Being Appreciative

I have spent the past four days really appreciating life. I had a family emergency that was not as bad as it could have been, but it was definitely life changing for someone close to me. We take so many everyday things for granted, something as simple as being able to type this entry, but I encourage everyone to stop and be thankful for today for nothing is promised tomorrow.
On another note I finally finished my layout I started last week at the make it unforgettable crop. Stephanie will see that I went a totally different direction with it, but I think it turned out well. I am trying to pick up the pace with my scrapping but it is hard with work and the family. Anyway this is a short post, I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend and enjoy it to the fullest.

Living my Life like it's Golden

I had a great weekend. It started off with a graduation for a distance cousin. It was a great way to unwind after work on a Friday night. My daughters also got the chance to play with some second cousins their age, they had so much fun they didn't want to go home. Saturday we went to the Mother/Daughter luncheon for Girl Scouts. We had a light lunch and laughed a lot. I enjoyed their company. Then I dropped them off for some "me" time at the Sistahs in Scrapbooking crop at Make it Unforgettable. It was my first time at the store and WOW! It was more than I expected. The most embarrassing thing was that I have so many of those products already - I definitely have to stop spending!!!!! The best thing was socializing with my blogging buddies who I feel like I know already. We took a picture that Lisa, Stephanie and Toya have on their blogs and when I saw it kind of made me feel like I was in a sorority - Mi Phi Scrap, LOL. I felt like all of us are talented ladies with a common bond, outside of my usual circle of friends and it was great. Now I just have to meet Adrienne to make it complete.

Moms don't have to be Superwomen

I hope everyone had a great Mother's day. I reflected a lot on my life and what example I am trying to set for my daughters. A lot of this reflection occurred during the Race for A Cure - Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer walk. I made shirts with my Mom's picture on it because my sisters, nieces, and daughters walk in her memory. It was a hard moment for me and I was glad to keep it together, (my daughters hate to see me cry). So anyway, I was walking and thinking, looking at my daughters and remembering the first time I held them and how much they have grown and I started to think about why scrapping is so important to me. I look at pictures of my mother and search for memories. Most of them are of our relationship not of her as a person. I wonder what she felt as a woman? I wonder if she was happy? What made her happy? What were her goals? What was her wildest moment? Who was her first love? How important was love to her? What would she do differently if she had the chance? Was her life fulfilled? How did she feel when she was first diagnosed? Who did she tell? Who was her favorite group? What were her dreams? So many questions I have for her - see she passed when I was still young so to me she was only MOM, not the strong black woman I now know her to be who overcame so many obstacles. So through the questions I realize that I want these answers left for my daughters. I want them to know that I am who they are going to be someday. That I have feelings and dreams just like they do. I don't want them to think I am perfect. And I don't want them to think I can fix everything. I do want them to know I will try my best to love and provide for them any way possible, but I too may fall short. I don't want to be their Superwoman, just know me as a woman who is a MOM.

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited. Not only is tomorrow National Scrapbooking day, but I have the whole house to myself until Sunday. My daughters are away and my boyfriend is being supportive by staying home. There is so much going on. Almost every site has giveaways, free downloads and contests. A Cherry on Top is having an online crop and free online classes. Tiare is doing giveaways and sales at Classy Coordinates.
I personally have so many things I want to complete. I have an order for 25 graduation invitations and I wanted to start the invites for my oldest sister's 50th birthday. I am determined to complete a mini album, and some clipboards. I also want to start end of the year teacher gifts for my daughters' wonderful teachers!!!! So much to do in such a little time.
I hope everyone is enjoying this special holiday for us special people, TTFN - ta ta for now (You have to be a tigger fan to appreciate it)

Gone but not forgotten

I haven't posted in a while because I am adjusting to my new schedule. It is hard to find time to post or blog because since I am new I have to be on my best behavior and I can't do it at work :), . Since I am 100% not a morning person, by the time I get home I am ready for bed. So now I am in week two, and I am feeling a little better. I took the time out to scrap this weekend and I have a ton of projects I want to start. I have done some self discovery over the past few weeks like -
* I am buying the Cricut. I saw a demonstration on QVC and since I only have a few sizzlits and no other die cutting system, I think it is worth $250.
* I could win an award for the slowest scrapper in the world. The only consulation is that when an idea does come to me then it flows easily.
* I need two scrapping styles, one to get projects done and another to stretch my
creativity.
* I absolutely have to start taking pictures of myself, I have so few that the only BOM I could do is a BOM talking about the pictures I don't have of myself.
* I have reached a purchasing plateau, I went to AC Moore and only bought adhesives and cardstock. Definitely time to focus on creating.
So here is the layout I completed this weekend and I hope to get more done this week. Just in case, you don't hear from me until the weekend Have a great week!!!!!

Time Out

Since I am changing jobs, I decided to take this week off and I have been more busy than I anticipated. Mostly with Spring cleaning, redecorating, etc. I have been blog surfing and it seems like there is a lot of discussion around why we scrap. Things are definitely changing in the industry. I think part of the frustration or competitiveness comes from the fact that all of us are such talented ladies that we look at the HOFamers and in the magazines, knowing that our pages are deserving of the same kind of glory. I try hard not to get caught up in what will other people think (although we all love praise). But a positive comment from a fellow scrapper is meaningful because it comes from someone who understands the craft and the industry. So how do we stay focused? I once heard the Reverend T.D. Jakes say that we should treat each aspect of our lives like a business, including a mission statement. So my scrapbooking mission statement is "To document and preserve the memories of my life as the story is being told in a creative and artistic manner for all to follow and appreciate for many years to come, leaving an indication of who I am in the creation of each page for future generations of my family. "

I'm Walking on Sunshine

And don't it feel good? I am in such a positive place right now, and it feels so good. A few months ago, I received a chain letter email quoting the Reverend T.D. Jakes as saying "don't cry or worry about things that go away, stop chasing them. That means that part of your life is over". This has affected me in so many different ways, I go through life with very few stressors, it is just not worth it. So now my blessings have been pouring in. I picked up my degree from school Wooohooo! I got a new job, double Wooohoo! I had parent/teacher conferences and both of my daughters are doing very well in school, triple Wooohooo! And lastly, I have been scrapping. I know it seems like I do so many layouts of my oldest daughter, but she is such a "ham" that I have a ton of pictures of her. The picture in the layout of both of them is old but I remember that day well. I think it was the hottest day of the summer and Jada (my youngest) was not in the mood to have her pictures taken, so this smirk was the best we could do. I used several transparencies for this layout and I think it came out great. When I thought about them having Levi outfits on, I realized in years to come, they may not even remember that Levi was a brand name, so I really wanted to document a little about Levi's and incorporate it in the title, like a piece of history. Now if I can find my old Sergio Valente's I will really be digging up the past, unfortunately I doubt if they would still fit!

Not feeling it....

There have been so many things going on I that I have not felt like posting. Not because I haven't thought about it or even really wanted to but because I just was not feeling like my normal self. A lot of it has to do with trying to figure out and deal with my relationship with my boyfriend. Some days he makes me really glad that I am technically single. On the flip side some days he makes me feel like being single for the rest of my life is my fate, and to be honest I don't know if that would be such a bad thing. Then there my career choices, educational goals, parenting goals and parenting situations. Not to mention choosing what to watch on TV tonight :). Just joking, but it does seem at times that every small decision turns into a monumental decision. But blogging definitely help me out of those ruts. I look forward to checking up on everyone and letting you know what is going on with me, so thanks you guys.
I have managed to complete one layout. I am too embarrassed to tell you how long I have been working on this page. Sorry for the bad scan but the background should be all one color. The paper is from imagination project. I used foam stamps for the word FAME and added clear embossing powder for a glossy look. I used my coluzzle for the star/flower looking embellishments around the picture. I like the concept of the coluzzle but once you put a few nicks in the template it gets hard to work with. Overall I do like it.
Also here is picture for Tiffany. She posted one of her daughter some time ago I told her I had a similar picture of my daughter. The funny thing is my picture was taken twelve years ago. Doesn't it look similar Tiffany? Now to scrap it.

Funny Story

As much as I preach to my children about not worrying about what other people say I do it all of the time. I showed my co-worker my blog today and she looked at my profile picture and said. "Who is that your mother?" Now, I loved my other picture because I though it looked a little classic and my complexion looked true to life. Even still I felt the need to change the picture, because let's face it I don't want to look older. I converted it to black and white because the background was so busy. When I take another one I like I will probably change it again.

Is there something in the water?

We had such beautiful weather this weekend, that I took my girls to the park for a few pictures. This is one of my twelve year old daughter - twelve?????? Oh my goodness what is in the food? I did not look anything like this when I was twelve or am I being paranoid? She has hips and everything, what happened to my baby? Even though she looks older she has the personality of a twelve year old and does not give me an ounce of trouble. She does everything I ask her to do and does not complain. She talks to me and tells me when she thinks I am wrong in a very respectful manner. She is definitely my pride and joy (her sister too, but it's something about the first). I wish she would have had the chance to meet my mom. My mother would have spoiled her to death. She has a gap in her front teeth like my mother (she hates it, I love it) - I see my mother in her everytime I look at her. I am blessed.

Sales and stuff

I got two Michael's ads this week in my Sunday paper and guess what? They now have American Crafts Ribbons . So I went to my local store, armed with two 40% off coupons. The ribbon is only $5.99 regular price and with the coupon my total came to 3.59 a pack. If you are into ribbon you will love them. They are soo pretty in person. I wanted to buy the whole line. Of course they wouldn't let me use two coupons in one visit, so my plan is to take my daughters back with me and use three coupons (I have some from A.C. Moore too). Adrienne says they may be phasing out the coupons - I hope it isn't so. I just got use to having them e-mailed to me instead of looking for them in the newspaper. Speaking of .Adrienne, she now has me excited about
scrapetc's online store's grand opening. Check it out, they are having fun grand opening contests and great prizes

I don't do shout outs but if I did..........

I don't know how many people listen to or even get the Tom Joyner morning radio show from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Monday -Friday but he does a segment where you can shout out people even though they swear they don't do shouts outs. So since I have been MIA I want to shout out everyone to let you know I have been lurking but not really able to post.

First a big shout out to Adrienne who set her mind to getting her scrapping room together and did her grand reveal today. Love it A - you are too much.

Next I have to holler at Stephanie who is starting a big project. You must be reading my mind because I am determined to complete my first full album this month too.

Hey there Tiffany!! Congrats on your graduation! What is it your Master's or Doctorate? I am graduating in June with my bachelor's. My daughters are so proud and now that I have received my student loan bill, I will be registering for a Master's program very soon :).

Shout out to Dana - love your posts, you are so real. You and I have a lot in common and I look forward to reading your blog.

Big shout out to Toya. You offer such great ideas and share your true love of scrapbooking, you keep me focused on the real reasons I scrap.

I can't forget Lisa who is laid back but extremely talented and 100% supportive. Can't wait to see you again at the next crop. What should I bring?

And last but not least there is Bonzairn's blog that is just full of inspiration both creatively and spiritually. I love your work and your positive nature.

I hope I didn't forget anyone but if I did please know I have mad props and respect for all of the talented scrappers out there. I hope everyone has a great weekend, we are having great weather in the Northeast so whatever I do it will be outside.
Later!

I am having a question mark instead of a period

I absolutely, positively hate, "the curse", "My visitor", "Mary" or any other code word,covert name for "that time of month". I have the misfortune to be a member of the symptom-of-the-month club. One month I have swelling - it doesn't matter what (feet, hands, legs, attitude, etc). Another time is was a hand rash - go figure. Another month it was bloating. Another month I have breast tenderness (okay TMI). Then one month to my surprise it was nothing, thank God I count the days and go to the bathroom often. This month I am overly emotional, nauseous and have a bad attitude. If I roll my eyes any harder they really may fall out of my head like my mother use to say. My question mark during this yucky period is - why don't men go through something just as awful every month? And my other question is - Where is the off switch? I love my children and know I am blessed to have them but my baby factory is closed, shut down for business, finito - so why can't I just turn it off?

Where does the time go?

I can't believe that it is Sunday night already. I have spent this weekend food shopping, cooking and cleaning and no scrapping. Part of that is because of the way I food shop. I have to hit about four-five stores just to get everything I want. I have one place for meats, another for vegetables, another for household goods, and another for pantry items. Then of course I have to hit the dollar store for those "special" deals. So it becomes an all day event. The good thing is that I end up spending only about $150 to $175 dollars for the month for the three of us. That's not bad, huh. Tiffany has gotten me hooked on the sweet and salty granola bars. The almond version is just too good, and they are priced just right at Walmart.
Now I have to do my daughters hair for her trip to The Franklin Institute tomorrow. I got bumped as a chaperone because of limited space, so I want to make sure she is well prepared.
On another note, I am really bummed out about not being able to do any scrapping this weekend. I can't say that I've lost my mojo, I just keep letting life's daily struggles and turmoil get in my way. There are at least two challenges on A Cherry on Top that I want to complete by Tuesday and one that I have until March 15 to tackle. So let me wash dishes, do hair, iron clothes, vaccum for the night and oh yeah scrapbook. Talk to you later.

Cutter Shopping

Okay, I am in serious need of a cutting system. I have a Sizzlit die cutter that works great. I never invested in a Sizzix just because it seemed so expensive buying different dies and fonts. Just as I was going to breakdown and buy a Sizzix the electronic cutters started to come out. So I have been looking at the options. I like the wishblade. I actually love the wishblade. The biggest attraction is that it is compatible with any true type font. The drawbacks are that it has be hooked up to the computer and it seems like there is a learning curve and oh yeah, the price. But I found a web site The Scrappin Path that will allow you to put it on layaway and its is even on sale for $439.00. But then on the other hand there is the cricut. This is too cute. It looks easy to use and it is portable. The price tag is $299.00 (I found a site that had pre-orders for $269.00)which isn't that bad. The drawback is that you have to purchase cartridges to get different fonts at $89.00 a cartridge. That can really add up. So now I am wondering am I being too frugal especially since right now I am hand cutting letters and some of my images. Or is the market going to change and these machines are going to be on sale at ridiculously low prices and I'll regret not holding out a little longer. I did make one major decision however - after I purchase a cutter, then I am on scrap book shopping hiatus. I am going to limit my purchases to cardstock necessities and my monthly kit until I reach my goal of completing several albums. I have found myself becoming a collector instead of a creator and I don't like it. Maybe I will hold off my purchases until the CK in Valley Forge this summer, that will make the experience more exciting.

Random Facts About Me

I got this from Bonzairn's blog. Just a little Friday fun, TGIF.

* I know all of the words to "Rapper's Delight", by the Sugar Hill Gang and "The Show" by Dougie E. Fresh.

* I chose my second daughters middle name (Corrin) while watching reruns of Happy Days at 1:30 a.m. with heartburn (Marion was telling Howard about their friends Corrin and Ed)

*I am the youngest of five girls (I was a surprise pregnacy)

* I collect african american dolls

* I love computers, puzzles, math - anything with a solution

* I've written several short stories and have started a book - It will take years to finish

* I've never been married. Some missed chances, some close calls I'm glad to have avoided but there's still hope.

* I love to cook. I make mostly every meal from scratch - even during the work week.

That's it for me, Happy Friday.

Snow Joke

Weather forecasting is about the only profession where you can be wrong 90% of the time and not get fired. But good grief when they are right you have to give them their props. It has been snowing here since 1:30 p.m. Saturday and it now 11:45 a.m. on Sunday. Don't get me wrong it is definitely beautiful and the girls are dressed and ready to go out and play. It has made the hustle and bustle of the city halt to a quiet calm and there is hardly a car on the street. But the bad comes too, the shoveling, digging out, slick spots on the roads and the accidents. I did some scrapping to pass the time and made some discoveries this weekend. First I love 8x8 layouts. It is especially great for single pictures.
I did this one of Jas with alphabet stencils . So then I decided to continue using the alphabet stencils on one for Jade too.
Now I have decided to do an A-Z album about me and my family. I have already started the C page and I am so excited about it coming together. I'll keep you updated. My other discovery is that I love Simple Scrapbooks magazine. I have subscribed to several different magazines in the past, but now my top three are Scrapbooks Etc, Simple Scrapbooks and Creating Keepsakes in that order. Lastly, rub-ons must be made by cigarette manufacturers because they are so addictive. I have been online trying to find more to buy!! Well I'm off to shovel out my car... I would pay someone to do it but you know nothing ever seems done right unless you do it yourself.

Finally a Boy Layout

Coming from a household of girls, going to an all girls High School, having two daughters and having mostly female relatives and friends I realized I have never done an all boy layout. I was determined to do something that was not pink or pastel. Since I now have three grand-nephews I focused my energy on a layout for my oldest two nephews. They are so fun to be around. I enjoy their company and they love teaching me how to play video games. Hope you like it (My stitching software isn't the greatest).

Has it been that long?

I can't believe it has been so long since I've posted. So much every day life stuff, like paying bills, taking care of my girls, working, etc has taken over my time. One of the best things to happen recently is that my very best friend called me to tell me she is pregnant for the first time. Plus she is pregnant with twins!!!!! She is due in September, I am so excited. I know that she will make a wonderful mother. Her husband is great and she has the biggest heart, so much love to share. I have found that my cure for scrapping block is to either shop or to make cards. I have made some really cool purchases including the new 3 bugs in a rug paper and the chatterbox embellishment packs, they should be here tomorrow. We will be watching the superbowl commercials tonight (oh yeah, the game too) and ordering pizza. Go Eagles, I mean Steelers.

Some call it a Comeback

I actually started this post last night but without warning we had a terrible thunder and lightning storm. My dog was running around hysterically (she is afraid of loud noises) and my daughter could not sleep. I got off of the computer because if I got hit with a power surge - well I would just die. I got tagged by Tiffany(thanks Tiffany:) - this was a hard one) and answered all of my questions, listed below. But first I have to shout out Stephanie. I got a chance to participate in a crop with her and a group of other talented ladies and it was such a boost to my spirit and mojo. I have been on a scrapping roll ever since. I am making a dent in my pictures and hopefully I will be able to complete a few albums, just like I resolved to this year. Okay so without further delay here are my responses -
1. First time you got kissed. How was it? I was about twelve years old and the boy's name was Gregory Jackson. He was my neighbor and we were the same age so he was my boyfriend as far back as I can remember. I think it was a good kiss because I remember him still being my boyfriend afterwards.

2. First time you drove a car. What kind of car was it? I am a late bloomer; I did not get behind the wheel of a car until I was 26 years old. My co-worker Gina was brave enough to teach me to drive in her Volvo. God bless her.

3. First time you scrapbooked. When you look at your page, do you love it? I still like (not love) my first page. I did it about nine years ago when I had a subscription to a mail order scrapbooking company called Oxmoor House. You definitely can tell it was earlier than my current pages but it tells the story. I thought about changing it but I like seeing how far I have come.

4. First time you went on a date. Where did you go? Who with? The first time I went on a date was a double date with my girlfriend Emily in the eighth grade. She set me up with her boyfriend's friend. She was a wild child and gave "making out"in the movie theater a new definition. I did not like my date (his breath was a little on the tart side) so needless to say I watched the movie from beginning to end.

5. First time you fell in love. How did you know? The first time I fell in love was with my high school sweetheart James. He was definitely the one who got away. We were dancing to "If Only for One Night" by Luther Vandross (who doesn't have a Luther story) at my prom and we kissed. For the first time I understood what it meant to feel like you were floating on air. I still love him and would love a second chance with him in the future.

6. First time you cooked for someone. Was it yummy? What did you make? My mother let me cook thanksgiving dinner when I was about 15 years old. I had been cooking for years but not a major meal by myself. The turkey was a golden brown and smelled good except one BIG mistake. No one told me about the bag of giblets inside - ugggh gross. My mother somehow fixed it and we had a good dinner in spite of.

7. First time you got on a plane. Where did you go? Were you scared? Okay scared doesn't define it; I was-is-am-will be petrified. I do not like airplanes, it is too confining for me. My oldest daughter and I took the plane from Philly to Detroit for a family reunion. The flight was only about 1 hour and fifteen minutes but I thought it was horrible. Outside of my fears the flight was uneventful -no delays or turbulence, but I was happier once we landed.

8. First time you shaved your legs. Did you cut yourself? I do not have much hair on my legs so I've gone through most of my life without shaving them. Now that I am older I use Nair once every few months and I am done!

9. First time you put on makeup. Looking back, how did you look? Did you look good or like a clown? The first time I wore makeup is when I went to junior high school. I loved eyeliner and lipstick and since it was the eighties my eye liner was always thick. I loved it; my mother was not too fond of it. She must have known it was only a fad because she didn't fuss too much and I got tired of it quickly.

10. First time you moved out of your (parents) home. Was it to an apartment or house? I moved out of the house when I was 17 years old my mother just passed away and my sisters didn't understand that I was now "grown" or so I thought. I moved into a room in lets say not so great section of Philly. It motivated me to quickly save up and get an apartment.

I double tag Stephanie - Adrienne already tagged her but she didn't post yet. Come on Stephanie join the fun!