2009...Answers Revealed

Wishing everyone a year of wealth, health, and happiness. Happy 2010!

2009 was an incredible year........I have asked myself 1000's of questions regarding who I am for 33 years. 2009 was the year that the answers were revealed. I think back on this year and remind myself that no matter where you go, the truth is following you. People might think that they can get away with wrong deed but it will catch up with you. Unfortunately, unplanned kids from my biological father followed him his whole life. Us kids paid the price for the rejection, abandonment, and the years of anger. ***However on the bright side, I had an awesome daddy who loved me like my biological dad couldn't. I will forever love him and still think about him daily***

While I had an awesome daddy....I still wondered where I am from....I guess everyone would eventually want to know their bloodlines, roots, whatever you want to call it.

I set out trying to figure it out on many attempts but the door was usually only cracked, never fully open.

2009 my bio father passed away (only met him 3 times in my life and hadn't spoken in years)and answers were revealed. WOW! When one door closes, another opens. This saying is so dang true. I discovered brothers and sisters......we all met individually and finally all together. There are more siblings out there.....my brother and I will find them when it's God's time.

I've turned out to have awesome brothers and a great sister......I hate that we're all seperated my distance but we keep in contact on a regular basis. God truly answered my prayers by revealing my brothers and sisters and developing a relationship with them. None of us except our sister knew our bio father.....I am thankful that we have each other and peace knowing that we're not dealing with this alone.

2009 was definitely a year that I will NEVER forget.

Great quote

*****You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future*****

Get quote shared on Facebook.


We had a busy and good weekend. I worked all weekend since I now work every third weekend. The kids had a wonderful time Saturday night and are really hyper now that they've consumed about 40% of their candy. My kids don't do well with sugar and a time change all in the same weekend.

I love setting the clocks back (after the initial adjustment).......I feel like I am at home longer in the afternoons and the kids usually go to bed earlier, which I love! LOL

I have a ton of stuff to post on here......I stink at uploading things. Don't know why I roll like that but I do.

Hope you have a fantastic Monday.....off today and I am about to head out shopping and to take the puppy back to the vet to get staples removed.

Enjoy your day!

Great Weekend and ROLL TIDE!

so far after a crappy week! I love FALLLLLLL......
My dog will live....he had surgery to fix his lungs and diaphram (sp) ....he's costing some mega money but he's alive and good.

Saturday was great...got my house cleaned, went to do my own thing, boys went hunting, and then my daughter scheduled a sleepover. Luckily these girls were really good last night cause I was tired. Well, they were good after I made them turn down the stereo upstairs. HEHE!

Alabama won over Tennessee....didn't see the game but I did hear it on the radio.
12-10.....Tennessee came to play some football. Alabama struggled but Cody saved the day!
In the paper today Cody's play will go down as a historical moment for Alabama football.
I swear I thought we were going to lose!

Going to take the kids to the pumpkin patch today........Hubby and I always make a family day and take them, something we've always done. This year hubby won't be going but I am still taking them. I've gotten pretty good at doing things by myself with the kids.
I Love taking fall pictures with all of the pumpkins and scrapping them.
Gonna be a fun day!

Hope you have a fabulous Sunday!

Crappy Day

Hello my internet friends....Debbie Downer here! More of a vent than anything else......When I opened my eyeballs this morning, my day went to hell.
I got up and got ready for work.... my hair wouldn't fix, felt like crap, my clothes didn't dry, my kids wouldn't cooperate, and I was running late. I finally hurried everyone up and we were out the door by 6:10am. As I was going out the door my pups were laying on the front porch sound asleep. We got in the car which was 10 feet from the front porch and I put it in reverse. Well I hear a yelp....A LOUD YELP. I hit the favorite dog out of the 3 (whos suppose to be asleep on the front porch). I didn't run over him but I bumped him. I ran back to get my hubby to go check on the pup so I could go on. We were late without all of this.
I dropped the kids off at the bus stops and went on to work.
Needless to say, the dog has no broken bones but he has intestine damage and he's bleeding in his lungs. Hubby took him to the vet where they don't expect him to make it. I feel guilty, angry that I hurt the kids and hubby, and I feel stupid cause that dog was asleep before I walked that 10 feet to the car.
I stopped by the vet when I got off of work....I held the little guy, felt bad that I caused him to be suffering. He forgave me....he buried his head in my chest and kept wanting his ears scratched. Anyway, tomorrow I hope to know where we stand. If he makes it then he's going to be one spoiled little dog especially by me. I've never been that crazy about this dog yet I sent my family on a 8 hour drive to pick him up and sent some mega $$$ after finding him online.

Then the second phone call came in that my 19 yr old niece was rushed to the hospital with her heart. She has advanced stages of heart disease. Things aren't looking too great for her. Another blow to my crappy day. God I hope you give these doctors that knowledge to treat her and give her life. I've always been crazy about this girl! She was the little flower girl when I married my husband. I've watched her grow up since she was 4.

I'm personally not afraid of death but fearing death in others horrifies me. Once death occurs, you can never get back anything or make anything right again.
I struggle with this subject because we have jackasses who molest kids in prison and they'll live to be 90 yrs old. Only the good die young is a true saying.

Gotta have faith which is hard to have at times.

Here's to a better Thursday otherwise I'm going on a Margarita binge!

Bama # 1

After a lovely weekend, freezing my bum off, watching the game, cooking out and all other fun stuff that we did, I'm happy to announce that ALABAMA IS RANKED NUMBER 1!!!!!

T-Town and all of the BAMA fans couldn't be happier! I've gotten all into football this year. Unusual!!!!!!!....I've even told my hubby a few things about football players and rankings that he hadn't heard yet. ROFL
He asked me what was wrong with me!!! Oh nothing! Now if LSU will beat Auburn and I aint no LSU fan! LSU shouldn't have a problem since Kentucky just beat Auburn for the first time since 1966. Anywho, football is getting interesting. Mark Ingram is da bomb and I think we just might make it to a National Championship! Fingers Crossed!

Hope you have a great week!

Roll TIde!

Yay! Alabama won AGAIN! They played a great game although I do admit to napping from the 2nd quarter to the 4th quarter. Old women can't stay out late and be at work at the crack of dawn the next day. HEHE!
They're well on their way to beating LSU! ROFL (I have LSU fans in the family now) Whoda thunk it?

Great week so far around my neck of the woods....got to meet some of my bloodlines last weekend. I have pics but I rather scrap them and then share.
I've been editing them on Photoshop. I bought PS6 last year and I've never used it. Installed it this week and played with it.
I'm in love with turning a picture black and white then adding color on the colorful spots. Awesome accents to a plain pic! I have some ideas in my head but PS6 will take some time to learn.

Have a great Sunday!

Family History

It's come down to meeting a long list of family members that I've NEVER met before. I can't put my finger on my emotions but I am anxious. I am really glad that I'm going to see where my grandparents are buried...see their graves and be with ALL of my siblings at one time. This has never happened before! I am really excited to get a group picture as well. I know it won't look like most sibling pics since we're spaced out for 20 years. We didn't have our cute little bro/sis pics sitting by the Christmas tree....none of us ever laid eyes on each other until the past 6 months.
The kids and I are going to my biological fathers family reunion. I have a list of questions that I hope to get answered.
Anyway, I can't wait to see my 2 brothers and my sister again. I really love the time that I spend with them. It's good memories that I will NEVER forget.

I hope to learn more about the family, ancestory, some personal questions about my fathers life, and spending time with my siblings. This is going to be a great weekend that I almost passed up.

Hope that you're having a fantastic week. I am standing by for the weekend!

SUUUUU WEEEEEE

We went to the game yesterday and had a blast. Even in the pouring down rain at kickoff......thank Gawd for ponchos. We went with my dearest most mature friend that I have, REBA! She's a hoot to hang with! We all went on our cruise together and had a BLAST!

Anywho, the pigs got slaughtered yesterday! Alabama 35 - Arkansas 7 All that was left of the pigs were a few chitlings. LOL

Got to see every play and every touchdown.......got to hear the elephant squeal MANYYY times.

Getting home was a NIGHTMARE! Football is a second religion in Tuscaloosa.

A good day spent with the girls and my hubby......I haven't seen him much lately so it was nice to hang with the old man for 2 days. HEHE! We'll that has come and gone....back to reality. No husband, kids, school, and long days at work.

Here's a pic of us girls......We were soaking wet so excuse the horrible picture at the concession and smoking area.

Went Shopping

I went shopping when I got off of work so that I could spend my gift cards and birthday $$$. I love Bath and Body Works... I racked up on some perfume, candles galore, lotions, and room sprays. If you love candles go sniff the new "Leaves" candle. OMG, this candle smells GREAT! I should have been a witch since I have an obsession with Yankee candles and Bath and Body Works candles. Instead I am just a WITCH without the W and insert B. HEHE!!

I racked another purse which I can add to my healthy collection. Don't know why I keep buying them because my closet is in serious need of more clothes not purses. My son even commented on how "crazy" it is to go shopping and buy "smelly stuff" and "bags"..... how I love a boy who just doesn't get chicks!

When I get that Versace purse that I have my eye on then I will take my purse collection to the Salvation Army. Oh how I love to dream!

Great week so far....Thank God tomorrow is Friday. I have a mound of paperwork at work to hit earlyyyy in the morning. I don't wanna wake up! LOL

Alabama plays Arkansas on Saturday......Kick some azz Alabama!

Have a great weekend!

Another Bday

When and if I wake up I will be another year older.
I can say that this was a year of truth for me. Sooooo much stuff happened. I will never forget it and will always remember how it has shaped me in both good and bad ways.
While I know the truth about a lot of stuff, I also have a lot of apathy and resentment.

This year:
My father in law passed away
We went on a fabulous cruise...got to see Cozumel and the Grand Caymans
Got to see my son kill his first deer
Got to see my husband and son kill their first wild hogs and a few to follow
Deer hunting ruled the roost around here
Had a wonderful Christmas, the best ever according to my kids
Husbands grandmother lost her house in a fire (STRESSFUL)
Totally remodeled our other home in less than 3 weeks
Got 2 new weiner dogs (grrrrr)
Lost my job that I loved because it closed
Started another job
Pit bills killed my beloved cat
Found that my biological father passed away
Found 2 brothers that I had no clue about and met them
Met my sister for the first time
Got to meet new neices and nephews
Watched my son become a dare devil that is scared of nothing
Got to see many other wonderful things but I honestly can't remember crap right now.

Yep, It might be a crazy life but it is my life!
I will never forget this year....lots of good and bad things happened but it's made me, ME!

Thank God It's Friday!

Finally!!!!!! A long week which I won't discuss because it would be heavy with profanity.
Let's just say, I'm glad that it's Friday. I am done working Saturdays and Sundays. WOOT WOOT! Monday-Friday 7-3pm. I've worked hard to get to where I am now but I don't feel this is where I belong. Accounting is my passion....I love it. You can't argue with numbers, they'll balance out everytime. Anywho, I wish things would turn around with accounting jobs.

I want to scrap this weekend after I clean up this house. I still haven't had a chance to do that.
I think I will play along at the Scrapperie. Fun Fun!

Alabama plays tomorrow.....ROLL TIDE!!!! Maybe they'll play like they did last week in the 2nd half. They need to get their crap together so they can beat LSU! ROFL

Posting pics tomorrow of some of the scrappy stuff that I finished. I never have time to sit down and just post.

We're going tomorrow afternoon to get a Beauty Walk dress......my daughter wants to participate in it this year. I am really undecided about this....she's getting a little too big for her britches this year and I am not loving preteens, their attitudes, backtalking, makeup, standing in front of the mirror all the time, the crying at the drop of a hat, always needing money, the boys, cheerleading, parties, and dances. I could ramble about this subject for hours but having a GIRL SUCKS! Boys are much much much easier! I wouldn't trade her for the world but she's the wild child who will be on a short leash for the next 7 years. LOL

Anywho, hope you have a wonderful weekend! I plan to enjoy mine!

Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer

good looking women come from Alabama! HAHA Alabama Vs. FL International 40-14

Great game Saturday night.....lots of fun fans that I got to hang out with. The FL people were a little strange especially in their movie preferences and personalities.

Nothing new around here.....work, games, daily dare devil stuff with my son, getting ready for cheerleading tryouts (Gawd help my soul), and the daily grind..........We have our next cruise planned out for next year.......Going with some friends that I adore but rarely get to see. We're hitting Jamacia, St. Martin, and St. Thomas on a 7 day cruise this time. I am so looking forward to this getaway......MUCH NEEDED .....If I could go now, I would. I need my toes in the water and my ass in the sand, not a worry in the world and a cold margarita in my hand. Life will be good on this day!!!!!


Working on some LSU game stuff.......hopefully my siblings will be able to come and hangout.
Tailgating is always an option too......the enviorment will be awesome especially with 1 LSU fan in the family now. FUN FUN!

Off tomorrow, going to scrap some more pictures.......going to be a long rainy day by myself. I love these kind of days!

Pics tomorrow!
Have a great Monday!!!!!

I love billboards, quotes, and........

I really don't know why but I love quotes, billboards along the road, and I love me some Mancow in the mornings.
I've noticed several churches along the way to work always have a quote up that is sure to get my attention.
Today one read: "Eternity is a long time to think about what you should have done"

I don't know why this hit me the way that it did but it's weighed heavily on my heart all day.

Theres a lot of truth in this saying and it reminds me of some people in my life that should have **thought** more than they did in life. It also is making me think a lot more about how my actions may affect others. Anyway, hope that it inspires you like it did me.

Lovely few days

I had surgery last week and took off for 7 days. Too bad all of those days have come and gone now. Tomorrow is the first day back at work for me.....I really don't feel quite up to it yet.....I'm just now passing kidney stones and feel yucky at times.
My kids spent this past week with their grandmothers house while I was out of it. On Friday, they arrived back in full force........I should have enjoyed the peace and quite with no kids more than I did. They've made up all all of the peaceful nights that I had since last Monday. LOL
Saturday, We (my daughter and I) went fishing and the boys went dove hunting. We were all at the same camp but we went seperate ways once we got there. Us girls, kicked some azz in the game of fishing. We caught 36 brim in less than 1 hour. The boys only scored 2 dove. ROFL
I love days where the girls are better than the boys in an outdoors sport. Can't wait to go back to that fishing lake!
A storm put us in the cabin for the rest of the afternoon.......then we headed back home. A good day and then some ALABAMA FOOTBALL! ROOOLLLLLLL TIDEEEEEEEEE!!
Need I say more? HEHEHEHE

Hope that you had a wonderful Labor Day......the kids and I cooked Ribeyes and roasted vegetables. They spent the day riding 4 wheelers and playing with their friends. I had a surprise visit from my friend in Panama City Beach.....she called at 8am to say she was on her way over. I didn't know she was in town.....she came right on over and I enjoyed seeing her......she didn't care that I was still in my nightclothes. ROFL I miss that girl......she was one of my closest friends that I've had besides my BFF Tammy.

Well, so much for the rambling....gotta get ready for work tomorrow. Long story about work but this should be an interesting week. TICK TOCK TICK TOCK!

Have a great week!!!!

Cut me a break

Well, the last few weeks have been very eventful around my house. I have been sickly with my kidneys (stones once again) and my son had a horrid bicycle wreck. (See pic of my poor baby) He's doing well a week later!!!!!!

They found out in the CT that he has Eagles Syndrome. Don't ask me what this is because I honestly don't know. I will get this seen about once I get myself straightened out.

In my CT scan for my kidneys, I have TONS of stones in both kidneys.

I went to a specialist today and I have kidney disease and will need surgery and radiation.

I am waiting for all of that to be set up and then maybe we can get back on track around here.

Kidney disease isn't a joke.....I have suffered from stones since I was 27. The past year has been the worst. I can thank my father for this.....this is where I got it from. It's almost like he's punishing me for finding my siblings. LOL I hope that this works and that they can prevent them in the future (highly doubtful) ......we'll see. I have changed my doctors to Birmingham.....so far so good and I think Brookwood Hospital is about the best around. I guess in light of the bad news, I have found the best care available.

We're really not a sickly family........we're just getting hit with everything at once right now.

So much for scrapping.....my blog has turned into a diary instead of what I wanted it to be.

I will however get it back to what I intended it to be.

Think good thoughts.....I am scared to death that I am going to hurt like hell or not wake up.
My kids are all I can think about right now.

School, Dudes, Dance

Well, so much for my whining about school.....I will stick to my story about the school system being in horrid shape but my kids are loving school. Maybe the teachers are trying harder since they have too.

My daughter absolutely loves middle/high school. She told me on the first afternoon that it was just like "Saved By the Bell", only better. ROFL
FYI, Boys/guys are now called *dudes*. She had a crush on a *dude* named *Webster* on the first day. The second day it was over......she didn't like him anymore because he raised his hand and stood up during roll call in 4th period. He was supposed to say "here". ROFL He's now labeled a *lame dude*. Anyway, there's a school dance tomorrow night and she is *hooked up* with Dax (the hottest *dude* EVER)
So, I see that this *dude* problem is just the beginning and we're only 3 days into school. YIPPIE (in my sarcastic tone)

My son loves his teacher....he told me that she's the best teacher he's ever had. When I asked him about a girlfriend...he said, "I don't have time for that momma....I'm concentrating on my studies" OMG I about fell over laughing. He isn't the best student in the world and to hear this come out of his mouth was comical. He studies dirt, 4 wheelers, bikes, fishing, and disappearing in the woods in search of snakes. Typical boy and outdoor stuff.

We will see how this school year goes....My bets that my daughters will be an adventure.

What a week

No one prepared me for life as an adult/mother. I never knew that it was this hard and it's popped me upside my blonde head.
I've learned that what you have planned out in your head and reality NEVER matches up in real life. I had this whole school thing planned out, had a positive attitude that it was going to be ok, and was ready for it (in most ways).
I took my son to open house last night at his school and realized that our school system was in worse shape $$$$$ wise, than I ever thought. There will only be 1 fourth grade class with over 32 kids in there. They can't afford any more teachers and are considering laying off 5 more teachers at my sons school alone. This is not counting the whole T-town County School system. The quality of education with this many students will be crap and I mean crap. There are so many desks and chairs stuffed in this 1 classroom that you can't walk. The average class size has always been around 17. I am really worried about this year, the school system and most of all my son. I am weighing my options and considering private school. I just don't know how I'm going to swing this when I have to be at work before 7am every morning.
There's an article in the newspaper today how they're considering even MORE cutbacks.....they can save 50K a month by cutting the grass once a month and no new computer equipment for classrooms for the next several years. WTH is up with this.....these are just a few of the MANY things listed in the article to cut back on funds. All school nurses will be laid off as well.
I call BS on this school system......our country is worried more about automobiles and other BS than our kids future. I think they seem to forget that our kids will be the ones running this country and without a decent education this country will be scary in the next 15 years.
I don't know how our priorities have gotten so screwed up.

I was about to puke this morning when I dropped my daughter off at her new school.......I can't tell you how many times I've worried about her today. I have to take her over 30 miles to school YET we have a brand new multi million dollar highschool that is 4 miles from my house that can't open because there's NO MONEY to staff it. You know your kid is going to a bad school when you talk about saying no to drugs all the way to school. I dared her to take a pill from anyone. It's hit me hard this morning.

This isn't a happy moment like Kindergarten was with both of my kids. This is more along the lines of PURE CRAP!

A lovely day and a small rant

Today was a good day! I got my girl in school.....we got schedules, PE uniform, and a locker. Walked around the school, tried to open lockers, went shopping for *locker decorations*.......this is going to be fun. (I'm trying to keep a positive attitude ) No cute boys were there so that eased my mind. She hugged and talked to more friends than I knew she had.
I went to this school 20 years ago and the smell is the same. Totally strange!
The school is still the same in every way 20 years later. I think this will be ok....we'll see! She'll only be there 1 year so it can't be that bad.

One teacher has Obama all over her door......I imagine before school starts a "Cash for Clunker" *success sticker* will be plastered across the door as well. To hell, with all of the national debt.....lets salute Obama and all the mistakes that this country is making. "Blessed are the young for they will inherit the national debt" ...... If you're in healthcare like my husband is, then you better hold on. When Obama gets his hand on government regulated healthcare, you're going to be in for a rude awakening.
Yep, I can bitch.....I didn't vote this idiot in.
Government run car makers, government run healthcare, and the list will go on and on. Wake up America......I just had to spend 500 bucks for 1 child to start a "public" school system. I shouldn't have to buy copy paper, paper products, cleaning supplies, and teachers pens and dry erase makers, to name a few. Thank God for "Cash for clunkers".....they were way off on those numbers (as usual) and at least little kids will get better education knowing that they didn't have to ride to school in a gas guzzler that their parents purchased. How's that for the economy? They may be homeless due to forclosure but by goodness, they have a gas saver to ride in. I think there's worse things to worry about right now. I really don't know how people can pay these school fees when they're jobless in this economy.
To end this rant on a positive note, I am glad that I prepared and had the money to spend on this. I hope it helps 5 kids whose parents were laid off due to a horrible economy and not some lowly who just wants the government to take care of them.
Wake up America and get some priorities in order!

1 more kid to buy for and then school starts Tuesday!
I'm enjoying the kids until then............

Funny Poster

HAHA! I found this image today...... Go figure! As my brother would say, "there you go!"

I had a hot date tonight!

I had a great hot date tonight. I waited for about 30 minutes while my date took a shower and put on his favorite cologne. I was already ready to go....he then opened the car door for me and we went to our favorite mexican restaurant. We got out of the car....he held my hand all the way inside....we got a table for 2 and ordered fajitas for 2. We laughed and played around as we ate our chips and salsa. We sat side by side and were totally enjoying the moment. He even told me that I was the hottest chick in the restaurant.....(whew, he's a charmer) He melted my heart and I fell for him and his charming ways. I whispered to him that he's the shortest and brokest (is that a word) date that I've ever had. He'll make the perfect husband one day....he immediately notices when you get your hair cut, get new shoes, new purse, or anything out of the ordinary. He's my son and my baby....the one that tests me to a certain extent but is a total mommas boy when it comes to showing affection. All week, it's been just the 2 of us.....we've enjoyed ourselves and he's been an angel.

I love nights like this.....in another few years he will replace me.

SCOREDDDDDDDDDDD!

Gosh, I scored today! WOO HOO! I'm so excited!

I scored 2 tickets to see: Nickelback, Hinder, Papa Roach, and Saving Abel. The concert is in a couple of weeks.....ahhhhhh, these are my boys! Tickets in Hand....Tickets in Hand!

I also scored 2 tickets to see Alan Jackson in October. I am not nearly excited about his concert as the rockers though. LOL......Tickets in Hand....Tickets in Hand!

I wanted some Creed tickets.....but didn't want to pay the price for them. It's their first tour in 3 years. Oh well, they should change their venue so the cost isn't so much. I didn't know these rockers still held concerts at the BJCC. That place isn't well suited for a high dollar concert and I refuse to pay it....... it could be held at the Verizon Wireless Music Center for a fraction of the ticket cost. I'm a TIGHTWAD!

I'm debating ordering tickets to go see Def Leppard, Poison, and Cheap Trick......they're 2 tickets for the price of 1.....today only, I'm scared of the crowd at that concert. ROFL
For the price, you can't beat this concert and would bring back some good ol' memories! Decisions Decisions.....I really want to go see them.

A customer gave me free Chick fil A for a week.........A new restaurant is opening up tomorrow and I got the pleasure of meeting the corporate staff. They gave me a punch card today....I feel like a scored a ton today.....now if I could get these last concert tickets, I'll be happy.

Still Chuggin' Along

I haven't been in a creative mood lately so nothing new to post. I've had a hard time with a few issues but I'm chuggin' right along with this wonderful thing called "life". I will get out of my rut and create something this week. Other than that, we're getting ready to go back to school which means, school supplies, clothes, fees, you know all of those wonderful things that happen right before school. We go to pick up my daughters high school schedule on Aug. 4......whew! Not going to be a fun day! This is the same high school that I went to for 3 years.....I know what it was when I went there and I'm not looking forward to it.
It was my 7-9 grade years at this school before I changed to my grandparents school zone.....

7th grade Happenings:
Got my first boyfriend, Darby
I really didn't fit in that first year....I was a loner and was very insecure & quite.

8th grade Happenings:
This was the year that I blossomed and stupid decisions became a regular for me.
I lost my daddy at the beginning of the school year
I began to be popular and got out of that ugly duckling stage
I had lots of boyfriends ....not serious though
I skipped school for the first time and it became a habit
I drank my first beer and didn't like it
Smoked my first cigarette
Started telling white lies to my family to go out
Was at a party that was filled with drugs and I said, "NO" (YAY ME)

9th grade Happenings:
Very popular this year
Met an older guy in college and dated him for the next few years (off and on) (stupid stupid stupid)
Continued to skip school
Contined to smoke cigarettes
Loved my friends more than studying
Started sneaking out to be with my friends.

Anyway, I really wasn't a bad kid....I was looking for something since my whole world just died when I lost my daddy.....didn't find it and made some really STUPID decisions in life. I don't look forward to go through this with my daughter but it's knocking on my door. I am scared to death as a parent of a beautiful girl who will make stupid decisions like her mother. I didn't listen to advice from my family and I know my daughter won't listen either.

I have never tried, done, or wanted to do any drugs.........I hope my daughter has the same courage that it takes to say NO. This is my biggest fear! I've tried to raise her right, teach her right from wrong. It's now time to let go of her hand and let her make some decisions.....they won't all be good decisions and this is where I will struggle.
So this is where I stand with my head in my hands. BOO HOO! Someone please tell me that this get easier!!!!

Thanks for reading my whining.....I'm struggling! LOL

Layouts

My kids and my sisters kids (above)

I'm really enjoying my days off.... relax, enjoy my kids, enjoy my home, sleep, and making things.

I made this layout of myself for the kids book. I don't usually scrap myself but a few times a year I do. It's important to me for my kids to remember who I am.

It reads:

I am.......

a wife, a mother, Believer of God, a sister--the oldest and the youngest, silly, a friend, Independent, honest, creative, hardheaded, neat and organized, tender hearted, workaholic, a joker, tightwad, skeptical.....I am Me!

Hoop Cheese Box

The ugly wooden hoop cheese box (above)

I use to work at a Country Store....we would get in these wooden boxes filled with hoop cheese. The workers would throw them away but being the "trash to treasure tightwad" that I am....I would get them and bring them home. I acquired tons of them over the years of working there. I am tired of seeing them piled up on the rack above the washer so I got them down today and started making something out of them.

I took the ugly wooden box and painted it a light chocolate milk color then went back and added darker chocolate paint to give it a suede weathered look. I found the crocheted dollies at the Dollar Tree .....they're so beautiful and old fashioned. 3 Dollies for ONE BUCK! That is my kind of shopping. LOL

I had the other vintage logos in my scrapping stash. I took the buttons and put jute in the button holes to form a bow. I painted one of the white flowers black and placed the white flower on top of the black one. It gave it some depth and definition. I love all the colors.....this new puppy will match the rest of my home.

Thanks for looking!

The 5th of July

It's what I call a slow moving day. I ate too much, laughed a lot, prepared an ungodly amount of food, and now I'm ready to kick back. I ended up cooking ribs which I haven't cooked in ages. They were so good and the hit of the party. Now, I must make myself go clean up the outside patios. I think I'm going to scrapbook most of the day. We're expecting some RAIN this afternoon!!! woo hoo!

Oh yeah, my kids were gone a good bit last week. They're back home and ready to "jack up" the house....another constant battle that I have with them. A neat freak momma and 2 messy kids don't usually see eye to eye. I keep telling myself that I'm not as bad as I use to be.

Here are 2 layouts that I made last week....More later on today!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July

Have a wonderful 4th! God Bless our Troops. May they come home alive, well, and soon.

Be careful as you celebrate, eat lots of food, and enjoy your family!

Finally some scrapbook pages

Finally some pages to post. Blogger has been difficult today. These pages/pics are very special to me....I will cherish them forever. I am off tomorrow, thank the Dear Lord up above......I plan on setting up the pool that the kids bought and scrappin' the rest of the day. I have a few more pics of the kids/cousins that I want to get done. Hope you had a great weekend!

Weekend with my brothers

I left Friday to see my brothers in Mississippi. I can't believe that we're so alike. Really weird yet very fun to compare. I dont think I've had this much fun with anyone in a long time. I never dreamed the fun would take place with my brothers.

Friday night....crawfish night....I even tried gizzards (never had them before) Actually, they were really good. Dobber hooked everyone up with lots of food and drinks. YUM!

Saturday, went tubing on the river with Dobber .....never been before BUT I am addicted to that! I want to do that again and again. I think I hit every stick and rock in the river but I survived and had TONSSSS of fun.
Saturday night, we went to Biloxi to the casinos.....Hard Rock Casino....lots of fun in the enviorment but I lost 25 bucks....YEP 25 Bucks! I quit and then walked around looking in amazement that my ass is bigger than Elton John's. Very sad! I thought he was a large man....looks like it on TV anyway. I learned a few things at the casino: #1--you're going to lose
#2--I did like the enviorment #3--I got carded (I felt young for that 30 seconds) #4--I love the smell of the ocean #5--I just really liked spending time with my brothers. #6--most of these high dollar singers wear some TACKY and let me repeat TACKY outfits. That was pretty amusing to me. Most rockers are VERY small people. I did get a history lesson in there which I think is worth 25 bucks.

Sunday, We had a great time.......rode around looking at different things, ate lunch, and I spent part of Fathers Day with them. I think that it's a little ironic that we all share the same biological father and we were able to spend part of our Fathers Day together which is the bond that unites us. It was a happy day.....A day shared with part of my father that I never got to know.
After a fantastic weekend we left and headed back to reality. I can say without a doubt that I am glad that I've found my family. I learned that Doodle and I are alike too which makes me smile.

Thanks for reading!

New Look

I decorated my blog today. If you don't know, I love the color chocolate brown. My whole house is decorated in this color. LOVE IT and it goes well with anything....very sophisticated and elegant. I also love all things vintage. Every time I go into Hobby Lobby (which is my favorite store in the world) I gawk over the decorative kitchen plaques. Those vintage plaques are AWESOME. My decorating style here is Tuscan.

So anyway, I found a way to incorporate my love for chocolate/vintage into this blog.

I wanted to post a pic that coordinates with my blog. Yep, I'm a weird-O.........Here is my most prized possession that I've ever bought. I cherish this clock......love it......and it's totally me.

I bought it 2 years ago right before we moved into this house. I look at it every time I pass by.

You get the point......no one will ever get this clock unless I die. They must treasure it like I do.

Hope you have a great week.

My 2009 Graduate

******Warning....Bragging Post....I'm a mom and I can!******

Here's to an awesome day! This morning put a smile on my face.....my daughter graduated 5th grade. I admit that I got a tad bit teary eyed. I reflected on the first day that I took her to that school in Kindergarten....she cried and didn't want me to leave and now she's off to HIGH SCHOOL. I thought back and reflected over the past 6 years there......all I can say is, "My little girl is growing up." I'm sad but I'm also glad that she's become a little lady with brains. She's definitely a smart cookie.....I see myself in her, ONLY BETTER!

She made me a proud mom when she received the "President's Education Award" for Outstanding Academic Excellence..... sent and signed by the one and only, President Obama. WOO HOO! She received a pin to wear with the presidential seal on it. Now for the high school journey.....I'm not looking forward to this.

My life is flying by now......you can thank my kiddos for that!

I love seeing my kids accomplish things....Here are a few quotes that were used in her commencement. Very inspirational to these kids....I wish more adults would use some of these.

Just one small star can set the world alight

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Never, Never, Never, give up -Winston Churchill

Imagination is more important than knowledge -Albert Einstein

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent - Eleanor Roosevelt

The secret to life is not fame and fortune, but to be content within yourself and be kind to others. Yes, it is that simple- if only we would remember - Dr. Moon

And for my favorite quote:

Be the change you wish to see in the world -Gandhi

Meeting My Sister

Kathy and I (above and below)

Jessica, Crystal, Keegan and Taylor

(below)

Crystal and her boyfriend Jake
(below)

Great 2 days spent with my sister , my nephew, and niece. I have to say now that I've met all of the known siblings that I am not disappointed. My kids and I drove to Mobile on Sunday....not a bad drive at all. My sister had to work and she stopped by the hotel when she got off. WOW! Totally good moment! It's a moment that I will remember the rest of my life. I remember meeting my father when I was 12. It plays like a video in my head.......the meetings of my brothers and sister are etched into my memory like that as well.

We went to her home that night after she got off and talked...We got to meet her son who was building a tool shop......Hey, she can build buildings, remodel, paint, lay wood flooring, cook, she's a great mom....Bottom line here: She's amazing! She's also very level headed and smart.

Monday was the best day.....we went to her house for the day. The weather didn't cooperate very well for us....... so after ditching our beach trip, we went bowling, ate lunch and got to meet Crystal.

We then took a tour of Mobile.....she showed me beautiful old homes, and the hospital where I was born. She told me a few stories of my early childhood. I feel like I finally know that I didn't develop from a cabbage and get dropped off by a stork. I know where I am from, who I am, and finally my siblings. These 3 things have been missing my whole life.

Monday night was great....her 2 kids are great kids (Crystals Boyfriend was very impressive too) hoping he'll remain in the family. They took my kids in like they've known them their whole lives. It was a happy moment to see everyone happy. No sisterly squabbles although we did joke about that earlier in the day......we were wondering who would win......My bet is that she would! She's a bit older, 19 yrs and 9 months to the day to be exact.......getting older means you're wiser. So I say she would win....I don't see that being an issue, thank goodness!

We left Mobile around 9:30 and headed back home.....we made it home around 12:15.....we made great time and there was NOOOO traffic......I left feeling complete, happy, and excited all at the same time. I am glad the meeting phase is finished.....now for keeping in contact and spending some time together.

I know that there are a couple of more brothers and sisters out there. I don't think that they will be found or will appear anytime soon. I welcome meeting them one day when it's time. I believe God's timing is the perfect timing for this to happen. I look back and think how my story played out. If it hadn't worked out like it did then I don't think we would have ever met. I don't believe that our father would have shared this information for us to find each other. Heck, I didn't know that anyone existed other than my sister.

Sooo, here's the last chapter that I can write about in *my* book. It's up to God when the story will be finished and I am not going to rush him.

Now for memories, meetings, family get togethers and good times. We all missed weddings and births......With this new chapter, I hope we can all be apart of each others lives through our children and what's left of our lives as brothers and sisters.

Busy Days Ahead

I'm been sick off and on for 6 weeks now. I have this cold that I can't shake....its turned into pneumonia now. Hopefully, the meds will kick in because too much is planned for the days ahead. I'm feeling somewhat better today but I don't sound much better.....the bark is worse than the bite. LOL

I have 3 more days to work then I'm going to be off for a few.....you just don't know how excited I am about that. I have worked some serious hours the last few weeks.

Saturday, my son turns 9.....I just can't believe that he's going to be HALF GROWN. I'm having a hard time watching my kids grow up. Life is flying by which means I am getting OLD.
We've planned on doing something for him....not sure what.

Sunday, I am leaving to go meet my sister and her children. I am anxious about meeting her. I don't remember her....... I know she used to care for me when I was a baby. I'm hoping we can build some fond memories together in the years to come. 2 days to connect and then I must head home.

Wednesday, my daughter graduates 5th grade....I'm nearly depressed over this. Her last year in Elementary school and then she's going to be thrown to the lions. The junior high has grades 6-12 in it..........Totally scary! I get to deal with *older* boys and all the other stuff a teenager gets into. Not looking forward to this new transition. I think it's going to be worse for ME, dear ole' MOM.

School is out Wednesday and I am welcoming that. I'm a night owl and I hate mornings......I look forward to sleeping in when I can.

That is about all I can think of.....going to catch a nap before work tonight.
Hope you have a wonderful day!

***Lots of pics in the days to come***

Part 2

A very happy me....above

Dobber (above)

Doodle (above)

Jessica (my daughter) and Madelyn (Doodles daughter)

Marley (Doodle's daughter) Above

Madelyn (Doodle's daughter) and Taylor (my son)

pictured below.....look at the pic of Taylor and

Dobber at 8-9 years old on the bicycle....almost

identical.

Dobber at 8-9 yrs old (above)

I must say that I am amazed at the similarities that we share.....especially Dobber and I. We also have the same arms and hands which kind of freaked me out. I mean not close in comparison but THE SAME. His arms are just a little more hairy than mine. ROFL
Dobber and I also have some of the same weird habits, we're both gum chewers. I think we both had gum in our mouths the whole visit. We also have nervous habits...almost identical habits in each of us. We're paper rollers at restaurants....if you don't know what that is then consider yourself calm. LOL We talk with our hands and we both look around a lot.

Doodle and I are alike in our tempers and peeves. We're both tight wads and picky. We like schedules. Dobber is spontaneous which is totally opposite from Doodle and I. I think we all have the same brains. All 4 of us are quite smart. The 3 are smarter than I am but I don't consider myself stupid.

It will probably surprise them since they saw the quite side of me BUT I am a talker. I love to talk for hours. Doodle is extroverted and Dobber and I are a bit more reserved. I am probably more reserved than Dobber.....well, that is until we get to know each other very well.

Dobber had a picture of him riding a bike when he was around 8-9......the picture is identical to my sons picture.....another thing that really freaked me out. You can see for yourself in the pictures.

I have to compare stories and personalities with Kathy.....I am welcoming that!

Enjoy the pics....I know I cherish them! I wish our father wanted the chance to know each of us kids.....I don't think he knew just how awesome all of his kids and grandkids are.

My Short Life....My Long Story

My life began very complicated. I have always wondered who I am and why my life wasn't exactly *normal*....whatever normal means. I guess that explains why I am very particular about the way things are done....I don't like mistakes and I believe in accepting responsibilty for all of your actions.

On April 16, 2009 my life changed for what I now hope is FOREVER.....I knew the lovely brick wall that I've built for 32 years had to be removed. I was ready for a remodeling job, it's more like a demolotion ........I was ready to face my fears, find the truth and more than ever know WHO I AM? I planned on going to meet my biological dad and hope for some answers. At 11 pm.....I googled his name and to my surprise learned he had just passed away in March. My heart immediately sank ....all feelings of hope, answers, and anything else that I wanted were instantly gone. I reluctantly clicked on the link to the obit, not expecting to see anything that I didn't already know.

To my surprise there were 2 boys listed as children. My name wasn't listed but I didn't expect it to be. I had never heard of these boys. The whole night I researched these 2 names....I always knew that I had an older sister and I started looking very hard for her too. It seemed I could find nothing on any of them except 1.

I asked myself 100 questions...well, really more like 10,000.

Do they know about me?

Did our father raise them?

How old are they?

What do they look like?

Are we alike personality wise?

Do we like the same things?

Are they married? Children?

The list went on and on.....the final question I had to ask myself was, "Should I call them?"....."What do I say?"......"What if they don't believe me?"....."What if they don't want to know me?" Anyway, you get the picture.

Friday afternoon I made the call to the only sibling out of 3 that I could find a phone number for.

A very nice lady answered the phone....I was expecting the worst scenerio but she was gracious to answer my questions and give the message to her husband who would be my brother.

Friday night....a few hours later, my life changed. I spoke to a BROTHER. His name is Gerald aka Doodle. I was happy, giddy, and relieved to know after our conversation that I wasn't alone. He has a brother named Bruce aka Dobber. Over the past 3 weeks, I've got to know Doodle and Dobber over emails and phone calls. I was able to get contact info on my sister, Kathy. April 16-17 was one of the best days of my life.....full of ANSWERS! I had been wondering the answers for the past 32 years....The quest was over. In those 24 hours I made contact with 2 brothers and 1 sister....had very nice conversations on the phone, exchanged pics, and began the *getting to know you* process. We all have some of the same characteristics. ....none of us are alike but we're all very close in comparison.

Over the past 3 weeks, we finally settled on a date to meet. My brothers were taking vacations to the mountains and had to come into T-town to get there. They came a day early so we could meet and spend some time together. I haven't been able to meet my sister Kathy yet but I will make sure that happens soon.

May 6,2009 has marked a new era of my life.....the puzzle is *almost* complete. I say almost because I have to meet Kathy and there are some indications that there may be a couple of more siblings. I don't know if they want to be found but it's worth a try. I think we all deserve to know our siblings during our life. It's intresting to see what genes and traits were passed down and see our similarities.

The broken puzzle which took 32 years to put together is nearly complete.

Here are pics of my newfound family. I will never loose contact with my brothers or my sister, NEVER AGAIN! I will never forget May 6-7, 2009. It's etched into my mind like giving birth to my children. I have to meet my sister for the puzzle to be complete.

All in all...I have 2 brothers....ages 46 and 44.

1 sister ......age 52

1 sister in law...I think she's 35

2 nephews.....16 yrs and 21 yrs old

3 nieces.....18 yrs old, 6 yrs old, and 3 yrs, old

Here are pics from yesterday.....whew! I was nervous and pretty quite...I just sat back to take it all in....very overwhelming in the emotions department.

It was all great....a wonderful 18 hours well spent. As I drove home this morning tears poured from my eyes. It was tears of joy...Life is good.....God is good..... I couldn't help but to thank God for making the puzzle fit together. I hope that they were as impressed with me as I was them.

Hopefully more fun times ahead! Now for building some memories together and meeting my sister. The rest will take care of itself.

Thanks for reading my story...my life....my memories!

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!

I am sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for tomorrow. I can't wait to tell you on Thursday what the big life changing event is. I can tell you that it is something that I have dreamed and prayed about for a long time.
I am nervous, anxious, and excited all at the same time. LOL
Anywho, Check back Thursday for PICS GALORE and a fantastic story!

Have a WONDERFUL day!

Long Time No Post

It's been almost forever since I last posted. So much going on here.....I will just say my life has been forever changed and finally complete *well almost*.
I'm not going into details just yet but boy do I have an inspiring story to tell. It's really amazing!

I haven't scrapped in awhile.....my mind has been focused on other things right now. You'll see where my life has been once the story is told. I see an album of my *new* pictures coming very soon. I would have never thought in a million years that my life would take the road that it has.
WOW! Very good....God is good...Life is good!

Hope you're having a wonderful week!

Blue Angels

Lots to catch up on here.....I've really neglected the ole' blog lately.

I took a full time job about a week and a half ago. I absolutely LOVE it......everyone is so friendly. I can't wait to learn all the ins and outs with this place...get my job down pat, and stay for the years to come. I really don't think the economy will hurt this place.

We went to see the Blue Angels over the weekend.....several other big names were there but I must commend the Blue Angels and the Golden Knights parachuters. They were the favorites in the crowd.

I got to talk to a few of the Blue Angels over their stay here. I must commend them and their skills. Very professional and very nice! They totally hooked up several of us girls with posters and VIP tickets. Very nice! I really hope our city welcomes them again. After seeing the airshow, it really makes you proud to live in the USA. The sound of these jets rushing past you, rattling the ground to the point that you can feel it in your chest...Brought a tear to my eye! God Bless America!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

St. Patty's Day......Spring is in the air

I really love this time of year. The nights are still cool and the days are starting to warm up without being too hot.

Now that I've been home for 1 week now, I've become very bored. I really need a job to keep me going. I feel motivated when I have to be accountable to a schedule. I'm about to go stir crazy. I am a procrastinator and schedules really work well for me.
Maybe something will open up pretty soon. If not, then I will become the next "Desperate Housewife". LOL

I have a ton of pictures to post.....I will get those up tomorrow while the kids are at school.

Hope you're wearing GREEN . If you forgot then I hope you didn't get pinched too hard! LOL

Have a great day!

A break from work

Today, I was informed that our company was closing at 6pm for good......really no prior warning other than a gut feeling. Funny how a company is there one day and completely closed the next. I guess I am still shocked that a place that I spent 65 hours a week is now gone forever. I am totally looking forward to a break from work. I was offered another job that I am considering but not ready for the commitment just yet. I need to be a Stay at home mom for awhile to make up the time away from my kids. I am a tad bit angry but I'm more angry at myself. I have some serious making up to do. * I know I can't take back anything*

I have learned a few lessons about work::
1. NEVER put a job ahead of your kids.
2. NEVER commit to so many hours a week.
3. Money IS NOT everything.
4. You're never guaranteed another paycheck
5. Your work and character is valued very little, only thing that is important is the bottom dollar for the boss. Respect isn't earned or awarded with most people.
6. If you live wrong and do corrupt things, IT WILL catch up with you. (not talking about me)
7. No one is looking out for the well being of anyone other than themselves.

I could go on and on with the things that I have learned but these are the things that I think are important.

I can't go back and fix the 2.5 years that I lost with my kids. I CAN however, learn from it and not make the same mistake twice.

With this post, I am forgetting about work, job hunting, and the daily stress of numbers, profits, and losses. I will survive and I am thankful that hubby has a great job that isn't threatened by the economy. I really loved just getting out and making my own living, something that I really haven't done in the past. Anywho, Scrapbooking here I come!

Have a wonderful week.....mine looks like a lot of R&R. WOO HOO!

Cutie Pie in Pink

This is a picture of my best friends daughter. She is a cutie patootie! I took this picture at a school function and loved her in pink. Her eyes are soooo beautiful! When I opened the February kit from Back Porch Memories and saw this paper, I knew that I had to scrap this picture. I added lots of bling because a diva deserves Bling, right?!?!?!? LOL
I used my Autumn Leaves stamps from my stash. I liked how this turned out!

We're suppose to get snow tonight....2-4 inches! WOO HOO! The kids are really excited.....we'll see FINGERS CROSSED! We need some snow pictures.

Hope you're having a great weekend! Stand By for a Scrappy Sunday!

Layout from Websters Pages

Let me say again....I LOVE THIS COMPANY! Very easy to work with, very cute, and love the heavily distressed look. Sorry for the terrible picture. In the picture, the kids had a wonderful day being at each others throat. They hit one another all day, screamed, and were 2 little demons, until I sent them to their own rooms. All was quite so I thought I better go check on them. To the end of a horrible and stressful day this is what I found. Yep, they love each other! LOL

The weather is going to turn nasty at any moment....another rainy, stormy, tornado, windy, hailing day. Sounds perfect for scrapping huh? That is what I thought too. :)

It is almost 70 degrees today, they are calling for snow Saturday night with *possible accumulation* WTH????????? It doesn't snow in Alabama so I will believe it when I see it.

Hope that you have a wonderful day!

Websters Pages

I ordered this February kit from, Little Red Scrapbook Co. I am totally in love with this new company called, Websters Pages. It's very vintage yet sooooo elegant. I can't wait to scrap using all of the new stash that I've acquired lately. Check out Websters Pages website at: www.websterspages.com or visit their blog at www.websterspages.typepad.com

I am finally off today.....first day in awhile. I'm on my way to Hobby Lobby for adhesive, run a few errands, and pick up something for dinner tonight. I am going to spend my afternoon/evening scrappin' and I'm not cooking tonight. LOL

Hope that you have a wonderful day!

7 Gypsies Carousel

A huge shout out to all the amazing teachers at Scrap Etc. Ya'll rawked the Carousel Class!

The class was taught by:

Virginia Tillery (she's amazingly talented and she's cutier than a babydoll)
Vanessa Hudson (Elegant scrapbooking)
Brittney (OMG, this girl is a hoot....wanna laugh? Hang with her)
Gretchen McElveen (Another funny chic.....what a hoot....extremely talented)
Lucy Farmer (cute cards and she was tired at the end of the class)

Anyway, lots of fun! Thanks for looking!

Rawkin' Weekend

My weekend was Rawkin!!!!!!! I needed this weekend and need a lot more like them.

Friday night I went to a Scrap Etc. in Birmingham. We made a 7 gypsies Carousel.....OMG, those teachers are amazing......We got there at 6 for the class and we ended up leaving around 1245am. My butt was flat as a pancake.

Long drive back to T-town.......thank gawd for caffeine!

Here is a kit that I ordered from Back Porch Memories....One word to describe it: AMAZING!

The kit has so much Scrapping Goodness in it......it's almost too pretty to use. LOL

Well worth the money for the loads of yummy in it.

Here are a few pics:

I will post my carousel that I made once I get all of the holes punched. Some of the cards are too large for the sleeves.

Have a great Sunday!

Check out these kits

I've been blog hopping this afternoon. I've seen so much inspiration and such awesome scrappers.....gosh, the web is full of talent!

I found some awesome kits....Check these out

http://www.backporchmemories.com/

I ordered the Feb Medley Kit with the Add On Embellishment kit. Can't wait to get this puppy in my hands. Great prices for the kits!

www.littleredscrapbook.com
I ordered the Feb Kit.....soooo elegant!

http://www.treasuredscrapbooking.com/

http://www.noelmignon.com/
check out the awesome Kit that went on sale today. I'm not going to buy this one but it is ohhhh so tempting.

There are 2 other websites....I will come back and edit this when I figure out what the addy is.

Here are 2 others that I forgot:

http://www.frecklefriends.com/

www.myscrapbooknook.com


Hope you had a great weekend and ready for the new week.

The Simple Life

Things are finally calming down a bit. I have finally raised enough hell to get the remodelers done with our other house for Granny to live in.
This remodeling job was supposed to take 5 days.....we went well into 13 days and a lot of hell raising from yours truly. (hiding my head in shame) They even made the comment that they don't know how my husband has remained married to me for 14 years.
I got the following done:
New sheetrock in halls and bathroom
New Tub
New Vanity
New Toilet
New tile in Kitchen and Bathroom
Painted all rooms in the house except kitchen
Put up new exterior doors
New locks
New Electric Hot water heater
Rewired the whole house and built a new service entrance
New Wallpaper in the kitchen

Finally, we moved Granny in. Things are hopefully going to get back to normal.

I haven't scrapped in awhile now......I broke a good streak that I was on.
I am going to a class Friday night at Scrap Etc in Birmingham. We're going to make a 7 Gyspies Photo Spinner all decorated. I think this will possibly be the longest class that I will have ever attended. LOL I think the estimated time for it is 6 hours. HMMMMMMM I am totally looking forward to getting away from everything.....those contractors had me really fired up. I can take the break. I am even considering staying in a hotel room for the night. I need the R&R.

Anywho, I hope that everyone had a fabulous Valentines Day. Have a great week!

Living a Nightmare

I haven't posted in the past few weeks because of a lot going on in my personal life.





I think I have more than I can handle although God says he doesn't give you more than we can handle. I have really been doubting what I believe in my heart here lately. Is there really a God out there???? I know there is supposed to be but where in the heck is he?


I don't know why our family has been dealing with one thing after another for the past year.





I mention "granny" a lot in my posts......she is my husbands grandmother but a lot like my mom to me. (I took pictures of her and my kids in my Christmas post)





On the 17th we received a phone call from her saying she smelled smoke. We rushed over there which is less than 10 minutes away and found her whole house on fire.


After 3 different fire departments responding and fighting the fire for more than 4 hours, she lost everything. The cause of the fire was determined to be the gas hot water heater.


Shes's 89 years old and fragile after losing her only child. We're the only thing she has left.


It was especially hard to swallow when her house burned 4 months to the day of her son's death.


Granny now lives with us.





We have 2 more homes next door to where Granny lives. We have paid a contractor to come in and remodel our old home (the home where we lived up until the last 2 years) She says she is too old to start over but at least she will have some place to call her own again.





To add to the stress of rebuying everything, remodeling, work, kids, and my family obligations.....my son and hubby went hunting this past Saturday. My son started having trouble breathing. Almost to the point of not breathing at all. We took him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with Asthma. He's now on breathing treatments......We haven't been to the lung specialist.....knock on wood that he will out grow this condition.












I said in the paragraph above that the cause was the gas hot water heater. A bird built a nest in the flute that is used to vent it. Gas built up and then caught on fire.

We've been rethinking a fire plan for our home which is 2 story. Please consider a fire plan for your home. Saving a life is more valuable than losing a loved one. I didn't know this, well really didn't think about it but the electric fire detectors in newer homes will fail when the power is out. Most of the time the fire will cut the power off before sounding the alarm.....therefore the good ole' battery fire alarms are great for backup. A ladder stored outside will help rescue anyone trapped upstairs. I know this is all common sense but watching a home burn to the ground is really heartbreaking and scary. A good vaccum cleaning job under the hot spots of your home (hot water heater, dryer, furnace, and stove) once every few months cuts down on your chances of a fire.



I knew this stuff and failed to ever think about the flute. I cleaned her home for the past few years and feel totally guilty.



Here are a few pictures

Awhile since I posted

I am still alive...yet again, I think I've been abducted by some tired bug. I wish he would cut me loose. Work and taking care of daily stuff with my family is kicking my arse. LOL

I would welcome a vacation in some sunny and hot place far far away from land and people.
Hmmmmmmm I don't think that it's going to happen anytime soon or even this year.

I haven't scrapped all week however tomorrow I'm going into town and Hobby Lobby is on the top of my list.....
WHY?????? I really don't know. I just want to get something new....it's an addiciton, obsession, passion, or something that I can't place my finger on.

I am wanting to subscribe to a scrap magazine again....my subscription ended last November.....I don't want Creating Keepsakes again....something new with perhaps sketches....I am loving sketches!!!!!
I am leaning towards Scrapbooks Etc. Any suggestions???

Ok...off to bed...long day ahead tomorrow....I AM OFF THOUGH! WOO HOO!
I worked out a deal to work last Saturday for 10 hours in exchange for Tuesday off. Hmmmmm......I think I might scrap after I return home from town.

I will post my other layouts tomorrow.

Have a splendid week!

5 Free Classes for 1 YEAR

I was excited to hear that Two Peas was offering a years worth of Scrapbook Classes.

Here are the details:


For the next year Two Peas brings you 5 CLASSES .....for 1 YEAR

The following classes will be taught:

1. Celebrate the Seasons By: Nichol Magouirk Taught: On the 5th of each month
2. Photoshop Elements Taught: On the 10th of each month
3. A Year in Cards Taught: On the 15th of each month
4. A Year of You By: Robin Werlich Taught: On the 20th of each month
5. Super Sketches By: Kelly Purky Taught: On the 25th of each month
*** I don't know who's teaching the Photoshop and Cards class***

I hope I can keep up with this.........I am trying to manage my time much better this year.

Here's the link if you want to participate
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/
click on the "education" link

I'm too lazy to link it LOL

Hope you're having a great week.

Scrappy Sunday

I finally got some scrapping done. Here are 2 of the 4 that I finished today.
I wished I would have felt better to get even more done. Hope you had a great weekend and got some scrapping accomplished.