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Welcome to My World!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

What a Great Weekend this has Been!

I took Friday afternoon off and came home and got the house all ready for the group Friday night.  Lyla got here about 4 and the others arrived by 6.  We talked and laughed and had a great dinner... oh and we got a ton of cards made!  Yes, it's our scrapbooking night, but it's so much easier to travel with stuff to make cards!

Then, Saturday morning, Lyla and I headed to Blue Eye for a 31 Bag party with Carol.  It was a small, but fun group.  When that was done we all went to lunch together.  And then, on our way home, Lyla and I stopped at the Branson scrapbook store and Michael's.  Shirley, owner of the Branson store, was thrilled to see us!  She is so excited for my retreat in April.  Michael's didn't have much that we couldn't live without. 

So, it was back home and into our jammies for Saturday night.  Then a couple of friends called and stopped by to visit.  Lavon and Deb just topped of our day.  Love those girls!

Then, this morning, we got up and just slowly moved around and enjoyed the peace and quiet!  She headed home a little before noon and I got the house picked up and headed to the table to get some card kits put together for OWH next Saturday.

I just love being busy doing stuff I love doing!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I'm ready for the week ahead!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

TGTIF - Thank God Tomorrow Is Friday!

AND, I only work 1/2 the day!  Off at noon and home to get ready for tomorrow night.  I just love getting together with my scrappin' buddies.  My roast has been cooked and cut up and is now marinating in BBQ sauce, ready to get back into the crock pot tomorrow afternoon so it'll be ready to join it's friend, buns, chips, potato salad, baked beans and the works!  yummo!

Our Operation Write Home group at work met today at lunch.  They made 151 cards!  And there were only 5 of then putting them together!  WOW!  How awesome is THAT!  If you don't know what Operation Write Home (OWH) is, go visit their website www.operationwritehome.org.  It is just an amazing organization and I am just so proud to be a part of it!

Well, I'm off to finish watching Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice AND to finish laundry!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

It's Wednesday and I'm DEEP in Retreat Mode

And once I get here, it's hard for me to get out!!!  I was stressin' because I was going to have to rent 60 6ft tables... was gonna cost nearly $1,000 but I think, by George, I may have it worked out with 8ft tables.  I'm working on it anyway.  Had to step out of the box and take another look.  We'll see.  Plus I've sent out several emails and my INBOX is running over with LOVE!!!   T-Shirts, Tombows and Tickets, OH MY!  Oh, my... did I just come up with a theme for another retreat???  I'm laughing out loud right now... all by myself.  Yes, I'm losing my mind!  But, I will get to share that fun with some friends this Friday night as we get together here to scrapbook and eat... well maybe not in that order!  And then to a ThirtyOne Bag party on Saturday in Blue Eye!  Road Trip!  Back to the drawing board for the seating arrangements!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Productive Sunday

For whatever silly reason, I woke up at 5:00 yesterday  morning,.  I was totally prepared to sleep in,  I had nothing that needed to be done, so I was going to sleep in and have a lazy morning.  And then, that silly alarm clock in my head went off... AT 5:00!!!  And then, I tried to lay there and go back to sleep.  But, oh, no!  My brain took over and started thinking about all the things I could do.

So, up I got and to the computer I went.  I started making out a to-do list for the day.  That's when I realized just how far behind I was.  YIKES!  So, I got busy.  And busy, I stayed!  All DAY!  I didn't get everything done on my list, but I sure knocked a lot of them out!  Especially the ones that were needing attention NOW!

So, today is President's Day and while I have to work, it is my reminder that tomorrow would have been mom's birthday and Thursday is Stacy's birthday.  Happy Birthday Mom and Stacy!  I have even remembered to get Stacy a present ordered and in the mail!  WOOHOO!

So, now, it's off to get ready for work.  I've got a plan for today so, hopefully, it will be productive (and fast), too.  Tonight is the Bachelor... home visits.  Now that Michelle is gone, I am so excited to which direction he chooses to go.  I like all of the girls that are left.  I know, I know.... it's a mindless show, but sometimes that's just what a girl needs! 

Have a Happy Monday!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Cricut Class in Joplin... SCRAPS Scrapbooking Store

We had such a great time at the Cricut Classes at SCRAPS in Joplin yesterday.  There was a full house and everyone seemed so eager to learn.  I can't tell you how many "lightbulb" moments we had.  I absolutely LOVE that!  It's how I can truly tell if I am teaching them something they don't already know!

First was the Using Your Cricut class from 10 to 12.  There were 7 students.  Then, from 12:30 - 2:30, there was the Beginning Design Studio class... again, we had 7 students.  Everyone was so enthusiastic, which was just contagious.

I can't wait to go back and teach them more!

Today, I'm getting some much needed organizing done here at home.  My desk is just out of control.  I am needing to get started on my taxes, so I need to start organizing my receipts... but first, I have to gather them all!  And that is going to be a chore!  But it's not going to get done until it gets started!

And I've just come to terms with the fact that I am less than 2 months out from my Spring Retreat in April!  So, I am now in RETREAT MODE... which means life is going to get CRAZY!!!  But that's okay.  It's what I love to do.

Ok, well, I'm off to get busy!  Have a great Sunday!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Cricut Classes Tomorrow in Joplin!

The new scrapbook store in Joplin, Scraps, is having me over tomorrow for my first set of  Cricut classes in a while!  I'm very excited and can hardly wait to get back into the swing of it.  Not sure how many I'll do, but she said they are almost full!  WOOHOO!  Gotta go get my class material ready and get packed!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Spring Retreat Excitement is Starting!!!

I love it when people start getting excited about the retreat!  I just love it!  And this one is going to be the biggest one yet!!!  SIXTY people!  I'm not sure I can even get my head around that number!  That's a LOT of SCRAPBOOKERS!!!  Especially all in one place!!!  This one has not been without it's little hickups.  First, the on-site store sold.. but the new owners are awesome and I know it's going to be perfect!  THEN... the hotel that we were booked in went into foreclosure.  THAT just about did me in... but, in less than 48 hours, I had a new place all set up and it is going to be wonderful!  Now, planning is coming right along and things are starting to happen.  AND everyone is getting excited!  COME ON SPRING!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

American Idol

I love American Idol.  Every phase of it.  But for some reason, we are in a digital freeze tonight!  And it's been that way for about 15 minutes now.  I don't know what is going on, but it's really irritating me!!!  So, I'm watching Survivor.  It's okay and I usually like to watch it, but it's in direct competition with Idol... decisions... decisions. 

It's been a pretty good week.  I've gotten a lot done at work.  Lots left to do, but so far, it's been very productive.  And, I'm really feeling the urgency to get busy on retreat stuff.  I'm working on updating email addresses tonight.  It's such a big job.  I wish I were more organized with it or that I could find a more organized way to keep stuff.  Maybe I need an assistant!  KIM... where ARE YOU???

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day!

My sweetie and I went to Ryan's yesterday for Valentine's lunch.  We had a great time.  And now, I've got chocolate to hold me for the week!  Saaaweeeet!  I ordered Valentine CakePops for my unit at work.  Hopefully, they will be there this morning.  They are awesome.  I hope everyone likes them.

I hope you all get to spend time with your sweetie today.  And I hope you have a wonderful time, too!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

It's Sunday and the Sun is Shining!

And the snow is melting!  It is just beautiful outside!  Shelly and Devin just left... JR got called in to work so he didn't get to make it.  We had a houseful of friends here last night and had a blast!  It was so good to have people around talking and laughing and Devin was loving them all!  This was a good weekend for me.  I still think I here her barking at the backdoor to let her in... but that's kind of sweet.  I had a dream Friday night that she had made it to heaven and was looking for my mom.  And when she found her, they were both SO happy!  And mom waved at me as I drifted out of my dream.  It was sweet and very peaceful.  I'll be okay now. 

Friday, February 11, 2011

So Quiet...

She wasn't really a very barky dog... just when someone came to the house, so I don't know why it's SO quiet in here.  She would just sometime want me to love on her and while I was sitting at the computer, she'd come by and nudge my leg with her nose and wouldn't leave until I dropped my hand down and petted her head.  She didn't need much, just a little!  It's so funny to me that so many people remember her as backing up to them wanting them to scratch her butt!  I got the sweetest card today from Lavon and Deb and that's what Lavon remembers.  And that's what Kim remembers.  I'm pretty dang sure that's what Judy would have to say, too!  Silly dog... you couldn't ignore her... she would NOT let you!

At least I am smiling today when I think about her.  Not so many tears.  But don't talk to me about her!  Those tears aren't that far behind my eyes!

Shelly, JR and Devin is coming tomorrow.  That'll be nice.  They are just here for the day and will go back early Sunday morning since JR has to work.  And then, John is taking me out for Valentine's lunch on Sunday.  That'll be nice, too.  I'm almost embarrassed to say that I had totally forgot that Valentine's Day was coming up!  MONDAY, at that!  At least I had already done my shopping.  And Ally even got John a cute little Valentine's Dog.  He may cry.

Well, I'm heading over to Judy's.  She got the movie "Winter's Bone".  I've seen it, but I am really looking forward to seeing it again.  It's awesome.  Dark, but very moving.  So... I'm outta here!  See ya tomorrow!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Sad, lonely night

 When I was getting ready for bed, I found myself locking ALL the doors including the one to the garage.  Who would warn me there was in intruder?  I didn't know whether to sleep with my door open or shut.  I forgot I could move my legs to both sides of the bed. The snow is undisturbed out my back door.  No one was demanding to be let out this morning.  No one was demanding water and food.  No one was sitting at my feet while I checked Facebook.  Guess I'll go get ready for work.  I seem to have tons of undisturbed time this morning.  I miss her.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Ally, My Scrapbooking Mascot

This is my Ally Girl.  She loved my scrapbookers and she loved sitting at my feet while I scrapbooked.  She was the bestest dog ever.  She never got into trouble and she loved me.  She slept with me and kept me warm at night.  She greeted me at the door when I'd come home from wherever.  She had few demands.  Food, water and to be let out, except in the summer, where she could let herself in and out.
She barked, but not excessively.  She was awesome.  She'd eat whatever I put down for her.  She never complained.  She loved me unconditionally.  I will miss her so much.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

It's Been a Productive Night!

I finished cutting 60 Sherwood Superstars for a friend who is working on a school project.  That is 2 cuts per word or 240 cuts!  WOW!  Not sure I did the math when I started this project!  But it's done and she is coming by Thursday night to pick them up,

I also got all the cards preps and boxed and ready to send to Operation Write Home.  That is 1,003 cards to be exact!  That's what fit into 3 boxes.  There were more, but I'll be including them in the next mailing... in March!  I hope to pop then in the mail tomorrow.

And, I've got a vet appointment in the am for Miss Ally.  I hope it's nothing serious.  She is my buddy and I don't know what I'd do without her.  She is eleven, though and I know she's getting old.  I'm just hoping this incontinence problem is old age and I can get her a pill or something simple like that.  We'll see.

That's it!  That's what I've gotten done tonight!  Phew... now, I'm tired!

Monday, February 7, 2011

WalMart Gift Card

So... did I mention that I won a $1,000 gift card from WalMart?  Can you believe THAT!!!  And I have already received it AND I've already spent almost half of it!  I know it may sound crazy, but I've upgraded my cleaning supplies!  I got a new vacuum cleaner and a new Wet Jet mop for the kitchen.  I also bought a bunch of groceries as well as a new Nintendo DS game and some other stuff I probably didn't even need!  Oh well!  Easy come, easy go!

Be sure and fill out that survey on those receipts.  That's all I did!  And I was talking to a clerk yesterday (at the South Campbell store) and there have been TWO of us win from that store alone!  How cool is that!  Apparently, they do this twice a year and there is one going on right now!

So... the next one could be yours!  Go fill out that survey!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

What a Great Weekend!

And I don't even CARE about THE SUPER BOWL!  Judy and I have been crafting ALL weekend!  She has been making cards and getting ready for Valentine's Day Parties at her school and I made some cards for OWH and I've also made kits!  FOR 100 CARDS.... so FAR!!!  We are getting ready to make a WalMart run and we'll be back to get back at it!  I have a roast in the crock pot and we are going to have BBQ beef sandwiches for dinner.  MAYBE we'll have the Super Bowl on, but just for the COMMERCIALS!

Love weekends where you don't have anything you HAVE to do!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Pictures!

This was the layout I taught at our retreat last weekend.  I used our new Mayberry paper.  Loved it SO much!
And by changing the pictures to black and white, I was able to use these awesome pictures with this paper!



Now, I'm going to go try to find pictures of the cards I made and taught at the same retreat!  It's just that right now, I'm not sure where I stored them! 

Ok, ok... I found them... here you go!  Enjoy!

This is a 6" x 6" card.  Not my favorite size, but I liked how it turned out!

This was a 8" x 3 1/2" card.

And this was a small 3" x 4 1/2" card.


WHAT? - Snow AGAIN?

I can't believe what I'm hearing!  MORE SNOW TODAY!!!  Oh, well... throw another log on the fire!

I am so glad it's Friday!  I need the weekend SO bad!  I just hope I'm not sick for it.  My throat is hurting a little bit and I have a headache.  The headache could be from the NEW weather moving in.  One GOOD thing... I haven't had a foot cramp ALL WEEK!!!  WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!  That is amazing!!!  And I've been getting such good sleep.  May just sleep in tomorrow morning!

Work is starting to settle down, so that's a bonus, too.  Hope to get a lot done today and hope to get those Sherwood Superstars Cricut Cuts done this weekend!  At least my house is fairly clean so I should be able to play "guilt-free" this weekend!

Have an awesome Friday!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Hi Ho... Hi Ho......

Yep... It's off to work I go!  I have the greatest sister in the world!  She got out yesterday and worked her butt off and cleared me a path out of my drive.  I worked on the end where the plows through up the big ole chunks, but what I did was NOTHING compared to what SHE DID! JUDY ROCKS!!!  And when we were done, we got out!  Felt good.  We were both starting to feel a little cabin fever... so what else is there to do in Springfield, but GO GET CASHEW CHICKEN!!!  It was SOOOO good!

So, now, I'm off to finish getting ready for work (gotta be sure I seasoned well (as my dad would say after getting out of the shower and before going outside) and put on my warm clothes and heavy jacket and I'll be on my way!

Stay warm, everyone!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

10 Inches and I'm Home Today!

I got to work yesterday and by 9:30 they announced they were closing at 10:00.  It was coming down so hard.  It was pretty, but a little ominous!  At 9:45, another announcement saying we could leave whenever we wanted!  So, I headed out and started my journey home.  Cleaning the car off was the first challenge.  I couldn't believe how much snow had come down in such a short period of time!  Then, to the roads!  It was crazy!  At least there wasn't a lot of people on the roads and that did help.  That was probably the scariest drive home ever!  But, I made it!  And when I got home, I put on my sweats, turned on the fireplace and hunkered down!  I had gone to the store Sunday, so I had food and all that was left to do was to ride it out.  And it snowed, and snowed and then the wind blowed and blowed!  We ended up with 10 inches... not what we were expecting, but it was plenty for me! 

Today, I got up and I did not feel good.  I had a sore throat and was hurting all over.  I looked out and saw there was no way I was going to get out my drive, so I called in, took a vacation day and I'm staying in.  About 9, I went back to bed and slept a couple of hours and got up feeling better. 

So, now, I'm doing a little cleaning and then, I may do some work work.  My silly dog doesn't know if she wants to be inside where its warm or outside in the sunshine!  I think she's confused how the sun can be so bright and yet it's SOOOOO cold!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Let it SNOW!

Well, this should be an interesting day out on the roads of Springfield!  We are under a BLIZZARD WARNING!  The forecast is anywhere from 12 - 20 inches of snow!  And that's AFTER a quarter to a inch of ice!  YIKES!  As I look out right now, there is either sleet or freezing rain coming down... like crazy!  And they say it is supposed to change over to snow, heavy, heavy snow anytime.  And that the roads are going to get terrible in a while because the worst is yet to come!  SO... should be VERY interesting!  I guess I will go get ready to head in and see how long we last!

If you are going to be out in this, be careful, as will I!  I'll update tonight!