A Scrap of Life

I do. I hate it. I know there are some people that love exercising, but I am not one of them. The 40 minutes I force myself to walk the treadmill are the longest, most excruciating 40 minutes of my life. I've never been a physical kind of girl - I never did sports as a child, never worked out, etc. So someone please tell me the secret to loving exercise because at this point I am NOT getting it!

JANUARY 1. Did you have a new year's resolution this year? Yes, went very generic ... more time with family, lose weight, believe in myself, etc. 2. Who kissed you at midnight? My oldest child, Chase. He was the only one left awake! 3. Did it snow where you live? Didn't snow at all last winter. :( 5. Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop? No, but one day ... FEBRUARY 1. Who was your valentine? Brian is my eternal Valentine 2. What did your valentine get you? An "I Love You" 3. When you were little, did you buy valentines for your whole class? Yes MARCH 1. Are you Irish? Yes, I have the red hair and temper to prove it. :) 2. Did you wear green on St. Patty's Day? No, I totally forgot 3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day? Normal SAHM stuff APRIL 1. Do you like the rain? Yes, you have to if you live in Oregon. 2. Did you play an April Fool's joke on anyone this year? No, I'm no good at those. They always see through me. 3. Did you ...

Here I am, 3 days after Christmas and basking in the warmth of my favorite present - CLOTHES. Yes, clothes. As a kid, I hated getting clothes for Christmas. But now I love it. I've stayed at home with the kids for the last 9 years. What this means is that I put myself last. Always have. I don't even think about buying clothes for me. As a matter of fact, I don't even walk through the womens clothing deparment. I just head for the kids clothes when we need something. So the only time I get new clothes is from Christmas and birthday. That's why I enjoy these clothes so much. It's the little things, like my new jeans and soft cotton shirts, that make me feel like a "girl" again and not so much like a frumpy Mom.

Usually I suffer from post-holiday sadness. You know the feeling - all the work you've put into the holidays and it's over so quickly. But this year I'm not feeling that. It was a great time and the day seemed to last forever. Now, the only sadness I have is that my house still needs more cleaning (and will for days to come, I'm sure. Next year someone get me a post-Christmas maid! LOL). I was horrible about taking photos yesterday though. I hate all the photos of kids opening their presents, so took only a few. I wish I would have thought to get photos of the kids with all their grandparents, but I totally zoned it out and enjoyed the day without much thought to the camera. Darn it! Went post-Christmas shopping today and didn't find much. I need a new tree skirt but paying $15-20 for one still seems steep to me. I'm hoping some will still be left when the prices go down even more. I did buy a few rolls of wrapping paper and some kid makeup things for...

It really was a great day. I got to spend time with everyone today - my Mom & her husband, my Dad and his wife and my in-laws. It was so nice to be able to sit down and chat with everyone, enjoy some goodies and gifts and play with all the new toys (yes, even us adults played with the toys! LOL). The kids got way too much, I ate way too much, and my house looks like a cyclone blew through it. But it was a truly happy holiday.

Have a joyous holiday season. Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

There's no other way to put it ... I truly felt the magic this evening. We spent the day preparing for Christmas - cleaning and cooking mostly. But this evening was all about family. Brian, the kids and I had a nice dinner together, went out to look at Christmas lights, checked the Santa Watch one last time, put out magic reindeer food, got our cookies and milk for Santa and then read "The Night Before Christmas". The kids are bursting at the seams with excitement and I couldn't help but get excited myself. Santa is on his way!!!

Wow, how technology has changed things. When he was a kid, Brian watched a Santa Watch on the local news station eagerly on Christmas Eve, but I never remember a Santa Watch. Now there is an entire website dedicated to Santa Watch, www.noradsanta.org . The first thing Chase asked when he woke up this morning was "Can I turn on the Santa Watch?" So we turned it on and watched the videos of where Santa had already been. And throughout the day the kids will watch the remainder of the videos - each hourly update, computer generated videos of where Santa is, how his travels are going and whether he is on schedule or not. Santa Watch has become a Christmas Eve tradition with us, one that helps get the kids even more excited about Santa's impending arrival.

Yesterday Brian and I were talking about how life would have been different if we had made different choices in our lives. He mentioned how he wanted to join the military and wished he had done so. I replied with, "Your life would have been very different", to which he replied "But I still would have met you. It was fate. I know we were meant to be." This is the first time I have ever heard him say that about us. I've always felt that way, that we were truly destined for each other. But in the time we've been together I've never heard him say anything like that. It was so touching to know that, even after 12 years, he still believes that we were meant to be.

DH and I are all alone. Not for long, mind you, but all alone none the less. It's not often that Brian and I get time to just ourselves, but the in-laws have the kids until tomorrow morning, so we were able to spend today together. We didn't do much ... sat inside on this cold wet day and cuddled up on the couch, watched a movie then went out for some drinks, garlic parmesan fries and a game of hit-the-balls-around-the-table (called pool by those who can actually get the stinkin' balls in the holes). Just a relaxing day to spend together.

So I just got a PM from Linda, another DT member at ScrapAddict, telling me that my name was in the readers gallery section of the Feb. Creating Keepsakes magazine. Though they didn't publish a LO they did chose my name as one of those whose LO's they enjoyed and considered last month. I'm really happy to at least have my name there, as I can't seem to get published recently. I have taken to only submitting to the major mags instead of all the idea books and other stuff, but still. Can someone request a LO sometime this millenium please! LOL

OK, that doesn't sound good at all! LOL Thought I had a UTI so went in today to the lab. Alas, no UTI. Hopefully the weird symptoms will cease or I'll actually have to go *see* the Dr. On the other side, I may have a worm on my computer. At least that's what Felicia thinks it may be. I surely hope its not. What would I do without my computer? (Oh, I'd confiscate Brian's laptop, that's what! LOL) At least I have all of my photos backed up. Our Christmas gifts are DONE. Just need to put another coat of Mod Podge on the altered canvas I did for Brian's parents (see the picture here ... using a NEW kit from www.scrapaddict.com ). Then I need to wrap it and I'm completely finished. YEAH! Hopefully everyone will be pleased with the Christmas goodies this year. The elves were a little low on dough, but they made do. I've been thinking of making something for Brian for Christmas. Maybe an accordian book or something. Of course, I'd need to get on the bal...

Dear Deanna decided to tag me, so here goes. The rules for this particular tagging are as follows: Remove the blog name in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add yourself to the bottom slot. 1. Kdubs 2. Courtney 3. Beth 4. Deanna (View of Life) 5. A Scrap of Life (Annette) Then you get to select five people to pass the love on to. 1. Cynthia 2. Carolyn 3. Jill 4. Kim J. 5. Anita Now, on to the questions! What were you doing 10 years ago? Getting pregnant. Hey, you asked! LOL What were you doing one year ago? Same thing as now - staying home with the kids and enjoying my scrapbooking Five snacks you enjoy: 1. chocolate 2. pizza 3. brownies and cheez-its 4. buttery microwave popcorn 5. my homemade cheesecake Five songs to which you know all the lyrics: 1. Photograph - Nickelback 2. You're Beautiful - James Blunt 3. She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5 4. The Dance - Garth Brooks 5. Drops of Jupiter - Train Five things you would do if you were a millio...

Why am I always the nice girl? Can't I be naughty for once?!? Sheesh! You Were Nice This Year? You're an uber-perfect person who is on the top of Santa's list. You probably didn't even *think* any naughty thoughts this year. Unless you're a Mormon, you've probably been a little too good. Is that extra candy cane worth being a sweetheart for 365 days straight? Were You Naughty or Nice This Year?

For the first time in 2 years it has snowed. The boys noticed it first and started screaming and yelling. We quickly bundled up and headed outside, leaving Brian sleeping and Carissa taking a nap. Chase couldn't hold in his excitement and kept singing "Walking in a Winter Wonderland". All Tristan kept saying is "It's really a Winter Wonderland, isn't it?!?". After a little snow fun we came indoors, then went outside again when Carissa woke up from her nap. We came in to warm up and then went out a third time to play in the snow with Daddy before it got too dark. The kids made snow angels, threw snowballs and just had a wonderful time playing in the snow. And while there was only an inch or so on the ground, the kids were thrilled with their personal Winter Wonderland.

I didn't appreciate my Grandma until I became a mother myself. But today I appreciate her even more. I have been totally bummed out because we haven't got a single Christmas card this year. Not one. But yesterday we finally got one and it was from her. And it was well worth the wait. Now Grandma isn't a woman to tell you how she feels all the time. We're just not a huggy-kissy-touchy-feely kind of family. But she sends me this card that makes me day. She told me what a wonderful job I'm doing as a mother, how proud she is of me, etc. It really means a lot coming from a woman I respect so much. And even if I don't get one other Christmas card this year I will be thrilled because what I did get meant so much.

Sometimes I get so frustrated with other people. Life seems to be going along just fine and then there are bumps in the road. People who think that you are doing wrong, your friends are doing wrong, etc. It's not one thing or another, it's just a culmination today. Problem with friends who are arguing, problem with my work, problem with school issues. I would prefer to live my life without all the drama, but you know that's not possible. Ugh. Case in point - 2 of my preschool Mommy friends grumbling about the others child. And the thing is, what they are complaining about is the EXACT thing their own child is also doing. Their daughters just don't get along and it's making it hard for those of us stuck in the middle who have to listen to the grumbling from both sides. I am very good at listening and not taking sides, but sometimes I just feel like yelling 'LOOK GIRLS, FIGURE IT OUT!!!". Grrr. Other frustrations today - trying to be in 3 places at...

No, not "X" as in "XXX", "X" as in "X marks the spot". Get your head out of the gutter already girls! OK, here's my "X marks the spot" list, taken from Felicia's blog: (x) smoked a cigarette – Once. I was 19 and Wendie Lee accidentlygot unfiltered cigarettes. Took one tiny puff and that was it. ( ) crashed a friend's car – No, but crashed my own a few times! ( ) stolen a car (x) been in love (x) been dumped (x) shoplifted as a child – Took a Mr. Goodbar off the shelf, stuck it in my work apron and ate it while working. ( ) been fired ( ) been in a fist fight ( ) snuck out of your parents' house ( ) had feelings for someone who didn't have them back ( ) gone on a blind date (x) lied to a friend – Hello! I was a teenager once (x) skipped school – Skipped classes off and on my senior year. Nothing too dramatic – I passed! ( ) seen someone die ( ) been to Canada (x) been to Mexico – 2 short visits. Once in...

I registered this morning for the OR Scrapbook Convention. Only taking one class - Making Memories Simply Fabulous - but I'm all geared up to SHOP the rest of the time. After all, that's the fun of a convention in my opinion. All those scrap things in one place. A scrappers paradise. **drool** The one class I didn't take but was eyeing was the PhotoShop Elements class. I have the awesome program but know that I'm only using 8% of it's potential. All I know how to do is edit photos. I can turn them black & white, sepia, edit the lighting, crop, red eye, etc. But any of the really great stuff is way above my head. But alas, I didn't know if I'd already prompt myself to learn the stuff by the time the convention rolls around in mid-March so passed on the class. I'd hate to be out the $27 class fee just because I got adventurous and figured it out on my own. (Then again, I've had the program for nearly a year and haven't figured it o...

Yes, I'm screaming, because I'm not unloved after all!!! I got an email from Lara at Prima saying that I was a finalist. She also mentioned an upcoming Prima project that might need a little help!!! The finalist email only went out to 14 people and there are 11 on the DT. So I was top 25 out of 850. I'm so proud of myself!!! I think I need to reward myself with CHOCOLATE!!!

Yes, I'm unloved. At least that's what I call it when they don't "love" my items enough to offer me a spot on the DT. That's what happened with Prima. 850 entries and only about 10 spots on the team so it's not like I really expected it to happen. But thought I would post some of my entries here anyways so you can see how much I rocked it! LOL Thankfully I don't get discouraged too easily by it all. I just keep submitting and hope someone somewhere will like it. If not, at least it's another page done. On a similar note I have decided to go for CK Hall of Fame contest this year. I've tried for both of the other magazine DT's this last year with some success (an Honorable Mention for PaperKuts and printing of my joy & comfort LO for Memory Makers). I figured I may as well round out the year with my submission for HOF. I've been working on a few things and am fairly pleased with what I have thus far.

Why am I online at 2:05 in the morning? Why am I not sleeping? Why am I not dreaming snug in my bed? I'm still up because it's quiet. Because after the kids go to bed and Brian goes to work the house is calm. Because I can THINK ... I can create and journal. But most of all I stay up late because I'm a grown up and I can. (Reminder to self: you will be paying for this when you have to get up with the kids at 7am!)

here are the family pictures we had taken. I wasn't overly impressed with them (believe me, these were the only 2 good shots out of the 15 they took!) but I'm glad to have some family photos to hang on the walls.

My brother-in-law left today for Iraq, leaving behind his wife and their 9 year old son. He will be gone just over one year. Please keep him in your thoughts and hope for his safe return.

Yes, it's morning here. 9am. And did I mention it's FREEZING! 26 degrees outside. A bit chilly for me (OK, REALLY chilly this beach girl). It wouldn't be so bad if it would SNOW. I mean, c'mon... no snow at all last year, so you'd think mother nature would give us a break and dump some fluffy white stuff on us. After all, how is a scrapbooker supposed to use all those awesome snow products if you don't get snow?!? Well, the school thing just isn't working out so well. Financial aid is so slow at both schools that I would have to pay for it out of my pocket and wait for financial aid to come in to pay me back. For goodness sakes, we are a one income family with 3 kids. I don't have $1000 or more just lying around. And the only one I could ask to borrow the money from is my Mom and I am just not going there. So school may have to wait until Spring term when financial aid will be ready for me. I was getting excited to start but I understand t...

This handmade Christmas apron was made for me by my mom when I was Carissa's age. I remember being in the kitchen with my mom, making spritzer cookies while wearing my apron. Now it's wonderful to see Carissa enjoying it. Sure, she may never wear it in the kitchen to protect her clothes while baking, but it's wonderful to see her enjoy something that was mine as a child.

Chase is changing. There is no two ways about that, he just is. He's so much more into his friends and his fun. He is much more independant but at the same time unsure about the changes himself. He loves us and wants to be with us, but sometimes friends are more important. He loves his sister and brother but sometimes he just doesn't feel like playing with them. He's my oldest, so these changes are all foreign to me. I know that this is how it's supposed to be. He's supposed to change, supposed to become a person all his own. And he's doing such a great job at that. He has his own values and morals and doesn't seem to let the other children persuade him too much. Chase is a wonderful, kind child. He won't hurt people and hates with people are hurting each other. Case in point - 2 of his closest friends at school were fighting. It was a power struggle of some sort and the boys couldn't get along. Chase, always the mediator, tried and tried to get them...

I couldn't resist that title. I love that new song AND it absolutely describes today for me. After being down the last few days today has been a "better day". This morning I registered for college. Yes, after 12 years (and 3 kids), I have decided to return to school. I am signed up for my first term of classes and am aiming for my Associates in Business Administration/Accounting. It's going to be a little rough for a while. Because of Brian's rotating schedule I am having to do most classes via Distance Education (i.e. interenet or TV courses). Will be a whole different way to learn and I hope it works out for me. I've always been a numbers sort of girl and have enjoyed the accounting work I did before having kids. I'm just excited about the prospects of getting my education and returning to the workforce once Carissa is in school full time. In other "better day" news - Memory Makers has asked to use my "Scappoose Sunset" LO in the ...

Sometimes I feel like all I do is run. And not run in the exercise sense, run in the busy-doing-stuff kind of way. And I'm just beat. Yesterday was help at school, have playdate, watch a friends kid after school and go to the grocery store. Today was scouting for food (cub scouts pick up donations for the local food bank) for both Chase & Tristan, then a scout meeting for Tristan, home to make a quick lunch and wrap a gift, then take Chase to a birthday party, home to make cake for my FIL, make dinner, entertain in-laws, rearrange Chase's ENTIRE room to make space for the air hockey table they bought for the kids, then grump at my kids until it's their bedtime because I'm so worn out. Tomorrow I'm out of here by 9am to meet my mom at 10am then to Becky's house so I can FINALLY get some time to scrapbook. I haven't been able to scrap in over a week and I'm having withdrawals. It makes me grumpy when I don't scrap! LOL The only blissful thing t...

It's been a rough day today. Some not-so-great things going on with Brian's sister and her family. So I thought I would take a minute today and talk about why I'm so blessed in the life I have. I have a loving family. And I'm not just saying that. Our children honestly love us. They tell us all the time, give us hugs for no reason, are kind and considerate. They are just so wonderful. I have been blessed with a husband who is both understanding and encouraging. We talk about everything. We share everything. We are truly a unit. I love him with all my heart and soul and he feels the same about me. Life just wouldn't be the same without him in my life. He is such a wonderful man. We live a comfortable life. We can pay the bills, have a nice house in a great neighborhood, the kids needs are met and sometimes we have extra for special treats for the family. We have friends and family for support. I am thankful always especially for Brian's parents. Yes, my in-laws...

Today was an official "What was I thinking?" kind of day. Started out early, as I had to go on a field trip with Chase's class. We drove into Portland on a VERY noisy bus, the driver missed the freeway exit for the mall and had to drive an extra 15 minutes around the downtown area to get us there. Then we get there and I find out that I have 6 kids in my group. SIX KIDS. And just me to watch them. In a busy mall (and definitely the least safe in the entire metro area). And not only do I get six said children, but I also get 3 of the MOST OBNOXIOUS kids in the entire class. The ones you have to constantly monitor for keeping with the group, touching things, making loud whirring noises all the time (don't ask me what that was about!?!). Then we had $40 total (which the kids had earned by themselves, by the way! Wahoo to them) and had to wander the mall in search of the best deals on gifts for other kids their age. They are donating them to a charity as gifts for needy c...