~this crazy life~

~i’ve moved!~

2010-02-27T00:38:00.001-05:00

Please follow this link and find my new blog.

Don’t forget to click the “follow me” button, and be sure to leave me a note saying you found me without any problems. :)

~here we go again~

2010-02-04T21:47:00.003-05:00

Do you see that?

That big area of yellow & orange? That’s bad weather, and it’s heading towards us…again. I’m freezing. Seriously, I can not get warm. The forecast is for more snow and ice, sleet, freezing rain…the kids have been out of school all week, except today (Thursday) – and they’ll probably be out again tomorrow…which means they’ll be going well into their summer break. They’ve been out because we got snow last weekend, and the weekend before that we were all sick…which leads me to the point:

I AM STIR CRAZY. I HAVE CABIN FEVER. I AM LOSING MY MIND.

So Count them…3…three…THREE weekends we’ve been stuck inside this house. But that’s ok…I have lots of books I could read, things to sew, pictures to be scrapbooked…so I’m not complaining about THAT, just that I’d like to get out of this house for a bit. I’ve been home, work, home, work, home, church…that’s the pattern for a very long time now. I need a break.

BUT - like I said…I can sew. I can read. I can scrap. I think I’ll finish reading this:

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson

“Why?” you may ask?? Well, lemme tell ya:

Because today, I ordered….(drum roll)

this: a Nikon D90.

Oh. Yeah. Baby. She’s coming to mama on a UPS truck next week.

My dream camera.

Too bad I can’t afford a lens for it just yet…

~new directions~

2010-02-01T18:45:00.008-05:00

So I've been thinking the past few days about what direction I want my blog to go. I really want to turn it into more of a creative blog...where I can share my scrapbook layouts, my photography, my sewing...things that I do with my hands; things that make me happy. As I undergo this transformation, I'll keep you updated on what's going on with my life...as mundane and boring as it may be right now.

My 13 year old is going through typical (at least I HOPE) stuff. We're really having to talk about smart mouthing, talking back, disrespect. He is such a smart kid - he's in advanced classes at school and has always made good grades. He's funny, too. But for whatever reason, I think he hates me right now. I'm not the "friend" type mom. I want respect. I EXPECT respect. Believe me - when I was growing up, I would never talk to my mom the way kids talk to their parents these days. For surely if I did, it would be the back of a hand on my face, or groundings where I didn't have things for MONTHS...I'm not talking a week or two...or not even until the next report card. I mean MONTHS. 6 months at a time. I KNEW to behave and respect. Which, don't get me wrong...I am NOT that kind of mom. I don't agree with that extreme, but I do agree with being the PARENT - not so much friend. So, anyway...we're dealing with that. I can't help but feel like there's some type of outside influence, be it another kid, or "friend," that causing some of this uprising (for lack of a better word), some kind of stress that he won't talk about...I don't know. Being a parent is hard. Really, really hard. Somedays, it's harder than others.

The other one, 7, is getting to where he does not enjoy school at all. He doesn't want to go. Every morning is like Monday. He's in first grade. I've got to figure out something to do there, too...Have I mentioned that being a parent is tough? The good part, though, is his teacher. She's wonderful and I love her. She's so good TO and FOR him. Thank God for great teachers.

I've got so many fires burning right now. My friend Dawn and I are heading up a Relay For Life team at church which will require a ton of attention the upcoming few months. I've been accepted on a design team, which I'll talk about on a later post, and I'm SO excited about that. I'm (im)patiently waiting to hear from a camera company in New York about the possibility of trading in my old DSLR for a Nikon D90 (which, that alone, would probably change my whole attitude). I went last week and joined the YMCA so we can FINALLY start getting out of the house and getting some physical activity, and tomorrow I have to start diabetic classes. Yay. But I tell you all of this, to simply say, I don't want this blog to be a place where I bare my soul, talk about my stresses (you have your own, right?!) and rant. Instead, once these changes take place, I am planning on changing this blog into a more creative one.

That's been my vision for this place all along...but somehow, somewhere down the line, I got sidetracked. Just stay tuned. Hopefully, the next time I post, it'll be with something good. Something positive. Something creative. A new direction...

~oh, yuck~

2010-01-26T16:17:00.003-05:00

Well, I had huge plans for this past weekend, but things came to a screeching halt when Tanner started throwing up on Saturday morning at 4 am. All day...I did so much laundry...and then, it hit the rest of us Sunday evening. I can honestly say, I don't think I've ever been so sick in my life. Two days of work missed, no church, days behind on even more laundry, the house is a wreck...this is some bad GI stuff, I'm telling ya. We're all better now, but the body aches are horrible, still. I am going stir crazy in the house. I haven't been outside since Saturday. Heck...I haven't been out of my pajamas since Saturday (but I have had showers and clean jammies on daily!). It's been quite the family bonding time, too. When you're use to being such an active family - on the go all day, every day - and then BOOM! You're here, together, inside 4 walls and 2 bathrooms, sick...ugh.

So, the rest of the week will be busy. My plan is to go join the local YMCA - we have GOT to start getting some form of regular exercise - hopefully tomorrow or maybe Thursday. I have got to get the house cleaned up, laundry caught up, dishes washed, grocery shopping, etc. All in between working and getting caught up there since I've been out sick for the last 2 days.

I'm kinda ready to go back to work tomorrow. Kinda. :)

~ i think ~

2010-01-21T22:36:00.002-05:00

I think this weekend will be “THE” weekend.

I’ve been saving my money for a long, long time for something that I’ve wanted for…well, a long, long time. I finally have enough to go get “it.”

What is “it” you ask?

You’ll have to come back to see. (I sure do hope I can find “it” – I’m going to have to drive an hour and half away…I can’t find “it” anywhere local…which tells me “it” is very special! :-)

I’m off work tomorrow, so my and my boys are going on a road trip…to find “it.” And to pick up some drums for one-three (nick name for oldest son who’s 13). Yikes…Drums. Yep – I need “it” really really bad _

~finally....the weekend~

2010-01-08T22:33:00.004-05:00

I never thought it would get here! Such a long, stressful week but it's Friday night, and here I sit in front of the computer.

I'm finding myself wishing for warmer weather. I'm so tired of snow, and rain, and short days, and wind, and what appears to be a lack of sunshine, although I'm sure it shines during the day while I'm at work (but being where I am, I can't see it). It's dark about 30 minutes after I leave from work, so it seems like I live in a tunnel...dark when I leave for work in the mornings and dark when I get home in the evenings. I start to get a little excited towards the end of January, because the sports shows start talking about spring training...baseball...and that means that spring is just around the corner. I miss the days of baseball...blue skies, warm sunshine, cold Diet Cokes and grilled hot dogs. I definitely have the winter blah's.

I'm going to spend my Saturday cleaning house, going to my kids ballgames, and then cleaning more, I presume. I'm really hoping to fit in some scrapbooking/creative time somewhere, too. How are you spending your weekend?

Here's to being happy...being with the ones you love, warm and safe. And looking forward to longer, brighter, sun-shinier days.

Happy Weekend!

~Unravelling~

2010-01-05T19:26:00.002-05:00

I just want to tell you…if you EVER get the chance to take this class, "Unravelling" by Susannah Conway, you should. Class just started yesterday, and I love it. I mean, LOVE it. She is a wonderfully talented lady from England (who takes only Polaroids), and I really don’t remember how I even stumbled upon her blog, but even on day 2, I can truly say this is already one of my most favorite online classes I’ve ever taken. It’s not a photography class, but more of a self discovery, learn who I really am kind of class. I’ll keep you posted throughout the next 8 weeks of class, but all I want to do is sit and read her blog, hang around the cyber-classroom, and learn, read, grow.

I’m lovin’ this class.

Seriously.

OK – off to do first grade homework now. I’d much rather be doing my own… :)

Good night! xoxo

~surprise, with lots of tears~

2010-01-02T14:03:00.002-05:00

So let me tell you about what happened yesterday…

I woke, feeling a little down and blue…I’ve just turned 37 – which I don’t consider to be old, but it’s the oldest I’ve ever been…ya know? But what really put me in a funk is the fact that it almost went unnoticed. I’m trying to be politically correct, but there’s just not an easy way to say it…I was pouting because I didn’t get any presents. Nor did I get any Christmas presents…so I was feeling a little…unloved, unappreciated, un…whatever. Just “un-“ – that’s how I felt yesterday morning. I know it isn’t about the presents, but maybe the ‘presence’ of feeling alone. That’s what hurt me.

Some of my friends and I had decided we were going to go out for some girl time…no husbands, no kids…just us. I was really excited about it, too. Until I realized that I really didn’t have the extra money to go out and blow. So yesterday morning, I was all crying, teary, sad, blue, down…nothing was really going my way. Do you ever have days like that?

My husband told me he would give me some money, not to cancel our plans. But I didn’t want to take his money. We don’t do “yours” and “mine” – but I guess I just wanted to cry it out, pout, feel a little (or a lot) sorry for myself. Once I was over it, I’d be over it, I told myself.

So around 2:00 yesterday, I’m still crying. Still having my very own, private, no-one-else-is-invited pity party. My husband looks at me and asked me if I was sad…duh. Ya think?! Yeah, I’m sad. You better believe it. I’m sad. Depressed. Down. Out. Ready for the count…Ready to give up. Then he tells me that I wasn’t really going out anyway…he had secretly invited my closest friends and their better halves over for a surprise (belated) birthday party for me. My friends that were taking me out? Well, they were in on it, too.

Then the tears started again.

I’m ashamed. Embarassed. Humbled. Severely Humbled.

I am selfish.

Four of the best girlfriends any gal could hope for. They laugh with me, they laugh at me. And I love it.

And a husband that would walk to the end of the earth. For me. And then? He would turn around and walk back again if I asked him to. I love him. And I am so, so blessed. It took this – and I can’t explain it – to show me that instead of focusing on the things I don’t have, I need to be grateful for the things I do. Not things, really. People. The people in my life, right now, at this moment, are the best people in the world. To them, to my friends, I want to say i love you so much. Thank you for spending your time with me last night. You all know what’s been going on in my life, you’ve listened to me cry, you’ve held my hand, you’ve been my friends. You’ve lifted me up when I couldn’t stand on my own. I could never repay any of you for how truly special you are to me. “Thank you” just doesn’t seem like enough, but for now, that’s all I have to give you.

And Chuck…I love you more and more everyday. What you did for me last night – and everyday – I’ll never deserve. You are my rock, my strength, my best friend, my everything. Thank you for loving me unconditionally, everyday. You make me want to be a better person.

And thank you for giving me my first birthday party at the age of 37.

I love you!

~goodbye Fear~

2010-01-01T15:26:00.005-05:00

it's over.
i need to let you go.
our lives have been intertwined for as long as i can remember,
but i realize now, the relationship we share is no longer healthy.
i don't know if it ever was.

you were given to me by my mother so,
like a comforter, i held you close to my heart believing you would protect me where she couldn't.
but in reality you began to suffocate me.
you shielded me so carefully,
i lost myself in your embrace until i was struggling to breathe.

i need to move on.
i need to stand on my own two feet now;
away from you and your associates.
away from judgment, rejection and failure.

i don't want to be continually looking for approval from others;
i don't want to be scared to try new things,
or be afraid of looking like a fool.

you make me compare myself to others all the time.
to the point where i am so caught up on how i don't measure up,
i fail to see the beauty and joy in what they do.

as i result, i fail to see the beauty and joy in what i do.

i've had enough!
i am sick of being told all the things i CAN'T do.
i no longer want to focus on the reasons why i shouldn't do something.

tonight marks a change.
it's over mate.
no seriously.
it is.
goodbye,
and you're not welcome here anymore.
From the blog, The Penny Has Dropped.

{i couldn’t have said it better myself}

~project 365~

2009-12-30T21:54:00.002-05:00

It's almost a new year!
Let me just say, THANK YOU LORD!
I am ready...ready for a new start, several new beginnings.
Last year, I attempted Project 365. If you're not familiar with the whole 365 concept, let me explain...a picture a day, for an entire year. It's a great way to photograph moments, both big and small, to capture a year in your life. No pressure. It's supposed to be fun. My plan is simple: I will take the time to photograph something representative of my life, right now, everyday. I am not going to worry about editing. I will not stress if it isn't THE perfect photo. I may even have to use my cell phone to capture something...but that's ok. I will have fun, and most importantly, I will not stress out!

If you are not my facebook friend, please friend me here to find out about a new 2010 Project 365 – A Year in Pictures group. It starts on Jan. 1st, but you can really start anytime you want to. I’m going to start another photo blog, with only my photos. You can find it here - Our Lives, 365. Please, won’t you join me? No photos are there yet; it’s still a little…umm…naked, I guess! I hope to improve my photography, among other things. Be sure and come back to my 365 blog after January 1st, 2010. Leave me a link to your photos…I would love to follow you on your year long journey, too! Good luck…together, we can do this.

As always, thank you for stopping by! Happy New Year to YOU!!

~for sale~

2009-12-27T16:18:00.007-05:00

I want a new toy.

But in order to get a new camera, I must first do this: (sniff, sniff, I cry with a tear in my eye...)

FOR SALE: Valued >$2225. Olympus E500 DSLR body, Olympus Lenses: 70-300mm 1:4-506 mm,14-45mm 1:3-5.56, 25mm pancake, 40-150mm 1:3.5-4.5, 18-180mm 1:3.5-6.3, FL-36R Flash with padded case, 2 chargers,2 rechargeable batteries, Olympus camera bag & strap, set of 3 filters, Manual, 1 GB Memory Card. This has been my "baby" and has been very well taken care of. Excellent condition. Will negotiate price. Let me know if interested. Email: christy.lewis@hotmail.com

She has been a wonderful little camera for me, but I want something newer... She (my Olympus) works wonderfully - there is NOTHING wrong with her. I just think I've outgrown it. I want bigger...I am so stinking selfish, aren't I? Help me out...buy my Olympus. Be an enabler...if you'll help me, it's a win-win situation. You can't beat that! :)

~changes~

2009-12-25T22:15:00.002-05:00

Well, I can honestly say that I’m glad that Christmas is over.

This has been such a hard, stressful time for me lately, and I’m not really sure why that is. I have a tendency to get a little down and out this time of year for some reason, and it’s just been worse this Christmas than usual. I think it really started with a conversation that I had with my grandmother a while back. She has Parkinson’s Disease – a medical condition that causes severe shaking of the hands. (Michael J. Fox and Muhammad Ali also suffer from Parkinson’s Disease.") So severe, in fact, that she doesn’t want to eat in front of anyone, & she refuses to go out to eat in public. She told me that she’s thinking about moving herself into a nursing home because she feels like she can no longer take care of herself. She told me that even her normal daily activities are becoming more and more difficult – she’s almost burnt herself 3 times recently while trying to fix herself something to eat. My grandmother is like my mom to me – she had a very integral part of raising me. She is the woman that I want to be one day – spiritually strong, independent, loving, and kind to everyone she meets. At the tender age of 92, it amazes me at how independent she is, still.

It hurts me – I mean a deep down, in my heart, hurt – to hear her say these things. I can’t imagine my little grandma in a nursing home. We (her family) help her out, every day, doing the little things for her. We strive to make her feel like its our honor to help her…not a burden…and it is an honor. We empty her trash, fix her food, eat with her, help with whatever she needs help with…but I know it’s hard for her to accept our help. I can tell that she see’s a part of her independence slipping away, very slowly and gradually. My heart hurts, aches, breaks.

This year has also been hard on us (my immediate family) in other aspects, too, that has added to the end of the year blahs. I’m just really ready for a brighter tomorrow – a happier day – a new start. I don’t want to rush time, but I’m ready for 2010.

What will I do differently in the New Year?

1. I will read more.

2. I will laugh more.

3. I will strive to be a better person, both inside and out. (How? That will be my next blog post! :)

4. I will not fear the things that are holding me back (maybe another blog post?)

5. I will grow, personally, by doing certain things that I want to do (yep….maybe even another blog post!).

CHANGES….can be good for the soul….my soul.

~snow~

2009-12-20T09:54:00.002-05:00

On Friday, we got our first “real” snow in quite some time. The last time it really snowed, that I remember, was in 1993. We had about 3 and half feet and no power for 11 days. Needless to say, after that experience, I’m not a huge fan of snow – at least not when it knocks out the power. But 2 days ago, I got to see “real snow” through the eyes of my kids – something that gave me a new appreciation for the white stuff.

They could not wait to get out in it. It was still snowing – had only been snowing for a couple of hours, really – and I decided to take some photos.

Here they are…playing together for the first (and last) time in quite a while. Working on a snowman that didn’t evolve much beyond the small white lump you see here between them:

Cold noses and rosy cheeks:

(let me just go on the record here and say, please do not call child protective services on me. For those of you who regularly get snow, you’ll see that my kids are not dressed appropriately for weather such as this. However, let me explain….we never get snow. We have no “snow clothes” because we’ve never really needed them.)

The best, cheapest investment my husband has probably ever made was this blue sled. A couple of bucks provided my boys with several hours of fun sledding down the hill in our back yard…the second most recent time they’ve played together recently.

Tanner’s snow angel:

I loved watching them together, hearing their laughter, really being able to see the “kid” in them…and the brotherhood that is still there between them, although it often seems hidden deep (deep!) down.

A few pictures of the “morning after” – about 12 inches of snow has fallen by this point:

And now? We all have cabin fever. Thank the good Lord that we’ve kept our power and still have television and internet service.

Otherwise, I would be crazy.

~i love this~

2009-12-17T20:44:00.002-05:00

just playing around to see what all I can do.

Thank you, Pioneer Woman, for your free actions!

~merry~

2009-12-17T16:43:00.002-05:00

Guess what the mailman brought to me today?

My very own Photoshop!

No, it isn’t the newest CS4 version, but it is CS3, which is perfectly fine with me! I bought it on Ebay over the weekend and it came today in the mail.

Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted this?

At least I have my Christmas present, even if I haven’t done any shopping for two little boys that I mother, or a husband, yet. But I will, before Christmas, I promise. I still have, what? 6 days?

Oh, there’s plenty of time….lol

~an early Christmas...uh, surprise~

2009-12-14T20:33:00.006-05:00

WARNING: Faint of heart, you have been warned!!
I can't believe that it's only 10 days til Christmas.
I haven't started shopping...yet.
I'm hoping to get it done before Christmas Eve, though, but right now, that isn't looking very promising. We have our tree up and decorated, which is quite a story in itself...
Last week, my husband decided we needed to put the tree up, so we did. We keep our pre-lit tree, and all of our snowmen ornaments and decorations in a little storage space that is underneath the upstairs laundry room. This "closet" is bricked on the outside of our house, but the inside (since it is only storage space) is only cement blocks. Well, as my oldest son was carrying the ornaments into the living room from this "closet," a snake skin fell from the top of the rubbermaid tub he was carrying. YES! The skin off of a snake. Which means...there has, at some point since last Christmas, been a snake...in my house...where I live...where my kids live and sleep. DO YOU KNOW HOW THAT MAKES ME FEEL???
I'm thinking about moving out.

BUT - the good news is this: We found a small hole that a snake could have very easily fit through, it has since been plugged up, and there is no snake anywhere around here.
Unless, of course, he's hibernating through the winter, only to rear his ugly head in the spring.
Or what if he was really a SHE? And she has babies? And they are ALL hibernating...
oh my. I've thought a million different things the last few days. When I make down my bed at night, could there be a snake in it, under the covers, trying to keep warm? Or what if he (or she) is in the toilet if I have to get up in the middle of the night and I don't turn the light on before I sit to pee? Or what if it is in my closet, and I just can't see it? Or under my bed?
Funny how your mind can make you think of all kinds of silly things when you're a little scared, huh?
It is silly, right? I mean really...there's no snake in my house for goodness sakes.
Right?!

PS - If I haven't posted in a few days, please, somebody, call the (ex)Terminator. I really don't like snakes. Or frogs, while we're on the subject...

~Thankful Thursday~

2009-12-10T19:37:00.004-05:00

Things that make me laugh.
Saturday Night Live, for those of you who aren't familiar with it, is a comedy sketch show that airs every Saturday night here in the USA. It's filmed (live) in New York City. Each week, they have a celebrity host, a musical guest, and the premise is that they poke fun at things that are happening, mostly here in our country. Sometimes, it's very un-classy, but sometimes, they come up with something that just makes me laugh. This is one of them (following the 30 second commercial).

Maybe you've heard about the "guests" that arrived at a state dinner that was hosted by President Obama. The catch? They weren't invited. This is a spoof of the couple that crashed the party.

~17 Again...(and agian, plus some more..)~

2009-12-06T21:00:00.005-05:00

Does that make me “17 Again…and Again?”

In less than 3 weeks, I’ll be 37.

I really have a hard time saying that, for some reason, although I’m unsure why. Is it because I don’t feel that old? That’s a good thing, though, right? I should learn to embrace my…Experience? Life? It is, after all, what has made me….me.

Welcome aboard. Come in and have a seat. Let me tell you a little bit about me. If you came here by way of Deb's blog, WELCOME! (and welcome to you, if you found your way by some other means)

My hair color is black with some fading highlights of a deep cocoa color, with some gray thrown in, just for the “experienced” factor.

My hair style is just below my shoulders. Most of the time it’s curly, but I like to flat iron it occasionally.
My favorite brand of makeup is Bare Minerals. Most of the time, I use whatever is on sale…aka, the cheap stuff.
My "fashionable" item is one of my own handmade handbags, or a brown leather Dooney & Bourke.

My favorite outfit is my most comfortable jeans and a nice shirt if we’re going out, otherwise, a t-shirt of some type. Most of the time, I’m in nursing scrubs.
My favorite color is pink. I think this is so because I’m in a house with 3 men. Not much “girly” stuff around here!
I drive a white, 4 door Honda Accord. Perfect little family sedan. Here’s what I’d like to have, just for fun, though:

On a Saturday I go watch my kids play sports. I love to watch them play, especially basketball.
On a Saturday night I go into my bedroom to do some Bible study.
On a Sunday I go to church.

Monday-Friday I go crazy. Work. Laundry. Dishes. Baths. Homework. Errands. Dinner. Beds.
My best friend(s) is/are my husband and kids.. But girlfriends? Robin and Dawn.

My favorite place to go out is for a good steak with my family.
My favorite part of my job is the kids I work with. I’m a pediatric nurse, so I’m surrounded by them all day. Here’s a look at my “office” at work:

When I grow up I want to be a better photographer, and not afraid to follow my dreams. I’m afraid of failure….
My favorite drink is water from my well. Good, cold, country water. Or, Diet Coke. Very ice cold! Yumm…
My favorite food is a good, well done steak with a good salad.
My favorite shops are scrapbook stores, fabric stores, and Amazon.com.
I am divorced and remarried. Two of the best things that have ever happened to me.
My favorite actor/actress is ? I like movies…just good movies. Doesn’t really matter who’s in them, as long as they’re funny or have a good story.
My favorite bands/singers are Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Jimmy Buffett, Daughtry. I like a lot of different kinds of music – it really just depends on my mood, or where I’m going.
My favorite TV programs are many…Carolina Tarheels basketball, Friday Night Lights, The Office, Seinfeld, I Love Lucy, The Young and the Restless.

The one thing I want to do but can't is quit my paying job as a nurse, and just be creative all day. I would love to sew handbags and make scrapbooks for people and be able to pay my bills. Or be a photographer.

My most used mode of transport is my husband. I don’t enjoy driving that much.
If I had all the money in the world I would buy a better camera, pay off all my bills, my family’s bills, and buy a house on the beautiful Outer Banks of NC, and save for my kids colleges.

I wish I could visit New York City and Italy.
My favorite sport is basketball.This fall I remodeled an old building behind our house and made it my studio to create, scrapbook, and just be.

At Halloween I dread even dealing with it. This was the last year my kids will go trick or treating.
I recently saw The Notebook for the millionth time and thought it was as good as the first time I watched it. I love that movie!
I am reading my Bible, Wicked, the 3rd Twilight book, multiple photography books, and The Pioneer Woman’s Cookbook.

The furthest away from home I've ever been is the Bahamas and Key West.

I can truthfully say that I’m glad I’m no longer that little 17 year old kid that you read about a few days ago.

Well, that’s me. My life, almost 37 years worth. Pretty good, I think. I’m very, very blessed. Thank you for stopping by and spending some time with me today. Go on, enjoy yourself some more. You’re halfway finished with this train ride…next stop? You're almost there...Siobhan.

~I almost Forgot~

2009-12-06T20:27:00.002-05:00

I wanted to say “THANK YOU” to Erin of Texas Chicks Blogs & Pics. She was so nice as to answer some questions I have about actions and Photoshop Elements. It’s not everyday that someone actually takes the time to personally answer (silly) questions from a reader, especially when that reader is very…um, how can I say…~~uneducated~~ still learning about things. I’m trying desperately to learn more about digital scrapbooking. I believe I am changing to fit more into that “hybrid” scrapbooker title, than “traditional.”

Thanks, Erin!

I’ve spent much of the last week scouring the internet, looking at different blogs, and trying to learn about actions in PSE, and in the mean time I’ve found several lovely, fun blogs that are now under my “favorites” tab. Here they are, in no special order:

Scrappers Workshop

Simple Scrapper

Coffee & Tea Photography

and don’t forget to check out the Texas Chicks site I mentioned above.

WARNING: Please do not hold me responsible for all the time you will spend on these sites. Trust me – you will spend a lot.

WHAT?!

2009-12-06T20:07:00.002-05:00

What am I thinking?! Seriously…I just signed up for MORE online classes. What the heck? I’m crazy. There’s no way I can keep up with ‘em all.

No. Way.

Design Your Life

Get Out of Auto Mode

Unravelling

Yeah…I’m totally crazy. But I’ll be learning from some of the best photographers that offer online classes. Now…I just need to work diligently the next hour or two in order to get caught up with this class:

Journal Your Christmas

grrr....

2009-12-04T07:40:00.002-05:00

Why do first graders have, like, and hour and a half of homework???

JYC: Day 2

2009-12-02T20:43:00.006-05:00

Winter Weather:
Today’s weather? Weather Advisory, but not what you would expect for the 2nd day of December. No snow, no sleet, but rain, and lots of it. Today’s high? 50 degrees. The weather? Rain. Rain. Rain. And afterwards? More rain. Flash flood rains, to be more precise. It rained all day, poured down from buckets, it seemed, right up until 5:00 – time to go home from work. Then, the rain slowed down. When I walked out to my car, guess what I saw? A rainbow! I had to dig my little Fuji point and shoot camera out of my bag and take a picture of it. It was still drizzling outside, so I didn’t maneuver to a different spot to get the power lines out of the way so I would have a perfect picture, so this is exactly how I seen it when I was standing at my car, getting ready to open the door and slide inside. What a nice way to end an otherwise rainy, yucky, cold December day! Once I got in and started my car, I looked up…and the rainbow was gone. If I had worked 30 seconds longer, I never would have seen it. I immediately thought about the rainbow…its significance to my faith. God promised Noah that He would never use rain or water to destroy the Earth again. To signify His promise, He placed a rainbow in the sky. Today, that same rainbow I seen in the sky reminded me that my God is the same God that made promises to Noah. He still keeps His promises. As I get closer to Christmas, to the day that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, I’m amazed at how He shows me daily, in little ways and big, that He is still God.

~2 Online Classes~

2009-12-01T07:24:00.002-05:00

Susannah Conway's Unravelling: Ways of Seeing Myself

Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas

Can’t wait! JYC starts today, Unravelling starts in January, but I’m signed up for both! Really excited about both of them, too!

~17…Again!~

2009-11-30T11:00:00.009-05:00

The year: 1990. The place: Typical Small Southern Town in NC, USA

**My hair color is jet black. Naturally black. None of that dyed stuff. No need for it.
**My hair style is curly, one length, on my shoulders. Natural curls, too.
**My favorite brand of makeup is Clinique. But I don’t wear much – just lipstick, with some eyeliner and mascara. **My "fashionable" item is my Dooney & Bourke handbag.
**My favorite outfit is bright, colorful, trendy.

**My favorite color is red, orange, or anything else bright.
**I drive a brand new 1990 Black Chevy Z24.
**On Saturday’s I go to work at my parents restaurant. I’m a waitress.. **On a Saturday night I go out with my friends for a while. We usually go out to eat
**On Sunday’s, I go back into work for the afternoon rush. After working 4 or 5 hours, I’ll get on the phone. Call my friends.

**Monday-Friday I go to that place I call school. Good thing I have so many friends. That’s the only reason I go
**My best friends are Jennifer, Rachel & Tracy. **My favorite place to go out is to my friends houses.
**My favorite subject at school is my Recent Affairs class. Not because I care anything about recent affairs (who has time to watch the news?!), but because I have the most awesome teacher, Ms. Josey.
**When I grow up I want to be a marine biologist. Specifically, I want to work with dolphins.
**My favorite drink is ice cold water. With lemon, please.
**My favorite food is pizza. That’s one of the food groups, right? Meats, vegetables, dairy, pizza…
**My favorite place to shop is the mall.

**I want to marry? Never thought about it, really.
**My favorite actor/actress is Tom Cruise & Patrick Swayze.
**My favorite bands are those hair bands from the last couple of years…the 80’s. Poison, Bon Jovi…
**My favorite TV program is Beverly Hills, 90210, I Love Lucy reruns, and the sitcoms from the 80’s – especially Happy Days.
**The one thing I want to do but can't is move out. I think I'm ready to be on my own...

**My most used mode of transport is my own car when I’m not grounded for something stupid.
**If I had all the money in the world I would probably move to the coast. I’ve always loved the beach. I’d probably like to be a beach bum, working in a bar, like Tom Cruise did in “Cocktail.”
**I wish I could visit New York City.
**My favorite sport is high school football.
**This fall I will start college at Western Carolina University.
**At Halloween, my friends and I always go to a haunted house.
**I recently saw “Cocktail” and thought it was almost life changing. If the whole University thing doesn’t work out, there’s always the ability to be a barista on some tropical island.
**I am reading Danielle Steel. I love those “adult” novels that are easy to read. They make me feel so grown up.
**The big newspaper story this year is the Gulf War. I was having dinner with my parents in February this year when the news came on that President George Bush declared we were at war in the Gulf. Something over oil. I think. Maybe it was over land. I really don’t know. I’m scared, though.

**The furthest away from home I've ever been is Florida. I went there in the 9th grade on a school trip. Well, that’s the furthest I remember going. Mom says we lived in southern California when I was little. I don’t remember that.
Now, lets continue our journey... We're the same age, but on opposite sides of the world...
http://www.scrapdandy.blogspot.com/

Inside Studio C – first peek!

2009-11-28T07:53:00.003-05:00

It still has a little work that needs to be done:

Hang some curtains. Clean the windows. Hang up the shelves, which will hopefully get all the stuff out of the floor. It’s not completely like I want it, but it’ll do for now.

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My little spot of creative.

~the true meaning of Christmas~

2009-11-27T23:47:00.006-05:00

There's certain things that always seem to remind me of my childhood. Like watching The Dukes of Hazzard on Friday nights and wrestling on Saturday mornings. Racing to the mailbox at 3:30 every afternoon to get the mail before pawpaw did - he always beat me, but it was so much fun. I remember him sitting in a lawn chair everyday after school to pick me up when I was in elementary school. I was so embarassed of the fact that he would get that nylon woven, ratty, metal lawn chair out of his truck and sit beneath a Dogwood tree and wait on me to walk out. I would usually just walk past him as I came out of school, hoping that no one recognized that he was waiting on me. Everyone else's parents/grandparents waited patiently in their cars or trucks for their kids, but not mine. He had to get OUT of the truck and just sit there. I remember how he would get up early every Saturday morning to go to the trade lot - usually to trade hunting dogs - but he would be home in time to watch wrestling. And the way he would beat the arm of the couch while they wrestled used to drive me crazy. I remember him sitting at the table every morning, pouring his coffee onto a little round dish and sipping the coffee that way - not out of a cup, but off of that saucer. He slurped. I hated that sound, too. The way he used to fuss at me when we played checkers...he tried so hard to teach me to be a good checker player. He would get mad at me if I didn't pay attention and missed a jump or good move. "Now, girl, lookie here!" he'd say. I was always so hurt when he would say that to me. I thought for sure I had let him down. What kind of checker player could I possibly ever turn into if I missed such obvious moves? I was almost ashamed of myself. He always wore overalls. Everyday, except on Sunday's. Then, he was in his church clothes.

But at Christmas time, PawPaw would get up very early with me and be there while I opened presents from Santa. I could never understand how he knew which one I should save for last. Did Santa tell him what each individually wrapped gift was? How did he know that the last present I unwrapped would be my favorite? And he always played with me after they were all opened.

One of the greatest gifts, although I didn't realize it then, was just his presence. I thought he'd be with me every Christmas to help me open presents and eat the apples and oranges that were in the old stocking or sock that we hung up on the wall on Christmas Eve. But when I was in the eighth grade, pawpaw passed away in his sleep. He had his Bible on his chest. I will never forget the sound of my grandmaw as she shouted louder and louder, trying to wake him up. He never woke up, though. I miss him terribly. Every year, especially around Christmas, I miss him more and more. I wish he was here to see my own boys. He would have loved my two kids more than anything. There's been so many times that I wish I could just talk to him, get some advice, feel his big, strong, tanned arms around me, telling me I would be okay. There's so many things in my life that I would love to share with him. As I've spent the last 9 years dropping off and picking up my own kids at the same school where he waited for me, there's not a day that goes by that I don't look at the same spot where the Dogwood tree used to stand, reaching toward Heaven, and imagine him sitting there, waiting for me. If only I had the chance to see him one more time sitting there, waiting for me. For ME. He waited for ME everyday. I am blessed beyond comprehension. I'm not perfect - I get reminded of that quite often - but he would be so proud of me and how he'd love my husband and kids. I miss you, PawPaw. I know where you are, and I know you're happy, healthy and singing praises.

But still...I miss you. You're still teaching me, even though you've been gone for 24 years. Today, I was reminded that I should always be thankful for my family, even when they do or say something to intentionally hurt me. Maybe they realize it, maybe they don't, but life isn't permanent. It's not a dress rehersal. It's all we have. And one day, whether we're ready or not, someone we love could be gone in the blink of an eye. I was reminded to say the things that I want to say, before it's too late. There are no second chances sometimes. And as we near Christmas, I'm reminded that it isn't about the shopping, the material gifts, but about a baby, who was born in a manger, who was sent to save the world. In the end, that's really all that matters...not my hurt feelings. The true meaning of Christmas is not about worldly goods, and it's so hard to teach my kids, who have everything, that they are truly blessed also.

I found a little video, which also takes me back to my childhood. I watched this every year, with paw paw, just like we watched "The Wizard of Oz" once a year, and "Rudolph" and "Frosty the Snowman" around Christmas time. I think this pretty much sums it up. Paw Paw always said the same thing as Linus.

If I listen closely, I can still hear Paw Paw saying, "now girl, that's what Christmas is. It's not about the presents or the gifts. It's about Jesus. He loves you, and so do I."
Thank you paw paw.
And, I still stink at playing checkers. I think my kids would give you a run for your money, though.

~coming Monday~

2009-11-27T14:44:00.002-05:00

Some online friends from Shimelle's class, Blogging for Scrapbookers, and I are doing a blog train. Without giving too much away, let me just tell you…you’re gonna want to come back here on Monday to check it out.

It starts with Kate's blog, and from there, you’ll hop from one blog to another until you’ve seen all of the participating blogs and bloggers. It’s going to be a blast from the past. Lots of fun (and laughs!) I’m sure!

Hang on…this is going to be one fun train ride!

do you like my new look?

2009-11-22T21:31:00.003-05:00

I was in the mood for a change. Something festive, to help get me in the spirit of Christmas. I found this free background, compliments of Template Mama. I like it…what do you think?

As this is the week of Thanksgiving, I’ve really been doing a lot of thinking about how grateful I am for things. Not really things – but my life, right now at this moment. Looking back over the last year, a lot has changed. Both good and bad. My husband has lost friends this year. A childhood friend. A co-worker. A woman who was his best friend’s mother. We’ve had changes in our family’s. Divorce. Separation. Kids turning into adults as if it’s almost happened over-night. We’ve went from searching for a church where we felt we belonged – to joining a wonderful, spiritually growing church where my teenage son went from dreading it every week, to sitting on the front pew and fussing if we didn’t go on Wednesday night because I was too tired. He’s actually doing open assembly next Sunday before Sunday School. My children are healthy, I have a good, honest, faithful, hard working husband that loves me more than I could ever have hoped for. Yes, I truly have so much to be thankful for.

My Goal…

2009-11-19T22:30:00.002-05:00

…this weekend is to visit blogs from my online class over at Shimelle's. There’s several blogs that I’ve visited and absolutely LOVE, even though I’ve not had time (yet!) to comment. I need to figure out how to follow the ones I’ve really enjoyed, and I hope to do that this weekend. I’m having so much fun visiting all the different blogs, from all over the world. I really feel like I’ve made some new friends just by reading their blogs. And again, I want to say THANK YOU to each and every person that has left comments on here for me. ((I’m DEFINITELY going to visit each of your blogs, but I think most of them I’ve already been to, several times. I will do better about leaving you comments, though. :)

I would like to ask a favor of you… The internet is such a powerful tool. Thanks to Shimelle’s class, I’ve made friends all over the world, especially in the UK. I’m asking each of you to please say a prayer for an old friend of mine from high school, Leslie, who posted tonight on Facebook that she found out she has cancer today. I’m not sure what type of cancer, and I don’t know all the details. But the One who is the Greatest Healer knows her, her needs, her situation. Please, please say a prayer for her. She is the mother of a 3 year old daughter, her husband was wounded in the line of duty and is a quadraplegic. How amazing it would be for her to know that there’s people (she doesn’t even know) all over the WORLD praying for her. I strongly believe in prayer, and I’m living proof that they are answered. I thank you for sharing just a moment of your time for her. The power of prayer is amazing. I often think about how I would feel if I were in someone else’s shoes, and sometimes, it’s incomprehensible. I couldn’t imagine being her tonight. The fear of the unknown is very, very scary, but to know that people across the globe are thinking and praying for you…Wow. I don’t even know what to say….just…WOW. I do know that if I were in her shoes, I’d want all the prayers I could get. From all of you. Thank you so so much!

I admire you, Leslie. I always have.

Keep the faith, girlfriend. Keep the faith. You will get through this!

WOW – I’m a little excited…

2009-11-16T07:41:00.003-05:00

I was just going to post some new pictures of Studio C, but I’m almost giddy with the fact that I have 4 followers now!
HI LADIES…THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING ME! (((waving from NC!))) And thank you, each of you, for taking the time to visit and leave a comment here. I’m in awe…

I can’t imagine that I have anything interesting enough to say that would make you want to follow me, but I sure do appreciate it! Once things are settled down here (see below), I will CERTAINLY find your blog and follow you, as well. It’s amazing how the power of the internet can create friendships and that “I have a new friend!” feeling. I love that, and again, a big ole HELLO from my computer desk straight to you!!

OK – so, by “settled down” – let me explain what I mean.

Here’s what’s new:

I came home Friday and found that the power company had came and put up the power pole. And get this…2 weeks earlier than predicted. Can you believe that?! So yep…the Studio has electricity.

Then, on Saturday, Mr. Contractor came and started installing the flooring. NOW – just let me tell you about the floor. Let me try to paint you a mental picture here. This building that is now no longer referred to as “the building,” but rather “Studio C” or “The Studio,” is approximately 493 square feet. It was built with the anticipation of someday being a one bedroom apartment that we could rent out if need be. (Please don’t ask why. I’m not sure I even know, but I digress…) Once we decided that we ~~would never~~ didn’t want to have a rental property, we took on the HUGE task of cleaning said ‘building’ out. Sounds easy, right?
NOPE.

This building was framed on the inside. You know, it had the wooden beams that would hold walls up, but no walls. It was a shell – empty basically on the inside, except for the frame. Remember when I said it was 493 sq. feet? Well, as early as August, 2009, it housed about 1000+ feet of pure junk. Family furniture. Baby furniture. Boxes and boxes and boxes of kids clothes that, well, I had good intentions for. Books. Broken appliances. Seriously. I know you’re thinking to yourself, ‘she’s crazy. How can 493 feet hold a thousand feet of trash? Well, it was stacked as high as the ceiling. All 493 feet. Oh, except for the 2 foot space where the door opened. If we wanted to get to the back of the building? We climbed over, under, through. I’m not joking. Am I painting a clear picture for you? No? Let me try this way:
IT WAS FULL OF JUNK. FULL. FROM THE FLOOR TO THE CEILING, AND ALL THE WAY AROUND. THERE WASN’T EVEN ROOM TO WALK. NO PATH. IT WAS FULL FULL FULL.

So…here we are, 3 months after getting a crazy idea that we were gonna clean out ‘the building.’ Was I excited? Not hardly. I really thought it would be something that we started and would never finish. I was too afraid to get excited. I mean, come on. Who wouldn’t want a studio this size?! Are you kidding me? BUT, I was afraid of the fall…the let down… the reality that we may not be able to afford this, that something would come up and we wouldn’t be able to finish. Or wouldn’t want to because it was too troublesome. But here we are.

So like I was saying, on Saturday morning, at 9:00 am, Mr. Contractor started the floors. By 5:00 pm, we were sweeping, retouching the paint (thanks, Mr. Contractor, for the black smudges on my new yellow walls that were caused by the black rubber hammer handle you were using. But that’s ok…it’s all fixed now. Except for the white baseboard touch ups I’ll be doing tomorrow.) (AND for not picking up the trash you left. But that’s ok too, because it’s been picked up since you left. No problem.)

I was so happy with the ‘look’ of the floor. It was exactly how I imagined it would be…light, airy, clean.

Tomorrow, I’ll be moving in. Well, not ME moving in (like I’d like to live there. Who said that? Did someone actually threaten to LIVE in the Studio because she loved it so much? Me? I’d never do that…would I? Ok, well maybe once I did. But I was only half way kinda sorta joking in a round about way about how I would. If I had to.

It constitutes my taking 2 vacation days off from work to get moved. It won’t take me but a couple of hours, I don’t think, to actually move. But then there’s cleaning up part…the sorting, inventory, finding things I’ve forgot I even had FUN STUFF that comes after the move.
I really would like to quit my job and just play for a living.

So, what do you think??? Do you like how Studio C is coming along?

One more day!!!

2009-11-13T15:10:00.002-05:00

I’ll post pictures this weekend, but wanted to give a quick update on Studio C. (can I just say, I love saying that…it sounds so…official and professional! :)

I came home from work early today because we were slow…not much going on…and I have other things I could be doing here at home. Granted, I don’t get paid for them, but still…that’s not the point here. The point is this: guess what is now in my back yard???

Now to some, this may look like a big ole’ pile of dirt with a big wooden pole in the middle.

But to the creative eye, it represents this:

Yep…a power pole – but not just any regular power pole.

A power pole that supplies power to Studio C.

The hardwood is laying in the floor of Studio C in boxes…right now…waiting for Mr. Contractor to come and put her down in the morning. And after that, she’s ready to move into.

My very own creative space.

For Scrapbooking. Sewing. Art Making. Digital Storybooking. Anything else I fancy.

I. Can. Not. Wait.

"Studio C" update

2009-11-09T19:24:00.004-05:00

All the painting is complete.
The floor will be installed on Friday & Saturday.
I can move in this weekend!!
It's been a long, long time that I've dreamed of my own creative space, and it's only a few days away from becoming a reality. I wish I had taken "before" pictures of the building...but I was too ashamed for anyone to see it! There was furniture and just...junk...piled to the ceiling, from one wall to another. No joke - there was just enough room to swing the door open. If I needed to get to the other end of the room, I had to crawl over, under, and through stuff.

You know the kind of "stuff" I'm talking about...baby furniture that I thought maybe I could use again at some point, or at least sell it for some extra cash. Broken appliances that were still good for "parts" - in case someone else needed a what'cha'ma'call'it from a washing machine or dryer. Old mismatched kitchen chairs...from the beginning of my 'adult' life when I couldn't afford 4 chairs that matched. Boxes with books, CD's, my high school diploma, old pictures (that I had forgotten about). The cleaning and purging process was good for me. I was able to throw parts of my old life out from a previous marriage, and it was good for me. It was empowering. It felt...good. It felt refreshing. It made me feel almost like a new person somehow.

So now that Studio C is almost real, I'm excited. Excited to have my own place to create, to build friendships, to grow those existing friendships. To make new things, & to make old things new. To have a new view from the big picture window, from the outside as well as the inside.

There's a whole new big picture.

2009-11-09T19:17:00.005-05:00

I love Tarheel basketball.
Tonight, the season starts.
It's been a long time since April when we won a National Championship.
I LOVE this game.
I bleed Carolina Blue.
I'm ready for another great season!

Add one more to my Christmas List

2009-11-08T21:17:00.002-05:00

If it’s something that will help me in the long run, it’s justifiable, right? I mean, if I USE it, and it helps me get healthy, it’s a good investment. It’s worth it, right? RIGHT?!

I found this while blog hopping this weekend. It was on Teresa's cute blog, Mini Mad Woman. She had a picture of her “ride” and I must say…it was love at first sight for me.

Are you ready? Do you want to see what I ~~want~~ need? I mean, I need this.

Isn’t she lovely? In Love, I Am.

And it will make a difference in my life.

Really, she will. I will ride her. I will become a biker chic.

A really cute, lovely, pink bike biker chic.

COMING SOON to my back yard….

2009-11-07T09:23:00.002-05:00

Studio C

My very own (almost 500 square foot) creative space.

If you’re reading this….

2009-11-04T21:26:00.002-05:00

…and I’m on your Christmas list, let me just but a little bug in your ear.

Here’s some things I would really enjoy. Not that I expect them, but, you know, just in case you’re wondering. But of course you know I’m really not choosy, so whatever you get me will be fine, I’m sure. But just in case…

This cook book, by The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond. I think she rocks.

And her photography?

Amazing.

THIS Vera Bag. Mmmm…I love this! Can you say, “YUMMY?!”

This Wii Game. Maybe I wouldn’t feel so bad as I eat a huge bowl of ice cream every Tuesday night while I watch the show?

I’m just saying that these are things that’s on my list.

But…I’m not choosy.

3 Week Journey

2009-11-02T22:48:00.002-05:00

Class has started. For the next three weeks, I’ll be spending a lot of time thinking, creating, learning, trying to figure out how I want this blog of mine to evolve. I know that I am super excited about Shimelle's class, Blogging For Scrapbookers. I’ve been waiting for this for a couple of weeks, and it’s finally here. Day One – Today.

So first of all, I want to reflect on why I decided to start blogging.

I want to be able to remember things here. Little things, big things, important things, unimportant things. Funny, sad, indifferent. Just….things. Things about my children mostly. It seems like LIFE just keeps happening – with little or no time to play catch-up. Before I even realize it, those “moments” are fading in my mind and they become a little more foggy as each day passes. Not because I don’t want to remember them…I do. But…life. Life is ever changing, ever evolving in itself, and I get busy, I forget. I want to remember about how I felt this Halloween…next Halloween (see post below). I want to put pictures here that I don’t have the time/opportunity to scrapbook right away, and go ahead and tell the story while it’s fresh in my mind. Before LIFE happens. Before the fog settles and the story starts to fade. That’s my goal. That’s why I want to blog. Not necessarily because I want the world to know my business, but years from now, I want my kids to be able to have some kind of understanding about me, about themselves through my eyes…before LIFE happens and it gets lost in translation between my memory and the scrapbook page.

Scrapbooking is about telling stories. I’m not the most creative, I don’t have the newest supplies, I don’t even have all the supplies I want. But I do have what I need. And that, my friend, is the ability to tell a story, my way, in my own time.

My number one goal for class is to let go of the guilt that I have for not “keeping up” with my scrapbook albums. I will blog, and tell the story, share the picture, and remember why I started scrapbooking in the first place – to leave a legacy for my children. Something for them to remember me by…be it in an album, or online on a blog. If I get a scrapbook page completed occasionally, all the better. But if not, I have what I need right here at my fingertips.

a final farewell…

2009-11-01T21:22:00.002-05:00

I’ve never been a fan of Halloween. I don’t know why exactly, but I have some ideas. I’ll explain them here in a minute. But first, can you guess what 6 and 13 dressed up as? Here’s some clues:

Tanner was a scary werewolf.

Not sure why he absolutely LOVED this,

because he is probably the most loving,

sensitive, funny, will-be-7-in-3-days 6 year

old I’ve ever known. But he rocked it.

Everybody (strangers included) wanted to take

his picture. He was an awesome werewolf.

And then, there was this:

Canyou guess what Brenton was?

If you guessed a fussy, ill, moody 13 year old,

YOU’RE RIGHT!

He wanted his little brother to do all the work -

going from door to door, up and down hills,

in and out of the car, in WEREWOLF FUR,

to get him some candy. AFTER a rain shower, where the humidity hovered somewhere around 150%.

What did Brenton do while we were gone?

X-Box.

I couldn’t believe it. He ate his brother’s candy.Now, that’s not the reason I don’t like Halloween, but it certainly adds to the fact that I feel pretty strongly about just ignoring the whole Halloween thing next year, and every year that follows.I think it’s more fun to go buy candy myself. That way, I get to pick out some for me. I just can’t bring myself to eat candy that my 6 year old son begged complete and total strangers for. He, on the other hand, has no problem with it. We live in a safe community, so it’s not the fear of any contaminated candy…it’s just that he worked for it. He should be able to enjoy it in small amounts until it’s all gone, without having to do his big brother’s dirty work.

I just don’t like Halloween. It’s never been fun for me, and I don’t see the attraction. I much prefer carnival’s and fair’s. Although now that I think about it, there’s also spooky people at those, too.

And – it helps to know that I’ve got my own stash of Reese cups at work, hid nicely in my cabinet. I love that sweet aroma of peanut butter I get a whiff of when I open the cabinet door to put my purse away every morning.

The biggest reason I don’t like Halloween? All the candy. I know, I know. This totally contradicts what I just said. But it’s ALL the candy. Too much, eaten way too fast. Ruins teeth, meals, moods, and causes fights between 2 boys, all because one wants it for free, and the other doesn’t want to share.

It just isn’t worth it. Next year, I’ll buy my own, let them knock on the bedroom door where I’ll be hiding, let them say “Please” and “Thank-You,” I’ll give them what’s left of my Reese cups, and we’ll call it good.

Just a little Crafty Goodness

2009-10-30T22:19:00.008-04:00

Wanted to share some of my most recent sewing creations, since I’m hoping to head my blog into more of a crafting/scrapbooking/digital pages/sewing/photography type blog and get away from the usual rambling that I’m doing.

I made this handbag from scratch – no pattern, just an idea in my head. It actually turned out like I wanted – the lining is the same fabric as the trim that’s on the top of the bag and strap. It was quite cute, I think.

One of my favorite blogs to visit is Lisa Lam’s U-Handbag. She is such a talented young lady who makes insanely awesome bags. She shares patterns and instructions on her blog, and occasionally has kits that has everything I you need to make these cute little snap purses! :) If you like to sew, or even think you may like to learn, Lisa has everything you need, from patterns to supplies to instructions – she even has some free instructions! What’s better than FREE??!!

Christmas Excitement (and it’s not even November yet!)

2009-10-29T22:04:00.003-04:00

I signed up for Shimelle's class, "Journal Your Christmas" today. I am so excited about this one, that I decided to add the Christmas Journaling class, too. I’ve always wanted to do a scrapbook album similar to this, but could never get it figured out in my head, and I’m the type of scrapbooker that has to have a vision before I can actually make any kind of plan.

I’ve also been reading lots of buzz in different forum’s about Ali's "December Daily" album. I also thought about this last year, but time just got away from me, and I never got around to it. I ~~think~~ know that if I just apply myself, I can somehow incorporate Shimelle’s and Ali’s ideas and make them my own, and create an awesome December Christmas album or storybook. I’m looking forward to, actually.

I haven’t scrapbooked in quite a long time. I don’t even remember the last time I sat down to scrap. Most recently, I’ve really been getting into digital storybooking, organizing my photos, and learning Photoshop Elements.

Lots of things are changing right now for me… We are almost finished with the remodeling of the 500 sq. foot building behind our house which will house my scrapbook and sewing supplies. I am REALLY excited about having “my space” to create and work. Shouldn’t be long. Will post some photos soon…hopefully this weekend.

Friday Night Lights – Quite Possibly the Best Show on Television. Seriously.

2009-10-28T18:35:00.006-04:00

I love this show.

And the fourth season starts in 2 hours and 35 minutes. (And 17 seconds, but I really don’t want to sound like some kind of “stalker’ish, crazy, all I can think about is TV” kind of woman, so I won’t mention the seconds.)

But seriously…I would have cancelled my DIRECTV service months ago had it not been for FNL. They are the only ones who will air this season until next year. Can you believe that? One whole year is a LONG time to have to wait to watch your favorite show. It was really unknown whether there would even be additional seasons at the end of last season, but the fans persevered, and I have been so stressed worrying about how Coach Taylor is going to coach another team this season, and not the Dillon Panthers. And will Riggins and Lyla stay together? And what about Tyra and Landry? Oh the drama, the suspense… This show is awesome. The writers are awesome. The actors are awesome. I love it. Seriously – I do. I feel like I know these people. I feel like I am a Dillon Panther.

I *heart* FNL.

WANTED: Photo Buddy

2009-10-27T20:22:00.003-04:00

Are you an amateur photographer that would like to join me and create a photo blog? I’m looking for someone who is eager to jump right in and help me out on this venture, someone who will challenge/inspire me to become a better photographer, and I’ll do the same for you. We will encourage each other with lots of positive feedback, and the occasional “tough love” when it’s needed. :) I want to create a shared photo blog, where we will post our photos several times a week. We will share ideas about themes, ideas, critiques, and work together to promote our photo blog.

If interested, please leave a comment, or email me at christy.lewis@hotmail.com with “Photo Buddy” in the subject line.

A New Class!

2009-10-26T18:57:00.011-04:00

I love to start new things that make me happy. I love to learn and feel like I'm doing something for ME, rather than for everyone else. Being a nurse, I guess that I have that nurturing gene - you know, the one that makes me want to take care of everyone else - so it's really nice when I can do something for me. I sometimes feel a little guilty about that, quite honestly, for some reason. But I'm really excited about a new online class by Shimelle called "Blogging For Scrapbookers." See the banner over there on the left side of my blog? I've admired Shimelle and her wonderful website/blog/scrapbook layouts for a while now, and this is the first class of hers that I've signed up for. When I saw it, I just couldn't NOT do it, ya know? I knew I HAD to sign up, and I can't wait. Class is still a week away, and I am so stinkin' excited about it! Seems like there's tons of talented ladies already signed up, and they have some really great blogs. I posted in the forum that I feel like my blog is quite inadequate in comparison. But that's why I'm taking the class...to improve my blog. I really can't imagine that anyone else would find my ramblings of any interest at all, but I'm looking forward to hopefully changing that.

swine/piggy/H1N1 flu

2009-09-25T14:54:00.006-04:00

Whatever you wanna call it...I'm quite sure it's hitting the Lewis household. Brenton is sick and out of school today. I've got the worst headache I think I've ever had. Not sure what to make of it all... The flu test was negative, but the symptoms are definitely here. Feeling quite icky today myself, so I'm not too upset that I'm not at work.

Lots of things happening with us. I've been trying to get some handbags sewed, and have started another blog, www.gobananashandbags.blogspot.com to eventually try to sell some. The problem? I want to make them for friends, which cuts into any profit I could make. I've had to locate some more materials, like magnetic snaps, new fabric, etc., and that's slowed the process down some. Also trying to finish up the electrical part of the building behind our house that will eventually hold my studio. Not thinking it'll ever happen - at least not at the moment - but I'm ready for the moving into it part. It's still a long way away from getting to that point.

I'm also taking an online class about Photoshop Elements. Pretty aggrivated with it...I can't seem to even be able to download the class templates correctly. Ugh.

So right now, I'm looking forward to just resting this weekend. Not doing much of anything. Hoping this headache will GO AWAY.

Hatteras Follow Up

2009-07-11T17:11:00.019-04:00

I wanted to post my favorite pictures from our vacation. These were taken on Hatteras Island.
The sunset from our porch

How we got to the ocean from our rental house. See Brenton walking over the dune?

I just thought this was cute. Tanner - covered in sand

This is my absolute favorite picture. I had just taken my camera out of the bag. The lens was foggy and I ended up with an amazing photo.

My boys, Brenton and Tanner, playing in the ocean.

Ocracoke Lighthouse

Goodbye Hatteras Light!

Another Hatteras Lighthouse view

These following pictures were taken on Hatteras Light beach. The lighthouse was moved a few years ago, back away from the ocean due to erosion. We walked along the beach, finding shells and exploring. It was the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Almost desolate, beautiful water, smooth sand. Sand dunes are between the ocean and the light.

A sweet moment between two brothers, captured my their mom. I will never forget the sweetness and the simplicity of this beautiful moment.

I love the way the sun is behind Chuck here.

Have you seen the movie, "Nights in Rodanthe?" Well, it was filmed on Hatteras Island. Here's the house that was used in the movie. Richard Gere and Diane Lane were here while they filmed. The house is actually a privately owned rental, but it's un-rentable right now, due to some problems they're having.
Bodie Island Lighthouse with a beautiful sky

No wonder the Outer Banks is my favorite place on Earth.

I am SUPER WOMAN today

2009-07-11T14:41:00.005-04:00

super LAZY woman, that is!
It's 2:42 pm, and I'm still in my jammies. I haven't even attempted to do anything productive yet, but I have changed my blog layout, added some new widgets on the side, etc. The TV is on in the background. I hear Hannah Montana (or is it Zack and Cody? After 4 hours, they all sound the same!), the air conditioner, and the whines of "I'M SOOOO HUNGRY" from one child, and "I'M SOOOO BORED" from the other. Yeah, I shouldn't be blogging right now, but rather at the grocery store, buying food, since we have none...the fridge and cabinets are bare. Just not enough time in the day to get it all done I guess...LOL

No big plans this weekend, obviously. Brenton and Chuck are outside creating a dirt bike trail through the woods behind our house. Brenton's new 'toy' is a Kawasaki. Similar to this:

He loves this bike. We got it from our preacher's son, and it's a good bike for him to start learning on. He has done really well on it so far. He's been riding for 2-3 weeks now, and has managed to only break one toe (Can you read the sarcasm here? Yeah, seriously. One pinky toe)! Wish I had taken a picture of it while it was still bruised and yucky, but I didn't. Something tells me that there will be other opportunities to capture bumps, bruises, and possibly deep cuts and broken bones. I don't know...I'm just sayin...

Independence Day

2009-07-05T19:34:00.006-04:00

Freedom. Freedoms.
It comes in all forms for me.
I'm so thankful and greatful for all those who have fought for me and my country.
I have the freedom to type whatever I want to on this computer screen right now.
I have the freedom to worship Jesus Christ publicly, privately, wherever and whenever I choose.
I have the freedom to choose what I wear, what I read, where I work, to say whatever is on my mind. Anytime.
People - strangers to me - have given their lives for me and my family, for those before me and those that will come after me, so that we can have these freedoms. The families of these strangers whom I will never know have lost sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles. For me. They lost their family members, their loved ones, who have faced war to die for ME. How can you think about that and not get teary? I can't. I had uncles that fought in Vietnam, my husband's father fought in Korea. I know people right now who have family and friends over seas who are fighting enemies of my country. Yesterday, America celebrated her independence as a nation. The most wonderful nation on the face of this planet.

But there's another Independence day, as well. Not only July 4th, but the day Jesus reached out His hand and accepted me as one of His. I knelt down at an altar at a youth camp in Panama City, Florida on a Friday night in June, 1988. June 28th, as a matter of fact. I asked for forgiveness of my sins, and I asked that Jesus come into my heart and save me. I got up a brand new person.

Not to say that I've always upheld my end of that bargain, because I'd be lying if I said I had. No, I've been back slid before. I've cursed, I've drank, I've lied, I've cheated, I've hurt others. I've done a ton of things that I'm ashamed of, but I'm also not that same person that I was when I was still calling myself a Christian and still trying to live in the world. But, praise God, I'm no longer that person! I've been thinking alot lately about where and what I've came from, and where I know I'm going. I've rededicated my life to Christ, to His cause. My daily prayer is that I'll be the Christian, wife and mother that He would have me be. I'm far from that, still, but I know where I'm going.

I love my country and the freedom that I have, but I know that my Independence comes from Jesus Christ and the blood that was shed for me on Calvary.

Thank you, Lord. I have been blessed beyond anything I could ever deserve.

Finally...HERE!

2009-06-15T22:21:00.014-04:00

Is there anywhere else more beautiful than right here?
I don't think so.
We got here on Saturday, around 2:30 pm, after being in the car since 5:00 am. We dropped Fletcher off at Jennifer's house in Kannapolis at 7:00 am, and then we headed towards the coast. We got to Hatteras Island and found Midgett Realty's office here to see if our house was ready. Of course it wasn't, so we rode around, ate a great pizza at "Topper's", tried to find Cottage Drive (which we did not find), then went back to the real estate office at 4:30. The house, much to my dismay, still wasn't ready. I (not so) patiently waited...and waited...and waited, until finally, the agent tracked down someone who could "check on it" for me. After about half an hour, I got the go ahead...our house was ready.

This is "CR3M" - our house, third from the beach, on Old Lighthouse Road in Buxton. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is just down the road.

Brenton & Tanner had a great time playing on the beach after we settled into the house. They couldn't wait to get in the ocean. Of course we had to get boogie boards and jump the waves.
Yesterday, on Sunday, we were back on the beach by 8:30. In the AM. No kidding. The TV woke me up at 6:45, Brenton watching ESPN with the volume blaring SO stinking loud. He then woke up Tanner, and we HAD to go...right then...down to the beach.

3 MORE DAYS!!

2009-06-10T07:19:00.004-04:00

I know, I know.
I don't usually write on here during the week, but I just need to vent a little. About a few things, actually. Maybe it's because I'm burnt out at work, maybe because it's only 3 more days til we leave for vacation, maybe it's because I'm just a total pee'd off person right now, but people are really starting to bug me.

I keep my cell phone turned on at work. I don't feel like I abuse it, and I always do my job when there's something to get done. But yesterday, my son called me. There was an emergency at home with my grandma, and he tried calling me several times. I didn't answer because I was busy and working, but when I finally did, he told me that he had to call 911 for grandma because she got very dizzy, light headed, and felt really bad. He called my aunt who lives close by, and then called the paramedics. He was pretty upset...trying to explain to me what had happened over the phone, and he was crying. I couldn't hardly understand him, but I made out "911" and "grandma" - so I left work in a panic, told my boss I had to go, there was an emergency at home.

So when I get home, the EMS has came and gone with her - took her to the hospital - and my mother and 2 aunts also went. After I got things settled down here at home, checked in with my mom again about grandma's condition, and did all I needed to do, I got on facebook...only to find that my boss had posted something about how she wished people would stay off thier cell phones, and then followed it by "!!!!"

Directed at me? Probably. I feel like I've been made a fool of, quite frankly. She and I get along really well, we hang out together outside of work, her family and mine. Why do I feel foolish? Well, because I'm thinking....can you really be friends with someone you work with everyday? I'm beginning to think not. It seems like it never works out in the long run.

Besides that, I have no nursing help at work this week. Just really tired, frustrated, busy, behind...got so much to do, but too busy with patients to really get it all done by 5:00. I'm supposed to be off tomorrow, but will probably go in so that I can get caught up.

I'm just really frustrated with work right now. I love my job, love my co-workers, but the cell phone thing....maybe I'm not seeing the whole picture. I need to get over it, I guess.

T minus 6 days and counting!

2009-06-06T07:49:00.013-04:00

Next week, we're leaving to go on vacation. I love the Outer Banks of NC, probably more than anywhere in the world. I love the serenity, the beauty, the slower pace of life, the lighthouses, the small villages, the peaceful beaches, the uncrowded beaches, the fact that it's un-commercialized. There's really nothing that I dislike about that part of the world at all. Can you tell I'm excited? You bet I am! This year, we rented a beach house on Avon, on Hatteras Island. We've always stayed in hotels, but this year we're doing things a little differently. I don't even want to take my cell phone with me. I hope to rest, to relax, to spend time strengthening the bonds of family.

It's been a really long week for me. Brenton has acted out, showed out, just been a typical teenager, I guess you could say. I've doubted my ability to be a mother, to be a wife, to be a friend. It seems like the closer to God I grow, the more that ol' rascal called the devil fights me. But I know I've already won the war. I'm not afraid. I'm only getting stronger with each valley, with each trial I realize that God is planning on something wonderful, and this is His way of preparing me for all the blessings he's going to give me. I'm ready....bring on those blessings!

We've been having a tent revival in our county.

It's been amazing. I've never been to an ol' fashion tent crusade. The speaker, Ralph Sexton, has been such a wonderful messenger. We've really enjoyed going. I've heard that it's going to continue through next week...I really hope it does. The people in McDowell County sure do need to hear what this man is trying to tell us. I believe that God has sent him here, at this time, for a reason. Evidentally, producing a tent crusade is quite expensive and hard, and requires the dedicated work of many, many people. It's been fun watching God move, feeling His presence all around the tent, but wonderful to feel His presence all around me.

Now that Tanner's baseball season is over, we've got the summer to have fun. Our weekends are OURS again. I'm looking forward to having time to take day trips, to Knoxville Zoo, to the Parkway, to Cade's Cove, and wherever else the mood hits. As I get older, I realize that there's beauty all around me here. Life is too short, too precious, to be miserable. To be depressed. To worry about things I have no control over. I want to start everyday with a prayer, with a smile, with a grateful heart. Starting today.

And maybe a nice cup of coffee, too.

here we go again...

2009-05-16T21:25:00.005-04:00

So, I'm not the best blogger in the world, you say?
You just may be correct. But I really DO want to get better.

Lot's of things going on since my last few posts. First of all, let me just say how disappointed I was with the bachelor. I know, I know. I can't believe I thought he was THE best bachelor EVER, either. But I did. He prooved one thing, though. All men are basically the same. I really thought he was a good guy, this one they call Jason. Oh well.

So now, that's out of the way. Basketball season gave way to Baseball season. Brenton isn't much on baseball, thanks to some pretty crapping coaching he's had in the past. Seems like I've been on a rant today about youth sports, in general. Let me explain. You see, although Brenton isn't playing, Tanner is. The team hasn't won a single game, and today was the final game of the regular season. It's really not a big deal to me, one way or the other. Tanner's having fun, and he really doesn't care if he wins or not. He's just happy to be there, with his friends, outside, having fun. But there's one family...a mom and dad...who honestly thinks their son is the ultimate baseball player. Well, he ain't. Plain and simple. He's no better than any of the other 13 players on the team. But this kid evidentally has this magical bat (that no other kid can use because "it's expensive") that somehow makes him mythical on a baseball field. I won't mention the fact that he strikes out 50% of the time, and that balls roll past him 80% of the time (he doesn't even TRY). But mythical boy deserves to be an all star, to hear his mom tell it. She just gripes me. To the core. I'd like to tell her that it's really not cool to wear 2 inch wedge sandals to a little league baseball game, and everybody was laughing at her. Doesn't look so cute in those shorts and tank tops, either, while we're on the subject. But what really bugs me? Her and baby daddy think they could coach better, and they're always telling the REAL coaches what to do, where to play the boys, how to get them to hit...it just chaps my hide I tell ya.

Brenton turned 13 this week. One Three. A teenager. I can't believe it. He's so big, getting so much taller. His braces are off, and he's starting to look like a young man instead of a little boy. It breaks my heart, but I am so, so proud of him. Junior High has been a little challenging, but he's surviving. Had a few instances where he didn't make the best choices (picked some bad friends), but found out that I'm usually right about judging character.

I'll be glad when the weather is warmer, the days are a little longer, and baseball is over. I love spring and summer. My favorite time of year, next to basketball season!

Valentine's Day 2009

2009-02-14T22:15:00.004-05:00

We spent our Valentine's morning doing what we usually do on Saturday's -- Cleaning Our House. Chuck actually did most of the cleaning today, though. I spent most of the morning backing up all of my pictures on my computer. It took 32 CD's, but I'm all caught up with the backing up. Whew!

Later this evening, both boys had basketball games. Brenton played at 5:00, Tanner played at 6:00. They were at different schools, so I went with Brenton, and Chuck went with Tanner. Brenton's team won, 51-49 in overtime. And guess who scored the winning shot, with 0.3 seconds left on the clock? Yep, my little Brenton! I was SO happy and proud of him! He had a total of 20 points for the game. He had a super, super game tonight. We left that gym and headed over to Tanner's game. We missed the first 9 minutes, but were able to watch 11 minutes of the first half and all of the second half. His team is rockin' too! They love basketball, and I love to watch them play. I hate that it's almost over for the season. I wish they could play year round.

Hope to post some pictures soon.

Lazy Weekend

2009-02-01T12:35:00.005-05:00

Not much happening around the house today. We didn't make it to churuch unfortunately. Tanner coughed ALL NIGHT LONG, and he slept in bed with me and Chuck. Chucka can sleep through anything, but I can't. Every little sniffle, every little cough, every BIG cough, and I was wide awake. I just can't sleep with my kids. I love to snuggle with them, though. But man! Those little knees sure aren't comfortable up between my shoulder blades!

I worked this weekend on the computer, getting some pictures downloaded from memory cards, tagged, organized. Project 365 is coming right along. Hope to share some of my favorite pictures soon. Also worked on updating my blog template. Added some new things on the side bar - you like?

This evening, Brenton and I butted heads to the point of screaming at each other. I hate when that happens. I think its impossible to talk to him - he thinks I'm the sister of satan. Round and round. There's never any good feelings that come from arguing with him. It breaks my heart, makes me cry every time. Still, I feel terrible. We've apologized, and we're past it now, but I'm quite certain my children are the only two people who can actually hurt me in my heart. Deep, deep inside, where it really hurts, ya know? And it's always over the same thing...I have to repeat myself a hundred times to get him to listen and do what I ask. I ask over and over and over, until finally, I lose it. I have to get louder and louder. Sometimes, I just don't know what to do, or how to handle situations. I feel like he totally disrespects me and Chuck both sometimes. Right now, I have to admit: I'm really feeling like a bad mother. And there's nothing in the world that hurts worse than that.

Pretty Boring Weekend Here

2009-01-25T20:54:00.007-05:00

Spent Saturday doing the basketball game thing again. Tanner played North Cove and won (10-6), but we really aren't supposed to keep score (but everyone does!). Brenton's team had an awesome comeback against Glenwood, but lost by 1 point. He seems to be really getting frustrated at the fact that there's certain players that just don't seem to get the fact that basketball is a TEAM sport. It doesn't help when it's 7 - 12 and 13 year old boys that are trying to all be the 'pack leader' for lack of a better word. He's frustrated, but basketball is his love, so he'll be fine in the end.

Today, we went to church and had another wonderful message. We are so enjoying going to TCBC!

Today is my friend Dawn's 35th birthday; she spent it as an "EMS widow," as she calls it. Her hubby had to work, as he does every 3rd Sunday, so she and the kids came to church. Everybody who has kids knows that kids (very often) misbehave in church. She's feeling pretty frustrated, too. She thinks her 2 children were disruptive. I didn't notice. We've all had kids that misbehave in church; some of us more than others. I remember a time when Brenton took his shoe off and threw it during service. Oh yes. Over 3 pews in front of us. It landed in a visitor's lap and scared her to death. Come to think of it, I don't think she ever came back.

The rest of our Sunday was spent just lounging and getting some rest. I laid on the bed and watched last week's episodes of The Office, 90210, and Two and a Half Men. Oh, and Young and The Restless. These are my favorite shows at the moment. Plus The Bachelor.

I just love happy endings!

Oh, something else 'fun' I did this weekend - I'm working on a digital storybook! Will try to post pictures as I can. Still working out the details, learning how to digitally scrapbook, etc. I'm still taking my picture a day for Project 365. Love, love, love that!!!

A Whole New World, starting tomorrow

2009-01-19T23:01:00.006-05:00

As an American, as a Christian, I've been praying for our country, for our leaders, for the world. I feel that it's my duty, my responsibility to lift Obama, and those who surround and help him daily, up in prayer. I hope that he is able to deliver the things he promises - A better life for each and every American. I don't want to be a sounding board here - pushing my thoughts and beliefs on anyone who may read this, but this is MY place, for MY thoughts, for MY beliefs. I agree to disagree, and that's one of the wonderful things about being an American. We can all have different values, ideas, beliefs.

I'm praying that a new leader will be able to help our country. Bring our troops home, safely, very soon, but only after their work is done. I don't want those who have given their lives in this war to have died in vain. I don't believe that we should've ever went over there to begin with, but it is what it is, I guess. I'm grateful that there are brave men and women who want to fight for this great land of ours, and are willing to help other less fortunate nations prosper as America has been blessed to do. I don't understand how a war against a country that never attacked America is, or ever can be, justified.

I'm praying that America will come together to fight wars within our own country - against drugs, alcohol, abuses, gangs, hunger, homelessness, teenage pregnancy. But it has to start at home, as families. I'm afraid that most people think one person is going to change America for the good - and they think Obama is the one to do it. I just don't think that one human will be able to deliver us from all the world has against this nation of ours. I'm praying that God will have His hand on this country, and on this man who will now lead America in the 21st century.

Weekend of Basketball...

2009-01-17T10:34:00.004-05:00

...but that's nothing new, huh?
I love to watch my boys play. Basketball is probably my favorite sport to watch. And yes, I'm one of those sports mom's who gets a little crazy at games. I just like cheering for them, watching them play, and it also gives me the opportunity to sit and chat with some of my friends who's kids also play ball. I just love Saturday's during basketball season!

This is Tanner's first year playing on a team. He loves it! So much more than football and baseball.

And I'm still working on my PROJECT 365. I love the concept of a daily picture to document our lives. Sometimes at night, when I'm laying in bed, I remember "OH! I haven't taken a picture today!" So I'll jump up, grab my camera, and scour the house till I find something picture worthy. Sometimes it's a picture of nothing, really, but it's something that represents our lives, here, today, the right now. This is something I want to truly dedicate myself to.

Speaking of dedication...we've decided that we love the new church we went to last week. We missed going Wednesday night, but can't wait to go back tomorrow. Then, afterwards, our friends are coming over for lunch. We've sort of started a little Sunday afternoon tradition with the McPeters's - and I look so forward to it all week.

Don't you just love the weekends?

beginning a new chapter in our lives

2009-01-04T14:06:00.009-05:00

We've started on a quest to find a new church. A church that has a good youth program for our kids, as well as people our age. A good preacher goes without saying (that's very important!), somewhere that we feel welcome, warm, and gives us the desire to be involved.

Last Sunday, we went to Bethel Baptist here in town. We really enjoyed it, at least I did. The preacher was very good, and there were lots of people I knew - not friends, per se, but folks my own age, with kids, that I've seen around this small town of ours. Everyone was very welcoming, and for the first time in a long time, I have been excited about going back today. So, we did, and I feel the same way. Brenton is not acting all that excited, and I'm praying so hard that God will deal with his heart and will also give him the desire to want to grow spiritually in his walk with Christ. Brenton is at a very tender age; I know he's trying to figure things out, and has lots of questions, lots of doubts, lots of his own ideas about things. On January 1st, we started daily readings of the Bible together. If we continue on the charted course, we will have read the Bible by the end of 2009 - as a family! I think that's amazing! I know that the boys get bored with it, they act as if they absolutely dread our reading time together. But it stirs up such deep conversations afterwards...I know, without a doubt, that GOD is WORKING IN MY FAMILY.

I have asked Him to mold me this year - make me what He wants me to be, and that I can/will surrender to his purpose for my life. I have weaknesses that I'm working hard on overcoming (I am so quick to lose my temper, for example), and I can feel God's presence with me so strongly now. I have burdens on my heart that I've never had before, and I have such a stronger desire now to be a better Christian, person, wife and mother than I think I've ever had. I KNOW HE IS WORKING IN MY FAMILY and I am so, so grateful. Through Chirst, all things are possible, and I know that this year, this 2009, will be better spiritually for me than any other I've lived through. I am so thankful. Today's message was about Job and his quest to find God in the midst of his trials. Job said that even though he can't see God, he's certain that God KNOWS what his future is, and He is working to make Job like gold when his trials are over. Even though Job went through things that are uncomprehensible to me, he KNOWS God is taking care of him. The faith that Job has is amazing to me, and such an inspiration. So many times I've wanted to quit, I've wanted to give up --- but God has stood by me, blessed me, taken care of me and never let me go. Isn't it a wonderful feeling when you're sitting in church, and you know that the message of the day was meant specifically for you? I am looking for God to bless me, and He certainly isn't letting me down!

Thank you LORD for all your blessings!

Hello....

2009-01-01T17:12:00.007-05:00

2009!
A New Year - a time for new beginnings and self promises.
I always make "those" resolutions - lose weight, become a better person, eat less and move more....and I do. For about 2 weeks maybe. Then reality sets in, and I...well, I just quit. But this year, I'm making resolutions again. Not the "normal" resolutions like lose weight, etc., but more realistic ones. Ones that I KNOW I'll be excited about. Want to hear them?

1. I want to learn.
For example:

Yes, I have Photoshop Elements 7 and Premier Elements. And I will learn how to use these 2 programs. Yes. Yes I will.

And this:
This is my camera. I've had her for a few years now, and I'm slowly learning all of her functions. But I don't know them all. We're friends, my camera and I, but we're only 'acquaintances' - this year, we will become BFF's.

And this. Project 365. I love this concept - a photo a day, to record our lives, for an entire year. Everything I need to record our lives for 365 days. I LOVE THIS. I ordered the kit today, and I can't wait to get it. I've started my "year" already, this past Sunday, because Sunday just seemed like a good time to start. A few days before the official start of '09, but I needed to start a little early. And I'm glad I did. My friend Dawn will also be doing this with me. She's a newbie to the scrap world. I love that we can do this together.

And most importantly - we will be listening for God's still voice to lead us to a new church. A new "home" for our family. We're looking, visiting, waiting until we know, without a doubt, that we're where we should be. I can't wait.

I can't wait!

Goodbye....

2008-12-31T22:28:00.008-05:00

Goodbye, aunt Ruby.
She passed this morning & is now in Heaven with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. She's with uncle Tony, who's been waiting on her to get there, I'm sure. They are both together again. I don't think I ever told either of them how much I enjoyed being around them. Him, with his delightful Bermudian accent, and she with her funny stories of how Tony always managed to save the day. Much like Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, those two. I'm sorry I haven't seen her in such a long time, but I know that I'll see them both again one day. She made a quilt for Brenton shortly after his birth.

"God's divine intervention," Chuck says.
Let me explain.
For Christmas, I got my mom a GPS. I love electronic gadgets like that. I was showing her how to use it -- how to use the touch screen to enter destinations, and how to back-track and find her way home. She wanted me to enter the name and address of the nursing home where Ruby has been. Ruby had pneumonia and was in congestive heart failure, and my parents were going to go see her this week. I entered the information on the GPS, so that when my parents were on their way, the GPS would be ready to take them there. Only thing....I evidentally put in the wrong city. It's a chain nursing home, so to speak, I guess. There's multiple nursing homes in different cities. Well, mom didn't realize this until she was already in Charlotte; she was supposed to be about 45 minutes north of Charlotte, in Salisbury. I have no idea how I missed this when I put it in the GPS. So, mom calls me on my cell and tells me she's in Charlotte. I walk her through programming the GPS with the correct address, and they set off, heading north on I-85, towards Salisbury. At 10:45 am, my phone rings again. They got to the nursing home just in time to see the funeral home as they're getting ready to take Ruby out. They were too late....45 minutes too late. The exact amount of time they wasted because I put the wrong directions in the GPS.

They were able to spend a few minutes with her before they took her away. But they were too late to talk to her, to hold her hand, to kiss her, to pray with her.

I'm so sorry Ruby. So very sorry that my dad didn't get to tell you goodbye.

Divine intervention that they weren't there at the time? I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe it was meant to be; maybe it was my fault because I was careless with the GPS. Either way, I'm feeling really down and out about the whole thing right now.

Looking forward to a New Year - I have so much to be thankful for.

small town politics

2008-10-26T11:48:00.003-04:00

So today, husband is going with a friend, who also happens to be a county commissioner, to the big city (Asheville, aka "Ashe Vegas") to see VP candidate Sarah Palin. We really aren't into politics that much, but the upcoming election is obviously very important. Chuck and I have really been doing some research on how the candidates stand on issues we feel are important, and we went and voted early this past week. It's empowering to know that this election, we have done our homework. You really have to dig much deeper than just listening to campaign television ads. The media is so bias, so pro-Obama, so anti-McCain/Palin. I can't help but feel like if Sarah Palin was of the other gender, no one would really care about how much the Republican party spent on her wardrobe. But I won't go there today. Not here. I want this blog to be available to my children years from now, so that they can look back and see what's happening in the day-to-day world they live in, from their mother's point of view.

At first, Chuck didn't want to go. But this is history. Today, he will see - and maybe even meet - a very important part of our history. Governor Palin could one day be the leader of the free world; no one knows how this election will play out. If the democrats win, Palin could possibly run again in 2012. I encouraged him to go and see, go listen. Really HEAR and be a PART OF history.

Humiliation

2008-09-28T15:33:00.002-04:00

Rainy.
Wet feet.
Slick bottoms on pink crocs (because I love them so much! I wear them everyday, and the bottoms are slick b/c I've worn the tread off of them!)
Concrete floor.
Slip.
Slide.
Fall.
On my butt.
In front of people.
At school with my son.

Humiliation.
Hurt back.
Sore muscles.
Ibuprofen every 6 hours.

playing

2008-09-21T00:31:00.002-04:00

with my new iPod! Almost certain this is the coolest thing ever, at least since my camera!!!

Jesus Loves HIM!

2008-09-06T19:49:00.002-04:00

Here's my baby auditioning in front of about 50 very talented people for a role in "Seussical" - a musical about Dr. Seuss. Tanner had to sing a solo, in front of an audience, and prove that he had no stage fright. He knocked 'em out with his performance, too! He was going to sing "Happy Birthday" at first --- the kids trying out for parts could sing anything they wanted to. Tanner figured that Happy Birthday was simple, quick, and painless. The little girl that auditioned before him sang the birthday song, though, and without any hesitation, he changed his routine so that he wouldn't be copying the girl before him. I had NO IDEA he was going to change, either! It was such a surprise to me when he opened his little mouth and out came another song besides Happy Birthday! I started crying when I realized that he had chosen Jesus Loves Me. He wasn't the least bit nervous, either!

He made the play. He went to a couple of practices, but ended up quitting because it just wasn't "FUN" to him.

Changes

2008-08-30T12:55:00.002-04:00

I'm pretty sure that summer just started --- at least, it sure does feel that way. Wasn't it only a few weeks ago that we were playing at the splash pad at the park? Wasn't only even a shorter time that we were at the UNC basketball camp having a great time?

And yet, here I sit, thinking about how busy we've been with the start of school this past week. Our lives have all had to change; Brenton has started junior high & Tanner is in kindergarten now. Time has flown by, not only this summer, but in general. Brenton is such a big kid now, on the verge of those angst teen years; Tanner is Mr. Independent. The only thing he needs us parents for is to fix his breakfast and tie his shoes.

Brenton was very nervous starting his new adventures. Very on edge about everything, from finding his classes on time, to TOTALLY freaking out about me not having $5 cash on me the night of orientation to get his new combination lock for his locker (and I doubt that they would have taken a debit card). Who knew that his having to wait until the first day of school for a lock was such a hardship?? We told him (over and over and over) that he would/could get one on the first day of school. You would've thought I had lied to him about something of signifigance. We also told him that he would be fine. YES, it's scary at first. YES, he'll learn short cuts to his classes. YES, he'll make new friends. YES, there's a chance you may not know anyone in your classes at first, but YOU WILL BE ALRIGHT.

It was hard on me, watching him pack his backpack again, knowing that he was entering a different world. He is playing the saxophone in the band, and wants to try out for the basketball team this year. New peer pressure, new friends, new experiences for all of us. I've tried to think positive - of course the school is safe. He's a smart kid, hopefully he'll stay away from the kinds of people that will hurt him. This should be the start of some of the best years of his life. Imagine how I felt when I seen this:

Yes, that's a police car. Yes, that's the front of his school. Then, my mind starts racing... if it's really safe, why is there a police car ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL?!?!

Still don't know the answer to that one, but I keep telling myself it's only a safety precaution. To ward off any evil that may be lurking in the halls of thy spoken place where my first born will be spending the next few years of his life.

His first day went very well. Didn't get lost. Wasn't late. Seen lots of friends from elementary school, making lots of new friends. Good classes, good teachers (so far)and had a good day.

And Mr. Independent? He faired very will his first day. Didn't even look back at mom and dad as we walked him into his classroom.

I kept a strong front for his sake --- until we started down the hall. Looking at him walking in front of me, with his brand new little red backpack on his back --- I lost it. Totally lost it. Tears, snot, sniffles (okay - probably worse than just sniffles. I was sobbing, but I don't think he seen me), he was such a little man. I had to turn him over to his teachers and walk out. He waved, told me bye --- and I wasn't sure if that was good or bad. Shouldn't he have felt just a tad scared? I was kind of hoping for some drama of some type. Maybe a tear in HIS eyes, not mine. Arms flung around my waist, wailing, screaming for me to not leave him.

But there was none of that.

Such a big boy. He is SO my child. I was proud. So proud, it made me cry even harder.

And then there was day two....