Rainy Saturday...

It's been raining off and on accompanied by lightning and thundering sporadically. I don't have anything planned for today except a day of rest. My scrap room is in complete chaos while I try to get everything packed and marked off my list for Creative Escape. I am in the process of my finishing my last swap and putting some RAK's together. I talked to Julie this morning and she is all ready to go, she has been packed for a few weeks. I on the other hand am a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl. Last minute stuff will certainly be thrown in, even though I have carefully followed my lists. I am so looking forward to meeting some of the girls from the yahoo group I have been getting to know off the message board. I am looking forward to meeting my two swap partners and soaking in all the comradery of 600 plus women who have a passion for this craft. Not to mention taking 8 classes from the likes of Heidi Swapp, Tim Holtz, Janet Hopkins and five other amazing teachers. I will have lots to share upon my return home.
I hope everyone is having a great weekend, ttfn.
Hugs,
Yvonne

Playing with the old blog...

Well I can't believe I figured it out but I did. I changed my template all around, altered the html to make three columns, made a new banner and just played around. I have to admit it's addicting. I want to keep on playing but DH is calling. Do you like? I do miss the damask, but oh well.

one more thing...

Nita, I know, I don't post for a week and then bam, more than one in a day:)

Anyway just wanted to show you the welcome box that came from CE. This is what they sent out just to get us a little more excited. We will have a treasure hunt, a key to open a treasure box, (if mine opens it I win something!!!!) a cute luggage tag, some gum, a candy necklace and a project from Janet Hopkins to get our creative juices flowing. I will post a picture of what I made later:)

On the countdown...

This time next week I will be on a plane to Arizona for Creative Escape!!! I can't wait, I have been making lists, packing, repacking, making more lists, making piles to pack, I think I need to step away:) I am still having a hard time believing I actually get to go. I know I have been to many CHA's, Memory Trends, HIA's and ACCI's (these were trade shows before they both merged into CHA). But I have really never gotten to go to a scrapbook event that was for the total fun of it. No work involved. I guess that is why this one, not to mention that this is the Heidi Swapp event of the year, is so exciting for me. Maybe I am being silly, but what is life without a little or alot of silliness??? Sorry for the rambling.

On another note, I am a little concerned about Bre. She has not been feeling very good since she was sick. She has been having dizzy spells. She had one on Saturday where she actually lost her balance and fell, she said she doesn't even remember falling, just realizing she was on the ground. I had to go get her from school today, because she was having dizzy spells again. I am wondering if it is a sinus problem related to her allergies. She is sound asleep on the couch at the moment. She said she doesn't feel good either. I guess if it doesn't stop I am gonna take her to the doctor.

Looks like Gustav is going to be giving someone a headache. I just saw the forecast and it is a very broad path from Mississippi to the panhandle of Florida, middle of the path takes it directly toward New Orleans. That is the last thing they need. I wish it would just sit out there and churn itself out, but unfortunately somewhere is going to be paid a visit.

I am also kitting up stuff today and over the weekend for the scrapbook retreat. I am getting excited about that as well. All this PINK and black and white is really getting me into the spirit:)

I don't know how this post ended up being so long, so I guess it's time to go for now.

totes???

I am trying to decide which tote to take with me to Creative Escape. I know this seems silly, but having the perfect tool tote would make things so much easier in a class setting. So what do you think. I am leaning toward the Krafter's purse. So many outside pockets, it will fold flat to fit in the suitcase, it has a carasul for spinng, and it's small. The totally cool tote is cool and does hold my trimmer, but it just doesn't seem easy to find things out of. Any input out there? Let me know.

my baby...

Bre just took this picture of us together and I love it. I usually hate pics of myself but I guess because you can't see the lower portion (lol) I like this. I had to share after editing it abit. (making me look softer, lol)

ts fay...

Nita this one is for you:)

What the heck??? Where is this weird storm gonna go??? Looks like we might get a little of it after all. At least it won't be a hurricane.

Friday goodness...

Yesterday was such a nice day. It didn't really start out that way, but it was one of those days that got better as it went. Went to lunch with the girls, although we did miss Nita and Kristy, little Colton was there so I got a baby fix:) Then we went to Griffins and met Denny and Fran's newest grandson Liam, he is already 6 months old and totally adorable. I guess babies were in the air yesterday. lol. Then we left there and went scrappin. We scrapped from about 2:30 until 11:00 last night. It was so relaxing, I actually got my whole project completed (see photo 1&4)sorry about the glare. It was so good to get together and laugh, laugh laugh. I almost passed out at one point from laughing so hard. I love the group I crop with. Good friends, the best!!!!! I feel very blessed to have each one of them in my life. Bre and I headed home about 11:00 and when we got to the front door there was a box from ups waiting. I knew my Let's escape friend had mailed my box but I wasn't really expecting it to get here until next week. Boy did she spoil me. I love it all, she really pegged me. I love all the thoughtfulness that went into her package. (see photos 2&3).

Anyway just wanted to say thanks to the girls-Nita, Stephanie, Kristy, Julie and Miss Gay. Y'all are the best. I love you all and am looking forward to the next time we get together.

okay I admit it...

I have to admit I love Miley Cyrus' new cd. She wrote most of the songs on this cd and I'm telling you the girl has a gift. She is so soulful for such a young age. The song "Bottom of the Ocean" is absolutely my favorite song right now. I also love her song "wake up America". If you haven't listened yet, do so. I added them to my playlist if anyone is interested.

And by the way, We just got in some Fontwerks Stamps. Those elusive flitters designed by Karen Russell are going fast. I think we have a few left if anyone is interested. Kristy, I think you might want to make a trip to the store to see some of the others. I also found out that Prima will be shipping Monday, so by the end of next week we should have some Prima goodness in the store:)

Hugs

new look...

I am still debating on the new look. I love it, but the white is not growing on me. I wanted something a little more sophisticated and when I found this template I fell in love. I love black and white together (especially since there is a pink involved), I guess the white is so stark compared to what I am used to. Oh well, I am gonna live with it for a week and see how it goes. Do you like it??? Let me know!!!!
Three more days, and it is our monthly girls day. I cannot wait, I am so looking forward to some heavy duty giggling. It has been a rough week, I don't think I am the only one that has had a rough summer, but I am kind of glad to see this one almost over. Looking forward now to getting back on a schedule with Bre and some much COOLER weather. It has definitely been a scorcher this summer.
Also looking forward to seeing Kim again, she is finishing up her intern with the law office in Naples and heading back to Gator country for her last year. Time sure does fly.
Kristy you have my curiosity peaked, you need to spill soon.
Nita I hope you don't cancel on us again, maybe you should line a sitter up just in case:)
Hope everyone is having a good week.
Hugs

Quick share...

I remember these from childhood, one of my favorite things to make on a rainy afternoon.
Ingredients:
1 stick of butter (not margarine )
1/2 cup milk
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups oats, quick or old-fashioned
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation:Place cocoa, peanut butter (if used), oats, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Combine the butter, milk, and sugar in a saucepan; bring to a rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute. Combine the hot mixture with the oatmeal and chocolate chip mixture; stir well. Drop by spoonful onto a cookie sheet and chill.
Hope you enjoy these as much as we do.

something fun...

I thought this was fun, anybody who knows me knows I love words. I have them all over my house. The website is http://www.wordle.net/

Where did July go...

I can't believe August is here. It just seems like we started the summer and here we are heading into fall. School starts in 2 weeks, so we have started preparing, trying to get back on somewhat of a time schedule and getting stuff pulled together. Bre has mixed emotions about going back to school. This will be her last year in middle school, I swear I was just holding her hand walking her into her Kindergarten class just yesterday (smile) and here she is a young lady starting to make those life plans that will take her into the next phase of her life. I know she is going to be ok, she has such a determination about her.

Starting to get excited about CE. I have homework that I really need to start working on. I mailed my let's escape friend her goody box yesterday. I hope she likes it. I joined a yahoo group, kind of late, but I was still able to get into one swap. So fun, just something different to do.

Still preparing for my retreat. I hope the girls are going to like it. I have almost everything done, except for a few little things. I want this to be all pulled together before I leave for CE. Can't believe my retreat falls on the very next weekend. It just worked out that way.

Well, I am off to go finish up the laundry and then get started on making some fried green tomatoes. DH grew them in his garden and came in with a shirt full and a grin and said "I sure would like some of your fried green tomatoes." I think the hint was strong enough:) Hope everyone is having a great weekend.