O Christmas Tree

Yahoo! My tree is finally up and decorated! I have to say this photo isn't the best because I didn't play with the settings yet and it's a bit blurry but I just wanted to get it up!

TREE IMAGE REMOVED BECAUSE I'M PICKY

Can I tell you my boys are a bunch of scrooges! Michael was outside hanging the lights and moaning and groaning the whole time! He hates Christmas. Jake and Josh were complaining, Jake saying it was boring, Josh saying he was tired of it! I was like man, I can't believe you all! I had the xmas music playing and they were totally ruining the mood! Next year I'm doing it myself!

I still need to take photos of my other decorations around the house too, especially my snowmen! And once Michael finishes the lights outside I'll post those. He really does do a terrific job as much as he hates doing it. :)

My cards are done and mailed as of this morning! Woohoo! Now if I could say that about my shopping! LOL!

That's it for me today! Happy Wednesday! Have a great one all!

Happy Monday!

And Happy Birthday to my Mom! (I don't think she even knows I have a blog but Happy bday anyway Mom!)

We spent pretty much all day at her house yesterday. Got her a new desk and chair for the new Dell she bought (I got one so had to order her one too) and it took us 3 hours to get them all set up. Then we went out and got our tree. Can you believe I forgot my camera! I had the most awesome page idea all planned out too! Luckily mom brought hers so at least I'll have photos. Not my rebel photos but the some for the page I planned! ;) We then went out to dinner at one of Mom's favorite restaurants. Tonight we will have birthday cake at our house so doesn't look like the tree will get decorated until tomorrow night.

So my computer has internet finally. Still don't have the Itunes off the old computer. I can't get the External Enclosure recognized on the new computer. I'm going to try something out tonight to see if I can remedy that tonight though. :)

So that's all I've got for today. Hope you all have a great Monday!!

NOTHING is EVER EASY!!!

I can't believe this! Last night Michael said I could hook up the new computer, provided that on Xmas day I don't pout because I have no big presents to open. I have no problem with that! Well it looks like I have nothing period! I spent a couple of hours on the phone with Andrea (thanks Andrea and Phil) trying to get 1) an internet connection and 2)the stuff from my old computer to my new computer. Got absolutely nowhere! Now I've been on the phone with Dell for almost an hour and they are trying to tell me I need to spend another $240 to buy a Software Maintenance contract because it's most likely some software problem that's not covered by my warranty. I told them to transfer me to Customer Service for an RMA number because I'm not spending another penny. The darn computer should work and should be covered for at least a certain amount of time. Mind you they won't like the fact that I bought 2 computers (one for my mom) and I'll tell them both are coming back if they don't fix my problem!

This is so maddening!

Oh and my cable company changed so my email is changing too, I got the switch done but I can't get outlook to recoginze it! I guess I'm not the only one because a friend with the same provider just told me she's having the same trouble! UGH!!! This is going to be a great day!

Hopefully everyone else has a wonderful Saturday!

Tagged! That's what I get for blog stalking!

Getting to know you... holiday style!
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Egg Nog
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrapped in his own special paper
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? House- white Tree- Colored
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No
5. When do you put up your decorations? Day after Thanksgiving for everything but the tree, the following weekend is the tree.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Do I have to pick one? Christmas Eve Fish Feast!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
8. When and how did you learn that Santa isn't real? I can't remember!
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? The kids each open one they are always christmas pjs!
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Colored lights, red wooden beads, lots of different ornaments, candy canes
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Dread it!
12. Can you ice skate? Nope
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Nope
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with family
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Kahula Cake!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Decorating the house, Baking cookies to give out as gifts, spending xmas eve at my Godmother's house and then off to my best friends mom's house after dinner, since I was 12!
17. What tops your tree? An angel
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving gifts? Giving
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Santa Baby by Madonna, Christmas Shoes by NewSong
20. Candy Canes on the tree? Yes

As my friend Rachael did, I'm tagging you if you are reading this! Come back and leave me a link to your answers if you don't whimp out!

Random Thoughts

1) Why is it that every year I say I'm going to do things different during the holiday season and every year I'm in a panic?

2) What on earth am I going to get my in-laws this year

3) I am amazed that it's November 30th and 59 degrees in New Hampshire! If I can't move to FL it's fine if FL wants to come to me!

4) I ordered my Xmas cards and they are in "Printing" status!

5) I have a feeling I'm not going to have outside lights this year! :(

6) I have a feeling I wont have a Christmas tree this weekend as tradition! :(

7) I wonder if I'm getting a bonus this year.

8) I ordered 3 gifts yesterday so I have officially started shopping! LOL!

9) I am flying to CA in 2 months and going to CHA and I am getting more and more nervous as the time gets closer.

10) Way too much to do and not nearly enough time to do it!

Happy Thursday!

Look What's Coming to the Digi World

Check out the little tease of info about it HERE. More details to come on December 1st! I've got my partner and can't wait to see what's next!

Finished my Xmas cards last night! Woohoo! Now to get them ordered and back in time to mail out!

Happy HUMP Day!

Lucky Me (and it's +3!!!)_

Look what I won!!! JUNKITZ rocks! Stacey had another drawing on her blog and I won! See it really does pay to be a blog stalker no matter what anyone thinks of me! HEHE! I was the very first post too so I didn't think I'd have any chance at winning but I was one of three lucky winners to get a set of these new foam stamps called Chronicles! Limited Edition too! Yahoo!

So other than that not much else new here. I've got to get the boys sat down tonight to do their photo shoot. The card is done just need to pop in the photos, order them and get them back here. I'm going to type up my labels on the computer so that I can just print them out every year from now on. It's so much easier, I know less personal but man writing out 100+ envelopes is killer and I just am running out of time!

I'm off! Have a great day everyone!

Check it out!

Cindy's Having a Give-A-Way and a Sale!

All of her products in her store at NDISB are 38% off in celebration of her birthday tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Girlfriend!!!

{smooch}

I've got my house all decorated (except the tree) and now all that's left is the outside lights (DH's job) and cleaned and the rest of the weekend is mine to scrap and can you believe I'm not in the mood? What is wrong with me? I'm tired and lazy and don't want to do anything!

So I have to go make lunch now but wanted to give you a heads up on the sale and drawing first. Hope you all have a great day! Cya!

New Stuff

Shawna Clingerman was nice enough to come out with one more kit before my Guest CT spot is over next week! I have had so much fun being on her CT for the month of November and it really wasn't like work at all! Thank you so so much Shawna for this honor really! And she just debuted a new kit at Sweet Shoppe today called U-Cut! So fun! And it's 40% off today! As is all of her stuff that's in the store so run over and get anything you don't have because all of her kits are amazing! Here are my two pages using U-Cut:

Of course I just love this kit because it's got all my favorite colors in it! And it's got all Shawna's fun touches so hurry on over to Sweet Shoppe and check it and all of Shawna's other stuff out! I also used Jen Caputo's corner fold action and her shape template on the snow layout. Thanks Jen! ;)

And yesterday Rachel Solenberg released "Country Christmas" at The Digi Chick! It's another very fun kit cause it's got a "build your own snowman" in it! And it's the cutest because it's got several different hats, some mittens, scarves, etc. Great country colors too! Here are a couple of pages I did using Rachel's kit which by the way is also on sale 40% off until tomorrow! Actually everything at TDC is 40% off until Sat! So what are you waiting for, get shopping! ;)

For the snow fun page I used Sketch #14 of TDC Sketch Challenges by my good friend Rachael Giallongo. And for the Christmas Day page I used a sketch template by Jen Caputo.

We had a wonderful day yesterday, everyone ate way too much and came home very full as expected. It was a smaller crowd than usual but very nice. Then more family came for dessert and it got loud like normal! ;) We got home around 7pm. My only complaint is that I seem to have a pinched nerve in my back from what I think is my new pillow and I can't move very well and have no idea how I'm going to clean house and decorate today. Even typing is hurting and walking and lifting is way out of the question so I am thinking a call to the doc might be happening very soon. Seeing as I was bit by a tick a few days ago I want to make sure it WAS just my pillow! Dang I wish I liked chiropractors! Anyway, hate to go out on a downer but have a great day and a terrific weekend! And don't forget to shop at TDC and SSD!

Brace Yourself!

Nope I don't have any news it's a new kit full of brackets by MDesigns! Available at Distressed Diva. Very fun since I happen to love brackets!

I did this layout using one of them!

Credits: Papers, Frame and Button Border from 365 Days November kit by Robin Carlton and Christy Lyle of Sweet ShoppeBrushes by Shawna ClingermanBrackets from "Brace Yourself" from MDesigns of Distressed DivaNegative Slide by Katie Pertiet

I've also got 3 new layouts (and hoping for it to be 4 by later) done from 2 new kits by Rachel Solengberg and Shawna Clingerman but I can't share those until tomorrow and Friday so you all will just have to come back then! ;)

Anywho, we have a ton of stuff to do today so I need to get my butt off this chair and into the shower! Have a great day and a happy turkey day! Later!

Nasty Little Buggers!

Ticks that is!

So yesterday the school nurse called me to come pick up Josh! There's a lot of that going around from my blog readings! ;) As I was working from home (thank goodness I can do this) my right arm starting hurting all of a sudden and it was like not a little pain it was a lot of pain quickly. So I pull up my sleeve and I see this nasty little tick embedded in my arm and this huge red circle all around where it is! Well I HATE ticks so I freak! And luckily Michael had just pulled in the driveway so I go running outside (in 35 degree weather with no shoes or coat) and say can you get this thing off of me! We come back inside and he pours alcohol on it to try to back it out (I hear cooking oil or vaseline works much better) and then he pulls it out with the tweezers (with me looking the other way) and then cleans up my arm. Can I tell you, my arm ached like an SOB for the rest of the night. I am talking not a little ache, like one of the worst shots you have ever had in your arm! I couldn't believe a little tiny bug could do this! Today the pain is pretty much gone except for right where the bite it. And of course I still have the creepy crawlies! NASTY!!!

Today is also my last day of work until Monday! Woohoo! I have so much fun stuff planned! Tomorrow the boys are getting haircuts and then it's Xmas Photo Shoot time! Then I'm going to work on my xmas cards. I only have to make a pie and a green bean casserole for Turkey Day so that will take under an hour on Thurs morning. Friday it's Christmas decorating and cleaning and then the rest of the weekend I'll be scrapping and watching some movies I want to see! Yep, this girl will not be at any Black Friday sales I'll be hiding from the crowds!

So that's it for me! I hope you all have a wonderful Turkey Day and safe travels to anyone hitting the roads!

Short Week!

I'm only working two days this week! And it's a darn good thing because Typhoid Mary (as my boss calls me) strikes again! I came down with another cold on Saturday! Well I think what actually happened is the one I came down with last weekend just decided to hide itself for a little bit and I thought I was better but I actually wasn't and now I'm stinkin hacking again! YIPPEE! I've got to get myself back on vitamins and start exercising so I am not sick all darn winter!

I scrapped by my lonesome this weekend (thank for the invite Rach!) ;) And got two whole pages done. I've become a slow scrapper like my good pal Chris! ;) In my defense the first page had lots of stitching and embellishing so it did take some time but it should not have taken 2 hours! And the second page had a ton of hand stitching on it but also should not have taken as long as it did either!

I didn't get any digi stuff done as Saturday I cleaned the house and my Uncle visited in the afternoon. Friday night I was just lazy! I guess I'll have to do some tonight. MiYon has some fun brackets that I need to get shown out there.

So that's it for me, not much exciting! Hope you all have a great Monday! I'm off to work!

I've Got an Honor Roll Student!!!

Report Cards came yesterday and I couldn't be more pleased with Jake!

His teacher comments were:
"Is a positive role model" - that's my favorite
"A pleasure to have in class" - two wrote this!

"Keep up the good work"

I'm so happy he is doing so well in Middle School! I had no idea how it would go! He got 2 A+'s, an A, an A- and 2 B+'s! That makes the honor roll! He says next term it will be High Honors because he's going to change those B+'s to A's! What a kid!

Now we won't mention Josh's report card. His grades weren't bad, but they definitely could have been better. His behavior is definitely affecting his grades. Hopefully we can get that fixed soon!

I did some scrapping over the weekend! We had a cyber crop on 123-Scrap and although I didn't get as much done as I wanted to I was happy with the pages I did do. Mary came over on Saturday and we had a great time. I taught her a little about Photoshop and she taught me a little about FX Foto. We had some great salad, crossiants, wine and fudge! It was a nice afternoon. She's got some photos on her blog that hopefully she'll share with me! Hint Hint Mary! ;)

Here's one of my favorite pages from the weekend

If you want to see more you'll have to head on over to my gallery and check them out! ;)

OK, I'm off, Josh has a doctor's appt and then I have to get to work! Have a great day!

Look What Cindy Made!

How fun is this! It's called Frameworks Classics and it comes in Brass, Chipboard, Iron, Silver and Gold! And with fun elements! It's only $2 today so run over HERE and get it! The rest of the papers and elements from my page are by Dani B at SBB.

I also tried out a new program today called FX Foto. It's a fabulous program for those of you who would like to try out Digi Scrapping but haven't as it's very inexpensive! It's regularly $49 but it's on sale for $39 right now! I had no idea how to use the program and I created this page with it in a very short amount of time.

The kit I used to make this page is coming soon as a freebie to Distressed Diva by MiYon Richardson so make sure you check back for it! I highly recommend anyone who wants to get into digi to try it out. I also hear they are going to have a sketches program very soon! ;)

OK I'm off to do some scrappin while it's quite in the house! Happy Sunday all!

Saturday Freebie!

Yesterday I did some fun beta testing for Terry Maruca for a new Christmat project she was making. It's a kit filled with pine boughs and embellishments so you can make your own wreaths, garlands, etc. Here is the wreath I made using her kit and embellishments:

What I have for you today is a blank version of the heart shaped wreath:

Here is the download URL

And if you would like the buy the "Holiday Magic" kit go over to SBB and check out Terry's store! She's got some other great stuff too!

Enjoy and Happy Saturday!

Junkitz Challenge

So last week was Delightful papers by Janna. I love those papers and did get a layout done finally but I still need to scan it so that will be posted tomorrow. I am just loving these challenges because the very talented Junkitz designers give me so many great ideas! This weeks challenge is to use the Earth Tone papers. I did this page last year for the Junkitz DT call actually but since I didn't have any Earth Tone papers left in my stash and since I've been sick I couldn't get out to get any either so I figured since I loved this page I'd just post it instead!

I used so much stuff on this page, Alcohol Inks, a Zipper, Ringz, Tilez, Zipper Pullz, Ribbonz, and Tim's Epoxy Stickers. It was a fun page to make. I also have a recipe box at the store that's made out of these papers too that I'll post as soon as I can. It came out pretty cool. Stay tuned for my Delightful project, it's very fun if I do say so myself! ;)

Back to Work Finally

Jake has been home sick for the last two days. I have also had a cold and not been feeling well myself so I've kind of welcomed not having to get dressed up to go into work but I'm out tomorrow for a doctor's appt. for Josh so that leaves today and Friday in the office. Very short week! I did work Monday and yesterday so it's not like I was taking the days off. I even worked late because work came in late. :) Jake is better and I'm sure going to have lots of work to make up!

So that's all the news I've got, not much going on when your sick I guess! LOL! Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday! :)

As Promised

Shawna Clingerman released a new kit called Grey Day. I think it's my favorite kit of hers so far and I thought that about Techno Grunge and then Free Fall! So I guess she just gets better with every kit! If that's even possible! I have done three layouts with this kit since yesterday and I have been sick! I went to bed at 6:30 last night so tell me this kit doesn't rock! So here are the three layouts I've done with Shawna's new kit:

Isn't it fantastic!? I love all the elements and the colors! I have added a set of stitches from her Free Fall kit on one page and I also added some of her Brushes on the other pages but pretty much all of the things on all three pages are from her Grey Day kit. I'm so thrilled to be able to have this guest CT spot! Thanks so much for the opportunity Shawna!

Oh and my boy Jake has been home sick with me all day so if you could send him some get well wishes so he can go back to school and I can go back to work tomorrow I'd appreciate it! Happy Monday!

CT and GUEST CT!

Wahoo! I got a new CT gig for a brand new Designer! MiYon Richardson invited me to be on her Creative Team! She's going to be selling at Distressed Diva and they are having thier grand opening all weekend so be sure to check them out! MiYon is a great gal and I'm so happy she invited me to be on her team! I met her thru being on Rachel's team and I'm so glad I did! MiYon has some great freebies on her blog and a gorgeous kit for sale over at Distressed Diva so please stop by and take a look when you can! Here are two layouts I've done using MiYon's Simply Scarlet kit:

My Guest CT was such a delight as I tried out for her initial call and was so sad when I didn't make the cut but I knew she'd get a ton of talented ladies applying so I totally understood! Shawna Clingerman has been one of my favorite designers since I first heard of her stuff! When she asked me to be on her November Guest CT of course I was thrilled! Her designs rock! If you haven't seen them run to her store and check them out! I think I own absolutley everything of hers! Come back later and I'll have something using Shawna's Brand spanking new kit too! It's one of her best yet! ;)

I'm so excited about my two new gigs! I hope I can do them proud! Have a wonderful Sunday all!

Happy Mail Day!

I got my RAK from Wendy Reed today! She totally made my day! I got all of the following:
Bootiful Fontastics
Bootiful Beadifuls
Bootiful Mini Sprinkle Brads
Bootiful Bon-Bon Brads
Bootiful Alpha Betty
Bootiful Fab Flowers
Bootiful Hook-Ups
Bootiful Anchorettes
Bootiful Love Letters
Bootiful Sprinkles Brads

My halloween layouts will definitely not be lacking for anything! :) Can't wait to scrap this weekend! Thank you so much Wendy! You rock!