Archive for the ‘Friends n Family’ Category

Today has been kind of insane.  I really did not sleep well last night.  Ok, I went to bed after 4 and had to get the kids up for school at 5 so ummm…  LOL  I got up on time, got the kids off to school, did the first writing assignment for a journaling course I’m taking, and then I went back to bed and slept until after 1!  I got up and was slow getting going and just about the time I felt like getting a little work done the internet went out!  My internet and phone just happen to be with the same company so not only did my internet got out but my phone was out TOO so I couldn’t even call and bitch about it!    BAHHHHHH!!! 

roflmao! 

It finally came back on around 11ish tonight.  Greatttt….

I did manage to get the dining room mopped today.  Almost all of the laundry is now done.  I cleaned out the fridge, even pulled the drawers out and washed them.    Yep, I WAS BORED OUT OF MY MIND!

For supper tonight was TACOs.  But, before I could cook the hubs had to run to the store because we decided to have tacos before we realized we had nothing to MAKE said tacos!  Now, you can’t exactly tell your kids your going to have tacos and then after they have been celebrating for 2 hours tell them OOPS… so the hubs ran to the store for groceries. YAY.  Super-hubs to the rescue! du-dun-du-dun-da-dunnnnn!  LOL!

What are you planning on cooking all week?

Here’s what our menu looks like for the week:

• MONDAY – TACOS  (Dad’s choice)
• TUESDAY – MEAT LOAF, homestyle potatoes, salad  (Mom’s choice)
• WEDNESDAY – CHICKEN NUGGETS, side salad   (Sis’s  choice)
• THURSDAY – BURGERS n FRIES  (Bub’s choice)
• FRIDAY – OVEN FRIED CHICKEN, MacNCheese, green beans  (Dad’s night)
• SATURDAY -  PIZZA NIGHT (ITS THE WEEKEND BABY!)
• SUNDAY – {big brunch} so fend for yourself nite  (MOMS NOT COOKING!)

My goal for tomorrow is get some recipes pre-posted for this week and the month of September, so make sure you keep and eye on my recipe blog. 

Do you Homeschool?

I’ve thought about it for years, but I am really afraid I won’t be able to get Sis to actually STUDY for me.  I mean, I’ve been trying to get her to clean her room for a MONTH, kwim?  I don’t know.  I really do NOT like the school system in our county, at all.   So, even though the kids go to public school, we still do tons of work here at home.  I thought I would start sharing some of Sis’s assignments and some of the practice things we do here at home with you, incase you home school and are in need of some ideas.    If you like this sort of thing, let me know and we’ll see about getting an entire section set up for LEARNING.

Sis’s words this week are actually words she had last year.  I asked her why they were teaching the same things again this year and she said that the teachers said it was a “refresher” for a few weeks to get everyone back to where they were when school ended last year.  SIs is in a lot of advanced classes, last year (third grade) she did her math with the 4th grade kids.  So in a few weeks her advanced classes should pick up again.  She said that one of her friends was already removed from her English/Reading class and demoted down to regular classes.  So, in my mind I am figuring this first few weeks of school will just be the teachers gauging who should be in advanced classes and who shouldn’t?  I don’t know.  I do know we went over these words last year, because we actually planted a bean to help see the “growing” process!

Spelling/Vocabulary Words  Week of August 23rd-27th

root - the part of a plant that takes in water and minerals.
seed – An undevelopted plant with stored food sealed in a protective covering.
stem – The part of a plant that holds the plany up and carries food, water, and other materials to and from the roots and leaves.
photosynthesis – The process in green plants and certain other organisms that uses energy from sunlight to make food from water and carbon dioxide.
spore - A cell in a seedless plant that can grow into a new plant.
pollination – The transfer of a flower’s pollen from anther to pistil.
fertilization – The joining of a female sex cell, the egg, and a male sex cell, the sperm, to produce a fertilized egg.
germination – When something begins to grow, as when a seed sprouts into a new plant.
leaf - the part of a plant that takes in carbon dioxide and sunlight to make food.
reproduction - The making of offspring.

Today’s Activity:
Since we have already had these words, we just talked about each word and its definition.  I either said the word or the definition and she had to reply with the answer.  Sis remembered them all from last year, and didn’t miss a single one.  So for tomorrow we will work on the SPELLING and I will be making some anagrams for her to unscramble.  I’ll post the worksheet for you tomorrow if you would like to have it.  Just comment below if you want it. 

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!

Before I go, I just wanted to remind you that DSV is closing in a week!  This really is your last chance to go shopping in a store that you KNOW every product has been quality checked.  KimB, Shannon, and I worked very hard to make sure each product was of the HIGHEST POSSIBLE QUALITY.  We guarantee there are no strays, jagged edges, blotchies, over compression etc.   In addition to the piece of mind you get from knowing the products are quality checked, over half our team are having a farewell sale!  Since we are closing I am having a sale on all my goods at DSV. 

I didn’t want my products to be on sale at one site and not the other so my entire store at both DSO and DSV are on sale for 50% off!  At DSV so are KimBs, Gayes, and Stacy’s!  That’s a lot of product on sale for 50% off!

I will miss the team, but luckily for me: KimB, Gaye, Caryn, and Kalo Designs all also sell with me @ DSO!  So we’ll all still be together.

Anyway. 
Thanks for reading!!!!!!!!!!

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As I sat out on my porch swing this morning sipping my coffee and listening to this sleepy little neighborhood slowly wake, I began to think about the word I had chosen for my Word of the Day today.  I’ve been working on building my grownup vocabulary ever since I got stomped by my lil’ Bug in a game of scrabble.  She’s only 9 and I am … older.  I should’ve won.   I had felt empowered this morning, and in browsing synonyms for the word unstoppable I ran across ineluctable.  Ineluctable, according to Webster’s Online, means incapable of being avoided.  That’s certainly something I’ve been looking for.  My path.  Ya know? 

So my morning thought for my facebook friends: “May your hopes and dreams become the ineluctable truths of your future. {hugs}”

I have felt for the last year or so, that somehow, though it felt right under my feet when I started down it- this is the wrong road for me now.  Not to be cheesy, but to quote one of the masters Tolkien.. “Remember what Bilbo used to say: It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”  Only in my case, I feel like my feet stepped into a small rut in the road, and I have been unable to step up and deviate from that course.  Even when I felt like I should be turning here…

I decided today, as I looked around at the people I enjoy talking to the most “online” and off, that I am nothing if not a little envious.  Though they all have different beliefs, goals, and LIVES, they do all share one common thread.  They figured out the correct path for them, and they stepped up and took it.  Even if they couldn’t always see the huge X marking the spot at the end of their journey.  They still all stepped out of the rut and caught their turn.

My friend Tiffany, who is not only an amazing mom (which she was really worried about nearly 16 years ago) is an accomplished accountant AND she teaches college courses at a big University.  Man, to go from where we came from to where she is now.  My eyes truly tear up with happiness and pride for her.  And a little envy.   Ok, more than a little. 

My Dad.  Man, my poor Dad.  My Dad fought polio when he was little, and won.  Only to end up being a single “mom” before men raising their kids was “common”.  I can’t imagine a young man,  in the late 60’s early 70’s, stuck with not one but TWO girls (under the age of 5) to raise.  He tried hard to find an acceptable mom for us.  Unfortunately, none of them were.  Once we were grown though, he decided FINALLY, that he had had enough.  He stepped out of his rut, and is now happier then I ever remember him being.  Ever.  At least, he seems to be.  Over 40 and finally just said $%^& it, and moved off and started over.   Now, he is all smiles and jokes, and doing quite well for himself.  For the first time in his entire life.

My Aunt, who, bless her heart… has no idea how much people look up to her.  She has had a pretty shitty life. If you’ll excuse me for being blunt.  Some folks just are born with an amazing ability to pick the absolutely worst people to try to share their lives with.  She was brave enough to step out of her rut too, put her feet on firm ground, and she didn’t just walk down her correct path – she FLEW!  She is a very successful woman in her career path, and living the life she wants.  You ever heard the old saying “beats to their own drum”?  That’s my Aunt, and God bless her…I love her for it. 

and that brings us to my friend Dave.  Kind of giggling to myself here, because if he knew he made my “people I’m proud to know” list, he would surely turn purple with embarrassment.  Dave, as it turns out, found his rut had come to an abrupt end through circumstances completely out of his control  Just like a lot of folks have with the state of the economy.  But Dave, instead of sitting around and whining “why me” said “All righty then!”  He stepped up and went back to school!  I know it was a scary choice for him.  I know because we talked about it while he was looking at the road in front of him and trying to decide which fork in the road to take.  He chose, in my opinion, the harder road with the better “x” at the end. 

Every time I talk to Dave and Tiffany, and we get on the subject of school… It makes me think that just maybe… the turn I missed last year would have taken me THERE.  TO be honest though, just the thought of going back to school makes me want to throw up a little.  It wasn’t exactly a joy ride the first time around and the thought of going back.  *shivers*

All though, somewhere deep deep inside, I swear every now and again I hear a faint little echo of a voice screaming to me as if from underwater.  Screaming “Its time to nut up!”  Yea, its a southern term.  And how a little cowboy is somewhere deep in the caverns of my mind I have no idea.  But I hear it, none the less.  So, that’s where I am today.  Knowing, that it IS time to nut up.  Grow a pair and step out of  my rut and hightail it in a new direction…But to where?

hmm… 

and this has been my conversation with myself, pretty much for the bulk of the day.  Maybe tomorrow I will have a better idea of an answer.

Maybe.

Hi there!

Cant believe its been over a week since I posted.  Everything has just been kind of… well, I don’t know what word to use.  I’ve just been hangin’ out with the fam and enjoyin’ this little bit left of summer break.  We’ve done lots of swimming and just general hanging out.  I haven’t even taken many pictures!  I even almost have “back to school” shopping done already!  Just a few odds and ends left, and a trip to Old Navy yet, but other then that.  Whoot!

I’ve really been trying to set some “goals” for myself this past few weeks in terms of figuring out exactly what I want from this site.  As most of you guys have probably heard, I am closing the DigiScrapVault at the end of August.  There is no big drama involved in the decision to close that site, which everyone seems to find hard to believe.  LOL.   Seriously though, every site closure does not mean there is drama going on behind the scenes.  I simply need to consolidate some of my “online” duties because there are not enough hours in the day.    My plans are to drop a few of my responsibilities so I can even have time to think about what I WANT (and then do it) kwim?  I do know I want to put a little more effort into the reviews section of this site.  I am even toying with the idea of reviewing some digiscrap products.  ideas ideas ideas…..  Now to find some time

DSO NEWS:

DSO has taken on a new designer.  She goes by Flower Scraps, and you can meet her right here  She only has one kit in the store so far, but I am really looking forward to seeing what else she puts out.

On the side: DSO is looking to add one more designer in July, so if you know someone who is looking for a new place to call HOME and work with a fantastic TEAM then send them here.

New Releases @ DSO

I even have some new stuff out, AND some stuff fixing to be released so I’m kind of proud of myself.  (and if you’re my friend over on Facebook then you know there is a coupon code to get 40% off all my goodies thru next Sunday!)

Briliant Charms
This set contains 8 high quality bead & charm extractions, photographed and extracted by Bunny Cates. These metallic beads and charms are saved in a larger than life (approx 2 x 2) size to allow for easier designing. They are "natural", meaning they show true to life dings and scratches.  At 300 dpi, these metals are sure to accent your designs perfectly!

This purchase contains: 
8 assorted metallic charms & beads w/transparent backgrounds in PNG format

Brilliant Beads Set 1
This set contains 8 high quality bead extractions, photographed and extracted by Bunny Cates. These beads aren’t just your standard, round, smooth glass beads. They are intricate beads with "embossed" patterns on some of them.
This purchase contains:
8 Beads w/transparent backgrounds in PNG format

and…..

and some older stuff got released/re-released

man, Im tired today. LOL!

I got to feeling crafty last night around 10pm and at 5:30AM my idea was finally finished. LOL!

So what did I make – well, first I made this cute cute “wish you were here” type card.  Check back later this week, because I have something special coming for you from this card!

“Fun in the Sun” card by Bunny Cates
using Fold Em Template 1 by Bunny Cates (me) &
Offshore – the kit by KimB

other supplies:
Utee, VersaMark, Spicca, Distress Inks, Dimensionals, GlueDots, Snail

and then there is this:

you can download this lovely right HERE.  Please remember: DO NOT SHARE MY FREEBIES.  They are only available free for a limited time and then I put them in the store.  So sharing them, actually hurts my business.  Now, if you want your friends to have them you are more then welcome to send your friends to my blog to download this set for themselves.  Just be sure to mention they need to hurry!  For example: this set will be going in the store on Friday so guess how long they will be here for FREE. 

Thank you for swinging by.  And to those of you who do leave comments, THANK YOU. 

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