the winner in the AL so that they will win the World Series AT HOME at Busch Stadium before it gets torn down

GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!!!!

what food are you?

You Are Mexican Food

Spicy yet dependable. You pull punches, but people still love you.

What Kind of Food Are You?

what awesome news!

well, my friend wendy is FOR SURE preggo!! WOOHOO!! she went to her doctor yesterday & found out for sure that she was -- she is 6 weeks along & is due at the beginning of june...she goes later this month to hear the heartbeat :)

i have been checking out photos from memory trends (a craft/scrapbook materials show) -- it is all of the new products coming out soon -- there are SO MANY new and cool things!! how will i ever be able to afford all the fun new things?!?!!?

last night was NYOBC...the theme for this month into next is digital & traditional scrapping -- i am NOT going to do any digi!! i plan on RAKing the cd's with digi elements to some of my friends at cropper's cottage. the other stuff i plan on using -- or at least attempting! there are some fun little acrylic tiles to use -- i see them in a very fun title :) next month our ATCs are going to have a thankful theme -- i am going to make mine like little turkeys -- feathers in the back & then a cardstock head & beak -- maybe some googly eyes...once i get going they should go fairly quick & be pretty simple...

the kids at work this morning were SO CRABBY!!!!!!!!! i hope they are better this afternoon!! after work i went & did the exercise bike at the Y -- now i have been messing around on the computer...i need to take a shower before i go back to work this afternoon...then tonight is our monthly staff meeting...i need a day off, i am EXHAUSTED and need some time to sleep & get things done...one day i will be able to rest & relax & do nothing!!! i just don't know when...

check it off the list!

today was a nice day at work...the kids were silly, but behaved nicely.

my class went well today -- it was our midterm exam...i finished it in about 30 minutes!! it was a lot of common sense stuff, just in textbook terms! i think i did well on it, too :) i also had to turn in a bunch of reading responses today -- i had 6 that were required & one that was for extra credit (which i did!)...next week i should find out what my current grade is :)

i have been working on cleaning for my party next weekend -- i got the living room picked up (for the most part) and the kitchen taken care of some...in the living room i just have a little picking up to do, vaccuuming & dust a little...kitchen i need to do dishes, clean the stove & counter & floor & finish clearing the junk off the table...i also have to clean my bathroom & pick up my room & the back bedroom in case someone goes down there...

tomorrow's plan is: work, YMCA to work out, clean/shower/etc, work, class at scrapbook store, relax...

i have also been packing up a ton of books that we are going to donate to the Greater St. Louis Book Fair -- http://www.angelfire.com/biz/STLBookFair/ -- we have 4 full boxes already & more to pack up!! luckily they will pick up if you have more than 3 boxes :) we have YEARS, no DECADES worth of National Geographic magazines to donate, if they will accept them :)

all in a days work!

the car wash was a success, in my eyes at least!! we washed a dozen cars & raised over $88 to buy a new Giving Tree and possibly some items to hang on the tree to get it started up this Christmas season...

i just finished the last of my 7 journal reflections for my Foundations in Education class. six were required and one was for extra credit. i still need to work on reviewing and studying for my midterm tomorrow, but i am doing alright!!

this weekend i got quite a bit done -- 5 loads of laundry, homework, a car wash, Sunday School, some cleaning, 2 scrapbook pages and i ran some errands yesterday! i have to go put gas in my car tonight (murder at $2.87 a gallon!!!!) and then study...

this week will be busy -- work every day, class tomorrow, scrapbook book club on tuesday night, work meeting on wednesday night, i have the autism walk on saturday, babysitting saturday evening...plus i have to clean and prepare for my longaberger basket party next sunday afternoon!!

well, i must be off -- you see all i have to do!! lol

dress warmly & carry a big sponge

today is the youthgroup car wash -- it is also barely 40 degrees right now! we have about 3 or so more hours until we start, so it should be warmer by then, but it isn't going to be as warm as we would like! we are collecting money when we wash the cars to help buy a new Christmas tree for the youthgroup to use -- we manage the Giving Tree at our church each year and collect toiletries, etc for local charities. last year i threw away the tree because it was missing branches and was just disgusting looking...there is a point when the charlie brown christmas tree look doesn't work anymore!!

http://www.katrinatribute.info/ -- a flash of various photos from katrina -- some are graphic, so be aware -- it shows the tragedy, the dispair, the distruction, but it also shows the hopes, the love, the help...

off to finish getting ready for church & collect a few things to take to church for the day of sharing!!

toodles

TGIFN!!!

thank God it's friday NIGHT! every friday i work 10 1/2 hours -- today was about 15 minutes less...it was a whirl-wind of rooms and children and ages and abilities (school age, then onto full day pre-k, then more school agers, then special needs part day kids and then toddlers)...the only group i did NOT work with today was PAT (parents as teachers), although that probably could have been arranged if i had asked!

this weekend is going to be BUSY, but it is a change in pace from the typical...tomorrow i have to work on homework & do laundry...i also want to get some scrapping done & try to relax a little...sunday is sunday school & then our church's day of sharing where the youthgroup is doing a car wash -- i hope it isn't TOO chilly on sunday so the teens don't freeze washing cars, lol...

yay for me!!

i am very VERY excited!! my dell laptop came yesterday!! i ordered it online on sunday afternoon from www.delloutlet.com & it came on wednesday! what awesome & quick service! i bought a refurbished dell inspiron 600m. it is small & light and it works wonderfully!! i have to get things off of my dad's computer and put them on here, but it is working out well so far! i can have the background & screensaver i want & download whatever songs or pictures or games i want without having to worry about taking up space on someone else's computer.

smiles!!

mail me to the moon

i had to run to the post office today to buy some stamps -- they were short handed & it took me close to 15 minutes to buy 2 books of stamps!! i was surprised at the time it took, but the people who were working were very polite about it & apologized for the time it took :) what good people!!

i have so many things to be mailed today -- but they are all stamped & addressed & in the mailbox with the flag up!! i had to mail reminders to my youthgroup kids about what events we have this fall and stuff about our car wash on sunday...i also had some invites for my longaberger party to mail...plus a survey i had gotten from AAA...all's done & all's ready to go! woohoo!!

hope the mail comes before i have to head back to work...

i almost forgot! i tied for 3rd place in a layout contest at cropper's cottage!! woohoo!!!!!!! i won some papers & embellishments from Making Memories, one of my all-time favorite brands of scrapbook supplies

i'm so excited!!

my friend is almost 100% sure she is pregnant!! woohoo!!! her & her hubby have been trying for quite a while now, so it is even more exciting...FOUR pregnancy tests showed positive, so i told her not to worry too too much -- she goes to her doctor on the 11th, but the RN at her dr's office not to worry too much, 4 tests is usually enough!!

VW is awesome to lease from!! my car is awesome, even after 2 years, and i just got a card from them wishing me a happy 2nd anniversary...plus, they sent a car air freshner in with the card, so now my car will smell nice

Dude! i'm getting a dell!! my new laptop should be here by next monday -- YAY!!!! i am very excited, and i know my dad will be happy to have me off of his computer :)

today i had an essay due for my Foundations in Education class...next monday we have a mid term exam & 6 reading responses due! i need to get cracking on it so that i am ready for the test & getting the papers done...i hate homework!!!

la de dah dah

well, i have heard about one of the scrapbook design teams i went for...i did NOT make the team at www.cropperscottage.com -- i am VERY impressed by the women who DID make the team...i wasn't even expecting anything to come of this one, but it is still disappointing that nothing came of it :( but, there may be chances in the future to be a guest designer, etc. with cropper's cottage...

the other design team i went for is through my local scrapbook store -- For Keeps Sake -- this is one that i would like to be a part of because the store is such an awesome place & the women who work there and do design stuff for the store are so wonderful!! this, to me, was a littl emore promising, but i am (trying to) not get my hopes up too high!! i don't know how much rejection i can take, lol

i have just been feeling crappy lately -- i think it is just allergies or a cold, but i need a day off to sleep & get myself better...not sure when that is going to happen!

this week is the same old stuff -- no extra meetings or long afternoons at work -- but next week is our car wash for youthgroup at church as a part of the day of sharing we are having!! it is going to be fun, i just hope there are a lot of teens who come & help out!

well, off to bed to try & feel a little better tomorrow!!

52 days....

well, in about 52 days (plus or minus a couple hours) i will go and see the NEW harry potter movie, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." i am very excited because this is my favorite harry potter book, so i am hoping that the movie will do some justice to the story that JK Rowling wrote!! there are a few of us who are planning on going on opening night & maybe doing something stupid/silly like wearing HP shirts or something like that...

it was a tiring monday following a rainy sunday...i did my observation for my foundations class this morning & i am going to breakfast will one of my friends tomorrow...hopefully i will survive!! i am just so sleepy, i am going to be good & go to bed early tonight, so toodles!!

happy saturday!!

it is saturday and i am happy!! this was a really long week at work, so i am ready to relax and just chill!!

thursday night i went and saw "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Fox Theatre. my friend Renee had an extra ticket, and i got to go for FREE!!! plus, we were in the fox club, which is the really ritzy section in box seats where there are waiters and you can order meals & such. it was an AWESOME show!! i would go and see it again in a heartbeat!

today i have so much stuff to do...i hope i am able to make a huge dent in my list. i have already cleaned out my car & started the laundry. i am going to run some errands (copies for Sunday School & a trip to michael's craft store) in a little bit once i get the next load of laundry started...i am planning on getting some scrapping done & then posting some things and doing the application for the cropper's cottage design team -- i can always dream, lol!!

tomorrow is sunday school...and i have to get my neighbor, meghan, there early enough because the little kid choir is singing...then after sunday school i have a youthgroup meeting! yikes!! tomorrrow is going to be a busy morning, but after the meeting, i have nothing to do so i will be able to get some homework and other "fun" things done!

happy saturday! enjoy it if you can :)

Please support me in Walk F.A.R. for NAAR

I recently accepted the challenge of walking in the National Alliance for Autism Research's Walk F.A.R. for NAAR fund-raising event. Walk F.A.R. For NAAR is the signature fundraising event of the National Alliance for Autism Research and is the nation's largest Walk program dedicated to autism research. Since its inception in May 2000 approximately 171,000 people have participated in Walk F.A.R. For NAAR and collectively 65 events have raised over $18.3 million for autism research.

I am asking you to help by supporting my fund raising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference. Together we can make a difference by advancing and accelerating autism research. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make your donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. If you would prefer, you can also send your tax-deductible contribution to the address listed below. More information on the National Alliance for Autism Research, its programs and autism in general can be found at their website: www.naar.org Any amount, great or small, helps. I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Support me in the Walk F.A.R. for NAAR! http://www.autismwalk.org/site/TR?px=1293622&fl=en_US&s_tafId=1096&pg=personal&fr_id=1027
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://www.autismwalk.org/site/TR?px=1293622&fl=en_US&s_tafId=1096&pg=personal&fr_id=1027

Click here to view the team page for Crestwood Cares http://www.autismwalk.org/site/TR?team_id=19040&fl=en_US&s_tafId=1096&pg=team&fr_id=1027
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://www.autismwalk.org/site/TR?team_id=19040&fl=en_US&s_tafId=1096&pg=team&fr_id=1027

Click here to view the company page for Lindbergh School District http://www.autismwalk.org/site/TR?company=Lindbergh+School+District&fl=en_US&s_tafId=1096&pg=company&fr_id=1027
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://www.autismwalk.org/site/TR?company=Lindbergh+School+District&fl=en_US&s_tafId=1096&pg=company&fr_id=1027

life and its hectic way of fooling with things...

i am praying that everyone is able to get out of galveston & houston in time -- i heard they were going to be opening more lanes of traffic to help clear the roads -- at least people are getting out!! i hope their homes will be alright when they return!!

life has just been one hectic thing after another here!! i am contimplating applying for a design team at the scrapbook website i go to, but i am just not sure!! i am just scared of rejection in that area...since nothing ever seems to happen when i submit, i guess i have resaon to be feeling that way!! lol

i am very VERY excited!! tonight i am going to see "Joseph & the Amzing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Fox Theatre!! my friend, Renee, has an extra ticket & she asked me!! Woohoo!! i have been wanting to see this one so i am happy! i just hope i can stay awake for everything in the next couple days...

i am hoping to have a longaberger basket party soon -- www.longaberger.com -- their baskets are so nice and their pottery & linens are awesome, too!!

i am doing a walk for autism research next month -- my next post will be all about how you can help by sponsoring the walk to help fund autism research!!

nothing else too exciting is happening in my life, it is just BUSY BUSY BUSY!! sunday school has started out well -- not too many kids, but we have just as many as last year, so we can still grow :) this coming sunday i have my first youthgroup meeting of the year & it should (hopefully) lead to some good things to come this school year!! my foundations in education class is going well -- i do an observation on monday morning and then i will have one assignment down!! work is going well, i have survived a month & we are almost totally staffed now!! things are getting better & easier & the school i am at is WONDERFUL!!!

hope all is well with everyone!!

Hurricane Katrina

this event is such a tragedy. i just want to cry about it, and i do...

however, i also want to just go and yell at the blamers (i.e. the mayor of new orleans)...they pass the blame onto everyone EXCEPT who it belongs on...NO ONE caused the hurricane to happen...the president wanted the evacuation to happen earlier & for them to be mandatory, the mayor called for the evacuation at too late of a time & did not mandate that EVERYONE leave...he did not call out the bus lines to transport the poor who did not have cars, etc (there are school & CITY bus lots completly covered in water and BUSES that could have been used to help)...

no one could have gotten to the area faster to help out -- the red cross & other groups had to mobilize their own volunteers and resources & then still have time to those to get to the devestation!! they could not have been there within hours of landfall -- they need to have AT LEAST 24 to 36 hours!!

ok, off my soap box about this...i am praying for the victims (not refugees as some of the media started to use?!?!) and i am trying to help in whatever way possible

on a happy note with this -- the school district i work for did a 24-hour blitz for the red cross -- they asked every student & staff member to bring in $1...they were expecting to raise about $6,000...they ended up raising OVER $22,000!!!!

school's back....

well, school has started all over again...i do before & after school care at a local elementary school -- there are 50+ kids signed up (averaging about 45 per day) at my site alone!! the higher ups are working on hiring -- we are so short staffed right now it is sad...we have a lot of people helping out & subbing in, but it is getting old & i just want my staff with me!!!! the kids i have are AWESOME!! i have kids from kindergarten up through fifth grade -- the are nice to each other and the majority are great when it comes to asking for help!

this sunday, the 11th, a new year of Sunday school starts...i have the third to eighth graders -- there are about 10 or so kids for my class! we are doing old testament stories this year and i am excited because i love learning about the creation of the world and all the stories from the OT. then the 25th is the start of the middle & high school youth group, which i lead. there are about 15 kids in that age group & i am SO HAPPY because it is finally growing in size which makes it so much more fun!!

other than a new school and church year starting up, i have been getting quite a bit of scrapping done!! i FINALLY completed a baby album for my friend, danielle & her baby boy keoki! it ended up being 38 pages long!!! i have also done a few pages for a mini album i am doing of my favorite pictures of my neighbor meghan...you can check out some of my layouts in my gallery at http://pp.cropperscottage.com/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=152

summer is almost over!

today was swimming with the kids at work. we went to this awesome pool/play park called Riverchase. i went down the huge slide once & went through the lazy river about 52 times...this was our last swimming trip of the summer -- only one field trip left, too! woohoo!! we go roller skating this thursday...should be interesting since all the kids don't know how to skate! after that, only one week left of summer camp!!

this weekend is going to be hellish!! friday i have a late night at work (get home about 11 PM)...i am also suppose to watch my neighbor this weekend (starting friday)...saturday i get to be home, i guess, but i have places i want to go and shop, plus i am going to help my friend wendy get some new work clothes & it is tax-free weekend, so i thought we would go this weekend...plus, it is a make and take weekend at archiver's scrapbook store, so i want to go do that...then on sunday i have a youthgroup event to be an adult at -- paintballing?!?!

why am i here??

so, i visit my favorite scrapbook site all the time...a discussion came up tonight about blogs - who has them, who wants them and whatnot...so i go visit some blogs that are hosted here by blogger.com...and i make one...

i decided to call my blog "phases of me" because my life seems to be a series of short and long phases -- what i want to do with my life, what books i want to read, how i spend my free time...right now my phases include: returning to college to get certified as a teacher, wanting to find a new job (but not wanting to at the same time), reading the harry potter series over and over again...


(just to let y'all know -- i rarely use capital letters & i typically do not use proper punctuation and/or spelling...one of my majors in college was print communication & i had a minor in english -- why would i want to come off as intelligent in what i write?!?!)