I'm In! .... How 'bout you?

I just finished registering for Jessica Sprague's FREE Stories in Hand class. You should join me. The class is going to help me collect (in a cute organized fashion) all the stories that I want to record of my family and my life. After you sign up you can head on over to "My Classes" and read her Class Introduction. Her enthusiasm is contagious. I can't wait for class to start. Oh yeah, there is also a fabulous surprise too!!!

So how about it? Come join me! It's gonna be a BLAST!!!!

Free Class at JessicaSprague.com

Hey everyone! I know you have all assumed by now that I have dropped off the blog world for good. Nope! My life has just been super busy this year ... and let's face it, I'm just not the most organized person that I always thought I was.

This is a few days late but I have a good reason. One of my awesome sons got married the same day this announcement went out over on the Spraground so I am just now coming back to reality.

Anyway, if you know me, you know that I am crazy about computers and photography. So it is no surprise that I fell in love with digital scrapbooking. I found my home away from home and a whole new cyber-sisterhood at JessicaSprague.com. Jessica has an amazing ability to teach the things she loves. She is so dedicated to all those who sign up for her classes. The videos and all materials from the classes are available to you forever. Since I am always running behind in just about everything in my life, this is an especially fabulous feature of her classes for me.

I also had the opportunity to meet the Divine Ms. J in person along with my dearest Spraground sisters this past June in Chicago, where we spent three fabulous days together! This weekend is one of my most treasured memories to date.

So, now ... if you have ever considered takiing a class from Jessica ... or if you haven't ever considered taking a class from Jessica .... NOW is the time. She is offering a FREE ... YES FREE! class ... that is geared to non-scrapbookers, scrapbookers (digital, hybrid, traditional), ANYONE with a story to tell who wants to know how to tell it. The class registration starts Monday, Oct. 20th at midnight EST and it is open to all who want to take it! That's right ... no class size limit. So come on over to the Spraground and find out for yourself just what an awesome teacher Jess is, what a fabulous group of friends hang out there, and learn some wonderful ways to tell your own stories. I'll save a swing for you so come on over. See ya there!

Well, it's ABOUT time!!!!

I've been promising layouts of Mark's homecoming. Well, thanks to the Digi: In Deep advanced scrapbooking class I'm taking at Jessica Sprague's website (fondly known as the Spraground or JS Playground) I finished the first week lesson by doing a layout of Mark's homecoming at the airport. Here it is (click on image for larger view):

(credits: Jessica Sprague Digi: In Deep Class week one lesson which includes:
MWise - A la Mode Scroll Brush; Jen Wilson - Defining Flowers paper, Lumiere paper & Journal strip; KPertiet - Hemp Tie & King Me Paper; LindaGB - Tiny Tags; LynnG - Barcelona Button; NRJ - Funky Vintage Scroll Frame; tjd-kuwtj_thehouse_hardwood3 paper)

I'm really proud of this one! It is definitely an advanced class. But there were so many cool techniques in the first lesson. I can't even imagine what the rest of the class will hold in store for us.

Well, at least you know you'll get updates for at least the next three weeks while the class is going on. I'll try to scrap some wedding pictures also. So ...... Stay Tuned!

How fast do you type?

My daughter-in-law, Natalie, sent me a link to an online typing test. Of course, I couldn't resist it! When I was in high school (a couple of days ago ... hehe) I was always among the fastest typists in the class. At one point in my adult life I could type 97 wpm. So here is my score today. Can you beat me? Take the test and see. Post your results on your blog and come back here and comment with your score.

80 words

Speedtest

OK, so yes I know I owe everyone some updates on what has been going on in my life for the last two months. Now that things have sorta calmed down (just a little bit) I will try to get back here and post some photos and take down February's calendar and put up April's. So ..... don't go away .... I'll be back soon .... I promise!!!!

I've Been Tagged!

OK ... so I haven't been able to update my blog since the beginning of this new year. I know, some of you were beginning to think it had probably been abandoned. I've got so much that needs to be caught up on and maybe later I'll do that ... or not. But this is just gonna be a quickie because .... I'VE BEEN TAGGED! by my dearest friend and JS playground sistah Liv!!! She absolutely said some of the kindest things about me. Some of it I know is an exaggeration (as those who know me best will probably loudly proclaim) but WOW! it all sure made me feel very special! I have placed Liv on my own private pedestal and I bow down before greatness. She is the most amazing woman I have ever known.

So, here is how this particular tag works:

The idea behind this tag game is different from other tag games. Rather than look inwardly, we look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for three blog friends. By participating in this endeavour we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We’re going to see how far the bloggin’ blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Recipients of a bloggin’ blessing may upload the above image to their sidebar if they choose to do so. In addition, be sure to go to the blog of those you are blessing and leave a comment on their blog to be sure they check yours!

So, like Liv, the hardest part of this is trying to limit myself to three girlfriends. I would SO just start at the top and go down the list. I would even include my non-blogging GF's especially since we have been together from the very beginning of the BETA U&R server crash!!! Ahhh, the good 'ole days. But since the rules state only three, then I shall not rebel but follow the rules. The three that I have chosen are Boston Dawn (Dewnie), Kimi and Dawn (Dawns).

(Boston) Dawn is such a special girlfriend. She, along with Veevs, are the playground enablers! I can always count on Dawn to find the BEST kits at the BEST prices (usually freebies) or the BEST sales. Dawn has the best smile. You can't look at her avatar without smiling back. She is always there to offer help from her vast store of knowledge and if she doesn't know the answer then she offers great support and friendship. Love ya Dawn!!!

Kimi ... totally in a class above me! What a woman! One of the most talented artists I know and totally humble about it. Generous to a fault and I'm so grateful for everything she gives the digi world .... freebies, inspiration, direction and knowledge. I've learned so much from Kimi and look forward to many new horizons from her. I will proudly proclaim "I knew her when ..." as she skyrockets to fame in the art and digi worlds. Her photos on her blog are breath-taking! Thanks Kimi for brightening and enlightening my world. Love ya Kimi!!!

Dawn ... Another rising digi-star (along with her talented daughter Taylor) is another generous girlfriend. She freely shares her/their creations with everyone on her blog. She is always one of the first to jump in and offer a kind word for those of us who seem to have more than our share of trials. She is very quite and very classy. Always willing to share the knowledge that she has gained with everyone on our playground rather they are old-timers (BETA U&R) or Newbies. A definite friend to treasure for many years to come. Love ya Dawn!!!! Thanks for always being there for me!

Like Liv, I too will be kind and leave Tori and Laurie for Kari to tag. But I have to admit, I was very tempted to "GRAB" them before she could. I even went to her blog to make sure that she had not already posted. But then I decided to be a good girl (since I am anyway!! haha) and leave them for her. But Laurie and Tori ... you need to know that I thought of you before Kari did!!! Love ya sweeties!!! Kari ... you owe me!!!!

Now to all the rest of my dear JS girlfriends .... you all hold a very special and dear place in my heart. I have shed many tears of joy at the sweet and funny comments and posts you have all left for me. You all brighten my life by being a part of it. I love you all to pieces!!!!!

For all my family and non-scrapbooking friends, my JS girlfriends and playground can be found here. JS = Jessica Sprague. You should check it out. It's an awesome place to visit.

Liv ... girlfriend, sistah ... come down from that pedestal for a moment and let me give ya a {{{{{{{{{{mega cyber hug}}}}}}}}}} Mwah!!!!

If I can ever get my computers back up and running correctly I'll try to update my blog again with some of the comings and goings of the first part of this year. BUT the most important thing in my life at this moment is .....

MARK COMES HOME IN 1 DAY and 19 HOURS and 54 MINUTES!!!!!!

Photos to follow ... stay tuned!

Happy New Year!!!!

Well, another year has come and gone! 2008 is gonna be great!!!

This is the year that Mark comes home from his mission ... actually 42 days ... but who's counting? haha

Also Brian and Chrisinda are going to be married at the end of February.

Mark is talking about taking a trip back down to Argentina around April-ish timeframe and I know Sharon is planning on going with him. Jimmy is suppose to go too. And I'm hoping to also go with them.

I'm planning a trip to Chicago in June to finally meet in person a lot of my new girlfriends from my digital scrapbooking classes over at JessicaSprague.com. That is gonna be the biggest "hug-fest" Chicago has ever seen. Those gals are the most creative, kind, generous, wonderful people I've had the pleasure to know. Can't wait to meet them.

Andy and Kat got engaged on Christmas Eve and they are talking about a wedding before the end of the year.


So our family has a lot to look forward to this year.

I've had time off from work since Dec. 22nd and still have a few more days of vacation left. I've thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in, watching movies, working on my laptop, deepening friendships, munching on Christmas goodies, visiting with out-of-town family, and enjoying time spent with my family. This could so easily get addicting!!!!

This morning I've been playing around on the Internet at a site that one of my JS girlfriends shared with us. BigHugeLabs.com. I created a mosiac of my grandson Garrett from photos I took and uploaded to Flickr. He is such a cutie! I just adore his smile!


These photos were taken on Halloween. The bottom right photo is with his brothers, Logan (left) and Jackson (right).

This year, I'm not going to create a long resolutions list. My hopes and plans for this year are simple (though not simple to actually complete). I'm hoping that this year will be the year that we get the house de-cluttered and organized. I'm hoping for air-conditioning before summer hits again! So ... any volunteers to help accomplish these "mountainous" tasks? Hmmmm???? Don't everyone speak up at once!!!! Hellloooooo? Anyone out there? Sigh ... well, that's my dream and hopes for this year.

OK ... so HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!!!