Meaux Scraps

Yes, Virginia, global warming really exists… and other fun events!

2010-06-13T21:27:00.001-07:00

Courtesy Photo The Sheridan Press

Photo Taken 5/24/10 Burgess Junction US HWY 14.

March 18th we returned from Our Friends’ wedding (Yeah, Cheri n Everett!!) in Newcastle. Lovely wedding, lovely place. We stopped at Devil’s Tower. For the last 6 years we’ve been telling ourselves that we will go to DT “next time” we go east.. Finally, we did. It was so worth it! The kids had a blast.

I loved it!

Robert enjoyed it as much as he could with a bum ankle.

The kids climbed as many rocks as they could and wanted their picture taken on every single one.

It didn’t matter if it was a huge rock …

or a tiny one…

or a tree…

or a sign… :)

I think we would all love to go camping at Devil’s Tower. We will definitely return before another 6 years sneak up on us!

Kate had her Dance Recital in May. She’s a little diva! Her class danced to Elvis’ Hound Dog. Totally cute!!!

Kate and her big sister, Chelsey.

Jonathan had his Orchestra concert. I can’t believe that my little boy is growing up so fast! At 9 years old and 3rd grade, he plays the violin better than I did at 11 and the 6th grade. He already informed us that he will be pursuing a music scholarship! Aim high big guy!!

Gabe had quite a few accomplishments this year. We are so proud of him!!

He earned his Arrow of Light, Cub Scouts highest award!
He crossed over the 11 year old Scouts and is working hard on getting his Tenderfoot and Second Class out of the way.

He performed at the All Elementary Choir Concert – sorry, no pix..yet
He participated in the Sagebrush Elementary 5th Grade Science Fair.- He won 1st place for the Bio-Chemistry division and 2nd place Overall! What a great kid!! Who knew that leaving meat out to rot for 4 days was so cool!

Gabe graduated Elementary, earning a presidential award for Academic Excellence, numerous class awards for being smart, helpful and generally awesome!!

Way to be awesome, Gabe!!

Now on to Junior High! I’m more than a little nervous since I did not have the best experiences in J Hi. I have been assured by many people including the principal and counselor that Gabe will have a wonderful time!

We have not watered our lawn once this season, though it has been mowed 4 times (yeah!! to the new self-propelled mower).

The kids are watching a guinea pig for a friend. Skittish little thing! Not used to smallish type children! If it ever warms up, the kids can take her outside for some fresh grass and sun. Poor thing’s been stuck inside for almost a week. They’ve been really good with her, not feeding her too much or too little, keeping their distance when she seems scared.

Life is good!

Happy St. Patty’s Day!!

2010-03-16T21:42:00.001-07:00

I Scrapped..Finally!! and Happy New Year!!

2010-01-01T20:40:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful New Year! 2010 will be a lovely year, I know it!!

Ok so my best friend Erin challenged me to actually do some scrappin’ over the holidays. I actually did!

Erin is holding a blog candy contest and I hope I win!! *wink, wink* The contest says that you need to follow a recipe and there are 4 recipes to use. I really wanted to do all four but time constraints wouldn’t allow. This is supposed to be a card contest but I noticed in the rules that it didn’t have to be a card. I don’t do cards a whole lot, but I did do one plus a 12x12 layout.

Erin, I win. OK. ;-)

Producte used: CTMH -Key to my Heart paper and stamp set, stickers, and black ink.

Products used: K&Company Wild saffron Paper, misc. bug stickers, CTMH black ink, foam adhesive.

Sorry about the nasty glare on the second one. Just couldn’t get a good pic. Love both sets of papers. Glad I could play with them! Hope you like!

Free Digi Fun by Jessica Sprague!!

2009-06-14T08:07:00.001-07:00

Deal A Day with Close To My Heart!

2009-06-02T20:52:00.001-07:00

Well this is exciting!!

What are the campaign details?
Dates: June 1–30, 2009 (the last item posted on June 30 will remain online until July 1, 2009 at 8 a.m. (MT) or while supplies last.
Featured Products: It's a different product special each day!
For Customers : Take advantage of a different deal each day during June only on my website.
Each special will run for just one day—23 hours to be exact, from 9 a.m. (MT) to 8 a.m. (MT) the following day. There will be two different types of “deals” offered on my MyCTMH site through this exciting promotion:

Receive a free item with a qualifying purchase. On 24 of the 30 days in June, you can receive a specially-selected current product absolutely free (tax does apply on free items in the US) when you purchase a My Acrylix® stamp set, size A, B, C, D, or E (excluding Stamp of the Month, customized or K-size sets, and Art & Soul featured stamp sets). The free product will change daily and there can be only one free item per order. You will also save big on shipping when orders meet all Deal-a-Day guidelines.
Receive 50% off or more on “Great Goodies” boxes. On 6 of the 30 days in June, you can purchase a “mystery” box filled with “Great Goodies.” Contents will vary by box and include both current and retired favorite stamp sets, paper packs, embellishments, and other great products. The six “Great Goodies” boxes will all have different pricing of at least 50% off retail, with some at even deeper discounts! Note that we have made every effort to differentiate the 6 “Great Goodies” options so you can purchase boxes on different dates and receive a wide variety of differing products! No qualifying purchase is required on the days a “Goodies” box is the deal; discounted shipping is also available when orders meet all Deal-a-Day guidelines.

Notes: Deals are posted each day at 9:00 am (MT), are good for 23 hours and while supplies last, and are only available on Tier II MyCTMH websites.

Forever Young....or did I really have to get out of bed today?

2009-05-09T16:18:00.000-07:00

My birthday was the 6th. I celebrated by going to Cub Scouts like a good leader should. We made bird feeders out of milk jugs. Then, my co-leader surprised me with a cake and everyone sang to me.

Several hours earlier...

Robert brought me lunch along with a couple of his friends Dave Randall and Joe Shoen. That was really sweet of them! But... I was really busy and couldn't take time to eat. I went to leave and grabbed my stuff and spilled my drink all over me and the floor in the reception area at work... So, after I cleaned that all up.. I was able to go about the rest of my birthday.

Forever Young

2009-05-08T15:47:00.001-07:00

I had my birthday the other day. Robert asked if I was 28. Nikki told me I was only half way to 68. Jessalee pointed out that 1/3 of my life was done...

They say you are only as old as you feel... I say I feel Forever Young!

I think Spring might be here!

2009-04-10T17:04:00.000-07:00

well, maybe...

It has been almost 60 degrees 2 days in a row and the snow is melting!!!

Not much else going on except my three kids and their birthdays all within 2 weeks of each other... And our trip to Minnesota next week.

Spring Break, Finally Over

2009-03-30T10:52:00.001-07:00

...it could have taken the snow with it!

Last week was Spring Break. We had 2 blizzards with a 40 degree day thrown in for kicks. Glad our only plans were not foiled. We had an amazing week planned. Robert and I were going to go to work. The kids were going to hang out with friends and sitters. homes. Thank you friends and sitters!!!!

I canceled Cub Scouts 'cause it was Spring Break and nothing was going to ruin my plans, dang it!! LOL!

I had grand plans to go grocery shopping on Saturday but laziness won the day and it didn't happen. I did, however, go with Nikki to Buffalo to take her daughter, Chelsey, to meet up with her dad for the weekend. So glad she got home before the storm rolled in again!

I really should have gone shopping!

I got 4 phone calls last night telling me that school was canceled today.

I received a call from the Snow Emergency Service - a first in the 5 years we've lived here!- telling me to not park on the Emergency Snow Route. I don't even live on a Snow Route.

This is what appears on the city web site:

Attention
A snow emergency has been declared until 6 PM tonight.
Emergency travel only.
No parking on emergency snow routes.
Total snowfall of 10 to 18 inches expected with wind gusts up to 50 mph.
The City Snow Routes Emergency is in effect.
If you have vehicles parked in these routes,
you must move them immediately.
A SNOW EMERGENCY has been declared.
NO PARKING on City Snow Routes is allowed.

And from Sheridan Media:

More storms are anticipated throughout the week. We expect that clean up from the storms will take the rest of the week and the coming weekend.

I think I want to go just a little south of the Equator! Salvador, Bahia, Brazil! This is Salvador:

One of my best friends from Brazil lives in this area. This beach is one of her favorite places.

This is the view out my back door:

This is out the front door:

City Hall is closed. Robert is home. IML is not closed. I should be at work. But, there is no unnecessary travel right now. No one is going out to sample today. UPS and Fed EX can't get out in this weather. We will not be getting samples from them. My stuff can stay in the oven and bake another day...

The car can move now, so I'm going grocery shopping....Wal-Mart should be open, right?

THE MOUNTAINS OF HOME

2009-03-18T20:54:00.001-07:00

THE MOUNTAINS OF HOME by Winna Brown Kalauli - my mom's cousin

They call to me still in the gentle feelings of evening and in the early, golden rays of a new dawn. I see them etched clearly in my mind - tall and red and beckoning to the child still in my soul. I feel them deep within my heart calling me, calling me, calling me...

"Come, climb my peaks once more. Sit on my top and listen to the clean air brush through the pinion pines and ruffle your hair. Search my caves and caverns. Pick my Indian paintbrushes and snowballs and sweet peas. Gather the remnants of others who used to roam me freely ages past - arrowheads among the sagebrush. Come, sing and whistle as you used to, little child, while you scamper over my rocks and boulders, flinging your worries and cares down my canyons and rushing winds. Sit upon my sun-warmed sands, close to Heaven, and look down and ponder on all the glories of your valley home. Then let my strength seal all these wonders in your child heart to last for eternity to bring you back to me when you are grown."

"I am the Mountains of your Home, I will stand here forever, even after you have become too old to wander my silent paths, to play among my rocks and shout joyously from my tops, I am the mountains of your home. I will be here when you return."

Copied from Moccasin and Her People. This is where I came from. I hope everyone has their own little Moccasin. Calm, serene, joyful- my mountain home, my family.

On Street Sweepers

2009-03-16T22:46:00.001-07:00

Robert is at City Council tonight. It is 10:55pm. I texted him at 10:15 or so to see if he was coming home tonight. -- Council meetings start at 7:00pm and are held every other Monday, with the other two being taken up by Planning Commission. -- I hate Mondays!

Robert texted me back around 10:30 saying that they are discussing the potential purchase of a street sweeper.

This is our current sweeper. We got it a few years ago. It does a good job as far as I can see. It certainly makes its rounds often enough and helps keep the dust down on the streets.

Yeah, I think it does a good job.

So when Robert texted me back with the new street sweeper story I was taken back. Back to Brazil.

For those of you who don't know, I served 14 of my 18 month LDS Mission in the interior of Brazil. I loved it there! Robert and I met in Brazil. Life is so much simpler there -- I did not live in any of the large cities such as Rio or Sao Paulo. So, when I say "simpler", think Wyoming on steroids!

This is what pops into my head every time I hear the words street sweeper:

and for the bigger cities, Renato Sorriso, the dancing Street Sweeper from Rio. Ok, I just found this in Google images... details!

It is 11:15 and Robert is finally home.

While I was living in Brazil, completely submerged in their culture and seeing these people actually sweeping streets, I couldn't help to wonder how we cleaned streets in the good ol' USA. I couldn't remember ever seeing anyone pushing a broom on our streets. I'm sure I would have remembered had I seen it. Then, some other American missionary would tell me that we actually used machines that sucked up the garbage and dirt. It was just amazing!! I couldn't imagine it!

Just like I couldn't figure out how the church has a stake center by the Sao Paulo temple that has a basketball court inside with classrooms surrounding it. It was amazing to think about it. Here I was in the middle of Brazil, all the ward buildings had an outside volleyball/soccer court. Trying to draw a picture in my mind of a normal US LDS ward building was difficult.

Growing up 21 years in the United States as an active member of the church--every Sunday, every weekday in High School attending Seminary with near perfect attendance--and within 8 months of being submerged in Brazil, I could not remotely think American. After almost 11 years of being home, I still have issues thinking American- remembering words or phrases, thinking and speaking in the proper English structure.

I hope the City decides what it wants to do about the potential new Street Sweeper. Imagine how many more people could have jobs if, like Brazil, we had street sweepers!

I suppose it wouldn't work too well in the winter, but isn't that what the snow removal department is for?

New Table

2009-02-23T20:28:00.001-08:00

We got a new table set on Saturday. It has been mostly clean the whole weekend! It looks so nice I had to snap a photo at dinner tonight.

Oh shoot!!! don't look at the kitchen sink!! Gabe didn't finish the dishes!!!

Chelsey is here for dinner tonight. We love it when she is here.

Please don't look at my bulletin board!! It hasn't been touched by the organization fairy, yet!

Look What a Little Organization Can Do!

2009-02-23T20:20:00.001-08:00

So, lately I've been on this little organization kick. I have my scrap stuff in 3 different places in my house. I am trying to get some semblance of order to the chaos!

I got this new cabinet to put stuff in from Home Depot. I love it cause I can put lots of stuff in it and still find everything.

It still looks a little messy, but it is much better than it used to be! I even found this old trunk that I put all the stuff on top of the cabinet into it. Looks so much nicer!

Across the room is my work area.

I know it still looks a MESS, but it isn't as bad as it looks. REALLY! I told you I have too much stuff! I have one other 7 drawer plastic thing upstairs in my bedroom closet. I'm eventually going to move that stuff down to the living room when I find some space for it!

I got myself all sort of organized. I bought the March edition of Creating Keepsake - the organization edition. I've made a goal to use up my over abundant stash!

I took Becky Higgins' March sketch and decided to be inspired and work on getting a few of those pictures out of the box and put on paper and in page protectors. Now I just gotta get some more albums!

Here is my handy work. Thank you Becky and everyone at Creating Keepsakes for the organization issue!!!

"darling kate" : CTMH More To Adore Level 2 kit, CTMH Rub-ons, Heidi Swap Flowers, and some really cool 'ghost' letters

"When Nature Calls": CTMH Rustic Trail Level 2 Kit, American Crafts Chipboard Letters, Me and My Big Ideas stickers, random chipboard arrow - Love it!

...to be continued!

StuffStak Blog Candy Winners Announced!

2009-02-21T11:23:00.001-08:00

Turtlelady Sandy!!!!

Sandy, and everyone else, THANX! for playing!!! This was a really fun challenge.

Congratulations! You’ve just won a Level 2 Deck the Halls paper pack and Cocoa Cafe' kit from Close To My Heart. Both packs are no longer available. I guess you could call these collectors items!!!

I really love these paper packs and am having a hard time parting with them!

and

I will email you the 'live' gift certificate with the Code on it so you can actually use it!

I wonder if I could talk E into giving me a GC...I need more stuff!!LOL!!!

Thanx all for playing!!!!

Before I Forget!!

2009-02-20T18:49:00.001-08:00

This month is zippin' by! I wish things would slow down just a bit. I would like to get a nap in every once in a while!

Jonathan called me at work today, right after he got out of school.

J: "Mom , can Ammon ride the bus home with me?"

Me: "Umm... OK."

J: "Can Ammon spend the night? It's friday and not a school night."

Me: "Ummm...Ok. Does his mom know?"

J: "Yes!"

Me: "Ok."

Ten minutes later, from home, Gabe calls...

G: "Can we play games?"

Me: "Are your chores done?"

G: "uh huh"

Me: "Is Ammon there?"

G: "Yeah."

Me: "Ok. How come this is the first time I've heard about this sleep over?"

G: "I just found about it, too"

J interrupting G: "I wanna talk to mom!"

Me: " How come this is the first time I've heard about this sleep over?"

J: "Mom, don't you remember, I told you about it before!"

Me: "Umm..No you didn't."

J: "Yes, I did! Don't you remember? I called you after school today!"

Me: "Oh yeah, right. I forgot. Next time I need more notice!"

J: "Ok. Love you mom!"

Me: "Love you, too!"

J with his lil' sis.

Good times! Good times!

...cause the darn email link isn't working...

2009-02-19T06:34:00.001-08:00

Sorry for all the confusion!! I didn't realise the email link wasn't working. Here is my email... amaryllisb2@gmail.com...

Can't wait to see your answers! don't forget to comment in the previous post so I know to look for your email!!!!

Have a Scrap Happy day!!

Amaryllis

Coming soon... sketch challenge !

Valentine's Day StuffStak Blog Candy Contest

2009-02-14T10:08:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day Ya'LL!!

Sweet Robert got me exactly what I wanted! An iPod!! Not just any iPod, the ORANGE iPod nano!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!

How Cool is that!?! So I took it to work yesterday and listened to The Princess Bride- S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure. I am a Princess Bride NUT!! I have 3 copies of the movie on DVD and 3 different copies of the book!

I forget how short that book is... or how tedious my job is at the moment... I love my job, it just gets boring sometimes. So while I was weighing out beakers and pipetting sample into said beakers, I heard the entire story in less than 4 hours! I'm so glad I downloaded Twilight, too!!

Kate thinks she needs a Pink nano now...

****************************************************

Now for the Valentine's Day FUN stuff!!!

My friend Erin , over at Inky Smiles and Stamper Storage have been helping each other with major dejunking of our creative spaces over the past few weeks. Her closet and my alcove area have been giving each other a run for their money for the mess…. We’ve been sharing photos of the progress and one day I showed her the pic of my InkStak . She was peering at the pic and noticed that I had some rather interesting “non ink” type items hidden away in my InkStak. “Interesting,” she thought, “more than just ink… hrmmmm.”

So, Erin at Inky Smiles, and I came up with a brilliant idea!! We are going to have a combined contest where TWO winner(s) will EACH receive TWO Close To My Heart- never been opened - paper packs from MY personal stash and SUPER AWESOME ERIN is including 2 gift certificates for $15.00 off the purchase of an InkStak (one for each winner) to help you “store more stuff”!

I have been doing a lot of cleaning and realized that I have way too much stuff!!!!! Yes, you can tell your significant other that Amaryllis has too much...No, that doesn't mean she is stopping the shopping!!

So, I love my InkStak!! It makes me smile! It is so handy to have my inks that close to my workspace-- now that my work space is cleaned off and can actually be used. Next stop, the kitchen table!

I must admit that my InkStak does a little more than just hold my ink pads... It also holds a box of tooth picks, important in every crafter's tool box, or InkStak, whatever! I have glitter, and perfume, and sunblock, and 3x5 photos from my husband's mission to Brazil 13 years ago--yes, I know I am way behind! Markers, lip gloss, some embellishment tape from 7Gypsies on a colored pencil. AAA batteries are a must, right?! I have a bag of white Bigger Brads (CTMH), some pens, my spare car key that I need to have re-programmed so I can actually use it! I also have some coasters from Outback Steakhouse, pliers, a ruler, blank coasters, a AA battery and wire cutters. There is also a pair of scissors & a deck of cards. The deck of cards is important. One day they will be a deck of memories... One down, fifty-one to go! And we're almost there... I also have a sponge, a pen size hand sanitizer, and some dangle accessories- for ribbon maybe?.. Lotion and a hammer. Oh, there are also 61 stamp pads in my InkStak!

Can you find them all?

This is what you must do to enter the contest:

1.) Email (click on email to pull up the address) your answers to each person for a chance on each blog. Email your list of answers like so:

ITEM NAME -----------------ROW --------------COLUMN

2.) Then, please leave a comment on the blogs so we know to check for your email.

You have until Saturday, February 21st @ noon to submit your answers! We will only draw from those who play the game and send in answers.
We will randomly select 2 entries from the persons who find the most items and posts here or on Erin's site will win 2 CTMH paper packs, never been used, that I have hiding in my stash and a $15.00 gift certificate towards the purchase of an InkStak! So, two winners, one from Inky Smiles and one from Meaux Scraps !

Happy Scraps & Inky Smiles to you! See you in a week!!!

For some reason my email isn't coming through, sooo.. here it is: amaryllisb2@gmail.com. Sorry about that. this should work!

7 Favorite Things

2009-01-21T20:17:00.000-08:00

So one of my bestest buddies, Erin, over at Inky Smiles, tagged me for a Kreativ Blogger Award! I am really excited about this. Although I have not posted much in the way of creative stuff lately, Erin knows better.

So, in honor of this award I will post a few things i have been working on along with my 7 favorite things...

* My Family

* My Friends

* My Camera (Rebel xTi) Yes, I occasionally let the little people touch it!

* My Scrapbook Supplies - no, this is not all of them!

* Stuff I've Made - which is usually given away

* Peace and Quiet

* The Funny Things My Children Say
"but, I need gum in my life!" - Gabe, after being grounded from gum.
"What the..!" - Jonathan, when ever anything happens!
"More like a BUTT Cracker!" - Kate, referring to farts and fire crackers!

I nominate the following, not for just being the crafty people they are but for being an inspiration to me, too!
Jessalee, Janeen, Michelle Zindorf, Jen del Muro, The Pioneer Woman- cause, dadgum if she ain't amaizin'!, Inky Smiles, too (you don't have to do this again if you don't want to! :), I can't think of anyone else at the moment but there are lots of amazing people out there that inspire me! Thank you all!!

Now all you have to do is...list your 7 fav's on your blog and go tag some bloggers... You can click on the award graphic to save a larger size one for your blog.

Is It Spring Yet?

2009-01-21T20:07:00.000-08:00

Did a little bit of cleaning yesterday in hopes of finding a very important piece of plastic... Didn't find the plastic but I did get a little organizing done. My little Scrap Shack was needing some serious help! Here's a lovely photo of one corner of my scrappiness. Don't look at the parts that are messy! LOL!!

Now if I could just get the rest of the house cleaned out!

This Just In!!

2009-01-19T15:40:00.000-08:00

Gabe made the news! All because the meanest mommy in the world made him go to some crazy scout thing Saturday morning.

To hear Gabe, click on the 2nd arrow and turn your volume up!

From Sheridan Media.com January 19, 2009:

BOY SCOUTS PARTICIPATE IN IMPORTANT PATRIOTIC EVENT - On Saturday at Sheridan's City Hall, Boy Scout Troop 117 took part in an event to honor one of our Nation's flags, after it had lived out its purpose. The worn and tired flag that was previously flying above City Hall was retired by members of the Troop by burning it with dignity next to the building. Scout Master John Stopka explains why these ceremonies are important for the Troop.The old flag was replaced with a new one, which is now ready to live out its purpose, just like the one before it. Boy Scout Tim Lowman and Cub Scout Gabriel Briggs describe how the experience was for them.This was the first flag burning for most of the troop, but Stopka says there are still some flags that will need to be retired at the Scouts' summer camps this year.

I didn't take my camera, which means I didn't get any good pictures. The one on the website is all I have. So, here is a picture of Gabe pinning me when he earned his Wolf badge Last January.

I know, I need more photos of scouting stuff!! I'm so proud that Gabe enjoyed it and thought it was cool. Jonathan came too, but I think it was a little beyond him as he kept asking when it was "going to be over?" and "could we go home now?".

Resolution.. A Little Late, But Better Than Never!

2009-01-13T06:53:00.001-08:00

I love the scriptures! They have so many wonderful exmples of the Savior's love for us. I especially love the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon has the complete Gospel as Jesus taught it when he lived on the earth. The Book of Mormon, Another testament of Jesus Christ.

Last night, the kids and I (Robert had a late meeting)sat down and read a couple of chapters of the Book of Mormon as scripture study. We read about Nephi being born of good parents who taught him the things he needed to know both spiritual and temporal. Then, about the Vision his father Lehi had concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the cycle of life- if you choose to obey the comandments you will be blessed, but if you do not follow the comandments you will be cursed. It is all so simple, really!

So the kids and I were sitting together reading and I noticed how well they read. they are smart kids, of course. But they did not stumble on any of the words, and there are a lotof difficult words in the scriptures, i.e. abominations, whithersoever, etc. I also noticed later how peaceful the rest of the night was. The kids didn't complain about going to bed. I didn't get upset at them for little annoing things. And when I went in to tuck the boys in bed, they had the most loving smiles on their faces for me. It made my heart leap!

The kids were challenged by their Primary presidency to read the scriptures daily, either on their own or as a family. I am working on a 'degree' through Relief Society that challenges myself to read the scriptures daily plus study them 3 times a week, or something like that. So, I am combining our challenges and we are doing it together. It has been a long time sisnce I have really studied and read the scriptures with any regularity. I hope these challenges help me to be a better person, mother, wife and friend. I hope they help my children learn to love the scriptures and have more peace in our home.

ALL Things Paper

2009-01-11T20:46:00.000-08:00

My dear friend Erin Grotegut (of Inky Smiles and Stamper Storage) sent me a beautiful handmade bracelet for Christmas. I don't have a picture of it yet, but you can look here to see an example of the amazing craftyness! Yes, the bracelet is made by rolling paper into beads and embossing them!! SOO COOOL!!

Someday!!!

Thanx EEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Jesus Christ Is the Light, Life, and Hope of the World

2008-12-13T09:04:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone!!

So I got my visiting teaching done by the middle of the month instead of the end!!! I have to say I have the best, sweetest companion! Sheri, you know who you are!

I really loved this month's message because it kind of sums up our lives for the past year!

There have been so many tragedies for and in our family. My brother-in-law is still recovering from his latest trip to Iraq with his 30th surgery yesterday. My Aunt passed away from lung cancer. My Mother-in-law passed away after a 2 year battle with ovarian cancer. My husband is having health issues that are still unknown. We have been stuck in a little 3 bedroom townhouse that we outgrew when we moved into it four and a half years ago. And our best friends moved to Colorado a few weeks ago leaving a huge hole in our hearts and more time to ourselves than we know what to do with. Yes, we spent a lot of time together.

With all these problems that made for a really bad year one person commented to me earlier and said "Your family has a dark cloud following you everywhere! I don't understand how you get through each day." My first response was "well, I suppose we could just give up and quit". But the propper response has always been to take things one day at a time and trust that Heavenly Father will get us through those hard times.

This year was more than just hardship and pain. We made many wonderful memories. Robert was able to visit his brother in NC in February and we all got to spend quality time with Robert's mom before she passed away. I was able to bring my family to Moccasin and enjoy some time with my extended family before my Aunt passed away, and after. We all were able to attend my favorite cousin's wedding before my Aunt died and hung out with lots of cousins and family we hadn't seen in a while. Robert got a new truck - his brother was kind enough to give us his old 4runner after the accident that destroyed the purple beast (thinking twice befor the kids get to take driver's ed.-- Robert got hit twice, in two different vehicles, by two different high school girls!). Dan was not supposed to drive a stick anymore so, of course, he drove it from NC to WY on their way to take care of their mom as she passed away. Robert and I made a trip to UT and spent some quality time together trying to get some diagnosis on whatever it is that he has. Again we were blessed to see family. The kids got to see their Grandpa Briggs out of the deal too.

Robert's brother and sister-in-law were finally able to bless their marriage. We all went to NC to celebrate. It was the most relaxing and stress free vacation I had in a while. Robert went skydiving. The kids got their first rifle (which was left in NC) and got to go shooting with their Uncle, dad and a few other new friends. We made lots of new friends while we were out there!

We enjoyed the company of our best friends for Thanksgiving, a tradition that was started when we moved to Sheridan. Six families and a lot of food and a lot of fun!!!

We really have had more blessings than sadness this year. The following quote from this month's Visiting Teaching Lesson sums up this year very well:

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Beauty is what it's all about!

2008-12-13T08:26:00.001-08:00

I know it's been a while since I've been here and posted. Life gets in the way sometimes for a very long time. Between our trip to NC, Thanksgiving and helping my best friend move- and coming to grips with that!- I've been rather occupied! Oh yeah and Christmas!!

I was brousing around on family blogs and came across this video. I've seen it before but it has been a while. What is more important? To be loved because you are beautiful on the to the world with every feature perfect? Something I think we all would like to have-maybe a little bit, anyway. Or to be loved because of your true beauty. The things the world cannot see. Humility. True friendship. Virtue. Love for self and others. Love of God.

That is True Beauty?

I'm So Sad!!

2008-10-27T19:39:00.000-07:00

So there I was this morning, finished my swaps, got Kate to daycare, and myself to work (boys already off to school-they are great!!). My day was going swell at work, getting my "list o' stuff to get done so Sharron doesn't have to do it while I'm gone for a week" checked off, when my best friend Marie calls me.

I should have known this was coming. She told me both Saturday and Sunday that Dan had his interview for the job in Grand Junction, CO and was going to hear back from them today.

So, why did it totally blindside me when she called while I was adding 5ml of 1:1 HCL to some empty 1L amber glass jars, prepping them to be sent to clients, to tell me that Dan was offered and accepted the job?

Why am I having such a hard time accepting that my best friend is moving away while there is no chance that we will be following or going off on our own adventure?

I know that they are making the best choice for their family's well being. This was a decision long in the making with lots of prayer and thought involved. I really am truly happy for them and their opportunity. I will miss them more than I can imagine.

Maybe now Marie will sign up for gmail so we can gchat. :)

Oh, and another thing... my Vacuum broke!

Swapping 4 Fun

2008-10-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a swap for the last couple of weeks (or month)! I am finally finished!! The swap is a 2009 Calendar. I chose May and September.

I tried my hardest to come up with something spring-y for May, you know, pastels n such.. Well, I have this allergic reaction to pastels every time I try to do anything with them...I just CAN'T!! So, after wrestling with bright pinks and greens for 3 weeks, I chucked it all and started over. I used Close To My Hearts Let's Get Together (X7083B) paper pack with the Delight in Everything (D1204) stamp set, some pewter brads, and some Just Blooms died with Cranberry re-inker and ink pad. After completely changing the colors and papers I was using I pulled this together in about 15 minutes! I have to say that I love the result!! I hope you like it too!

September was a totally different story. I knew exactly what I was going to do before I ever picked it!! Weird.. Anyway, I used Sarsaparilla (X7098B) paper pack, Western Flourishes (C1307), Versamark pad (Z891), Dimensional Elements Flower Garden (Z1046), Black embossing powder, Liquid Glass, Create-a-Shade paint, Black Ink Pad, and Archival Black Re-Inker. All from Close To My Heart. Here is the result.

Hope you like!

Thanks to Gabe and Jonathan, who gave me thumbs up !!

I'm getting there...

2008-10-20T17:30:00.001-07:00

LOL!!

I am starting to get in the Halloween mood! Better late than never!! So here is a little treat.. Hope you enjoy!

Karyn, If you are reading this, DON'T unless you want to be spoiled! This is the card for the S4F swap I sent you today!!

I made the background using the masking tape technique. I used Sunny Yellow, Sunflower, Dutch Blue, Outdoor Denim, and Olive or Topiary inks. All from Close to my Heart. Happy Haunting stamp set from CTMH, and the awesome witch from Inkadinkado I embossed with Black EP after stamping with black ink. Layered that on some really old, retired Sunflower B&T (CTMH again) then onto a Black card. I distressed the Sunflower B&T with black ink, too. This was a fun card to make!

Now to finish the other swap i'm in and get the Halloween stuff done for the kids' classes!

Have a great evening!

New Class by Jessica Sprague

2008-10-10T16:54:00.000-07:00

I took an online digital class from Jessica Sprague a few months back. I absolutely loved it! I need to finish it the next moment I have some time!

I am a fan of Jessica. She is right up there with all the other scrapbook goddesses:) Her new class sounds like it will be another winner. And best of all it is FREE! Woot! Here are the details:

Click the image to go to her blog for more info! Hope to see you there!

Promises..promises

2008-10-09T20:53:00.000-07:00

What a whirlwind week!!

First, I want to apologise to KC_froglady for not getting the card kit out as ASAP as I had planned. I will take it to work tomorrow and ship it out - if i am thinking strait in the morning that is!!

Second, I'm so glad Friday is here! Tuesday Robert and I went to Billings, MT - only 2 hours away - for a rhumotoligist appt. for DH. 45 minutes later the Doctor tells us "Nope, no rhumotological disease in you." Which we are truly grateful to hear. Lunch at Old Chicago, brouse for a few minutes in Best Buy and the brand new Kohl's and back on the road home- another 2 hours!

Yesterday, I had Cub Scouts or "scubscouts" as Kate says. LOL! Then a leader meeting afterwards. Didn't get home till almost 11pm.

Today, I took DH to the hospital for outpatient surgery. The neurologist we saw at the U of U in Utah said we might be able to figure something out from a biopsy of his muscle. 6 hours later I was able to bring him home. Then I went grocery shopping and picked up his pain pills. We will know results with in 2 weeks if we are lucky.

Tomorrow is Tae Kwondo for the boys. Saturday we have 2 birthdays scheduled and a date night scavenger hunt (2nd annual). Hope Robert is up to it. It was tons of FUN last year!

I am involved in 2 swaps and working my way through those. I will post pix later.

Time for bed!!

Thanx! for showing up if you did! LOL!! Sweet Dreams!

Blog Candy Winner!!!

2008-10-04T08:46:00.000-07:00

Well, the time has come to pick a winner.....

kc_froglady!!!! Congratulations!!

so if you would just send me your snail mail addy I will get it too you asap!

I promise to have more candy in the near future.. just gotta get some organization done first. oh, and get my swaps done!

Just a reminder...

2008-10-01T20:15:00.000-07:00

I will be drawing a winner for the card kit posted below on Saturday the 4th! Anyone interested in winning needs to post a comment for their chance!! Tell your friends, family and acquaintances. The more the marry-er!! If enough people coment... there might be a surprise! What is enough? We shall see! Tee Hee!!

Tae Quan Do Tourney

2008-09-16T07:13:00.001-07:00

This Saturday we are going to Casper for a Tae Quan Do Tournament. It will be Gabe and Jonathan's first one. They are excited. They will take their advancement test to get their yellow stripe. And they will get to start sparring in class - provided they talk me into getting a mouth guard and cup. LOL!

They look ready?!

Win a Close To My Heart Card Kit!!

2008-09-14T17:36:00.000-07:00

I’m celebrating National Stamping Month and want to share the fun! I have a spare Just Because Card Kit. This kit comes complete with card bases, a D sized stamp set, a couple of mini stamp pads and even some bling! All you have to do to win this kit is to leave a comment on this post. I will pick the winner on Saturday October 4th.

ALSO…. Celebrating this lovely month, I am offering:

10% off all orders over $50 PLUS get the Stamp of the Month for half price.
15% off all orders over $100 PLUS get the September Stamp of the Month for FREE!
Email me for even greater savings and free products on orders over $150

(Offer expires September 30th)

Browse my website by clicking "Shop Online" to see all the great new and fabulous old products, then send me your order by email with "CTMH order" in the Subject line.

**all sales must be made through me not the website as it doesn’t care what time of year it is.... and you will not get the discounts that I am personally offering with this special**

Remembering 9/11

2008-09-11T06:37:00.000-07:00

I started out the day writing a check for lunch money for the kids. Dating it 9/11 kind of set me aback as I tried to add in my little brain how long it had been since the attacks. My middle son, Jonathan is 7. He was born 5 months before.

So many things have happened in the last 7 years.

We moved to NY 7 months after the attacks. Everyone thought we were crazy.

I didn't know anyone who was personally affected by loss, but I lived in the state that was most affected. I am so glad I did. The pride New Yorkers have for their country and home state is overwhelming! I hope I still have that kind of love of country as long as I live.

I have a brother and at least one cousin serving in Iraq. Thank you!

To all who lost loved ones and everyone else that was touched by the tragedy, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

She Likes It!

2008-09-02T17:28:00.000-07:00

Ok, so the wedding is this coming Saturday. My job for the past couple of months is to design the Guestbook/Scrapbook. She is combining the two into one to be more fun. The guestbook pages are going to have photos of the guests along with their best wishes for the couple. Then the scrapbook comes... But I'm not worried about that, yet. Give me a couple more weeks after the wedding!!

So between a trip to SLC for medical consultation for my sweet husband (with an ever so brief visit with Erin) and 3 sick kids (not all at once...and not pretty!), I finally finished the cover for the album! I took it to work to show the bride and other wedding parties, they all loved it. Makes me feel really good!!

So, enjoy the wedded bliss!

A big thank you goes to Nona Davenport who inspired the album decoration with her awesome tutorial. Thanx, Nona!!!

Materials used:

Boom-di-ada Level 2 paper pack (x7095b)
Free Spirit Level 2 paper pack (x7088b)
Boom-di-ada My Stickease (x7095c)
Retired Hollyhock ribbonrounds
Hollyhock ricrac (z1052)
Liquid Glass (z679)
Dimensional Elements Monograms S (z1073) & J (z1064)
Hollyhock stamp pad (z2128)

The great thing about this layout is that the dark red and the plain paper are front and back of each other. They match perfectly the bride's maids dresses.

And the Winner is...

2008-08-31T10:27:00.000-07:00

.
.
.
.
.
.
..
...

Cristi!!!!! Yay Cristi!!
Ok.. I never got around to posting the pic of the prize, so here it is now... Included is the Butterfly album with coordinating B&T, Victorian Level 1 Scrapbooking Kit, Merry Christmas and Spooktacular My Reflections Collections Scrapbooking Kit, Birthday Script and Thinking of You My Acrylix Stamp sets, a mini desert sand stamp padwith hinges accents, and White Daisy Rub-ons. These are all retired items and not available for order anymore.

Gone for about a week

2008-08-23T18:33:00.001-07:00

Just a note to let you know that Robert and I will be gone to Salt Lake City this week. Robert's Neurology appointment was moved up to Monday the 25th instead of Sept 8th. We are very happy for the change and apologise for any inconvenience this places on anyone.

Also, a huge thank you to all who are helping us out, especially with the kids!!!

Have a good week and blog soon!

Amaryllis

I will announce the winner of the gift basket when I return.

Make sure you you have your spot in the drawing by making any purchase of at least $25.00 on my website at www.amaryllis.myctmh.com!

Just Because... Details

2008-08-17T17:30:00.000-07:00

{I just ordered these kits and will recieve them on Aug. 18th. Pictures will be coming soon!!}

The dates are: August 14–September 30, 2008

Featured Products:

Just Because card kit;
From Me to You card kit;
Customer contest Grand Prize of $1,000 in Close To My Heart products.

Beginning August 14, purchase Just Because card kits using the following purchasing options and item numbers:

Purchase the kit at full retail price of$34.95 US (CC1000).
Make a minimum $75 qualifying purchase and purchase the card kit for just $15 (CC1000A).
Make a minimum qualifying purchase of $125 and get the card kit for FREE! (CC1000B)

You can also visit my MyCTMH website (http://www.amaryllis.myctmh.com/) or http://www.closetomyheart.com/ and enter a contest to win a Grand Prize of $1,000 (US retail) in Close To My Heart products.

Purchase a From Me to You Card Kit for only $10 and all profits (purchase price less inventory and handling costs) will be donated to Operation Smile. Shipping & handling apply. Limit 5 card kits per person.

The Just Because card kit will be available free to qualifying Hostesses with $400 in Gathering sales totals, beginning Sept.1- Sept.30

September is National Stamping Month

2008-08-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

Celebrate with Close To My Heart's Just Because card Kit

Order early, supplies are limited - not as limited as the clearance sale!

Just playing around

2008-08-13T22:03:00.000-07:00

My friend, Samantha, from work is getting married in about 3 weeks. She asked me if I could help with her scrapbook/guest book. I was playing with some of her engagement photos in Photoshop Elements 6.0 and liked the results. I'm going to burn her a copy so she can pick what she wants printed for the cover of the album.

Here is kind of what I have in mind but not totally....

Hope you like..

I Want...

2008-08-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

... to take a photography class!

I love the Olympics!!

2008-08-10T22:04:00.000-07:00

I love to see other countries show off their pride. Here is a little thing that I picked up off YouTube.

Hope you like it as much as I do!

Kudos to my Dear Husband!

2008-08-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

Most of last week Robert was in Cheyenne attending the Western States Planning Conference. Unbeknownst to him, his staff (with a tiny bit of help from me) nominated him for Planner of the Year for the Western States Division of the American Planning Association. -- Honey, if I'm getting any of this wrong, please correct me!! Anywhoo, the morning session of the last day, it was announced that he won the nomination!!

YEAH, Robert!!! Congratulations!!!

Does this mean you get a raise?

Love You!!!

Learning to Swim...or Just Another Family Reunion!

2008-08-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

I should be crafting or something but this is more fun right now.

I have a rather LARGE family. I have 6 brothers and sisters. I am Grandchild # 50 of 65 (on my mother's side). I have a total of 11 aunts and uncles, most of them still living. I love each and everyone deeply and miss them all so very much.

Living so far away in Sheridan, Wyoming, I don't get to see them often. We have all scattered and it is hard to get us all together at once. We try.

I remember the last time we were all together (all but 2 cousins - my brother Mori serving in the military and my cousin Brett serving a mission). My Grandma Heaton passed away. My grandpa was in the hospital due to a broken hip. I remember the funeral vaguely, it was 15 years ago. I remember the family time after services. We all piled into a room at the church and had our picture taken. Wonder who has a copy of that... I never got one... That was one of the happiest times in my life to that point. Family is a truly wonderful blessing.

So, back to the present...

Our Family Reunion is held every year at the end of July or the begining of August at the Heaton Ranch, dairy Canyon, Southern Utah. Most beautiful place in all the world!

The picture above are the two ponds that my Grandpa helped make when his dad bought the place back in the 1940's. The picture below (yes I took that one and that is strait out of the camera!) is looking out over the Duck Creek Valley (I think) on the trail to Cascade Falls. You can even see the Moon.

So, when we get together at our reunion, you will hear "Remember me?, I'm So and So." And the replies are just like it "OH YEAH! good to see you again!" And we reminisce, sing songs on the porch at night, go swimming, make home made root beer, eat, make dry ice bombs (only after dark and down the road a piece at the creek where we are less likely to wake sleeping children), get thrown in the pond, eat, hike up to Cascade Falls, eat, get thrown in the pond (one needs it again after the freezing cold mountian water of the Falls!), eat, and playing lots of games.

Here is a view of the Fallsfrom a ways out on the trail. My little brother took this one a few years ago.

Cascade Falls is obviously on of my favorite activities at the reunion. I'll detail that more in another post.

Right now I want to share a video that my tallest brother, Charles, put together (he is #6 in my family). This video captures the fun and energy of my Family Reunion and really makes me wish I could have been there!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=48688025288

I wish I could just embed the video but it is stuck in Facebook. Please click on the link and have a laugh!

Just for kicks, here are a few photos from last year's reunion of my kids getting tossed in. And the big splash at the end, well, we'll just pretend that that was me. I did get thrown in, just not sure which splash was mine!

Here goes Jonathan.....

And there goes Gabe.....

Flying high!!!!!!

No worries, Uncle Charles was there to make sure no one stayed under...

Kate is such a trooper! She wanted to be in the middle of the fun, too! 2 years old!

SPLOOOSH!!!

Next year... sigh....

Cowboy Up!

2008-08-04T19:34:00.000-07:00

I'm finally getting the creative bug back and it is already almost time for the new Idea Book to come out!

So, thanx to fellow consultant, Melony, for the inspiration!

Items used:

My Creations Display Album - Z1054

Sarsparilla Level 2 Paper Packet - X7098B

Sarsparilla Level 2 My Stickease - X7098C

The album can hold 24 pages.

Hope You Like!

Ch-Ch-Changes!!

2008-07-31T15:49:00.000-07:00

Wowsers, Batman!!

Close to My Heart' convention is going on at Disney World as we speak. There is always so much that happens there.

Convention used to be every year but they changed that 2 years ago to be every two years. Not necessarilly a bad thing. LOL! It just means the changes are going to be bigger and better!

So, as of the new catalog that goes live there are some changes!! A lot of things are being retired and a lot of things are going to take their place. These Items will be availab;e while supplies last until December 31st, 2008. They will not appear in the Fall/Winter catalog. I think they will be on the website, though, until they are no longer available. Click here to see the list.

Don't cry! I just did!! A lot of great things are bowing out!! The paper kits, Base Pages, a few colors are going too! No worries... there will be replacements! Tons of stamps...Ribbon Rounds...My Accents... lots of accessories....

Cheer up! Here is (not the list of new things, you'll have to wait for the new Catalog/Idea Book for that!! *wink*) a list of a few items that are either going up/down in price/quantity/colors.

In honor of all the Ch-ch-changes here's a few lines from David Bowie:

(you can hear the actual song with my playlist on the left)

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
(Turn and face the strange)
Ch-ch-changes
Don’t want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
(Turn and face the stranger)

Ch-ch-changes!

***

Dont forget to the Clearance Sale starts Tuesday August 5th at http://www.amaryllis.myctmh.com/. If you would like to see a copy of the clearance items (they are not completely the same as the retired list) e-mail me at www.amaryllisb2@gmail.com. Sale starts at 8:00am MST. I can't wait!!!

reminder: Summer Clearance Sale is almost here!

2008-07-28T22:43:00.001-07:00

August 5th -28th, While Supplies Last!

The list of clearanced products is here. I'm not able to upload it to this site yet but if you would like a copy, I can email it. There are loads of great things you will love at incredible prices!

I am also holding a drawing for anyone who orders $25.00 or more in products from my website during the month of August. Participation not limited to Clearance Items, just web purchases. Prize package includes Embossed Butterfly Album with coordinating B&T papers, 2 different My Reflections Collections packages (not available for purchase), 2 My Acrylix stamp sets and miscellaneous retired accessories packs.

Here are the rules for the Clearance Sale again:

From August 5–28, available at http://www.amaryllis.myctmh.com/ only, giving you a great chance to stock up on a variety of Close To My Heart retired products at tremendous savings. Here are just a few of the bargains you can expect:

My Acrylix® stamp sets for as little as $2
My Reflections® scrapbooking kits for as little as $2
My Child’s Reflections™ kits for $3
My Stickease™ assortments for $2
And much more!Beginning August 5, a complete list of sale items will be posted on my site (http://www.amaryllis.myctmh.com/)just click Shop Online.

All sale items are limited to stock on hand—when they’re gone, they’re gone! Many are bound to sell out very quickly, so you’ll want to order as soon as August 5 rolls around.
FREE shipping on all purchase reaching$75.00. Purchases under $75 will have shipping charges calculated based on the overall weight of the items.
Shopping for current product will still be available during the sale, but the two types of shopping (clearance and regular) cannot be combined on one order. Under the MyCTMH Shop Online link, there will be a special shopping area just for clearance sale orders.
Clearance items cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion, including Stamp of the Month.
Please allow up to 10 business days for us to ship clearance sale orders.

July's Stamp of the Month is so darn CUTE!

2008-07-28T22:34:00.000-07:00

I know this is a little late but I've been distracted!! Take a look:

1285 Life's a Jungle
(Set of 14) $22.95 US/ $25.50 CAN

A trip to the zoo or a good sense of humor will have you reaching for this perfectly playful set of animals and phrases over and over. Available July 1-31, 2008 only.

Blocks: 2" × 2" (Y1003), 2½" × 2½" (Y1004), 2" × 3½" (Y1009)

With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your Stamp of the Month at a great discount or FREE! Click here to find out how!

Mamma Mia!

2008-07-26T17:19:00.000-07:00

Nikki, Marie and I took our friend Sheri out to dinner and a movie for her birthday. We saw Mamma Mia! The movie was great! We all had a good time. I think I sang through the whole movie. I haven't so thoroughly enjoyed a movie in such a long time. Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy movies a lot. This one ranks up there with Pride and Prejudice (BBC version) and the Princess Bride!

I will buy this movie and watch it over and over like P&P.

Meryl Streep and the entire cast looked like they had so much fun making the movie. Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth (Darcy of P&P) were both very fun and didn't embarrass themselves at all by singing. They were great!! Amanda Seyfried did a great job as a girl who wanted to find out who her dad is and ended up with 3.

Now I need to pull out my ABBA cd and wear it out!

Must go create an ABBA scrapbook page or something... but first, I'm going to go watch Hell Boy!

Date!!

2008-07-22T16:05:00.000-07:00

Woot!

Robert finally got in touch with the University of Utah Neurological division of the Health Sciences Center. We go down there on September 8th unless he can get an earlier cancellation. It is still a long way out but at least we are not in limbo!

Missed It!

2008-07-16T21:14:00.000-07:00

Ok, so back in February my son, Gabe, was assigned to do a Moon Journal with his class. Every night he was supposed to go outside and look at the sky, find the moon and notate it in his journal. He was supposed to draw pictures of the position and describe the scene. He mostly did a good job. Sometimes, he would just look out his bedroom window to see if he could find it. Generally the moon ended up behind the house so he could see it from his room.

So, the night of the 20th rolled around. (Robert said that the eclipse was going to be the next night) Gabe goes outside to check the position of the moon, comes back in, fills out his journal and goes to bed. Doesn't say one word to us...

The next day at the lab I hear from everyone, "did you see the eclipse?", "that was so cool!"

I'm thinking to myself, "no, it is tonight, Robert said so". They're all "awww, it was so cool!"

I get home from work. I see Gabe and ask him if he saw the eclipse last night. His reply was a firm "Yup!" So I ask him, "why didn't you tell us it was happening?"

In true Gabe form, he gets a goofy grin on his face and says "because" and laughs himself silly.

So, today I was going through an old email account and found not only a "memoir of " my Grandma McElwee done up from her journals by my Aunt Eve (dad's side) but this fabulous photograph of the eclipse taken by a photographer from Bozeman, MT.

For all of you whose kids saw it and laugh because they didn't tell you it was happening here is the eclipse in all its glory in the Bozeman, MT sky:

And that is why it is called Big Sky Country!

Thanx Aunt Eve!

Good Night

Clippy Note Thing

2008-07-16T16:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a little something I whipped up on Saturday. I got a little inspiration from a few other consultant artists... Hope you like!

Made with Close To My Heart:

Sarsparilla paper

Wishes stamp set and 1"x1" block (available to anyone who books a party or spends $100 on any single order through August 31, 2008 1"x1" block)
Organdy and Grosgrain Chocolate ribbon
Blue grosgrain is Offray

Oh yeah! I haven't forgotten about the drawing for next month. I'm still putting together the basket. I think it will be fabulous! I will post a photo and the details of the drawing as soon as I've gathered everything together.

THX for visiting!

Summer Sale from Close To MY Heart!!...Coming Soon

2008-07-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

I was trying to come up with something fun for my customers for the summer. Close To My Heart Corporate beat me to it! I love it when they do that!

Sooo... Here's the scoop:

August's Constant Campaign Is an Online Clearance Sale!

From August 5–28, available at http://www.amaryllis.myctmh.com/ only, giving you a great chance to stock up on a variety of Close To My Heart retired products at tremendous savings. Here are just a few of the bargains you can expect:

• My Acrylix® stamp sets for as little as $2
• My Reflections® scrapbooking kits for as little as $2
• My Child’s Reflections™ kits for $3
• My Stickease™ assortments for $2
• And much more!

Beginning August 5, a complete list of sale items will be posted on my site (http://www.amaryllis.myctmh.com/)
just click Shop Online.

1. All sale items are limited to stock on hand—when they’re gone, they’re gone! Many are bound to sell out very quickly, so you’ll want to order as soon as August 5 rolls around.

2. FREE shipping on all purchase reaching$75.00. Purchases under $75 will have shipping charges calculated based on the overall weight of the items.

3. Shopping for current product will still be available during the sale, but the two types of shopping (clearance and regular) cannot be combined on one order. Under the MyCTMH Shop Online link, there will be a special shopping area just for clearance sale orders.

5. Clearance items cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion, including Stamp of the Month.

6. Please allow up to 10 business days for us to ship clearance sale orders.

I will also be holding a drawing at the end of the month for a FABULOUS prize basket for everyone who participates in this campaign and purchases from my website... Details coming soon!!

Rodeo Sheridan

2008-07-11T18:29:00.000-07:00

Hey Rodeo fans, its Rodeo Parade Day!

The Fourth of July has fireworks. The Rodeo gets the parade!

Priorities!

Sheridan celebrates Rodeo like no other place I've ever seen. Most everyone gets half a day off for the parade. Then they have to go back to work and try their hardest to get some work done befor all their weekend rodeo plans. This year my work, InterMountain Laboratories (heretofore known as IML), participated in the parade. Those of us that helped put the flaot together and walked or sat on the float got four hours paid off (as long as we wenet back to work and finished out shift).

Anywho, the wind blew and the heat wasn't too high. We nearly lost our fake trees (they kept getting blown over) and if it weren't for a kid or 2 in the tent we would have lost that, too! Our float was #109 of 116. Cars, boats, trucks, atv's, you see every kind of vehicle in our parade. Really exciting..

So, while Gabe, Jonathan and I were having fun on the float Robert and Kate took pictures of all the interesting and different floats before us. I'll spare you the details.. There were, however, some real live piggy banks from one of the banks here in town walking the parade route.

The end of the parade is always the best part. Since I had to get back to work, Gabe took some pix of the happenings.. The nearest Indian tribe comes down every year fir the rodeo. They participate in the parade and exebition sports like bareback horse racing and other assorted things. Always the highlight. After the parade they all gather in Grinnell Plaza right below Robert's office window and do some tribal dances. These are some of Gabe's photos, cleaned up a bit in PSE 6.0:

Pretty good job for a nine year old that I never let touch my camera! Guess I'll have to let him play everyonce in a while. Or maybe I'll just let him have my old canon...

I am a Sunflower!

2008-07-09T20:41:00.000-07:00

This was fun. I love sunflowers!

I am a
Sunflower

What Flower
Are You?

Family Portraits

2008-07-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a pretty good day!

I had it all planned out. Kate and I would go shopping for a bit. Robert and the boys would get the back yard mowed and cleaned up while we were out. And they did it! The plan was to finally get current family pictures done. We haven't done family pictures since Jonathan was 9 months old!! Since Wally World doesn't have a professional I decided to take them myself!

I bought some matching Fourth of July shirts from wally world for the family, something I've never done but always wanted to do. My plan was to do family portraits in the back yard.

The only kink in my plan was Kate's hair. I had to do something with it. I brushed it.. I combed it.. but it needed more! I didn't want just a pony tail or two cause we do that all the time and it lasts maybe an hour before she pulls it out. So, I did the only thing a mom could do in my position--that position being a mom of 2 boys that don't need their hair fixed--I called my best friend, Marie, who has 3 girls with lots of thick curly hair. She would know what to do!

My fingers have never been able to figure out the french braid! Thanx, Marie!!!!

So, we all got dressed up and took the camera (Canon Rebel XTi) and tripod out to the terribly uneven backyard, set the timer and took bunches of pix! Here are the results of the photo shoot. Hope you like!

That was really fun. And I have to say I think I took some pretty good pix!
Here is the real one we will probably frame as our family portrait.

Thanx for looking!!

More of the 4th to come later!

Once Upon a Time..

2008-07-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time I had a normal life... then life threw a couple of bricks my way. I still haven't figured out how to get back into my groove.

Life got crazy about March-ish when my mother-in-law's cancer took a drastic turn for the worse. Maybe it wasn't her cancer. Maybe she just decided she'd had enough. I could hardly blame her. She'd been doing chemo for a year, lost all her dreams of teaching and getting her Master's degree. I spent 2 weeks with her trying to figure out what to do and who to ask for help. I came back home only to have Robert take my place a week later. We went back and forth for several months, never accomplishing much because of persons and circumstances beyond our control.

Then, my favoritest cousin, Margaret, got engaged to my nother little brother and plans were set for wedding fever. I began a project for their gift (a scrapbook wedding album which I'm still working on, just gotta find the right pics then I'll mail it back!!!) As it turned out, their wedding, which was planned for May 3rd was moved up to April 19th.

My Aunt, Margaret's mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Many tears were shed and still are. Aunt Yvonne was an amazing person. She loved unconditionally and made sure everyone knew how special they are.

The wedding was moved up so Aunt Yvonne would be able to attend. It turned out that she did make it through the ceremony and a bunch of pictures afterwards. She made it almost 2 more weeks, much to everyone's supprise. Aunt Yvonne passed away the morning of May 7th, the day after my birthday.

Once again, Robert headed down to his mom's and the kids and I went to my Aunt's funeral. One of the most peaceful and love filled funerals I have ever attended.

The kids and I left for home and stopped in Logan to see grandma. Robert and I told the kids that this would be the last time they would see her in this life. Grandma was in the hospital and decided to go off all artificial nutrition and respiratory whatever that was keeping her here. Though she kept the morphine! smart lady! The kids played a few games with her, talked and joked. They told her how much they love her and even sang her "I love to see the temple". They kissed and hugged her and we went home.

The following Saturday morning (May 17th) , Robert called to let me know that she had passed away and I needed to come down. (Please, any family out there, don't ever put it on an inlaw to be your power of attorney, or whatever, it makes it so much more difficult on the child that has to deal with everthing) I left the kids in the care of my best friends and headed, once again, to Logan. We didn't tell the kids that grandma died until we came back home so they could deal with her death with us and not by themselves. I know my friends would have done everything they could have to make their hurt go away, but that was not their responsability. (Thank you Nikki, Marie and Dan!)

We got home, school ended, baby sitters lined up, Tae Kwon Do started (3nights a week!), Relay for Life was Friday night to Saturday morning - yes, I spent the night, yes I actually slept. I love Relay. Then Saturday morning from 9 to 4pm was Cub Scout Day Camp. Being Den leader and Gabe's mom I couldn't get out of it...

I am tired and I want my normal life back. Tomorrow the EPA comes to audit my lab. Being in Sample Receiving, I am also being audited. Not looking forward to that! We are still waiting to find out when we will go to the U of U to figure out what is going on with Robert.

Oh, I forgot, While we were dealing with Robert's mom, Dan, his brother, drove out his 4Runner so Robert could have a vehicle since some girl felt the need to not pay attention to the road and ran into the purple beast flipping it and Robert and totalling the truck. So Dan and Robert went to logan together when the kids and I went to Moccasin for my Aunt's funeral. They had to clear out and clean out the apartment and settle stuff for funeral stuff. They worked so hard that Dan ended up back in the hospital with another infection and ended up going hom the day their mom died.

Can I have some sanity please?!

Be My Bra!

2008-05-14T16:26:00.000-07:00

I have had several family members diagnosed with breast cancer. A cousin sent me a link for the Mastectomy Petition ... I thought this was important so I made this little avatar. Only problem is I can't get it to embed into my blog... so...here is a link to to see me: Be My Bra. My # is 419532.

AAACKKK!!!!!

2008-05-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

It is supposed to snow tomorrow!!! So not right!!! It's the middle of May (almost)... and I have to travel...again...

I'm sure it is spring somewhere in the world.

Procrastination!

2008-04-30T20:29:00.000-07:00

Nothing like waiting 'till the last minute for inspiration!

Jonathan's student teacher, we'll call her Miss Angi 'cause I can't remember her name, is finishing her last week with his class this friday. She has been an amazing help and took on the teaching roll moreheavily when Mrs. Rojo was out for health problems. Such a sweet girl.

Anyway, Mrs. Rojo wanted to show her appreciation for Miss Angi by throwing her a suprise party. She secretly sent home notes with everyone asking to send a little gift.

Well, I don't like to buy things like stationery. I think they are so impersonal. So, yesterday, after the boys cleaned the bathrooms, I sat down and ignored the needs of my family to make a special gift for Miss Angi. Just Kidding, they were not ignored. I heard everything they asked for and told them where to find what they wanted.

After racking my brain, and peeking at Erin's blog for inspiration, I found perfect paper and stuff to create. I used paper and tags from K & Co.; brads, flowers and bling from CTMH, and some $1 ribbon from Target....Hope you like!

Tradition!

2008-04-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

I love Fiddler on the Roof! But this post has nothing to do with that except the word TRADITION! that I must sing whenever I say it, or think it....

My family has a few traditions. They come from both mine and Robert's sides of the family. One that I am very proud of the fact that we both come from military families. Our dad's were Army/Air Force. Our brothers are Army/Navy. Makes for fun football!

Robert is an Air Force Brat, grew up mostly in England. Someday we will go there..

I missed out being a Brat by a year and a half. After my older sister was born, my dad left the Air Force as there was a surplus of Officers.

Currently, I have one brother who has been pulled into Army life. He is Navy, Reserve at the moment. He recieved notice earlier this year that the Army wanted him in Iraq in June. He has been training for a little over a month now on the East Coast. It is very worysome for me that he will be going to the middle of the war zone for such a long time. It never occured to me that he would be loaned to the Army. I always thought that if he ever had anything to do in this war he would be on a big boat or submarine somewhere in the Pacific. Although, how much involvement that would be is debateable.

Robert has a brother who spends time in the war zone at least once a year. His last time out, his number was called and he ended up back stateside a little early with an injury. That kid has more lives than a cat!

So with the injury of one brother and another brother headed into the thick of things, I worry!

I've always looked up to my brother. He probably doesn't know that. He always made the right decisions and makes mom and dad proud. He earned an amizing scholarship to the university of his choice from the Navy. He was the first in our family to serve an LDS mission in Africa in the Johannesburg, S. Africa mission. He returned to finish his program at school and had an outstanding career with the Navy.

My brother is a good example to my kids and helps teach them hard work. Last summer, I took the kids on an extended vacation heading to California and back. On our way down, we stayed a couple of days with him. He was preparing his garden for the summer and had the kids help him plant corn. The kids complained a bit because it was hot and a bit of work too. A week or two later we were back and they helped weed the garden. They were so excited to see the seeds they planted start coming up. We went to California to visit my little sister for a couple weeks (another story for another time) and came back. The kids were able to help harvest the corn they had planted. What a wonderful lesson!

I don't feel that I've had a very good relationship with my brother. He is five years older than I and we are quite different from each other. This is the first time, that I remember, any of my siblings actually going into a war zone. It scares me. But, I support him and all the others serving our country 100%. I appreciate their sacrifice. I am grateful for the service they give our country and for the examples they are to my children. I love my brother and my brother-in-law.

Having dinner with my brothers (and sister, and cousins, and friends) while on leave.

Things that make me happy...

2008-04-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, wow, 2 in one day!

I just wanted to share things that make me happy..

Today, Katie came into my room to try to wake me up. She ended up waking up Robert and we played for a good half hour. Then the boys came in. They're not so small anymore! So we had our Saturday tickle session. Gosh, I love that!

I went grocery shopping without the kids. I love that!!

I came home and instead of cramming the grocerues wherever they are supposed to go, I cleaned the refridgerator and reorganized! My clean and organized fridge makes me happy!

Then, I needed a nap. I didn't take it. I decided to play and make the pages from the previous post.

I thought that I that fridge really made me happy and I want to share.

I'm also going to share 2 pages I made a while ago that I never put on my website.

These make me really happy....

And here is a digi lo of Jonathan that I am really proud of....

Ok, that's all for now.

Later.

Magic Moments

2008-04-26T19:07:00.000-07:00

So, I just got my latest shipment from Close To My Heart... a week ago. I had to play, finally.

Magic Moments is the latest Constant Campaign From CTMH. It is the super, awesome special for National Scrapbooking Month. Click here for details. So, using nothing but the CTMH materials that came in the package (and one American Crafts black marker) here is a 2 page spread that I did. I decided, for simplicity's sake that I would follow the examples that came in the package. The hardest thing was choosing the photos and resizing them.

Without further ado, here ya go.

Hope ya like...

This n' That

2008-04-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am. I finally decided to jump off the cyber cliff and become a blogger. I can't say that this will be done on a daily basis but hopefully a couple of times a week... maybe...

So, "This n' That", or a couple of reasons I'm putting myself out there:

I'm a scrapper, ie. I am a life artist. I capture life on digital film and document it in digital and paper format. I hope to post my art as often as I create it.
I love my family (I have a big family!) and I want to keep in touch with them. I am "Grandchild #50" on my mom's side of the family. There are 65 total and probably triple that for the great grands! My dad's side is not so big, but they are just as important. I am # 6 of 11 on dad's side. I married into a wonderful family and love them as much as my own.
Important things like: life, death and all of the above need to be recognised by me mostly. Examples: My mother-in-law has cancer. One of my Aunts is dying of cancer. My favorite cousin just got married Saturday. I saw some friends and family I hadn't seen in years, it was wonderful. My husband was in a roll-over accident and walked away. I have 3 beautiful,smart, witty children whom I adore.

Well, I must go get cupcakes for Gabe's class to celebrate his birthday.

This is a start. I'm off work today so i'll post pix later.

Thanx for comming and watch me jump!!