Ok... so I've been a bad blogger... (here's why and a FOBTY)

Will you forgive me? :) I know, I'm bad... but we've been SO busy! I should probably go ahead and link this to my "personal" blog, as I find myself retyping stuff... anyway, I'll save you my family business but share my biggest headacheof late- so if your not into the techie nerd stuff, feel free to skip this part!

As most of you know, I'm addicted to digital scrapbooking (thus my fabulous blog, right?) Well, apparently my external hard drive (EHD) which holds ALL of my scrap stuff and lots of digital photos had died (actually it reformatted to RAW which is unreadable). So fast forward, I've got $60 software which recovers TOO much data (corrupt files making my 250 GB look like it's got 100GB of data on it). So for about 3 weeks, my computer has been on, searching for files and trying to weed out corrupt files (you can't "see" the files, only their names- most of which were replaced with numbers like this [478367492] so it is a HUGE pain). Well tonight it's FINALLY down to 400GB which I'm saving and then will weed through in my editing software where I can find duplicates and actually see file contents. Thankfully, Brian has not thrown my computer out the window (which I thought may cross his mind as I've been staring at the screen full of numbered files for weeks and trying to save them). Fingers crossed my good stuff is saved and this process is OVER. Go backup your important data right now at Mozy.com or on another EHD.

Wow... are you still reading this???

Ok, so onto the SSD FOBTY- resolutions. I do tend to hate "resolutions" as they are almost bound to fizzle after a few weeks, so I'm going to list my goals... I want to cook more and feel good about myself when I do. I want to stop having little piles of clutter (it's especially bad in my kitchen where mail and coupons land). I want to keep watching what I eat so I can lose these last 10 pounds. I want to start exercising to be healthier and teach my kids to live that way too. I want to become not just a scrapper, but a family historian. I want to take at least a picture a day for my 365 project. I want to improve my photography (because it really sucks)!

Finally I hope to update this blog- perhaps weekly- with my 365 photos (which as I mentioned aren't very good but give a good ideas of daily happenings around here). Be on the lookout for a 365 slide. :) Gotta run... more organizing of those awful recovered files to do...argh!

Thanksgiving...

We're off for 5 days and I'm hoping to get some XMAS projects done! I scrapped calendars last year, so I'm thinking about something different this time around. I have a few hybrid projects in the works, but can't really discuss yet as SOME people who read this won't be surprised when then get their gift if I do... but I'll be sure to upload and share soon. We should be busy visiting with both families over the Thanksgiving holiday, but it's a relaxing busy... you know what I mean? Rather than busy with work, the kids, etc.

Anyway, be sure to tell those you love how much they mean to you over the holiday. I know we have a lot to be thankful for: healthy children, families that love us, a comfortable home and food when we're hungry, good jobs... my list goes on. I know we are blessed and I will never take that for granted. Hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving!

Back to scrapping...

I've not had as much time as I'd like to scrap, so I'm working on it right now! In the meanwhile, be sure to check out what the girls have cooking! You can find my designers in the sidebar- the blinkies are clickable- so go check out the great stuff from Andrea Gold, Christy Skaggs, and Amanda Kay. :) More to come soon so keep an eye on the new slide too!

Halloween, tee ball and oh yeah...DSD!!!

I guess it's been busy around here because I almost missed DSD!

First we had Halloween, the next morning was Jaxon's semi-final tee ball tournament and after all of that I was feeling sick, tired and just overall crummy. But I came home and turned on the computer to check e-mail and realized it was DSD! I knew it was coming, but had forgotten about it. I rarely shop (for anything really- how I'm related to my mom and sister who are world-class shoppers, I have no idea!)... but I had to grab a few deals out there, so be on the lookout for some new layouts. I'm adding a new slide of recent layouts in the sidebar, so be sure to check them out. :)

Hope you had a great DSD! :)

Check out what I made to show my class!

I started working on it this afternoon and I'm so pleased with how it came out I wanted to share it! Credits are on the last page, but in case you can't see it, I'm including it here too.

5 Little Pumpkins (traditional poem)- "Halloween borders" by Christy Skaggs @ GDS, "All Hallows Eve" by One Memory at a Time @ GDS, "Enchanted Forest" by Milla Designs @ Catscrap, and "October Rust" by Miss Mint @ Peppermint Creative. Font: GG Katie.

Enjoy! I know my kiddos will love seeing this projected on the big screen. :)

See KCB's October releases and prepare to be amazed!

As always, Kristin Cronin-Barrow at Sweet Shoppe Designs, creates rich, gorgeous kits and this month is no exception. I am BEYOND THRILLED to be her guest this month and want to show you her two newest releases.

New this week from KCB: "Playtime". Aren't the colors in this kit fun? I just got it and can't wait to play with it. Check it out below or click HERE.


Now check out "Moments in Time"- talk about a versatile kit. I can dream up TONS of layouts for this kit and I'm sure you can too! Check it out below or click HERE to get in in the shoppe:

Here's another new one this month, "Nature's Retreat" by KCB and Meg Mullens. I have already played with this kit and it is FULL of fabulous elements and papers. Click HERE to get it at the shoppe.

Check out the new stuff...

From the fabulous designers at GDS I'm lucky to create for!

First Andrea has lots of exciting stuff happening! She put over 70 items in her shoppe on clearance 50% off!! And, she's running a promotion through October 15th. If you spend $5 in her shoppe at GDS including her clearance items, she'll send you a $5 gift coupon to my shoppe!! WOW! Not to mention the challenges she got going on over there. Check out her shoppe or her blog for more info.

Here's 2 new kits from Andrea Gold: Click here for the "Possibilities" Page Kit.


Click here for the "Just for Fun" Page Kit.


Also at GDS, check out these kits: "Hocus Pocus" by Christy Skaggs and "All Hallows Eve" from One Memory at a Time. Not only are they both adorable and perfect for October, but they compliment each other beautifully!

Click here for "Hocus Pocus" by Christy Skaggs.

And click here for "All Hallows Eve" by One Memory at a Time.

Enjoy!

FINALLY getting back to scrapping...

I have been SO busy with school, home and just plain life but I am FINALLY back to scrapping! At this point, I don't care if I have to stay up all night to get some layouts done- I need out of this creative funk! :)

I will be adding a new slide (maybe even trying blogger's version) to show you my newest layouts. I like having the slide with all of my layouts, but would hate to subject you to old, poorly done, amateur layouts! Ha ha! Sometimes looking back at early work is pretty scary! :) Thanks for hanging in there with me!

An even YUMMIER FOBTY!!!

This week's FOBTY is even more mouthwatering than the last! :) Well it involves ice cream, but also a personality quiz. Here are my results, though I'm not sure it really sounds like me! :)

Your Ice Cream Personality:

You are not a particularly modest person. You're proud of who you are, and you don't care who knows it. You are the type of person who likes to throw caution to the wind. You only live once, so you're going to live as large as possible. You are definitely a wild one! You are a somewhat open minded person, but deep down you're fairly conservative. You don't like trying new things very much. And if you do find something new you like, you stick with it. You are a natural multitasker. You feel alive when you're doing more than one thing at a time. You can be a big dramatic and over the top sometimes. You are bold in every way

The Ice Cream Personality Test

Fast Food FOBTY!

Here's the Sweet Shoppe FOBTY for the week:So my question is… what is YOUR favorite fast food and how often do you eat there? talk about a challenge that is right up my alley! I am a self confessed fast food addict, so choosing a favorite will be tough. I'd say my fave is Fazoli's -but I never get to eat there as it's far away. :( Local faves: Thundercloud Subs,Whataburger & Taco Cabana probably take the honors. Chains like Chick-Fil-A are good too! Now I'm hungry! :)