Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Ode to my Joey
I love this photo. (a little sad that it couldn't be clearer) But, Joey came and found us on our photo excursion through the woods on Saturday. I asked Trevor if he'd get a picture of mom and dad on the four wheeler. (hehehe) I've secretly wanted a half decent photo of the two of us for as long as I can remember. I've digitally tweaked it to the best of my ability because despite it being a bit blurry... it's exactly what I wanted...
He usually hates the camera so much that when I do get a picture of him, it's never a natural smile... actually it's not really any kind of a smile... it's that hunny bunny in headlights look that makes me feel guilty for even trying... I'm secretly tickled that I could use pink on a page with him too. Ugh, I hope I'm not ruining my chances of EVER getting another photo with him! :-)
Here's the journaling, (if you're interested)
For all the times he steps up and does things that he doesn't have to, like preparing dinners, cleaning the kitchen, getting the kids situated for bed and even going after the water they notoriously ask for once they are in bed... For all the dreams that he brings to life around our house... like the kitchen upgrade, the tile floors, the new mantle and the million other little honey do's... For all the times that he puts our needs above his own, which is not infrequent. For all the times that he truly listens to an opinion that he doesn't share but realizes the value it has for another and all the times he jumps to say he's sorry when he's not the only one in the wrong. He is quick to make things better... He is a rare find, a wonderful father, my best friend... so generous and loving... For this and so many other reasons... I love this man...
I used Carrie Stephens Love Potion set from Scrapbookgraphics or Fishscraps.. I also used her brushes from the Smorgasbord release. (I just stroked the outline of one of them)
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
New layouts!
We took off on a 4 wheeler excursion / photo shoot on Saturday and I was so excited about my photos that I had to get to scrappin right away. I'm so excited about the fall pics... Last week would have been better, but we did manage to catch some fall color and found the day quite enjoyable!
Kaitlyn was jumping about in front of the bushes for me and I found the perfect set to convey her energy. This is Maya's Zany set. I couldn't resist the googly eyes and the bright fun colors contrasted to the black and white...
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Introducing my new kitchen!
Friday, October 13, 2006
Girly layouts - yeah!
Now, I got to poking around Tracy Ann's boutique over the weekend and fell in love with those awesome paint splotches and the sheer bright happy boldness of her vivid set. So, this won't be the last you see of bright happy and girly layouts with her stuff... :-) Anyway, you can click the images to get the bigger view. I just love that feature in picasa which I've finally gotten with the program and downloaded!
Well, I can't tell ya how excited I am that it's finally Friday! Joey's here and working on our kitchen. Truth be told, there's not much to see yet... but I can't wait to post some final shots of a totally made over kitchen... Wish him luck at a speedy finish! And have a great weekend everybody!
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Birthday Surprise
Sunday, October 08, 2006
New Kitchen Floor!
Friday, October 06, 2006
Halloween is on it's way!
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Mr. Cool
Monday, October 02, 2006
Free Fall
I realize it's been a long time since I've really gotten the camera out. (very very unusual for me. Expecially considering I've been to a birthday party at Pump it Up, the skating rink, on 4 wheeler rides, at a neighbor's party Labor Day Party, a Home and Garden party (also with neighbors)... Through all of these events, I never once drug my camera along! Opportunities missed but I feel like I "experienced" the events rather than "captured" them and I'm not particularly disappointed over it... Am I losing it? Geez, I hope not!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Busy, busy me...
Oh, and a layout to share created by Carrie Stephens and Jessica Bolton's - Emily's Wish set.
2nd Layout is using Taran Conyers - Sunflower Fairy set
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Would you believe?
So, back to this neighborhood thing. My neighborhood is party central. We have just shy of 50 houses around the block and dadgum if 85% of them don't have four wheelers and many with dirt bikes too. There are woods just off a neighbor's back yard. And there are people that gather from 3 neighborhoods next to us just as darkness sets. And they all "mount up", call each other "Hetherins" (spelling may be wrong but that is phonetically how they say it) and RIDE! Joey recently decided to get us a new four wheeler as ours wasn't quite big enough to join this roaming party. I had asked for reverse, racks, headlights, and any color that couldn't be found in camoflauge. 3 out of 4 of this list realized... It's hunter green, I'm not thrilled about it but red just couldn't be found at the time.
We have been out with our little guys riding the trails with no less than some 50 ATV's of neighbors. Through creeks, mudholes, hills, ruts, over downed trees, there is no obstacle that seems too big with these incredible pieces of machinery... For me, I've only in the last few months gotten to KNOW the neighbors like this. And what a hoot! You can't believe how fun this can be!
I just went to a home and garden party over the weekend with.... YOU GUESSED IT! Neighbors! Basically, I have a life now... I've been inside for so long that many would doubt Joey had a wife if it weren't for being branded with the matching Ginormous fox sticker on the rear window of our vehicles parked in the driveway. And we have kids, I guess that might have proved my existence too! HA!
Anyway, I've had so much fun this past summer that I'm seriously dreading winter for the first time despite that wonderful, bright, loving holiday season that I look forward to all year long! WHOAH! Did I ramble or WHAT???? Good blogging Tonya... (pats herself on the back and happily skips away) :-)
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Got some SCOOP! :-)
I took a big break over the summer, good for my family and home life, but not so good for keeping close ties in the scrappin' community. I was fortunate that my CT designers were taking a break also. I felt like I may have been juggling a little more than I could handle but in all truth, not a day went by that I didn't feel incredibly blessed to be on the teams I was on. Still true for my current teams... But, I really miss the designers that "hung up their mouse" as a dear friend put it.
So, I applied for Shawna Clingerman's design team call. Funny how life just takes you in a direction that you were meant to follow. That's how I felt about the events that led me to apply. I really wasn't familiar with her work though it turns out I'd seen a number of her gorgeous layouts and she's produced all sorts of brushes that many of the layout artists I've followed all along had been using. I've been really bad at reading newsletters lately too but got Dani's and was so drawn to that totally cool Techno Grunge set featured on the back "cover". (tick tock, tick tock) Fast forward through what seemed an eternity of waiting. I'm leisurely browsing my e-mail after a neighborhood four wheeler ride. (which by the way is "four deep" for us, meaning four bodies on board. Joey driving, Trevor and Kaitlyn switching up spots and me leaned out away from the 4 wheeler much like a recliner minus the comfort and hanging on to a back rack) OOPS! Got sidetracked didn't I? (more on that later, if you can stand it)
So, I was leisurely going through my e-mail upon my return when much to my dismay, sat that little gem of an e-mail with Shawna's invite to be on her Creative Team! Totally bustin out with the happy dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!! I desperately wanted to be a part of this team. I've only seen a handful of her fabulous creations but between the awesome sets, her totally rockin' layouts from her blog, and the energy and spunk in her correspondence, I'm even MORE EXCITED to have been accepted on my little scraps design team. That makes me one of "Shawna's Girl's"!!!!!!! So, that's the big news for me!!! I am so honored especially after poking through all the galleries over there, and seeing the talent she has on her existing CT... I'm totally loving the interraction and EVERYONE is so nice and witty!!!! I'm on cloud 9!!!!!!!!!
Monday, September 04, 2006
Echos of a hollow blog...
I've spent more time taking care of myself than quite possibly ever in my entire life. I recently purchased some extensions which I did honestly research on the web for countless hours. www.extensions.com I was so anxious about this decision and finally made the leap. Wanna see? I just got some pics yesterday with them curled and it's my favorite way to wear my hair now. I certainly don't wear them around the clock but it makes for a great totally different and fun look!
Well, I got on the computer early this morning and it's now 1:49 so you can see that nothing has changed in that department. But, I'm hoping to be around more frequently since the weather is starting to turn cooler. We're already seeing yellow and red in the leaves. Fall is SO making its entrance! I'm going to enjoy a dose of outside right this minute! :-)
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Checking in...
It's April Fool's Day! I didn't pull any pranks but I did have a fabulous spring day! I took the kids to see Ice Age 2 the Meltdown. It's awesome!
I shot a wedding yesterday along with dh's sister. It was quite lovely... I'm going through pics and trying to narrow them down. On the way from the service to the reception, I saw the MOST AMAZING sunset! The area was gorgeous too. Realizing that I was watching this amazing light fade before we could get pics at the new destination. I pulled out the camera and poked it in the direction of the sunset while driving... on a pretty darn curvy road too... So, I'm amazed that I was able to get this shot... Sure wish I'd have had time to stop and give it proper attention..
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Boring stuff...
The flip side of the weight thing is that I've gotten past the scrapper's block... I don't feel creatively "unleashed" but I have been pretty happy with the last few layouts. I figured I'd share my most fav. I'm such a sucker for this red pink and aqua color scheme and the mod girls did this collaboration set that totally ROCKS! I just love all the fun elements and honestly... I think I used 90% of the set on this one layout.
So, it's the first official day of spring and it's cold and raining cats and dogs here tonight. Doesn't feel much like spring but I'm excited! Happy first day of spring everyone!
Elements/Extras: Modscraps collaboration - cutie patootie set
Ali Folendore, Amy Martin, Dawn Stocstill, Helen O'Daniel, Kristin Cronin-Barrow
Friday, March 03, 2006
The root of the problem
So, on the bright side, I am in sunny GA where it's a bit cool but the Bradford Pears have bloomed and those pretty yellow bushes that I don't know the name of... But, so many of them look like the little troll dolls that you spin and the fuzzy hair is on end! hehehe - they make me smile.. Jonquils have sprouted and even these pink trees which I had thought were cherry trees but there's a Cherry blossom festival in late March so they must be something else. Geez, I am even looking forward to pollen! I LOVE spring and it's SO on the way! :-)
No snow to speak of this year which is the downfall. We had light flurries outside a while back and Joey was calling it a blizzard! It had collected less than a dusting at the edge of the sidewalk and he warned me to be careful of the snowdrift and not to slip and fall when getting out of the truck because it was slick out there! I, of course, jumped out and pulled off the ole banana peel looking fall. Which, I must admit cracked us both up. Sooooooooooo, WE had fun in the snow even if it wasn't worth taking a single picture of it...
Well, I just want to wish you all a HAPPY WEEKEND! I'm so looking forward to it! Oh, and I'll leave you with a copy of my recent layout that really makes me happy! Thanks for stopping by and spending a moment or two with me!
ta ta for now! hehe
Fonts Used: CK Flip Serif, CK Jacque, Century Gothic
Elements/Extras: Dawn Stocstill and Ashley Olson - Inspire set from Express Yourself CD at the SBB store
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
EEEK!
Sunday, February 19, 2006
I should be in bed....
It's been a really good day all together. My plans for this morning were molded in the McDonald's drive thru last night. Kaitlyn was so excited to be having McD's but tortured to realize we weren't going from the drive thru to the playground. This is the 2nd time this month she's done this... So, I promised to take them to McDonald's this morning to play. I brought my laptop and worked on a layout with little success so instead, pulled out my camera and got some random photos, chatted with a nice woman at a nearby table, and just watched them play. It was rainy and cold outside. We had no better place to be. Joey and his buddy even popped in for a bit. We were there for about 2 and half hours when it became apparent that they'd both truly had enough.
We ran a few errands and came home where they went to play on their own for a bit while Joey and I worked on a the bathroom. Lots of icky stuff there... Seems the toilet ring has been leaking for some time now but Kaitlyn's bubble bath soaking the entire floor last weekend made it impossible to ignore. And ya know when your bathroom smells, no one says anything to you directly but the word travels fast outside of your home... So, long story short, the floor is up, new plywood down and no toilet until tomorrow. Not that you care to hear any of this detail... But, the good part, is that I feel we've gotten something worth while accomplished.
Piled on to the loveseat this evening with the two littlest ones to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on tv. Commercials were the perfect time for zerberts, tickling... pointing out NOSE, EYES... just the silly stuff that never seems like much until you're looking back and those little guys went and grew like weeds... Yes, this loveseat has certainly earned it's name. So packaging this day all up with a great love story as the finale makes me really appreciate these things all the more.
Now, I get the added bonus of having a REAL entry to my little blog that I'm still not sure I should even be pouring time into... But, who knows, it may shine the light on some needed journaling soon... So, I'm really going to make an effort to put more of myself into my entries.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Spreading the LOVE and a bit of fairy dust!
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Girly layouts!
Maya of Scrapbook graphics - Believe set
Kay Miller - Shabby Strawberry Set at Scrapbook-Elements
Brenda Kempf - A Token of Love set - A Cherry on Top
Trish Jones and Dawn Stocstill - That's Hawt CD - Sweets set - SBB store
Friday, February 03, 2006
Tagged - take TWO!
Shape Template Download
Got tagged by Holly and Manda! Thanks girls! Sorry, I'm a slacker!
What were you doing 10 years ago?
Feb 1996. Living in a different town here in GA with Joey, Cody (was only 3) and Joey's friend Carl & his two kids. I was driving a Ford Probe and working for D&B.
Five snacks you enjoy (in no particular order, as all snacks are created equal)
1. Fat Free Pudding
2. Pretzels
3. White Cheese and tortillas
4. Fat Free Cheddar Cheese Chips
5. Newly discovered RITZ CHIPS (yum)
Five songs to which you KNOW all the lyrics:
1. Hotel California - Eagles
2. Sweet Home Alabama / Freebird - Lynyrd Skynyrd
3. All Cried Out - Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
4. Can't Cry Anymore - Sheryl Crow
5. Sister Don't Cry - Collective Soul
I genuinely didn't notice the theme in the last three songs until I reread this just now... hmmm? not sure what to think here)
and I never in a million years thought this would happen. I can enjoy the sweet peaceful sound of pure silence! 3 kids... uh huh... yeah!
Five bad habits:
1. procrastinating
2. staying up too late
3. not cleaning house consistently
4. biting my knuckles (I know weird, I hate it)
5. being scatterbrained
Five things you like doing:
1. Scrapping
2. Taking pictures
3. dressing my girl
4. watching Desperate Housewives
5. surfing the net
Five things you would never wear, buy, or get again:
drawing total blanks here... sorry!
Five favorite toys:
1. My computer
2. My Camera
3. My portable DVD
4. Portable HD
5. remote power switches throughout the house
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Scrapper's Block and new layouts
I also had to do a layout that better told the story of how she got this build-a-bear. I promised Heather that I'd give her the credit she deserved in buying this for her. She was a little too young to get a grasp of the full experience but she does love this bear. Fortunately, the whole concept of changing the clothes is lost on her. She strips it down as she does her dollies every chance she gets! It was a fun experience though!
Girls just wanna have fun - Candy Dots set by Helen O'Daniel of Modscraps
Build a Bear - Lovey Dovey set by Helen O'Daniel of Modscraps
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Sunshine!
I'm giddy!
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Setting the record straight...
He just asked if I had an internet love thing going on because I'm at my computer so much. I told him if he ever so desired to walk up to my keyboard, hit the little icon that looks like a letter, it will log on to my e-mail automatically and prepare to be bored to death. I do have an internet love but it is nothing more than scrapbooking and sharing that passion with those that love it every bit as much as I do. But, it bothers me that he would even question it. I understand because there are others out there that DO that sort of thing. But, it's not me. I just wanted to assure him...
oh, I did a lot of blending on the backgrounds too...
Carrie Stephens and Michelle Coleman - Come Together set
Saturday, January 21, 2006
A re-commitment
Sweet Kisses Set by Trish Jones available at SBB store. Fiber and ribbons with ring by me.
But, it hit me that if I'm going to get to my goal size of 5 (preferably) but no more than a 7/8 by summertime, I'd better get my but in gear, like PRONTO! I've gotten way too comfortable with my 10's and 12's since about November. I've maintained my weight but that WON'T CUT IT. So, I did this layout!
I WILL put my heart into it like I had before. I lost 60 pounds from June - November of last year. And I still have 40 to go! YIKES!
I have the photo that Trevor took of me in the driveway. I knew he was taking it but I had every intention of deleting it. Turns out, between that and the possibility of HAVING to go to Daytona Beach over the 4th of July week... which I couldn't bare the thought of... I decided to make a change. I jumped on the treadmill and kept going and going for way over 200 miles in those months.
This will be the year that I actually look forward to vacation! I WILL make my goal!