Heather Preckel is my new favorite Celeb!!!! I got to meet her yesterday at The Scrapbook shoppe. She is so genuine, talented, and just downright nice!!!! We made some serious kick butt pages. 3 to be exact. Then we made these flower pot things. I had so much fun. The other pic is of Lexi, Julie, and Heather. Whooo!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to get some pages done! I love how Heathers pages really pop. I love the 3D look to them. I was drooling looking at her album. You just want to touch all her pages!!!!! I love working with fabric and taking this class just reinforced that! I can't wait to finish my little purse album from when Bonnie and I went to the all night crop! I have two more pages I need to make my goal on www.theschoolofscrap.com I can't wait to get busy!!!!

PuMpKiN PaTcH PhOtOs

We had so much fun today. Norman came by to play with kids!!! They had a blast in the yard running around, playing kickball, and working every part of the swing set. The backyard had never been so fun because now the kids had an audience and it was Norman what could be better!!! It was a symphony of yelling his name each time they performed a dramatic stunt off the swingset or slide. They had to make sure he was looking, lol!

Then Mike and Melissa, and Mac stopped by and we all went to the Pumpkin Patch and had some more fun! We took tons of pics! Turns out the Dentist knows a thing or 2 about how to work the camera!!! Whoooo, vibrant orange pumpkins in the backround may be cliche but who could resist!!

The weather is finally getting cooler here. Yippie, some relief from the hot weather.

Today the kids get their report cards! This is Kelly's first year to get actual letter grades. I can 't wait to see what she brings home. It is also Jillian's first report card ever!!!!!! Wow, big day for the girls. I'll take lots of pics. Here are a couple of recent pages. True colors was a challenge on www.theschoolofscrap.com We had to use a Cindy Lauper song. This is a digi layout. I am still and seemingly forever working on Kelly's school album. Here's one of the latest pages.

Confession: I am addicted to scrapbooking but you already knew that, lol!! TFL!

Hello and Boo!

Billy picked out his Halloween costume today. It is so cute. I actually reminds me of a suit in a picture a friend of mine posted. It's skeleton Man!!!! He loves it!

Right now Jillian is saying she wants to be a lady bug which is fine by me because we already have the costume! She's been a lady bug the last three years! Kelly changes her mind daily.

I love this time of year. The weather was beautiful today. I sat outside the Nana and Lana while the kids played. Its been an long hot summer so it was nice to play outside again.

Happy Haloween.

Ok, I'm a slacker. You know it when it takes a challenge for me to update my blog. I get 40 points for sharing something fun I did this summer. We went to Disney World! My family with my brother and his kids and my Mom! We had lost of fun and I can't wait until I can scrap the pics!!!!
I wanted to get this picture of Jillian because I have one of Kelly with Ariel. It was so funny. Billy refused to go sit with her. He was acting all shy and Kelly, was too cool and grown up for that. So they scattered when it was our turn to take a pic and Jillian proudly marched up there and sat down with Ariel. She was very impressed by her.

September 11, 2006

Where were you 5 years ago when you heard the news? I was home with my daughters playing with them when my husband called me and told me to turn on the TV to find out what was going on. It was strange because it was the one morning I chose to keep the tv off while I played with them. I remember the image of the burning tower. I remember the news media still speculating as to what happened. At first most thought it was a plane crash. Then before I could collect myself I saw the other plane make its entry into the adjacent tower. I knew. I knew immediately it was an act of terrorism.

Since then, everytime breaking news comes on it stirs up a fear in me. How has it changed you? I have a deep respect for Firefighters and the families that support them. In life and in death. I feel guilty for the freedoms we enjoy while the families who suffered loss are struggling each day without their loved ones. There are so many emotions, so many tragedies and with that so many acts of heroism. God bless America today and always.

TWO THOUSAND ONE, NINE ELEVEN (2001-911)
Two thousand one, nine eleven
Five thousand plus arrive in heaven
As they pass through the gate,
Thousands more appear in wait
A bearded man with stovepipe hat
Steps forward saying, "Lets sit, lets chat"
They settle down in seats of clouds
A man named Martin shouts out proud
"I have a dream!" and once he did
The Newcomer said, "Your dream still lives."
Groups of soldiers in blue and gray
Others in khaki, and green then say
"We're from Bull Run, Yorktown, the Maine
"The Newcomer said, "You died not in vain."
From a man on sticks one could hear
"The only thing we have to fear.
The Newcomer said, "We know the rest,
trust us sir, we've passed that test."
"Courage doesn't hide in caves
You can't bury freedom, in a grave,"
The Newcomers had heard this voice before
A distinct Yankees twang from Hyannisport shores
A silence fell within the mist
Somehow the Newcomer knew that this
Meant time had come for her to say
What was in the hearts of the five thousand plus that day
"Back on Earth, we wrote reports,
Watched our children play in sports
Worked our gardens, sang our songs
Went to church and clipped coupons
We smiled, we laughed, we cried, we fought
Unlike you, great we're not"
The tall man in the stovepipe hat
Stood and said, "Don't talk like that!
Look at your country, look and see
You died for freedom, just like me"
Then, before them all appeared a scene
Of rubbled streets and twisted beams
Death, destruction, smoke and dust
And people working just 'cause they must
Hauling ash, lifting stones,
Knee deep in hell, but not alone
"Look! Blackman, Whiteman, Brownman, Yeowman
Side by side helping their fellow man!"
So said Martin, as he watched the scene
"Even from nightmares, can be born a dream."
Down below three firemen raised
The colors high into ashen haze
The soldiers above had seen it before
On Iwo Jima back in '44
The man on sticks studied everything closely
Then shared his perceptions on what he saw mostly
"I see pain, I see tears,
I see sorrow -- but I don't see fear."
"You left behind husbands and wives
Daughters and sons and so many lives
are suffering now because of this wrong
But look very closely. You're not really gone.
All of those people, even those who've never met you
All of their lives, they'll never forget you
Don't you see what has happened?
Don't you see what you've done?
You've brought them together, together as one.
With that the man in the stovepipe hat said
"Take my hand," and from there he led
five thousand plus heroes, Newcomers to heaven
On this day, two thousand one, nine eleven.

I do not know the author, sorry.
The man on sticks is:
Franklin Roosevelt - He said "All we have to fear is fear itself". He was stricken with polio at the age of 39 and used crutches.

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

My baby is now officially a Kindergartener. Time flies, and waits for NOONE! I wanted to share some pics. Daddy came home between jobs so he could be there to walk them to class on their first day. Kelly's class is in the new wing. The paint was barely dry, lol. We were so fortunate again for having such great teachers.

Laura

Oh my, the kids have been back to school for a month now. The day before the first day the kids went to "Meet the teacher". They were excited to go and visit their classrooms. It is going very smooth so far. I am still working on Kelly's album. I am only as far as 1st grade and she is entering 3rd. Kindergarten is going great for Jal! She seems to love it!!!! My most embarrassing moment so far this year is she told the teacher I am always on the couch or on the computer. I had to laugh. It is such a Jillian thing to say. Then I was upset because I realized that is what she thinks of me. So now everytime I sit down on the couch I am careful to point out to her that ok now mommy is sitting down to FOLD THE LAUNDRY. Now mommy is sitting down to READ all the papers from the backpacks, etc. I thought getting my work done during the day and spending quality time with them in the afternoon was a good thing. They both have to read everyday so I read to her and log it in. All the while I'm making dinner, doing laundry and chasing my 3 year old around. Or I'm running taxi to Brownies, music class, SAC meetings, or some other social event of my children. There are knocks on the door all the time from the girls in the neighborhood asking to play. I am on the computer alot though. Everytime I get a chance. Bad mommy, lol!!!!!

Newest Scrapbook diddy!!!!! Check it out.


http://www.bigfatbaby.com/index.cfm?action=view&id=13119&scid=0

Scrapbooking SNL Parody

SNL Parody is a must see

This is hilarious!!!! a must see!!!!!!!!!! This was a Saturday Night Live Skit about Scrapbooking!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_duMORCX0EU

Memories, memories, everyone's got 'em!

I'm just trying to get them logged so my children can fondly remember the lazy hazy days of summer!

Here are some pics!

Ok, here are some pics of our cabin, Helen, GA, Jillian picking berries, Daddy and Billy, and our visit to the Cabbage Patch Hospital. It is hot, hot, hot here. If I'm lyin' I'm dyin, lol!!!

We are going to head off to Delonega today and check it out. Will update later.

Laura

Hello from Cleveland, Georgia!!! I am sitting a'top a mountain at a wi-fi hotspot and don't you know I forgot to download the pictures! What fun is an entry without some pics to go with the story? It is pretty here. Windy roads, lots of green and trees! The cabin we are staying in is so cute. The people up here are so nice too!! Nana and Pop Pop are letting the girls spend the night with them and Billy and I are enjoying the peace and quiet at night after Baby Billy goes to bed. We visited Helen tonight. What a cute place. It is all done up like a German village. We walked around and checked it all out. The kids loved the Horse and buggies.

Nana made us tacos and enchiladas for dinner. Earlier we went to the Cabbage Patch baby hospital. What an ADORABLE concept!!!! It is so well done. You walk in and there are babies you can adopt. They have it set up like a hospital. There are babies in cribs, etc. Each one of the kids got a baby and we got to watch 2 babies being born!!!!! Too cute!!!!!!

We hoped to go tubing but the water is too low right now. Maybe it will rain in the next couple of days and we will be able to go. When we first got here, we drove all night and got here very early in the morn. We got to see Nana and Pop Pops beautiful place!!!!! We couldn't check in here until 3 pm so we took a nap for a little bit before coming and getting settled in.

I visited Scrapbook Bugs today. A cute little scrapbook store with the nicest lady. I got a couple things to scrap this trip. She invited me to an all day crop on Saturday. I don't want to take that time away from my family though. We'll off I go to enjoy the rest of the trip.
Scrap your memories!!!!

I am finally finished with the very first section of Kelly's school album, lol. Her last day of kindergarten. Now I have 1st and 2nd grade still to do. She starts 3rd grade this year. I was hoping to have her pages up to date by now. Speaking of school, I can't believe it starts in a couple of weeks.
My newest decision. My neighbor called and asked me if I would watch her son starting on the first day of school until her daughter gets home. I don't know if I can handle another toddler, but I can certainly use the money. Of course, I'm thinking scrap supplies. He is so cute and it would give Billy a playmate.

We set sail tomorrow. Not literally of course. I hope they have internet connection where we will be staying. Whooo! Can't wait until vacation.
Laura

Hello,

I have spent the bulk of the weekend doing laundry. I never knew 5 people could have so much laundry in all my life We are getting ready to go on vacation in GA. We will be staying in a cabin!!! I'm sure I'll have lots of pics to show when we get back!!!

My dh actually found a scrapbook store for me near where we are staying. How cool is that. He must want to go fishing and golfing, haaaaa.

So the scrapbooking world is all a buzz about the new products that are coming out at summer CHA!! I am loving the new Cosmo Cricket line. Check it out at http://www.embellishonline.com/
The wanted collection is my favorite. CHA summer will be held in Chicago July 20-31. It will be hard but I am on a spending freeze for now. I want all that new stuff!!!!!!!!

Laura

Kelly and I went to the Kelly Clarkson concert on July 1st!!!! Whooo. Just mother and daughter. We had a great time. I wanted to share some picks.

Memories are what we create everyday. They effect who we are, what we do, how we think. What is your favorite memory? Maybe its a special Christmas or birthday. Maybe it's your first kiss. Or maybe its as simple as a smell triggering a moment or place from your past. I miss the smell of the salty ocean. If I listen I can still hear the sound of the waves crashing over the seawall. The rythmic heartbeat of the ocean sliding in and rolling out. I can still remember the screams as the roller coaster at Paragon Park would make its decent down that first treacherous hill. I can hear the wood creak and the bar rattle as it flew over each hill and turn. I can remember the stories of the lady who jumped to her death off the top of that first incline. My own mother and aunts and uncles were working there at the time. I can hear the Merry go round and the music being played.
I loved to watch the old folks dance at the Pavillion. I stood on that beach 10 hours a day twirling my whistle, watching to make sure everyone was safe. I'll never forget the guy I chased in the water and out across the street to Casey's. I quess he was trying to comit suicide by drowning himself. He was fully clothed. To this day I know there was divine intervention because I chased him across the street and into that door and knew he was hiding in the bathroom. It was like a co-pilot was leading me right to him. I later found out he tried to hang himself in his cell.
I remember Uncle Sam's and those stairs. So many stairs! There are so many memories. Good, sad, defining.
I can still hear my grandfather play his acordian and everybody singing. I remember skating at Damon Pond in the winter.
Scrap those memories! They are what your children will want to know. However insignificant they may seem to you they will be of such great interest to your children and your grandchildren. It will give them insight into who you really are and what life was like when you were growing up!!!
I challenge you!!!! Spark up those memories and get them written down.
Laura

Hello Scrappers!!!!! Boy do I have a confession for this past weekend. Not only did I go to a crop on Saturday to benefit Breast cancer but I spent the whole weekend away from the kids and hubby. It was so much fun. Don't get me wrong I love my family but it was just what the doctor ordered "if only doctors really ordered this kind of stuff, lol" I am totally rejuvinated!!

I went to the Bonnie B & B on Friday. We shopped and hung out. Then after the crop we hung out some more in the comfort of her quiet, clean, home!!! It was great. She gave me 4 Starbucks coffee cups and some cool books. This was my bday present.

When I came home on Sunday, the house was actually clean, whooo. Then we went to dinner with Mike, Melissa, and Mac and had to go grocery shopping! Oh how I dread that.

I am taking lots of pics and enjoying life!! Oh my, I almost forgot the big news we got today and the really cool thing that happened to me at Dani's crop.

First, Kim my sister in law called today and announced they will be having a baby! We are so excited for them!! She is due in March, whoo!!!

At Dani's crop I won a door prize. It was the Pampered Chef tool caddy thing that everyone uses for cropping. I was so excited!!! Also I entered a page layout contest for two catagories, Photography and School Memories and I won!!!! I was really excited and tickled. I really am starting to break out of my shell and get those pages out there. Winning helps me not feel so silly about it, lol.
Laura

Hello,

The 4th of July was fun! So was the 3rd of July!! I turned another year older and so did America. A group of us went to the Parade. It was soooo hotttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thankfully we had super soakers to keep us a little comforted. We parked at the playground and sat by the street. Got lots of candy and beads. We were at the beginning of the parade so we could take off as soon as it was over to go to a cookout or should I say to GET OUT OF THE HEAT!!! The cookout was nice and relaxing. All the kids played and the adults got to sit and relax a bit. Later we all went outside (neighbors) to watch the fireworks. Of course it was our usual crew and Dubba-D stopped by after the Red Sox game. They lost! I am not too happy about that!!!! The Yankees got smoked too so that lightens the upset just a little, lol.

For my birthday the kids made be Queen for the day and served me breakfast in bed. Oatmeal and toast with peanut butter, very cute!!!!! I got some SCRAPBOOK STUFF of course that my cute hubby picked out all by himself. We also had a cake. My mom took me clothes shopping, whooo!! I rarely shop for clothes because I'd rather spend my money on scrapsupplies, see the top 10 reasons you know you are a scrap addict.

Happy Birthday America. Thank you to all the troops who make our freedom possible.
Laura

Scraplist Challenge #2 from 2Peas

I just couldn't do. I couldn't leave my page the way it was. I will post it tomorrow I forgot to take a pic of it in natural light. Too much dead space up top. I really don't know how people do it? When they do I LOVE how it looks but I just can't seem to do that myself. So I changed it a little by moving my letters up and adding some Prima flowers.

Next challenge has been posted to Lisa(photo above). I think others want to join it. I can't wait to see al the different variations. We have until the end of the weekend to complete it.

Hung out with the kids in the pool today after running errands. I didn't even take pics. Imagine that, my children got to actually enjoy themselves without the crazy lady with the camera looking over their shoulders yelling, "hold that pose", "do that again!" "smile, I said smile" "can't you just sit still for one minute so I can get this picture, Billy, Billy, look at me, Jillian don't look away until the camera clicks, Kelly leave Billy alone and just smile" "Kelly you are old enough keep looking at the camera eventually Billy will look" Uggg poor kids.

I got my Scraprack yesterday!!! Whooo! I am in the process of organizing all my stuff.
I also got my shipment from I Remember When!!!!! So many mail goodies!!! I got all kinds of Jeneva paper on sale! I am going to make up packs and sell them.

I am doing great on my attempt to start to go to bed by midnight. Lets see it's 2:37 am. Have a scrappy day (that was dorky but it needed to be said!)
Laura

I entered a challenge with a friend. We both scraplifted the same layout from 2 peas. It is the one titled "loot". We had to do it fast. It was fun to see what we each came up with. This was a great challenge for me. I usually tinker with a page forever. It felt good to get a page completed. I do have a tough time with the top being so bare. I was trying to keep with the pic we scraplifted from by leaving the blank space at the top. I will probably go back and fix it. It's really driving me crazy. I realize I was being too legalistic about following the challenge exactly. I used to think I didn't scraplift but I do. You just morph off an idea you see and that can still be considered scraplifting.


We went to the movies today to see Dreamer with the kids and some friends. We had a good time and it was great to get the kids out. Tomorrow we are supposed to go swimming in the pool. Yippie! It is a great relief from this seriously HOOOTTTTT SUMMER SUN!!! Ouch it is scortching!