Ask

Some kids idolize rock stars or superstar athletes.
Some kids are fans of race car drivers, actors or characters.
Some kids get a thrill out of playing cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians.

Not my kids.
No way.

My boys have a special affection for 4 guys who’s names you probably won’t even recognize.

Kevin O’Connor
Tom Silva
Richard Trethewey
Roger Cook

Do you know these guys?
I admit it…I didn’t until the boys found a new favorite tv show--Ask This Old House on WNPT, Nashville‘s Public Television station.

Yesterday, I overheard a conversation:
Jules: “I’m gonna be Richard Trethewey. Who are you gonna be?”
Grey: “Me Roger Cook”.
Jules: “I’m gonna drive the pick up truck.”
Grey: “Go to Mini-appowis.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. How many three-year-olds know anything about Minneapolis? I’m not sure what the target demographic for the show is, but they have captured the three to ten market in my house!

My DVR is now filled with the many incarnations of this show. This Old House, This Old House Classic, Inside This Old House, Ask This Old House, This Old House Hour…

Boys. They sure do spice up my life.

In other news, I recently discovered another use for google. Besides being the most useful search engine on the face of the planet it’s also a good spell checker. Type in your word or phrase and *poof* google will ask you “Did you mean…?” and fill in the space with the correctly spelled word. It’s not a perfect system but it generally works and only take a second. Speedy intuitive spell check. I like that.

Happy Sunday!!

Just a Few Things...

One of my favorite musicians (besides the one I am married to) is Wes King. Not too long ago Joal brought me Wes' disk that bears this song--Just a Few Things I Think You Should Know. It was written as a sortof "random things I would want my sons to know if I weren't here" thing and the song got to me. It's strong and thoughtful and full of truth. I thought it would make a great addition to a layout.

The little dump truck is a "found treasure". Last summer I bought G some t-shirts at a consignment sale and I picked up one in particular because it was adorned with this little rubber dump truck emblem. It's dimensional and reminds me of the Doodlebug Jellishments. Whe he outgrew the shirt, I cut out the emblem and I've been saving it for the right page.

A larger image is at 2Peas.

Happy Saturday!!

Photo Decor

Here's my newest creation inspired heavily by the Making Memories wreath project. It's hanging in my scrap space on the wall to the right of my computer CPU. I have ordered the photo of J and the boys to fit in the little frame. (I picked up the frame at Scrappuccino a while back after Holle's class.)

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday!!

Yep. Today's the day. I'm 34!

2Peas Challenge and Some Pink Sweetness and the Cruise Album

Todays 2Peas Challenge is to Complete these statements:

1. My current favorite song: I love lots of stuff...I can never pick just one.

2. The last book I read: Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson

3. What I'm wearing right now: pajamas because it's almost midnight and I'm about to go to bed

4. The last cd I bought: Bon Jovi--Have a Nice Day and Creed Greatest Hits

5. The last gift I bought for someone: was an mp3 player just for me! I went today and purchased it because Friday is my birthday. I am one happy chick too. It's just what I wanted. Having cranked up music in my ears makes walking the treadmill so much more tolerable!


In other news...a friend of mine recently had a new baby girl. Consequently, on Monday I spent way too long drooling over the little girl clothes in search of something perfectly pink and girly for her. Girl clothes...I love my boys but shopping for their clothes isn't nearly as much fun as shopping in the girl clothes. There's a severe lack of pink in my life...so any excuse to enjoy the frills is good enough for me. I'm so happy for them!

When I saw these two onesie outfits and their matching pants (not pictured) complete with ruffles on the backside, I just couldn't help myself. There is no other time in life when a girl can get away with wearing ruffles on her touche and not be commiting a major fashion "don't"...

The cruise album is coming along, but I'm not going to be able to finish before Joal's meeting. There's just too much to do in it. Luckily, he can share it at the meeting in September. I really like how it's coming along tho. Here's a little piece of it. I have looked at every cruise stamp or embellishment I can find but nothing was "right" to go with my "Color Me Silly--Believe" Basic Grey paper...so I had to get creative. (At least for me, this is creative...I'm usually a buy-it-pre-made-girl.)

I was looking for some clip art for another project in the MS Windows files and came across this little cruise ship on waves. It was originally a square image but I made it round. I knew I wanted something that would go into the Quickutz tag-rim to resemble the look of a small round porthole window. The colors of this clip art match the BG perfectly. I resized and duplicated the image about 40 times and then printed it onto white Bazzill for texture. I used the Quickutz tag die to cut out the images and then overlayed the black rim. Added the brad and poof...embellishment. (Yes, I impressed myself.) There's one of these tags on each two page spread.

I completed about a dozen tags before I realized that I should have cut a piece of transparency to go on top of the image and under the rim to look like the glass. Wish I had thought of that a litle earlier.

It's time to go. Today has started out with a bang...there's gum in the dryer. Wonder who did that?? I have to go to the library for new books and deliver my honey to the airport this afternoon...lots to do.

Happy Thursday!!

Blame it on the Shirt

I crossed over into a new level of dedicated scrapbooker today. See this shirt? It's the culprit.

Yes, I purchased this shirt for Grey for one reason.

I have paper that matches it perfectly.

At least it was "on sale".

But chances are great that I would have paid full price if it hadn't been.

Because I have paper that matches it perfectly.

Monday

It's Monday. I used an M's coupon to buy new scissors today. The boys had managed to cut pipe cleaners with each and every pair of scissors which basically destroys the smooth cut. Makes cutting ribbon next to impossible. So I procured a nice shiney new pair of Fiskars and they are h-i-d-d-e-n. I would tell you where but then I might have to do away with you. LOL!

It was a good mail day. I received a disk of photos collected from three different people on our cruise, basically doubling the photos selection for my cruise album. I am working on it right now, hoping to be finished by Thursday.

Also received a paper order from Cropoholics. If you need an online scrapbook store, I highly recommend Cropoholics. Great place with fast shipping.

Got a letter from my sister...wait no that wasn't a letter. A letter would have made me happy. :) This was a sock chain thing that I think I have to send other people socks for...why, I have no idea? Deb. Do I look like I have time to be shipping socks around the world?? (kidding.) Don't worry...I'm just annoyed because it came without a real letter. You know...handwritten...catches me up on the life of my favorite sister. You made me think I was in for a treat...and bam! Nothing! Gee. Thanks.

Cathy Z book in my hands, getting well-loved. The woman has amazing gifts. The things she does with ordinary words and a computer. So real and so casual. Simple does not equal fast, beginner or basic. Simple is a style statement. Simple=streamlined, low-cal, minimalist, proportional. Don't forget that.

New adventures in technology today. I *need* to have this little (9x9) cruise album done before Thursday for Joal to show it at his next meeting. (His request.) So the disk of new photos arrived today and there were some that I wanted to get printed right away. You know I think Winkflash is *the best* but it takes a few days. So, I remembered seeing an add for the WalGreens photo lab for 20 FREE 4x6 prints with your first order. Went to Walgreens.com and sure enough...I uploaded the ones I needed to the website and placed the order. I selected to pick them up at a Walgreens in my neighborhood...and within 20 minutes, I received an email saying my order of 24 photos was ready to be picked up. I paid 88 cents for 24 photos!! They look really good. I prefer matte finish and that wasn't an option but I'll live. They offer cool border options I might play with later. Nifty huh.

Happy Monday, everyone.

Run, Don't Walk...

Ya gotta checkout the 2Peas gallery of Aidansmommy aka Tina Cockburn.

And then see her blog with her beautiful photography. She really is all that and a bag of chips! :)

Don't drool. It'll cause your computer to malfunction.

Happy Sunday!!

I am the P and the T...

So Thursday night I was invited to join a small contingent of my fellow scrapbooking enthusiasts in judging the scrapbook competition of the PTA, a national organiation conventioning in Nashville this week. We browsed thru 28 huge (did I mention they were very large?) scrapbooks from school PTAs from all over Tennessee. It was very very interesting.

Before this experience, I had no idea that PTA was anything other than a local group of parents and teachers supporting their school. It is. It's a national organization. Very official.

Someone (I can't recall who) pointed out that I could be a one-person PTA organization, seeing as how I am the P and the T in my "school". LOL! I think that was after I asked if I could make a PTA scrapbook...Hey, I said it was a particularly inspiring evening. I was ready to get to work when I left. :)

It did remind me of several things:

--Scrapbooks are not about product. Since we were in a small room filled with very experienced professional scrapbookers (some would call us obsessed), the topic of conversation of course turn to product very often.

"Who makes this?"
"Boy, that's old."
"They must love thier x tool."

As much as we discussed product and style, every scrapbook in the room showed events and moments of kids lives at school. That makes each scrapbook very valuable in my opinion. The value is not what they spent (or didn't) or where they shopped or the quality of their cardstock...it's about the stories.

--The ability to follow directions should never be discounted. It's an important skill. Even if you are just entering a scrapbook contest.

-- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and contests are subjective. Don't base the value of a scrapbook or a scrapbook page on th opinions of others. Tell your stories and enjoy the process. Accollades are "gravy".

--Kids are beautiful!! Bright smiles, funny faces, fun activities...this is what being a kid is all about!

Thanks Michele for the invitation to be a "judge". I really enjoyed it.

PS. I'm now available for consultation if anyone is making a PTA scrapbook...I can be bribed with stacks of Bazzill. (LOL!)

Go Look Here

If you haven't yet taken a look at the Basic Grey Website and signed up for their outstanding newsletter, drop everything and go sign up for it it now. Their newsletter is awesome--it's published as a PDF and can easily be printed to read at your leisure.

Three companies I know of have outstanding newsletters:

2Peas
KI Memories
Basic Grey

Don't miss these. They will fill your mailbox with information and inspiration!!

Prepared to Write

Prepared to Write...I am. Andy--my brother in boot camp--can receive mail now so I printed a dozen or so envelopes out last night with his address filled in so I don't have to handwrite it each time.

Letters and postcards...I hope the PO is prepared forthe influx. LOL!

Photos of the America Book

Words Worthy of Remembering

I was born in 1972. I think it was a good year to be born but then I have no experience with other years, so what do I really know? I'm happy being 34...I've always been happy being whatever age I am. Seems to me there's not much point in fretting about age since you can't change it.

One thing I do think I missed out on, however, is the Presidency of John F. Kennedy. I have read quite a few books on the 35th President and the world in which he lived. I find it to be a fascinating historical period and am particularly fond of his many powerful speeches. America was being re-born, I believe, during that time. For better or worse, it was a vibrant and exciting part of our somewhat short history as a nation.

Because of what Joal does for work, I collect historical quotes that have to do with America, history, freedom, patriotism, the spirit and people of America, the founding fathers, great historical moments, Presidential points and all things that seem representative of America to me. I have a small scrapbook of these little pieces of America and I add to it regularly. Joal and I have some rousing conversations about them...ongoing conversations that we both truly enjoy (or at least I do.)

So, this evening I was shopping my favorite quote site for some fresh material for my little collection when I came across this jewel:

“The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.” ---John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Take a moment and re-read that. Don't miss it.

A few weeks ago when I flew to Atlanta, I witnessed something that illustrates just one of the the cost of our freedom in a very real way. I was sitting in the terminal waiting for my plane when I realized that there were way too many people and a crazy number of kids waiting at the gate for *my* plane. Jets to Atlanta arrive and leave about every 90 minutes from Nashville...so they are usually relatively small planes and there were way too many people at the gate for a plane this size.

I double checked to make sure I was in the right place.
I was.

I was completely puzzled until I noticed that a young woman and her three sons sitting in the chairs closest to the gate were holding small American flags. The kids were well-behaved but I could tell...those boys were hyped. (I have no problem recognizing hyped boys.) Mom was a little frayed, too. (I know that look as well.)

And then, I heard her say "Just a few more minutes, son, and Daddy will be home."

That's when I took another look around and it became obvious that the gate was filled with people waiting for the arriving flight. There was only one explanation for that because airport security no longer allows ordinary people to meet deboarding passengers at the gates.

They were Military.

Sure enough--just a few minutes later, the plane I was waiting for arrived and about 30 cammo-clad, pack-totin', boot-wearin' high 'n tight Army men emerged from it. It was a sea of green...faded green cammo.

If you've never seen an Army homecoming, you have certainly missed out. It was perhaps the sweetest thing I have ever witnessed. Shrieks of "Daddy!!!"...and lots of hugs and kisses. Kids from all parts of the gate broke free and ran full-tilt to the man they had been missing...their moms didn't bother trying to stop them. Husbands and dads and sons and brothers reunited at last with wives and mothers and fathers and daughters and sons and brothers and sisters. There were tears and laughter and I swear...I wanted to hug someone too.

It was a deep moment for me. Tears welled up in my eyes. My brother was a week from entering bootcamp and I was emotional about that, but on a deeper level, it was the perfect illustration of one of the costs of freedom that so many Americans pay willingly. I wish I had some photos to share--I know they would have been beautiful--but honestly, I wouldn't intrude that way. Those moments were just too prescious and personal. I am so happy I was able to witness them tho.

I will never forget that day.

So whatever your position on the "issues" in America--Whatever your chosen party or political leanings, I hope that you will always remember the words of the President and bear witness to the truth they declare. We owe a debt for the price that has been paid for the freedom we share and the ability that is hard-won and harder-kept to choose our own positions and speak our own minds on things that we care about.

The government sometimes seems like it's an entity of itself and is too big to moved by one person but that is simply not the case. We are our government if we choose to be. We each have a role to play in it. If you are not doing your part as a citizen of this land, someone else is going to have to carry your slack. It's your responsibility as an American to participate--not just to lay claim to her goodness and her opportunities but to share in the responsibilities of upkeeping those freedoms and liberties. Guard them. These character traits of America--freedom, liberty and justice for all have been hard won and must be protected in order to be kept.

For if they are lost, America is lost.

In Music News...

Little Big Town played Jay Leno Monday night...it was rockin', of course. Backing the band was our friend Steve Dale on bass, the great (a legendary songwriter and producer) Wayne Kirkpatrick on guitar and a guy we've met from church--Andy Hubbard on drums.

Phil Vassar has a new album coming out in a few days. I am a total PV fan. The man can definately write a song but when you look in his eyes and see him perform you k-n-o-w he's one of those guys who never quits. He has lots of potential to be a "bad boy" but he's so not one. He sings with such fire...like every part of him is right there singing for all he's worth. I love that. He's a master songwriter who understands the craft and can be really country or really rockin'. Since I go both ways--enjoying country and rock n roll--I like that.

This new album looks to be unique in that it's a collection of the hits he has recorded personally *and* the hits that he has written that have been recorded by other people. Can't wait to get it! "American Child" and "Just Another Day in Paradise" are among my all-times favorite songs. Like I said...Phil Vassar Rocks! and his arms. ...

Finally, I happened to catch a late night playing of the Video to John Corbett's new release on CMT and was wowed! Yeah...who knew? John Corbett...the guy from Big Fat Greek Wedding, SATC, Northern Exposure...he's a musician now. www.johncorbettband.com I'm liking his sound...and hating his side-burns. Oh well. Dude...razors are cheap. He's playing Fan Fair this year in Nashville...might have to check that out.

So, now you know.

Who Knew?

Julian (my ten year old) made me laugh out loud tonight.

It was just me and the boys for dinner tonight so I decided to make pancakes. Pancakes are usually a daddy-food. Joal makes jumbo pancakes, to put it mildly. His pan creations are about the size of the pan and generally as thick as three or four of mine. He adds in heaps of chocolate chips--which of course, melt in the cooking process and then while they are still hot, smothers them in peanut butter and drowns them in syrup. We jokingly refer to what he makes as "man-cakes"...cause you have to be a man to eat one. (Meaning...I don't usually indulge.) They are huge and they weigh a ton--we even have to get out the big plates. It's a regular heart attack on a plate. The boys love it when Dadddy cooks.

So my small delicate perfectly golden normal pancakes aren't quite as big a hit as man-cakes...but a treat nonetheless.

So J is munching away on his less than inspiring pancake when he suddenly gets a thought he must share.

"You are an excellent chef." he says, wiping syrup from his chin. "I like your mommy-cakes."

Mommy-cakes.
I can deal with that.

Happy Wednesday.

This and That

Several tidbits tonight...

I noticed today there have been some changes in the direction of what was once Simply Southern Scrapbook Convention. Location (it's moved to Cool Springs), date (moved to the fall), focus (less on scrapbooking, more towards paper arts) event name (like they need another name change)...it's all very confusing, if you ask me.

I have mentioned before that I have taken a magazine-sabattical. I let all my magazine subscriptions but Scrapbooks etc run out and did not renew. I always buy Simple Scrapbooks at M's...but that's it. I haven't looked at the others for over a year. There was a time when I had way too many magazines and it just got overwhelming. Anyway, I was checking out the convention site for the upcoming CK Convention in Nashville and happened to see the cover of the May 06 issue of Creating Keepsakes. It made me want it. Honestly, it's the best cover since forever. The cover work is done by Susan Neal and it is awesome. Great colors. Well-designed, beautiful layout that could and should be scrap-lifted as soon as possible.

On a totally separate issue, I love good home-made salsa. Seriously. Love it. I make it pretty regularly and it's one of the few things that I really like to eat when I make it. But occasionally, given the price of winter tomatoes, I don't want to spend the money to make an entire bowl. (Good salsa can get pricey.) So, occasionally I try out one of the pre-made, almost-fresh salsas offered in the fancy foods refrigerator case at Publix. I'm usually disappointed, although I will admit to being really picky. I'm not into huge chucks. I like an almost smooth salsa. However, not too long ago, I discovered an excellent fresh salsa from a small maker in Georgia that is outstanding. It's called Salsa Ya'll and it comes in a small square container. There are a couple different heat levels available. I try to get the mild one but the hots not too hot. The best part...it's made with cilantro. Now in my near-expert salsa opinion, salsa should never be made without cilantro. It's just wrong. For $2.99, I can have an excellent salsa with cilantro already made. How cool is that? Check it out.

Back to the CK issue...this was definately a great issus. It was great to see Ali's honesty, some older people pictures, some non-caucasian faces, and lots of multi-photos layouts. (Don't get me started on that one...) On the ad-watch--I definately want to checkout some of that Bo-Bunny stuff. How pretty! And the Doodlebug ad totally rocked. Paper Salon...oh wow. Now that is some super creative packaging. Genius. Colorbok...I need that blue suede album. NEED! Now I know why avoiding magazines is a good thing. LOL!

I think I missed the boat on the fresh face layout featured. Don't get me wrong--It's an excellently-designed LO but why is the photo black and white when the point of the LO is the little girl's favorite color? That one just totally left me. I was struck by just how many of the layouts in this issue are very Jenni-ish. Random...slightly off-kilter...artistic...sentimental. I love that. Whatever you do, don't miss the Mellette layout on the back page. It totally rocks. Stunning, as usual.

I recently ran across the gallery of an awesome pea-- *Celeste*. Check it out...she's bold and spicy!

Well, that's all for now. Little Big Town is playing Jay Leno tonight and I want to watch them. I've met their drummer. :)

Vacations

The blog assignment for the day from 2Peas is to write about your dream vacation.

My dream vacation involves one word: beach.

Almost any beach will do.
Although I've always wanted to explore the Outter Banks of NC.
And travel up the eastern seaboard.
Just give me time on the beach.
Alone, with DH.

Speaking of vacations.
We'll be cruising again in February 2007!
How's that for something to look forward to for a long time?

Delightful Dogwood

One of the churches near my house has the most beautiful dogwood trees in it's yard. Today we walked over and took some photos of it.

So that we might have Life Everlasting.

From the Gospel of Matthew...
Chapter 28

1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.

3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.

6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

Surely Snappy Saturday!

Three more stores checked off my list today...what a perfectly fun day it was too.

First stop was at a new store in Hendersonville--Timeless Reflection. What a cool place. I have a special place in my heart for small unique places and this one is totally fitting the bill. Besides a perfect selection of Basic Grey and Bazzill (basic requirements, IMO), Michelle Luther has also assembled a remarkable collection of product from Queen & Co, 7Gypsies, Art Warehouse and others to arrive at a wonderful little store with great potential. A delish display of ribbons rounds out the array of fun stuff. I am totally drawn to this store. When I left, I had a buzz. I want to crop there ASAP.

Second stop was supposed to be Card and Cloth in Franklin KY but as it turns out, I had an old address. I tried to call but got the voice mail so we skipped it and went on to Bowling Green. I hope to catch it another day.

Next stop was Someplace to Remember in Bowling Green. I haven't been there in several years and boy, have they grown. The hours listed on their website are incorrect but it didn't cause a problem (for which I am thankful). I'm pretty sure they have everything, product wise. I didn't even have time to go to the basement...have to do that next time.

Final stop was Scrapbook Country, also in Bowling Green. It surprises me that these 2 stores are so close together but nonetheless, this one was interesting too. Scrapbook Country seemed like a very relaxed place...you can read about it on their blog...have I mentioned that I think every scrapbook store should have a blog? I have to wonder if Heather Thomas is related to Terri Thomas, one of my favorite people from The Memory Box days...have to check on that.

The scrapbookers of Bowling Green are lucky to have two well-stocked stores in their area. I taught in BG for a long time at a store that has since closed and I love the area. It's not what I consider a small town but it has that small-town community feel. I like that.

I'm working on my cruise pages--hoping to get a few posted this weekend.

Happy Easter.