I am beat...

went and did my sleep study last night.....that was tough...being hooked to all those wires, and then try to sleep in a bed your not familiar with...I basically pulled the thing out of my nose twice during the night, and pretty much wound myself up in all the wires......but glad it's over...today I went for some retail therapy...picked up some new 7 gypsies....and a couple other things...and couldn't resist picking up the newest issue of Somerset Memories......... here is one of my layouts...at the bottom of Tonee's sweet 16 party
and this one of mikey and lil' mikey....on fathers day 2007...

I can't even tell you how much I am looking forward to croppin' tomorrow, kinda frustrated with the scale this week.....I swear the thing is stuck or something....hoping it gets unstuck....before monday night...ha,ha!!!

escape

Well I think I found my escape for this weekend...there is a fundraiser crop for the Red Cross this weekend....in monroe...and I am gonna go and spend the entire day forgeting about everything......and just scrappin'......that should rest me up for the family coming over on sunday for my brothers birthday and a lil' super bowl...watchin'..did get a couple more layouts done..... this 2nd one is for the OLW challenge blog...the word is living...
I am so beat...hit the gym pretty hard today.....but tonight I go to my sleep study...and I don't think I will have any trouble sleeping!!!

20th week weigh in on optifast at Great lakes weight and wellness

my video camera lens needs to be cleaned didn't realize til after that there is a smudge on the right side of the screen.....so that's why I look a little blurry........trying to ask myself if I am going to venture out in the snow...to hit the gym...Sommer has a snow day...so she already crawled back into bed...lucky girl!!

sick as a dog....

our entire family has been sick all weekend....!! I can hear Tonee' throwing up as we speak...she was the last, to get it.....sommer got it friday, and I got it saturday....I feel 100% better today, just kinda feel like I have a hang over!!! But I had work to do...because I was lucky to be contacted by two peas.....to be a part of the Pea Profile for January....and if I would be interested in posting some projects if they sent me some free product....??? hello...free product...yes please...So I was surprised to get the entire Fancy Pants artic chill collection in the mail.....full of paper, rubon, overlays, die cuts.....but I had to post them online this morning....so sick or not I had to finishand here are some of the projects I finished!! Alyssa gettting her kitchen sink bath...
erins' class at scrappy chic

Sommers winter pics she took

and sommer on the latest snow day....

and then I did a tiny mini book (2in X 2in)

So I hope you will head over to two peas and check out the jumping gallery today !!!!

So tonight is weigh in.......not sure how being sick..is going to effect that...was so starving yesterday and today, and no gym for a couple days!!! and still LOTS!! and LOTS!! of family drama....

Oh and here is the recipe for the Cocunut dressing I used for the fruit kabobs, couple people asked about....it was so easy...and so....yummy!!!!

1 1/2 cups low-fat vanilla yogurt

1 1/2 tablespoons flaked coconut

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar-reduced orange marmalade

trying new stuff

since this new adventure in my life...of eating better and trying new things.....there has only been one thing so far that I have tried...and I don't like and that is "split peas" ughhhh...until I picked up this taboule salad....thought it might be good with some shrimp or chicken...but Ohhhh....I hate it!!! tastes like poop......(not that I know what poop tastes like) and then I tried to eat it twice telling myself to give it a chance..but nope...this one is not going to be a favorite, but I've heard lots of people talk about how much they love it.....but I guess we all have different tastes, like one of my favs right now...is Crab meat dipped in vanilla fat free yogurt...and my kids think I'm insane..but its good!!! I did scrap a little....wanted to do a page of my polka dot toenails...
wanted to thank everybody for their prayers....I think they're already working...."fingers crossed"........Sommer is spending the weekend with my mom....and I am looking forward to a quiet weekend again "fingers crossed".......

Memory Makers Toot!!!

So excited to get an email the other day....from Memory Makers for an upcoming issue of their mag....this will be my first pub in their magazine...and on the same day I got that email....I got my copy of scrapbooks etc.....so if you're out and about....make sure you look for my layout on page 94!! I was freakin' excited about this one too...'cause it was my first with them....nothing ever compares to the first!!! and it's got Chris and Sommer in their..and actually my shoulder...when we went to ohio this past summer...very cool!!!
I also finished my 2nd entry in my "abc's of me art journal" it was the letter B and our word was because......so here is my front..

and here is the back....with my lil' hunger monster!!!

just got back from the gym.....and for all you praying folk...I have some major family drama...that has to do with my neice and nephew....and you all know they mean alot to me....so if you could send out any extra prayers you may have tonight...just to send peace to my family!! It is hard enough for me to carry my own stress/worry/drama....and we need some prayers sent over this way.....thanks....Staci

19th weigh in on the optifast program at Great Lakes Weight and Wellness

oh..geez ...pleas forgive the outfit..looks like I am gonna go cut some wood(jeniece input..lumberjack or cutting wood joke here!) or something!! but to be honest I usually do my video right after class..and didn't get to it, til the next morning..so the flannel is covering teh pj's and the hat..is just there to cover the hair...and it's my lucky "ruby" hat...oh..and the messy bathroom...what can I say...?? it's me....

Great Lakes Weight and Wellness Potluck

Okay last night we had our "healthy" potluck at our meeting...check out my cute fruit kabobs...with coconut dip....it was so good...and because they were cute ...Sommer actually wanted some... everything was so yummy..and everyone had a list of how many calories..which came in handy for not going over our calories for the day
Melissa's spinach dip...and Teri's shrimp dish!!!

Okay here's what my plate looked like after going through the line..

and after getting my lil' diploma...wanted to get some pics with Melissa..who is the life support...of this program..she has been the one getting you through every tough moment,and help you celebrate every lost pound...and teaching me how to make better choices...and pushes me every chance she can at the gym...but I honestly...don't think I could've done it without her...

and of course we have to give the Doc a little credit too...he is such a caring doctor, and this comes from someone who hates going to any doctor...but he's different..thanks Dr Bell!!

working on uploading a new video...

just for fun

did this page yesterday for the "just for fun" challenge over at tallyscrapper, all you had to do was take a couple goofy pics of yourself and scrap 'em....but it was actually fun to take some goofy pics... we watched the movie "mirrors" last night....it was okay..was hoping it would be a little more scary...but oh..well...I am off to the gym..and then I've got to get caught up on dishes and laundry, not having hot water for a couple days...was tough!! but thankful it's back.....and then weigh in's tonight!! Yesterday when we picked up the movie, me and Sommer stopped at Olga's for lunch, and I always have my lil' calorie counter book...so I can see..what the cal's are but Olgas wasn't in there..so I kind of had to freehand it....So I of course skipped the curly fries, and snackers.....and just ordered an olgas...So I figured that the grilled chicken olga was a good choice, and it wasn't awful..like 670...but I found out I could've got the ham and cheese for about a 100 less....oh well weird..!!! but that lil' calorie counter book is a lifesaver...usually!!

Awesome Class!!!

went to the decoupage class at scrappy chic yesterday!! it was a blast...I still have alot of family drama going on...so it was a needed escape..and I've always said that scrapbooking is really the only thing...I can do..and completely forget about crap going on in my life!! no wonder I scrap so much......but it was fun to paint, and tear...draw....here is my canvas..after painting it...and there is miss kathy working hard in the background...... Erin is such a great teacher, she gets you going but encourages you to make your project your own...and it's kinda scary to paint, and freehand draw...but before you know it you're doing it....and I hope she teaches more classes like this...seriously a fun class..
love that we all had different canvas's by the end of class..different colors, and trees..and some people added birds...some added hearts...yep..we rocked!! hee,hee...

and I was so excited to see Kathy and Carla....some of my original...peeps.....who I haven't got to see in awhile...just because we are all so busy living our lives...but seeing them made me realize we need to get together more often!!! even got a drop in visit...from Heather....

and last night I had to add a couple layers of the decoupage stuff..and then outline my trees...and I ended up using newspaper clippings from Ed's obit...I just tore them up...so as you look in the tree...you can catch bit's and pieces...and even added his pic...so the tree on the right is my hubby tree...and the tree on the left has my newspaper article in it...so it kind of added a personal touch to the trees...and I love how it turned out...and am going to hang it in my bedroom....

Okay..I am supposed to meet up with some of my people from my Great lakes weight and wellness at the gym....today!!! So hoping for a good workout......'cause you know what tomorrow is?? weigh in....

snow day??

Okay ...don't know if we call it a snow day....or freeze your balls off day...it's cold!! All I know is sommer came out of her room last night with her pj's inside out...and holding a spoon???? I thought she was losing it...but she says that..the kids say if you go to bed with your pj's inside out and a spoon under your pillow you have a better chance at a snow day.....Well I guess it worked!!! plus she already has monday off ...so she's looking at a four day weekend!!! Did a page the other night.....of an old pic from CHA last year, that was still on the memory card...used some of the new Making Memories Kraft paper... I can not tell you how excited I am about the collage tree class tomorrow at scrappy chic.....it's been forever since I took any classes...

But besides that life is pretty good,Tonee' is in study mode for her pharmacy tech test, and Chris is in study mode for his GED test....also had my future on my head....I wonder how I will ever financially take care of myself...?? What am I gonna do...I still have a little time to figure this out...but it has been in my head alot....never..ever thought I would have to take care of myself, and I know that women do it all the time, my mother is single and takes care of herself, my grandmother did it.....so I know it can happen' but i guess the confindence needs to build a little....plus all people talk about is how bad the economy is...and no jobs!! ??? Okay...gonna stop...for now..also pipes froze!! ahhh...it's so nice to have a guy around for these moments!! lucky my brother came over, and he's working on getting them thawed.....

had to run to scrappy chic last night....(had to..ha,ha) but needed to drop off some dt layouts...but also wanted to see what's new...and even though my pic is upside down again??? check out the cute rubons from october afternoon...and kaiser krafts!!! While in there I seen that they're already letting you sign up for the "yard sale" that is in march...so even though I don't have as much as last time to sell...it's that time to start going through the stash....!! I think the sale is on march 22nd...so call up there and get your letter so you can start pricing that stuff now.....I got this paper in my dt kit....and at first wasn't really sure what to do with it....?? but thought it was cute with the film strip....then at the gym the other day..I seen this saying on the wall in the bathroom....and thought it fit perfect!!
and using some more of the beautiful basic grey papers...I did one of my brother and alyssa......

I think that it is so cool to see you "lurkers" as you call yourself coming out...to support me!! it means alot...and I appreciate every comment....

P.s.- Jan you asked about the matte or glossy....for your new printer that you got..(congrats by the way) I have used both...and I think my favorite it the matte...but it's such a preference thing....I think?? print away...print away....

18th week weigh in on the Optifast program at Great Lakes weight and wellness

First goal met on the optifast program , getting the wii fit

no laughing....everybody looks this goofy on the wii!!! Tonee' had the camera rolling without me knowing!!! but it kinda made me laugh at myself!!!

yummmmm.....

My other favorite take out food before I started eating better, besides China buffet was BBQ chicken pizza on thin crust!!! yum....So I like trying to find healthier versions that taste as good...and behold my new light version!!!! the calories came to 380...found these flatbreads that are only 90cals each...and when you bake it..it tastes just like thin pizza crust, then I added Calorie free bbq sauce, half a chicken breast cut up, 1/4 c shredded cheese, red onion, mushrooms,tomatos, peppers....and I swear to you...that it tasted...!!! dare I say it....better than the real thing!!! and even got sommer to eat one too...and her's had even less calories..cause she just had pizza sauce,cheese and turkey pepparoni... Okay enough about food...I'm getting hungry and tonight is weigh in...So let's get to my 2nd love scrapbooking....Look what I got in the mail...funny part, is I didn't check the mail on saturday...'cause of the snow...and all these goodies were out there....waiting for me, then sunday I remembered I didn't check it!! what a surprise...from my Tally sister Jen!!! Thanks girl....love everything!!!!
and I did scrap this weekend too....did this one for a challenge..had to be a special pic, with the focus on journaling...

this one was just for fun.....wanted to use my cute camera stamp....

and this last one is what happens when I get bored of my own style, and try to change it up....kind of a mess...I tried to put polka dots...with paint and smeared them on accident...so then I had to smear the rest..

4 months...

Can't believe that tomorrow will be my last day, on optifast...at Great Lakes Weight and Wellness...this has to be the quickest 4 months ever...So looking forward to getting my final weigh in tomorrow and figuring out my inches lost....feel like I am graduating...but don't worry I know that I need summer school....that's the good thing about the program is that once your done, you're not really done..you can still go to the weekly support groups..and get weighed in..there is that accountability...again!! But I wanted to have a mini book to keep my monthly pics and weight I lost each week in...so I used this mini album from prima that I have been hoarding for awhile...it's like a see through red acyrlic album...I think Scrappy Chic still carries them....love that it has color..but you can still see through it.... I still need to go through and look up how much I lost each week...
but I thought those making memories tiny alphas worked great for listing the weight loss...

but you kinda get the idea....

and here is my final pic so far...I usually take the pic on the 21st...of each month..

and I have those mini calenders...I think those are from Teresa Collins..so I will probably do this one for a year...

it's so cold...

just made me a sugar free hot cocoa...with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast...good combo...right?? the peanut butter and jelly is that calorie free stuff....have you tried it?? it's okay....different...but it passes!! Okay so I am hoping to get snowed in today...they say we are supposed to get like another 4 to 6 inches of snow......sounds good!! Went to the movies yesterday...ended up taking chris and Tonee' too...it was pretty good...could've been a little more scary for me...but there were parts....that were yikes!! but it kept the kids squirming in their seats!! and then afterwards I came home to these 2 boxes on my porch!! ....gotta love Scrapbook Trends goodie boxes!!!here are my goodies for my layout in the DEC 2008 issue...
and it's of miss Sommer.... and this is the goodie box for the JAN 2009 issue..

which is when lil' alyssa made her pub debut!!! plus I was glad to get a friends buttons that she makes pubbed too.... these are the adorable buttons from cutesy glam designs.. check out her etsy shop here http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5690419 plus it looks like she has some sales going on!!!

and then I needed to get some more pages done for the DT...and I got to play around with this cute line called "heart attachk" from We R Memory Keepers..and and it's just so cutesy...had to use these pics of the girls....

not much going on today...I am serious when I say I want to get snowed in...looking forward to my canvas class next saturday at scrappy chic...wishing it was today...I am so impatient!!! I have also jumped on the bandwagon...of this 365 project craziness!!! I probably already take a pic a day...but I picked up a binder for my pics yesterday....and started taking pics..instead of getting caught up..I am just starting from here...but it should be fun!! to see a years worth of snippets of your life....Okay my hot cocoa...is calling my name....