ONE MORE WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not that I am counting days, or hours...or slowly ticking seconds of each minute.... but DANG! I wish Friday were here already! I am so ready for school to start already! This whole week is going to go especially S..L...O....W......... I hate it! Last week dragged, I was tired and crabby and this week is going to be worse by a long shot! ack!! I cannot wait for the busy noisy early morning fights for the shower and then the "ahhhhhhhhh" peace and quiet as they all shuffle out the door! YES! And afternoons all to ME ME ME myself! Will be so nice!! I keep promising myself I WILL NOT get hooked on Guiding Light all over again (it has been years) and Oprah and all those shows...nope, I will be productive, and active, and creative. I WILL BE SUPER MOMMY!!! (hee hee)
Monday :(almost done!)
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday: FUN DAY
Sunday: Final countdown........

MONDAY : BACK TO SCHOOL BABY!!!!!!!

Giving up...

Feeling blue today. Dissapointed. Frustrated. Feel like giving up. However, I am not a quitter and although today I want to cry and run away, I won't. I know sometimes things must go in a 'backwards' sort of order, but right now, I dont' want to play that game. I want to be the first one chosen for the team. I want to be on top of the mountain, not in the middle. I want to be the gold, not the silver, or bronze. Selfish. Yes. Realistic. No. Feeling better by moping and boobing over it, for the moment, yes, it does make me feel better. Tommorrow I will be fine. Tommorrow I will look forward, and make a new plan. Today, I will be blue... and that is OK.

"Giving up doesn't always mean you are weak; sometimes it means that you are strong enough to let go. ~Author Unknown"

Darla

12 DAYS TO GO....

BACK TO SCHOOL IS A FABULOUS THING! 12 Days and counting...

OK OK I guess this makes me a bad Mom, but I am SO ready for summer "break?" to be over! I am ready for the kids to go back to school, for my daytimes to quiet down a bit and for routine to come back. This year will be a landmark in my parenting 'career' as I will have ALL FOUR KIDS in school for at least part of the day! BIG year for our family, one going into High School, one to Jr High School and one starting Kindergarden (plus our 4th Grader too)!! I will have a grande time each afternoon as my "baby" boy is off to afternoon class for almost 3 full hours each day! Wheeeeeeeeeeee!! I love being a Mom and being home when my kiddos are little and growing and learning, and although it is a bit of a heart breaker to let them go off all on their own in this big wide world, I also see myself in a new "era" of my life.... curious what changes will come from this. In the time being, I will do a little "party dance" all to myself for a bit of Mom time each afternoon!! Wheeeeeeee!!

I love you my kids! You make me smile, make me happy, make me proud to be your MOM!!
XOXO

Scrappy Musings....

OK Sorry to all my 'non' scrappy friends and family and anyone else who does not understand 'scrap-eze' but I am just in a scrappy mood and I am going to talk scrap!

So, I am ALL about the new Daisy D stuff that is out, the cool Gypsy Harvest things, awesome autumn colors, antiqued looking and just plain cool! DD has really gotten out of the rut this past year and made some amazinly awesomely awesome new paper lines! LOVE IT!!!

Oh and can we say I LOVE MM ?! This co never ceases to amaze me and what do you know?? They are coming out with GIANT WALL MONOGRAM LETTERS that are self sticking and OH SO COOL! Love that whole concept, SO COOL!!!! I am still oogling over the BoHo Chic stuff I got at CKU and totally hoarding every little peice of ribbon and paper from them....so awesome!

I am also really getting "happy vibes" from Heidi Swapp. I never really thought that her stuff was all that amazing, alas, I am finding that I am using every little thing in my scrap stash from her! LOVING the big flowers, the chipboard alphabets (which are easily altered) and all the ghost letters and shapes. Even her super glittery lip gloss is AWESOME! Go HS!!

Good ol' Basic Grey is at it again too... all thier new papers are emerging and as always they are just to DIE for! Cool colors, deep and dreamy designs and things that just drawwwww you across the room just to drool over them! The new Cosmo Cricket looks to be a BG Wannabe but some awesome looking stuff nevertheless!!! Can't wait to get my grubby fingers on some of that paper!

BoBunny Press is doing the same thing as Daisy D's..... causing me to go broke! THEY have also come out with some of the cutest stuff ever this past year and are really making a comeback. So many fun prints and colors.....loving all teh YELLOW I am seeing in their lines right now! YEAH!

Other fun things I am seeing.... BIG BUTTONS with COOL PRINTS at WalMart fabric dept, three cool buttons for less than $2 bucks....way cool! LOVING the new and fun ribbons I am seeing around at fabric and craft stores and lss. I still am a sucker for fibers, they just scream texture and design to me. Twill too.... plain, colored, printed, all of that, so fun, so functional. Ric Rak and elastics........FUN to play with. Old but good!! FABRIC is opening up a whole new world in scrapping...and I have TONS of it! I knew there was a reason I have dutifully saved every teeny tiny scrap of 2x2 inch fabric I ever had. Denim, cottons, plaid, floral, flannel, seersucker, ALL OF IT is just fun and amazing to use...more design potential and more doors opened up in the world of scrapolicious living!

I guess I could go on all day.... REALLY, I COULD! but I will stop. Just loving my hobby, my obsession and love to talk about things that make me so happy. HAPPY HAPPY ME!

Hope YOU are feeling happy too!
Darla

Things.

Last night my hubby was showing me a website called 43Things http://www.43things.com/ and it is OH SO COOL. I love the thought of hooking up with people with the same goals and ambitions and dreams. There is sure some crazy stuff on there too, but overall, just average Joe's who have big ambitions in life, just like me! Check it out, very cool.

I want to be 5 again. http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=MICHEALAT51.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch2 Doing a scrapbook page about my son Micheal... he is 5, he is carefree, he is amazingly silly and smart and funny. He keeps us all laughing day in and out. He is like a cat, sleeps when he wants/needs to, eats when he wants/needs to and plays the rest of the day. That is his 'job'... love that. I want to be 5 again.

Ready for school to start. I have had a nice summer, the kids have been pretty good, no major bologna pulled and overall enjoyable. We have had swim camp, trip to cousins, visit to friends family reunion, sleepovers, swimming, camping, hiking, Yellowstone, fishing, sprinklers, and so on.......I am ready for backpacks, homework, afterschool snacks and reasonable bedtimes. Are the kids? Uhhh that remains to be seen.

DH has been sick. Poor guy. An illness whose symptoms flare up at wierd times... hope to get it under control. Had a long night with him last night and hope we can get him some relief soon. Sucks to be sick.

Scrapping. Feeling inspired these days. Doing lots of pages and projects and just having fun exploring and creating. Enjoying the goodies I have and putting them to use. Finding lots of ideas and inspiration from fellow scrappers, magazines, blogs and more. Love this hobby. Love this art.

Sick of chicken and hamburger. LOL Yes, it is true. I know my family too well to change up the menu too much, but I'd love to try some new fun funky recipes and meals and maybe throw out the frozen chicken breasts and hamburger for a few weeks.

Off to fold laundry... ahhhh womanhood. LOL Darla

Ignorance

This is one of my favorite BLOGS to read : http://froggymonkey.blogspot.com/ The gal, Aimee, is a fellow scrapbooker who I met chatting online a couple years ago. Neat lady! Sadly, she and her family were caught in the nasty storms last year and thier homes and lives were torn apart and total devastation has ensued. Aimee IS one of the lucky few...with A LOT OF HARD WORK and DETERMINATION they have started to rebuild and get some sort of 'normalcy' back into thier lives. Her BLOG is very enlightening and sure brings out some much needed awareness... that is why I am inviting you to read it and take it in. So many of us are 'blinded' to the fact that there was much much more devastation to the coast than just to the New Orleans area. Aimee's area being one of them. So, take a few minutes, go to her BLOG, read what she has shared..... it is VERY interesting and very much information we need to know. Blessings to Aimee XOXOXO

Darla

Let It Go...

Feeling a bit insightful this morning... got up and did the morning drive to take my son to work. It is a long drive, but gives me time to think, to talk to myself, listen to my head. LOL We need to do that don't we? Well, all the while I was listening to one of my fave fave favorite musicians on CD, Michael McLean. http://www.michaelmcleanmusic.com/ His music touches my heart in so many ways. Most of his songs have great meaning to me. Love his music and lyrics!! (He is SO in touch with his feminine side, he has to be!) Anyway, listening to songs, driving along, talking to my head, listening to the words of a song "Let It Go"..... I think this is something we all can learn from.... a bit of lyrics here:

"....all that is wrong in your life, let it go, all that is worth saving...........is love --
love will hold you tight. Love lifts the burden, and love shines the light,
Only love, nourshes us so; if it's not love, simply let it go......"

You know, we go through life, thinking everything has to be FAIR. We are taught by our parents to be FAIR to our siblings and we are taught in school to be FAIR to our classmates and friends. We go into the workforce and things must be FAIR amongst co-workers. FAIR is not always RIGHT and honestly, sometimes, we just need to let things go. Choose our battles? Whatever you want to call it, just pick something today, something that has been nagging at you, maybe you are mad at a neighbor or you got screwed on your taxes or your car broke down. Yea, sometimes things stink, they aren't FAIR but... is it worth holding on to the anger and frustration?? Is it filling your heart with love, and good feelings? If it is not, let it go. I have a lot to let go of right now.... I think we all do. So, today, and all this weekend I am going to pick one thing each day and say goodbye to it, get the burden off my shoulders, take the heavy weight off my heart.

LET IT GO. Blessings to my friends, Darla

Wasted Day

Tues are usually a good, strong, productive day for me. This day is wasted. It is already after noon and I am still doing nothing. Had a really rough day yesterday and still agonizing over it, not sure what to do, but it put me in a very blah mood today and threw in a headache just to piss me off. Grr! I guess I will just go with it though, I do not have the energy or drive to make up for what I have slacked on this a.m. Hope to make the afternoon a bit more productive and maybe I'll feel better then?
Some days I guess we just need an extra dose of Diet Mt Dew and a hug?

HOT HOT HOT!

I think we are all pretty much dealing with the "heat wave" so I wont' complain or say much more... but yes, we are HOT HOT HOT too...

Prayers for Mom...

No big stories to report, just needing to ask for prayers for my Mom. Having a rough time. Mom took a fall at the nursing home, tore herself up good. Will be going to have xrays and testing done this a.m. I am worried about her. Lots of prayers please. me

Wedding Photo Challenge...

So, one of the gals that I chat with online challenged us to show off our Wedding Photos. Uhhh ohhh kay?! First, I have to say, our wedding was VERY low budget, a lot of helpful family and friends and lots of improvising. (put nicely) So, we had no florist (aunt did flowers) , no photographer (bil took pix), no wedding dress (wore my mil's sundress) and I didn't make my Dad wear a tux, he walked me down the isle in his Wranglers (nice new ones) and cowboy boots! It was very very mellow, low budget, funky sorta fun. I have an assortment of photos, but I love this set the best...

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=WEDDINGRECEPTIOIN1.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch1

... this is a series of photos of Ed opening the bottle of champagne which had been sitting out in 100+ degree temps for a while. The cork flew UP UP UP and into the patio covering ( a fiberglass style cover) which then caused a flood of dried up black walnuts to ROLL off the roof down into the yard, and the seats where our guests sat! During all this, the champagne was bubbling over the top of the bottle and we were laughing our heads off!!!!

One dissapointment/ hightlight of the wedding, the cake. As you can see in the photo, it WAS a pretty cake. However, it was PINK and LAVENDAR and I had wanted a cake with DARK PURPLE, LAVENDAR and SILVER on it! I WAS SO MAD! A lot of things went wrong, too numerous to mention here...but it was a wild day, we got married and are getting ready to celebrate our 16th anniversary in a couple months! YEAH!

Darla

How do you spell relief?? N * A * P !!

OK so this is just going to be one of THOSE weeks... you know, the one where each day drags on...and on...and on... one of the weeks when the kids fight nonstop, whine about chores and cannot be pleased. One of those weeks where a GOOD nights sleep is like 4 hours, where if the temp drops under 90 degrees outside you feel blessed and getting McDonalds' for dinner is like a blessing from the Good Lord above. Yea, one of those weeks when laundry never ends, the koolaid stuck to the floor is never mopped up enough and the phone rings non stop all day. Yup, along with 101 OTHER "minor" things this week... well, it IS just one of THOSE kind of weeks.
**oh, and it is only TUESDAY???????

Here a SNIFF there a SNIFF everywhere a SNIFF SNIFF

Ahh yes, the infamous summer cold. Well, actually, this is no cold. This is an allergy induced sinus "thing" from he**! Long story short, went to comdey night on Thurs and walked into a smoke filled room of party goers. We don't drink or smoke, so why WERE we there? Well, we were invited to the comdey night with some of Ed's co workers and it sounded fun. Yea, for 2.2 seconds. I walked it, got ID'd ( yes!!) and then immediatly felt my eyes burning and watering and my nose getting runny. So, here we are now on Sunday and I am still in full fledged misery. Sinus pressure, nonstop nose blowing, head, neck and shoulder aches, ear pain, ect ect... I feel like crud! I will admit, I am a total whiner, but dang, I feel like crud. I have taken cold meds, sinus meds, benadryl, tylenol, nose spray, and anything else I can get my hands on over the past 3 days and nothing has helped. I am praying that today will be the end of the worst part... I have a busy day on Monday and can't afford to feel like doodoo.

Other than that, we just had a really lazy like weekend. Kids with friends, chores, and so on. We did watch a movie here last night, that was nice. Today is Church (I am sluffing) and then back to routine on Monday.

Have a nice Sunday and stay away from the smoke!! me

Random thoughts...a bit of everything...

A bit of everything to share today, just some thoughts, ideas, wants... you know, utter ramblings.

Ready for school to start. So bad of me. I should relish the time with the kids over the summer, not like we are running to ball games and team practices for things, the kids are not involved in stuff like that. Just keep me busy with friends, house, meals, and playing taxi for other things. I miss the schedule and normalcy of school days. Plus Micheal starts Kind this year and that will be a nice time for a "mommy break" each day too. Aug 21... first day, not soon enough.

Needing to better organize my time. This sort of goes with the above scheduling issues. Being a SAHM now, I find I tend to procrastinate much worse, mostly because I know I have all the time in the world to do it ....later. I love to make lists and schedules and so on, and when I do, I follow them well. Think it is time to come up with some sort of system for me with set times and plans. Life planner?! Do they sell those?

CATS! Cats n kittens and kitty food and cat litter and scratches and meowing and pouncing and, pure, utter CUTENESS! We now have 2 females that are about 8 mos old and 2 males that are around 3-4 months old. We ARE CrAzY CaT PeOpLe!!!! They are so fun though!!

Water. I have been trying really hard to only drink one soda pop a day (Diet Mt Dew) and increase my water dramatically. For one, I need it. For two, I am having some major water retention in my feet and I know I need to drink more water to help. Being as hot as it has been I have done pretty well to keep a glass of ice water with me thoughout the day.

Stuffy nose. Went out last night with some of Ed's coworkers to a lounge to listen to a comedy show. GREAT FUN aside from the cigarette smoke and major stuffy nose I now have. ick!

OK I could just go on and on here but my eyes are heavy from the cold meds I took for my sinus... nap time. (I wish!) Darla

BLOG CHALLENGE!

So, my dear sweet online friend and fellow scrapper, Jules, posted a BLOG CHALLENGE to our group... had nothing else to post about so here goes!!


Post your favorite..
Top 5 Chick Flicks
- Terms of Endearment (get the tissues)
- Beaches (#1 of all time!)
- ToWongFoo Julie Numar (sp?)
- Steel Magnolias
- Stella and Louise
Top 5 Scary Movies
- Amityville Horrors
- Nightmare on Elm St
- Signs
- Phsyco
-Children of the Corn (aka "corn kids")
Top 5 Classics
- Gone with the Wind
- The Blue and the Grey
- Sound of Music
- Grease
- ANYthing with John Wayne (they are all classics!)
Top 5 Comedies
- Mrs Doubtfire
- In the Army Now (Pualie Shore)
- Blue Collar Comedy Tour
-Monty Python and the Holy Grail
- All of Me (Steve Martin / Lily Tomlin)
And a short list of others you love.
Favorites
- Footloose
- Dirty Dancing
- Mr Holland's Opus ***** (5 Star Movie!)
- Top Gun
- Disney's Little Mermaid and Mulan
- Pay it Forward
- Serendipity
- BIG and Splash! (Tom Hanks)

Oh this was fun! I could go on and on but I love so many good movies!

It is Monday again...

Well, here we are, it is Monday once again. They roll around much too fast if you ask me! I think the weekends should be much longer, just my thoughts.

My Monday will consist of housework, yardwork and megga loads of laundry. Yup. That is it! See, I was sort of a "slacker" this past week. What with having SIL and her family here, the holiday, the heat, I just did pretty much a whole lot of nothing. I am so behind on laundry it is sick. Ack! The dishes need doing, floors need mopped, toilee's need scrubbed. I should strip the beds and wash sheets too but with all the other laundry I need to catch up on we'd be sleeping on bare beds tonight! LOL So that will have to wait another day or so.

Yup, this is it, my exciting life. NOT! Guess I'll go start a load of wash and then make a list. Going to be a busy day......

until next time, me

4th Of July Celebration (sorry so late!)

OK So sometimes life just gets hectic. Can I blame it on that? OK good. Sorry to keep you all in GREAT SUSPENSE here..... ha ha ! So here it is, the big report of our 4th Of July activities in our home.

Mon night SIL and family traveled across state to arrive here for the 4th Of July celebration. At 2:15 am in the morning they pulled in! Eeeck! We got them all in, settled and asleep by 3:00am all was good. Wake up time: 7:00am! OH MY! Get up, get going, feed the kids, and prepped my daughter and neice for the Cheer Squad Float they were to be on (click to see photo)
http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=100_3445.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch15
So, we get the two dancing queens off to thier float and then pack up and head down to our premarked spot on the parade route. 8:30 am and it is already HOT HOT HOT outside... we were packin' lawn chairs, coolers, the whole bit! Get in and get settled and the parade starts, I LOVE my hometown parade, it is fun and homey and just very nostalgic for me. My old High School was a highlight amongst other things. (click to see photos)
http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=100_3450.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch6 Color Guard

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=100_3463.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch4 Daughters Cheer Team

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=100_3453.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch14 My previous employer float (and sponsor of the parade and fireworks)

The parade was fantastic, lots of music, candy thrown and so on... but the heat was killing us (90 degrees in straight sun) so we headed home soon after and then the IRON CHEF COOKOFF began. SIL and my DH had a cookoff witht the main ingredient being PINEAPPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(click for photos)
http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=100_3500.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch12 ( chicken/veggie kabobs)

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=100_3484.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch3 (pineapple salad)

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=100_3505.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch1 (the judges taste testing)

The Iron Chef was delicious and SIL won over my hubby by just 1.6 points!! We had quite the feast and guess WHO did the kitchen detail after?? Enuf said there.

So that evening with full bellies and temperatures cooled down, we headed off to the fireworks show. The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration is the BIGGEST and FINEST fireworks show this side of the Mississippi and it is just one of Idaho's great claims to fame. It is about 30-40 minutes of FANTASTIC FIREWORKS set to a beautfiul program of music and commentary. Very emotional and patriotic....love it. (more photos, click here:)
http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=100_3521.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch9 (my boys watching)

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=100_3519.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch10 (blurry but there!)

So, after a very long, very HOT and fun day, we all got home and retired to our beds, floors, couches and wherever else we could crash. MUCH fun had by all and a great set of memories!

HAPPY INDEPENENCE DAY TO YOU ALL!!!!! (belated!)

Food GLORIOUS Food...

OK so I have not been able to give a great recap of our 4th of July but I did want to share this amazingly yummy-o photo of our "IRON CHEF COOKOFF" from the Holiday! My dear honey and his sister had the challenge of creating 3 dishes each with the secret ingredient : PINEAPPLE!

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=100_3500.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch6


This is just one of the many dishes that were made and shared and devoured...mmmmm so good! Lots more to tell and share but for now that should make your tastebuds water...

I FINALLY get a "TOOT" to share...!!!!!

Can we say TOOT TOOT baby!?! I am one extrememly HAPPY girl today... and in the world of scrapbooking a "TOOT" means you get to pat your own back, shout out from the rooftops, whatever, self recognition.. it is a good thing.

I am VERY excited to share with you that I got a scrapbook layout put up on the MM (Making memories) Idea Gallery Website!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.makingmemories.com/ideas/image_gallery.cfm Now, this is a BIG deal because this co is probably the largest leading mftr of scrapbook products out there and they are simply amazing!!! I submitted this page to them totally with a needle in a haystacks chance of it getting chosen and somehow someone saw it and BOOM! it got in! HAPPY DAY HERE IN DARLA'S HOUSE!

I must thank my buddy Shar for this...she had a couple of pages put up there and it totally got me on the ball...so thank you Shar... thank you thank you!

OK back to your regularly scheduled 4th of July Celebration programming...

This is the week!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!

HAVE A GREAT TIME AND LOTS OF FUN AND MEMORIES!!!!
(and don't forget to take pictures!!!!)

FLOWERS FLOWERS EVERYWHERE!!!!

Who??? does NOT love FLOWERS?! Really.... flowers are a symbol of fresh, bright sunshining days, symbols of love, friendship and so much more.... so I am tickled PINK to share with you a few pix of my flowers I have been working on this summer....

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=MISCMAYJUNE2006Final137.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch2

Friday Friday Friday...again.

Wow! Another week of summer GONE! Wow! I'd like to say we have a fun filled enjoyable weekend planned this week but we have NOTHING going on. Last weekend was a blast, one fun thing after another but this weekend is housework, yardwork and lazies...which is OK since we have the HOLIDAY this week ...

I SO LOVE THE 4th Of JULY!!!!!!!!!!

The fourth of July here in Idaho Falls is a BIG deal...huge parade with floats, candy, dancing,
clowns, the whole bit...and then a day full of expos at the park, horseracing and other fun features then the FINALE' is the HUGE FIREWORKS DISPLAY http://www.daltonagency.com/release.php?id=56
which is renowned as the largest fireworks display this side of the Mississippi!! BIG deal! TONS of fun! Big day and just memories galore...PRIME photo taking day! (of course)

So, we will spend the weekend gearing up for our guests coming from Boise for the 4th and that is about it. Not much else to report... boring Friday. Sorry. I am sure I'll have oodles of adventures and stories and photos to share in a couple more days. Until then, have a GREAT weekend, relax, enjoy and behave... me

**I don't know HOW I missed saying this...but KUDOS to Robin for the awesome banner on here!! I took the picture and she worked her magic! LOVE it!**

What to say on a Wednesday...

Well, here it is Wed all ready and what do I have to share? Ummm, not much. This week has been boring in comparison to last weeks adventures... kind of recouperating I guess? I do have a few things to share though so read on if you want.

I have been scrapbooking like a mad woman lately and feeling really good about what I am putting together. Lots of pages for the family books, also some altered projects and then my circle journal group I am in. I did a page last night of my dear neice Madison at the Oregon Beach from last summer... a little on the funky side for me , but inspired from an Elsie Flannigan
http://elsieflannigan.blogspot.com/ class I took at CKU Provo last month. You can see that her style is very definative but hip and chic and cool... teaches you to sort of "let go" of the straight lines and so on... had fun with the class and fun with this page, you can see it here:

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=MADISONBYTHESEASHORELO1.jpg


OH and also had some funnies last night... my good scrapping buddy Shar came across some videos that were just BEYOND hysterical for the scrapper addicts out there... I found the SNL one to be particulary funny with the term "SCRUBBY" = Scrapbook Hubby hee hee... so cute!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_duMORCX0EU&search=snl%20target

and then there was this one which my close friend Lisa will roll on the floor laughing at... (she stopped scrapping and went digital and I tease her about her "1/2 finished pages" all the time) so this one is a hoot too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbvLyLgvcyE&mode=related&search=Scrapbooking

So, today is what we call "Hump Day" and I am going to do just that.... HA HA NOT!! No, really, I am going to take today to catch up laundry, maybe do some yardwork and then get some scrappy time in too! My poor 'scrubby' Ed took hot dogs for lunch today so I better figure out a YUMMY-O! dinner for him....

OK until next time....

Yellowstone Day Trip...

Sunday we had an amazing, fun, full day of seeing one of the prettiest places in the world...Yellowstone Natl' Park. We are so lucky to live close and near enough to make small day trips up there. It is an amazing place. I, of course, took 1001 photos but here are just a few for you to see. There are pix of the buffalo, mountains, hot pools and the burnt areas from the fires back in 1988....it still amazes me to see the burn off areas from almost 20 years ago now... so beautiful to see it change.

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/

If you have never been to Yellowstone or it has been a while...you should make a trip some time, it is SO worth the visit! So much to see and enjoy! You would see why they call it "God's Country" for sure...

HAPPY BDAY CHRISTOPHER!

Well, I promised photos... a little late, but here they are. This was Chris' 15th Bday party last Friday night. BBQ with friends and all...

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=MISCMAYJUNE2006054.jpg

Is he not handsome?? All grown up now... *sigh*

One quick little thing...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBIN!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBIN!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBIM!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBIN!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBIN!!!!!!!!!!

XOXOXO TO YOU! LUV, DARLA

Happy Weekend Days Here!

Hey all! Having an unusually HAPPY weekend around here. In a good mood and having lots of happy moments...lovin' it!
DS Bday party went off without a hitch! Lots of fun, lots of kids, great time! (pix to come later)
Got some fabuloso deals at a yard sale today! Gotta make ya happy there!
Getting in some scrapbooking and having a blast with it. Challenging myself and others on my chat group and finding amazing talents. I just finished this : http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=ANGELTAMMYBEACHLO1.jpg
and am thrilled with the results. My SIL Tammy is a very special person to me... love her a lot. Also in my scrappy world I was VERY HONORED to be chosen by a sweet gal *ironically her name is Tami too!* for her pick of the week for a scrapbook layout I did of my boys...
http://tami-livinginmyshoes.blogspot.com/
I am absolutly on cloud 9 over this... so totally honored and excited about being picked. Tami is a VERY talented scrapper herself and this is very flattering! I will be forever thankful to her!! So awesome!
So, tonight we have a family dinner date with our good friends, bbq and hanging out, having fun. Always a good time with them, looking forward to that!
Tommorrow the "plan" is to head up to Yellowstone for a day trip... we are very lucky it is just a short drive there for us and we go several times each year. Amazing views, animals, so on... and a great family time together. I'm sure I'll have pix to share!

OK hope everyone is having as great of a weekend and having HAPPY TIMES like I am! Take care and blessings to you all!

Until next time.... me

BIG BIRTHDAY BASH TODAY!!!

SO excited! Today is a BIG day for us... Chris turned 15 this week and we were all working so we had to hold off party time till' today. Tonight we will have a huge BBQ and party here at the house for him He invited about 25 friends from Church, School and our old neighborhood to come , I figure 1/2 will show... Ed will set up the movie projector out on our deck for a backyard movie later too! Lots of fun planned. So excited to do something fun for him...he is a good kid and always seems to get duped on his bday because we are on vacation or his friends are all out of town or something. This will be his first big party in a LONG time... he is excited, I think becasue we allowed a "co ed" get together! LOL He is growing up!
So, it will be a busy busy day with that (will try to post pix later) and then on Sunday we are taking a day trip to Yellowstone, will be fun! We try to go a few times a year... so beautiful up there. Photo ops by the minute!!!
I am up early today for some oddball reason, so I thought I'd take advantage of some quiet time to myself on the computer. Nice. Quiet. Ahhhh, I could go back to sleep now! LOL
OK off to take Chris to work then go go go all day! Have a HAPPY FRIDAY all and a good weekend ahead!

Darla

Total Randomness...

Thinking some total random favorite things might be fun , mostly because I have nothing else to share right now. Pretty content with things, kids busy with summer activities and Ed is working a lot. Just me, the housework and laundry most days. Wonder what it will be like in 13 yrs when all the kids are gone...hmm? OK So, here are a few of my favorite things, in no particular order.

lilacs in the spring - fresh cut grass - yellow roses and tulips - watching squirells play out back - snuggling kitty cats - Micheal fresh out of a bath -
long hot baths with a magazine - ice cold diet mt dew - cheesecake any way and kind any how - my mom's spaghetti (gosh I miss that!) - smell of coffee brewing - purple anything - my scrapbook goodies - music by Elton John, Michael McLean, The Eagles, STYX, Garth Brooks and more... - driving around town - riding in the car with Ed - Oregon coast beaches - pink lemoniad - holding hands with my honey - doing my daughters hair for them - a good suspense romance book - making charts and lists - cucumbers - licorice - a back or foot rub - a good hair day - boating with friends - watching a movie as a family - working in the flowerbeds - vacumming - folding laundry - and...
spending time with my dh and kids on a quiet Sunday evening.

and that is all for now!

Christopher...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTOPHER!!
HAPPY 15th BIRTHDAY!!
I LOVE YOU! Mom

My sunshine boy...

Forgive me now, cuz' I am a wee tad weepy. This blog today is in honor of my "sunshine" boy Christopher.

Christopher is my oldest son, my biggest helper, one of my best friends. Chris is kind and loving, caring, giving and a hard worker. Chris is smart and strong and confident. Chris takes good care of his baby brother and loves his sisters (most days)! Chris was a tough pregnancy, a horrible labor and even more awful delivery. My dear "sunshine" boy was a whoppin' 9 POUNDS 2 oz and a long baby too! I was totally distraught that I had a boy ... I wanted a girl... and I was a bit peeved after going through all that to find out I had a son. OK I know, bad mom. Right? Well, sort of. Anyway, by day #2 and a series of things I decided I was destined to be his Momma and I fell in love with him with all my heart. Now, I cannot imagine not having him as my firstborn and oldest child.

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=FAITHCHRISTOPHERLO1.jpg

So...why all the hubbub? Well, tommorrow my "sunshine" boy Chris will be 15 years old. FIFTEEN!!!! OMGosh where do the years go? I cannot believe this! Well, all that said, I am very very proud to be his Mother and I am very very blessed to be his Mother and I have to say that I think we have raised a FINE young man and I just love him more than words can say.
So HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SON (SUNSHINE) and I love you VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!!

XOXOXO Mom

** wanted to add**
another neat picture of my sunshine boy and his lil' brother... just shows even more what a great kid he is... they are very close buddies and this photo just makes me SMILE

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?action=view&current=THESE2BOYSLO1.jpg

I liked this ...

I "stole" this from my good buddy JULES BLOG http://postingfromparadise.blogspot.com and I think it is a lot of fun...sure makes you think!


I want: people to know how sensitive I really am.
I have: 4 beautiful kids that I live for!
I wish: I could keep my mouth shut sometimes!
I miss: my Dad more than I can express.
I hear: my kids whine and scream way too much.
I wonder: where I'd be if I had never moved to Boise in 1989
I regret: too many things.
I am not: good at standing up for myself.
I dance: to the beat of my own drum?? LOL
I sing: LOUD in the car with Michael McLean songs.
I cry: at the drop of a hat.
I am not always: trying to do my best.
I make with my hands: food for my family and crafts for fun!
I write: lists...lists and more lists.
I confuse: everything! I don't know up from down most days!
I need: more self esteem.
I should: spend less time planning and more time doing.
I start: my day with wake up snuggles from my baby boy, I love that!
I finish: my day with night owl chatting with my scrapping buddies online!

Just thinking...

I guess that is a scary idea egh? Darla thinking? :O) Well, here are some random things on my mind lately...

- wish we were going to the coast this summer... Gosh I love Oregon beaches
- there has GOT to be an easier way to weed flower gardens, anyone?
- think I could make a homemade german choc cake for fathersday? never tried that before...
- when does school start again?
- ARGH! my stinkin' windshield... making me so angry! (long story there)
- when is World Cup Soccer over? ever?
- how do I get the smell of cigars out of a cigar box?
- I should be going to bed earlier, late nights are not good for me, but will I sleep?
- how am I going to wash the tatoo's off of Micheals legs? icky!
- need to start planning money for back to school stuff

and lastly.... sleep? who needs sleep!?

Darla

.... if you are looking for something more intersting to read...

(and you know who you are)

There is nothing for you ... just a journal here of my boring life. I'll keep my monkey business where it belongs... not here with the important stuff like my family and friends and hobbies!!
Thanks for stopping by though! Have a GREAT day!

My Family

Gosh, I have had so much going on lately, it seems some of my posts have been a little goofy or whatever, but I thought today would be a good day to give "updates" on my family for those who visit to find out what is going on at the homefront! I'll start oldest to the baby...

ED, dear sweet Ed has been working like mad, keeping things afloat with work and home and kids and Church etc. He seems to go like an Energizer bunny some days... I think he really loves his work though (computers) and is dang good at what he does. I just wish somone would open thier eyes and realize he is about the most dependable, reliable person they have and he is making the least $$ for his knowledge and efforts....that part is flustering. Right now he is fighting some major allergies and sounds like a fog horn...hope it passes soon!

ME, well, you know me, I just go forth and do what I am told to do. Take care of kids, house, errands, taxi, I run many roles. Not too much really going on with me. I have been doing a lot of scrapbooking and loving it. (wanna see some of my work scroll down or go looksie here:
http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?
So that is really about it for me. Just keep pluckin' away , you know?

CHRISTOPHER.... mr MAN is working long hours this summer for our friend who owns the furniture repair/restoration shop. Mostly a dirt boy (clean up, sweeping, trash, whatever he is told to do) he is getting some opportunity to learn a few things. The owner is a cool guy, totally is tough love on Chris which he needs and I think he is teaching him some valueable work ethics and life lessons. Chris is all into his music right now.... big into music, but has some good tastes! Loves some 'old' stuff like Queen, Styx, and more. He also has developed a taste for some hard nasty rock that I am so not up with! ick! Good kid, stays out of trouble, respectable (most days) and fun to be around. GOtta love him.

DANI. One word. Drama. Dani, at 12 is now getting into her looks and style and spends hours each day gazing at herself lovingly in the mirror, changes clothes 6-8 x a day (just like when she was 3 ) and is constantly on the phone. Yes, I know, the worst is yet to come. LOL Well, she has been pretty good this summer, gone on a couple sleepovers, bday parties and the like, went camping last weekend and then is going to a swim camp/retreat this coming week with a friend. As long as we keep her busy she stays out of trouble! LOL

TIFFANY Who?? Oh I keep forgetting we have another Daughter. Tiff has a new friend since we moved.... Kayla. They live at the end of our culdesac and I have known her Mom for years as we worked together. Nice family. They have all but adopted Tiff! I think we see her a couple hours a day if that? Maybe she is home 2 nights a week? THey even want to take her on thier family reunion vacation to Utah in a couple weeks!!!!!!! I feel guilty, I feel like my kids are always pawned off on someone.... *sigh* guess we should get used to it bc with teen girls in a couple years we'll never see them.

and MICHEAL. Little sweet silly spoiled rotten man! All about his bikes and cars and trucks and trailers. Wagons, scooters, pedalcars. Race tracks, tow trucks and the MOVIE "Cars"... he is just such a BOY! He givesm e a daily nervous breakdown as he FLIES out of the garage on his 2 wheeler bike (HELMET ON THANK GOODNESS) and out to the curb where he POPs! off and then sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerves back around and up to the driveway! So far only one big bad wreck (road rash on the knee) and no ER trips THANK GOODNESS! Keeps us going. Oh yea and he is living off of choco milk, cereal and Banquet TV Dinners. LOL Cheap kid!

So that is about it! No big plans for the summer, no vacations this year, just work and kids. I will leave you with a quote I put on a scrappy page last night....I really liked it. Have a good day and take care...........Darla

"Faith: God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it." -unknown

FRIENDS...

a few things to think about...

(quotes courtesy of thequotegarden.com )

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. ~Henri Nouwen


A good friend is cheaper than therapy. ~Author Unknown

A real friend is someone who would feel loss if you jumped on a train, or in front of one. ~Author Unknown

But oh! the blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on any subject; with whom one's deepest as well as one's most foolish thoughts come out simply and safely. Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person - having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away. ~Dinah Craik, A Life for a Life, 1859

A friend accepts us as we are yet helps us to be what we should. ~Author Unknown

For My Friend Kath

If you do not know what CKMB is this will be of no importance or understanding to you.. if you DO know what CKMB is then you hopefully will read and understand why I posted this. My long time chatting buddy Kath chose to finally address many of the issues that were hurting many of us old CKMB chatters... knowing how thing "run thier course" at CKMB the post will be pulled before it gets read or understood. I have so much more I could say in addition to what Kath wrote, but I will just leave this for now and let her know that I support her and I know exactly how she feels. CKMB was very important in my life and that apparently means nothing to some people. Fortunatly I know who my true friends are. Kath, this is for you:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joined: 01 Jan 2000
Posts: 11745
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:08 pm Post subject:
It was a long time coming...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don’t know how many folks remember me – I started on this mb in 2000, and
used to be a real high-numbers poster – I practically lived here. I left,
unofficially, about six months ago, and haven’t seen or heard of a ‘whatever
happened to…’ post about me since. I do keep up with the goings-on over
here, and have tried to tentatively step back in a time or two, but it is
with great regret that I find that this is no longer a place I want to be
associated with, much less spend time with.
In the coming months, "Chicken Soup for the Scrapbooker’s Soul" will be
published, and in it will be a story from me about this mb – a story about
how we pulled together as a group to help someone in need. That’s the mb I
will remember and miss – the one where we had Early Bird coffee together,
played on the beaches at the Cabana Boy parties, met for afternoon coffee,
chatted with the night owls, scrapped all day in our jammies, and partied
all day when QVC was on and we were spending tons of money – together. We
saw each other through marriages, moves, illnesses, births, and deaths.
It seems that CK has created a new message board that is totally devoid of
history and that history was HUGE for many people. In CKMB's quest for a new
beginning, they have wiped the board clean and started over and created a
whole new environment and it seems that is exactly what they wanted. In
doing this, they have disbanded former bonds that had been created that were
very important to people and made new rules and guidelines for their new
"city". It IS very apparent that CK is after new blood. Yes, they are
providing some nice new attractions like the gallery, contests, spotlights,
etc, but in doing this, they didn't ADD to what they had but seem to have
deleted all the old, for the new. They have created a totally new board and
I think that is what they wanted.
The people who have been on this board 5+ years in some cases and thousands
of posts, have been swept aside and they were the people who made this board
what is was and who promoted this board, CK products and its' projects.
Scrapbooking is about history, first and foremost and they have recreated
the history to their satisfaction.
The layouts being picked for POTD, although mostly very good work, seem to
come predominantly from new members who aren’t very involved in this
community and seem to be from more professional-type scrappers than true
newbies who have just now joined the mb for fun and companionship. If they
are going to spotlight someone, I don't think it's too much to expect them
to CONTRIBUTE to the MB so that people can learn to do some of the things
they do and get to know them. Members of other message board communities are
putting their LO's out there for one reason- to have CK pick them up for
publication. Period. That is their goal. Is it wrong? I don't know but
again, I think CK will drive away others if they continually do this and
never recognize people that are faithful to the ck community at large. Also,
many of them are not the type of scrapping that the "average" person who
buys CK, does. What is wrong with sometimes picking LO"s that are just
pretty or have techniques that people might want to try that don't involve
going to 10 classes to learn or spending a lot of money in extra
embellishments?
I think the "hostess" needs to be more tactful and I also think the board
should not revolve just around her, which it seems to do now. The relentless
banning of anyone who speaks, even mildly, against this mb, or questions the
guidelines or CK authority figures only enforces the feeling that a whole
new board with all new members is the goal. The guidelines have been tossed
aside and members are being banned with no warning, nor are they given an
explanation as to why they were banned. If those in authority don't follow
their own guidelines, they can't expect their membership to know what is and
is not allowed from one day to the next. If this continues, the board will
be in the same boat a couple of years down the road, and the search will be
on once again for what made this community the family it used to be. When
will they see that it's not the moderators or the hostess or the guidelines,
but the members who posted here that made it a warm and welcoming place.
Many of those family members were banned, and those who weren't banned have
left home. The CK board will never be the same again.
Frankly, I think ck could care less what people think as long as their
revenues are up.

http://www.nanascrap.blogspot.com/

Don't let your mind wander...

OK first and foremost, I cannot take credit for this. I just FOUND it on a fellow scrappers BLOG and it instantly made me SMILE so I have to add it to my wierd world of chatter. Hold on to your hats, your gonna laugh....


"DON'T LET YOUR MIND WANDER...
IT IS TOO SMALL TO BE LET OUT ON IT'S OWN"

now...is that FUNNY or is that FUNNY? I love it! OK back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Hello Friends!

Just a quckie note to say HI and I am still around. Had a fun weekend with LOTS of goodies going on and managed to get quite a bit of scrapbooking done as well! If you want to see some of what I have been up to I have some pix posted here... a few layouts and photos of the kids.

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?

We did lots of fun stuff this weekend, had a big suprize dinner for Liz's Birthday at Johnny Cornino's Italian Resteraunt...SO delish! We also went out for dinner again to Garcias Mexican and that was yummy-o! Last night we BBQ'd burgers on the grill... had homemade macaroni salad, chips and beans and a SUPER grand dessert.... peanut butter chunk brownies! OMGosh to die for!! MMMM!
We watched a couple movies and then Ed and the kids did the Drive In too..went to see CARS and XMEN 3 ... both were good I heard! We rented XMEN 2 (yipee , not) and LAST HOLIDAY and I loved the latter. Queen Latifa was FAB in the movie, as was LL Cool J! Made you want to just fall in love with him!

This week is business as usual, house, kids, yard, kids, and all that exciting fun stuff! I have no gumption today so we'll see how it all goes! Hee hee

Until next time...

me

OK no more boring stuff

So I have been BLOGGING for a while now, I also have been BLOG searching and reading faithfully for a while too. What I have found, is that my ol' BLOG is pretty boring. So, with that I need to know, from those of you who DO occasionally read my BLOG and those who so sweetly post...are you bored? Is this a totally BORING BLOG? I am so lucky to have Ms Robin help me and post pictures and running photo borders and making me coolio page toppers...but what I am talking about is my journaling/talking/gabbing. I know I can ramble, but is this just pure nonsence and are you bored to death and only check it just to see if I am still alive each week? PLEASE share your comments, I would love to know if you are OK with my ramblings or if you would like to see more silly stuff, more links, what? Thanks!

me

Wow! What a week, been so busy!

Wow, this has been a crazy week, busy with kids and house and all that "life" stuff we do. I am also jammin' out layouts like mad with my new and improved tidy scrappy area! I have done nearly 20 layouts and projects in just a few days time, lovin' it! I have put most of the stuff up in my Photobucket acct album if you are at all interested in seeing what I have been up to. http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/
I am so inspired with so many new ideas from CKU and all the cool new magazines and books we got while there. Each day I find dozens more ideas and brilliant works of art that make me just want to create more. Awesome!
Weekend plans. Tonight we are taking our friend Liz out for her belated Bday dinner (her Bday was Tues) and then tommorrow night is Date Night with our good friends. Italian one night and Mexican the next!? YUMMY-O!
Well, I guess that is all for me. Nothing else too exciting... just really pumped to do some more scrapping. Also have to catch up on laundry. Hmm what a toss up? :O)

Until next time....

cku layouts

THIS is so totally way cool.....

TOTALLY havin' a HAPPY DANCE kind of day here! Sure, it was not all roses, but for the most part it was a good day, just busy...but, I am one HAPPY CAMPER TONIGHT because after working for about 3-4 days now, my scrapbook area is all tidy and clean and organzied and OH SO COOL LOOKING!
PURPLE is the theme... along with my modgepodge of storage and containers... I tried to stick with purple through and through and it looks so cool!
I really feel like I will be able to get a lot more done with my things in order and within reach... I also feel more like scrapbooking when I am 'comfortable' in my surroundings. Clutter stresses me out. I try desperatly to be an organized person, but sometimes things get overwhelming... and when I got home with 1001 new toys from CKU I definatly got overwhelmed. Had to start over. Step back. Take a breath. THEN dig in and dig deep and start at the beginning.
I am so happy.

happy
happy
happy

** Sorry to make you wait... Here are some pictures! **

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/DarlaLOU/?

Nice, long, lazy weekend!

Wow this has been a nice weekend. No running, no schedules, no deadlines. I love it! The entire month of May was one thing after another and it just ate me up! I was so worn out! This is great!

This weekend we have slept in, we have ate at oddball hours of the day, totally planned meals at the last moment, and been fine with it! We lazied around, watched tv, just hung out and played. I think even the kids were feeling a bit stressed out and needed this.

I have been working (at my own pace) on reorganizing my scrapbook area downstairs. I got myself into such a piled up mess then added 1001 new things from CKU last month and it was total disaster. I could find anything I needed and I had all these great new ideas and projects from CKU to do... very flustering. I am almost done now, and although it has taken me a good part of my weekend (the lazy one) I feel good and I am not bothered because it is something I WANTED to do and have had fun doing it! yeah me! I'll post some pix later of my before and after!!

This coming week we get back into routine... Ed back to work, Chris starts working his summer hours, I will continue to babysit until the 14th when the boys go visit thier Father. I can't wait to get back into a groove... I do much better when I am in routine, have a plan, make lists. You know? I am definatly a list maker. (wont' even go there right now)

OK so off to work on finishing my scrappy playland then to Church to teach the 11 yr olds. Fun fun fun stuff!

Until next time, keep your arms and legs inside the vehical at all times and HOLD ON... it may be a bumpby ride!!!!!!!!


darla

IT IS FRIDAY AGAIN...

I swear, I do not know where the days go... seriously! This week has whizzed by me so stinking fast it is nuts!

Mon- soccer crazies had a game and left (took MY son with them too)
Tues- dh home sick, we all lazied all day
Wed- dh home sick again, another lazy day, but did clean house
Thurs- babysat, cleaned house, worked in the yard, dh took off to pick up ds
Fri- sickie momma day, babysat, played outside with kids

Seriously, where did it go? Well, luckily this weekend is NOT a busy one for us... just the normal catching up in the yard and house. Kids will be wanting to run with friends, etc. Thankfully, it will be a slow and quiet frew days.

My big QUEST for the weekend? I want to gut out my scrapping closet and clean things up. It is making me nuts and I know in the big scheme of things it is petty....but still. We'll see what happens.

OK that is it. Nothing else to report...no soccer...no bragging on kids...no inpsirational thoughts. Sorry.

until next time. me

Hump Day Hello

I always giggle to myself when I read my fellow bloggers posts on Wed each week... "hump day".
Of course, being a girl of the 80's I instantly think of the not so obvious, shame on me, but still, it is just "there". LOL Anyway, the REAL "hump day" is in referral to it being Wed, or 1/2 way thru the work week!! LOL Since I don't "work" (outside the home anyway) it doesn't really apply to me, but it is still a cute phrase. For me, the real work is on the weekends when I have the whole house full of our entire family for 3 days straight! With summer here, well, it is all downhill and there is NO "hump day" for me. Anyway...

HAPPY HUMP DAY

It is now 9:30 pm and the day is coming to a close, so why did I even bother? hee hee

In other news....

Tommorrow I start tending a couple of sweet lil' boys. Two lil' cuties that I adore, they are close in age to my two 'babies' and they enjoy my kids company. It should be fun!! (I hope!!) Also, tommorrow after work my honey is headed out of town to pick up our oldest son from my sister's house. It is just a couple hours away, but I'll still miss him! XOXOXO Can't wait for my son to be home though...have really missed him! Kids are all enjoying summer break so far. We are only in week one so I am sure by next week they will be wailing about how bored and hot they are. *!*KIDS*!* Lots of sprinklers, popsicles and rented movies should get us through....

Well, that is it for me. One more day in the optimistic world of a super mommy scrapper addict!

until next time....

me

ME for a Day...

Thought I'd share a quick run down of my day... does anyone want this job?

slept in later than I should
hubby came home sick
took a shower (nice long one)
picked up dd from friends house
argued with kids to help with chores
took a minimum of 10 phone calls through the day
cleaned bathroom, kitchen, livingroom, and vac'd upstairs
argued with kids to do chores
started some laundry
argued with kids to do chores
took dd to her aunts to play with cousins
ran an errand and chatted too long
visited with my sister while kids played
gave sick nephew a neb treatment (asthma meds)
fixed baked potato bar for dinner
make a 2 week menu and shopping list
let kids run in sprinkler
made popcorn for kids
tried to catch up on the computer
talked to son on phone (he is out of town) and missing him

getting ready to go to bed. it was a long kind of day.

me

Survival of the fittest? er, the most well slept?

SOCCER BOYS! Oye!

I am totally wiped out, WIPED out. I am tired, cranky, grouchy, grumpy and yes, I survived, but I am definatly 'altered' right now. *SIGH*

This was a very very long weekend, Friday through Monday, we had 9 boys staying here ranging from 16 - 19 yrs old, we had my sister and her hubby and then the soccer coach. This, along with OUR family of 7, 2 cats and a massive, nasty rain/hail storm that blew though. Now, I love my sister, and I love having them all here, I DO... but you pen up that many teenaged boys in my small home and a weekend full of rain, well... they find OTHER things to do. Sadly, we had to get tough on them and let them know that they were staying in a HOME not a HOTEL. :O( I felt awful, but we had to do it. I think it was much too long of a weekend for them, the weather keeping them inside was too much and then our (sniff sniff) loosing streak was not so helpful either. ( We lost 0-5 on Sun and 3-5 today)

All in all, we had a good time though. TONS of great food and lots of fun visiting and hanging out. The boys played XBox and Darts and did Chin Up contests in our garage! (very entertaining too I might add!) So, I survived yet another Soccer Weekend...and I will tell you one thing, I could NEVER be a Soccer Mom like my sister. (good thing? bad thing? I'll never tell.)

So, I am back in the land of the onliners and hope to catch up with you my friends soon! HUGS

me

Soccer Mayhem

7 parents
11 boys
1 coach
1 assistant coach
3 dinners
4 lunches
4 breakfasts
150 gallons of water
....you get the idea?

Soccer Mayhem.

They are coming to visit,
those soccer crazy bunch!
We'll house them and bath them,
and give them some lunch.

They will drink lots of fluids,
water by the gallon...
To keep up thier strength
GOOD LORD don't you foul em'!

The blue and the white
the RAPIDS we are,
with bumps and bruises-
but hardly a scar.

The soccer mayhem ,
has commenced on my home.
Boys, socks, drinks
and shin guards of foam!

The boys are hyper,
the parents are intense...
the games will carry on and on,
even when a ref doesn't make sense!

Ah yes, soccer mayhem
it is here one more time!!
but I have to admit that I love it
I'd do it again on a dime!

GO TEAM RAPIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The "boys" are coming this weekend...will be here in about an hour. Don't look for me, I'll be busy till' Monday! :O) Darla

Well HELLO Friends...

Let me just tell you, MAY has been one of the CRAZIEST months of my WHOLE life! OYE!!!

Between kids, home, running "taxi", visitors and traveling I am plum beat! Whew!! I have one more crazy weekend to go then hopefully we'll get back to some normal days around here. Tomorrow is the kids last day of school, so I am sure we'll have a week of chaos adjusting there and then I will be babysitting my 2 favorite lil' blondie boys for a few weeks. No vacations this summer, just hanging out, enjoying the sun and family and friends. Fun times.

Not a whole lot more to report, just busy as always. CKU was a nice refreshing break but it was hectic to I didn't really come home feeling 'rested' per say, just refreshed?! But it was so fun!! I am looking forward to Summer break though.

Well, that is about it for my ramblings today. Dishes to wash, beds to be made. You know the grind?!

until next time.... me

DD

CKU Provo ROCKED!

So, we got home yesterday afternoon from CKU (Creating Keepsakes University) in Provo, UT and had an absolute BLAST while there! We took off on Wed. morning and shopped all day and then stayed at a Trendwest Resort Condo that night up in the Utah mountains that was just insanely beautiful... stayed up too late and got up WAY too early. Hit the roads early for Provo and missed MOST of the morning rush traffic (oye!!) and went straight to the Marriot Hotel where we stayed. Thurs we checked in, did make and takes and stuff...we also had a mini class with MM (Making Memories) and let me just tell you what a TOTAL RIOT that Margie Romney is! OMGosh she is a hoot! Great time! That night we had our Tailgate Party where we did our Dorm table, dressup, cheer (which we won) and then did games and prizes, etc. FUN NIGHT! We had classes all day Friday and then our group went to dinner Fri evening at an awesome Mexican resteraunt but I was not feeling so great so I went up to the room and napped for a while. That night we went to another party and got more goodie bags (everywhere was goodie bags full of freebies) and then went out to shop shop shop ... lots of fun again! Sat was another early start, classes all day, then our commencement party that night... loads of fun and Robin even won a HUGE prize there worth over $100! Whhoo whoo! We then went for a walk and saw some sights INCLUDING the Salt Lake City Childrens Choir (practicing outside) and they honored us with a "warm up" and it was amazing (a true highlight of the trip!!) After that we did yummy Sourdough Pizza then back to our rooms to clean up and pack stuff. We headed home on Sunday but spent a couple hours in Layton shopping some more (clothes this time! :O) and then came home. GREAT TIME but a long few days...so happy to be home! Posting pictures of all the oodles and oodles of product we got, most of it free. Just a scrapbookers true dream ... if you have the chance to attend a CKU anywhere....DO IT! So totally awesome! Like a giant womens slumber party!!!!!!!!!

HUGS me

YEAH!!!

One Day to Go!

OK I am giddy, I am tired, I am a bundle of emotions! I can't wait to hit the road on Wed a.m. and head out to CKU to spend some time with the girls, play and relax!! However, there is still so much to be done I am getting plum worn out. I need to sit down, make a list, prioritize and then go forward. SO MUCH TO DO!

OK that said, all is well, kids are definatly in Spring Fever mode with our lovely warm 80 degree weather and sunshine all day. Lil' Micheal bug is an allergy nightmare with the gunk in the air... had to start him on breathing treatments tonight. Hope that is not a pain in Ed's side while I am gone. I don't know how much Ed is enjoying his "vacation" time off (HA!) from work since he keeps getting calls. Poor guy. Hope he can have some R&R with the kids... I know Micheal is tickled pink to have Daddy home with him!!

Also on a happy note, a piano is coming our way this week! Our roomie Liz purchased one for herself and it will be a nice addition to the house. Very fun thing to see coming!!

OK off to dishes and toilee' scrubs! If I dont' make it back before D-day... wish me luck!

Until then :O) smiles :O)

TGIF?!?!

Thank GOODNESS it's Friday? Maybe?

Having another run of crazy days ahead of me, not sure I am ready or prepared for any of it, but here it comes! These crazy jamn packed days are SO not my icing on the cake! LOL I like a bit of running, but not marathons!

Today, Friday, I have been pretty slow, but tonight will be mahem getting the final stuff ready to do our big yard sale on Saturday. Sat is pretty much taken up with that activity. Sunday is of course Church and let us not forget Mother's Day... also going to be my hustle around and get things caught up day! Mon and Tues I will spend with my sister helping her with some things in her new home and also getting my house and family prepped for me to be gone. Wed a.m. I will be OFF for a fun adventure at CKU Provo (scrapbooking event) and won't be back until the next Sunday! Then it is the kids last week of school and then the SOCCER Crazies come back again to invade us for State Soccer tournie! We'll see if I make it.

TGIF?

BLOG CHALLENGE: Prom

Oh wow! This is sure a fun one Kath...thanks! LOL Well, here I am in 1987, just one dance I went to but this was the most formal of them all. This boy, and he was a boy, was a friend of mine's little brother...the cutest little curly haired kid! His date cancelled at the VERY last minute and my friend BEGGED me to go with him...he was so cute and sweet how could I say no? My sister and her friend and my cousin literally THREW me together for this dance, hair, makeup, flowers...all done within a matter of a couple hours time. I will admit, it was not the funnest dance (it was at our RIVAL High School) but the boy was so so sweet and kind. I think we danced all of 2 or 3 dances, did pictures and then went and watched movies at my house! The big story was this dress... oh my gosh how I LOVED this dress! I had bought it with my Mom's help the year before for a Sweetheart dance but then didn't end up wearing it because my date refused to wear a PINK tie and band!!! GUYS! Anyway, the dress was just gorgeeemous and at the tune of nearly $200 (WAY back then) I had to get SOME good use of it! hee hee

Darla 1987 Homecoming Dance

A New Layout Last Night!

This is a fun Layout I did last night of myself and my dd Tiffany. Robin did this really neat photo shoot with us earlier this spring and these 'sillies' were amongst my personal favorites! I had to scrapbook them simply because they show the real deal... no one smiles perfect, nobody's hair is always perfect. Tiff and I have a special relationship and I think the photos tell the story well. The pp is Daisy D's, the stickers are the new Bazzill Chip Toppers, the leather frame is MM, the flower is Prima and the hearts are QK shapes. Pretty simple LO but a fun one! Enjoy!

Darla

SOCCER MOM 101 : Lessons from Hell

FIrst and foremost... Soccer Mom's ROCK!

Secondly... I will never ever ever ever EVER be a Soccer Mom. Why? Here are just a few lessons I learned this weekend.

1. WIND is a Soccer Family nightmare. Cold. Dirt in eyes. Cheering can't be heard. Wind burned skin is worse than sun burned skin. Wind is not a good thing.

2. FOOD is a dangerous thing. Teenage Soccer boys who are hot, tired, hungry... they give no warning when food is produced in thier presence. Set the food out and RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. SUN is a good soccer thing. SUNSCREEN is a better Soccer thing. Enough said. (refence #1)

4. Ref's are allowed to be opinionated but parents, coaches and spectators are not. Sit down, shut up, watch the game and if your boy gets creamed, bite your lip. No sympathies. No comments.

5. BLUE AND YELLOW ROCKS! Our boys Soccer team colors.

6. Soccer Mom's are supposed to be alarm clocks, nurses, cheerleaders, cooks, taxi drivers, laundrymat workers, amongst other things. Just like real mom's... but x 14 or so Soccer boys.

7. Sleep is rare for a Soccer weekend. Totally worn out, totally hyped up, doesn't work. Make lots n lots of coffee for parents and bring lots and lots and LOTS of bottled water for Soccer boys.

8. Soccer boys play better when they get MAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (a good thing? guess so!)

9. Soccer boys shower A LOT and use A LOT of towels. Good thing this house has 3 bathrooms?

10. I love having the crew all here. Dirty towels, my laundry room looking like a locker room, empty fridge, all night giggles, cheering, sunburns, all of it... SOCCER WEEKEND ROCKED!

(Did I mention our team took 1st Place in thier age division for the whole tournement!!?? GO RAPIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Dahhhh dahhhh dahhhh Dummmmmmmmmm!

Let the CHAOS commence! In just a few hours my home and family will be overblown by a groupie of soccer playing teenage boys and thier maniac parents (SOCCER MOM's, that means YOU). My weekend will be full of not enough hot water, not enough toilets and showers, not enough blankets and not enough peace and quiet! LOL Seriously though, should be fun and I know that everyone of the boys will be ultra-polite and courtious and respectful of my home. It will be a blast! So, if I am MIA you know where I'll be!! Until next time, Darla

PSSST... PASS THE TEQUILA!!!!!!!!!!

Tagged again... Shar is to blame this time! :O)

OK OK OK here goes, thanks Shar, I have to actually THINK about these answers! Darla

Name 5 Things That:

Make You Smile
1 My flowers in bloom outside
2 Seeing my dh pull up in the driveway each evening
3 Watching my boys play together (14 and 5 yrs old)
4 Playing basketball outside with my kids
5 Being able to run to my sisters new house in 5 min or less
You Can See on Your Desk Right Now
1 Tall glass of water with a straw
2 Basket full of craft paints
3 Daughters eye glitter
4 Stacks of cardstock and bazzill
5 All my ribbon and flowers for scrapbooking
Kept You Busy Over the Weekend
1 Helping my sister move to her new house
2 Finding my kitchen after 2 days of neglect
3 Working in the veggie garden clearing debree
4 Running kids to activities
5 Megga huge overspending grocery shopping trip
Regular Stuff You Will Do this Week
1 Clean house Mon, Wed and Fri
2 Drive ds to and from school everyday
3 Keep working on my yardwork, flowers, etc
4 Laundry laundry laundry
5 Watch Survivor and American Idol
You Said to Make Someone SMILE
1 Sang with the radio and made ds smile and laugh
2 Tickled my baby ds and we both smiled
3 Told my dd that her idea for a project was a good one
4 Teased my sister about her EMERALD green carpet in the bedroom
5 Told the kids we could have ice cream after dinner

GREAT TAG... now I tag ROBIN!