Happy Birthday Baby Girl....

Fourteen years ago today....
the most amazing person came into this world.

She is...
so beautiful on the inside and out
sweet
funny
stubborn
kind
smart
obsessive
caring
gentle
an animal whisper-er
tall
fabulous
totally rockin'
full of attitude
a lover of chocolate and cheesecake
best friend to Ali
strong in mind and body
quiet and reserved
a music lover
CHERISHED!
Happy Birthday Bailey Nicole Moore.
I love you sweet baby girl.
mom

Still here....

I have some pictures to share but haven't uploaded them yet.....need to get that done.

Work tomorrow...good times there. HA!

Waiting for Shawn to come home. Need to find a way to show him how much I appreciate him. He has worked most of his vacation for extra money. For us. Such a good man, truly makes up for all the times I want to wring his neck. ;O)

I have been creating! Feels soooooooooo good! Love ideas. Love being inspired. Love the process (most times, sometimes it is a bit frustrating). Love looking at the end results.

Bailey turn 14 on Sunday. Can you flippin' believe that????????? Me either.

Any one want a pug? Just teasing....kind of. LOL!!!

Phone ringing.......must go.
Later-taters!
Hugs.
m

Caught up...

Betcha thought I meant I was actually "caught up"!
NOPE.
I am just caught up in this crazy thing called life.
Trying to enjoy the ride.
Trying to let go.
Trying to get through the season that has lost its meaning in so many ways.
Hope you all are having a fabulous time.
Stay warm.
Stay safe.
Catch up with YOU later.
Hugs.
m

Getting it done!

And not getting it done.
Kind of funny actually.
FEELS like things are getting done....
yet also FEELS like nothing is getting done.
Ya know what I mean?
Laughing here ;o)

Hope you all are getting things done!
Hugs and happies.
m

Snow and Sharing

It snowed most of the day yesterday.

A good kind of snow.

No ice, not 'snowed in'.

Great big mounds of fluffy white bright snow and a sky full of sun.

The perfect kind of snow if ever there is any.

Need to grab some pictures of it today.

That has been added to my list ;o)



Sharing some layouts that I have done.

This first one is using puffy paint for T-shirts for the doodling.

Must say I love how it feels.

And the puffy paint is only 77 cents at Walmart!

I loved how this layout ended. Wish you could feel the different textures. The heart is the grunge board embossed and pained, the title is BG chipboard with Tim Holtz distress embossing powder on it, there is a bit of puffy paint, some glitter, and glossy pictures. Fun-ness!
And last bit of show and tell is a layout of Mason. The pictures are a year old and I LOVE THAT. Totally make me smile.

Bailey didn't make the volleyball team this year. Kind of rough for her but I think she is working through it like a champ. She has been picked to be the manager for the team this year and seems OK with that.

Mason has been diagnosed with Severe Separation Anxiety that has branched into Obsessive Compulsive Tendencies. We are navigating the medical profession for the best way to help him. More to come later.

Last night Shawn and I went out shopping, had dinner and went to a movie. We saw "I Am Legend". A really good movie. Kind of jumpy, made me think, and Wil Smith just ROCKS!

Think I might have mentioned that I am teaching at our community college a scrapbooking class....well I am also teaching an ATC class at the coolest local scrapbook store that opened this weekend! Pretty exciting!

See there is always good. No matter how hard life gets we have to look for the good because it is there! Leah...must tell you about a book that I picked up. It is called "How To Be Happy, Dammit" a cynic's guide to spiritual happiness. LOL!! Totally made me laugh out loud and I HAD to get it.

Off to go get groceries........before the beasts go crazy.

Hugs and happies.

m

Better

It actually got a bit better yesterday.
I caved into the need to take a nap and surprisingly it really did work.
I slept for about an hour woke up and felt so much better.
So...note to self - there is NOTHING wrong with naps and there is a reason we always make our kids take a nap when they are tired. Because it is good for them!!!
Must say that the cup of happy worked also ;o) although I didn't paint I finished up my Christmas cards.
This year I didn't make them.
I had to let that go. Just can't seem to find the time nor the motivation to make all 100 billion this year.

Mason's doctors appointment went OK.
We see are off this afternoon to see a specialist.

Bai said her volleyball tryouts (day one) went well.
She is a bit nervous but I have told her that she can only do her very best.
I flippin' hate it that they have to cut kids so young!

Shawn remembered his wallet and cell phone.
He called me on his break this morning and all is better in my world now that I got to speak with him. Sounds sill but we talk every single day on his break and lunch. I seem to take that for granted.

Booda also remembered that he poo'ed OUTSIDE the house. Which is a very good thing, a very good thing! LOL! I helps when it isn't raining. That dog is such a pain in the rump shaker sometimes. ;o)

See things always get better.
Even when they aren't really bad.
Even when they are really bad.
Things get better.

Now before I break out into "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow", (LOL!!) I will catch you all later.
Hugs and happies.
m

A Holding On Kind of Day

It is one of those days in which I am holding on to happy.
I am not one of those naturally happy people.
Quite the opposite really.
If you were to ask, my glass is half empty.
This means I have to work harder at holding on to the happy or finding the good.
For instance it is ICKY out.
Rainy.
Chilly.
Dark.
Slushy dirty.
And I want to curl up and go to sleep.
Not because I am tired but because things are icky, and that ickiness seeps into my soul.
Kind of sounds like a depression.
But I am not thinking so.
It just is one of those days were it is harder for me to find some happy.
Just one of those days.
Shawn forgot his cell phone and wallet.
Bai's volleyball try-outs begin today.
Mase has his doctors appointment.
My mom fell on the ice.
Dog poo'ed in the house because he hates the rain (after Shawn let him out 100 billion times this morning and was late which is why he forgot his wallet and cell).
Think I am going to go paint.
Drink some coffee and play in paint.
And remembering that it can ALWAYS be worse.
Sending out hugs and happies.
m

Warning.....Long Blog.....

* We finally picked out our Christmas Tree.
W almost didn't make it because it seems that around here begins getting dark around 4:30! Or at least it seemed that way the day we went to get the tree. Talbot's is open til dark and we arrived at 5PM....obviously by the pictures we might have cut it a little close ;o) Mason actually relaxed and enjoying himself. That makes me happy.

Bai jumping in a shot. Kept cracking me up then got annoying. Our self family portrait.
Shawn dragging "Fattie" our selected Christmas tree.

And the decorating begins.

It was so nice.

I love it every year when we get out the decorations (and most of them are as old as our marriage) and the kids start to remember the different ornaments. I especially love the ones that they have made or the special ones that we picked up/had given to us for a specific reason. I am thinking that this is the best part of Christmas decorating, not who has the most lights, or the most beautiful decor, not who has the best or most....for me the best part is sharing with my children memories of times past and creating memories for them so in their adulthood they will look back and know they were special, they will know that this is one of the reasons.

*Tomorrow we are taking a different step in Mason's journey. He has reached a point in which we will be seeking outside help. I will share more when I am able to, right now I am tender and so uncertain with the whole thing but I am asking that you keep Mason in your thoughts and prayers. I do know how powerful it is to have energy and prayer for someone. I am asking for that for Mason.

*The kids are out of school today. Our part of the world is under a severe ice storm warning. I am thinking that they will probably be out again tomorrow because they weather service has extended the warning of ice tonight from 6 PM until tomorrow at noon. It has been good to have then home today. We watched a very good movie. Cuddled. Bummed around.....a relaxing day. So thankful for snow (ice) days.

*After a very VERY long shift in the ER on Saturday I came home to the most fabulous Christmas card from Canada. Loved it!!! Totally made me smile and very thankful of the connections I have made through this crazy thing called the Internet. You rock Leah!!

Need to get a few more things crossed off of the ol' list.

Sending out tons of hugs and happies.

m

All Work, No Play

It is my work weekend.
Will be back on Monday with a Looooongg blog.
Hope you are all safe and happy.
Hugs.
m

One down a few to go

I have completed one final exam and I have 2 more.

It makes me giddy to think of the extra time I will have without a class schedule, homework and tests to deal with! (At least until January) Hopefully I will be able to use it WISELY! That more than anything is a huge issue with me....managing my time well.

Sending out a great big GINORMOUS HUG to Leah.

Have a 'list of books to read' for 2008. Even joined the Big Picture Book Club (check it out, it's free) ->->->->-> DONNA I DID THE LINK THINGIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are fabulous! Thanks for the instructional ;o) ....Back to the book stuff...I am going to keep track of my reading in 2008. Who knows maybe it will inspire a mini album or a layout. In the back of my planner I have ready my "Books that I have Read in 2008" list. It will be interesting to see how that list turns out. Leah, I know you are totally game for this too!

My timer is about ready to go off (one of the ways I am trying to manage my time better, LOL) so I had better wrap it up for today.

Hope you hump day is a good one!
Hugs and happies.
m

Really quick...

I am doing a speed blog because I have a billion things that I need to do but I wanted to share some things.

Tim Holtz is doing a 12 days of Christmas tag-goodie give away. His instructions and ideas are ROCKIN'! All you have to do is post a message and you could win some goodies...if not the tags are fabulous! http://www.timholtz.typepad.com/

Anyone try the new Grungeboard??? LOVE IT!! I have run some pieces through my little diamond plate embosser (my brilliant hubby's idea) and it works awesomely. I highly recommend you put it on your Christmas list.

It is the last week of classes and then finals. My goal is to ace my next two tests (Tues and Thurs) in A&P and then I won't even have to take that final. Math would be the only thing left for me. Focus, focus, focus.

I want to take a second to say THANK YOU to all of you that blog. Many times I don't leave comments but I do connect with you and follow the things that you share in your life. Love those connections. Maybe I should post more....what are your thoughts on it. Should you always post a comment? Or just post when you feel like you want to or have time to?

Have to run.
Not have THE runs. LOL....yes kind of vulgar and 8th grade mentality but it made me laugh.
Hugs and happies.
m