Here I go again...

This little blog has been sorely neglected. I have been thinking for a long time of breathing a little life
into it again, but I was waiting. Waiting for what I am not sure. The perfect time I suppose. But I have a question to ask you… When someone wants to start something, a lifestyle change, a 365 day photo project, a blog, why does everyone wait for the beginning of something? The beginning of the year? The beginning of the month? The beginning of the week??
Let me tell you, being the perfectionist I am, that sounds just like me. I want everything to line up
just perfectly, neat and straight… but honestly, in life is anything ever perfect, neat and straight?? I
wanted to get this blog all set up first. Make my own backgrounds, make my own elements, set up
custom colors and columns. Play with all the little details until it was just perfect. But I ask you again, is anything ever perfect? What I really want to do is write, all the little details can be worked out as I go…
Being on Weight Watchers has taught me to never give up and you don’t have to wait to make a change.  If you have a bad snack or a bad meal, don’t just give up for today or even the week, you don’t have to wait until tomorrow or Monday to get back on track. There is no better time than now to get back to it. I am trying to take that attitude with life as well. People tend to think “I will be happy when ____________” (fill in the blank: when I get a new job, when I get a house, when I get a new girl/boyfriend, etc…) But what we have to realize is that life isn’t a destination, it is a journey. And we don’t know how long our journey will be. We need to be happy now, we need to make our own happiness now.

New Toy!!

(singing to the tune from The Pointer Sisters)

I'm So Excited... And I just can't hide it...

Ok, a little cheesy, I know… but I AM excited!! I convinced my dear hubby that I just needed a new camera for a cruise we have coming in August. And that I needed it now so I could learn how to use it! I got the Canon XSi with the 18-55 lens kit, and as a special it also came with the 55-250 lens and an extra battery for under $900. (at least before taxes) So I am good to go!! At least until I know more about what I am doing, and what else I am going to (want) need.

Here is a quick photo I took when I was playing with it on Saturday. This is my youngest. He turned 7 yesterday! I can't believe how big he is getting! I don't even want to talk about how old my two older boys are.....

Now, I just need to figure out how to put a slide show here on my blog. That way I can show off any new photos / kits / scrapbook pages... and I really need to update my blog and make it nice and pretty!! This was supposed to be temporary while I figured out what I wanted to do with it... lol... you see how long it has lasted now.

Swine Flu Arggggggg…

I have had it up to about here with this Swine Flu, or H1N1 as we should be calling it. Don’t get me wrong, yes people have died from it, and yes, it is potentially dangerous. I was very concerned in the beginning, but as we know more about it, and there are more facts coming out, I feel better. As of this morning, the mortality rate Internationally is 86/11,168 or .77 %, which is less than 1%. In the U.S. it is 10/6552 or .1526% which is 1/100th of a percent.

But… the people who are still freaking out about it are driving me nuts! I actually had someone close to me tell me that the CDC only lifted their travel ban for political reasons. Can you believe it?? I do not for one second believe that the CDC or WHO would actually do or say something that would potentially put thousands of peoples lives at risk just for political reasons… Thousands of people die every year from regular run of the mill influenza better known as the Flu. I am not going to avoid work because a normal flu bug is going around. I am not going to avoid schools, malls, restaurants, and post offices because people get shot there. I am not going to avoid visiting friends/family in the hospital because of MRSA. I am not going to stay home on a Friday or Saturday night because of drunk drivers.

Most importantly, I sure as hell am not going to miss having the time of my life with my husband and two older sons on a little cruise to Cozumel because of Swine Flu, especially after both the CDC and WHO have officially removed their recommendation that U.S. travelers avoid travel to Mexico. I’ve done my research, there has been no confirmed cases on Cozumel, which is a 45 minute ferry ride from the main land of Mexico. Cases in Mexico have slowed down due to the aggressive efforts of world medical personal. And the cruise is still over 2 months away, I have plenty of time to cancel should the situation change.

So right now I am just dreaming of basking in the sun on the Lido deck with my little fruity umbrella drink delivered by Swen, waiting for the lunch buffet to begin.

Free Chocolate Fridays!! and Freebies too...

I am not a happy camper when I wake up in the mornings... Just ask my DH. Mornings are not my best time. But I get up this morning and go to check email (usually the first thing I do) and what do I find on MSN. A link to free chocolate. It brightened up my day already! Here is a copy of the article, it was on the Smart Spending blog on MSN.

Who knew chocolate could be politically correct?
Apparently, Mars
Snackfood US, maker of M&Ms, Snickers, 3 Musketeers, Milky Way
and other American favorites, does.
The company has launched the equivalent
of a filibuster to draw attention to competitors that substitute vegetable oil
for cocoa butter in their products.
So, what’s in it for you? One of the
biggest chocolate giveaways in history.
Every Friday through the end of
September, you stand a chance of getting a free chocolate bar or candy because
of the Mars Real Chocolate Relief
Act.
Mars initiated the program last week, giving out coupons
for chocolate treats to the first 250,000 people who logged on at
RealChocolate.com on Friday and requested a coupon. The response was so large
that Mars is doubling the chance for free chocolate this week. A half-million
coupons will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis and mailed to
those who qualify. Coupons are redeemable for any full-size Mars chocolate
product and are limited to one per person per week.
What’s the purpose?
According to Mars, federal regulations stipulate that the only source of fat
(except milk fat) in a chocolate product should be cocoa butter. Mars says it uses only
100% cocoa butter and urges consumers to look at labels whenever
they buy chocolate to be sure they’re getting the real thing.
Of course,
while bringing consumers’ attention to chocolate standards, Mars is also trying
to lift spirits in a recession-plagued
nation, describing the promotion as “a massive effort (that) aims
to spread joy across America by giving away as many as 7 million full-size
packages of Mars chocolate.”
All we can say is: Bring it on!

And now on to the freebies... As you may know, Designs In Digital is in the middle of the second annual NDIDDS competition. We are looking for the Next Designs In Digital Design Stars. If you remember, this is how I got in with this wonderful group of women! This year, we have a bunch of very talented ladies competing. Today is the day their round 2 entries go live in the store. Be sure to check them all out, and download your favorites. Each individual download counts as a point towards your favorite kit. You can find all the wonderful entries here:

Designs In Digital - NDIDDS 2009 - Week 2

Just Digi Layouts - NDIDDS 2009 - Week 2

I hope you have a wonderful Friday! and I hope to have a little blog freebie for you this weekend! I have some stuff I have been working on, lets see if I can get it finished.

Monday Monday…

First, I want to say that I hope everyone had a wonderful Mothers Day! Mine was very nice.
(very hard, but nice.) Everyone went out to breakfast (I got flowers and chocolate, who doesn’t love that), then we hung around my MIL’s pool. After, I went home and took a nap. (I know, rough day!! Lol…) I felt guilty not getting any work done, housework or on the computer, but I will tell you, taking a day and just relaxing does wonders for you! Now, lets see if I can get away with this again on my birthday…

Can I say that I really hate Mondays! Having to get up and go back to work just @#$%’s. But I really shouldn’t complain too much, because I am one of the lucky ones to still have my job. The company I work for had 238 employees a year ago in our corporate office. Currently we have 151 here. Most of the rest were let go. The few that left on their own were not replaced. At least not here. Unfortunately, the company I work for has decided that it would be better to let go people here, and hire people in another country to do the work for less money. I don’t believe that is right! But with the economy so bad, I can’t get another job anywhere else, so I am stuck. But today is not the day to get on my soap box!! It is Monday, and I just want to get through the day with my sanity! Hope you have a great one!

I'm Back...

Well, so much for me keeping this up to date! I was shamed into posting today by someone I haven’t even met. Her name, believe it or not, Lori Cameron, and it is her Blogiversary today. I think I am finally ready to come back and devote some time to this blog. What some of you might not know is that right after my last post back in January, my mother unexpectedly went into the hospital. Then it became doctors and tests and more tests and more problems. I ended up losing her, and it really hit me hard. She was never married and I was an only child. So I am sure you can image.

So it is time for some major spring cleaning. Both in my mind and my blog. I am working on a really cute kit right now, called Dragonfly Dreams. The paper pack is up in my store now, and I should have the rest of the kit in by the end of the weekend. This mothers day is going to be very hard, even though I have three absolutely wonderful boys!! Maybe I will be able to hide away at my computer and finish it up. Wanna take a peek at the paper pack? Here it is…

So here I am again, on May 8th, making a resolution to be a better blogger. And I will be, as long as my world doesn't come crashing down on me again! Wish me luck...

ADSR4 & New Releases

I don’t know what I was thinking, but I joined with KathyScraps from Digi Scrap Station, and we entered the Amazing Digi Scrap Race 4. (Like I don’t have enough to do) But I am really looking forward to sitting down to scrap again. And I always seem to do my best work for contests. The first assignment has been posted, and as soon as I get my layout done, I will post here along with my partners.

I have a surprise for February, but I can’t tell you what it is yet. You will just have to keep watch for more clues… I can tell you that I am working on a bunch of new things! I can’t wait!

If you didn’t get a chance to get the Santa’s Digi Sack over at Designs in Digital before Christmas, I have released my It’s A Party Mini Kit, and the matching alpha in my store. The alpha comes in the mini kit, or you can just get the alpha alone. You can just click on the pictures to be brought to the store.

I hope you have a great Monday!! And I will be talking with you soon!

Happy New Year!!

I want to wish everyone a very happy New Year!! I have lots of goals this year, lets see how well I can do on them. If you haven't guessed, one of them is to be a better blogger. Not just a reader, but a writer also. Sometimes I feel like my life is spinning out of control, so I have decided to actually do some things for myself in 2009. There are plenty of things that happen that you have no control over, and life is always throwing curve balls, but I am tired of feeling like I have no say in what happens in my life. I need to take care of myself, and not just everyone else. Which is very hard to do. If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them!

I would love to be able to post a great layout about our wonderful New Years Eve party, but I didn't even pick up my camera all night. We did have a wonderful party, I just don't have any pictures... but I think my MIL does, so I will have to go raid her memory card.

I want to leave you with a gift, it is a coupon for my store at Designs in Digital.

New Family Addition

Yep, it happened! We have a new family addition! The cutest little boy you will ever see! And he is so tiny... and furry! Yes, he is a new 8 week old kitten! and he has won all our hearts!

Race to help Breast Cancer

I wanted to let you know of a little race the designers here at Designs In Digital are having for the month of October, and everyone wins!! We divided everyone up into 2 teams, and each team created a kit for breast cancer awareness. Starting Wednesday, both kits will be available in the store. $5 for one or both for $8. (and to let you in on a little secret, if you purchase both kits, there may be a little surprise!!) The best part of this whole thing, is 100% of the proceeds will go to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. So we all win!!
I am part of the Cancer Commandos team! And I can tell you, our kit rocks!! The other team is Racing for Pinks. Here are copies of our teaser ads.

Vs.

And while you are here, don’t forget to stop back a post and pick up my fall freebie while it is still available. You can get it here: Falling For You QP Freebie But only until the new releases come out this week.

New Freebie

I know it has been a little while since I have updated my blog, but with the start of school, and the beautiful weather we have been having, I have just been too busy! But I wanted you to know I haven't forgotten about you. I was luck enough to be able to provide the newsletter freebie for Designs In Digital, so I thought I would post it here on my blog also, for anyone who isn't a newsletter subscriber! It is perfect for fall, I hope you like it! The kit used to make these quick pages is available in the store, and is on sale until Saturday! Here is the kit, just click on the photo:

And since it is late, and I need to get to bed so I can get up for work in the morning... here is the freebie, you can download it here: Falling For You Quick Pages

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!

News & Grand Opening

I just want to thank everyone for downloading my entries for Designs in Digital next Design Star contest!! I wanted to have a little freebie here for you, but I am at work right now. I hope to have something up tonight, as a big Thank You!! I was named one of the 5 winners, and the newest designers at Designs In Digital. To celebrate the new store opening, All my products are 50% off! Stop by and say hi!! Hope you have a great day!!

Close Encounters

I actually had a couple of days off of work (from my day job) and I took advantage of them! On Monday, I took my two youngest sons to the Zoo. We had a great time! They actually got to be up close and personal with several animals. It was supposed to be the last day before school started (but thanks to tropical storm Faye, school didn't start today like it was supposed to). I had taken today off also, so I could get little one to school for the start of first grade. But, the weather had other plans. I actually had a day off and nothing to do, so I actually scrapped a page for me, instead of trying to complete a project of some other kind. I know I didn't make the kit, but I wanted to share it anyway! I really like how it turned out.

The kit is My Brother and Me by Nicole Young. I also used Christine Gundersen's Slippery Slope Quick Click.

Oh yeah... I forgot...

OH OH OH, I completely forgot!! If you head on over to DesignsInDigital soon, and sign up for the store for their newsletter, they are giving away Quick Pages for all the kits made this week for the contest. Here is a preview of the two Quick Pages I made... The last I heard, the only way to get them is to be a subscriber to their newsletter. Hope you like them!!

Design Star Week 4

Ok, here it is, the final week of the New Designs IN Digital Design Star contest!! NDIDDS for short. And I have to say, this week is going to be tough, there are so many great entries. I am giving you a preview for mine, and a link to download it. (there are 11 other great kits also for free, so look around) But if you get there from here, please download my kit also, as every download is a vote for that person in the contest! With that said, here is a preview of my freebie kit for the final week. It is called Falling For You.

and here is the link to download the kit for free!! Falling For You Hope you have a great Monday, and check back later this week. I just may have another set of overlays for you to drive more traffic to download my kit!

**** updated, Please be patient! The store has crashed, as has a couple of other scrapbooking sites... if you can't get in now, please bookmark this (or even better, add me to your blog reader so you won't miss any of my freebies) and try again later!! They are working on the problem!!****

I've been tagged!!

Well, Rhowan did it, she tagged me... lol... and I've got to say, my 7 facts are not nearly as interesting as hers, so you need to go check her's out!! Click on her name to be brought to her blog.

These are the rules:
1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog enjoy!Have fun!!!

Now on to me, this isn't going to be easy... I guess part of the reason is that I feel I lead a pretty normal boring life... and who wants to hear about that, lol... but anways, here it goes...

1. I love to sew. I love to make all the kids Halloween costumes from scratch, and have even made renaissance fair costumes for my husband and I. (he is in a kilt, I should dig out the picture and post it. he wouldn't mind, really!). It all started back in middle school in home economics. We learned to sew a pillow, and I have been at it ever since. My latest project is a costume for my husband. It is M.A.S.H.'s Max Klingers version of Cleopatra. He belongs to this club, and their October club meeting, all the men have to dress in drag. So he figured he wanted to go the Maxwell Klinger way.

2. I actually like the new country music. but Shhhhhhh, don't tell anyone. I don't like the old, twangy country, but the stuff they are making now I really like. I still won't go out of my way to listen to it, as I am a classic rock girl at heart. But my MIL & SIL are big country music fans, so I'm around it quite often. We have actually been to 7 Keith Urban concerts. My MIL is a hugh fan, and brings my SIL & I along for the fun. We have been to Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and even Georgia following him. The most was 3 concerts in one weekend. We did the Jacksonville - Friday night, Miami - Saturday night, and Tampa - Sunday night circle last December.

3. Another passion I have is for writing. I am surprised I haven't gotten more into it on my blog. (but just wait, after this, I might...) In high school, when we would pass notes between classes, me and a couple of my friends wouldn't just write a paragraph or two about what are we going to do after school or the weekend. We would write and write, 8-9-even 10 pages of anything and everything! and this was a daily thing. I have even been published. It is no big deal, really... It was short story in a book of other short stories. It was back when the beanie babies were all the rage. It was a story about my oldest son, who has always struggled in school. He worked especially hard to win a prize, it was the Princess Diana Bear. It really motivated him to work harder. I'll guess he was about 11 at the time.

4. Speaking of my oldest son, we are both blessed to be alive. We were in a car accident when he was a baby that could have / should have killed us both. We were hit by another car, and my car was sent under a Semi Trailer, which took the roof off my car, and we were pinned under the trailer. But because of miracles, my son who was 6 months old didn't have a scratch, and I came out of it with relatively minor injuries. I broke my cheek bone, and jaw bone, and had 137 stitches on my face and neck. Other than that, nothing, not a scratch from my neck down. I had a wonderful plastic surgeon who stitched me back up, and to look at me now, you almost can't see any scars. I know they are there, but most people don't see them until I point them out. On the way to the hospital, the paramedic in the ambulance with me told me they didn't expect to find anyone alive, that is why they didn't call Bayflight, which was the helicopter emergency transport.

5. I am a control freak, and a perfectionist... not really a good combination. I have a very hard time deligating, and not re-doing the work other people do for me. I have a terrible time just asking for someone's help with anything... It's a struggle, but I am trying!! I have learned I can't do everything, and everything doesn't have to be perfect!! especially if you want it done at all.

6. I had bad post partum depression after the birth of my last child. My husband and I had two older sons, DH's has one brother who has a son, his father had three brothers (can you see a trend here...) The family has all boys. So, when I was pregnant, and was told i was having a girl, I was thrilled. MIL and I went a little crazy with the pink/girly stuff. I had everything ready to bring home a daughter. Even had a girls name picked out. Hubby and I could never agree on a boys name, but we were having a girl, so it didn't matter. (or so we thought) But to my surprise, after the birth my husband said it was a boy. Of course I didn't believe him at first because he is always teasing me... but then the Doctor confirmed it when he said "Congratulations on your new SON" The next day, they were getting ready to discharge us, and we still didn't have a boys name. My husbands family can trace their family back to William Bradford from the Mayflower and who was the governor of Plymouth, MA. His mother suggested that. So we turned it around to Bradford William... (who is now the light of my life!) But for the first few days home from the hospital, I would sit and stare at him, and cry... I couldn't remember his name and thought what a horrible person I was that I couldn't remember my infant son's name. It seemed like forever before I would remember, but really was only a couple of minutes. But for months, I felt like I was mourning the daughter I didn't have, will never have... and please don't get me wrong, my three son's are my world, and I wouldn't change a thing, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I always wonder... what if...

7. I am terrified of riding an escalator going down. I can get on them going up, no problem. But going down, I stand there, staring at them, and break into a cold sweat. In the last 20 years, I have rode them going down only ONCE. That was in DC, when that was the only way to get to the train to take us out of DC back to our car. I had no choice, and I was so upset. My family just laughs at my little quirk. I go out of my way to find the stairs or an elevator to go down. The funny thing is I don't know why. Nothing bad has ever happened to me on one, and as a child I had no problems with them, so it is kind of irrational. But luckily there isn't many escalators around here, so it hasn't become a problem in my life.

Whew... ok, that is done. Don't know if you really wanted to hear all that, but here it is. Posted on the internet for everyone to read... lol... but it was kind of fun. I can't wait to go back and read all the other ones that Rho had tagged. Have a great Saturday, and I'll be back soon!!

Here is who I have tagged...
1. Muma - Muma's Delight
2. Lyndie - Gone Scrappin' Designs
3. Melissa - Mel's Place
4. Ramona - Brownie Scraps
5. Erica - Heavenly Anomalies



I'm just going to post this while I am working on the last couple tags...

1st Commerical Use Overlay Freebie

I don't know about you, but I'm an overlay junkie! I make and use so many different overlays. They are a fun and easy way to make papers or give interest to a lot of what I design. I have decided to offer a set of 4 overlays as a freebie for you to come see my blog. But, before I give you the link, of course I would like a little help from you. I am in the Next Design Star contest at DigitalsInDesign.com. My round 3 entry It's A Guy Thing is still up to be downloaded for FREE! Each download is a vote for me. It will be available for the next couple of days, I would really appreciate it if you would come download it. Here is the preview:

You can download it here: It's A Guy Thing. I really appreciate all your support!

Now on to the freebie, here is a preview of the overlays. There are two grungy ones and two patterned ones. You can mix and match them, adjust the blending modes, and come up with a variety of different looks. Have fun with them! Just don't claim them as your own and resell them as they are. If you make something fun with them, I'd love to see it!

You can download it here: Commercial Use Overlays - Freebie Pack 1. If you like them, just let me know, and I'll be sure to make more!

Have a Wonderful Friday!! and I'll talk to you soon!

Scrap Factor

There is a new contest at DesignsInDigital.com, and I am so excited about it! It is going to be a scrapping contest with lots of prizes and maybe even a few store CT positions being offered. I made a kit for the all fun, and I really wish I could show you, but it is a surprise. Sign ups are taking place right now. There are going to be 16 kits you get to work with, and 16 different challenges. Here is the advertisement… Hope to see you there!

Digitals Design Star Week 3

So my week 3 entry is up and available for download. I have actually made two kits this week for DesignsInDigital.com. The first one is this freebie that I give to you. I would just love it if you downloaded it. Every download is a vote for me to become one of their new designers. There are also 12 other free kits to download for this week and color scheme. Remember, everyone you download is a vote for that designer. Here is a preview of my freebie kit this week:






You can download it for free here: It's a Guy Thing. If you download it, leave me some love. I would love to see what you do with it. Here is layout I did with it:

And for a couple of days, you can still get my kit Natural Beauty for free at the same place. Again, every download is a vote for me! Here is the preview for that kit again:

and you can download the freebie here: Round 2 is over, and link has been removed. Look for a larger version available at my store soon!

Thank you for all your support! The better I do in this contest, the more freebies I will have up on this blog for you! Have a great weekend, and i will be seeing you during the week with more information on the big new contest, Scrap Factor, over at DigitalsInDesign.com. I really want to show you the preview of the kit I did for that contest, but part of the fun of the contest is that it is a mystery! Come check it out!

Week 2 Freebie

Here it is, time to download my week 2 submission for the Next Digital Design Star contest over at Designs in Digital. Every download is a vote for who will be the next winner. I would really love it if you came over and downloaded my freebie. If you like it, leave me a quick comment on my blog. And give me some suggestions as what you would like to see for an additional to this for a second freebie this week. Here is the preview:



Come by here to download it for free: Week 2 is over, link removed. Watch for a larger version in my store soon! Hope you have a great day, and check back later this week for another freebie to go along with this one!