Snapshots of Sunday-Memorial Day Weekend

Took an absolutely gorgeous boatride this evening towards downtown Tampa on the Hillsborough River. These are some of the photos I took. We ended the evening with fireworks.. such fun!

Had a great cookout today at Mom and Dad's. The Lowe's joined us for the day and we swam and hung out by the pool all day. 

Three New LO's Tonight

Used BG Urban Couture Paper.. The journalling doesn't show up real well in the picture.
I scraplifted this LO from a magazine Scrapbooks Etc.
My daughter's prom photos.

I'm scrapping all weekend!! Look for more to be posted through out the weekend!
Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend.

 

42 Years!! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

I can't believe they've been married 42 years! Well.. I guess that makes sense since I'll be umm... 29(41 cough) this year on my birthday! Congrats to Mom and Dad! I'm so lucky to have great parents! Hope your day is awesome! Enjoy Burns Steakhouse tonight..

It's Done!! I can breath a sigh of relief!

I finished the scrapbook for Kevin!! Yesterday, was graduation and I finished it at 2pm! Talk about skin of my teeth! I'm happy with the way it turned out. Now, I will say, this is a simple album. I had a lot to scrap in a little bit of time. Used a Creative Memories Album and lots of the LO's are simple.. used a few embellishments on the pages, but not anything real fancy. When your scrapping for a guy, who is 18 no less, it's not all about artsy fartsy stuff. He loves the scrapbook. He's told me thank you like 800 times :-) Here's a few of my favorite LO's....




Sorry the photos aren't so great...

My Prize Pack From Ruban Rouge!

Here is the contents of the entire Tote Bag!!
So much neat stuff! Stuff I didn't have!
Tote, Embellishments, Ribbon, Adhesive Lot's of Heidi Swapp stuff
I'm just flabbergasted at all the stuff I got!! I can't wait to use it all!

Got 7 pages done tonight in Kevin's scrapbook. Will post pictures tomorrow.
Night!!

 

Photo of the Day and Random Thoughts

First and Foremost....TGIF!!!

Took this photo about an hour ago... The 10 acre orange grove that has been across the street from me for 60 years is being demolished. New 30 home subdivision- going up. Sad day.. I loved the peacefulness of my little dead end road. Lots of acreage out here.. Quiet, friendly neighbors and good time. Oh well, that's progress I guess.

Today starts a very busy week. Chris, my son's best friend is graduating today at 3pm. I'm headed out shortly to attend his graduation. Then I'll head over to Ruban Rouge to pick up my prize pack I won!! (Thanks RR and Elsie!) and then I'll crop till Midnight with Shawn.

Tomorrow is the end of the year ROTC picnic and then Monday Kevin graduates!

Will talk again soon! Have a great weekend.

Elsie Drew My Name!!!

Oh my gosh.. I am sooooooooo excited!!

I entered a raffle at Ruban Rouge this weekend when Elsie Flanagan was there teaching and I just received an email from the owner Lisa.. saying that Elsie drew my name!!

I've won a tote bag filled with a plethora of scrapbooking goodies! I can't wait to get it!! I 'm heading to Ruban Rouge on Friday night to crop so I will pick it up then and post a picture of it on Saturday!

Pinch Me!! I never win anything!

Now..on to Sophia's Blogger Challange..

list your ten all-time favorite TV shows, list ten shows that you've never cared for and any other feelings you might have about television!

My Top 10 favorite TV shows:

1. Grey's Anatomy- It's the best show I've ever watched on TV. Totally sucks you in.
2. Law and Order- SVA- Love this show. The story lines all keep me watching.
3. Whose Line Is It Anyway- I love to laugh! This show just totally cracks me up. Love Wayne Brady and the whole gang of comedians and especially love the skits. Good belly laughing!
4. Friends- good laughs and I just love Jennifer Anniston in this show.
5. Little House On The Prairie- don't watch this anymore but I never missed it growning up. Loved this show.
6. Deal or No Deal- I am totally addicted to this new game show! It Rocks!
7. The Cosby Show- Bill Cosby is one of my favorites.. always makes me laugh.
8. American Idol- just started watching it faithfully last season when Carrie Underwood won. Although Chris Daughtery was my favorite to win this season. I'm still watching. It was sad to see him voted off. I think by far he was the BEST.
9. The Bachelor- Bachelorette- Love watching these too. Just for the entertainment.
10. Justice Files and City Confidential on A&E. I love true crime stories.

TV shows I don't watch:

1. Married with Children- UGH..
2. The Simpsons- I too never let my kids watch that show!
3. Jerry Springer- what trash!
4. Survivor- never could get into that show.
5. Big Brother- stupid stupid stupid
6. Seinfeld
7. WWF- Wrestling
8. Golf- I find it very boring
9. Late Nite with David Letterman- OMG he gets on my last nerve.. like fingernails on a chalkboard
10. Conan O'Brian- another on that gets on my nerves!

Tuesday's Blogger Challange from 2Peas

What do you have in your scrapbooking room/area/studio - that just makes you HAPPY?

I'd have to say several things in my scrapbooking area make me happy.

1. Patterned Paper
2. Ribbons
3. Chipboard Letters
4. Flowers

I love color! The more vibrant the colors are the better. I took 3 classes taught by Elsie Flanagan this past weekend and learned so much!! My mojo is overflowing!! I've been scrapping non stop and having so much fun.. just not worrying about getting everything perfect. FREE STYLE.. love it!!

I bought the new Free Style Book by Autumn Leaves and it's awesome! I also bought The Big Picture by Stacy Julian and really have enjoyed reading that as well.

All my time right now is focused on finishing the scrapbook I'm making my daughter's boyfriend for his graduation present. So, once I'm finished with that I can start scrapping for me! I can't wait. I played around with acrylic paints this weekend, fabric, buttons, ribbon and doodling!

OH!! I bought two sets of Rhonna Farrer's acrylic stamps! THEY ABSOLUTLEY ROCK!!!

Last Night's Layout and Emotional Post. Prayers Needed!

Made this LO last night for my daughters ROTC instructor who is who favorite teachor, mentor and who has really inpired, motivated and taught her so much the past two years. I love how it turned out! Both Kevin and Kristina are going to journal something on the bottom to him and then we'll have it framed.

Monday... busy day at work. Didn't feel well again. Stomach issues. I'm not sure if what I ate yesterday was just to rich since I've been doing Weight Watcher or what.. but I just didn't feel well. Feeling a little better tonight thankfully.

Kevin has one more day of school left and Kristina has been a bag of emotions lately. She and Kevin have been arguing non-stop for the past two months. Every day she comes home from school in a bad mood, upset about something Kevin did or didn't do. I know it's alot for her with him leaving in a few months for the Marines, but they've got to sit down and talk about all these issues. I told her today I can't stand it anymore. She was crying hysterically. To the point of hyperventalating. That hard of a cry. I felt angry and helpless. Angry that Kevin was being so insensitive to her feelings and helpless that I can't make it all better.

I sat Kevin down today and told him how I felt and what I thought of the situation. I started crying when I was talking to him, and I aplogized for being so emotional, but you see I have really grown to love this kid like my own son. I want all the best for him. He's a wonderful young man with a lot going for him. We'll see what happens.

Just after my conversation with Kevin, I get a phone call alerting me that my father in law had a stroke this morning and is in the hospital. I had to go wake Bennie up out of a dead sleep and delivery the news to him. His younger brother had called him early this afternoon to tell him, but called his cell phone which was turned off and on the charger. I can't believe his brother doesn't have our home phone number and didn't think to call the house. So, for several hours all the family is wondering why Bennie hasn't called to check on Dad. Then after I tell Bennie, what does he do? He goes back to sleep with the cell phone turned on waiting for a callback from another brother for an update? WTH???

I can't IMAGINE getting a call that my dad is in the hospital after having a stroke and not getting in the car to go to the hospital to see him. I just don't get it. Bennie and I are Sooooo different when it comes to family. All he did was call the hospital and talk to his step mom to find out how his dad was doing. He did get to talk to his dad for a few minutes, but there's damage and his speech is definately impaired. He'll be in the hospital a few more days for tests and monitoring. He's lost all feeling on one side. I just pray he's going to be okay.So, please say a pray for Stan.. his dad.. he can sure use all he can get.

Adios for now.

Sunday- Question Du Jour

What is your favorite memory Mother's Day memory?

My favorite memory is the first and only time I was served breakfast in bed on Mother's Day. My kids were small and they made me homemade cards at school along with the homemade flowerpot picture holders.. still have them sitting on a bookcase. I was served my favorite..French Toast and bacon.. with fresh orange juice and coffee.

Well once was good... atleast I can say I've been served breakfast in bed! LOL

Elsie Rocks!!

Just got home for my all day session at Ruban Rouge! What a blast. I really really enjoyed Elsie and her talents.. she is so cute, sweet, quiet, creative and inspirational. Anyone who has the chance should definately sign up for a class with her.

Above is a photo collage of the photos I took tonight..
1. Elsie
2. Elsie teaching
3. Group Photo with an Elsi Layout :-) Bottom Row.. Amanda and Crystal. Crystal came all the way from Washington State! (Well she was vacationing in Orlando..but she did come the furthest.) Back Row is..XOBella, Roadie70, ArtsyFartsy1 and Me..Gatorgirl65.
4.Elsie signing the wall at Ruban Rouge
5. Elsie and Me with my "Me" page
6. XOBella
7. ArtsyFartsy1
8.Roadie70
9. Group Photo with all the Peas and Elsie and her hubby T.J. ( He rocks too!)

We all laughed so hard tonight... I had such a great time meeting everyone! Thanks Roadie for making the Starbucks run.. it was yummy! I hope we all can get together again soon to scrap!

Happy Mother's Day!

Question Du Jour: What was your High School Sweethearts full name? I'll blog tomorrow with my answer...

Countdown to Elsie Flanagan!!

I get to spend 14 hours with Elsie Flanagan on Saturday!! She's going to be teaching classes all weekend at Ruban Rouge in Palm Harbor.

My mother's day gift to myself is to take all three of her classes.. can't wait!! Then she'll be staying to crop with everyone from 6 to midnight. I'm so excited!!

I've still got to gather a few items for my project assignments. I'm doing a Me layout.. a Favorite Family Photos album and My Hometown Album...

I decided I'm going to start asking a Question Du Jour.. my friend J does this on her blog. If you are a country music lover... check out her blog. She works for XM Radio in Nashville and has THE coolest job on the planet! http://www.producerj.blogspot.com/

so today's

Question Du Jour...

Who is your favorite "celebrity" scrapbook artist?

I love Elsie Flanagan and Donna Downey. Two totally different people but I love both of their styles. I get alot of inspiration from the two!

Scrapping the Night Away!

I got quite a few pages done tonight for my daughter's boyfriend's scrapbook that I am making him for a graduation present. This has turned out to be a pretty big job. Kevin is very active in school, was the Commanding Officer of our ROTC unit this year and has been active in ROTC for the past 3 years. I've had a lot of fun doing this scrapbook. Thankfully his Mom and Dad gave me lots of pictures from birth to now to create this album.

As soon as I take photos of the album I'll be sure to post some here for you to see.

Here's a couple....for now...

Joyce, if your reading this.. I found batteries for my camera after you went to bed! Sorry!

Wednesday Blogger Challange - 2Peas

Favorite Color- Blue!!

I've always loved Blue.. it goes with so many colors. It's eye opening to me. It puts me in a better mood. It reminds me of my husband's eyes. He has the most beautiful Blue eyes.

I tend to do a lot of LO's in blue or that have a hint of blue in them.

Finally... Rain!!

Finally! We got rain...

Monday we had a huge brush fire about 5 miles from my home. Totally shut down Intersate 75 north and southbound. Several neighborhoods were evacuated. Luckily, no houses were damaged and no injuries. It's pretty scary knowing you could lose your livelyhood in a flash. It's been so dry here and hot lately.

Woke up yesterday to thunder, lightening and a downpour that lasted a couple hours. I believe we got atleast 2-3 inches of rain in that short 4 hour timeframe.

I've got to finish Kevin's scrapbook that I'm doing for his graduation present. I just had ton's more digital photos developed. His mom had given me a lot of photos to scrap but I was missing 9th and 10th grade. Since my daughter and Kevin started dating at the beginning of his junior year, I had plenty of pictures to scrap from 11th and his senior year. Now I've got to get moving and get these pages done!

If any of you have done a graduation album, I'd love to see your pages! I'm trying to do a few dedication pages from the important people in his life. I contacted his best friend in AZ to ask him to write a paragraph or so to him to put with his picture in the scrapbook.. sort of a memory page written to Kevin reminiscing the good times and memories they made together. I've got his Mom, Dad, Sister and several other close friends doing the same thing.

Monday Blogger Challange for 2 Peas

Blog about your favorites. (foods)

Fave coffee: Cappucino- especially from Starbucks!

Fave tea: Peppermint

Fave jam: Seedless Raspberry

Fave Peanut Butter: Jiff Creamy!

Fave sandwich: A Cuban Sandwich... native to my area...

Fave fast food item: Onion Rings from Sonic

Fave appetizer: Blooming Onion from Outback Steakhouse

Fave summertime drink: Peach Flavored Ice Tea

Fave fruit: Mango

Fave vegetable: Asparagus

Fave indulgence: Fresh Strawberry Shortcake

On to other topics... I went to JoAnn's today to use my 40% coupon and buy some of the sale items in their flyer. Only spent $23 so I was happy!

I have two weeks to finish Kevin's scrapbook that I'm making him for a graduation present. I really need to get some scrapping done tonight.

Didn't go to WW tonight to weigh in. I had a horrible week last week and I had a splitting headache earlier so I layed down. I'll have to go weigh in another night this week. I'm sure I gained this week. Have to get myself back on track and focused. It's so hard when there is so much going on. Birthdays, graduations, parties every weekend, weddings and end of the school year functions. UGH! Send me some prayers!! LOL

I'm going to go scrap some. Will do my best to post some photos tonight of what I get accomplished!

Cheers!

More Snapshots of Saturday

The Epcot Sphere.. so cool!
I found Nemo....
Butterflies hatching from their cacoons..
Newly hatched butterfly.....

 

Snapshots from Saturday

I went to Epcot today to see the Annual Flower Festival and it was amazing! I saw the most beautiful flowers and plants today and the weather was gorgeous!

Here's a collage of all the topiary characters... arent' they cool? It was amazing to see Lady and The Tramp.. the shrubs and plants they used to create them were fabulous.

I'm going to have a fun time scrapping some of these photos! 

TGIF!!

Ever have one of those weeks where you just can't wait for the weekend?
Well.. that's me! It's been a busy week at work for me and I'm so looking forward to some R&R and scrapping this weekend!

We had our carpets cleaned in the whole house yesterday. What a difference that makes! Now I'm in the mood for re-decorating and maybe moving the furniture around. I guess that spring cleaning bug is hitting me.

Tomorrow night I'm going to a friend of mine's wedding party. She recently got married and is having a party at the Elk Lodge. I'll be seeing lots of my friends I used to work with back in my corporate work world days! I'm especially excited to spend time with my best friend Kellie who I never see much of anymore.

Here's a photo of Kelli and me last year at another party. I'm gonna scrap this picture! Love it!




Good times to come again.. I'll post some photos from the party on Sunday. Have a great weekend!!

2 Peas Blogger Challange -From Sophia

List 10 Food cravings that you easily cave it to:

1. Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies
2. Funyons
3. Cheese Mashed Potatos
4. Bananas Foster
5. Strawberry Shortcake- made with all butter pound cake
6. Boiled Peanuts
7. My Mom's German Potato Salad
8. Big G's Homemade Salsa
9. Key Lime Pie
10. French Fries

Taking An Evening Walk

I've been walking almost everynight since I joined WW and decided to take my camera tonight and take some photos. All of the photos were captured in the neighborhood we walked in. I love the peacock and the flowers.. especially the magnolia and the bouganvillas! I can't wait until my bouganvilla grows this big and blooms so beautifully!

One thing I happened upon is the photo in the top right corner... a Eucalyptus Tree. I had never seen a Eucalyptus tree before.. very pretty and smelled sooooooo good!

I have plans to do some scrapping tomorrow and lots this weekend! I haven't scrapped all week since my hubby has been on vacation. We've been doing things and haven't had much time.. 

Turning The Big 18....

Cedric, Kevin, Kristina and Patrick
The Cake....
Blowing out the candles...

Tonight was a special night. First off, Cedric and Patrick are both in town, on leave from their Marine Corp duty stations. Cedric is here for the month and Patrick is here until Monday. They both came back home to attend the Military Ball held last Saturday night. (see pics below) Anyway.. Cedric always loves for me to cook him Lasagna.. so I promised I would tonight. Patrick came over as well, along with Bobbi, Vicki and Paul Elmore and Debbie, Kevin's mom. We had a nice dinner..my lasagna turned out great! Deb made a greek salad that was awesome and we topped it off with birthday cake! Even though Kevin isn't officially turning 18 until Sunday, May 7th, we celebrated tonight with the friends all gathered around.

 

Tuesday's Blogger Challange from 2Peas

What's your favorite summertime dessert?

I have two choices! One is a jello cake and the other is watermelon!!

The jello cake is a favorite around my house.. so cool and refreshing. Here's how to make it...

Take a regular white cake box mix and make the cake according to the directions on the box.

Let the cake cool about 20 minutes and then poke holes on the top of the cake with a fork... all over.

Take your favorite flavor of jello gelatin and mix it only with the hot water portion. Disolve the jello and pour on top of the cake over all the holes you poked with the fork.

Place in the refrigerator immediately to set the jello... atleast 3-4 hours. Ice the cake with cool whip and garnish with fresh fruit or M&M's or candies of your choosing. YUMM!!!