A Princess Ponders

Todays Pin

2011-09-02T01:13:00.001-07:00

Source: staypositive.me via Carrie on Pinterest

Todays Pin

2011-08-15T22:49:00.001-07:00

Source: etsy.com via Carrie on Pinterest

This is fantastic...

2011-08-15T00:06:00.000-07:00

Todays Pin

2011-08-05T23:10:00.001-07:00

Source: elembee.com via Carrie on Pinterest

New idea....grab something from my pinterest boards everyday that FITS that day.

2011-07-22T14:07:00.001-07:00

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

LOVED how the author told us what happened from Adams pov!! parts of me were mad at mia and parts of me were mad at adam....but i was satisfied with the ending. definitely recommend these great books and look forward to anything else she writes!

View all my reviews

2011-07-22T13:57:00.001-07:00

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

great read...the story moves fast. beginning with a tragic accident we follow a girls life through flashbacks. the flashbacks are always relevant to the current story and there are tons of really great characters...this one made me cry more than a few times!!

View all my reviews

Book Review: Dead Reckoning

2011-07-09T00:06:00.000-07:00

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

i really must stop getting involved in long series that drag on...
this one is even more difficult for me because of trying to seperate book world from TV show world...sometimes my brain wants to just explode.
having never BEEN a fan of the fairy thing...the fact that they are becoming more important than the vampires as the series moves on...does not make me happy.

im not saying im done...im just saying...im not IN LOVE like i used to be (except with yummy Eric...i still love him)

View all my reviews

Happy Birthday Mom!

2011-03-20T20:53:00.000-07:00

We missed you today. Cathi made Red Velvet cake and we sang Happy Birthday to you. I choked up of course but it was such a sweet moment. Rebecca said she wanted Grama to come to her house but accepted the explanation that you were waiting for her in heaven. Cathi told her how much you loved Jesus. You would be so tickled with her, mom. She goes around singing sunday school songs all the time. I wish you could come to her house too...for some cake and some singing and coloring and hugs...lots of hugs :) Cathi and I have been cleaning out old photo albums finally...there are alot of great pictures in there! Its been great to remember some of the good times. Of course I wish you were here to fill in the stories that go with some of them. I guess thats just good motivation for me to get the stories told. Anyways, I just wanted you to know we had cake today and that I miss you. Love,
Carrie

THE LAST ONE

2011-02-28T21:39:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 28...THE LAST ONE, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

28 days... 28 layouts... wow!

i really did it... im kind of surprised at myself...

maybe next i will apply this same dedication to working out...or cleaning my house...or going to bed on time...

hmmm... :)

Her smiles...

2011-02-26T23:58:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 26, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

they really do light up my day.

She says...aunt carrie...you come play with me? and grabs my hand.

Then she asks...please may i have some chapstick? whats an auntie to do except give her whatever she wants.

Then I leave and she says Thank you for coming to see me. I say I love you and she says...Love Ya!

For me...this layout captures all of that.

Oh the cuteness

2011-02-25T22:59:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 25 - A New Baby, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

Nothing cuter then sleeping babies..haahaa

Nothing easier to scrap then new babies :) loving how soft this turned out.

Vintage Mom

2011-02-24T22:06:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 24 - cool glasses, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

Arent those pants and glasses great?? Ive had this pic forever and so excited I finally got it done. I dont love how big my writing is in the top but i do love that our prompt today was list journaling and this just kind of popped out.

5K in the snow

2011-02-20T23:26:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 20, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

it was exhilarating and amazing...and crazy and stressful :) I'm totally doing it again...but never in the snow!!

This picture always makes me laugh and to remember exactly how I felt that day. Just went to town on the journaling to get all the feelings out!

Happy (late) Birthday Jenny!

2011-02-18T22:24:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 18 - Home, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

So I gave Jenny an empty frame for her birthday in August...haahahaa

Now she has something to fill it! Hope you like it lady :) :)

And on a totally personal note...i bought new jeans tonight...2 sizes smaller!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i had a moment in the dressing room...it might have involved tears :)

Pretty Girls in Pretty Dresses

2011-02-17T21:53:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 17 - pretty girls in pretty dresses, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

I think I'm keeping this one. Most of the time since I scrap other peoples kids they get the pages...makes sense that way. But I think I need to start keeping a few of the ones that I love the most. They are a LITTLE bit my kids too, right??

This page was totally about the product and I'm really in love with everything I put on here. From the flashcard with its clever use of 2, to the dresses and cherries to the sweet lettering...and that tiny strip of lovely paper :) Sometimes...I'm just really excited about how a page turns out.

I just wanna squeeze her...

2011-02-16T22:04:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 16 - its spring, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

My Becca looking too freakin adorable for words. i love that shes all bundled up and the mass of gorgeous daffodils. and i love that i finally used those frames that ive had forever and that it really worked!

Surprise Party

2011-02-14T21:32:00.001-08:00

This was a birthday of mixed emotions. Total surprise and happiness with Amy and all my friends for doing the party! Yummy homemade cake and frosting of course. A hilarious off key rendition of Happy Birthday that just cracked me up. It was a great time.

Looking back is mixed with sadness though. This is the last time mom would be at my birthday. I wish I could remember what she did or said. If she was the one that made the cake and decorated it or if she was too sick already. Its still a precious photo I have of her and I am happy that I have it scrapped now.

Little monkey...

2011-02-12T23:50:00.001-08:00

Load Day 12 - one little monkey, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

And now hes almost FIVE! I really need these kids to quit growing up! High School graduation is going to break me...

Hes a smart funny little man now though and its oh so cool to watch him "get" the world around him. Oh and hes a great little grocery shopper!

Funny Serious Girl

2011-02-11T23:39:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 11, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

Her concentration face just cracks me up! I had to put in the one of her and Nana cause that's the only one I got of her smiling!!

I figured since we are speeding toward her third birthday (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) now I should scrap the second one :)

Birthdays are overwhelming with the amount of pictures...and i can bet you this will be the only page i do of them...lol! I'm weird like that.

Blessed

2011-02-10T22:40:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 10 - Full of Thanks, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

Often I would rather complain than be thankful. That really needs to change because I have been so so blessed! Its time to concentrate on what i HAVE not what I want or what i don't have.

I cant decide which i love more here the pictures and journaling or the awesome papers and embellie combo. HA!

Love These Kids

2011-02-09T22:23:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 9 - Just Laugh, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

Our annual photo shoot for Nanas birthday. The year before we did it at sears and decided NEVER again would we cram this many kids into a tiny room! Went WAY better this year in the backyard! Trust me there are STILL alot of outtakes though...haahahaa

I just love seeing them grow and change year to year. Their little personalities so evident even when they are tiny people :)

seriously...love...more than anything...

Cute as a Button Indeed!

2011-02-08T21:26:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 8 - Cute as a button, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

Miss Brooklyn in her younger days...this one keeps getting cuter and cuter...and sassier :) haahaa

the challenge was to use buttons....ummm...ok...

gees...i forgot how much i love buttons!! like really...alot...

Great Day!

2011-02-07T21:18:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 7 - a good day, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

These girls...always a good good time :)

This was the FIRST bakeathon...december 09...the introduction of Cecil and the start of a yearly tradition that may or may not include gift giving ;)

When you were tiny...

2011-02-05T23:51:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 5 - Brand New You, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

This little guy is over a year old now...good thing we have another new one on the way now. And by WE i mean my sister...not ME. :)

These colors make me happy....I wish I could make all my layouts red and teal... oh and this is another Studio Calico challenge. Their sketches make life easier...

Sweet baby...and football :)

2011-02-04T21:15:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 4 BONUS, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

In honor of football sunday...and a little poke at the seahawks!!

Logan when he was a newborn...sleeping soundly thru the bazillion pics we took of him...good times :)

Ummm...go PACKERS :) Im just watching for the commercials but i do own a green shirt thats cute sooooo...I pick packers.

Crazy Month

2011-02-04T21:12:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 4, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

The challenge was to do a month in review...but i havent printed any of the 200 pictures from December. So...I used this shot of my over full calendar! December was a great month...tons of family time...friend time...good food...presents...awesome memories :)

Hopefully I get them recorded before I forget them...hmmmm

Books!

2011-02-03T21:20:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 3, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

I adore these photos...nothing makes this auntie happier than when the kiddos want to read :)

and side note...how is this one FIVE already! craaaaazy...

Cutie Patooties

2011-02-02T22:00:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 2, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

Kids belong to Andrea L. Big sister Olivia and newborn Phillip :)

Lifted Tina A for a challenge at Studio Calico (here is her amazing original... my loves by lifelovepaper)...yes i even lifted the title...I am shameless.

I am loving creating every night...theres nothing better girls!!

You Are My Sunshine

2011-02-01T15:59:00.001-08:00

LOAD Day 1, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

She really really is. Her smile her laugh her hugs and kisses...she lights up my life!

LOAD 2-11

2011-02-01T11:10:00.001-08:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Look for actual layouts...coming soon :)

Miss You Mama...

2010-08-08T23:27:00.000-07:00

March 2005

You've been gone five years today. Sometimes it feels like a lifetime and other times it feels like yesterday. This week was rough. You were on my mind constantly and in my dreams. Some of them made me wake up crying. You've missed so much. I know you are where you want to be but im still selfish enough to desperately want you here instead. I want to watch you play with Becca. I want to call you for help when Im cooking. I want you to cook for me...spaghetti and birthday cake. I want to come over to do laundry and hang out all day.

If you were here I promise I wouldnt be annoyed when you call me. I would care more about spending time with you than with friends. I would try harder to make you proud of me. I would help you out more. I would take your advice more. I would never take you for granted. I would be a hugger. Sometimes I ache to feel your arms around me.

I dont remember your smell anymore. I can still remember the sound of your voice, especially your singing. I dont know enough about your life when you were young. I can still remember almost every moment of your last days...even though i want to forget. I dont know if you were proud of me. I do know that you loved me and I desperately miss your love.

Oh My Gosh...Look

2010-05-30T21:45:00.001-07:00

My Layout

I won!!

And its my new favorite layout...

LOAD Day 18

2010-05-19T09:20:00.001-07:00

LOAD Day 18, originally uploaded by carrie.knabe.

2010-05-09T23:41:00.001-07:00

Catching up...

2009-11-02T18:50:00.000-08:00

I spent some time with my best friend today...keeping her company while she babysits. During the course of our conversation I said "Oh I didnt tell you..." at least a dozen times.

There is something wrong with that picture!! I dont even have that much going on in my life and I have neglected to share it with her...the one i share everything with! It was an ahha moment for sure!

All that brings me around to here...another "friend" i've neglected! So...heres to best friends and catching up :)

Still jobless but waiting to hear from a great opportunity.
Still in love with my niece who gets smarter and funnier EVERY DAY.
Still addicted to Zuma (its a computer game...not ZIMA the drink) and Facebook.
Still scrapping...made a bunch recently that I really love! If youre nice I will show them to you...soon!
Recently had an ahha moment about my church and how much i love it! Seriously, they have been my "family" for 15 years now...and thats something i need to stop taking for granted. Plus harvest dinner is in the 3 weeks and that starts the eating season :)
Still surrounded by lots of babies that i love! really i love them MORE than if they were mine!! its so freakin cool to watch them grow up...BP is pulling herself up on stuff and starting to figure out how to get around using furniture. It is the coolest funniest thing to watch her mind work!
Still in debt but its UNDER 5 figures now so that is super cool...esp. with 5 months of no job. Getting ready to buckle down again and live like no one else...after christmas....heeheehee

So I think youre mostly caught up on the important (and unimportant) ask me questions if you want more info!!

oh...and thanks for reading :)

New art...

2009-06-10T15:43:00.001-07:00

Confessions...

2008-11-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

I have a new obsession...

YARN

the expensive yummy color drenched cuddly kind

Dont worry...i make stuff with it too :)

Im a knitter!! **blush**

New art...

2008-10-01T00:11:00.000-07:00

In case you were wondering...yes i still scrap! These are for a challenge at studio calico to use some of the absolutely awesome exclusive stamps...and since paint has decided to disappear off my computer i cant resize to post in the gallery...so here they are :) lucky you...getting to see them too ...haahaa

anybody there?

2008-08-28T01:52:00.001-07:00

just checking...i know i dont post regularly enough to be interesting so its ok...i understand!

im thinking about making this a book blog?

maybe if i win this...
http://megwaiteclayton.com/1stbooks/?p=55#comment-130

Another super cute outfit!

2008-08-10T15:52:00.000-07:00

Nantucket Weekend GIVEAWAY!!!!

Dont worry...im going to post these ALL the time! If you want to see how cute it is though...you really should click through :)

cardstock makes me happy...

2008-08-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

well pretty much any paper...lol

Cool lady Lisa D is giving away cardstock...so Im recommending you go read her blog! Shes funny and cool and makes great pages too!!

Plus she used to have blue hair...lol

Done!!

2008-08-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

Finished last night...2AM...its freakin 740 pages!!

now i get to go read all the stuff people are saying about it...apparently its controversial..haahaa Seriously, its her book, shes the author, she gets to write HER VISION.

Oh and I want to win this...cause really, its the cutest thing EVER

PaperDoll Frock

So in love with handmade!!

2008-08-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

This is super adorable...and I have two baby girls just this size!!

Popcorn Bloomer and Blouse GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

and this one....would look fantastic on a certain girl who lives for dresses...

fields-of-gold-frock-giveaway

Buy old not new...

2008-07-25T13:08:00.000-07:00

Mostly I think I will just keep blogging about all the new "hobbies" i keep getting myself into!

Vintage...to me means something old, well loved, beautiful, quirky, colorful or memorable.

So yesterday I went "thrifting" to see what i could find. I dont live in town thats particularly "vintagey" but I thought i would give it a go!

I found a pretty totebag (handmade by someone else), a white pyrex bowl (my current collecting obsession) and a quirky mug holder (that says MUGS..lol). Pretty happy with my finds!

Than i was on etsy...i cant stay away. And found a lovely girl (PonyParty)selling THESE:
Why would I be excited about these? Cause they are my gramas plates!! I bought these and messaged her for more...shes on the hunt for me now!! Oh...and she threw in some GORGEOUS green Pyrex (no i dont know where the obsession came from)! Im so excited to have these lovely treasures...and Rachel was great to work with! amylynn...you need to check out her stuff...i saw stuff i wanted to buy you...if i was rich... HAHAA

So...old stuff is cool...and no i cant do this ALL the time...but I got a little bonus...paid off another bill...and got a tiny treat...yah me!!

For the love of sugar...

2008-07-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

(previously posted on amazon.com...not written by me)
Frosting Shots: Breakfast of Champions?
by AndreaLeigh on July 22, 2008

Much to the chagrin of dentists everywhere I'm sure, cupcake shops around the country have recently started offering shots of frosting to customers--a dollop of frosting in a small paper or plastic cup. "It's kind of the cut-to-the-chase evolution of cupcakes," says Tanya Steel, editor-in-chief of foodie Web site Epicurious.com. "I can imagine it being at parties. It's a great thing to have at an office party. It provides just a little bite of sweetness and yumminess without going whole hog."

"It's really about developing frosting for the person who can't keep their hand out of the frosting bowl," says [Beverly Hills cupcake shop] Sprinkles' co-founder Candace Nelson. "Some people are so focused on the frosting, they'll walk out with 10 different frostings of all different flavors." Maybe not the perfect replacement for those espresso shots first thing in the morning, but definitely a good way to suss out your favorite frosting flavor without chowing down on a ton of cake (not that I have a problem with that either). Read the full article here.

--AndreaLeigh

The only thing i can add to that is ...good thing i dont live NEAR those!

fabric love...

2008-07-16T11:44:00.000-07:00

since I am now in love with quilts...i would love to win a free one...

http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/2008/07/win-this-quilt.html

This one is particularly gorgeous! I thought for awhile that this might be my next hobby but it seems a bit labor intensive for me so for now im going to try to score cool cheap old ones...or new ones being handed out like scrumptious candy!

Are you a reader?

2008-07-08T22:03:00.000-07:00

Free Books??

http://trishsdiary.wordpress.com/2008/06/28/14-book-giveaway/

of course im blogging that!!

now if only i could get off this machine and READ them...

they are rather delicious just to look at and own though...

on another post she asks "what is the definition of a READER"

my comment turned into a bit of a mini essay....so i decided to post it here...

A reader LOVES books...sometimes in an unhealthy way...lol

I connect it to someone that can be talked into reading anything even if its "not their genre"

someone who has stacks (literally) of to be read books...but still wanders into bookstores...to browse

someone who finds it hard to part with even the cheapest paperback...

someone who cannot understand people who "dont read" (seriously...its a foreign concept that i dont know how to process...i dont even know what that would feel like)

someone who always has a bunch of recommends and is willing to hand over their copies to spread the love among friends

someone who has to make a list of what they read...and gets a lot of joy reading make through the list...

ok...im going to stop now though i could go on and on...lol

as you know...i fully own EVERY ONE of these statements....

2008-06-24T22:20:00.001-07:00

I'll be doing this tommorow! www.shimelle.com
and
I will blog about my excellent birthday weekend!!

The other side

2008-06-19T06:33:00.001-07:00

So far...30 feels just like 29

but i did put on extra moisturizer this morning :)

thank you blogland for all the well wishes...they made me smiley.
thank you IRL friends for phone calls, texts, and meals...love you all!!

And so it begins...

2008-06-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

Saturday was my first 30th birthday party! (because i believe in celebrating my birthday as many times as possible) I showed up for scrapping and got a little birthday party too...complete with tiara :)

They planned all my favorite foods so we basically ate ALL DAY! Should i list them all? yeah...

Homemade banana bread...still warm (the way i like it) slathered with butter
sausage gravy and cornbread (better than biscuits, trust me)
grilled hamburgers ( i am never eating hamburger anywhere else...GOOD beef)
twice baked potatoes
asparagus (omg...it was perfect)
homemade salsa
ranch dip and veggies
deviled eggs
little smokies wrapped in bacon (haahaahaa...yeah...ALL pork ALL the time)
macaroni salad
swedish EFFIN fish
red licorice
AND birthday cake OF COURSE...lol Amy made this scrumptious banana cake with cream cheese frosting...i ate it ALL day...seriously...it was so funny...you know how you take a little sliver...and then KEEP taking little slivers...over and over and over...haahaaa. seriously one of my new favorite cakes!

omg...im so full just looking at all of that but it was a GREAT party...thank you BFF's
oh...and the scrapping? SOME of us got like 12 pages done...but NO that was NOT me...haahaa

i miss my hermiston girls...if i could be two places at once that would DEFINITELY be the second!
xoxoxo

going down...

2008-05-31T11:07:00.001-07:00

My debts are decreasing at a slow but steady pace! Having just paid one off this month i wanted to do a little recap...

starting last year in Aug I paid off Target, September was Sallie Mae (that one had been around since 1995!!!) November was a doctor bill, February was a dentist bill, March was HSBC credit card, April was Neiman Marcus card, and May was Old Navy card!! Next up...gas card and Macys!

Im not going to depress myself with how many more i have to go!

So...YAY me :)

oh...and since my sisser is coming home to me im NOT going to europe. dave ramsey says i have to pay off bills and then go when i can PAY CASH. hes entirely TOO SENSIBLE sometimes :)

Have you met my niece yet?

2008-05-27T22:45:00.000-07:00

(shes 6 weeks old now and i JUST figured out how to "steal" pictures from facebook & post them)

~~~~Rebecca Joyce~~~~
(her onesie was homemade by me...it says "My Aunty {hearts} Me alot")

Here she is with Mommy
(isnt my sister RADIANT? seriously...she was born for this!)

Here she is with Daddy
(doesnt she have a CUTE daddy ;) )

...and the best news of all? They are COMING HOME to me this fall!!!!!!! I'm so thrilled I can barely talk about it for fear of crying happy tears! It has been TWO YEARS since I've seen my sister and ALOT longer than that since we spent any REAL TIME together! I miss her sooooo much and i really really cant wait to have hours of snuggle time with miss cutie patootie there!!

its already the 25th!

2008-05-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

More picture taking all day!! YAH!!

scrappy slump again...

2008-05-18T13:29:00.000-07:00

do i have too much stuff or not enough?

all day scrapping and im still not even done with one...

have i lost it?

If you were here...

2008-05-11T12:06:00.001-07:00

I would go to church with you in the morning and be proud to sit next to you.

I would buy you flowers

I would take you out for steak and eggs and biscuits with lots of gravy

I would make you a mini album with pictures of all your kids and grandkids, so you could cry and hug me.

I would spend more time hugging you.

You were in all of my dreams last night, it made me desperately happy and desperately sad.

the BEST holiday EVER...

2008-05-02T22:35:00.000-07:00

tommorow is NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING DAY!!

im so excited i dont even CARE how many people have made fun of me today!!!

im just so thrilled to hang with my girlies tommorow and play with paper and glue!!!

Im stocked up on cardstock, have pictures uploaded and CUPCAKES ready to go...

tommorow is gonna ROCK!!!

i shall share the goodness on sunday cause i dont plan on being home while its still saturday...lol

oh AND i have a very special piece of artwork on its way too me...from a special artist!!!

and can you believe that i REALLY made the cupcakes?? i KNOW...amylynn didnt believe it either....haaahaaa!!!

todays post is brought to you by WAY TOO MANY EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!
xoxo

A project I might complete?

2008-04-24T19:57:00.001-07:00

SCRAP YOUR DAY

Every month, on the 25th, take pictures all day...make an album. First part easy, second part HARD...haahaa

In love with....

babies- three new ones in the last two weeks! wow! two of them are far away from me so i'll love on the third one EXTRA

google reader - i swear they read my mind!! it tells me when people post to their blog!! seriously...i dont have to check them ALL i just subscribe and bam...there they are! i have a shameful amount in my list...haahaa

reading - devouring books again is so so cool!! i might have to fall back in love with the library and forgive them for being JERKS

art - i totally want some of other peoples art to hang on my walls!! and ETSY omg...i'll take one of everything

tommorow is FRIDAY...i cant wait! a fun little party after work with my girls, a two year old party on saturday...and maybe some scrappy time <3

xoxo

Good bye

2008-03-13T14:11:00.001-07:00

1924-2008
I love you grama!

Bravely NOT spending money

2008-03-05T17:34:00.000-08:00

can budgeting be considered brave?

i know that going to portland for girls weekend with ONLY cash and not even my debit card would be considered brave!! and i came home with 4 dollars...whoohoo

this financial peace thing is HARD. sometimes i feel like im getting the hang of it and sometimes i feel totally overwhelmed. good thing i have friends in the class that are helping me with the hard parts.

getting my money under control will DEFINITELY be the most significant thing i do this year!

My sister turned 28 yesterday...ummm...what?? i was twenty eight not that long ago! what is going on with the world!! i feel like Joey..."we had a deal God" haahaahaa

oh...and shes very very pregnant! lol...i love love love seeing her get as big as a house...shhh...dont tell her i said that! its so cool to see her looking like a mom it makes me smily inside and i cannot WAIT to see my neice!

one more thing....trader joes was everything i imagined and more...i will be sending a shopping list with amylynn whenever she goes

xoxo my girlies!

girls i heart...alot

2008-02-09T01:34:00.001-08:00

ok...so im sure you have noticed that i have a list of my best girls on the side of the blog now.

i need to clarify that this list is limited to girls who blog...now i realize not everyone blogs...and certainly not everyone i love blogs...

so this is dedicated to my "other" girls...you ARE my heart...

I cooked!

2008-01-27T14:35:00.000-08:00

Apparently i can actually cook if im motivated enough!

Took a couple things out of the freezer, steamed a pot of rice and voila!

Why am I motivated to cook? Ummm...its a BLIZZARD out there. I feel so lucky to be home safe and warm.

These were taken 2 hours ago and it is STILL COMING DOWN!

When I have to be at work at 630 tommorow morning i probably wont feel that lucky...

More bravery

2008-01-20T21:57:00.000-08:00

So...I gave a boy my phone number! Eeek!

I know its ridiculous that it should be this big a deal at my advanced age but it turns out romantically I'm stuck somewhere in early high school. Literally if I could have gotten away with a "check yes if you like me" note I would have gone that route. Instead I have friends that threatened me with bodily harm and all kinds of extreme embarrassment if I didnt JUST DO IT. So i saw him, gave him my number, and then ran away! haaahaa...seriously i thought i was going to puke afterwards or have a heart attack.

are you starting to get why BE BRAVE is going to be something i have to work on for a freakin YEAR?

Im pathetic...but I DID IT!!!

Hump day

2008-01-16T22:33:00.001-08:00

working five days a week makes the week REALLY long. but we get new shifts soon and they are 4X10s which im happy about. cross your fingers i get the shift i want!

money is going pretty good right now. im still on top of everything and have a teensy bit of wiggle room so that makes me feel relieved. my finance class is starting next week and i am SUPER excited to buckle down and start saving for europe...

ummm...YES I SAID EUROPE!!! eeekkk...

thats one of my brave things...im going to fly to europe in the fall. my friends that love to travel, also known as the peace corps friends, have been putting this trip together and i never really thought it was possible for me....BUT my sister is having a BABY now so i have a HUGE motivation to BE BRAVE and go for it! eeekkkk...every time i talk about it i get that scared crazy excited upset stomach thing...omg...its really going to happen!!

xoxo

New year new word

2008-01-06T13:52:00.000-08:00

You know I cant resist a bandwagon to jump on. Usually its an Ali E bandwagon :)

she says choose a word of the year....

my word is BRAVE

I'm tired of being scared to live...I'm going to be BRAVE this year

Lots of exciting scary opportunities have already presented themselves and with my new word to motivate me I'm facing the fear and being BRAVE

heres to the BRAVEST 2008 EVER!!!

the holidays are here...

2007-11-18T17:46:00.000-08:00

that time of year when everyone turns loony just to save a buck...lol

there are traditions i do look forward to though...

thanksgiving dinner at church the friday before thanksgiving (kind of kicks off the eating early)
leftover turkey sandwiches
cookie crop at the daisy bucket (we swap homemade goodies...mmm)
all day cookie making with gina
bella notte dinner at church (a fundraiser where the youth group prepares and serves and everyone dresses up fancy)
cookie candy sale for the pregnancy center (you buy homemade goodies by the POUND)
christmas play at church
christmas brunch with the girls (my number one favorite tradition)
christmas eve service
waking up to the calm of christmas morning (hey...no kids means MY morning is calm)

can you tell im trying to focus on the POSITIVE? :)

Scrappy...

2007-04-05T23:51:00.000-07:00

While I was procrastinating on doing my taxes, I did this:

I think it was time well spent! This was a "scrapjack" of Karla Dudley...love her stuff...lots of clean lines and little bits of stuff...right up my alley!

While in portland for the CKC, amy, stacy and me took tons of fun pictures...cant wait to scrap more!

To my readers...

2007-04-05T09:21:00.000-07:00

LOL...i dont think there are any left.

im a horribly neglectful person...I guess its a good thing i dont have kids! ha

so i was supposed to have my wisdom teeth out yesterday...and didnt

i got a ticket for no seatbelt and not having updated tabs on my car...

i need new tires...apparently if you can see the wire stuff showing thru thats bad (whoops...)

two good friends just lost babies...heart breaking stuff...

all my babies are getting so big...another one year birthday party on saturday

tons of scrappy ideas in my head...until i sit down to actually do something

work is hard but good...new shift 545 AM to 445 pm....its not fun to wake up in the dark...at all!

anyone ever watched Ultimate Fighting Championship? its strangely hypnotic watching boys try to kill each other...mostly i just go for the food...amylynn rocks!

im eating a cadbury cream egg...my moms favorite!

so... happy easter my girlies...

love ya!

RAKiness...

2007-01-25T08:13:00.000-08:00

heehee...yes I make up words!!!

(does anyone read this that DOESNT scrapbook? do I need to define RAK? let me know...)

I was awarded a prize from my online crop this weekend and got a box of scrap goodness from the super cool Kimberly!

a HUGE box full of soooo much yumminess!

Right on top...the coveted Hambly rubons...eeekkk!

a crapload of fun paper...including my favorite 7g's and some kickin AC

7g's cardstock stickers, flowers, funky ribbons, and A WHITE GEL PEN!!!

thanks for the hook up you super sweet lady!

happiness

2007-01-21T13:08:00.000-08:00

have i mentioned that art makes my heart happy, satisfied and full?

you must check out the PURE BLISS from this weekend...these girls ROCKED and there is days and days of inspiration in this stuff!!

Scrapgal Idea Gallery * Online Crop

heres my friday stuff:

Happy thoughts!

2007-01-20T07:43:00.000-08:00

I hate the fact that that entry is what people see...so heres a little filler!

im having a super scrappy weekend...will post more later!

Bad words

2007-01-14T17:28:00.000-08:00

I hate when I say something that doesnt come out right and people are hurt! Im a person who doesnt like to make people mad at me and will often keep my feelings to myself or not share my opinions or avoid confrontation JUST so I can keep people liking me! (I know...bad idea...but I cant stop, and besides thats not what this is about).

So I said something casually and without thought that hurt someone that is dear to me. Weeks ago. I found out about it today...by reading about it on MySpace and of course reading all the comments that people made ABOUT ME without any opportunity to explain or defend. Including a comment from ANOTHER friend that I would not have expected that from. Anyways, the fact that it was aired PUBLICLY without coming to me for explanation or even coming to me for an apology is what is currently making me PEEVED! One of my TOP TEN pet peeves...not knowing when someone is mad at you but EVERYONE else does!

Seriously I feel like Im in junior high. It makes me not want to crawl back into my hole and be antisocial (except for some of you...youre my lifelines)

Thats it...thats all i want to say right now...and YES i will continue to stew and dwell...for a little while!

I also HATE when I waste a WHOLE day on the internet...ugh! I mean, I found pretty stuff, but seriously...SEVEN hours!

If you could read...

2007-01-06T14:34:00.000-08:00

all the blog posts that happen in my head you would certainly find it more entertaining than the ones that actually make it to publication!

I hesitate to set goals because the setting of goals gives you something to work for but it also gives you something to fail at. Unfortunately I am most likely to fall into the failing category. Somewhat of a self fulfilling prophecy I'm sure! So this year, for the first time in a long time i didnt even attempt the ritual of goal setting. No lists of the things i want to change. No remaking of the same list every year, lose weight, be smart with money, get out of debt, write more, scrap more, take more pictures, clean my house, eat better, learn to crochet, play piano, speak spanish and cook. I have lots of things i want to accomplish but in my self defeating way I can only see myself failing.

The one resolution I kept last year? Read more...52 books in a year! Im pretty proud of that...

Now for something more inspiring...go here...read this... My Friend Mary by Cathy Z
Someday I will write like this about my mom.

(oh crap...is that a goal?)
;)

Carol of the Bells

2006-12-21T08:28:00.000-08:00

My christmas started Saturday! A fantastic brunch with my best girlies...beautiful decor, yummy food, a bit of bubbly and laughing till I cried! Cannot even put into words how much that meant to me...I'm verklempt just thinking about it!

On sunday was the choir cantata at church! They nailed it...so so beautiful! The kind of music that makes your heart swell and your eyes leak. Amazing! They sang carol of the bells and i got goosebumps. LOVED it! Sunday night was our sunday school kids program and play! One of my best friends Amy did all the hard work on directing and directing and it turned out FANTASTIC! The kids were so great...they said their lines loud and on time and sang great! So fun! Even the tiny kids belted out their song and rang their bells enthusiastically!

On Tuesday...I got to watch a little 4 year old sugar plum fairy! I cannot describe how amusing that was. Little kids have SUCH big personalities and they are fearless entertainers! So much fun to watch them shout their lines and twirl around the stage! And it was short...bonus!! Props to the teachers cause as Cari commented "its a bit like herding cattle"

Cari thinks I should talk about her on my blog more...we'll see! LOL

So...the countdowns almost done! If you dont buy it today before 3pm and get ONE DAY SHIPPING you arent gettin it for christmas and theres NOTHING i can do no matter what names you call me! Go Santa!!

My obituary...according to the quiz

2006-12-12T21:27:00.000-08:00

'What will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com

is it a little weird that this came up tonight...just after i was reading about a tribute concert for Princess Diana? hmmm...

My mom was infatuated with her and so some of it rubbed off on me. I remember where i was when she died and the hoopla that surrounded it and how i stayed up all night to watch the funeral. So sad...it seems so long ago...i think its good to remember sometimes...

What I say AFTER you're off the phone...

2006-12-11T21:20:00.000-08:00

You know how hard it is to get in the Christmas spirit when your in retail? Yeah...its ten times worse when all you deal with all day is people who are the OPPOSITE of what Christmas is all about!

I had 89 calls today...like four of them made me laugh...

Apparently I have ruined christmas for a four year old somewhere in america...

So...

2006-11-29T08:15:00.000-08:00

what does one post after a very long absence and many life changes?

Lets vote! (ha, as if anyone is still reading this...)

Should we play catch up on the last 6 months or start in the here and now?

Or i could do the fashionable thing and scrap it all and start over.

Choices...cause I'm oh so good at making them.

much squealing

2006-06-07T18:07:00.000-07:00

http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2006/06/daisy_bucket_ot.html

That first pic of Ali and Simon...that would be MY camera........woot woot

Does this mean Im a "famous scrapper" haaahaaa....

Indescribable

2006-06-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

indescribable (adj) 1: that cannot be described, 2:being too great or intense for description

This weekend

This woman

This life artist thing...
So so cool!! Oh and Simon....I wanted to take him home with me ;)

Absolutely the BEST weekend of my life...

More details later!!

meeting Ali E

2006-06-02T13:06:00.000-07:00

So so so excited about this weekend!!

It starts NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bye!

High Neuroticism

2006-05-15T16:31:00.000-07:00

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion:
You have low extroversion. You are quiet and reserved in most social situations.A low key, laid back lifestyle is important to you.You tend to bond slowly, over time, with one or two people.
Conscientiousness:
You have medium conscientiousness.You're generally good at balancing work and play.When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done.But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it.
Agreeableness:
You have high agreeableness.You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly.Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone.You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance.
Neuroticism:
You have high neuroticism.It's easy for you to feel shaken, worried, or depressed.You often worry, and your worries prevent you from living life fully.You tend to be emotionally reactive and moody. Your either flying very high or feeling very low.
Openness to experience:
Your openness to new experiences is low.You're a pretty conservative person, and you favor what's socially acceptable.You think that change for novelty's sake is a very bad idea.While some may see this as boring, many see you as dependable and wise.

The Five Factor Personality Test

So Im a neurotic worry wart but people like me cause I give them second chances and always compromise...

hmmm....anybody have thoughts on that??

Balls...metaphorically

2006-05-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

Don't you just hate it when all the balls that you juggle in life come crashing down around you and explode ALL OVER ?

thats me...yesterday and today...it sucks

its a shame cause friday and saturday were great...5 more LO's done.

but today...no cheeriness...im wallowing

just for the record...i will NOT be celebrating a holiday on sunday. although i appreciate those that have volunteered to be my "mom" I dont want someone elses mom i just want mine

Babies babies....

2006-05-04T09:01:00.000-07:00

Seriously missing this little guy today! As soon as school is out they are moving back within my range. Im so excited!!

This little guy is baby number 9! Born April 27 he had a tough trip into the world but now hes doing good! He has the cutest chubby cheeks! I forget how they weigh nothing for a couple weeks. Holding him is like holding blankets...that cry and blink at you :)
Oh and heres baby number 8! She was born on April 7th. Ive been a bad auntie and havent seen her since!

So....Im all out of pregnant women...for now ;) Lots of babies to love on though...HAPPY AUNTIE!

Freestylin'

2006-05-03T14:55:00.000-07:00

Freestyle Blog

This is ART. This makes me happy.

What should I do with my life?

2006-04-22T22:07:00.000-07:00

Lets ask the blog quizzer!!

Your Scholastic Strength Is Developing Ideas

You can take a spark of inspiration and turn it into a full fledged concept.You are talented at brainstorming, visualizing, organizing, and independent thinking.
You should major in:
Natural sciences
Computer science
Creative writing
Math
Architecture
Journalism

What Should You Major In?

My friend Jenny sent this to me...after she discovered that her chosen History teacher profession might not be an option. Sorry Chica!!

Easter...

2006-04-17T16:06:00.000-07:00

Easter is all about the new clothes right?? haha...
Heres Alec in the cutest baby clothes ever...I swear its even CUTER IRL. Look at how big hes getting...2 months yesterday! I know its a cliche but DANG...they grow up FAST! The newborn stage is GONE...

The rest of my easter was full of good food and a couple margaritas. Lots of laughing and a bruise or two (umm...dont ask)

I miss my moms ham and potato salad but overall it was a pretty good day!

Happy List

2006-04-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

Look Lisa....I'm actually DOING your challenge!!

Five things that make me SUPER happy!

It's FRIDAY!! How can you not be in love with that!!! And it's my early friday so I am out of here in a mere 5 hours!!

It's SPRING!! I swear I have that seasonal disorder thing cause as soon as it gets sunny again I become a different person!! I sing while I drive, I clean sometimes, I open my windows, I sit outside....I **HEART** spring

I'm SCRAPPING tomorrow!! And I have a bunch of pages preplanned so I might even be productive! I'm taking a handwriting class too! I like my handwriting but I am looking forward to learning some different lettering styles that are so popular right now!

My ART!! I'm in one of those creative times where the ideas flow and flow and I CANNOT stop them....And I'm actually getting some fantastic layouts done! And my photos are sucking less...Very cool!!

GIRLS WEEKEND is at the end of the month! Scrapping away the weekend in a mountain cabin....So....Much...Fun.....

Hope everyone has a super fantastic gloriously SUNNY weekend!!

Friends

2006-03-27T11:50:00.000-08:00

Had a really great time with some of my best friends this weekend. Mike and Gina are my peace corp friends. They have been in Belize for nine months now and I have missed them soooooo much. They came home for a week to do some family stuff and Im trying to spend every minute I can with them. Our time was filled with LOTS of laughs and food and card games and pictures and memories. Really really nice! We didnt want it to end... Stayed up till 5am on Friday night and 4am Sunday night...LOL I am too old to be doing that much!! They leave on Tuesday and I will be soooo sad again!

Got laundry done and about 4 pages scrapped...thats all the productive stuff I did though!

Happy Birthday Mom

2006-03-21T09:50:00.000-08:00

I miss you desperately!

Nothing changes it all stays the same

2006-03-18T12:07:00.000-08:00

Why dont I update more often? Cause my life is an endless circle never moving forward and pretty damn boring to boot!! Happy time while creating, happy time with friends, angry at work, stressed about money, still alone...same story different day!

Baby Smell

2006-02-24T10:47:00.000-08:00

Had some cuddle time with Alec Wednesday night. I adore newborns...mostly for what they give me cause im certainly helpless to give them anything. Hes so soft and fragile. he has beautiful eyes and long skinny wrinkly old man fingers. he has absurdly long toes and a huge mouth. he has a muffled breathy cry and loves to suck on his hands. when he lays on you his butt sticks up and he fits perfectly under my chin in the crook of my shoulder. he sighs in his sleep and twitches sometimes. he fills me with joy and hope and unspeakable longing. he is the most amazing miracle and I am in love

This is what I spent my weekend doing

2006-02-20T13:25:00.000-08:00

My newest "nephew" born Sunday night at 10pm. Hes so impossibly tiny and precious and yes of course I teared up and of course I took a bazillion pictures. Here he is with his mom and dad! My best friend Amy and her hubby

For Wendy

2006-02-16T10:07:00.000-08:00

Cause Im such a people pleaser
Cause she makes me laugh DAILY...sometimes even snort
Cause she practically dared me to
Cause she always says such sweet things about me
Cause she GORGEOUS

This is me laughing at her telling me to retake my self portrait cause apparently she likes my smile!

Crying, skating, the announcement...

2006-02-14T09:06:00.000-08:00

Im eating ice cream for breakfast. Its the perfect way to start the day!

Watched the pairs figure skating last night. So beautiful it made me cry. I cant really tell you why, maybe the combination of the music and the people and the amazing artistry. Art is so many things but most important is that it touches someone. The art of those blades on ice, the bodies in constant motion, the twirling and spinning, the elaborate colorful sparkly costumes touched me last night and the tears fell. Than I watched those gutsy women kick some patootie on their boards and that was fun and exhilirating. So cool to see their passion!

Olympic commentators are the BANE of my existence....I detest them IMMENSELY....STOP RUINING THE BEAUTY! Talk later...I dont want the back story DURING the performance...let me enjoy it without WARNING me of the triple sow cow (yeah...no idea on that spelling) thats coming....argh.....i wanted to KILL them last night.

BIG IMPORTANT NEWS!!

THEY GOT ENGAGED!!! My sister Cathi is getting MARRIED!!!
Heres the story in her own words:
Today is the two-year anniversary of my first meeting with Davy Costa. He sent me the sweetest text message: (translated) it says "Two years ago a beautiful blue-eyed princess arrived in Portugal. On this day she conquered forever the heart of a carpenter. I love you very much!" Tonight he came and surprised me at my house. (I thought he was at the men's meeting at church.) He brought me a "Happy Anniversary" card. He asked if I could go outside in the cold with him for a bit. (It is a school night, and a bit chilly here.) I said sure. We went to "our" park and he gave me a long-stemmed red rose. Then he asked if I remembered when we talked about how guys propose in the states. I said yes. (I had told him they get down on one knee and he thought it was funny.) Then, (we're still sitting side by side on the bench) he gave me a small (ring-sized) box. Since he just sat there and let me open it I didn't think anything of it. However, when I saw the diamond ring he pulled me to my feet and got down on one knee. He said, "Casas-te comigo?" which means, will you marry me? I said Yes! Just wanted to let you all know:
I'M ENGAGED!
Love, Cathi J.
PS. We're planning to marry next Christmas in Brazil. I hope to have a reception in the States, but of course you're all invited to the wedding

Of course Im totally thrilled for them and of course Im going to brazil for the wedding! Anybody want to guess how much plane tickets are? LOL

More important news: I applied for a new job, had my assessment test yesterday and have an interview TODAY! Ack!! Im nervous but I really think this is the right job for me so Im trying to calm down about it! If you think of me today say a prayer!

Olympics fever

2006-02-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

Yippeee....it starts tommorow!!!!!!!!!!

I totally get goosebumps whenever the commercials come on! I'm a dork I know! I don't even know why it does this too me...Im not really a sports freak or anything and Im definitely not into competition. I think that for me its all about the back story! Finding out a little snippet of their lives and how hard they work for such a single minded goal. Its a little bit inspiring and alot goosebumpy. Oh and I cry LOTS...

Than there is the patriotism angle. Its neat to watch my country excel at so many things and watch our medal count climb. I know we always get lots of bad press for being dominating and superior but im going to be UN-pc and say....darn skippy yes we are!!!!!!

Why do you watch?

Tagged..yes....me.....by Amy

2006-01-20T09:56:00.000-08:00

Can you believe its the TWENTIETH??? I cant....sheesh

Amy tagged me plus maybe a few other scrapgals so here it is!!

Four jobs you've had in your life:

Bookseller at B. Dalton
Office manager at a computer training center
Office manager and advisor at a small college
Receptionist for a Bail Bonds Agency

Four movies you would watch over and over:

Steel Magnolias
Napoleon Dynamite
Con Air
Titanic

Four places you have lived:

Tacoma WA
Kennewick WA
Spokane WA
Thats it....I have lived in like 6 different places in Kennewick but thats it.

Four TV shows you love to watch:

FRIENDS (yes...i know...but I watch the DVDs all the time)
LOST
Desperate housewives
Grays Anatomy

Four places you have been on vacation:

Seattle, WA
Victoria, BC
Portland, OR
Redding, CA

Four websites you visit daily:

ScrapGal
like 40 blogs
my bank

Four of your favorite foods:

Mexican
Italian
Chinese
American

Four places you would rather be right now:

Visiting my nephew in California
Visiting my sister in Portugal
On my honeymoon cruise to Europe
At home scrapping in my personal studio

Thanks for making me blog!!!

Smells...

2006-01-06T14:29:00.000-08:00

So I have this thing about smells. Im sensitive to them...especially BAD ones!

*rotting food smell
*musty damp smell
*cat pee

But this rant has a point...I have stinky coworkers! Especially irritating today...
One is a smoker and an old man and its DISGUSTING...for real...I cant breathe sometimes.
And the other girl...I like her but she has this lotion that smells so sickeningly sweet that I wanna hurl when she puts it on! How do you tell someone that...ugh!

More baby...

2006-01-04T22:56:00.000-08:00

Dont ya just want to EAT him up...I do!!!
Ummm...I really dont know the story behind the laundry soap bucket...my brother is weird.

Here he is with his mama...you dont even know how much I wish it was me holding him like that....course my jeans wouldnt be all holey like that but shes a hippie mama...hahaa

Update? You wanna update...

2006-01-04T10:48:00.000-08:00

*Resolutions going well

*Still havent met my nephew

*My OTHER brother is pregnant...while the girlfriend, not him...hehee

*Got a box of scrappy love last night...FREE...details to follow

*Still need to do a christmas recap, a list of resolutions, and some LO pics

So there Amy, youre mostly caught up! Oh and Kelly Purkey is an awesome girl!

Me

2005-12-29T09:54:00.000-08:00

This seems to be making the rounds today:

You are Woodstock!

Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Loookeeeee

2005-12-23T11:52:00.000-08:00

Its so cooool. It says all my favorite phrases....including the chapstick one!!!!! giggling.....i love it!

A Princess Ponders

Todays Pin

Todays Pin

This is fantastic...

Todays Pin

Book Review: Dead Reckoning

Happy Birthday Mom!

THE LAST ONE

Her smiles...

Oh the cuteness

Vintage Mom

5K in the snow

Happy (late) Birthday Jenny!

Pretty Girls in Pretty Dresses

I just wanna squeeze her...

Surprise Party

Little monkey...

Funny Serious Girl

Blessed

Love These Kids

Cute as a Button Indeed!

Great Day!

When you were tiny...

Sweet baby...and football :)

Crazy Month

Books!

Cutie Patooties

You Are My Sunshine

LOAD 2-11

Miss You Mama...

Oh My Gosh...Look

LOAD Day 18

Catching up...

New art...

Confessions...

New art...

anybody there?

Another super cute outfit!

cardstock makes me happy...

Done!!

So in love with handmade!!

Buy old not new...

For the love of sugar...

fabric love...

Are you a reader?

The other side

And so it begins...

going down...

Have you met my niece yet?

its already the 25th!

scrappy slump again...

If you were here...

the BEST holiday EVER...

A project I might complete?

Good bye

Bravely NOT spending money

girls i heart...alot

I cooked!

More bravery

Hump day

New year new word

the holidays are here...

Scrappy...

To my readers...

RAKiness...

happiness

Happy thoughts!

Bad words

If you could read...

Carol of the Bells

My obituary...according to the quiz

What I say AFTER you're off the phone...

So...

**much squealing**

Indescribable

meeting Ali E

High Neuroticism

Balls...metaphorically

Babies babies....

Freestylin'

much squealing