I'm back, and just as stupid as before.

UUUUUUUUUUGH! Y'all are going to shoot me. My BRRRRRRRILLIANT plan of taking my brother's kickass small camera to CHA with me completely backfired. As, unbeknownst to me upon departure, I had NO CLUE how to use his teeny handful of digital technology. I am now the proud "artist" who has 28 really crappy MOVIES and 45 even crappy still pictures. So the agravation I avoided by not carrying around my huge SLR was quickly replaced with the inability to figure out how to take a picture - not a movie - then how to take a photo that was in focus and properly lit. Something I was unable to totally (or ever remotely) figure out.

So I got crap to show you.

sorry :) You can boycot me if you wanna :( LOL

CHA was cool. Not as impressive as I thought it would be, but very cool even so. It was cool seeing what was going to coming out. Lots of good quality stuff out there. I didn't see anything that really was horrible. I'm glad I wasn't the one having to decide what to buy, that's for sure.

Here's my quick recap. I'm going to try to keep this short as I'm still really tired.

FELT. That's probable the newest thing everyone was doing. Felt flowers mainly. But I always saw felt fonts and some random shapes. If someone would have told me felt was the next 'thing' I would have instantly turned up my nose, but I'll admit I loved it. I can't wait to use me some felt.

ClEAR STAMPS. Eeeeeeeeeeveryone had them. Heidi Swapp had some nice new ones. Corner was that were cool. Other than that I can't think of anyone one line that stood out from the others. Lots of circle stamps (thanks for Ali I'm sure) None of it bad mind you. So if i sound like that I don't mean to. Just a lot of it.

BLUE. Blue is the new brown, and pink - combined. It was EVERYWHERE. I love blue - gonna paint my family room blue (or well I was before this) but dang - e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g was blue.

And of course CHIPBOARD and GLITTER - but COMBINED.

Had a great time. Really glad I was able to go (thanks again Lorie and Peter!!!) Out of it all I got something I hadn't expected (but certainly needed) a new found energy for the book. I'm all fired up about it and have put the wheels into motion again. Even opened the file and tweeked the cover a bit. It feels good and have set a goal of Summer CHA in Chicago. :) I can't wait!

m





p.s. it might go without saying but I'll say it anyway. If anyone wants to attend Summer CHA with me and volunteer pushing the newest book out there email me :) I will not be able to do this alone, but am broke LOL

here we go cha cha cha

My scrappin buddy and owner of Remember the Moments, Lorie, asked us MAS Girls if anyone wanted to go to CHA. For my non-scrapping readers (that's you Dad LOL) It's only the biggest hobby and craft convention in the nation. It's not open to the public so only "people in the know" get to go LOL okay so you have to be in the bi-ness.

I'm leaving this afternoon for 2 days of walking and fun checking out the latest and greatest in scrapbooking supplies. I'M SUPER EXCITED!!!

Got my brother's kick ass teeny camera so a'pictures I'll be a'taking. :)

THANKS LORIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <---yeah, I'm that grateful ;-P

Two in one day

I posted a whiny post a bit ago and while I would love to get all sorts of "we feel your pain Michelle" posts I've been cheered up and must pass the attention to Beth

You see, yesterday was Beth's birthday and, as she explains in her perfectly-detailed-martha-stewart-way, we 'attack' your yard on (or about) your birthday. Or if you special like Maddy you get it twice a year.

We just get better and better at this. Of course, it helps a bit that we are all over-achieving freaks who simply cannot do the same thing twice. So check out Beth's blog today. Her post rocks. Shanna's blog also goes into some of her past attacks.

Gotta give a few shout outs about this attack
to Kerry - thanks K-dawg for having the gate code and not being totally pissed that we called at 10pm for it.
to Shanna - KILLER idea dude!
to Maddy - for being with us in spirit. Seriously girl, we'll hold that baby ya know?
to Kaelene - who helped this time :) dems a lot a sticks huh girl?
And MOSTLY to the couple who spotted my kids unattended in the car last night - yeah PLEASE don't call CPS. My DH is out of town and I had to bring them. I mean really, how could I NOT have attacked her house. Come on - you saw it - IT ROCKED. And besides, your community is gated, and we all know nothing bad happenes in gated communities, right?

day three

It happened, Kate FREAKED out when I dropped her off at school. It was so random too because she RAN through the door and happy and giggly. Went up to her room, grabbed the door and bolted inside. She was ready and seemingly happy to be there.

Then she flipped. poor thing. I picked her up and she immediately tucked her head into my neck and started sucking her thumb. CUTENESS. Took all I had to not sit down and never leave. But I had to.

I know she's fine. I know she's in good hands. but dang, it's hard to leave when they are crying. But Shanna, you would have been proud, I didn't make it worse - on either of us.

I survived

I made it through the day. Felt a little off. Melancholy is probably the best word. Although completely depressed, nauseas, and at the verge of tears is accurate too.

But, I made it.

Kate did great. No surprise there. We'll see how tomorrow goes when she realizes I'm gone for what must seem to her like forever.

Thanks for the invite Beth. Sorry I couldn't make it - stupid job. I appreciate the thought! :)

bye bye baby

Have you ever waited so long for something to happen and when it finally does you burst into tears? That's me, right now.

I've been so incredibly fortunate to have Kate home with me all this time. She's 21 months old and hasn't seen a full day in Daycare since she was born. I usually keep my babies home for about 4 months, then ship them off to 'school' so I can work. I haven't had to do that with her. I've been lucky to be able to work from home, and ever luckier having this SUPER EASY child with me. She's pure joy.

and. now. she's. leaving. me. (okay that was a bit dramatic)

Funny how things work. Her school (where Sarah goes and Noah used to) has been super patient with me. They held a spot for months and months. I kept saying, "I'll bring her when she gets hard. I just can't see spending all the money when she's so good". Every month, the same thing.

"Kate coming to school soon?"
"yeah, when she gets to be too much to handle she'll be here"

Finally I admitted it wasn't going to be realy soon. Told the school not to expect her until she was one. 16 months TOPS. They couldn't wait and finally gave my spot to someone else. Just then Kate got hard. I freaked out. How was I going to do this? Then I got over the panic of not having my safety net and viola! Kate was easy again.

The school's owner would still occasionally ask me if Kate was going to attend, but quickly reminded me that the slot was gone, and wouldn't be available until the end of summer. In September it looked like it wouldn't be open until october. November in was December. After Christmas it was a lifetime away - MARCH! Kate was still good, but she was ready. Work was starting to get a little tough, finding a sitter for her when I had meetings and seminars. Everyone agreed she need to go but we pushed through while we waited for our spot.

Last week I got word the spot would be available in a couple weeks. I was excited but - given the history - wasn't holding my breathe. Then today. Black Monday. I asked Cindy (the Owner) when the spot would be open. She was all perky like, quickly replying "how about Monday?"

"I thought you weren't ready yet?" I asked.
"oh no, we got it figured out last week, I was just waiting on you because you sounded like Kate was still easy" (I can see where she thought that - given the history)
"Well I've got a super busy week THIS week, If you're set how about tomorrow?"

I A MOOOOOOOOOORON!!!!!

Naturally, she said yes. I walked out thinking was good. But, by the time I'd backed out of the parking space tears were streaming down my face and I couldn't breathe. Have I mentioned I'm a moron?

Peter tells me I did the same thing when Sarah went to school. I don't remember that at all, but I believe him. And it's going to be okay. It's just change. And y'all know by now I don't like change. Change is good, but scary. I don't dig scary.

Maybe I'll be able to get a cute shot of her walking into school for the first time, if I can see through the tears to focus. And maybe (okay most likely) it'll all be okay. :)

work is kicking my ass

I miss this place. I miss posting. Had a fun little run there and then BAM! life took over again. If only I didn't need conditioned air and running water - I'd quit this damn job :)

Don't have much to say, really. Coloring my hair right now in some attempt to get ready for my DAY O'FUN up in Prescott tomorrow with my MAS girls. CAN'T WAIT. and no, I've not planned anything out. I'll probably end up kitting a class. fun.

AT. LEAST. I. WON'T. BE. WORKING.

teehee.

CONGRAT TO MADDY AND DUSTIN on the birth of their 3rd baby, Sadie Michelle Nice name choice you two - I love it! :)

Big props to Beth you, once again, bailed me out a couple times this week with Kate. According to Erin, Kate isn't a "pain in the neck" anymore. :) Man I love that girl. (erin, not kate. NO wait, I love kate too, was just referring to erin. damn, I think this hair color is going to my head)

Off to the grocery store to get the goods to make some CRACK for tomorrow.
Then I need to actually pack some stuff for tomorrow.
THEN I GET TO LEAVE FOR THE EEEEEEEEEENTIRE DAY! ;)

much love y'all :)

truth be told

I love Beth the best.

there, cat's out of the bag.

:)

the opposite of sap

I love you my MAS friends. Can I just say that? I mean who else is so lucky to have friends good enough to call you out on your typos, and then not get all bitter when told to F off for calling you out on your typos.

LOVE. YOU. GIRLS!

Especially Maddy, because if I don't love her the most she'll take that back back middle seat in the van. That and she's been pregnant all her life :)

real quick

Just thought I'd past the pages for February's class. Got them done early :) Now I just need to actaully get them to the sb store to promote. teehee

I left off what 'inspired' the pages this time. Mainly because I didnt' like the way it looked last time. hahaha how's that for silly.

I'm drivin in my car

okay, not really driving. But I am sitting in my car, in the carpool lane waiting to pick up Noah. I'm on my new phone and, I must admit, this is pretty freekin kick ass. I can see my whole blog, pictures and all.

It's still not synced with my email, and if I turn on Outlook I'll keep getting my 'test' message every 5 minutes. it's great. Hopung the office IT guy can get over tomorrow to fix that.

aaaaaanyway, not much to say really. Just wanted to ckecj this out.

peace out all u suckas stuck un front of your PC (OKay that wa mean LOL)

m

Holy Crap I'M POPULAR!!!!

CATHY Z POSTED ON MY BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
check it!

She's being silly because I posted this on her blog in reply to her saying sorry for taking some time responding to emails. Cuz we all know that if ANYONE is going to be able to give someone shit about not replying to something - IT'S ME! :))))))) <--insert HUGE smilie

aaaaaaaanyway - back to the email.

She LIKES ME, she really really LIKES ME!!!
(yeah, okay, I'll admit it, I just might be having some sort of delusional episode going on right now but, shit, it's CATHY PEOPLE!
hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhaa
ahahhaaaaaaaaaaa

PHEW!!! :) I SO needed this. I've been on the phone with customer support for a decade now. My ear is a mushroom, and my phone/PDA/email/MP3 player/POS still doesn't work. I'll post more on that drama later. It's a doozy (suffice it to say I got 453 email from M.Y.S.E.L.F. lmao)

MAYBE, if the Sweet Lord Jesus takes pity on me, I'll be able to post FROM MY POS/PDA phone!!! How's that for the shnizzle?!?!

I'm the proud owner

of the REVOLUTION!!! Yeah, I pretty much work for scrapbook supplies.



and this font.


I'm working on February's class. Have 2 (of 3) pages does so far. Both use my new toy :) I'll post them soon.

Thanks ya'll for the compliments about my flip. Can't wait to get it back!! :)

Honesty is the best policy

My hair is getting a little long (okay it's still short - but long for me) so I experiemented today and didn't flip it. Noah noticed right away, petting my head saying my hair looks so different.

"Do you like it?" I asked.
"yeah"
"do you like it more than the way I ususally do it, or less?"
silence
"honey?"
"ummm"
"bear, what do you think, do you like it this way better, or the other way?"
"Is is okay if I say the other way?"

DAMN I LOVE HIM!

back to the flip. and to the salon.

(oh and I said, "oh COURSE it's okay to say that honey!!! I want you to be honest!")

my love of all things boxed

Imagine how thrilled I was when last night, after my class at SB etc., I found these.

They are from QuicKutz and hold on your dies. THEY ARE THE CUTEST THING E.V.E.R.

Had the brown been darker, more chocolate, I would have bought the whole thing on thw spot. It's just too damn cute. So I'm gonna scope out my sb room and see if there's the perfect home for this adorable little boxie, cubbie, thing.

"Inspired by..."

This is my class for January. Just thought I'd share it since I had the pictures already for the direction sheets.

The idea is that I take things all around you - this month it happens to be all cards - and turn them into scrapbook pages. It's kinda fun :)


this page was inspired by this card