Wishing Everyone a Happy and Safe New Year!

Happy Birthday to my neice Adele Star Carlton!!!

One more day of 2006 and we'll be ringing in 2007.

I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year and will be back to blogging again soon!

Merry Christmas!

Yumm!! Are you as full as I am??

Our Feast! It was awesome!
The Carlton and Lockhart Families
My Dad and My Aunt. Brother and Sister..Love them so much!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's that time again.. the beginning of the holidays and time to reflect on the things we are thankful for.

First and foremost I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends. I'm blessed with more than I deserve and am so thankful to have a healthy and happy family.

My photography business is thriving.. it's taken off way faster than I ever imagined. That's another thing to be thankful for.

Here's wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Gobble Gobble!

Missing In Action

Yes, I know I've been missing in action! It's been over a month since I last posted and even longer since I've actually scrapped!!

Life has been CRAZY!!! Between work, getting my photography business off the ground and my oldest child turning 18 and moving out.. life is certainly chaotic around the Lockhart household!

I made a date with my girlfriend April to scrap on November 3rd! I NEED TO SCRAP! I MISS IT so much.. it's very theraputic for me. We're probably going to go to Ruban Rouge to scrap the night away. Can't wait.

Hope all is well with you out there! I'll try to be a better blogger!

Peace!

Two Peas Blogger Challange- 9/18

I've really missed these challanges. My life has been so busy lately, but I decided last night I've got to get back to scrapping. I love it to much!

So....here's today's question: If you became a scrapbooker-for-hire, who would you want to work for and scrap their life story? Why? This can be a distant relative, friend, celebrity, or historical figure...living or not.

I would want to scrapbook Garth Brooks' life. He is such a wonderful person inside and out and has accomplished so many things in his short life. From becoming an overnight sensation, to the biggest selling solo artist, to retiring for the sake of his kids and all the charity work he does. I'd be busy for years trying to scrap it all.

Cool challange!!

I'm a Bad Blogger!

Life has been insanely (is that a word?) busy lately...

I don't even know where to start.. but I'll try.

We said our goodbye's to Kevin on Labor Day. It was bittersweet, but knowing we'll see him in 13 weeks is something to look forward to. I miss him like crazy. Things just aren't the same without him here. We got a few letters from him last week and he sound very upbeat and positive so that is GOOD NEWS!!

I haven't had much time for scrapping lately, but I did get 3 layouts finished last weekend. I've got to take pictures of them and post them. I'll try to do that this week.

My photography business is starting to take off. I've got quite a few sessions booked and am really looking forward to them. I'm still trying to book some babies and family sessions. I have lots of High School Seniors books and I'm really loving working with the teens! They are so much fun.

I may be doing a wedding next May. That scares the HELL out of me.

Check out my new website. I have it up and running now.

www.creativeimagesbymonica.com

6 days and counting...

Until this young man above leaves for Parris Island, SC.. home of the USMC Recruit Training Depot. It hit me today. As I was sitting at my desk working on a big accounting mess, my mind wondered to Kevin. He leaves in 6 days. For 13 weeks, he'll train, sweat, run, drill, and go through many emotional situations to become a United States Marine.

I thought about how much I have grown to love him. Not just as my daughters boyfriend, but as a second son. I've seen him almost every day for the past two years. He's spent holidays with our family, joined us for our family beach vacation each year and attended church with us almost every Sunday. Honestly, I couldn't ask for a better guy for my daughter to date. There's nothing I don't like about him. He's a hard worker, respectful, funny, has a wonderful personality and gets along with everyone.

Yes, I worry about Kristina and how she'll handle him being gone. It's not like he's going away to college, where she can talk to him on the phone every night. She won't hear his voice or see his face for 13 weeks. Only letters will get her through this.

I'm so sad that he's leaving, but I'm so proud of the road he's chosen to take. As a mother, no-one wants their son or daughter to enter the military in this day and age. There's no telling what is in store for Kevin after boot camp. He may go overseas to fight for our country. He may not. But wherever his path takes him, he'll give his all, and he do well at whatever he does. I have faith in him.

I'll pray for his safety and health everyday. I'll pray for God to keep him safe. I'll pray for Kristina to stay strong and help him get through this. I'll pray for Debbie and Bob and his family to have peace. This is going to be a new phase of life we'll all be going through when he leaves.

I always remember.. God never gives us more than we can handle.

Kevin if you read this... I love you and I am proud of you. You will always be my favorite Marine! We'll be there on December 1st to watch you march across the parade deck on Graduation Day.

Do you ever have one of those days..weeks, months.. years??

Life has been a rollercoaster lately. Well for the past 3 months at the least. Summer is finally over here.. that doesn't mean weather wise, it means the kids are back in school! Whew.. this is the last year for Eric. He's a senior and Kristina is a junior. If I can survive to get Eric on to graduation.. I'll know that God does answer prayers! He's been a struggle. So far so good, but this is only the 2nd week of school coming up.

I found out on Monday that I'm losing my job. My job is being moved up to the home office in Ohio, and since I'm not willing to relocate, (which honestly wasn't even offered, but the boss knew I wouldn't pack up and move) I have to find another method of income. I'll have 3 more weeks of working, then a severance package which was atleast nice.

After alot of thinking, praying and soul searching, I've decided I'm going to start my own photography business doing portraiture. Children, Family and Senior (high school) portraits.
I've got my business name picked out.. " Creative Images by Monica" and went to the CPA last week for a consult on what I need to do to get this business off the ground. I'm really excited and nervous and the same time. I've created a blog for the business until I get my website up and running. You can check out my photos and specials I'm running by visiting:
http://creativeimagesbymonica.blogspot.com/

I have my first photo session tomorrow evening with complete strangers! I'll be taking family portraits for a family of 3.. from Riverview... and am looking forward to it.

Just wanted to pop in and let you know what I've been up to. Haven't had a minute to scrapbook lately. I need to get some pages done!

Till next time... Have a great weekend!

Catching Up Time

Just thought I'd share a few random photos... The top photo is my daughter who so kindly posed for me a little while on Saturday so I can practice with my new camera. Max our dog was being cooperative too ! Next is my cat Jasmine.. love this shot I got of her.. she's such a sweet cat!

The flowers are from my Crype Myrtle. I love how the sun was shining on it. Cool photo.

Last but not least, here's my daughter with her new car! She got it today.. so happy for her. She totally deserved it. Daddy got his little girl a good dependable car. She's in hog heaven.. can you tell?

Chow.. 

Three New Layouts

Love this one.. a funny LO about my hubby
This was for a challange for the School of Scrap
A LO of my DD and her two friends.

It felt really good to scrap tonight! I got three LO' s completed. I've been focusing so much on learning my new camera, I haven't scrapped in over a week. I like how all three LO's turned out! Tomorrow is my birthday! Another year older... but I'm still just 39! LOL

 

Two New Layouts

Well, I've been super busy this past week, just getting back from vacation. I did manage to create two layouts. One using some of the pictures I took during our vacation to the beach.

Both LO's are using Basic Grey Paper and I'm so totally loving that line! Love the funky colors and inspiration it gives me.

A friend of mine has opened a new scrapping message board. Come check us out! It's a nice little community of scrappers. We share LO's, ideas, motivation, photography tips.. stamping techniques..

http://schoolofscrap.proboards102.com/index.cgi Lisa, the owner of the site is such a sweetheart and an awesome scrapper and photographer!

I'm gonna try to scrap some tonight! I'll post my work later tonight. 

Tuesday's Blogger Challange from 2Peas

What is your favorite summer BBQ recipe?

My favorite recipe to BBQ in the summer is Pork Tenderloin marinated overnight in Italian Dressing. I poke holes with a fork all in the tenderloins on both sides and put in a marinating dish. Pour an entire bottle of Italian Dressing over the loins and refrigerate. Turn them every few hours.

Place a sheet of aluminum foil on the grill folding the sides up to make a bowl effect. Place the loins on the aluminum foil and then pour the italian dressing on top to baste the meat while grilling. Cook for about 45 - 60 minutes on med heat turning frequently.

YUMM!!!!! Serve with Cheese Mash Potatoes and fresh grilled veggies of your choice!

I'm Back... Did you miss me??

Well I just got home yesterday afternoon from my family beach vacation which was a total blast! I had so much fun playing with my new camera, soaking up the sun, spending time with my family and friends and relaxing! The highlight of my trip was watching the Space Shuttle launch from the beach on the 4th of July. It was amazing!

The weather was beautiful the entire week until Friday when it was overcast and rainy. I'm really thankful for the time we all spent together. I reflected alot on how important family and friends are and cherrished the memories we made this year and all the previous years. This is our 6th year going to New Smyrna Beach with the Diamond Family. Every year it's a blast. My children and the Diamond children are best friends. Eric and Chris and Kristina and Mallory. I look at how much they've grown in the last 6 years and how they are almost grown and soon to be on their own. Chris just turned 18, Eric will be 18 in October and Kristina and Mallory are both still 16.

Here's a picture of the entire group together, including my dear friend Vickie who came to spend a couple of days with me this year. Vickie,Chris, Mallory, Steve, DeeDee, Briana, Bennie,Eric,Adele,Kristina, Kevin and Monica

Snapshots from Wednesday

Can you tell I am totally LOVING this new camera? I spent hours last night online looking for digital photography lessons. I found one here: http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php

I'm really having a lot of fun trying different techniques, learning different settings on my camera and luckily I have willing photo subjects! My daughter and her best friend had a ball yesterday taking photos.

I'm getting ready for our annual beach vacation. We leave on Saturday morning for New Symrna Beach for a week of fun and sun. I always look forward to this vacation every year. We've been going for the last 6 years and go with Kristina's bestfriend and her family. It's always a fun time and we all enjoy spending time together, playing bocce ball, horsehoes, basking in the sun and of course surfing.

2 Peas Blogger Challenge

Today's challange is to list 5 things I like about myself:

1. I am an optimist.
2. I cherish family and friends
3. I'm funny and have a great sense of humor
4. I don't let people intimidate me or let them make me feel inferior
5. Just got a new hairdo... cut and highlights.. and I love it even if my hubby doesn't! ( He's one of the typical males who like women to have long hair.)

My daughter took this photo of me this morning at Tampa International Airport with my new camera! Having lots of fun with it today! Check out my photo blog for some great nature shots I took this morning.

New Camera! I've gone Digital SLR

I took the plunge tonight and purchased the Nikon D50. I really was undecided on whether to get the Canon Rebel XT or the Nikon. I did lots of research and thought I was going to go with the Canon since my other Digital is a Canon and I LOVE LOVE that camera.

But, after making the trip to Costco and going through all the features and accessories, the Nikon was definately the better deal for me and what I wanted.

I really can't wait to get up tomorrow and take some photos in the daylight outside. I took about 100 pictures tonight inside and the camera definately takes awesome pictures. I'm going to sign up for a photography class and learn more about this camera and the more advanced techniques.

The beach photos will be awesome this year.. :-)

Check out my photoblog at http://timelesstreasuresphotoblog.blogspot.com/
I'll be posting lots of pics there that I take with the new camera!

Ciao

New Photo of Me and Hubby

Love how this photo turned out! This is me and my husband Bennie.

Kristina- carrying sword- Platoon Commander!
Kristina receiving her Leadership Cord
Close up of Kristina receiving her Leadership Cord
Kristina leading her platoon during Pass & Review

 

Snapshots of Saturday 6/24/06

After a week of attending Leadership Acadamy, my daughter Kristina graduated today and these photos are from the graduation ceremony. We are so proud of her! She was Platoon Commander for the 2nd Platoon.

I missed her so much. I wasn't able to even talk to her via phone while she was there. I have never gone more than two days without talking to her! I know.. I'm a sap.. I just missed her so much. We are very close and it was a long lonely week without her! So glad she's back home.
Next Saturday we head to the beach for our annual beach vacation. Can't wait!!

I've got some great photos here to scrap for her scrapbook!

Thanks for looking! 

Sophia's Blogger Challange from 2 Peas

1. FIRST NAME? Monica
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? A character in the book The Carpetbaggers by Harold Robbins.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Sunday
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes, even though it's not the most beautiful I've seen, it suits me!
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Boars Head Honey Maple Turkey Breast
6. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes, 2 children, Son 17 and Daughter 16
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Definately! I think I'm a lot of fun to be around, I'm loyal and take friendships very seriously.
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Just my blog. I used to have a journal when I was a teenager but stopped writing in journals years ago. I love my blog! I have a private blog that I don't share with just anyone.
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Sometimes, it depends on who I'm with.
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes, Never have had a problem.
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Sure! I love adventure. Definately would love to skydive someday.
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope. I normally wear slide on shoes or flip flops/sandals. If I do wear lace up shoes, I kick them off.
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Emotionally and mentally yes.. physically, not really but I'm not weak either.
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? UGH.. I can't find it anymore! It's Haagen Daaz- Banana Foster Ice cream
16. SHOE SIZE? 8
17. RED OR PINK? Pink, but I like red too.
18. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? my smile. I have never liked my smile. It's crooked.
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My maternal grandmother.
20. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? 1965 in Sebring, Florida
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Blue jean shorts and no shoes!
22. WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Spagettios
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? XM Radio Online- Highway 16
24 IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Sky Blue
25. FAVORITE SMELL? Gardenias
26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED WITH ON THE PHONE? My Dad
27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU MEET? Their eyes, then their smile.
28. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?. Not that I can think of.
29. FAVORITE DRINK? Diet Coke
30. FAVORITE SPORT? Football.. College.. Florida Gators!
31. HAIR COLOR? Natural- Dark Brown- Right now... have red highlights in it.
32. EYE COLOR? Brown
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No, I do wear glasses. I've tried contacts and just can't stand putting things in my eyes.
34. FAVORITE FOOD? German Food! Schnitzel, goulash soup, anything German
35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy Ending!
36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Pride and Predjudice
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Multi Color Stripped Tank Top. Red, Brown, Tan, Black, Olive Green.
38. SUMMER OR WINTER? Definately Summer! I live for the beach!
39. HUGS OR KISSES? Kisses from my husband and kids. Love hugs from anyone else!
40. FAVORITE DESSERT? Key Lime Pie
41. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? The DiVinci Code
42. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Purple Pansies
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Waves crashing on shore, babbling brooks.. water..
44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles!
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME ? Germany
46. IF YOU COULD PICK ANY TWO PEOPLE TO HAVE DINNER WITH, WHO WOULD THEY BE? My long lost best friend from 4th to 8th grade. I would love to find her and catch up! Julia Roberts. I've always admired her and love her acting. I would love to sit down and have a conversation with her.

Three New Layouts

Sorry for the bad photos. Have I told you lately how much I am having problems with my camera? I want a Canon Digital Rebel XT soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo bad!

These are three LO's I've done in the past few days.

1. This is my son playing the guitar. I like how this one turned out. Love the Rhonna Farrer Alpha Stamps!

2. This LO was done with some items from my http://www.jennibowlin.com/June kit. The photo of my hubby was taken in 1988, almost 20 years ago! Love how it turned out!

3. My first attempt at paper tearing. Really had fun making this one of my daughter and her best friend.

Life is settling down a little and the nights have been quiet here this week. My daughter is still at Leadership Acadamy and I'm missing her like CRAZY!! I'm going to scrap some more tonight after dinner!

Thanks for looking~

 

I Have Been Scrapping!

Between all the chaos and life happenings I have managed to do some scrapping.. Here's a few LO's I've completed this week. Sorry the pictures turned out so dark. My camera is really ticking me off lately. It's not taking photos like it should the flash isn't working..

I need a new Canon Digital Rebel SLR!!

I'll keep dreaming for a while longer. Maybe for my birthday next month??

Alberto is here...

Well it's been raining since late last evening. And it's only supposed to get worse as the day goes by and tomorrow approaches. The latest reports have Alberto reaching Hurricane strength sometime soon.

I haven't been the best blogger last week. Chaos in the Lockhart household is the only word I can think of to sum it all up. Hoping that this is a better week.

I'm taking a class at Ruban Rouge tonight. So excited!! It's being taught by the K & Co rep and it's a mini book class. Should be alot of fun. I just hope the weather isn't too bad.. I HATE driving in a downpour!

I haven't had any time to scrap lately, other than working on a circle journal I'm in and very behind on. I have 4 journals sitting here that I have to forward on.

I'll try to update this later tonight after my class!

For now.. have a great day!

Bloggity Blog... This is gonna be a LONG Post!

I recently joined in the Layout A Day challange at 2Peas in The Pub.. I've been loving it.. it's motivating me to scrap everyday.
I've done it each day and posted each day since June 1. Tonight my camera batteries died and of course I don't have a new set in the house. So, I have to run to get batteries tomorrow morning so I can post my LO.

I've got lots going on at home.. My sister-in-law and her 8yr old son just moved in with us this past weekend, and are staying her about a month. Long story short.. she's going through a divorce and needs help getting back on her feet. Needless to say, anytime you have additional people in the house, things don't run like normal. I love my SIL to death, and I'm trying my best to get her to focus on anything but being depressed. It's been almost 1 year since they've seperated. I think she needs to get a grip and find another outlet to take her mind off things. I've tried to get to scrap with me.. and she wants to, she just keeps getting upset looking at family pictures, brings back to many memories and then we have the cry session all over again.

Tonight, my DD and I went shopping. Went to Old Navy and American Eagle to get some shorts and shirts for the annual beach vacation. I had fun spending one on one time with my daughter. Now that she has her drivers liscence.. I don't see much of her anymore. I guess that's part of growing up huh? We went buy to see Mom and Dad tonight on the way back from the Mall.

I'm really looking into getting a new camera. Want to get the Canon Rebel XT before we go to the beach. I've got a little saved and since it's my birthday next month, I'm hoping I can talk my parents and DH into helping me get the camera as a birthday present. I really really want this camera!!

Small toot.. I entered one of my sunrise photos.. (actually it's the one up in my banner) in a photography contest and I just received a letter stating my photo made it to the semi-finals and will be published in a book. I'm excited!!! Even if I don't win.. just getting it published in a book is really exciting to me!

Well.. I guess I've rambled enough.. I'll post more tomorrow with photos!

Chow!

Weekend Recap

Had a very busy weekend.. and I'm totally impressed that I got these two LO's finished. The top one took me forever!! I'm not sure I like how it turned out. The photos are just my absolute favorites. I actually submitted the top left photo on the Sunrise LO to a photo contest and just received a letter in the mail that I've made it to the semi-finals. I've never submitted any of my photography to a contest.. so I'm excited to have my first entry chosen!

The second LO is compiled of photos I took in my back yard. Love Spring!! Nuff said.

We helped my SIL move out of her apartment this weekend. Very stressful. She and her son are going to move in with us for about a month. Long story short... she's going through a divorce and needs some help getting on her feet.

Will post more tomorrow. I'm loving this LO a day challange!! It's keeping me motivated!

Chow! 

My First Effer Dare and LOTD

I've really been trying to broaden my scrapping skills. I LOVE trying different techniques and trying new things. I finally decided to try an Effer Dare... if you haven't ever heard of the Effer Dares visit their blog site by clicking http://www.fortheloveofeffers.blogspot.com/

Basically, a group of greatly talented artists create a theme for creating a Layout. This week's dare was to use take your bad photos and make them look stellar. Here's what I created with two blurry pictures from NYC.

I like how it turned out! I'm going to go back and do some of the other dares! Try it.. they are fun!

I also started doing the Lay Out of the Day in The Pub at 2peas. Here's the LO I did today.

The journalling reads: All of the years you and Casey have spent going to Jennings has really meant a lot to you both. Every year you look forward to the time you'll spend on the lake fishing. Your dad and Casey's dad used to go there every year when they were young and now they bring you two. Hopefully it will be a "tradition" you will carry on you will carry on with your son.

I'm looking forward to getting some pages done this weekend! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend scrapping or doing whatever you have planned!

New Layouts and other Ramblings...

Love how this LO turned out! Basic Grey Ribbon is so pretty!
This is my ME LO I did in Elsie's class a few weekends ago.
Tryed my hand at some doodling.. it's ok.. need to practice more.
LO of my daughter's best friend CJ who is in the Marines. He came home for the Navy Ball and to see Kevin graduate. It was great having him home for a month! Miss you already CJ!

Fact: Today is the first day of Hurricane Season.

Fact: It's hotter than H E double hockey sticks here already. I think we're in for a very long hot summer. UGH!

Fact: In exactly one month I'll be soaking up the sun on New Symrna Beach, FL for our annual family vacation for the 4th of July. We always go there during the 4th and I am so looking forward to it! Sun, sand, ocean, family, friends, pina coladas...what more can I ask for??