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Welcome to My World!

Monday, January 31, 2011

Aaaaaaaaaah.....

This past weekend was JUST what the doctor ordered.  I had a nice leisurely afternoon Friday... finished packing and loading the car... got my $1,000 WalMart gift card that I won... dropped by the bank and headed to Branson.  Had a nice early dinner with John and Andy and Jessica and then headed over to the hotel to get checked in and my stuff set up.

I taught my class and it went off without a hitch and then, I was ready to sit back and just enjoy and craft the rest of the weekend.  We got lots done, but we were not rushed in any way, which was SO nice!  Saturday evening, Lyla and I even got out and did a little shopping (found me some new jammies!).

We laughed a lot all weekend and we got some really nice rest... actually slept until 7:30 both mornings!  Stopped at WalMart on the way home and got my groceries and stuff in preparation for the BIG SNOW that's being predicted to start tomorrow and got home about 1pm.

I spent the rest of the day doing some laundry and just putzing around the house.  Got some Cricut cuts done for Chris and some cookies made for snacks for me for the week!

Hopefully, it will be a productive week ahead and the predicted weather will be lighter than they think!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Is it Friday Already?

Close enough!  And I'm only working 1/2 day tomorrow and then, I'm coming home and packing up my stuff and heading to Branson for our CTMH Consultant's Retreat.  It's going to be such a nice getaway!  Friday thru Sunday.  And after the week and a half I've had, I NEED IT!!!!  I think I'm going to teach my portion first thing tomorrow night, which means I will have it behind me and I can just buckle down and create the rest of the time.  I love the idea of emersing myself in paper and ink and stamps and embellishments... mmmmmm, I CAN'T WAIT!  I'll post pics when I get home or, I'll make you all wait to see the stuff until my Open House... which I haven't even scheduled yet!  What is my deal? I usually have that done way before now!  My day job is killing me!  Not really, I do love my job.  I've been at it for 20 years now and can say, for the most part, I love going in every single day.  It has stress like every other job, but it really is so worth it. 

I'm off to pack for the weekend!  Have a great one!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Good Morning!

Well, I got all of those kits done Sunday.  That was a relief!  Now, I'm ready for my retreat this weekend.

Yesterday was busy at work, but settled down a bit.  Kind of quiet, actually.  Then, I had my surgical follow up appointment with my doctor.  My foot is doing really good, but these leg cramps I've been having have been making me crazy.  So, I talked to him about it and before I knew what was happening, he was giving me an injection on either side of my calf!  YIKES!  It wasn't too bad as he froze the skin before he injected.  The feeling was all back last night and it was achy, BUT, I went ALL NIGHT with NO CRAMPS!!!  That was amazing!  What would have made it a perfect night sleep would have been if my dog hadn't work me to go outside... at 4:00am!  No biggy, I got back to bed and fell right to sleep.  So, hopefully, the injections will help.  I can have that done every 2 - 4 weeks if I need to, to that's a bonus.

Well, I'm off to the shower to get ready to head in to work!  Have a good day, all!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

What a Great Day!

Ok, getting up early proved to be a good thing!  After I got my stuff all packed for the day, I met Lavon and Vickie for breakfast at 9.  Sitting with an unending pot of coffee is a great way to start a Saturday!

Then, to McAlister's at 10:30... got all set up and everyone started arriving by 11.  We had a great turnout.  20 to be exact!  And when we left, we had over 1,000 cards stamped, stuffed in envelopes and sorted, ready to be mailed.  It amazes me what this wonderful group of people can do.  Just amazes me!

Then, to Hobby Lobby (which is amazing, because it wasn't long ago, HL scared me because of its' size and if my foot would allow me to get around the store!) to find ribbon and a new Cricut mat.   Got both.  Grabbed Chinese on the way home and I've been vegging out since.  I think I'm going to bed early and be up and ready in the morning to work on the kits for next weekend, which I'm really looking forward to!

Night all!

Not a Teenager ANYMORE!

I have finally figured it out.  I'm NOT a teenager anymore!  I KNOW!  Can you believe it!  Only teenagers can actually sleep until noon (well, that's not counting party folks, who don't GET to bed until 3 - 4am!).

So, regardless of the fact that I haven't gotten much sleep at all this week, I was still up at 5:30 this morning.  I really wanted to sleep in, but it just didn't happen.  Oh, well, I guess I just make the most of this "awake time"!

I'm almost all packed for Operation Write Home today.  I'm really looking forward to that.  I need to surround myself with creative, kind people who are all doing something for others.  Totally unselfish as there is NO personal gain for themselves.  This will only help others.  That warms your heart.  There are enough other people in this world who are out to make everyone around them miserable.  Don't need them!

And my stuff came in last night to finish up my packets for class next weekend in Branson.  I hope to have that all done tomorrow, then I can work on writing up the instructions and getting everything bagged.  Oh, and then, I need to get the 65 "Sherwood Superstars" Cricut cuts done for Chris!  No idle hands here, baby!!!

It's so funny to my how just writing my thoughts down empties my "thinking" and gets me all motivated to go "DO"!!!  So... I'm outta here.  I'm gonna go DO!!!

Friday, January 21, 2011

It's Friday!

Busy day ahead... We are having our first Operation Write Home cardmaking party at noon today at my office.  I'm hoping we'll have 8 - 10 folks coming in to help out this wonderful cause.  I'm all packed and ready to go. 

I have no idea why I'm up so early, though!  Woke up at 5:15 and simply couldn't go back to sleep!  Oh, well, I made the most of it and actually made myself biscuits and gravy for breakfast.  I'll buy a pound of sausage and cut it into thirds and freeze it and then, when I want to make some, I just pop one of those frozen things out and nuke it enough to thaw it a bit and it makes the perfect amount of gravy for one!  And, you can't beat those frozen biscuits in a bag!  It actually makes it a little TOO easy!

So, tonight, I'll come home and unpack from the day and re-pack for tomorrow!  Another OWH cardmaking party at McAlister's!  It's going to be great!  I think we have 15 - 20 coming to that one!  I hope I can sleep in a bit in the morning (like that's going to happen knowing the Scrapbook Show will be coming on at 7:30!  I know... I'm crazy!

And then Sunday, I'll spend the day finishing up putting together my packets for the retreat next weekend.

Phew!  Busy weekend ahead... it'll be Monday before you know it!

Happy Friday!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Looks like there is about 2 inches, maybe 3, on the ground and it is really coming down hard!  And we are expecting several more!

Ally flew outside like she does every morning and as she left the back step, she just stopped... right in her tracks!  She looked around and didn't move!  I cracked up!  What do you think dogs think when their very familiar atmosphere changes so drastically?  I mean, we all have some warning about this "change", but they have no idea!  One morning, it's clear and dry and they can go outside and do their business and come back in and sleep all day.  But what about when they step out for the first time in the morning, after coming right out of a long nights' sleep, and BOOM!  Snow or rain or really cold.  I'm weird, I guess... I think about those things.  And this is why I love my blog!  I can verbalize those things and there's no one to argue with me or tell me I'm crazy!   Not while I'm talking anyway!

ANYWAY... the snow really is beautiful.  And they say there is no ice under it, so hopefully, it won't be as big of a deal driving to work... not for ME anyway!  It's the other crazies you have to watch out for!  Some people really have no clue how to drive on this stuff and should just stay home... in the warm... and leave the rest of us alone!  Sorry... a little rant there!

If you have have snow where you are... be careful if you have to get out.  And hopefully for you... like SCHOOL KIDS, enjoy your SNOW DAY!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Update on PS3

Ok, someone at Target goofed and goofed BAD!  Everyone I know who ordered got a cancellation notice last night.  We aren't getting them... I'm sad!  I was hoping to make a quick couple of hundred dollars!  What's the old saying... if it seems too good to be true, it probably IS!  Oh, well, it was playing along!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Playstation 3 - 60 GB at Target/Amazon - $39.99

Did anyone see this?  Shelly called me last night and said that JR found this while surfing the internet.  I jumped on and was like "WHOA!  NO THEY DIDN'T!".  And then, I ordered THREE!  It'll be very interesting to see what becomes of this.  They've taken both sites down and the online speculation is that someone really, really messed up!  REALLY.  So, we shall see.  The best that could happen would be for me to get 3 PS3's for $150 that I can sell for at least $250 each.  The worst that could happen would be for me to get 3 PS controllers and I'd have to return them to Target.  It's exciting!  I'll keep you posted!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

I Did It! It's Down...finally!!!

Yep... the Christmas tree is DOWN!  Finally!  Bless her heart... my grand niece, Taylor came over to talk to me about something and I was just getting started and she stayed and helped me take every single ornament off and I packed them away.  Then, she helped take the tree apart and pack it.  And THEN, she even helped me move it all out to the garage and put it away for another year!

Taylor, you are my new hero!  My silly foot has been really bothering me in this cold weather and I just have not felt up to doing it.  It was very pretty, but it needed to come down way before now.  So, thank you, Taylor.. I love you!

Operation Write Home

Beth, Suzy, Judi and Judy spent the afternoon here yesterday and we were smokin'!  I think the last count was enough kits to make 250 cards for next Saturday's OHW cardmaking event at McAlister's!  This is just suck a wonderful organization and I'm so proud to be a part of it.  I get to do what I love for an awesome cause with some of the greatest people ever... my scrapbooking/cardmaking buddies!

Now, what is on the agenda for today... hmmm... maybe, I did say MAYBE, I will get that dang Christmas Tree down!  But, we'll see.  I do feel another lazy day coming on.  Oh, and I may make some more cards kits... and I may clean up our mess from yesterday... oh, and do a little laundry.  My mom was so smart when she used to say "There's no rest for the wicked and I must be the wickedest woman around!"!!!  HOW TRUE!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Photos from Yesterday

Debbie, Eda, Susan, Tianna, Carol, Brian and others sitting around talking about old times.

Tom wrote me a song... and sang it... right in the middle of the room with no music.

Homemade mints, mixed nuts and white and chocolate cake... it don't get any better!

The punch was awesome... not sure those pictures were necessary!

Oh, my... time sure changes EVERYTHING!

Just sitting around talking about old times!

What a great surprise!

Megan just noticed my "Christmas Nails"!

Happy 20 Years!

This book was awesome... attorneys that I work with had sent in a bunch of Congratulations Cards and she collected them and bound them in an awesome memory book,.  GREAT idea!  Thanks, Christy!

Darlene, me, Judy and others gather throughout the 3 our get-together.

Debbie, me, Judy, Sarah, Sheila, Melba... just chatting (my face was so tired by the end of the day!)

Friday, January 14, 2011

Happy 20th Anniversary to ME!

Officially, my 20th Anniversary at my company was January 9th.  I started working there in October of 1977.  I left in August, 1982 to go to a new job in Omaha, Nebraska, where I stayed until January of 1991, when I moved back here.  I was fortunate enough that my old company took me back... with open arms. 

Well, today, my unit threw a surprise anniversary party for me.  And it was awesome.  I have no idea how many people were actually there, but I think there was close to 150 who came and went over the course of 3 hours.  They had an awesome cake, punch, nuts and mints along with balloons and old pictures!  Yes... old pictures, gotta have those, don't ya!

Prior to the party, an email was sent out to a bunch of attorneys that I work with and apparently cards came pouring in.  And Christy put together an awesome book which contained all of those cards.  They were wonderful and I'm going to have to read them all again later tonight.  I also got a TON of cards from well-wishers.  And Kim gave a "Lucy" statute that has special meaning between us!

I even had someone write me a song and sing it to me... yes, he did... right in the middle of a crowd of people!  It was hilarious and odd all at the same time. 

Oh, and my sister and her daughter and grandaughter came up for the special day.  It was so great seeing so many people I don't get to see very frequently.  Our company has just gotten so big that it makes it difficult to keep in touch and spending a couple of hours just talking and laughing together was awesome!

Made some awesome memories today!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

I Can't Get Warm!

It's ZERO outside.  That's the temperature, not the windchill.  And no matter what I do, I can't seem to get warm!  I've been sleeping with sweat pants and a long sleeve t-shirt on as well as socks!  I never sleep in socks!  NEVER!  Here's what I don't understand.  If I put my a/c on 68 in the summer, I'm nice and comfortable in the house.  It feels great!  But when I put the heat on 68 in the winter, I am COLD!  Isn't 68, 68?  Why does it matter if it's the winter or the summer!  I don't have a drafty house so it's not like the a/c/furnace is fighting to keep that temperature.  I don't get it.  I just don't get it.  But I do get that I'm cold! 

At least Grey's and Private Practice is new tonight.  That's something to look forward to!  So, I'll come home, have dinner and put on my sweats and socks and curl up in a nice warm blanket in front of the fire and the TV.... mmmmmm.... nice!

Stay WARM!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Busy week!

I got all rested up on Sunday and now, it's SO cold out!  That makes me tired!  I think I'll jump in a hot shower and wrap up in my chenelle robe and sit in front of the fireplace and watch Parenthood... Yeah... that's what I'm gonna do! 

Sunday, January 9, 2011

My Day of Rest...

I think I am going to just hang out today.  Maybe clean up my scrapbook stuff and do a little laundry but then just sit and enjoy a movie or two!  I'm tired!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Even Better!

Now it's Friday evening... the beginning of the WEEKEND!!!  I am so ready to get some scrapbooking with girl time done tomorrow!  Going to go to bed early tonight so I'll be READY!

Yeah! It's Friday!

I am so glad it's Friday.  I know everyone loves Fridays, but for some reason this one hasn't come soon enough!  I think being the first full week back to work is the main reason.    With the holidays, there were lots of vacation days being taken and full weeks haven't really happened for weeks!  So getting back in to the swing of normalcy has been a rough adjustment! SO TGIF!!!

And I'm excited because I am getting together with a few friends tomorrow.  We will be doing our very favorite thing... SCRAPBOOKING AND EATING!  You know, when you say it like that, you have to wonder how those 2 things can actually work well together.  Well, I suppose you have to add in TALKING!!  Because when you say SCRAPBOOKING and TALKING or EATING and TALKING, it makes perfect sense!  I am really in the mood to put together some pages after last weekend and it getting in and working with paper and glue and scissors always puts me in the mood of making cards.  So, we'll see how productive I'll be!  I can't wait. 

I hope you've had a good week and have fun plans for the weekend, too.  Check back in a couple of days and hopefully, I'll be able to post accomplishment!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Long Night

But I'm sure it wasn't near as long as it was for Millard South parents and kids.  Stacy's dear friend from Omaha told me last night that it was almost unbearable getting text messages from inside the school from two of her kids.  One texted "Mom, I'm so scared" and the other one was texting how he was hearing someone yelling "put your arms up!".  I simply can't imagine.  But I laid awake half the night thinking about it.  And the family of the pricipal who died and the other principal who got shot.  And the family of the shooter.  And what a crazy world we live in.  Please pray for all involved.   Here is just one link... there are many, many more... Millard South Shooting

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Order Sorted

December's Close to My Heart order is sorted.  I just love going through everything.  And I got the new WINGS Workshop on the Go!  It's in the Inspiration brochure and can be seen by clicking HERE.  There are some awesome specials in there!  Let me know if you need anything.  I'll be going to our CTMH consultant's retreat the last weekend of this month.  It's in Branson at Stone Castle, the old Settle Inn.  We will be working on projects with new product!  I can't wait.  You will love it!  And I need to start planning my Open House in February for the release of the new book.

AND, I have a cardmaking party coming up on January 22 for Operation Write Home.  SUCH a wonderful organization that I am SO proud to be involved with.

Well, I guess that'll do me for tonight.  I need to go start putting my order together for the class I'll be teaching in Branson!

Night all!

Check List

  • Made new business cards for Crazy Cropper Scrapbook Retreats - CHECK
  • Checked on pricing for goody bag stuff for April Retreat - CHECK
  • Updated OWH contacts in Constant Contact - CHECK
  • Sent Operation Write Home email re Jan 22nd - CHECK
  • Found new background for Retreat blog (not exactly what I wanted....but, it'll do - CHECK
  • Sent Close to My Heart January Specials Newsletter - CHECK
  • Fielded over 100 emails in response to above sent emails - CHECK
  • Worked on Retreat Contacts and processed payments - CHECK
  • Finalized plans for this Saturday - CHECK
  • Organized paperwork and tossed a bunch of junk from desk - CHECK
  • Somewhat organized Scrapbook area - CHECK
  • Made homemade toffee...and failed... burned the butter - CHECK
  • Got laundry ALL caught up! - CHECK
  • Christmas Tree down and put away - NOT!

Ok... that just felt better to put that all down in writing.  Maybe my weekend wasn't wasted!!! And I don't feel so bad about not taking down the Christmas tree!!!  It's not that I'm lazy about doing it, I just LOVE it up!

Oh, and going back to work yesterday was not bad at all.  You just know that getting back to work after being gone for a few days is usually painful, but it wasn't not bad.  I actually got a lot accomplished!

I got this awesome book for Christmas... It's call Organize Now!:  A Week by Week Guide to Simplify Your Space and Your Life... by Jennifer Ford Berry.  Go check it out on Amazon... Organize Now!   It is really good... if you are looking for help organizing your life!  I love organization books.  One day, I will find one that works... this just may be it!

Gotta go get ready for work!  Have a great Tuesday!

Monday, January 3, 2011

Didn't Do It!

I didn't take it down!  It's just so pretty sitting there!  Plus, I got busy working on paperwork!  Where does that monster pile come from?  Well at least, for now, it's sorted and under control and guess what I found?  A $100 gift card from May!  I got a rebate in the form of a gift card back when I got my Blackberry and totally forgot about it.  Geez.  That's pretty sad, but exciting all at the same time!  What will I do with it..... hmmmm....

Well, I'm off to get ready for work.  I've actually got high hopes for this Monday being very productive!  We will see if I'm successful!  Happy Monday and Happy FIRST WEEK OF THE YEAR!!!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Take it Down or Not?

I keep reading on Facebook that everyone is getting their Christmas decorations down.  And while I realize, the Christmas season is over, I just really like my tree up!  I love the lights and I love walking by it all the time and seeing all the pretty ornaments.  This year, the tree is just about the only decorations that actually made it up and it was a bit late.  Hmmm.  We shall see what the day brings... maybe I will... maybe I won't.  I have a to-do list a mile long and we shall see!

Speaking of to-do lists.  It's not even 8am and I have already gotten one done!  I got the email written and scheduled to send for the next Cardmaking Party for Operation Write Home.  I really missed not doing that in December, but everyone was just so busy, it was next to impossible to get a good date for everyone.

The January date is January 22nd.  I realize this is the same date as Scrapapalooza.  I hope that doesn't interfere and I really doubt it will.  We are going to be back at McAlister's.  I'm fairly certain that will work for a while (as far as size is concerned).  And everyone seems to like the atmosphere. 

One thing on my to-do list for today is to make up some kits.  I always love getting in and putting those together.  I know Christy is working on some but I need to, too.  You just never know how many will be needed.

Well, I am feeling motivated now that I've emptied my brain a bit!  So, I'm off to go do something!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Pictures... as promised!

Here are Devin's 2nd Birthday party pages that I scrapbooked today.  It was so much fun to work on some of my own stuff!






 
And this is a Card I received (thanks, Lavon) and it is proudly sitting in my new FROG!


It's 5:00 HERE!

And I actually have been scrapbooking!  Not just saying I'm going to scrapbook, but actually scrapbooking!  I have gotten 4 pages done and that was after I went through stuff in my scrapbook area and organized a little bit.  And then I found a recipe (yes, in my scrapbook area) for English Toffee and had to stop and make a batch.  After I finished it, I was heading back over to my scrapbook area and stopped here at the computer.  I get so easily distracted! 

OH!  I found a flower frog at Michael's yesterday.  I was so excited.  I've been looking for one for a very long time!  I'll take pictures of it in a bit as well as my pages and get them up here. 

Oh, and my internet is out... I HATE MEDIACOM!  So, I'm tapping into my sister's!  Gotta love that!  But my Netflix isn't working, which is bumming me out.  sigh.  Maybe it's all trying to tell me to get back to my scrapbooking!  DONE!  I'm outta here!

Happy New Year 2011

It's a new year and I'm gonna try this again!  I had a blog a couple of years ago and I did pretty good with it, but I just think this title is way more appropriate now!  While I WAS a Happy Scrapper... I have BECOME a CRAZY CROPPER!!!  And since my dog is getting hard of hearing, Facebook seems a little TOO public and I'm really tired of talking to myself, I've decided to start journaling (blogging) again!

Why is it that the first day of a new year just seems to be the right time to start something new?  I guess we feel that along with a "new year" comes a "new leaf" to turn over.  I don't like resolutions because it seems to become more of a reason NOT to do something for me!  I'm a little rebellious that way, I guess!

So... welcome to my world (and my thoughts).  Oh, and please, humor me... leave me a message now and again, so I KNOW I'm not talking to myself!

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I hope the best for you and yours!