What food combination makes you go "YUM", while others may go "EEEK"!
1) Fried eggs and catsup
2) Fries and mayonnaise
3) Warm milk - I know this one isn't a combo but when I was pregnant with my son, I drank warm milk every night to help me fall asleep. I tell people that and they go "Ugh!"
Happy Eating!
What's in an ACRONAME?! No, I didn't misspell it. You've heard of acronyms like KWIM, LOL, RAK and SWAK! So what about your name? What does it stand for? Take the first letters in your first name and tell us what it means! It doesn't have to be scrapbooking related! Use your creative imagination! Have FUN with it. I can't wait to read everyone's ACRONAMES!!!
J = Just
O = One
C = Creatively
E = Embellished
L = Layout
Y = Yes?
N = No?
It's good to let the child in each of us come out from time to time. What is a child-like activity that you like to participate in?
I LOVE, LOVE to play "Jacks". Do you all know what that is? It's a game where you have this one itty bitty ball and 10 star looking things that you drop on the floor and pick up one jack at a time, then you pick up 2, then 3, then so on and so forth. I LOVE that game! Come to think of it, I should buy myself one and do that again. :)
Wanna play?!!
If you want to play, and you're not a member of STM, come and join us! We have LOTS of fun there! Hope you come out and play with us!!!
My first challenge for all of you. Since this is my FIRST, let's all talk about our first! Pick a topic any topic that will finish off this sentence.
The first time I __________.
learned how to cook was when I was 12 years old. My family came here in the States then and I tell you, it was total culture shock for me. We grew up having maids do everything for us, so when my mom told me to cook, I was like, "huh?". Well, I'm so glad my parents decided to make that big move. Because now, I love to cook and I'm quite good at it.
Wanna come over for some gourmet cooking some time? :)
DH is off all week so I get to play!
Today I'm finishing up my August Challenge for STM. Love the LOs I've created! See my separate posts to see them.
They say one of the happiest people in the world, are creative people. So true! I soo happy when I'm creating!
DD is creating with me.
DS is with DH off to Home Depot and Radio Shack.
What a day!
LOVE it!
I have several custom albums I'm currently working on. I'm trying out for a DT. Just one. I'm very selective about which DT I join. I love this one, as I feel like I really click with the group. I love their site, the "chicks" are all so friendly, they challenge me and I love that I am able to work on my LO because of that fact. And I have a FUN hangout very Tuesday nights! I'm also waiting on the result of a couple of Publishing groups I tried out for. Waiting always is a pain, but whatcha gonna do?! I have 2 more weeks to go. I'm also coaching the 7th grade VB team in my daughter's school. Then, I'm going to be teaching scrapbooking at the Park District for 3 months in a row starting in February. I need to work on class descriptions. Speaking of classes, I also have weekly classes I offer through my Dazzle In Style business. I have cards and scrapbook pages I need to make for my Clubs, also through my Dazzle In Style business. I have a website to maintain. Not to mention my blog which I have at least one entry for on a daily basis. I want to keep you entertained! OK, so these are just some of the things on my plate that I need to do.
What makes this even more fun is I'm surrounded by people that love, appreciate and support everything I do. My DH is my biggest supporter. My DD is my cheerleader. My DS keeps me on my toes. My girlfriends encourage and if need be, takes me out for mai tais so I can take a break from all the hustle and bustle of my crazy, busy, good life. What else can anyone ask for?
Sometimes in life, a bad situation has to happen for us to realize how good we really have it. Sometimes the bad thing is something permanent like death; or at times, it can not be so permanent --- and that is a good thing. It's a blessing! That's when we take it and go on with our lives. Not a loss but everything to gain. Thanks for making me realize how good I have it!
Life is GOOD!
..........GHOST!............
Do you believe in ghost?
Or do you think they should freeze themselves?!
This was last night's challenge from STM. We were to use fonts in creative ways aside from journaling or titles - so I made a border out of it! Go check out my gallery to see how I made it. Better yet, come join us. We're a bunch of FUN CHICKS!!!
Ditto Rene! Thanks for the inspiration...
PS: Who said that?
OK Guys!
Just wanted to remind you to sign up for my Stamp or Scrapbooking Club! And remember if you sign up for 6 months, you get the 7th month for FREE! I have people already signed up for that and you know they'll be getting beautiful surprises from me every month. I'm way too excited!
Click here to get more information!
You're all in for a treat! Time to get creating!
12 years ago, I had the most precious gift I could ever ask for. My little girl, Ava. Of course she's not so little anymore. She's almost as tall as I am. Thank goodness for high heels!
Anyway, my little girl is slowly becoming a little lady. She's so beautiful, inside and out. She's caring, sweet, kind-hearted, creative...in short, she's just every girl anyone could ever dream of being.
As with becoming a teenager - comes some changes. She and I don't always agree on things, but we always work things out. Ahhh, I remember when I was a teenager. Sorry Mom..... "I love you!" :)
Ava started 7th grade yesterday. I'll miss having my little buddy around. Here's a photo of Ava in her deep thoughts...
Tagged by Suzanne (Thanks Suzanne, I've also added you to my Favorite Blogs!)
1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?
Can I have 2? One would be smack dab right by the ocean with big picturesque windows and the other a hi-rise in the city.
2. What's your favourite article of clothing?
Whatever's in season and in style, right now - Capri pants with a button down shirt and espadrilles.
3. Favourite physical feature of the opposite sex?
I like nice muscular abs and that part that falls just below, you know that strong cut of muscle right by the hip. And where did you think I was going with that?! :)
4. What's the last CD that you bought?
I don't buy CD's anymore. Just download music from my iTunes.
5. Where's your favourite place to be?
Everywhere with my children is my fave, unless they're driving me nuts then I'd like to escape in my Art Studio. But for an absolute ME time, I love to go to the movies, and go shopping somewhere then having mai-tais or margaritas with Rene.
6. Where's your least favourite place to be?
Anywhere too hot with mosquitoes. (Ditto Suzanne, I like your answer)
7. What's your favourite place to be massaged?
My back and my toes! I just LOVE that feeling!
8. Strong in mind or strong in body?
Is that a question about me or someone of the opposite sex? Both!
9. What time do you wake up in the morning?
6:30am, that's what time Connor wakes me up!
10. What is your favourite Kitchen appliance?
Someday, I would love to have a Viking Range and a Thermador freezer!
11. What makes you really angry?
Someone who is lacking accountability; irresponsible people who can't see what they're doing is harming and hurting people. Someone who can't see that they're doing something wrong. Someone thick headed and urgh! This is actually happening to me right now with someone and I just took Advil to take this throbbing headache away! OUCH!
12. If you could play an instrument what would it be?
Believe it or not I would love how to learn to play the drums!
13. Favourite colour?
Red
14. Sports car or SUV?
If I'm going shopping, SUV for sure. Otherwise, I would love to have a convertible someday. Maybe after the Viking and Thermador?
15. Do you believe in an afterlife?
Prior life, after life....all kinds of life...Sure!
16. Favourite children's book?
This is sad, but I don't have one. My kids are into drawing more. So I have all the artbooks and pens for that.
17. What's your favourite season?
Spring, Summer and Fall. Sorry, I can't just pick one.
18. What is your least favourite household chore?
IRONING!!!!
19. If you could have one super-power, what would it be?
To be at two places at one time!
20. If you have a tattoo what is it?
Don't like tattoos - sorry!
21. Can you juggle?
Oh yeah!
22. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to?
What if they don't want to talk to you?
23. What's your favourite day?
Saturday & Sunday - when it's a crop day. (Ditto Suzanne, but I get an additional day!)
24. What's in the boot of your car?
The boot of my car?! Is that the same as the trunk here in the states? Anyway, a crate and a diaper tote!
25. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger?
SUSHI!
I shall tag :
Rene
The Challenge was to create a LO using the colors, brown, orange and turquoise. Do you like it?
Go check out my gallery to view more of my creations and see how I made this. You can also add a nice comment, if you'd like! :)
To google or not to google, THAT is the question.
Ok, go ahead and google. It is FUN! Google away and let me know if you got it! Isn't the internet just amazing? What did we ever do without it?
xox
I watched "Prime" with Meryl Streep, Uma Thurman and Bryan Greenberg. Have you seen it? Funny love story. If you've been reading my blog, you'd know that I'm a movie fanatic. And I love the theme songs that they use. Movies and songs are a funny thing. It kind of does a funny way of second guessing life happenings. Happens at the most opportune time as they say. If nothing else, a "mini vacation" isn't at all a bad thing. Anyway, when you get a chance watch and tell me what you think.
Here was the song to it....can you tell me the song title and who was the original artist? Don't google it! :)
Goodbye, no use leading with our chins
This is where our story ends
Never lovers, ever friends...
Goodbye, let our hearts call it a day
But before you walk away
I sincerely want to say...
I wish you bluebirds in the spring
To give your heart a song to sing
And then a kiss, but more than this, i wish you love!
And in July a lemonade
To cool you in some leafy glade
I wish you health, and more than wealth, I wish you love!
My breaking heart and I agree
That you and I could never ever be
So with my best, my very best, I set you free!
I wish you shelter from the storm
A cozy fire to keep you warm
But most of all, but most of all...
When snowflakes fall, I wish you wealth
I wish you health...I wish you love!
August 7th - I was reading Creating Keepsakes (September 2006), Page 64. Ali inpired me to write 100 things that make ME happy! So there I was sitting on my bed, and thought what the heck. Let me see if I can come up with 100. I thought I was going to have to take a couple of days to complete it. To my amazement, I was done in 30 minutes! As a matter of fact, I need more than 100. So now I know I'm a very happy person.
Well here's my 100 things that make me happy....
1) Popeye's Fried Chicken (ok, I was writing this around midnight, so I was pretty hungry, ok?)
2) Ava learning how to cook - see what did I tell yah, I'm hungry!
3) Connor's jibber-jabber - I wrote this on August 7th - now he can say "I kick your butt!"
4) Connor & Ava playing
5) Ava reading to Connor
6) Raspberry kisses from Connor
7) Kurt working from home
8) Sleeping in - I can't remember the last time I did that!
9) Dancing
10) Family
11) Visits/phone calls from my family outside of IL
12) Downtown
13) Shoes
14) Girls Night Out
15) Girls Night In
16) Creating Art (alone or with Ava)
17) Hearing the words "I Love You"
18) Cooking
19) Take Outs
20) Inspiring Others
21) Learning new things
22) Vacations
23) Friends
24) Starbucks
25) Clean house
26) Emails from friends
27) Surprises
28) Spa treatments
29) Smell of fresh linens
30) Sound of the ocean
31) Ava's & Connor's laugh
32) Margaritas (I'm so thirsty!)
33) New biz adventure
34) Craft magazines
35) Arbonne
36) Visits from friends
37) Reminiscing
38) Anticipation
39) Alone time
40) Long showers
41) Date nights
42) Going out with friends
43) New clothes
44) Summertime
45) Archiver's
46) 300 sit-ups a day
47) Cardio kick-boxing ( I need to get back to it)
48) Ava's report card
49) My house
50) My Art Studio
51) Connor & Ava being goofy
52) 10 pm
53) Weekends
54) Coming up with ideas...
55) Clean dishes
56) Naps
57) Money
58) Picking up friends or family at the airport
59) Chatting with friends
60) IM's
61) Being creative
62) Ava's new room
63) Down comforter
64) Accomplishments
65) Selling on eBay
66) Ava hitting an Ace
67) Volleyball games
68) Dazzle In Style
69) My ambition
70) Love stories
71) Seeing old friends
72) Catching up with old friends
73) Picnics
74) Movies (indoor or out)
75) Exotic foods
76) Doing something new or different
77) Playing with family
78) Compliments (giving and receiving)
79) Waking at 4am to go on a vacation
80) Aldo
81) 9 West
82) Victoria's Secret
83) Something new
84) Something comfortable
85) Mai Tais
86) Getting inspired
87) Mural painting
88) Watching Food Network with Ava
89) Unexpected things
90) Blogging
91) My children
92) My husband
93) Love Stories
94) Being healthy
95) Being a mom
96) Being married
97) Being
98) My life
99) Big picturesque windows
100) 100 More happiness
Every Tuesday night I get together with the girls at Scrappy Chick and we do a challenge. We had to make something using label holders. This was what I came up with. Oh yeah, TNGC stands for Tuesday Night Girls Club. Clever huh?
Go check out my gallery to view more of my creations and see how I made this. You can also add a nice comment, if you'd like! :)
Our challenge was to photograph something orange. Well, here you go....what better way to showcase something I love?!
Go check out my gallery to view more of my creations.
Can you guess who said this?
"Deep in my heart I'm concealing things that I'm longing to say. Scared to confess what I'm feeling - frightened you'll slip away."
Post your answer and I'll mail you one of those cards (see below) as your prize! I'll give you a hint -- it's a stylin' she!
GOOD LUCK!
Here are 3 of the cards I submitted for our monthly challenge. Go check out my gallery. And while you're there, sign up and be a member. Those Chicks are way FUN!!! You'll love it there....
THAT is the first full sentence my 21 month old can say and he said it to my 12 year old daughter today. She was running after him and this was what he was saying to her as he was running AWAY from her! Go figure! He barely could say a word and this he can say clearly!
LOL!
Thank your mom and dad for me for having you! I love you my sweet friend!
Many, many more! Wish you were here so we can have mai-tais!!! :)
Oh how I wish I was in Canada to be with June Marie one last time. I can't help but think about her and her family. My sister and mom ended up going. I wish I was there too with them. I couldn't leave because I have no one, that's right, no one to watch my kids. My husband can't take off work this week. And my in-laws have health issues. My immediate family all live in Florida. So there goes my support system. I'm still praying that someday we all get to move to Florida to be with my family. There's nothing like being with family at times like these.
Anyway, I feel so emotionally drained. Woke up way too early.....my 21 month old was wailing for me! So my day is starting way tooo early after just having 5 hours of sleep. Not good!
But I am way excited as I discovered two places I'm going to be hanging out today. One is Scrappy Chick and the other is Dreamy.
Stay tuned...
Would you like to quickly make creative Halloween costumes that you and your children will be proud of -- for a fraction of the price of store-bought? Click here!
OK, so if you have kids you know this movie. Anyway, I've always liked this song and this was the song they were playing at the end of the movie. I don't know where my kids are....they were watching the movie and they left...must be napping. Yeah, quiet time for me. I have lots of scrapping to do though, but I'm kind of tired myself. I just want to sleep....crying does that! Right NJ?
Anyway, back to this song. I've always liked this song...never really knew the words. Just liked the tempo. I always thought that maybe I lived in that era in my other life. Well, here's the song and hope I got yah hummin'... Don't you get any ideas!
Bobby Darin---Beyond The Sea
Somewhere beyond the sea,
Somewhere, waiting for me,
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailing;
Somewhere beyond the sea,
He's there watching for me.
If I could fly like birds on high,
Then straight to his arms I'd go sailing.
It's far beyond a star,
It's near beyond the moon,
I know beyond a doubt
My heart will lead me there soon.
We'll meet beyond the shore,
We'll kiss just as before.
Happy we'll be beyond the sea,
And never again I'll go sailing!
"Just remember when You think all is lost. The future remains" - Saw this on "Thinkexist" today. I just love that site!
August 10th - 1:15pm., my dear friend June Marie passed away. I am so sad! She was the youngest of the six bridesmaids I had in my wedding. We grew up in the Philippines. We've always been very close. Spent a lot of birthdays together, a lot of vacations, a lot of weddings, a lot of family events. Even though we ended up in the States and they in Canada, we still did a lot of things together. Distance didn't matter. I didn't want this day to come. But she battled cancer for over a year. She was healthy. I don't understand. When they discovered it, it had already spread all over her body. She couldn't fight anymore. She told her mom yesterday, "I'm tired Mom"......as if she was looking for approval from her to let her go. It is with great sadness that I write this.
To those of you that have friends out there, show them you care. I was always told that "action speaks louder than words". Say your I'm sorrys, your I love yous, your I will miss yous, your thank yous, your 'til we meet again.....whatever it is, just say it, before it's too late. And trust me, you will learn who your true friends are from their actions (or the lack thereof)....I did!
June Marie, I miss your smile, your laugh, your Canadian accent, eh?! I'm sorry you're gone. I love you June. I will miss you dearly. Thank you for being a part of my life. 'Til we meet again....
Ugh! Today is that dreaded "M" day. I knew it's coming. Had to be done. Don't like it. But have to do it. Whether I like it or not! It's here. Oh well, hope everything's OK from here on out. First I was afraid I was petrified...I will survive...hey, hey!
Can you guess?...
Turn it inside out so I can see
The part of you that's drifting over me
And when I wake you're never there
But when I sleep you're everywhere
You're everywhere
Just tell me how I got this far
Just tell me why you're here and who you are
'Cause every time I look
you're never there
And every time I sleep
you're always there
'Cause you're everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it's you I see
You're everything I know
that makes me believe
I'm not alone
I'm not alone
I recognize the way you make me feel
It's hard to think that
you might not be real
I sense it now, the water's getting deep
I try to wash the pain away from me
Away from me
'Cause you're everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it's you I see
You're everything I know
that makes me believe
I'm not alone
I'm not alone
I am not alone
Whoa, oh, oooh, oh
And when I touch your hand
It's then I understand
The beauty that's within
It's now that we begin
You always light my way
I hope there never comes a day
No matter where I go
I always feel you so
'Cause you're everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it's you I see
You're everything I know
that makes me believe
I'm not alone
'Cause you're everywhere to me
And when I catch my breath
it's you I breathe
You're everything I know
that makes me believe
I'm not alone
You're in everyone I see
So tell me
Do you see me?
I woke up feeling like as if I lost something or forgot something. I was feeling anxious. I don't know why... Even my dream was very confusing, sort of blury. I usually dream vividly. In color. Sometimes I can even see and smell things in my dream. Weird.
Hmmm....what is this feeling I feel this morning?
Do you want to throw an affordable princess party that the neighbors will talk about for years to come? Click here to find out how.
Please go check out my website, Dazzle In Style. I've changed the way it looks. And let me know what you think.
P-L-E-A-S-E!!!
xox
I was out with the girls last night. I had such a fun time. I think that's why women live longer, we have girlfriends! They made me laugh so much....it was very much needed! We get silly! We went to Chicanitas, a Mexican restaurant in A.H. The waiter gave us a free half a pitcher of margaritas. LOL! It was good! And hey, it's FREE! I think he was having a crush on someone. After dinner, we were sitting out on the car trying to figure out what to do. My vote of checking out mailboxes and making crank calls was out voted! Ok, I"m not a freak, but you don't know the rest of the story so you're missing out....
Anyway, sitting in the car we saw 4 of the waiters give each other back rubs?!?! Too funny! Agan, had to be there....
Driving around town...still not knowing what to do.....we were just being goofy! Me and the girls. Had a long deep conversation with VOS. Not what you think. It's the initial of one of the girls I was with.
So I'm back to......"Is not knowing better than knowing?"
Life....
I saw this on Thinkexist today and I thought it was worthy of posting.
"I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not."
Interesting --- Let this be you!
You heard it. Made lots of changes in my life. One of them as you can see is the new color on my blog. I think it's easier on the eyes. What do you think?
Other changes? Well, you can't see them. I'll just have to live them for you to know. And if you're a friend of mine, you'll know what they are too.
Have you recently made some changes in your life? Do tell. I'd love to hear them!
Happy August 1st!!!
