Before and After

YIKES!
Much better but not perfect.I really need to totally go through my 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of paper (in green milk crate) I rarely use them. I truthfully not sure exactly what is in that pile any more. Even the specialty papers in the folders are a mess. But for now it will do! One down a bunch to go...

I've got more pressing areas to work on next... I figure if I do one area a day my craft/ scrapping/sewing/computer room will be presentable again!

The WHAT Files

What is too adorable for words! DYSON!


What I'm reading So far finished the first one. Quick easy read. Great for a small escape. Not like the Twilight series where I couldn't put it down...But not bad. Great pool or beach book because if you get it wet you won't care. Fun enough to pass on to a friend. you can read it in public and not be embarrassed by the cover art!

What I blew money on and probably shouldn't have...Last trip to Michael's they had K& Company 40% off. I've been jonesing after this paper. Trying vainly NOT to buy it because I really didn't know what pictures I'd put with it. BUT IT IS GORGEOUS! SeraFeru Maybe prom pics?

What needs attention. This is in the OMG! YIKES file actually. I have to re-organize. These piles just seem to develop over night! I think I'll start with putting some of my layouts in their albums, then putting the new papers away. That should be half the battle.

What I'm proud of both my daughters! Katie and Courtney are receiving honors this month. Katie for Student of the month. Courtney is receiving an academic achievement award. We just got the notice in the mail!

Progress

My "wave" petunias are finally sprouting! I'm trying to save $$$. Last year I bought these gorgeous hanging pots at $25 a crack. I loved them! But I didn't like the $50 price tag so I saved the hanging pots from last year to grow my own flower baskets this year. I bought the potting soil and seeds at $6 for soil and $5 for seeds. I've been watering them everyday and checking them. Finally signs of LIFE! We'll see if they look like the wonderful baskets from last year in about a month.
the growth is a tad lopsided. I think that is from watering them the seeds moved around...

The pool once again has a liner! For everyone that said they were jealous, just think of the lovely water bill I'll be paying plus the price of this new liner. I bet the jealousy will go down a bit. I do admit having the pool in the backyard is a wonderful luxury, but it was one of my conditions to moving to Tennessee 15 years ago. Back then it was an above ground pool that Jim built a deck around. We've up graded houses and pools since then...

It is just so hot here in the summer that swimming is the only enjoyable activity. We have public pools but they have some HUGE down sides. RUDE people being the number one problem. Small children peeing in the pool aka GERMS. Me having to wear a swim suit in PUBLIC...Eek!

Yup, I LOVE my pool! I better cause there goes my vacation money into the hole in our back yard... Oh well Swine flu is all over Mexico, and they been kidnapping people. With my luck both would happen to me...Cabo can wait!

Looking Forward to a Brand New Sparkling Pool!

The pool is getting it's new liner today. They came and removed the old one this morning. It looks rather sad at this point. You can see the failures in the cement. At these points is where leaks developed, plus along a seam or two. So much for a 10year liner, and supposed "good" work on the pool bottom. I have a feeling we are going to have to fight tooth and nail to get the warranty to pay any of it... It's maddening! I guess we shall see what happens.

Monday Stew...

My new rose bush Jim plant a few weeks ago, in full bloom now!

Katie got back from her St Louis Band trip. She had a total blast! I'm going to steal her camera card ASAP! She said she really didn't take that many pictures because she didn't like carrying a bag around with her all the time. DRAT! Her favorite place was the Imagination play ground made by artists out of all recycled materials. Semi-dangerous there were sign every where that you played at your own risk. She said it was totally cool. Two thumbs up

They actually played their instruments at the arch. Kate said it was HUGE. Wasn't all that impressed though... I guess the view wasn't all that??? Crazy kid!

Six Flags got a big thumbs up. I knew it would. My family is amusement park crazy.
she was evil and ditch anyone that was chicken to go on the roller coasters...

Katie also came back with a mysterious boyfriend named, Dallas. Courtney eaves-dropped for me. I guess this dude is 15 or that is what Courtney gathered on her fact finding mission... I couldn't pump Katie for more information though... OH no I think 15 is too old yet for Katie...


Jim and I worked in the front beds Saturday. I trimmed bushes and he got a load of mulch, and spread it. We got a few more plants. We have a little herb garden at the side of the house now with rosemary, mint, sweet basil, and spearmint. Couldn't find the thyme I wanted or cilantro. We will keep searching! We also got some gorgeous blooms. Highly colored daisy type flowers the names escape me right now. We need more mulch and more color. I did plant gladiolas, but they won't be up for a month or two.



I've managed to get most of the red food color out of our clothing from the fake blood with only 3 or 4 washings...ROFL! Note to self go shopping at Goodwill before being a zombie then THROW away the clothing!

Playing ZOMBIE

We went to be extras in a indy film DEAD START

Zombie school! Learn how to relax your arms, and shuffle with a black look on your face. Heck, I do that every morning before coffee!Learn how to attack your victim. NO REAL BITING! In for the kill! Getting made up! Going HOME! We got on the making of footage that's about it. We got there before 7AM and went through Zombie U. Froze at first then roasted... make up took FOREVER there was probably 200 to 250 people. They weren't expecting such a good turn out the last call they only got 40! But it was in March and cold out. We whimped out about 1:30PM Hot tired and STICKY. That blood is corn syrup with red food color. The inside of our arms kept sticking together it was gross and uncomfortable... I learned some new make up techniques for Halloween. I can't wait to try them out!
We got to see quite a bit of the filming. It was educational!

I know one thing I'm NOT taking Courtney the next time we do something like this because she whines too much! ROFL!

ROTC Awards

Special award group I wasn't fast enough! they all started to move the second the year book photographer said, " Now just seniors." They moved like they were on fire...LOL!

New rank and awards. Courtney receive 13
Scholastic achievement award
At least I got a good pic of Courtney and Josie.

The lighting totally stunk for these awards! So sorry so dark for most of them. Courtney is now a Sargent Major (not sure if that is the right title...BAD mom) At least this year I got pictures last year it was worse!

When the ribbons were being given out the highest honor for many was "lets Services".
neither Jim or I knew what the heck that was. We had to get Courtney to tells after the ceremony. It just means you past to the next level...

We came home and ordered Chinese! Good reward for Courtney and parent for sitting through it...LOL! I know BAD MOM! But seriously who enjoys these things? Doesn't mean I'm not proud of Court.... maybe if we totally understood all the honors it would be a bit more interesting...maybe not...

New sketch

I am really getting my money's worth out of K & Company's Urban Rhapsody 12x12 pad. I've made quite a lot of layouts off this pad. I'm trying really hard to use my stash and save my cash!

Back to scrapping!

Using up some old stash the polka-dot paper is Rusty pickle Pirate princess Elizabeth Swan. My secret pal got it for me last year, thank you again JoBeth. It has some truly terrific skulls on the other side. I'm going to have to force someone next year to be a pink pirate.... LOL! Used a bit of new MAMBI (scalloped square mat)and ribbon stash!

I didn't sketch it this time I loosely was inspired by one of Beggahuna sketches on Scrapbooks.com. She has many, many wonderful sketches in her gallery.

Have a good one!

Prom Pictures

Courtney & Nima all dressed ready to go!




more pics later from Courtney's camera.

From what I can gather they had a great time. Courtney lost her voice... Will learn more later....

It's here! PROM!

Today is the BIG day for Courtney. My camera will be busy!

Beware of Mom's Stealing Your Camera Card!

I found these beauties on Katie's camera card too!


This is from one of Emily & Katie's shopping trips. Katie's has so much fun with her camera! probably the best Christmas gift ever or a close 2nd to the cell phone...

She took a bunch of small videos at the concert they went too on Easter. If i can figure out how to post one of those.... LOL! She'll probably murder me!


When I checked my Email this morning I found one from my dad. His brother, Tom, has past away. They knew this was coming his pancreas had totally given out. He was in Hopis care. Yesterday he went into a coma, and never came out of it. I feel really bad for dad. I can't imagine losing a sibling. I think my parents thought there would be more time. They were planning a trip to see him. Now they are going for his funeral. I hadn't seen him since my grandfather died, before that I hadn't seen him in about 20 years. We did not even exchange Christmas greetings. We weren't close.