scrapper's challenge -- how'd you do?

so on january 1 i posted a challenge to use what you have...did you participate at all? did you at least try? how did you do?? ANSWER THESE IN THE COMMENTS FOR A CHANCE TO WIN (this month the prize will be at least 2 things of brads - epoxy & gem - and a bunch of paper)...

my tallies are the same as when i went to the FKS weekend retreat...
12x12: 33
cards: 12
mini book: started

i haven't scrapped since then :(

the only money i spent this month (outside of the kits i get each month) was $10 for a making memories grab bag at michaels -- shared some with others, used some of the glitter letter stickers from it....i also owe a friend $10 or so for some making memories letters she got me for $1 a pack (versus $3) but i have not used any of them, so i guess that doesn't count...lol


NEW CHALLENGE COMING TOMORROW!!


toodles

3 1/2 down....

here are the books i have checked out from the library right now -- all 13 of them! i have finished 3 and am about 1/2 way through a 4th...these are all books that are appropriate for middle & high schoolers...most have been nominated for missouri's various book awards -- truman and mark twain -- i have basically read a book a day since i went to the library last...this will continue...although, with the weather that is predicted, i should be able to read more & be finished quicker ;)

toodles & happy reading!!

more??

more snow is predicted...not sure if i can handle anymore -- and i love snow! this time they are saying ice & snow -- so, if that is true, i am predicting more snow days...they have said it could be worse than the last storm (8+ inches)...and some have compared it to the blizzard of '82 (which i don't remember)...

we will see if anything falls at all!!

toodles :)

Where Were You When?

my first "where were you when" moment happened 25 years ago today...the Challenger space shuttle exploded shortly after lift-off...

i was in first grade at Trautwein Elementary school. my teacher was mrs. spencer. our class, and all the other first grade classes, had gathered in another teacher's room (mrs. hummel i believe) because it was the biggest one for our grade level. the students were seated on the floor. the teachers were gathered at the rear of the room. the tv -- on its big tall cart -- was in front of us all...we counted down with the man on the tv. we watched the shuttle in awe.

then the worst thing that can happen at a shuttle launch happened. we (the students) did not know that was not suppose to happen -- we thought it was all part of a shuttle take-off. i remember clapping (and possibly cheering)...

then we noticed the teachers were crying in the back of the room. they knew it shouldn't have looked like that. they knew the shuttle had exploded. they knew all the astronauts were dead. they knew that very special teacher, Christa McAuliffe, had perished. they knew. we did not.

this has been a day that made me think -- i guess this is my kennedy assassination -- it is my first, but unfortunately it is not my last...

13

so i returned 2 library books yesterday...and picked up the requests that had come in -- all 13 of them!! i read one today, and will finish at least one tomorrow (i know)...

i also requested 4 CDs (gLee)...so i now have 7 items on hold -- 1 is currently in transit...1 of the books comes out in early may, so i will have a book on hold for quite a while!!

lots of reading in my future! :)

toodles

p.s. i bought a book at borders tonight with a gift card...i am bad, aren't i??

2 things i have been thinking about

one:
sometimes you see a car that seems like such an oxymoron...i have seen 2 in the past 6 or so months that make me wonder...

1) a smart car with a hemi -- it seems like hemi would wreck the smart car since it is so small!!
2) a hummer hybrid -- i think it may get 12 mpg versus 10 mpg...



two:
saw this as a window cling on a car today -- made the drive home much more bearable!
"did you have a big bowl of stupid for breakfast?" -- made me laugh (and think about some people i have met before!)



toodles :)

a day in my life...

not sure what to blog, so here is a typical day for me:

5 am -- wake up
6 am -- leave for work, eat something for breakfast in the car
7:10 am -- clock in...work all day
2:40 pm -- clock out
3:15 pm -- home if i do not have mad science after work or some other stop to make...
4 pm -- gilmore girls on abc family, lol
9 pm -- news
10:30 pm -- bed...

how exciting?!!? i know, pretty boring!!

toodles

Forest of Giving

during the Christmas season we do a "Forest of Giving" at church -- it started as the "Giving Tree" back when i was in high school, but that tree started looking way to charlie brown, so the youth group (which i lead) raised some money and bought some small pencil trees -- it is now the forest of giving...each year we collect toiletries (a lot of hotel size ones), socks, mittens, etc. to donate to a local charity...

this year we donated to the new Ronald McDonald House near St. John's hospital...

our total tally was:
7 hats
19 gloves/mittens
8 scarves
1 scarf/hat/glove set
2 neck warmers
2 baby legwarmers
2o pairs of socks
4 body wash/shower gels
16 bars of soap
5 loofahs
12 toothbrushes
2 bottles of mouthwash
1 tube of toothpaste
23 shampoos
13 conditioners
2 hair brushes
1 big thing of hair elastics
17 lotions
3 deodorants
1 body spray
5 "others" (various samples)

THANK YOU!

toodles :)

2 books tonight

i read 2 books tonight...

the first was Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith....cute story, good for younger kids (i could see a 3rd or 4th grader really loving it)...some middle schoolers may enjoy it -- especially if they are a lower reading level, or just love funny books...it took me less than an hour...

the other book was Runaway Twin by Peg Kehret...good story! Kehret writes a lot of stories with kidnappings or abductions or runaways, but this had a great twist with the long lost twin scenario...lots of intrigue and interesting stories...family and love underlie everything (in this book and in life)...

toodles :)

wists

have you ever heard of wists? wists is a website to create your own "wish list" of sorts -- it is helpful for showcasing crafts you may like or want -- you can wist anything from any site...

mine is a lot of different crafts i have seen on craftster that i liked...a lot are related to matrushka dolls, harry potter, & various tote bags & cute plushies...

you can find mine here -- and go make your own & post the link! they sure are fun!

toodles :)

busy day today...

it was another snow day today -- this was #4 of 6 that were built into the school year...

i learned that the cinnamon bread we bought can cause a fire in the toaster oven (it has a layer of cinnamon on the outside, & i think it dripped onto the heating element in the toaster)...

today i swapped mad science kits & paid for my new glasses...i found more books to request at the library (i think i have 18 on my list now!)...i went to costco, and target, and another target...i went to dinner at red robin


the target at gravois bluffs in fenton is awesome -- the people were helpful & the store was stocked & the workers were actually working...

the target in south county (near costco) SUCKED! the workers were too busy having their own conversations to help...nothing was in stock, the lines were long & the price check scanners were not working...they are doing some remodeling, so i understand having items in a different place or some of the scanners not working, but the customer service SUCKED....


toodles :)

snow day ritual

on snow days i pop open a can of cinnamon rolls to bake for breakfast...i make sure we have them in the house come winter...but now i am in a quandary -- we used the last tube today...and they have already called for tomorrow! i guess it will be cinnamon bread toast tomorrow for breakfast....

toodles :)

Freaky Green Eyes

I am reading a book for the second time right now -- Freaky Green Eyes by Joyce Carol Oates. It is a teen novel, but it is for upper teens. It is a great story -- mystery, love, internal & external conflicts galore. It is about a high school girl and the issues she deals with within her family. Divorce & abuse & lies abound...how will it end? You will have to read it to find out! I recommend it to anyone who likes a good book, but make sure your little kids are not reading it with you as it contains some language and questionable content.

i love the library!

i love the library (NOT liberry)...i have very find memories of going with my mom & brother and picking out bags full of books. we read all the time & went through books like crazy!! every summer was reading & completing the summer reading program (with cool prizes like pencils & bookmarks). i still love the library, but i do not always like the search of the shelves like i used to, so now i do a lot of requests -- tonight i requested 4 books -- i am 1 of 1 on two of the books, and they are on the shelf at at least one library, so i will have them this weekend...one is a book that is not even out yet, but i am 23 on the list, and it is by a popular writer, so i figure i will have it the first day as the library system will most likely buy 25+ copies...

are you a library fan? did you visit a lot as a child? do you still?

planning

I am planning to serve dinner at the Ronald McDonald House one day...not sure which of the 3 in St. Louis I would do it at, but I know I want to...

So, what are ideas for food to feed 30? Homemade is best...anyone want to join in the fun??


toodles

tallies for the weekend...

arrival: friday at about 12:30 pm
departure: sunday about 7:30 pm
total hours for the weekend crop: about 55 hours
total sleep: less than 9 hours
12x12 pages created: 33
cards made: 12
other items worked on: i started on a baby mini book for a friend (and the baby is now 2 months old)


toodles -- i am going to bed!

scrap, scrap, scrappin' away!

today has been full of scrapping & card making & eating & shopping & friends & fun & laughter!

i bought some scrappy stuff (sorry challenge!) but i have not used any of it, so i am doing well with that! i have probably finished 20 pages so far, and we are planning on staying later tomorrow...i also finished 12 cards, so i am all caught up on the card swap i am in!

i think i got 4 1/2 hours of sleep last night...tonight might be even less!

there were some attendance prizes today -- i won a set of technique tuesday stamps (an alphabet)...

toodles :)

1/2 hour late...sorry!

too busy cropping to post, lol...finished maybe 8 or so pages today (friday)....ready to sleep, but will probably stay up awhile longer...will get up early tomorrow for breakfast and then more cropping!! woohoo!!

lots of fun
lots of laughs
lots of stories ;)
lots of glitter (will post some photos later!)

toodles :)

are you ready to crop?!

this weekend is a 3-day crop sponsored by For Keeps Sake, my local scrapbook store.

i am packed & ready -- too bad i have to work a 1/2 day tomorrow!!!

things i hope to accomplish:
1) baby gift for leah
2) january cards (and package up december & january)
3) christmas pictures
4) student teaching pictures

will keep you posted on what i accomplish!!

i am excited to see some friends i haven't seen for awhile...and sad i will be missing some of my friends (tina, kathy, mary jo)...stop by & visit if you aren't attending!!!!!!


toodles :)

pride & waiting

so i have officially passed all of the coursework needed to become certified! i passed student teaching & my teacher work sample was approved. all of what i need to do is complete (fingerprints, transcripts, etc). i now am in wait mode for my official license number/certification.

however, i have sent off my first teacher resume. a school i adore is hiring...a middle school teacher. is that an omen? the letter/resume/references have been mailed. now i wait. i wait to hear if they want to learn more. i wait to see if they will call for an interview.

i wait. i wait to see who is hiring for what. i wait to find out if i have interviews or even a smidge of interest from HR personnel/principals/heads of schools...i wait.

i am proud of what i have accomplished, yet i wait.

i wait. and i am not a patient person! ;)

toodles!

grrrrr!

i can never update my blog background & have it look right...but it may just be on my computer? since i have a laptop (and thus a smaller screen)?? not sure...oh well! no time to fiddle with it now...

i wasted the day away and enjoyed my snow day! :) maybe it was the inside out pajama shirt (which happens a lot since the tag bugs me, lol)...

toodles!

to snow or not to snow...

what will happen?

lots of talk about a bad snowstorm on the way...most are saying 3-6 inches...it was spitting some snow today at home...sowing harder at work at the end of the day, but nothing too too major or dangerous driving...

will it or won't it? will there be a snow day or not?

the kiddos were talking snow day superstitions today...wearing your pajamas inside-out or backwards? an orange in the freezer? ice cubes down the toilet? there were A LOT being tossed out there today...have you heard of any? think any will work????

toodles!

excited!

the count down is on -- this weekend is a 3-day crop with my peeps! it is at the drury inn and sponsored by our favorite local scrapbook store -- For Keeps Sake (or FKS)...

friday it all begins -- not sure how early some people will get there, but there is a half day at work, so i am taking a half day personal day so i can leave right after the students! cropping here i come!!

i have some projects set to work on...i am even partially packed for the cropping! i need to order some pictures...but then i will be ready :)

toodles!

what do you see?

this is from this past summer -- meghan, her mom, her stepdad, & i went to the Arch -- LOVE IT! it was her first visit -- loved her lanky body crawling up on the windowsills to look out. :)

toodles!

Artichoke's Heart

i started reading the book Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee today...

i am about 1/3 of the way through the book & i am really enjoying it...maybe it is because it makes me think about myself, even if it is about a 15 (almost 16) year old!

it is about an overweight teenage girl and the struggles she is having with wanting to lose weight, but not knowing a good way to go about it...it also deals with: single parent family, overbearing parents/family, crushing on a boy, family health issues...and this is only 1/3 of the way through!!

it is a funny book...it is a sad book...it is a happy book...it is just a GOOD book!

i have some predictions on what is going to happen to the main character...

toodles!

Home

i had an idea for a blog post.

and then i forgot it!!

so, i will just tell you that i have been reading a book series by a st. louis author, heather brewer -- the chronicles of vladimir tod -- it is a vampire series (no, he is not sparkly or imprinting on anyone else) about a teenage boy who is half vampire...full of funny puns...enough "violence" to keep boys involved...enough friendship & emotion to keep the girls who want that involved...i am really enjoying this series!!

so far i have finished the first two -- "eighth grade bites" & "ninth grade slays"...i am reading the 3rd book "tenth grade bleeds" and am looking forward to borrowing & reading the final two ("eleventh grade slays" and "twelfth grade kills")...i will eventually buy them so i can have the complete series in paperback...


(|\\\|)

toodles!

love it!

break.

i love breaks from school. i love sleeping in and staying up late. i love being on my schedule. however, i also love my job. i love working with kids. i love seeing them learn something new. i love the progress they make. i love the people i work with.

this break was a busy one. i cleaned. i organized. i went to 2 movies. i went out with friends. i celebrated Christ's birth. i had fun.

this break is over. tomorrow morning i get up at 5 and head back to work. it will be nice to get back into the routine of work. i need that in my life.

but, rest assured, i am counting down to the next day off!!!

toodles.

the last month or so in photos...and maybe a few words...

my fave new app on my phone -- a photo booth!!

our Christmas tree before the ornaments...
the gorgeous centerpieces at my Godparents' Christmas party...
derby night!
snow for Christmas!!! woohoo!!
rollerskating for Renee's 32nd birthday...
the salad i made for Christmas Eve dinner -- mixed greens, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, hard boiled egg, provel cheese...and i even attempted to make some radish roses!
the little angels, and the other kids ;), at the Christmas program at church...
my new scrap organizer -- the 3-tier on the right -- i picked it up at Tuesday Morning last thursday when i was out with barb -- it is perfect for the punches i use most often!
and don't you all have a poster of a half-naked mark wahlberg on the wall from his days as marky mark??

a scrapper's challenge!!

so i am posing a challenge for all the scrappers out there...a use what you have challenge!!

i want to find out what you can create from what you already own...

however, there are a few exceptions: cardstock (although we all have a lot, it may not be the right color choice for your needs), adhesive (because it always runs out), and any kit that you currently subscribe to (since it is hard to NOT use the new stuff that comes)...

can you do it? can you create without buying??

i will try and keep track of how i do...and hope you do, too!! let's try for january, see how it goes, then i will try and come up with something for february...AND, i will do a post at the end of the month (when i announce the new challenge) and ask for comments then to see how you did...then i'll choose a winner!! :)

are you in??????



toodles!

** Edited to Add: I have a prize ready! In fact, I have 5 prizes ready, so I am planning to do one challenge a month!! Make sure you play along! **