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Thought I'd mention that I added a guest book at the bottom of this blog. Feel free to sign it! Thanks so much for visiting.

Heads or Tails - Week 3

This is week #3 of the Heads or Tails meme started by Barb at Skittles Place. This week it's our pick of Heads - HOBBY or Tails - anything that rhymes with HOBBY.

HEADS!
I haven't had too many hobbies actually. My hobbies now are scrapbooking, rubberstamping and taking photos. All of which kind of go hand in hand. I got started with Scrapbooking 10 years ago when I attended my first Creative Memory party. I was excited with the page that I created. Back then, my kids were pretty little still and it was very difficult finding time to sit down and do it. So it was put on hold for several years.

A year ago, I attended my first Stampin Up party and had so much fun creating the cards. (The card I posted for Barb's Blog Birthday was one that I made.) I was pretty much hooked from that first party. I've attended a couple other workshops and hosted my own as well. I actually became a "Stampin Up Demonstrator" a few months ago, however, it's been kind of a slow go. I've mainly been using it to get some pretty good discounts on things. I'm hoping to do a workshop soon and get the ball rolling though.

Only months ago, I got a new digital camera with a pretty awesome ultra zoom and I've been having lots of fun taking pictures... mostly of birds outside, my kids and my dogs.

Let's flip the coin to TAILS for some added fun!
Because finding a word to rhyme with hobby seemed a bit difficult, I thought about it and decided that I might confess something here. Back in high school, there was this guy named Robbie that used to hug me all the time. We were okay friends and all, but nothing more. Why did he hug me all the time? Because I had bigger boobs than all the other girls! Back then I didn't have the weight issues I do now so the big boobs were attractive. A girl with extremely low self esteem can always use a good hug... I'm still a bit on the shy side so the fact that I typed this is a bit surprising to me. Oh well... maybe someone will get a good little chuckle out of it.

Have a great day!

Your Cross

I received this in an email and had to share with others. I can't tell you how many times I think things are so tough for me and I have had some tough times, however, there are many others who have even greater challenges so I thank my God for what I have.

YOUR CROSS

Whatever your cross
Whatever your pain
There will always be sunshine
After the rain

Perhaps you may stumble
Perhaps even fall
But God's always there
To help you through it all

Photo Hunters - "HAPPY"

This is my niece KariAnn. This happiness goes both ways. She was very happy and I was so happy to see her happy!

PhotoHunt

Happy Birthday to Skittles

Today marks the one year anniversary of Skittles Place! A few days ago she celebrated post number 2000! One may call it an addiction, but she has fun with it so I think it's great! I am very new to the community (as well as blogging) and I really don't know Skittles all to well yet so I had no idea what to present. So... the first is just a little something that reminded me of Skittles Place - I wonder why? The 2nd is a card that I made. (I'm into rubber stamping). I hope you enjoy.
(Sorry I'm a little late by the way. It's been a very busy day.)


How about some mango scented lip gloss?

Hummingbird

Hi all... I just had to share my excitement. I've been playing with this camera of mine every week since I got it. I've noticed a couple hummingbird's playing around my yard lately. I wanted to try to get a good photo of one of them. This photo, I was so excited about. Quite frankly, I'm thinking I was lucky because I haven't been able to get a shot quite like it a 2nd time. Check this out. It's real and the photo is untouched! My husband was in shock... he says it looks fake. It's totally not!!

Heads or Tails - Week #2

This is week #2 of the Heads or Tails meme started by Barb at Skittles Place. This week she called "Tails" and asks us to tell about a couple ways that "Luck" has played a part in our life.

I must admit that I believe that which happens is a result of God's plan for us. While I may not always be happy with the challenges he lays before me, I try to remember that those challenges will make me a stronger person. Not only that, but as bad as I think things may be for me, I know that it could be worse and then I sit back and thank Him for all I have.

I will say I consider myself lucky or "thankful" for the following:
My life, my husband/marriage, my kids, my extended family, my house, my dogs, the list goes on...

Today is my husband's birthday. Happy Birthday to him! A few years ago, we had a very rocky summer. We were separated and I thought I was going to have to be a single mom. I know there are many out there, but I didn't want to be one of them. The summer was one of my worst for this reason. When he took the kids for his visit, I was completely lost and devastated. I sat and cried the whole time they were gone. I could not let this go on. I needed the marriage to mend and the family to be back together. I did the only thing I knew how... prayed. I prayed and prayed and at the beginning of November, we got back together. Praise God. I am so grateful things have worked out.

Heads or Tails Meme

Barb at Skittles Place has started a new meme called Heads or Tails. I think it sounds cool. I'm quite new to blogging. It sounds fun though so I'm going to play along. This week's theme is Beginning(s). Sorry I'm a day late.

The beginning I am going to write about is what I refer to as the beginning of a better life. The summer before my freshman year in high school is when it began. My parents had divorced several years earlier. Up to this point, my dad had full custody and we got to visit my mom every other weekend (not enough time if you ask me). Anyway, this particular summer, we were able to spend a few weeks with mom. She lived in Sparta at the time. I had so much fun while there that I really didn't want to go back to my dad's. I did not like living with him and my step-mom. In my opinion, my step-mom was nothing more than a baby sitter and a poor one at that. Chores came before everything else (including homework). My dad was a drug dealer and user and because of that we could never have friends over. It was no life for a child if you ask me. So anyway, it was nearing the end of the summer visit with mom and I really dreaded the thought of going back to dad's. My first attempt at getting to stay with my mom failed. I called dad and asked that we be able to stay with mom. No way was his answer. I don't why. So... out of desperation I did something that many would probably never do to a parent... I went to the police and turned him in for drug use. Now I know that there are those that will not agree with what I did, but to them I say... you have that right to your opinion. I loved being in a new neighborhood, new friends that didn't pressure me into getting into trouble and doing illegal things that I had absolutely no interest in. I saw what drugs can do and there was no way I was taking that road. I'm glad I did what I did. I got across to my dad how I felt about his drug use. So I call that the beginning of a better chapter in my book of life. I seriously think that I could be messed up in drugs or some crazy thing had I not taken that courageous step to essentially 'help' my dad.

Thanks for reading and feel free to play along.

It's Friday - TGIF

I am SOOO glad it is Friday. I've had training classes at work all week. And, while I like getting away from work, the days just seemed to last so long. The manual was a good 4-inches thick. What'd I learn? Mmmm... let me think about that. I remember it had to do with Sharepoint Administration. We're upgrading to MOSS at work and so I was learning to administer? Whatever... I'm just glad the class is done. It really did make for a long week. I have a week and 2 days of vacation coming soon. We don't have plans to go anywhere though. Not going to work is vacation enough for me though. I'm totally fine with that. My daughter will be in her final week of driver's training. Her final assessment is on the 16th at which point we'll be able to decide whether she can get her permit or not. She's been doing well so far. I'll tell you though, it is weird sitting in the back seat while your first child gets behind that wheel. I cried (not when she was looking though). I started to think about all the things my mom was going to miss (she passed away last year). It hit me like a brick yesterday at lunch. I sat in the park, watching the ducks and geese swim around and just cried and cried. I could've filled a bucket with my tears probably. Sometimes I just have those moments... I guess that was one of those times. I really do miss you mom! I know you're watching from heaven, but it just isn't the same. To all those who still have their mom... give her a big hug and let her know you love her. To all, I bid you good night and will talk again soon.

Nick Burns Computer Guy