I've been tagged...

I've been tagged by Tiffany and Nicole! Well, guess what...scroll down to find out who I've tagged (don'tcha just love these?! LOL!)

Ok, here are 7 random weird things about myself:

1. I'm deathly afraid of spiders...like so bad that I literally get sick to my stomach to just look at them.

2. I was refused a job at Shoe Carnival because I came back as "high risk" for shoplifting after taking a personality test!

3. I could eat ice cream for dessert 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

4. I never wanted to have kids! I had to agree to have at least one or Steve said he wouldn't marry me!

5. Speaking of kids....I was sooooo sick during my first pregnancy that I lost 20 lbs, was hospitalized 3 times, at home with IV's, PICC lines attempted 3 times and had a Hickman catheter in my chest to "feed" me 24/7 and I still continued to get sick until the day Mara was born!

6. I learned how to barefoot waterski when I was 13 years old. I'd been skiing (on one ski and 2 ski's) and kneeboarding (doing 360's!) since I was 9 years old.

7. I had gout in my big toe (talk about PAINFUL!!!) on me and Steve's very first date. My Mom didn't want me to go out because I was in so much pain and could barely walk, but I was not going to miss my date with him!! (Good thing, eh?)

There. Good enough? Totally embarrassing.

Now, here's who I'm tagging!! (Maybe this will be the kick in the bootay that some of these people need to update their blog!)

1. Shan

2. Liz

3. Monica

4. Laura

5. Krystn

6. Carmen

7. Susan

Too stinkin' cool!

Look what Nicole did! Click on the pic to make your own! Thanks, Nicole!

Blog candy alert!

My friend, Nicole, is giving away blog candy in celebration of getting 10,000 hits! Simply comment on her blog and you're automatically entered into the drawing!! WooHoo!

Ok, next up from the scrap-filled weekend is the personalized notecards I made for my step BIL, Paul (an order put in to me by my lovely step MIL again! Love her!). Stamp set used is Stitched Exotics and a Stamp Rite stamper you can personalize (not by Stampin' Up); cardstock colors used are Going Gray, Basic Gray, Sahara Sand, Natural White, and Basic Black; ink colors used are Basic Black, Basic Gray and Going Gray; I used 3 different sized circle punches as well. All products by Stampin' Up (except where I noted). TFL!

More from BYOM....

....using sketches from So Sketchy! Great sketches on this site for 12x12, 8.5x11 and cards!! Check it!

It's July, so that means...

...scrappy goodness from the July BYOM kit (Cosmo Cricket "Hello Sunshine" line)!!! This kit is so BRIGHT & FUN!! And, not one, but 2 alphabets in this kit...YAY!! Some of the extras included flocking by Doodlebug Designs. This stuff is way cool. Fun stuff, I tell ya! Love the border of circles, too....stinkin' cute! Just an all around awesome kit to work with this month! But, then again, I've yet to be disappointed. You have got to snatch up one of these kits....or better yet, sign up for a subscription! ;)

Scrap-filled weekend!

Wow. That's all I can say. One weekend. Locked in. 3 great friends. No kids. No responsibilities. 14 movies. Snacking. Drinking. Scrapping...all freaking weekend long. Now, that's my kind of weekend! I got 3 layouts done for the July BYOM kit, 2 sets of 11 2-pg 6x6 layouts for swaps at convention next month, 2 sets of 24 personalized notecards (+ 1 extra for my own stash), and 20 birth announcements (+ 1 extra for me). And, I was bummed because I still had more on my list to get done!! So, for the next several days, I'll be posting things I got accomplished this past weekend.

First up is the personalized notecards I made for my step BIL's girlfriend for her birthday (an order put in to me by my step MIL). Stamp set is Winds of Grace; cardstock colors are Sage Shadow, Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa, and Natural Ivory; ink colors are Sage Shadow, Blush Blossom and Close to Cocoa; medium width twill and hemp string...all products by Stampin' Up.

My new camera bag!!

Yay! Look what I finally got in the mail today...my new totally custom made camera bag! Well, technically, it's a purse, but I customized it with my beloved digi Rebel in mind! :) Now all I need is a new camera strap and I'll be happy...well, for a little while, at least! ;) I ordered my bag at a party, where a demonstrator comes and talks about the different styles and patterns and such. You choose your style and then everything else is custom made to order....extra pockets, how it opens and closes, whether you want ribbon on it and how it's tied, the fabric choices, etc. It was really fun! I even got to choose the length of the strap! The company is called a la mode and because they are made to order, it takes about 8 weeks to get your bag. But, I'd say it's worth the wait! Check it out!

sick...morbid....whack job....gullible

...yes, these are seriously names that I've been called in the last day or so by my own family. Why, you ask? Because I'd like to talk to a "medium". Why would I like to talk to a medium? Why not? No, I'm not into devil worship. Yes, I believe in God. I'm kind of a skeptical believer (does that make sense?! LOL!) in all of this. If I could experience this up close and personal, I'll either be a skeptic or a believer. And, if it is for real, then added bonus that I get to "hear" from some loved ones. I've always been fascinated in this sort of stuff. Recently two friends and fellow co-workers met with a local medium and had such a positive experience. So much so that family members of both of those friends are going to meet with this medium for themselves. When am I going to do this? Who knows. I'm not in a rush, but yes, one of these days I'm going to do this.

Weekend shift change at work!

Work schedule stuff is too long and complicated to get into, but to make a long story short....I currently work 6a-2:30p every 4th weekend. Not bad, really. Well, the new change is that I will work (along with several other co-workers) 6a-6:30p every 6th weekend. I'm still trying to get used to the sound of that. When I worked weekend option I worked the 12 hour shifts and they totally sucked. Completely blows your weekend. But, the upside is I'm working every 6th weekend, which will be nice. I think the pros and cons are the same on this one. Man, I just wish I didn't have to work at all!!! ;)

Wanna see what Steve brought home?

This is what Steve inadvertantly brought home with him from white water rafting in Gatlinburg, TN (yes, we now know that parts of Tennessee have scorpions!). Last week, I was getting the girls' swim bags ready and threw the bags on the kitchen counter. After packing their towels, suits, etc., I pulled the bags off the counter and this is what I saw!!! Holy crap!!! I was stunned! I've never seen one up close and personal. Gave me the major heebie jeebies. I'm DEATHLY afraid of spiders, we're talkin' major arachnophobe, here. Evidently, my arachnophobia extends into this species of arachnids as well! I thought I was going to throw up. And the thought that it could've stung one of the girls made me even more sick. I keep praying that he didn't bring any little buddies along with him! LOL!

Ok, you all are asking what the heck I did when I saw this....to answer your question, I dropped the swim bags and backed away from the counter and just stared at it, thinking OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG until Steve got home (he had ran to the gas station to get a gallon of milk). As soon as he walked in the door I said "What the hell is that?" He told me what I already knew, but I just wanted a second opinion! ROFL! Anyway, he took a flyswatter and pushed at it and it still had some life in it and then he beat it with the flyswatter. Then, he put it in a baggie to take to work to show someone he works with to ask him about it. As far as I know, I think it's still in Steve's computer bag!!

What a rush!!

My cousin, Kristi, and I just got done video'ing our first wedding/reception today! I had so much fun! Now, the really "fun" part starts....video editing and putting the thing together. Kristi's going to start teaching me the computer aspect of it....I hope she has infinite patience as I'm not real computer savvy! LOL! Well, back to your regular blog surfing....just had to share my excitement!

An MRI for McKenna *update* {w/results}

On Memorial Day, just a little over a week ago, McKenna had her second "migraine" (first episode was back in February). I have no idea what to call it, so migraine it is, for lack of a better word and the lack of MD behind my name! I made a doctor's appt for her, which she had today. Her pediatrician seems to think she's having pediatric migraines, but just to make sure nothing else is going on inside that extremely intelligent little head of hers, she's scheduled for an MRI next Monday. So, wish us luck and a quick little prayer, if you get a chance.

*****update***** {sort of}

She did wonderful! Although at first she was pretty scared. I held her hands thru the whole thing and she about clawed the skin off my hands until about half way thru, when she realized what a piece of cake it was, and getting to listen to her Miley Cyrus cd helped, too. We didn't have to do any pictures over again, so she was done in like 20 minutes. We already had a trip to WalMart bargained (for a drink and wet Strawberry Shortcake doll) and I ended up having to negotiate a trip to Dairy Queen, as well. Yeah, that was a rough deal to make! ;) I had to work today (Tuesday) and while I was working, the doctor's office called the house to tell me the results. By the time I got home and checked messages and called the office back, they were already closed. So, I have to wait until tomorrow to call and get results. I'll post tomorrow.....

***update*** {w/results}

Results are in....McKenna is just fine and dandy. Nothing wrong with her brain at all, thank goodness. Actually, the report read "unremarkable" and when I told Steve that, he replied "I tend to disagree with that...there's nothing unremarkable about McKenna!" LOL! It did show some incidental sinus mucosal thickening. The doctor said to get some Claritin OTC and give that to her everyday. Well, I have to disagree with that....she shows no signs of sinus problems, so we're going to skip giving her medicine everyday for no reason. So, anyway, bad part about this is that it is just pediatric migraines. Totally sucks that she's going to have to learn at such an early age how to deal with migraines. Thank you everyone who kept McKenna in their thoughts and prayers!!!

It's June, so that means.....

it's time to show off scrappy stuff done with the June Bring Your Own Memories kit!! And, it's GORGEOUS! I loved the kit when I saw it online, but in person...whoa! Run, don't walk, and get this kit! If it's not sold out, that is....

David Cook Wins IDOL!!!

I'm a happy gal!! David, YOU ROCK!!!

Crop 'til you Drop!

This past weekend I actually scrapped for 16 hours!!! Yes, that's right...16 hours! Tiffany had a crop at her parent's house where me and about 24 other people scrapped our little hearts out! The crop started at 9am, but I didn't get sat down and settled until about 10am. Take time out for grazing on all the delish food sitting out and time out to do the zip line, and then I left about 3am! Yikes! But, I got soooo much stuff done! I'm ready to do it again! LOL! What all did I get done? I got 24 personalized notecards done for my stepmother-in-law (see post below for photo), 60 Thank You's to match bridal shower invites I did a couple months ago (once again, see post below for photo), a 5x7 frame made up with a cute little thing for my stepmother-in-laws kitchen (which I forgot to take a photo of, but I will), and figured out what card fronts I'm going to do for the swaps at the Stampin' Up convention in August. Once I got that figured out, I started putting together 50 3-layered stars and stamping images....my plan is to make 50 of one style and 50 of the other. I'll post photos of those later, too. Go check out some photos on Tiffany's blog.

Lots of scrappy goodness!!

I have had some major mojo goin' on lately, so I've put it to good use!

First up...my ATC for a swap for Tiffany's monthly get together! All Stampin' Up products used...Apricot Appeal designer series paper that's offered to hostesses, Apricot Appeal ink, the little flower from Baroque Motifs (my all time fave set), and a stamp set from the Occasions Mini (forgive me, I forgot the name of the set!!!)

Second up....the Thank You cards that I was asked to make to match some bridal shower invites I made a couple of months ago. This was made with my second fave set, Heartfelt Thanks. Bordering Blue, Brocade Blue, and Rose Red paper and ink (to match the wedding colors, of course!).

Next to show....a name frame I whipped up with leftovers from my kit from BYOM this month! This was also a challenge I posted on the message board over there in celebration of their One Year Anniversary in the kit club world!!

I also put together another name frame for my new niece, Jenna Marie! I opened up for the first time my Basic Grey LilyKate and this turned out so pretty, I think!

I also made for Jenna's room a plaque that I painted and used my Cricut to make the "J". The ribbons hanging down from the bottom of the plaque is for her little hair ribbons to attach to! Be nice on this one...this was the first time I made something like this!

Lastly...personalized notecards that I made for my wonderful stepmother-in-law! Stampin' Up products once again...Almost Amethyst cardstock, designer series paper and Almost Amethyst and Lovely Lilac ink. The stamp set I used was from the Occasions Mini. I used the scallop punch, a circle punch, pop dots, a brad and some Whisper White ribbon. The background dotted circle was from the Enjoy stamp set and, of course, a personalized stamp!

Ok, now I also realize that my projects are posted in the opposite direction that I explained them. Sorry...I forgot that the pictures uploaded them like that. I'm pretty sure you all can figure it out, though! ;)

Mother's Day Cookies

I came home from work Sunday to Mara and Micah in the kitchen with a ton of ingredients all over the place! They were making my favorite cookies...chocolate chip....by themselves. Where was Steve? Taking a nap. He told them to follow the recipe. Well....Mara did the best she could, bless her heart. She took out what she thought was flour, but wasn't. It was powdered sugar! Thank goodness she didn't put in the whole 2 1/2 cups, but only 1 cup. She couldn't find a teaspoon for the vanilla, baking soda, etc, so she just used a tablespoon. That left me, who is severely baking impaired to fix because Steve refused to get up and help. I just starting throwing various stuff in to try and compensate. They ended up turning out ok...a little heavy on the baking soda, but all the chocolate chips I threw in tend to cover up that taste quite a bit!

Happpy Mother's Day!!!

We got IN!!!

Yes, Tiffany and I got in and registered for the Stampin' Up! convention in Salt Lake City, Utah at the end of July!! WooHoo! I'm glad, because we bought our plane tickets 2 weeks ago! LOL! And, my good friend, Ann, called me this morning because she's signed up to go too!!! Yay! We are going to have sooooo much fun! Are you girls as excited as I am?!?!? Now to work on some stunning cards to be swappin'!

May BYOM Kit!!

I finally get to post my scrappy stuff from the mah-velous May BYOM kit!! You're lookin' at WRMK Frenzy pattern papers (so bright and colorful and FUN!), Bazzill cardstocks, Edges, and chipboard letters, Scenic Route arrows, and Doodlebug buttons (I added my own black cardstock to just make it all Pop!). Wanna see what the rest of the awesome DT did? Look here.

Bling!!

One of my best friends, Nicole, gives away gorgeous baubles of bling she creates every month on her website. Well......guess who won this month?! Uh, yeah, that'd be ME!! Isn't it beautiful! I actually own a Nicole original!! So, go find out how to get your name in for the next drawing of bling (she's not posted it yet, but soon!)

I keep telling myself....

....it's only temporary!!! The girls weren't too thrilled with this morning, either. But, he was dared by a co-worker to do it, so he did. Did he get anything for it? Nope. Just a dare.