My Own Worst Enemy....

I've been working on reorganizing for... well, forever.. but am going to post my embarassment on my blog in hopes the shame of the mess will force me into actually doing something about it ;) though i did buy myself some awesome storage stuff yesterday and am completely motivated to do it.. just have to wait for babies to zonk out so I can get in there for a bit!
So now that you've seen the desk (yes btw the photo is of a desk ;) ) please feel free to email and comment away about what a slob I am until I post some gorgeous after photos of my awesome space (it is an awesome space.. if it weren't for it's owner..)

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tis the season......

Way back yester-year.. when Kyle was small.. I always waited until after his birthday to start the christmas season.. I don't like christmas trees in birthday photos.. and more importantly I didn't want Kyle's special day to be overshadowed by the holiday. This year I have no where to put my tree up downstairs so I decided to put it in the master bedroom.. we have a seating area and it worked well.. but I put it up about a week before thanksgiving to make sure it'd work there.. and it seemed to kick off the holiday early for me.. I bought all new decorations to go with our big new tree that is beautiful. It really is gorgeous and I'll post a photo shortly. I am glad I started early.. I was in such a holiday spirit for thanksgiving that I made little gift candy bags for the kiddos and just really enjoyed the family being here. I'm beginning to think I may put it up before thanksgiving every year..

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Food.. food.. and more food

Yumm.. ok now that the pre-thanksgiving "why am I doing this" stress is over.. I'm getting into Thanksgiving.. I really do enjoy cooking and having others enjoy my food :)

This year I'm thankful that so far in this economy we are doing well.

So on with the menu! What little treasures will you get if you show up at my house tomorrow?

Brined Rotisserie Turkey.. I love Alton Brown :) (check out this recipe at FoodNetwork.com)

Of course I will have mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, traditional stuffing and especially for Tony & my father in law .. a sausage & cornbread casserole. I will have corn pudding (which is basically a creamed corn) and creamed spinach.. and then a praline sweet potato cassserole.. sound yummy??

Besides tossed salad, dinner rolls and crescent triangles.. the buffet table will have a spinach dip & a cheese/meat tray. Oh.. did I mention.. There will be a TON of desserts because let's face it.. that's what people care about :) Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake, pumpkin pies, cookies, cookies & more cookies.. oh and strawberry cheesecake tartlets ..

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Surround yourself only with people who are going to lift you higher. - Oprah Winfrey

I am at a point in my life where I feel I have done this. It took a long time to get here and that isn't to say my friends in my past weren't positive and inspirational. Rather, that I still continued to have friends that were stuck focusing on the negate. It is so much easier to sit back and complain about life and the things that happen to us. It is easier to speak of our victim status and cry about why this is happening to us.

Then you have a friend who does something.. something that reminds you of what you'd like to be. The idealistic person who puts others needs ahead of their own, the person when faced with adversity.. shoves it off and reaches out to others instead. This is the person I strive to be. And I do get there from time to time.. I don't want this to come across as a self defeatist post, but sometimes, amidst my own dramas, I forget that there are other people dealing with far worse dramas.

Why such a long rambly post? My friend Wendy who I am so thankful is a part of my life in any way that she is.. has motivated me with her generousity. Earlier this week, when I saw one of those trees with all the children's tags asking for a gift for christmas, I walked by it. On monday when I take my son to school I will be pulling a tag in honor of what Wendy has done..

Wendy lives in LA and was told to evacuate her home recently due to the wild fires. Imagine a few weeks before the holiday having to decide what items in your life hold enouch importance to be saved.. and only having a car to fit them in.. what do you leave behind, what do you take? What can be replaced? Imagine making these decisions in a few short hours. Wendy was lucky, she only had to go through the thought process .. unfortunately hundreds of others were not lucky. They returned to lots there homes once stood upon. When it would be easiest to complain of the damage done to one's own home from the smoke, or having to now unpack all the items crammed in a vehicle in attempt to save them.. .Wendy instead showed that bad girls can have some pretty shiney halos.

The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn antoher, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt. - Frederick Buechner.

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My attempts..

Here is the girls dress I just made.. first sewing project ever.. ok besides the pillow in high school ;)

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Surreal.. is that really MY name??

Click here... scroll down a bit.. that's me!!!

Then go to the classes page.. check out Souvenirs of the Season.. it's gonna be a Christmas Love Fest!

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Can you hear me squealing with glee?????

Get It Scrapped has announced their upcoming class line up for early '09..

Click the link to the left you have to check them out!

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Box in a Bag

A friend of mine found instructions for something I think is SUPER cute.. here's her blog post about it: Box in a Bag they turned out so cute! I also want to say check out her blog and where's she's just been accepted on the design team.. oh yeah! Here are the original instructions for the project How-to

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The world is an amazing place

I love my communities.. I'm a part of these online communities because they truly feel like my homes away from home.. (of course I could go into the pity party of being the only female in a house of chaos.. 4 boys & a DH.. crazy.. and my sanity is my online gal-pals.. )

Well a favorite 'hang' of mine is the Get It Scrapped site.. Debbie Hodge takes her community spirit to heart she knows how important the family feeling is and you know this with every post she makes. She's done well... we have a group of ladies that saw one gal having a hard time.. Celia was a little MIA for a bit and ladies from this online family got together and did something special. You can see here how gobsmacked she was The girl who orchastrated this is an amazing gal who has reached out to me a time or two when I needed a pat on the back.. so please visit her site and tell her how cool she here or look at her stuff she makes here at her etsy shop. You wont be disappointed she is a wonderful person.

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the Sense & Sensibility Symposium

Debbie Hodge, Janet Ohlson, Sharyn Tormanen and Jane Austen? What more can you ask for??

First up is Be Real with Debbie Hodge where you discover and convey real meaning on your pages...

Then Lighten Up with Janet Ohlson will help you get more humor on your pages...

Get with the Times with Sharyn Tormanen will show you how to include current fads, technology, culture, and more for pages that trigger a lifetime of memories.

A cool thing.. you can pick and choose! You can take any one class you want for $20.. or take all three for $45!

Get more information here:
Classes at Debbie Hodge Online

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Another challenge on the TV Show Privileged

Ok the show.. it's just CUTE. Seriously clean good and just fun. It's a GREAT show to watch with daughters.. because there is no cringing of subject matter.. ok so there was underaged drinking in one episode but it was handled so well the tutor was made and trying to get them to stop and disapproving and it was not encouraged .. so I guess it's clean-ish fun.. but better than the preteen soapy shows with subject matter that is beyond teen :)

The premise of the show is a girl named Meagan who is a writer, quits or gets fired from a newspaper.. gets a job with a makeup mogul who has 2 granddaughters she has custody of (their parents died in an auto accident) so Meagan is to tutor them but is more mentor/nanny because the grandmother is absent a lot and the girls are left with the house staff.. they girls are super wealthy and spoiled. Like I said just a cute show :)

So.. I think what would it mean in my life for me to feel privileged.. and well it's simple. ME time. It's that simple, honest. I get some decent me time in spurts then go for TOO long without it.. like now I have these challenges and am being a poor leader by not having samples.. but I haven't gotten half a minute alone.. if it wasn't for this laptop and my friends here .. I'd be insane.

so .. be privileged this weekend.. ignore some responsibilities.. (no appreciates the floor being mopped.. seriously they don't) and scrapbook or art journal or make a project or learn to do a digi hybrid .. do something artisitic and fun and all about YOU enjoying yourself.. that's ALL you need to do.. you get one entry for everything you share here from now until the end of november.. because everything you do from now until the end is something to be thankful for.. every moment you get to enjoy yourself is a privilege that should be cherished :)

Check it out here: http://www.debbiehodge.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=1226

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what am I getting myself into???

I purchased a sewing machine for scrapbooking a few months ago.. now I got a feather in my cap and am going to try to sew an outfit…. Keep your fingers crossed!!

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Bad Girls keeps you a busy girl..

besides fabulous kits with yummy colors and unique finds that can make even the most beginner of beginners an artist of their own accord.. bad girls constantly has great challenges and workshops from their amazingly talented ladies.. so if you are in the mood to have a christmas that is beyond those of your past.. come join in and see how great these ladies inspire you to create and push your own envelope!

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I love this show! Project Runway

The latest challenge at Debbie Hodge's

One of my favorite shows. There is SO much inspiration in this show.. I really could make an entire series of challenges just copying the challenges from this show... but not this time My favorite episodes are the ones where the designers are asked to take the oridinary and use it as inspire a dress. I think this is my absolute favorite dress from this challenge:

DressHere's the blog link to show what other designers did this episode

They sent the designers around the city to take photos then use those photos, Andrae used a photo of dirty gutter water to inspire the dress above.. it just amazes me that something considered ugly and people walk by on a daily basis inspired something so beautiful.There is a lot of inspiration to me just looking at the dresses from this show.. here is a link to the photo gallery

Aside from the fashion and just beauty of so much on the show.. it's just darn right funny. Tim Gunn has these catchphrases.. he always tells the designers to "Make it work!" and his vocabulary is extensive.. he says words that often need to be looked up LOL For fun take this little vocabulary quiz and see some of the odder things he says.. and the contestants are hilarious .. my favorite was Santino who used to make up stores and do Tim Gunn impersonations.. or Christian who was quite vocal and had his own catchphrases like using the word "fierce" .. it's fierce, mad fierce... or when they discussed what super heroes they'd be.. (did you see the Heroes challenge?) he said he'd be Fierosha Couture and use hairspray as his weapon.. then you have the contestants that are .. well .. a bit off center.. like Suede who only speaks of himself in third person.. seriously.. or Elisa who doesn't use a pen to mark cut lines.. but spits on the clothes to mark where they are to be cut... the casts are always entertaining to say the least!Without further ado..

Prompts:

a) Do a page on some family catchphrases. What do the people in your home say that is so "them"
b) Do a page that is inspired by the every day around you.. a stop sign, a building you love, your garden
c) Do a page where you narrate in third person (great idea from Gab)
d) Do a page on your own personal fashion. What makes you feel good about yourself, comfortable or otherwise. What items draw you, what colors dominate your wardrobe. What about shoes.. what are the shoes you can't live without.
e) Do a page on your kids personal fashions.. (then save it for a couple decades to show them that everything new becomes old.. my kids currently think that they will never look back and go "I wore that?".. that only *I* wore weird clothes)

Have fun! I'm so excited my routine is being restored today.. all kids back to school and just one doctors appointment... then I'm going to get some valuable ME time. I can't wait to share the page that's currently in my head :)

http://www.debbiehodge.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=1220

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Are you a biggest loser?

Here's the next Debbie Hodge Challenge

Ok this is one of the reality shows that I love for the hope it brings.. seeing people completely change their lives around is just AMAZING.. Imagine going somewhere for three months and not only physically becoming a new person but the emotional change you'd endure.. I just admire all of the contestants.. So here are some prompts..

a) Do a page on your own struggles with body image
b) Do a page showing that you love and accept yourself as you are
c) Do a page on something big that you've lost
d) Do a page with some humor and show what a big loser you can be sometime :)

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Another challenge.. based on bones

ok I haven't watched the show.. ever.. it's always on against something else and I really think I'll be enjoying it on netflix soon I've only heard great things.. not good, but great things about it. So.. here are my prompts based on this show :)
a) Get back to the bare bones of scrapbooking.. put the focus on photos.. let's try to do a simple layout
b) Go a little crazy.. use the word bones in the title or journaling
c) Since it's a show about a smart woman.. do a layout about a smart woman.. like YOU share some words of wisdom for the future admirers of your layouts... or just share something you learned this week.. even if it's "OMG I can't believe Julie is actually Jeff's sister on Days of Our Lives!!"

http://www.debbiehodge.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=1202

Remember you have until the end of the month to get an entry!

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Round 2 :)

This challenge was inspired by the show fringe:
http://www.debbiehodge.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=1188

Next show up.. Fringe. I really am enjoying this show.. it's dialogue between Pacey.. oh I mean Joshua Jackson.. and his "dad" John NOble who played a rather chilling character in the Lord of the Rings.. is priceless at times.. it's kind of an Alias meets Lost.. The name of the show I find interesting.. the writer JJ Abrams has written for four shows (produced more) on tv.. all with one word titles.. Felicity, Lost, Alias, and now Fringe.. I love one word titles :) so here (see something coming?) are the challenge prompts :)

a) Do a page with a one word title
b) Do a page with fringe.. that nice decorative ribbon, lace, cord..

Are those too easy? Well I thought of what Fringe means.. here's the definition of Fringe (in the context of what I think the refers to the tv show as the show touches on science that is looked down on by the mainstream) Fringe: n. an outer edge; margin; periphery: on the fringe of the art world. So here are some more prompts

c) Do a page where you do something fun with your literal outer edges.. journal on them, cut them, embellish them, create a frame..
d) Do a page that is artistic.. and maybe not mainstream.. doodle, do a collage, use anime/cartoon figures, graphiti, tattoo-like images, punk, think of things that don't have huge chapters of art history books devoted to them..

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Debbie Hodge is amazing

I asked Debbie if I could have a little fun and post some challenges at her site... she not only agreed..she donated a class pass.. so come over and have some fun!! It only takes one entry to win and you'll love her classes!

Here's the first challenge.. you can do any prompt and it can be a scrapbook page, an art journal .. anything goes really! All the challenges will be based on TV shows though you don't need to watch to play.. they are just ideas that I got from these TV shows .. so here's the first challenge:

Heroes:
I love this show, I love the comic book feel and the pure fantasy of it. Super powers, good vs. evil, saving the world.. Sitting watching with my sons has sparked a conversation or two of what super power we would want to have.. and which super power we think needs to be stopped.. and of course the obvious questions of who on the show is really good and who is one episode from being the evilest villan ever.. :) The show does make one think what makes a hero.. and the struggle to stay that way.

For those who know the show.. Personally I am a big Peter fan.. even if they are giving him a dark side this season (future Peter isn't as altruistic as the now Peter).. I think he's one of the characters with the best heart.. anyway on to the challenge..

For an entry.. do one of the following (as many times or as many as you'd like.. 1 entry per submission).. it can but does not need to be a literal interpretation (literal in that your journal would be along the lines of "my hero is...") it can be a page done that lets the viewer know you admire that person without explicitly stating such. (Hope that makes sense)

a) Who are your heroes? Who in your life have you, or do you look up to?
b) Who do you hope your children will look up to? Who are their heroes right now?
c) Have fun, do a page about what super power you'd like to have? What would you do with it?
d) Do a page of your little super hero, what are his/her super powers?

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