justmekerry

Too many things not enough time...

2010-02-25T18:26:00.000-05:00

Have been pretty busy with my crafting so haven't been posting much. The last few days I have come to realize that I need to make more time for other things in my life besides this computer. Used to be I'd get on in the morning while kiddos were getting up and ready for school, get them to school, come home play on here a little while and then I was done. Now, I have a good 300 (give or take a few) sites bookmarked (mostly fun blogs I have found while surfing) and hardly ever go to. Thinks me be needing to do some cleaning on here.
I have so many projects going on right now it isn't funny, do I get any work done on them, nope. why??? cause I'm on here!!!!!!!!!!
I will be back with an update and pics :)

What's up with me?...

2010-02-16T07:38:00.000-05:00

Woke up this morning to this LOL It is actually more than we got the one day last week that they were calling for 8"-12".

Cupcakes I made for the kiddos for Valentines. This was attempt #2. The first ended with 24 cupcakes in the trash. I tried making good for you Weight Watchers chocolate muffins. I had had them at one of my Stamp Club meetings and found the recipe online. Well that recipe was wrong lol So, I ran to the store and picked up another box of devils food cake mix and just made regular cupcakes. Needless to say they are gone already haha

Taking goofy self pics LOL

Spoiling this cute little baby. She has started cooing and smiling alot more. She is ticklish on her sides and gets all kinds of frustrated when I mess with her.

And I have been making curtains. Hop on over to my other blog Creations by Kerry if you want to see pics.
Off to do dreaded laundry lol and do some more work on the curtains :)
Have a blessed day.

Longing for...

2010-02-04T16:29:00.000-05:00

Spring and bright colors and warmth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I knew when I moved back to MA that I would have to deal with dreary cold winters but man, it is cold. The sun shines but it is very deceiving. It makes me think and dream of warm days when I don't have to have on 3 shirts, a sweatshirt, jacket and gloves to go outside. I long to see bright green grass and beautiful flowers and feel the sun on my face. I have been doing my best to not let this weather get to me, just some days are harder than others.
I will find some way to bring brightness into my world. I'm thinking a trip to my local fabric store will do the trick haha.
Ok back to regular life :)
Have a good night all.

Birds and sunshine

2010-01-21T09:36:00.000-05:00

This morning I could hear the birds chirping and see the sun shining (finally after a few dreary days) and if I didn't know better (all I have to do is step outside lol) I could swear it is Spring haha. I am so ready for warmer weather, I want to be able to put sneakers on, load Harmonii in her stroller and just set off on a walk. I know I am not the only one ready to be warm lol.
Not much has been happening around here lately, just mundane everyday stuff like cleaning and trying to organize my craft supplies. I think that might be a never ending battle haha.
Back to the mundane :)
Have a blessed day!

On cooking and baking

2010-01-14T12:06:00.000-05:00

Over the holidays I was on a baking kick and it seems to have continued after lol All I want to do is bake cookies. My expertise is limited to chocolate chip and snickerdoodles though lol I will get past that point some day but until then my kiddos love my cookies, thankfully. I was given this beautifully old mixer when I helped a friend of mine clean out his attic :) The last time I made cookies I actually used it instead of letting it just sit on top of my fridge (hence the no bowl attached lol) The cookies came out so good and well to my surprise I ended up with three of them that came out heart shaped :)
I am always wanting to try out new recipes, but with picky children it is difficult. I was looking for a different way to bake chicken and when I opened the pack of onion soup mix there was a recipe on the side of the packet :) Asked the kids what they thought and got approval. Whoa man was that a hit when it was done, will definetly be making it again.
Here is the recipe in case you are looking for something different too :)

Savory 'n Crispy Chicken Breasts

6 boneless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
1 envelope onion soup mix
2 tbsp bread crumbs
1/4 cup olive oil

Preheat oven to 400. In shallow dish combine onion soup mix and bread crumbs. Brush chicken breasts with olive oil, then dredge in bread crumb mixture. On a slightly oiled baking dish, arrange breaded chicken in a single layer. Bake for approximately 15 to 20 minutes or until done.

** I added some garlic salt and onion powder to the bread crumb mixture but the kids said it was a bit salty (I liked it lol).

Next I try a recipe for French Dip that I found somewhere online lol

Happy but not so happy

2010-01-13T14:46:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I wonder if I am really gone bonkers or not. Yesterday was just such a happy day and well I was in such a good mood. Today total freakin opposite. UGH this aggrivates me to no end. That little face up above makes me laugh and smile and feel very blessed and yet I sit here and wish for things that will probably NEVER in my lifetime happen. I make it a big point in my life to be happy with what I have and not expect more, but some days man I really need more. More of what??? I don't really know at this point. I am very thankful for what the good Lord has blessed me with and grateful for what I do have, there are others that are not so blessed.
Back to your regularly scheduled day, I just needed to get that out. Thank you :)

Welcome Baby Harmonii

2010-01-04T08:36:00.000-05:00

My Grand daughter was born yesterday at 8:26 pm weighing 6 lbs 5 oz and measuring 19 inches long. She was crying before she was all the way out lol She is beautiful like her moma and I can't wait to have them both home so I can spoil her. Get ready for lots of pics of her :)

Christmas spirit you are slowly coming back...

2009-12-18T12:42:00.000-05:00

Well all the decorations are out and I'm beginning to feel better about this whole holiday. I don't have exactly all my decorations out lol We don't have enough room but I put out the ones that mean the most.
Off to have some coffee and maybe work on a lil project before I go get Dale from school. It is not warm at all so we will have hot cocoa when we get in :)

Snow Day

2009-12-09T10:44:00.000-05:00

Woke up to the news saying there was no school. No biggie. This is the tree outside at about 7 am. (above pic)

The same tree at about 10:30, and it just keeps coming down lol Weatherman says it might turn to rain. Oh, I hope not, that will make a big mess.

another at 7 am.

I got out and shoveled the front part of the walkway and sanded it. Mind you, I used Dale's shovel haha not a normal adult size one, but it got the job done. One of the neighbors had walk down the street with a snowblower and made a path on the sidewalk (Bless his heart).
Sitting inside, having hot cocoa and trying to make sure I have a list of stuff that needs to be done by Sunday. I am so nervous about forgetting something for the Baby Shower (that is why I love lists, cause I am sooo forgetful haha). Then off to the dr, (hoping I get a ride instead of having to walk in this nasty stuff).
Have a good one all and for those that are getting pounded, stay safe and warm.

Gentle Reminders

2009-12-03T06:49:00.000-05:00

My bestie posted on facebook the other night that she was wondering where I was, Char told her I was in bed, trying to sleep. Bestie told char that she would still need me in the am. So, when I got up I let her know I was on the computer. She just was missing me and wanted to chit chat. :) We have been friends for 25 (lol 24+1) years and even though most of that time has been spent in separate far away from each other states, we both know that no matter what we are there for each other. We love each other no matter our differences, I am inspired by her, and in awe of all she does. She has gotten me to get out of my "comfort zone" (the ladder, N.O) a few times lol. Next year at this time I will be going back to La for a visit to see her graduate from college and I truly can't wait.

I have not been feeling well the last couple of days :( This has gone on for the past month, I feel good for a few days then WHAM, back to feeling YUCK. I had posted on my myspace status about not feeling well and Diz's aunt asked what was wrong. So, I told her and she told me I need to go to the Dr. haha. It made my heart feel good to know that even though he has been gone for 13 years his family still cares about me and the kids, I am grateful to have them as my family.

Last night one of Char's friends texted me for her number (he thought she had gotten it changed, but didn't). He texted me back "Thank you Mommy". Then Char texted me to tell me he is bringing me a 20 lb turkey to cook for Christmas dinner. :D OMGosh. See, I have decided that this year the kids and I are going to stay home for Christmas and I invited him and his g/f over for dinner, since they don't really have family to spend the day with. I have many, many "adopted" children and I love them all dearly. But Hicks is one that makes me smile and laugh the hardest.

These are both gentle reminders that even on days when I feel like yuck and feel like nothing is going right, I am loved no matter what.

Have a blessed day, all.

Snow on December 1st.

2009-12-02T07:15:00.000-05:00

Yep all those lil white dot looking thins are snowflakes. I have to say with the first snowfall I get excited, even if it was only a lil bit. After the first time I really don't like it so much, unless of course we get ALOT of it, then it is gorgeous and well, I like it till it starts to melt and ends up being dirty slush lol

Can't wait to get a ton of snow and take pics of this tree out front. It will be gorgeous.
Ok off to start my day.
Have a blessed one, all.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T21:44:00.000-05:00

Today was spent watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Dale got so excited watching it, and it reminded me so much of myself when I was young. Dinner at my cousins', and now home to relax.
This year I have so much to be thankful for, my kids, my family, my friends, and wonderful memories to keep the holidays filled with love, laughter and much happiness. But I am also thankful for modern medicine that has helped keep my grand baby from coming too soon. Char spent 2 days in the hospital because we thought Harmonii was coming to meet us. Char is not due for another 7 weeks, so I was very nervous and scared. But luckily no baby yet. She is on strict orders to rest (which is almost impossible to get her to do) and she has to go in for tests and monitoring for the next 7 weeks.
I am also thankful for the gift of creativity that the Lord has blessed me with.
Hope everyone has had a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving filled with good food and wonderful memories.

Determined

2009-11-23T10:40:00.000-05:00

Today I am bound and determined to get Dales' toys gone through and organized. We have been in the apartment for almost 3 months now and I have yet to do this, bad, bad moma, I know lol But with Thanksgiving being this week, I need to get it done. I need to find my Christmas spirit. It has been gone since Diz passed away and after 13 yrs. it is time for it to return. I'm trying I really am, I just have to take baby steps I guess. So, hopefully I will be posting pics soon of organized toys and the beginnings of Christmas decorating :)
Hope everyone has a blessed day :)

Another Year has passed

2009-11-22T10:34:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow marks 13 years of my husband passing. It doesn't hurt as much now as it did in the beginning but there are days I wish he was here to share our life. Our grand daughter will never get to know this man and how loving and wonderful he could be. He is missed by so many and still loved dearly. RIP Diz and don't you and mom sit up there yapping too much about me and the kids lol

Doing a Little Rearranging

2009-11-18T13:54:00.000-05:00

Being that I have two blogs this one here and Creations by Kerry, I'm going to be doing some rearranging since I have stuff here that needs to go on there. And trying to fix stuff on here. I have been lackadaisical in keeping up with either of my blogs and I am working hard to fix that. So, if you notice things missing or see new stuff added, just do as I do and go with the flow lol, it will all be fixed soon :)

Till then

Me...

2009-11-15T20:28:00.000-05:00

I know I have very few followers on this blog, but that is ok. This is a place for me to let out things that normally just stay couped up in my brain. But still I wonder about posting some things and not others. I am not one that talks freely about things but some times I really need to just let it hang out. Not like I'm a celebrity or something and the paparazzi will be stalking me haha. And writing stories about what I put on here.
So, I think I am going to be just letting it all go. If I feel the need to post about something I will, and I also want to learn how to do more with my blogs, so maybe I will do that here too.
Ok that is enough from crazy beautiful me :)

Still here, just busy

2009-11-03T07:23:00.000-05:00

Sick kiddos, sick moma. But a change in thinking, I will be healthy, I will be healthy :) Trying to get things settled for Char's baby shower (I seriously have NO IDEA what I am doing), rearranging the craft room (AGAIN), and just being busy in general. Here are a few pics I have taken lately. Although the camera didn't capture exactly what I was seeing.

Befuzzled lol

2009-10-29T08:53:00.000-04:00

That is about the only word I could come up with to describe how I am feeling at this point in time. There is sooooo much I need to get done and so much that I should do and yet I feel so lost and don't know in which direction to turn. There is a song called Circles by Soul Coughing, that is the theme of my life, I just keep going in circles, mind, body and soul. UGH!!!!
Off to clean and try to finish organizing my craft area (I doubt that will ever truly happen but a girl can dream haha)
Have a blessed day.

Helping out...

2009-10-24T18:37:00.000-04:00

Follow this link to find out how to help someone get their dream job http://corinne-delis.typepad.com/the_life_of_a_dutch_scrap/2009/10/helping-out-a-friend.html .

it is nasty and rainy here today. I have caught up on my dvr'd shows, started a few projects and just have generally been lazy all day. Tomorrow (praying that it isn't raining) trip to storage to get more stuff.

Off to finish up projects and start a fresh pot of coffee :)

beautiful sky

2009-10-20T13:12:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I went out on the porch and this was the sight that greeted me. Such gorgeous colors.

New Blog

2009-10-19T10:35:00.000-04:00

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am having to close my etsy shoppe :( But I have made a new blog to showcase my creations and sell them. Right now it is under construction as I get things together. Here is the link Kerry's Creations be sure to check back soon to see what I have been up to.
As for other stuff going on, there really hasn't been much. I'm working diligently on baby shower invitations. I want this to be the best for Charlotte but I have NO IDEA what I am doing, so I am praying for the best.
It is getting very cold at night here. This week our highs will be in the 50's and I am so happy about that, I knew I would have to deal with the cold but man, I am still not acclimated yet and I can't seem to stay warm.
Ok I am off to take care of a few things.
Have a good one all :)

Just a short vent

2009-10-14T13:46:00.002-04:00

I have known my bf since 2nd grade (yes that is a very LONG time) In 4th grade she went after a girl that had pushed me down on the ice, she is the one I called when there was a bat in my house, she is the one my kids call if I am laying in bed crying for no reason. I LOVE this woman with all my heart. BUT... she does NOT know how to take NO for an answer. She invited me to go to a "party" at her friends house tonight, NOT my kinda thing (I am not a prude by far, but some things are better left in private)!!!! She is INSISTING that I go, no matter how many times I told her no I did not want to go.

Yes, I get the fact that she doesn't want me to get back into my old very horrible habit of staying couped up in the house, but dang, I don't want to go. I would rather walk from here to Walmart (which is a few miles away) in this cold weather, than go with her to this "party"!!! Why can she not understand my feelings???? Ugh, it bothers me that she won't listen to me sometimes.

Ok that is my vent, sorry but I had to get it out, and there isn't anyone here (besides daughter #1, who just laughs at me) to listen.

on blogging

2009-10-13T06:47:00.002-04:00

I am a horrible, here and there blogger. I keep saying that I really need to start blogging more but in all reality, what would I blog about??? Cleaning, cooking, surfing the web???? Boring stuff lol As much as I try I do NOT create stuff every day, so there wouldn't be cute pics of my projects. My days are spent in a very boring (to me anyway lol) way. Kids up and off to school, cleaning (dreaded laundry included), sitting at my craft desk trying to channel my muse, sitting at the computer, getting the lil one from school, cooking and then going to sleep. See, I told you BORING!!!!!! So maybe I will come up with a goal of trying to blog at least once a week. Then maybe I will have something interesting for my readers to look at and read :)

Until then, have a blessed week :)

Inspiration hit

2009-10-11T10:13:00.002-04:00

Started this on friday and finished it up last night. My very first ATC-Where is paradise??

Feels good to have created something again. And I will be working on more this week, I really need to get caught up on things and then start Harmonii's baby album. She isn't due till January so I figure I have plenty of time to make a very special album for my first grandchild :)

Off to finish getting ready to go to a family dinner and then home to just chill out and maybe get some more done in the craft room :)

randomness

2009-10-09T06:40:00.002-04:00

Well we are all moved into our new place in MA. Yep, we moved back at the beginning of last month. I just had to be close to my grandbaby (even though she isn't here yet lol). Next week, I get to go to one of Char's appointments so I can hear Harmonii's heartbeat :) Char says I am more excited than her and I am hehe

The weather is yuck, I can't seem to stay warm lol But this is the Northeast so I will just have to get used to it.

Trying to get my crafting area all situated so I can start working on things for my shop again.

Ok not much of a talker this morning. Hope to be posting again soon.

Have a blessed day.

It's a girl :)

2009-08-25T10:25:00.002-04:00

My daughter had another ultrasound yesterday and we found out it is a GIRL!!!!!!!!!!! Her name will be Harmonii Nicole. Now to pick out a theme for her.

And on another note in 10 days we will be packing up and leaving La. to go back to Ma. I just can't stay away from Char and Harmonii (even though she isn't due till Jan). I will just have to learn how to deal with the New England winters. Might even have to go see a dr. about my winter depression.

I know I haven't been posting much and I know I won't be in the coming weeks due to trying to finish up packing and stuff. But I will be back soon after the start of Sept.

Have a blessed day

Back in the Saddle again :)

2009-08-07T06:41:00.002-04:00

Title is due to the fact that I have been up for almost 24 hours.

Due to a not very nice person (being graceul here) my digital camera was stolen about a month ago. I have been going NUTS without it. Don't get me wrong I love my father's 35mm but dang it, I want to see my pics NOW!!!!! And my cell just doesn't quite cut it on pic quality. So, yesterday I went out and bought myself a new digital camera. At first I was going to just get the same as I had before and then I spotted the ones they had on clearance. Woohoo---- I brought this baby home with me. Even though I still have to get used to using it, I already love it more than my previous one. Not only are there more functions on the camera itself, the software that comes with it is sooooo much better.

So, soon I will be back to adding pics to my blog. Can you tell I am so happy????!!!!!

Ok off to surf the web some more. These sleepless nights are crazy lol

Have a good day everyone.

Just checkin in.

2009-07-20T11:50:00.003-04:00

This little miracle is expected to be welcomed into the world and our family on January 13th. But if he or she is anything like their mother they will be late. I still can't believe I am going to be a grandmother. LOL. But I have so many ideas in mind, of things to make for this tiny lil one.I have been doing some crafting. And even though it is only work for my etsy shop it makes me feel peaceful. I have even been doing some hand embroidery, which I haven't done in many years, and there is still alot for me to learn. But I feel if I am having fun and making something, it is all worth it.

Off to get my lil man his breakfast and do some house cleaning before I start a few more projects.

Have a blessed day.

crazy lazy lol

2009-06-27T17:44:00.003-04:00

With the 100+ temps I haven't been doing much but sitting inside and working on projects. I have a few in progress that I hope to share soon. a sketch journal I made out of an old book. I hand bound it and let me tell you I have ALOT to learn about binding books.
charm bracelet I made for all the charms I received from my fellow Altered_stARTers.
hand embroided cuff bracelet made from an old shirt cuff. Inspired by Elsie Flannigan.
recipe box I redid.
close up of one of the charms I made to add to my bracelet.
My youngest is spending part of her summer with her aunt in Oklahoma. Dale is due back from his dad's at the beginning of July. And my oldest is turning 18 on July 19th and moving back to MA a few days after that. :( I am upset that she is leaving but I know it is for the best.
Well I am off to finish making cheeseburgers for Char and I. and too work on another Elsie inspired cuff bracelet :)

bad, bad blogger

2009-06-01T12:31:00.002-04:00

I really haven't had a chance to get here and post anything. And no :( it isn't because I have been spending all my time crafting (I could only wish lol). I have been reading alot lately. My newest book on the list is Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilber.
Other than that not much going on besides the usually day to day stuff.
I added a widget on the side bar for Elsie Flannigan. She is just so darn cute and she makes me want to sit and doodle and paint and create all kinds of cute little things. Thanks for the inspiration Elsie :)
Ok off to take care of boring household chores (have already done 2 loads of laundry and hung them out on the line)
Have a blessed day :)

Pay it forward

2009-04-23T08:18:00.002-04:00

Following along with some of my fellow Altered_stArters and doing this Pay it Forward. (Copied from Hope's page http://pixiesponderings1966.blogspot.com/)

The first 5 (five) people to respond will get something made by me.

This offer does have some limitations and restrictions, so please read carefully.

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
2. What I make will be just for you, with love.
3. It'll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any idea what it will be. I will not give hints. It will be something handmade by me and will be a real tangible thing. It may very well be kooky or strange.
5. I reserve the right to make it as strange as I like, if I so desire.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) and make 5 (five) things for the first 5 (five) folks to respond.
7. Send me your mailing address--after I contact you. I MUST have a way to contact you. If you are on blogger, please make sure you have your email address in your profile.
Important: This offer is null and void if I do not see your post on your blog to pay this forward.

Just random stuff.

2009-04-23T07:49:00.002-04:00

Your rainbow is shaded violet.

What is says about you: You are a creative person. You appreciate beauty and craftsmanship. You are patient and will keep trying to understand something until you've mastered it.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

Yes this definetly sounds like me. Well except for the patience part lol Sometimes I have patience and then sometimes I don't.

Have been working on some things. Wish I could share pics but Char has my camera. When she returns home I will be posting pics of my latest.

Insomniatic rambling

2009-04-20T06:08:00.002-04:00

It is 5:09 am and I have yet to fall asleep. I have tried but alas the aching in my legs has kept me up yet again. Last night I didn't get to sleep till around 3 am and was awoken by eldest son at 9:30. I have tried Advil PM, Ibuprofen, stretching, massaging, and walking (to get more excercise). Nothing is helping and it is driving me nuts. I have children who depend on me and if I can't concentrate on my motherly duties because I am sleep-deprived, who is gonna make sure they get fed and have clean laundry and all that stuff. I did a search on one of the medical websites and got absolutely no where. I don't know what to do at this point. The middle two return to school after a week off for Spring Break but I still have youngest son home, so no sleeping for me. There has got to be something I can do to make my legs stop aching so bad.
As for my crafting it has taken a backseat to cleaning and decorating the house. My uncle brought me over to my storage unit and I found a few things to hang up in here. It is starting to feel a little more like home. I also brought 4 boxes of craft things home LOL I couldn't help it. I know I don't have the room for all my stuff but man I am missing my supplies. When I walk into storage I can hear them calling my name, "Oh, Kerry you know you want to bring us home and get us out of this stuffy storage area. We need to be paid attention to!!!" LOL
I have managed to put up my own clothesline. Not too hard considering that all I had to do was put up the rope LOL I don't know how long it will last but it felt so good to do it all on my own. I have also taken down the curtains that were nailed up when we moved in, washed them, and hung them back up with curtain rods. I'm doing my best to make this feel like home even though it is small and cramped. Hopefully come August when my lease is up I can find a 3 bedroom, which would suit us alot better. We have lived in this house for a little over a month and I have come to the conclusion that I really need my own space. The girls share a room, eldest son has his room (he's supposed to share with youngest son but that is a whole nother story), and youngest son and I are camping out in the living room. I have 1 little corner for my craft stuff and it drives me nuts. I am sleeping on the love seat (which could also be a cause of my achy legs) and I really, really miss my bed :(
Ok enough complaining. Like I told my good friend Mary Jo, I need to find my copy of "The Secret" and get refocused. I was doing so well on keeping a positive attitude and then BAM!!! I went back down the long road of despair. I don't like it and I need to snap out of it. I need positive things in my life, I want positive things in my life. I need to learn that all this stress is NOT good for me (well I already know that but I need to learn to get rid of it)!!!!!!!!
Ok it is now 5:27 am and I am almost done with a pot of coffee. Have to get the kiddos up in 30 minutes for school. So I am going to go for now.
Just an fyi lol I won't be posting any pictures :( till my lovely eldest daughter comes back from her trip to MA. She has my camera :(
Have a blessed day :)

Pics and Happy Easter

2009-04-12T19:54:00.005-04:00

So here are the pics I promised. Brettney, Char, Brilynn, and Dale at Aunt Shirley's

Ian and Dale

Journal I recovered with a Starbucks bag- handles and all

an old lap desk that I decided needed a make-over

From my altered book

The kids and I went over to my aunt and uncles for dinner :) It was crazy but that is how I am used to it haha it felt good to be with them again. Weird though cause my mom wasn't there.

Me=bad blogger

2009-04-08T12:13:00.002-04:00

No photos to share this time around. I haven't gotten the newest ones I took uploaded yet.
I have spent the past 2 mornings going through all my favorite blogs and such trying to find inspiration to work on my latest projects and even though I have been so inspired- I still am blocked. I even went and checked out 3 books at the library on Mixed Media art and that hasn't helped. I don't know if it is because 95% of my stuff is still in storage (I don't have the room in our new place) or because I have just lost the spark :(
I spent most of the day reading, 2 books in one day. And I have 3 more waiting to be read. I love that the library is within walking distance. I just need to find a different way of toting the books besides in a big shoulder bag, they get a wee bit heavy lol
But anyway I hope to be back soon with some pics to share. Maybe a few of the new place (even though I will be looking for a bigger one come august when my lease is up-- 2 bedrooms is not enough-- i am tired of sleeping on the love seat!!!)
God Bless!!!!

Happy 5th Birthday Munch Man

2009-03-07T23:03:00.002-05:00

He got an mp3 player of his own so he can leave my ipod alone. He just needs to have his sister put music on it for him. I can almost gaurantee he will want Miley Cyrus, Nickelback, and the Zach Brown band on there. He is something else when it comes to music.

Spiderman on a motorcycle (although mom didn't read the package and now needs to get batteries)

Dale and his big sis Charlotte. Hard to tell which is the bigger ham lol

Blowin out his candles.

Mom made him cake and cupcakes lol both with sprinkles per his request.

All in all it was a good day for Dale.

I just can't believe my baby is 5 already. Where have these years gone??

it's been a while

2009-02-19T08:03:00.003-05:00

I have been busy lately :) Working on 3 projects at once. Two are pictured below, the other is an album for my friend Kaye's family. And taking lots of pictures of the sky lol, playing around with the minolta (can't wait to get the film developed), and just enjoying the days I can sit outside and listen to the birds and bask in the sun.

This is my newest art journal/altered book. I went to the local ARC shop and found a book on ballooning (while Dale was busy looking at toys that I wouldn't let him get). I am having so much fun (even with limited supplies) And I took time out the other day to print out some pics of myself (which there aren't many of) to use in this book.

My next newest project. The empty container from Char's Christmas present and a file folder kit that Ms Betty got from work on clearance. I just had to do something with that container, it is so pretty. Still in progress and hope to have more pics soon.Taken from the front steps one morning after the kids went to school.

This lil man is becoming quite the photographer (this is a self-portrait). He likes to take either my camera or Char's and just go around taking pictures of anything and everything. Maybe I will have to start a blog of just his stuff lol
I don't know if you can see it in the pic but right there in the middle is a rainbow in the clouds. There was NO RAIN mind you but yet I looked up and there it was. I ran in the house to get my camera.

So there is a quick update from me :) This afternoon I have to bring Nicole and Ian to the counselor to get back on meds (they have been off for a few weeks and boy can I tell the difference). But hopefully with new drs I can finally get someone to listen to me about Ian. I'm frustrated because I just don't know what to do or how to help him.

Have a blessed day :)

Repost of a giveaway :)

2009-02-04T08:01:00.002-05:00

would you like to win this??? Pop on over and check out this post for the details

http://socalscrap.blogspot.com/2009/01/valentines-day-giveaway.html

Hoping to get some more things done in my altered book today. Well that is after I go and do some much needed grocery shopping lol

Have a blessed day :)

Just poppin in for a bit...

2009-02-03T06:39:00.003-05:00

My new toy :) It was my dad's and since my sister already has a slr I got it. I haven't had much time to play around with it but I already like it because I can zoom in further with the other lense that it came with. I plan on going to the library to find some books on photography (so I can really learn how to use the lenses and stuff) And once I get the film developed I'll scan some pics in and show ya how they came out.

Konica Minolta QTsi

Description: If you’re looking for the perfect introduction to AF SLR photography, then look no further than the new Minolta Maxxum QTsi. The QTsi is the simplest and easiest to use Maxxum. It handles and operates just like a fully automatic point & shoot camera, but provides the quality end results and system flexibility that only an SLR camera can offer. And since the QTsi is part of the world-renowned Maxxum AF System, it is a camera you can grow with by adding lenses, flash units, and accessories as your creative abilities develop. (less )

One of the flower bushes in Ms. Betty's front yard. This didn't come out as well as I had hoped.

With the kids getting on the bus at 6:50 every morning I get to see some beautiful skies (so you can expect more pics like this till we move lol) I wish I could take a pic of all the stars that I see at 5 something instead- there are so many and I could just sit there and look up for ever lol

And of course I must include Ms Cali. She is one spoiled cat (I might have said that already lol) In the morning, before I have even had my coffee, she starts following me around letting me know she wants to be fed lol She has also taken to sleeping in my bed with me.

I have started a few projects (even though I have limited supplies). A scrapbook for my dear departed friends family and I am altering a book on ballooning that I got at the ARC store here in town. There are just so many gorgeous pictures in there. Will take pics soon and post.

Off to wake up kids that can't seem to get up the first time I tell them.

Have a blessed day :)

I'm back...

2009-01-26T08:06:00.002-05:00

I have tried to do a post like 10 times lol but could never get the pics to load :( We made it to LA on December 5 (after a very long trip). We are so enjoying the nicer weather. And from what my friends and family tell me and what I see on the news I think we left MA at the right time because this winter seems to be NASTY!!!

And what do ya know we get to LA and the dang snow followed us. Didn't last long though lol by the afternoon it was gone.
My new subject to photograph lol This is Ms. Callie (she is Ms. Betty's cat) and boy is she spoiled.

The kids are adjusting to life back down in the south. Dale loves that he can play outside more. I love not having to drive in the snow lol Char is looking for work, hopefully she will find something soon. And she is also thinking of going to college. Ian and Nikki are attending school. Down here they have to wear uniforms and they only have 4 classes a day. Nikki says it is better because then she doesn't have to try to remember things for 7 different classes lol And Mr. Dale is enjoying lots of play time. I couldn't get him in school because there were no spots left :( He was upset but adjusted quickly.

Not much going on with me. My crafting is on hold till we get a place (we are staying at a friend's moms) of our own. I have been doing some major reading lol I think I make a trip to the library at least once a week. I do have a scrapbook I am working on (with minimal supplies mind you) for my dear friends family. But I will post about that at another time.

Well I am off to get ready to start my day- I have to make phone calls to get some appointments for the kids.

Have a blessed day :)

And the countdown begins...

2008-11-23T19:23:00.002-05:00

10 days and we will be on the way back to La. The house is a mess from packing and trying to sell stuff from my storage unit that I absolutely don't need. Trying to make sure that everything is taken care of and all that happy stuff. I'm exhausted and will be so glad once this is all over with and I can relax. I'm sleeping but not good. I'm nervous but I guess that is expected lol Like my sister said this is the first time that I do this "all by myself"!! But I know I can do this.
I just wanted to pop in cause I really missed my blog (even though I blog so infrequently).
See you all when I am back in La. where it is warm and there is no white stuff falling from the sky lol

Blogging Break

2008-11-04T09:51:00.002-05:00

Over the next month I am not going to have much time to post. The kiddos and I are busy packing for our move back to La. So I will be taking a break from blogging until we get there and get settled.
Things in my life the past week or so have not been so great :( But I am looking towards the future and the happiness I pray that is held there.
Till I return, hoping for Blessed days for all.

Can I please have a few more hours added to the day??!

2008-09-19T06:57:00.002-04:00

It seems as though I just don't have enough hours to do everything that needs to be done lately. And it isn't like I am wasting any of my day not doing anything. I am up at 5:45 m-f and I am on the go from the time I get up till at least midnight. My day is filled with running here and there, cleaning, cooking, and taking care of the kiddos. I try to fit in some "me" time but that never seems to happen :( Everyone says that I need down time but how can I fit that into my schedule when there aren't enough hours in the day lol I do have to sleep haha

I have been busy making stuff for my Etsy shop. I just need to get it listed. Like I said above there just aren't enough hours in the day. A project that should be done by now has taken me days and days to complete. I work on it when I have a few free minutes.

Not having such a good morning BUT I am going to have a great day :) :) I am waiting for a call from someone on Craigslist about free sewing fabric :)

Have a great day :)

Back to Routine time & Good times with friends

2008-09-10T06:46:00.002-04:00

Nicole started school on 9-2 :) High school at that. Back to getting up at 5:45 m-f :( I really can't complain though lol at least with getting up early I am not wasting the day sleeping. And Dale started the 4 yr old program on 9-9 :) I thought he would cry or be clingy but he walked right in and had a good day. He only goes in the afternoon for a few hours but I feel this is going to be a good thing for him :)
Having his best friend (cousin) Joey in class with him will help alot. These 2 boys really like being around each other :)
On 9-5 my friends Kelly and Dorri were in town :) I miss them so much and love that I get to see them once a year lol Last year when they were here I didn't get to take any pictures because my camera was not working but this year I got my pictures :) I wish they didn't live in TX but I know that no matter how far away they are from me if I need them, they are there :) Thank God for cell phones and text messaging lol
It is starting to get cooler here :( Summer was just not long enough lol But with cooler weather I will be inside more and hopefully getting more crafting done :)
Have a blessed day. I will be making a visit to the dr's today with my 2 girls :(

Photo post

2008-08-07T07:39:00.002-04:00

noah
my munch man
geese by silver lake
charlotte will be working here
purple house on south st.

just random pics I have taken lately

Feelin my crafty mojo :)

2008-07-13T08:56:00.002-04:00

Jewelry organizer made from old wire cubes, plastic canvas, ribbon and wire :) Although I had some difficulties I like it lol
Purple pendant :) I just added little things to a necklace I already had. I usually wrap this around my wrist for a bracelet.

Hoping today brings some more of my mojo back :) After I get back from storage that is lol

Have a blessed day :)

Enjoying Summer so far...

2008-07-12T10:30:00.003-04:00

I realize that before I know it summer will be over :( Don't get me wrong I absolutely love New England in the fall but I dread the winters.

Char, Nikki and I had to make the trip up to North Adams on 7-10 for Char to see the neurologist (lets NOT get me started on that). And on the way back we stopped at Pedrin's :) :) I have been eating there since I started to eat solid food lol !!!!! I can remember going there as a child with my mom and they had swings by the weeping willow trees and I just absolutely loved it. Even now at 36 I love going there to have my craving for a fish fry satisfied :)

On the way home we stopped at Walmart to pick up a few things and when we came out this cute lil (well big haha) dog was parked next to us. I just had a take a picture because of the look on his face.

Hoping to get some work done on projects today :) Getting more done for my Etsy shop. And tomorrow I have a trip to storage planned!! Taking my dresser out of here and bringing in my Ethan Allen cabinet so I have something to store my items for my Etsy shop.

Hope everyone has a gloriously beautiful and blessed weekend :)

Awesome 4th

2008-07-05T08:50:00.003-04:00

A few pics from the parade :) Even though the kids are older (with the exception of Dale) I still can't miss the parade lol
Our neighbors Norm and Jason and their lil boy Digo :)

And fireworks :) I thanked Charlotte again for my camera because now I can finally take pics like this.

I even amazed myself and grilled steaks :) Up until now I always just cooked everything inside and was nervous about cooking on a grill. But I have proved to myself that I can do it lol Just one downside to it haha and that is, I don't want to cook anything if it isn't on the grill lol I'll be doing some recipe searching soon and trying new things.

Hope everyone had a great 4th :)

Welcome to the World

2008-06-25T09:42:00.004-04:00

Yesterday my nephew, Noah, was born at 10:28 am weighing in at 7 lbs 9 oz and measuring 20". I can't wait to babysit him :)

Yesterday also brought news that my sister and her family will be here on Sunday :) :) I haven't seen her since Thanksgiving 2004 and I haven't seen my brother in law or my nephew since Easter 2002. So I am super excited about that. I had Sissy laughing on the phone last night because with her coming to visit "I have to clean my house"!! She asked if it was a mess haha but I told her it wasn't, I just feel the need to clean my house when she comes to visit. So I will be spending the next few days cleaning and maybe taking some time out for a few crafts (just so I don't get overwhelmed with cleaning).

I will be going back to see baby Noah today and hopefully get to see him this time. When we were there yesterday afternoon they wouldn't let him out of the nursery :( because they were still watching to see if he had fluid in his lungs or not. So I hope to be posting more pics of my precious nephew soon :)

Have a blessed day everyone :)

My thinking spot and other randomness

2008-06-05T06:44:00.002-04:00

This seems to be my favorite thinking spot lately, I can sit there for hours. Well at least till school gets out and then it will be packed with kiddos :)

My lil munchie man :) Even though he didn't want me to take his pic I love the expression on his face. And a new one of me :) I wanted a pic taken and Char happily obliged. There are a few other pics that she took that had us laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes.

randomness

2008-05-13T15:14:00.003-04:00

Dale didn't think Hancock Shaker Village smelled to good lol

I have seen this rooster every time I have gone up to Cheshire forever and finally took a picture last month. Good thing I did because it is now gone :(
Just a random picture of me taken with my new camera.
The flowers and fish I got from Dale for Mother's Day.

**** sorry for the whackiness of the post. still trying to figure things out

Random pics :)

2008-03-24T17:45:00.002-04:00

Ian at his basketball game :) Yay they won :)

My nuckle head with his broken hand. He punched a wall :( Went today to get his cast- pink and black stripes.

Dale checking out his Sonic game for the Gamecube :) that he got for his b'day.

Dale playing Sonic :)

Churchtops in North Adams, MA :) I just love going through here.

Just another random post

2008-02-23T16:50:00.003-05:00

My sister just sent me this pic of our mom:) I miss her so much and wish she was here to talk to. We used to call each other about 5 times a day just for silly stuff. And she would absolutely be loving to spoil Dale as well as the other grandkids like she always did.

Not much else going on. Just tryin to stay warm and working on projects. Hope to have some more pics to post soon if I can find where Nikki loaded them from my phone into the computer lol

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend :)

Gotta <3 TJ Maxx

2008-02-04T06:45:00.000-05:00

Saturday Nikki and I went in just looking for some new jeans for her and look what I ended up walking out with :)

For a grand total of ... are you ready for this??? LOL $3!!!!!!! The shelf is a bit scratched at the top but that is easily fixable and the box just needs 4 screws. I already have ideas on what I am going to do with both of them :) Can't wait to find the time to get started on them.

Today after I run out to do a few errands I need to play catch up on my challenges over at ENJOY : PAPER08, Overlooked, *e*. So be looking for an update and some pics (using my old digital even though the zoom is broke) of my challenge work and also maybe some pics of the new album I started "Everyday Moments".

Newest Project and a family pic :)

2008-01-24T12:41:00.000-05:00

Here is my newest finished project :) I love how it came out. Wish I had better pics to show but cell phone ones will have to do for now.
A family pic that was taken at Christmas. Dale was being himself haha and kept covering his face with his kitty kat. I have to say I like this one the best because it shows the real us :)

Off to do some research on Angel Policies and stuff :)

playin' with the cell again :)

2008-01-21T17:19:00.000-05:00

Took a few pics of the kids and I- well, Ian, Nikki and I over the weekend.

Here is my sisters horse Lucky with his winter blanket :) And the newest addition to her menagerie- Mugsy the Rooster haha!! and they went to visit Joker at his new home. He had just finished excercising with a child that has cp.
And my newest project before I took it apart and started working on it.Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and has a wonderful week :)

New Giveaway Winner :)

2008-01-02T17:04:00.000-05:00

Lynn lynn has paper is the lucky winner of the giveaway :) I have left a comment on her blog and I hope to hear from her soon :) The box will go postal asap after hearing from her.
Congratulations and thank you all for playing along and commenting :)

Giveaway info

2007-12-30T14:56:00.000-05:00

I have tried and tried to get in touch with Danielle to let her know that she won the giveaway, but to no avail I have not gotten a response :( If I do not hear from her by wednesday I will pick another winner.

Off to work on going through pics so I might actually get a few layouts done in some of my many albums that haven't been touched in way too long LOL

Drumroll Please....

2007-12-26T21:43:00.000-05:00

And the winner is lucky poster #13 Danielle
"wahm922 said...
Sending you some warm Florida sunshine : )My boys have never seen snow and it has been 20 years since I've seen it. Can't say I miss it but it would be nice to take a trip so the kids can experience it.~Danielle"
please send me your snail mail address and I will get your goodies out to you asap.
Thank you to all who posted comments :) and played along. I am sure I will be cleaning out again and having another giveaway.

Pay It Forward :)

2007-12-24T23:26:00.000-05:00

I was checking some of my fave blogs and found this on Marva's blogPurplepaint's Muse
so I decided to join in :)

"I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow, or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. So basically, if you comment that you're in and when I check your blog you've posted this then I’ll send you something crafty that I’ll make! Once you sign up, copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog, and send three other lucky recipients a piece of your handmade work. I’ll be receiving something hand-crafted by Marva and thought it would be fun to pay it forward to you. I will check my blog daily to see who the first three sign ups are, and if they’ve joined this Pay It Forward exchange, they will be the recipients from me. Please be sure to leave your blog address with your message, so I can check your blog for the 'Pay it Forward' message."

Hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed holiday :)

finally a pic of the giveaway stuff

2007-12-23T11:28:00.000-05:00

Pics of the goodies going into the box :) And I am still not done :)

And pics of some things I made for my neice. She received them last night and loved them.

Happy Holidays to all :)

Snow pics and a giveaway

2007-12-19T07:51:00.001-05:00

Ian played in the snow and Dale just sat there looking at him lol

Well here it goes again lol I tried posting this yesterday but I got some kind of error message.

Here are my boys playing in the snow on Sunday. We ended up having another snowday on monday :( that is 3 already this winter. Let's hope that there aren't anymore anytime soon. Especially since next week is Christmas vacation.

****GIVEAWAY****

Post a comment and I will pick a name at random to receive a box (pick to come later) filled with all kinds of craft goodies.

Snow, Snow go away, come again some other day!!!!

2007-12-14T06:16:00.001-05:00

pics from yesterday (of the snow anyway). still working on the cards.

Let it snow!!!! NOT!!!!!!!

2007-12-13T12:40:00.000-05:00

The snow just keeps coming and coming, schools are closing early and it is not safe driving (well for me anyway lol)!!!! So I am hunkering down inside-trying to keep warm- working on more Christmas tags and am going to attempt to make a few Christmas cards since my cousin said she wants one lol
Hopefully will be back later to post photos!!!!

Tag Fun

2007-12-11T07:54:00.001-05:00

Have been having alot of fun making tags out of old Christmas cards. But have realized I need to invest in some different Christmas stamps lol

Christmas Decor'

2007-12-09T16:38:00.000-05:00

Finally got the tree up and decorated and got a few things set out. I need to find my snow angels and that is about all I have left to display. I am keeping it pretty simple this year and I am liking it. I decorated the tree and around the windows with all handmade (or at least all looking handmade) ornaments. Some the kids have made over the years, some I have gotten from friends and some that I just like to see.

The camera died before I could take all the pics so I will be back with another post later.

No school and some pics :)

2007-12-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Woke up to school being cancelled and this not so nice mess outside. But instead of crawling back under the covers I decided to enjoy the quiet of morning :)
Sneak peak at the Christmas present I am now done with :) I had so much fun making this. From one of the pages inside.

Gift card holder for Amy. I pulled her name at our stamp club meeting. I put this in her bag also :) I bought the letters at Michael's, glued them together and then painted them and used crackle medium (I am having way too much fun with that stuff) and then added the flowers :)
Today I have no idea what I am going to work on. I am thinking I might go through some of my old Christmas cards (if I didn't throw them away when I cleaned my room) and make some tags or something with them. I am trying to get into the holiday spirit but not having much success. I went and bought us a new tree (threw our old one out last year) but it is still sitting in the box because I have no idea where I am going to put it lol
So hopefully this week it will get put up and decorated.
Have a wonderful day.

Projects in the making

2007-11-27T15:14:00.000-05:00

I am busy working on Christmas presents :) can't take photos yet just in case the recipients happen to check my blog (which I doubt they do but ya never know).
Started shopping on Black friday and I don't think I will do it again unless I am getting an extremely good deal. I just can't handle the crowds or the getting up before the chickens lol
So hopefully soon I will be back with more posting and maybe a picture or two.

11 years ago today :(

2007-11-23T13:49:00.000-05:00

I lost my dear husband and my babies lost their daddy. I miss him everyday and he is never far from my mind. I know because of him I am partly who I am. RIP my love till we meet again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Addition to the family :)

2007-11-16T14:37:00.000-05:00

Well I have bitten the bullet and let Charlotte get another hamster. It has been a long time since she has had one and well what can I say "Sugar" is cute :)
ok will have to post a picture later because blogger is NOT cooperating.
Welcome Sugar :)
edited to add pic :)

Rest in Peace my dear friend

2007-11-14T06:59:00.000-05:00

I went to our local papers' website this morning like I always do and when I went to view the obits, I saw a name that crushed my heart. Karen McPhillips. I had worked for her back in late 2002 and for most of 2003. This woman was an angel on earth and I count myself very blessed to have been lucky enough to know her. Karen was an inspiration to me and I don't think I ever told her, I can only hope she knew. Confined to a wheelchair (due to MS) she chose to get up every morning with a smile on her face and her sunshine was infectious. I looked forward to going to work just to see that big smile. She taught me many, many things and we had some funny times and I will hold them to my heart and never forget.
Goodbye my dear friend, till we meet again in Heaven.

2007-11-10T20:38:00.000-05:00

I am so loving having a camera phone lol Until I can save up for a new digital this is the closest I have :) But it comes in handy when I see something that I want to take a pic of :) Cheshire Lake 11/07 (I used to swim there as a lil kid)
Leaf outside of Applebee's after Jess and I got our hair cut last month.
Leaf on the steps outside the house. I so love the fall colors.
Poor butterfly that got caught on my truck but lived and flew away :)
Not in the best of moods lately and having a hard time dealing with it. I walk around the house looking for things to do even though there are a bunch of things I could be doing. I just really DON'T want to do anything. I am back to barely eating :( I just don't have an appetite lately (problems with my teeth could be the cause of that) and all I drink is coffee. I thought writing in my journal would help but that isn't even doing the job anymore and there is really no one I can talk to because they would think I had finally really lost it and sign me up for the funny farm.
So that is about it. I just thought I would post some random pics. Hope to be posting some of my art journal (which I am so loving right now) soon :)

busy, busy, busy and smoke free :)

2007-10-24T07:16:00.000-04:00

I have been pretty productive this week :) I have not had a cigarette since 9:30 pm on Oct. 15th :) Can't say it has been easy but I am feeling alot better and my cravings have subsided alot lol This is the 3rd time in 8 years I have tried to quit and the last 2 times I quit drinking coffee also because it just tasted NASTY!!!! I am so happy to say that I am still drinking my coffee this time :) it tastes just fine (much to my and my kids happiness lol)
So here are a few of my latest projects :) The clock, the clipboard and the journal (with red and green on it) and also the letter F are being sent to La to my bestest friends and their families :) This clock is for my bff Shannon :) her fave colors are blue and yellow and I just love the way this came out. And this time the clock part actually worked again after I took it apart haha :)

This is my front and back cover to my very first altered artist journal :) I really need to learn to just play and create instead of trying to have everything perfect :) I might be adding something to this cover but I haven't decided yet :)
my new craft apron :) I don't know how to use a pattern (didn't pay attention in sewing class lol) so this was alot of guesswork but I really like it. Next I'll be making one for in the kitchen but a lil different.

I also made curtains but I don't have any pics of them.

This is for my best friend Fran :)
Miss Ginny's Journal.
Kim's clipboard :)
I have also started on 3 of my nieces Christmas presents :) I sure hope they like them :) and I have cards to make for stamp club :) along with all the many other projects :)
Probably won't get much done today though. I have to bring my dd, Charlotte, up to see a neurologist to see if he can treat her for her migraines :( She has been getting them for a while now but recently she is getting like 2 or 3 a week. And on top of that I think I am coming down with a cold so all I feel like doing is sleeping.
Have a blessed day :)

Some Randomness

2007-09-26T08:35:00.000-04:00

Just a random post with some current pics :) a couple of my latest pages. These are for Dale's album. They still need journalling lol But I like how they came out.
My lil man blowing bubbles outside. He likes to try and catch them with the wand as they are flying.
This lil squirrel is quite the character and very friendly. Usually he sits in the tree out front and stares at me (kinda gives me the creeps lol) but yesterday he was down on the ground eating peanuts out of our hands. It was so cool.
I tell ya my Char is something else haha!!!!! This is her riding my nieces bike, wearing my nieces helmet!!!! There is never a dull moment with her around :)
Hope to be posting more pics soon. I can't post pics of my latest projects because they are surprises for some of my very best friends :)
Have a blessed day all :)

2007-08-10T09:20:00.000-04:00

Lately I have been having these creative spurts :) and made a few new things :) On my last post I put the picture of the tray and here is the finished tray. I love how it came out and it was so much fun to make.

And here is a canvas that I picked up at the Goodwill :)

Will be posting more pics later today. Have a good day :)

Happy B'day Nikki and some projects

2007-07-29T09:50:00.000-04:00

On friday Nikki turned 13 :) I made her a cake (yes I know it is lopsided but I tried lol) to celebrate and had my neices come down for cake. No big party though. When Char comes home I plan on having a big combination Happy Sweet 16th (for Char) and Happy 13th (for Nikki) party for them both.

this was a picture frame I picked up at the Goodwill and turned it into a message board. Complete with my own handmade tacks.

I painted this binder for Nikki (although she won't see it till this afternoon when she has her party (that she doesn't know about))

This is a plastic tray thingy (don't know what else to call it lol) that I am altering. So far I have torn up paper and glued it on the bottom. Hope to have it done within the next couple of days and will post pics. I have to say I am loving my projects lately.

Off to get the house clean for the party. Will post pics of that too :)

Pics from La

2007-07-23T11:53:00.000-04:00

Char, Jase (Jason Jr) & Jaidan

Cassie (my bf Brandi's daughter) Char and Destiny

Char and Jason (aka Uncle Goube) My Godchild Tayler

Charlotte has been sending pics of her and our family down in La while she is on vacation :) So I thought I would share them here. Still need to forward some from my phone so I will do that later on and post them.
Seeing our family there and how much the kids have grown makes me miss them even more.
Till later :)
Kerry

2007-06-28T22:05:00.000-04:00

These horses are my sisters :) Lucky and Joker. I would love to be able to take a vacation and go to see her and them. Although living 10 miles from the nearest store would drive me nuts (especially the way I forget things lol)

These are the flowers that Cliffy planted in the front of the house :) Aren't they pretty?! Now if we could just figure out what is eating the marigolds we could stop them.

My boys :) Ian was home for a visit and actually got Dale to ride his bike. After that they were playing ball on the front sidewalk and Dale kept kicking it over Ian's head lol For a 3 yr old he can kick pretty good :)

Ian had an award ceremony at his school on June 22 and he received an award for doing homework (can't remember the official name lol) and one for excellence in visual arts :) I am so proud of him. It has not been easy with him being in a foster home but he has improved so much in the last 6 months. And it is so nice to be able to say I am proud of my son :)

On June 14 my biggest baby left to spend the summer in Louisiana. I miss her terribly but she is having so much fun and has fit right back in with the lifestyle down there. I guess the old saying "You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl" is true :) She will not be back until Sept. 4th and let me tell you I am counting the days. At 15 she is a handful but I love her dearly and miss her more than she could ever imagine.
Not much of an update, I know. But I figured I hadn't blogged in so long I had to post something. Now with school out and not so much going on I hope to be posting more :)

Altered projects

2007-04-24T09:19:00.000-04:00

Well here they are :) These are the same plastic pamphlet holders that I asked for help with not long ago. I love how they came out :) I painted them first (obviously lol) and then went to town decorating. I just used buttons that I have been collecting for years, MM foam stamps and ribbon. They look so nice on my desk.

More room pics and just some rambling

2007-04-19T12:14:00.000-04:00

I made mega progress yesterday even though I was running on empty lol But I finally got the big desk out, new desk in (now we don't have a kitchen table lol till I get to storage), bed put back together and tv hooked up. Now to clean up the mess of a scrap area and get it organized. I am already starting to like having my room like this. I am thinking of getting new curtains though and I definetly need a lamp for my scrap desk. We will see what I can find at Target. So hopefully by the weekend I will have more pics to share. Although this weekend is kinda busy. I have my stamp club meeting tomorrow night, Ian will most likely be home for a visit on Sat. and Sunday. And I have to do my usual cleaning but since it is nice out I plan on opening up windows and starting a bit of spring cleaning.

Today makes a year that we moved into here. So many things have changed since this time last year and it makes me thankful for what I have and for the people that I am blessed to have in my life. Everything happens for a reason and even though it really hurt to lose the big house, it was for a real good reason. I don't know in particular what that reason was but I am also in no position to ask. Only the good Lord above knows that and He is just helping right along these days.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day. The sun is shining here and we are supposed to be in the low 50's so I am doing a happy dance. I am so tired of cold dreary weather!!!

Bedroom/Scrapbook room Redo

2007-04-18T08:54:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I started to rearrange my room!! Forgot to take before pics haha! But this is what it looked like after I took my bed and the rug out. I was up till almost 2 this morning working on it and needless to say I might be able to sleep in there by this weekend lol. Will take pics when I log off to add more of the during and then the after. Wish me luck. I am way tired and way sore lol

Bit of help needed :)

2007-04-06T09:09:00.000-04:00

In the next few weeks I will be rearranging my bed/craft room and have these 2 things I am going to use to try to organize some of my stickers and rubons and stuff. But I want to alter them in some way but I just can't figure out how. So if anyone that reads this blog has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated. Thank you :)

Happy Happy Day :)

2007-03-26T14:42:00.000-04:00

I have to say that although it is Monday and it is raining and gloomy I got a bit of sunshine in the mail today :) I had pre-ordered the new Tim McGraw cd and it came today. Have it playing right now. I have everyone of his cd's so far :) He was the first concert that I ever went to and it brings back such wonderful memories of Diz and I.

So today has been a good day :)

Project pics as promised

2007-03-22T17:00:00.000-04:00

My neice's b'day present. Still need to add a few things to it but I think she is really going to like this.

I am making an album to go along with { A }: one little word challenge from Ali Edwards. But I couldn't pick 1 word for the whole year so I pick a new word for each month. Below is the outside front cover and the first page where I will list my words. I still have work to do on the cover but so far I like it. This has actually turned into quite a project for me though. One that I am thoroughly enjoying because it is making me actually sit back and take a closer look at myself. I plan on having at least 1 or 2 pics of me taken each month to also include in the album. So stay tuned for more pages from here.

I will be impatiently waiting for an order from winkflash ;) Digital Photo Prints, Custom Cards, Posters, Photo Gifts, Free Sharing, Unlimited Storage, and more. I sat here yesterday and uploaded over 200 pics that I just can't wait to scrap. I need something to get me out of this rut I am in so I am hoping that helps. Along with getting my Feb. and March orders from my SU rep.
Hope everyone has a blessed evening. Will be back soon with more pics and updates.

pics of me

2007-03-22T08:20:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I was playing around with my cell and took these pics. My big baby and I. She jumped on my lap to make Dale jealous.
He was crying because of Charlotte. But I think I like this pic best.
I look so mad in this one lol
I think I like this one too. I cropped the original because I didn't like it at all lol. I have way too much fun with the camera on my phone lol

total caffeine emergency averted lol

2007-03-22T07:44:00.000-04:00

I am so glad I found out last night that my coffee pot bit the dust. Because if I would have woke up this morning and didn't have coffee then I would look like the pic below lol
So needless to say I made an emergency trip to Walmart and got a new coffee pot. In the top pic it is the one on the right. I am sitting here now finishing up my first pot of the day :)
Hope to be back later with pics of some projects I have been working on.

2007-03-12T09:31:00.000-04:00

Needless to say I got the cake done. It must have been good because there is NONE left. It was my first attempt at a layered cake and also at decorating it. I don't think I will be attempting decorating a cake again lol

Dale received monster trucks, a talking Diego doll, and other fun toys for his birthday. The present from me is still not here (and I am hoping it comes this week) Although his Auntie said I am mean because I got him something to keep his room clean. I think he will like it because it is from the movie Cars.

That is his favorite movie besides Finding Nemo. And he is doing so well with learning to clean up after himself. We do the cleanup song like he does at daycare. And with all the toys he has he really needs something like this to keep them organized.

This week the weather is supposed to be nice and I am starting to get into the spring cleaning mood :) The kids always say watchout when mom gets into that mood because I go through everything and get rid of alot. But since we moved here last April I have been doing that anyway. We just don't need the stuff that I have gotten rid of and if someone else can use it more than us, why keep it?!

I have decided to start an art journal. Not like I don't have enough projects to work on but I have been inspired by Melanie at Be Alive Believe Be You and also the ladies at JOURNAL REVOLUTION. Even though I probably won't post many of my pages I wanted to give these ladies credit for inspiring me. I plan on using the journal to write about things way deep inside me and my feelings about things that just don't need to be put on the internet lol

Well I didn't plan on this being such a long post. I will close now and leave you with one last picture from Dale's party. He didn't quite get the whole blow out the candles thing so mommy had to help :)

2007-03-11T09:52:00.000-04:00

Wednesday March 7th was my baby's 3rd birthday :) He is getting so big and amazes me everyday with how much he is learning. Today he is having his party here at home so I will be back with more pics. (Need to get off of the puter since it is 10 am- the party is at 2 pm- and I haven't baked the cake yet AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!)

I'm back :)

2007-03-02T12:48:00.000-05:00

As promised there is the picture of me!!! Man I love being able to smile again. Hope to have more pics to share soon.

Decided it was time to get back to blogging. I should have some pics of some projects soon. I am altering a lunch box for my niece's b'day, have a picture frame that I plan on redoing and I am also going to start an inspiration album for my year of words. You can check here to see the first onejustmekerry: {Inspiration} I plan on having the kids take a picture of me every month so I can include it in the album. There aren't many pictures of me because I usually hide when the camera is around.

Off to work on some things :)

Have a good day all :)

totally random

2007-02-20T10:29:00.000-05:00

This is just a random post haha There is no one home for me to talk to and I am really tired of talking to myself! I am HUNGRY!!!!!!!!!!! For the past week I have eaten an insane # of cans of Spaghettios with meatballs and after this if I ever have to eat another one I am going to scream!!!! Granted I know that eventually once my mouth heals all the way I will be able to eat just about anything I want but man this really bites (no pun intended) that I have to eat soft food. I thought that I could eat chocolate chip cookies if they were dunked in milk, NOT!!! It still hurt to eat them. I am so craving mozzarella sticks and a french dip sandwich. Or a big juicy steak!!!! I understand the whole NO PAIN! NO GAIN! thing and I am trying to keep that in mind but I am really tired of hearing my tummy grumbling and seeing food commercials 10,000 times a night when I watch tv. When I can eat "real" food again, I think I'm gonna gain like 100 lbs cause I am going to eat everything I can get my hands on LOL
Ok, I am done rambling. Do I feel better? NO!!! I am still HUNGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

break almost over

2007-02-16T09:44:00.000-05:00

Have taken a break from blogging and being on computer for a bit. On the 12th I had 5 teeth pulled so haven't really been up to sitting at desk. I am gonna take a few more days and then I will be back. Hopefully with pics of my new and improved smile :)

Feels so good...

2007-01-28T11:09:00.000-05:00

to be scrapping again :) My lil one and his cousin are 4 months and 12 days apart and are the best buddies. So I thought I would do a page for Dale's album.
Supplies used from Bitsy's Paperdillies Kit- Bazzill cardstock- evening sky, hillary, admiral, bubble blue, red rock, tapioca. Scrapworks Bellevue Dot and Bellevue Stripe. AMM friendship rubon, Simply Stamps foam alphabet stamps, SU Colorbox petal point fluid chalk option pad-blue iris, olive pastel, warm red, dark brown. Galaxy marker-milky way white. Uni-ball signo white pen.
I do have to say that I like this page alot. Which doesn't usually happen. Have another layout in progress of Dale's first bath. Hope to post it later when it is done.
Have a good day all :)

snow & randomness

2007-01-19T07:30:00.000-05:00

Woke up this morning to snow on the ground. Although I don't like the white stuff I would rather have it than have the really cold temps and rain we have had. I just won't be going out in it cause the tires on the truck are bald lol
Dale looked so cute the other day with his jeans and flannel shirt :) He just wouldn't keep still for me to take a pic lol
I had my hair permed last friday and I think this is the only pic that has been taken so far. I am so not good at taking self-portraits haha And I will be glad when I can smile a big smile after the 12th of next month :)
Hope everyone has a great day!! Nothing much to do here today so I think I am going to spend some time scrappin'!!!

More purple projects & some goofing off

2007-01-16T07:12:00.000-05:00

I bought this K at Target. Painted it purple (obviously lol) and then used a stencil to decorate it and also patterned paper.
Somewhere on the www on someone's blog (searched so many the other day I can't remember where I saw it, so I can't give proper credit) I found the idea to make a little notebook/journal for my scrapping ideas. I figured it was a good way to get rid of the big old stack of magazines I have laying around taking up precious space in my limited scrap area. I don't really like how I look in the pic but it isn't often that my oldest is willing to take a pic with me even if we are goofing around. She keeps making these faces and all I can do is laugh cause she is so funny looking :) and of course I had to do the bunny ears.
Well that is all for now :) Need to get little one dressed for daycare and then I have errands to run. Even though I know it is really cold outside (like 24 degrees cold) I have to get these things done. So I hope everyone has a wonderful day!!

<3'ing purple

2007-01-12T17:48:00.000-05:00

The picture below is of a Provocraft 3 clip beadboard I picked up at Michael's yesterday. I just seemed to call out to me lol I used Mara-Mi paper, Apple Barrel acrylic paints, and my SU stamp set "Finest Flourishes". My oldest daughter came in while I was working on it and complimented it :) Usually with her I have to fish for compliments lol

While at Michael's I also bought one of those BIG clothespins that I have seen in a few scrap rooms online :) I haven't decided what I am going to do with that yet. I have promised myself that this year I am going to work on my scrapbooks. For the past couple of years it seems I have done more swaps and stuff and have neglected my books :( So once I am done making my little accents for my scrapbook area I will start on some pages. I am hoping to be able to organize my stuff first but we will see :) Hope everyone has a good night :) I am off to watch Garfield 2 with the little one :)

{Inspiration}

2007-01-11T08:05:00.000-05:00

Thanks to a link on Katie the Scrapbook Lady's blog about a post on { A }: one little word (Ali Edward's blog) I was inspired to follow in Katie's footsteps :) I have decided to pick a new word that inspires me once a month and make something using that word. This month the word that inspires me is DARE!!!! I used an artist canvas to make a wall hanging for my room :) that says Dare to Dream. For so long I have not dared to dream of anything because usually my dreams get struck down :( But with the new year starting and feeling so much more self-confident I am daring to dream again. The little heart locket does not have a key next to it because I dare to dream that there is a man out there that holds that key and when I find him I will add the key. The butterfly symbolizes my daring to dream of freedom to be who I am and not what people expect me to be. So I must say thank you to Katie and Ali for inspiring me.

Trendy Tuesday Answers

2007-01-11T07:15:00.000-05:00

Found a blog that I am really enjoying and this was posted 2 days ago. A Fancy Word for SimpleHere are my answers for the Trendy Tuesday List :)
A
Aphrodisiac. What turns you on? a look from that special someone
B
BFF. Who’s your best friend? Jess, Shannon, Shaunna, Cliffy, Kelly
C
Celeb. Favorite? Sandra Bullock Most annoying? Jack Black
D
Drink. What’s your poison? coffee and frozen raspberry iced tea
E
Everyday essentials. What do you use everyday? coffee pot :)
F
Fav. color. What’s your signature color? Purple
G
Groove. What music are you enjoying today? none yet but probably mixed cd's
H
Hot! Who’s hot? Who’s not? Chris Daughtry HOT!!!!!! Marily Manson NOT!!!!
I
Indulgence. Dish about your guilty pleasure. Junior caramels :)
J
{dream} Job. What would you do? work in a scrapbook store
K
Kitchen Companion. Most used item in your kitchen? coffee pot
L
Life is incomplete without. . . ? family and friends
M
Mc. . . What would you “Mc”? can't think of anything I could "Mc"
N
Natural or dyed? dyed
O
Outrageous Outfit. What’s hiding your closet that you’re dying to wear? a tie-dyed dress I bought 7 years ago
P
Pet Peeve. What makes you absolutely crazy? kids with no respect
Q
Quote. Share some inspiration. "Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born." Dale E. Turner
R
Restaurant you give rave reviews The Highland (Pittsfield, MA)
S
Starbucks order. never been there
T
Television. What keeps you glued to the couch? Grey's Anatomy
U
Ultimate Vacation Destination Ireland
V
Virtual Babe Name. What’s your online ID? 1HTMoma
W
Wonder Woman. What woman leaves you in awe? Alot of them do, can't think of just one.
X
eX - _______________ no self-confidence me :)
Y
Youth in a bottle. What keeps you feeling young at heart? playing with my 3 yr old
Z
Zodiac sign Leo (hear me roar)

Our Christmas Tree

2006-12-19T07:54:00.000-05:00

As promised (although a bit late) Here are pics of the living room decorated. My sister sent me this set of Angels last year and I think they are so pretty.
On top of the tv is my Hot Wheels Christmas cars, 2 decorated pinecones from my sister. On top of the left speaker are my carousels and my nativity and on the right speaker are 2 of my bigger angels.
on the shelf are my snowbabies and breakable angels.
The little tree is from Diz and I's first Christmas together. Christmas candles and underneath (no picture) is my Santa's from mom and my stuffed santa and snow man from my sister.
Dale's artwork from daycare :)

Here it is all lit up :) Not the best picture but I like it. I can't take credit for the decorating of it though. Nicole and Dale did it while I was at my stamp club meeting. Nicole even put ornaments on the back side of the tree :)
My little ham had to get his picture by the tree :) Whenever he sees me with the camera he wants to see himself so I have to take a pic or 2. This Christmas with him is going to be fun because he is actually starting to realize more. I hope to take pics of the rest of my decorating later today if I can get things accomplished beforehand. Have a busy day ahead!!!! Hope everyone has a great day!!!

Holiday Blog Quiz

2006-12-13T07:32:00.000-05:00

Found this quiz on Katie the Scrapbook Lady's blog.
Eggnog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate. I just wish I could make it like my mom used to. Not that the instant mix isn't good but mom used to make it from scratch and it tasted much better.::::::::::::::::::::
Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He usually just wraps one. The rest are from me and he also fills their stockings.::::::::::::::::::
Colored lights on tree/house or white? colored lights on the tree and my landlord has colored lights on the house::::::::::::::::::
Do you hang mistletoe? Yes I hang the same fake misteltoe that my mom used to hang.::::::::::::::::::
When do you put up your decorations? Whenever. Usually a week after Thanksgiving.::::::::::::::::::
What is your favorite holiday dish? My Aunt Elaine's rosettes, Uncle Dave's ham ::::::::::::::::::
Favorite Holidaymemory as a child? The year that my brother surprised us by coming to visit. I think I was 12 and it was nice to have him with us.::::::::::::::::::
When and how did you learn that Santa isn't real? He isn't real??? Oh man, that just ruins it for me lol Yes I still believe.:::::::::::::::::
:Can you ice skate? Never could so I don't even try.
Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes. It usually ends up being jammies.::::::::::::::::::
How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? lights and ornaments:::::::::::::::::
:Snow! Love it or Dread it? I do not like the white stuff especially if I have to drive in it. Although it is pretty when it first falls.:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with my family.
Do you remember your favorite gift? I have a different favorite every year.::::::::::::::::::
What is your favorite HolidayDessert? can't think of just one but if I had to say my absolute favorite would be either pumpkin pie or chocolate cream pie::::::::::::::::::
What tops your tree? umm usually an angel (this year nothing cause I can't find it)
What is your favorite holiday tradition? umm going to my Aunt and Uncle's for dinner::::::::::::::::::
Which do you prefer giving or Receiving gifts? giving.:::::::::::::::::
:What is your favorite Christmas Song? Little Drummer Boy. My mom had an old 45 record that she would play and I would sing along to it.::::::::::::::::::
Candy Canes on the tree? fake ones

Somber Day

2006-12-11T21:48:00.000-05:00

Today would have been Diz and I's 13th wedding anniversary. Today was also the 12th anniversary of Diz adopting Charlotte. I remember both of those days so well. From Diz's brother Jason playing "I Cross My Heart" by George Strait longer than he should have lol to me getting the goosebumps and almost crying when Diz and I signed the final papers for him to be Charlotte's daddy. But just like on Thanksgiving Day I didn't let things get me down. I just kept smiling all day and listened to happy music instead of sad and had a good day over all. On the other hand Charlotte didn't :( but I know she will be ok. Even though she is having her issues right now she has a good head on her shoulders and will bounce back. The weather is still chilly but not as chilly and there is no snow. I am so glad there is none of that white stuff. I don't really like that stuff and I definetly don't like driving in it. I can't figure out for the life of me how to get paragraphs to work on here. One of these days I will figure out all this stuff. hahaha Well I hope everyone has a good night. I have Christmas gifts to work on and they are not getting done sitting here at the computer.