Oh, The Things I Do To Keep This House Clean!

...Oh, no. I'm not talking about me.



Noah was shocked to find out, on Sunday, that he indeed was added to the Jasper cage cleaning rotation. When Michael reminded him he responded, "I thought dad was joking!" No joke, dude! Noah has since done a pretty good cage cleaning job.

There was yet another breakthrough, of sorts, with our germaphobic 8 year old. Michael had the kids clean their bathroom. Noah got the highly favored job of toilet scrubber. His face looked like he had sucked the juice of the sourest lemon, but he did a job Mr. Clean would be proud. He was so tired after his intense scrubbing that he went to lie down. Aaron came laughing into our bedroom to inform us of the current Noahism, "Oh, the things I do to keep this house clean!" I thought we would all lose bladder control after that statement.
Shortly after this Noah said, "I was pushed to my limits!"

:::::::::::::::::My Funny Nieces::::::::

_{Credits: kit by Cinnamon Designs and JanaM}

I saw this at digishoptalk and I was highly amused:

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

::::::::::::::::::Kindergarten Kamp::::::::
Eve attended the 3 day camp this week and had a really rough time. She cried at every drop off and pick up. The teacher said she was fun in the middle. She has been real clingy at church on Sundays and she has psychosomatic throat problems every Sunday for 2 hours and they magically came back every morning for camp. She is going through a strange transition and I feel so sorry for her. She doesn't throw a tantrum, but quietly turns bright pink and tears roll down her face. She told me she was nervous the first day at drop off. Luckily, her friend Jayla was put in her group and they got to hug every day.

::::::::::::::::::Life Scout:::::::::

Aaron was presented his rank advancement to Life Scout, tonight. He can start working on an Eagle Scout project. I received a lovely "Mom's Pin", too. I helped Michael by putting together a slideshow presentation of the Troop and I got some video and photos from our ward's Venture crew. I gave each group about 10 minutes and everybody seemed to like the outcome. I used some pretty eclectic songs. Here is my playlist:

The Hollow of Your Hand by The Sugarland Run
Dream Big by Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband
Choctaw Hayride by Alison Krauss and Union Station
Never Give UP by Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband
Country Boy by Johnny Cash
The Distance by Cake
Head Over Heels by The Gogos

Michael and I laughed because one of our friends that we asked for music suggestions said anything, but The Gogos. The song worked perfectly with the water skiing photos so we felt, artisticly, compelled to go with the song.

:::::::::::::::::::Walking::::::::::

I have been experimenting with double insoles, just the arch support insoles and no arch support insole. My conclusion, I need the double insole that includes the arch support eventhough it makes my right foot roll too much. I have to consciously step differently to keep my foot from rolling to the side. The tendinitis wasn't as bad when I wore the arch support, so good thing. The weather has been hot and humid and I have walked in the heat of the day due to family activites early and late. The nice thing is the lack of foot traffic and I have enjoyed seeing some interesting water bird and a swimming turtle. I have varied my path for a 1/2 mile section that puts me going up a hill twice. Good for the cardio, but my butt has yet to shrink in any noticeable size. I keep feeling like I'll get a call from Sir Mix A Lot saying I'm still in the club. Oh, well. I feel the desire to walk everyday even if my foot aches. A good habit...methinks!


Later, gators! :)

A Flood of Pixel Proportions!!!

A few different things have been fixed on my computer. It isn't completely up to snuff, but we will keep fixing things as we go. Before it went on a hiatus I had several layouts to share of different events:


::::::::::::::Our New Niece, Holly::::::::










:::::::::::::::::::Noah's Baptism Album::::::::









::::::::::::::::::::Rachel's College for Kids:::::::


::::::::::::::::::::Christmas Layout from 2007:::::::::





::::::::::::::::::Book Review::::::::::::



Something else I did on the computer hiatus was read New Moon. I enjoyed this book more than the first one. The Romeo and Juliet theme ran through this as an updated work using vampires, humans and werewolves. Classic themes work anywhere. I thought the ideas of what it is to be human are explored and the concept of choosing to have your humanity taken by choice and another thrust upon you was intriguing. Bella's newly discovered abilities that mean very little as a human, but would make her a rather formidable vampire were very cool aspects to her character. It gives her more of a caterpillar wanting to become a butterfly kind of metaphor. Maybe in book 3 with the werewolves running in their pack and the Cullens back in town it will be West Side Story set in Forks? I look forward to finding out!


Later gators! :)

Taste the Rainbow

::::::::::::::::Some Recent Layouts of Family Events:::::



<sub>Credits: Jacque Larsen and Rachel Young: Good Day Sunshine collab
Font: DJB Dawn/ Inspired by Template by Darcy Baldwin at www.thedigichick.com
Kate Hadfield's Doodle Frames
Kate Hadfield and Tiff Brady's Wordy Bits Vacation



Credits: DJB Kira/ Inspired by template by Darcy Baldwin at www.thedigichick.com

May Collab kit for The Lily Pad featuring Amy Hutchinson, buttons by Kate Hadfield, painted art element by Natalie Braxton.

Emily and Angela Powers "Label It" alpha, and alpha from Art Nation Blossom kit

Date Stamp by Amber Clegg and circles by Jenna Desai


Credits: Jacque Larsen/Amber Clegg's Pocket Full of Sunshine
Jacque Larsen/Rachel Young's Good Day Sunshine
DJB Silje and DJB Sebastian

Credits: Jacque Larsen/Rachel Young's Good Day Sunshine
Jacque Larsen's Home Tweet Home
Natalie Braxton's Hoo Do You Love elements
DJB My Dear Marsha and DJB Sissy</sub>

::::::::::::::Pocketful of Sunshine::::::

I'm really enjoying a recent song by Natasha Bedingfield called "Pocketful of Sunshine".

::::::::::::::Cheeseburger in Paradise:::

I saw this funny thing in our local paper that allows you to dress up Jimmy Buffet. It's pretty funny.

Take Care! :)

Crazy Conversations and Funny Relatives!

I have so many cool nieces and nephews! Here are a couple of layouts using pictures provided by their mom, Melissa.





My niece, Kendall, dressed up as the Wicked Stepmother. She had to remember to stop skipping and singing because she was supposed to be "evil".

_{Darcy Baldwin: DJB GINAE, Stickbet Alpha at The Digichick
Sausan Designs: Oogelie Booglie kit, Needful Thing book, brush it alpha
Emily Merritt: Stitched Starburst, Tile Alpha
Weeds and Wildflowers: Layered Alpha doodle frame, Doodled Alpha star paint splatter
Catrine: Chalked Alpha
ELMD: Doodled alpha freebie
Michelle Coleman: Hand Stamped Alpha
Ida: Star Doodle
Mo Jackson: Moodle frame}


::::::::::::::::::::Some One Had A Baby, so...::::

that means LASAGNA, salad and French bread. Well, at our house, anyway! Aaron helped me gather the ingredients at the grocery store. Then, he helped me cook and assemble the meal. He, Michael and Rachel went to visit this very adorable baby to deliver the meal to his parents. I stayed home with my cold and Eve and Noah.

::::::::::::::::::::Dentist Welfare Fund::::::::

has been established. The Taylor Foundation has been asked to fork over their quarterly contribution to the Dentist Welfare Fund of Georgia. It appears that Eve has cavities between two sets of molars. This will require two separate visits, numbing medication and x-rays. Noah, fortunately, had a clean bill of dental health. I figure that .50 cents from the Tooth Fairy was well spent. Michael still has to make the appointment to have Aaron's tooth pulled. YIKES!

Rachel was supposed to get her braces off today, but the orthodonists father passed away and he will be out all week. She took the news in stride. So, next week she gets her braces off, then gets her teeth cleaned the day after. The week afer that she gets her retainer. And for good measure she gets her eyes checked on Friday after school. She says things are getting blurry, again!

:::::::::::::::::::::::::Book Fair:::::::::

is coming to the local school. Noah has supplied me with his list of demands requests. He said they only cost $12.99 each. There is a book about Transformers and a couple of other things. Rachel had one book she was interested in, but I misplaced the slip of paper. She has a great memory so I'm safe.

::::::::::::::::::::::::Conversations with Eve::::::::

I was driving Eve to school this morning and she told me about a girl in her class who kept scooting her floor mat away from the girl next to her. Eve told that she raised her hand and informed the teacher about this situation. So, I said: "You mean you were paying attention to what someone else was doing and not listening to the story?"

Eve: "I was listening to the story."

Mom: "How could you be listening to the story when you were busy paying attention to what everybody else is doing?"

Eve: "I have Two Eyes! I can do both at the same time!"

Well, boy howdy! Thanks for the information update!

Off to get Eveybug!

Later, gators!

Slippery When Wet

My sweet little daughter, Eve, took pity on me as I lay reading my book yesterday evening. She sat on my back and stared at my feet and said, "Mommy there are cracks. Let me get you some lotion." She jumped down and grabbed the Aveeno. In seconds she was back slathering cream on my dry feet and then up my calves. I kept telling her to go easy on the amount of cream, but she was certain she knew just the right amount. She proudly announced her job was complete and needed to go wash her hands. She walked back in with her hands all lathered up and asked if I could help her rinse them. I tried to get up, but left gooey cream marks on the hardwood floor. I told her I was trapped on the bed and could she get daddy to come grab me some socks. She smiled and said she could get them for me. After a lot of pointing she was able to get me the socks I needed to secure a rescue from my little bed island. And you know my feet feel spectacular this morning! Thank you, Eveybug!


::::::::::::::::::::::Skate Night::::::::::::::::

Aaron's friend, Nick, invited him to skate night at the local roller rink. He came home pretty happy eventhough his wrist was aching. He informed me that he loved the in-line skates and just couldn't figure out how people could get around on those skates with 4 wheels. A new boy named Ken from our Church was there and helped Aaron learn how to skate on the in-line kind. The boy who likes to bully Aaron was there too. Luckily, Nick's mom was there and she is always level-headed and nothing got out of hand. When Aaron told Michael the boy was spewing insults, as usual, Michael just told him that the boy must be very unhappy and to feel sorry for him.

:::::::::::::::::::::::Book Review Imminent::::::

I'm close to finishing The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Become Evil by Philip Zimbardo. I have a habit of ripping a single piece of paper into bits and placing them as a bookmark. In this book it looks like the pages have sprouted some crazy torn paper disease. I find gems on almost every page and since the book is library material a highlighter is right out. Human nature is very interesting and can be modified in alarming ways, but one of the best safe guards is taking personal responsibilites for the choices you make. That is my gem for the day from this book. More to come soon!


God Made Dirt, and Dirt Don't Hurt


My twin nieces are happy as pigs in mud when they can find a pile of dirt!

_{Font: DJB Connorbuck by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Background paper from Ultimate Backgrounds Vol. 1 by Nancy Comelab
Ribbon, pail and shovel doodle from Summer Collab kit at The Lily Pad
Stitched Frame and Sparkle Block Letters by Emily Merritt
Crayon Doodles by Ida
Journaling Tape and Rubberbands by Kate Hadfield
Date Stamp from Simply Irresistable kit by Gina Cabrera
Doodle flowers from Chalk Full of Fun by Lisa Whitney
Vintage Frame by Jessica Bolton
Gralpha by Birgit
Staple from Backward Staples by Jenn Patrick}

Let Freedom Ring


My children at The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia as part of our vacation.


_{July blog freebie by Sausan
Altered Artistry frame by Sausan
Messy Staples by Kate Hadfield
Flower from Boho Chic Elements by Michelle Coleman
Handstamped Alpha by Michelle Coleman
Nakedstamps by Meredith Fenwick
Forever Stamp modified from the internet
Label It alpha by The Powers Sisters
Fonts: Randy Described Eternity
Calenar 1 by Misty Mareda
DJB Michael by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick}

:::::::::::::::::::::Mathematics and Prediction

I saw this on my husband's blog and it was so cool that I'm passing it along. You will find this amazing...really you will!




Smiles, y'all!

Some Fun and Shabby Comments

My husband saw this comic strip and thought of me:



A little background on this as it relates to being funny to us. When I was a kid my mother would introduce me to people and they would then begin calling me Vicky. My mother would politely correct them that that was not my name. This scenario has been repeated all of my life. My husband, Michael, is a "Michael", so when folks call and ask for Mike I just laugh and tell him that someone we don't know is calling. Once someone who purported to know us well introduced us from the pulpit as "Mike and Vicky". We cringed. Names are important, or else we wouldn't use them and name and classify everything. I try not to be pushy about it, though. Rachel will usually tell people for me. She will say, "My mom likes to be called Victoria."

So, if I have been getting your name wrong let me know...after my little diatribe. ;)


::::::::::::::::::Jim Dale of Harry Potter fame::::::::

I love Jim Dale's voice and he was hilarious on Wait! Wait!. Got to the section called "Not My Job". You get such tidbits as where he got the voice for Dobby.


:::::::::::::::::::::Date Night?::::::

Michael and I are hoping to go on a date night and see The Bourne Ultimatim. We enjoyed the previous two films.

::::::::::::A Shabby Invitation...never looked so good:::::::

Once my dsl was repaired and I opened my email this invitation was waiting for me:


I'm excited to be able to play with her great designs in a few months.
I get to sport this little thing as part of the November Guest C.T.



:::::::::::::::Shopping with my Girly!:::::::






::::::::::::::Book Review::::::::
The Sisters Grimm: Once Upon a Crime


Another action packed story from Michael Buckley that kept the kids pleading to, "read ONE MORE CHAPTER! PLEASE!" The action takes place in NYC where the rag tag group led by Granny Grimm go to take the injured Puck. The king of Fairie, Oberon, is murdered and the Grimms, along with ex-sheriff Hamstead (one of the 3 little pigs) and Mr. Canis (The Big Bad Wolf) try to track down the killer. There is even a love interest for Mr. Hamstead. There is also the pungent cocoon that follows Sabrina around that creates a lot of laughs. The Wizard of Oz also plays quite a prominent role as a friend of Veronica Grimm, the girls' mother. Everyone is surprised to find out some information about Veronica that makes Sabrina rethink an important decision. This is a wonderful continuation of the series and we look forward, excitedly, to book 5 that will be coming out in December.

Non Sequitur
Just thought this was funny in light of the whole fairy tale genre book review.



:::::::::::::Aunt Teashy:::::::


This is one of my SIL's with our twin nieces.


Text: When Corinna and Dakotta saw Aunt Teashy they set off running and she scooped them up into her open arms.


_{Midnight in the Garden kit by Kay Miller
Word Art by Bethany Mott
Doodle Journal art, Pipecleaner flowers, doodled photo corner (Color Me Funky combo with Gina Miller) by Kate Hadfield
Doodle Frame by Holly McCaig
Black frame, scalloped border and white tab from Springtime in Paris by Michelle Godin
Doodle Alpha by Weeds and Wildflowers
Proof frame (modified) by Christina Renee
Block Alpha by Natalie Braxton
Font: DJB MANDY by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick}

::::::::::::::::Next Family Reading Book::::::

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift


Have a happy weekend!

Smiles!

One Hacksaw and Some Free Time...

That is what some malicious fool had near our neighborhood. Some person, or persons hacked through the fiberoptic cable that supplies our neighborhood. We have been down since about 4:00p.m. yesterday. The phone line is now workin, but DSL is down. Michael left me his laptop because I can piggyback on someone's wifi connection.

:::::::::::::::::::::::Family Reunion layout and C.T. assignment from Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick::::

Making Messy Chic Since 2007


Text: Dakotta Rose and her sister Corinna managed to cover themselves from head to toe in dirt during our family reunion.


Summertime Fun Kit Essential by Gina Cabrera
Paper Flowers by Dani Mogstad
Mo Moodles One doodle frame by Mo Jackson
Picture Frame from Springtime in Paris by Michelle Godin
Alpha: Crimped Alpha by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Fonts: DJB LIZ, DJB MICHELLED, DJB WENDYPscript by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick

::::::::::::::::::::::Update on Noah's Check Up:::::::

Noah is in the 60th percentile in weight and 30th in height. He had inflammation in his left ear, probably due to the water conditions in Lake Lanier. So, we picked up some Neomycin drops for his ear. His eyes tested both at 20/30, so I had Michael make Noah an appointment for the eye doctor. We will be doing the official eye testin on Saturday. His jaw ticks are thought to be primarily from his molars coming in and the doctor felt his eye spasms were benign. She said to let her know if the eye doctor saw any issues beyond just the need for glasses. NO SHOTS! That is really what made Noah happy. He Quizzed the nurse and the doctor on the items around the exam room. Then, Noah explained his theories on who the murder of Oberon might be in The Sisters Grimm: Once Upon a Crime. He proposed his theories very succinctly. I was giggling in the background, while the doctor tried to follow his logic stream.

:::::::::::::Book Review.....Coming tomorrow....

BTW...I have poison ivy, AGAIN! Luckily the case is a mild one and is around my ankles. I understand, from Michael, that I will EVENTUALLY develop an immunity. At this rate I should acquire that immunity by the end of Summer!


Smiles!

Don't Fret it's Friday!

I just thought this was kind of twisted enough due to all of the doping problems in the bicycling community.

::::::::::::::::Layout from our Family Reunion:::::::


My niece, Corinna, with her dad. He was trying to comfort her with a few tunes on his guitar.


_{Background paper: A Beautiful Mess by Lisa Whitney
Doodle Alpha: Weeds and Wildflowers
Glitter, Punch Label Alpha and Old Proof Sheets: Christina Renee
Backward Staples: Jenn Patric
Date Stamp: Amber Clegg,
Rubberbands: Kate Hadfield
Font: DB Michael by Darcy}

Another page for our visit to Monticello, Virginia:


_{Lovin' Life kit by Kay Miller
Cluster Frames by Nancy Comelab
Squiggle Fleurs by Jen Wilson
Felt flowers by Kate Hadfield
Font: Jefferson, DJB Elicia by Darcy at The Digichick
Doodle Alpha and Flower Frenzy by Weeds and Wildflowers}


::::::::::::::::::Mexican Food:::::::

was our choice for dinner last night. Michael and I took Aaron out for a late dinner. What a quiet table without the other munchkins. I pick them up today for a granny swap. Tonight they will spend the night at my mom's house because it is Granny Sue Friday!!!...where the kitchen is open late and you can get grits for any meal!

::::::::::::::::::Harry Potter:::::::

Michael has the book now. There is a friend at work itching to discuss the details, but no one else has finished the new book. So Michael grabbed the book and got through about a hundred pages or so.

::::::::::::::::::Rock Climbing::::::

Michael and Aaron are running off to Mt. Yonah in North Georgia for a Scouting camp out and rock climbing trip. Aaron recieved his Climbing Merit Badge and should be able to help Michael with training the other scouts.

:::::::::::::::::Vacation Layouts::::

need to be worked on, so off I am and off I go!

Smiles!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity, Jig:

We have arrived home...again! We were a bit soggier and a lot sandier, but none the worse for wear. I, however, did break Rachel's glasses on Friday night and she had to go through Saturday and Sunday a bit blurry. Michael is taking her glasses by Sear's Optical today to see if they can be repaired. I took a slew of photos and some video at one point had filled up my 1 gig card and my batteries had run out. I borrowed my sister-in-law, Laura's, Nikon D40 and played around for a hundred, or so photos. My sister-in-law, Lettitia, had a bunch of fun crafts for the kids to do: puppets, design your own frisbee, bracelet making, and foam photo frames. The children put on a puppet show with their creations on Saturday. My brother-in-law, Reuben, helped the everyone tye dye shirts (onesies for the baby boys). My BIL, Stephen, did a quick tutorial with Reuben on creating spirals, then started helping anyone who wanted that pattern, too.
The weather over the 3 days was mild a sunny. We did have spotty showers, but nothing heavy until time to break camp. Michael and I had our campsite cleared and stowed right after breakfast. Stephen had his family do the same because he had a flight to catch for work. After we were done with our stuff Michael and I helped out by babysitting the cute nieces and nephews. I got to hold the newest addition to the family, baby Elliott. I walked him around in the baby sling, then let him sit in my lap looking at all of the activity until he fell fast asleep for 3 hours. Michael played with Spencer who was absolutely sweet and watching the other kids play in the sand. He never slept and never fussed. Michael, at the same time, held Corinna. She had recieved a bite to the arm by her twin sister, Dakotta, and needed some TLC. Michael held her and she fell asleep for a couple of hours. There was only one tent still set up when the heaviest rains came, so everyone took refuge for about an hour under the tarp in our common family area that was set up on the first day. During a lull the last of the tent was put away. The rain picked up again, but we got the main tarp down and made sure the campsite was clean. On the way out I saw a penny (heads up...good stuff) and at a campsite that wasn't ours, or any one's for that matter, there was a plastic knife on the ground and right next to the knife was a dime. Boy howdy, I was eleven cents richer!

The family reunion was held at Duckett's Mill on a little peninsula jutting out into Lake Lanier. Their was a lot of shore line exposed due to low water levels. The kids spent their time picking up the shells of the fresh water clams and digging in the Georgia red clay. All of the kids loved swimming, even Eve who had to be rescued TWICE! The first time Eve had trouble in the water Michael was on the shore watching the kids. Eve was even wearing a life preserver that had a little bit of bouyancy, but not much. I guess since the shore has a staggered plateau effect she must have stepped down to deep, or a wave hit her. I heard her crying out for daddy. I know the sound of distress in her voice, so I took off running to the shore from our tent. By the time I got to the ridge overlooking the shore Michael was coming up the path with Evey. She had swallowed some water and was scared, but other wise she was okay. Michael was drenched and he was wearing his blackberry phone. I suppose today he will tell work that baptizing his phone was an unfortunate consequence for saving his daughter. Now to the next time.
Eve was brave and excited to return to the water with all of her cousins the next afternoon. My sister-in-law, Shelene, was watching her kids, so I went down to life guard mine. I had been using my SIL's camera at the the time, so I jokingly said, "I better take this off encase I have to go save Eve." I put the camera away and went to a rock on the edge of the shoreline. I think it had been about 15 minutes when Eve gurgled, "Mom" as loudly as she could. I ran in a grabbed her up out of the water. She cried for a bit, and said she was pushed by a girl in a blue swimsuit, but wanted to go back in. My niece, Kyra, grabbed my shoes out of the water. (Did you know that Croc flip flops float?) Eve insisted she would stay in the water right at the shore line and she would be fine. So I perched on the rock and they all played until dinner time.

Rachel and her cousins Afton and Rebecca slept in a tent set up next to ours on Friday night and then Afton said that it was her turn on the air mattress in her parent's tent so she wasn't sleeping over another night. So, on Saturday night Rachel and Rebecca's voices were the last thing I heard as I drifted off to sleep.

I forgot to tell you how I managed to break Rachel's glasses. The shower facilities at Duckett's Mill have much to be desired. There were no benches on the shower that had the best water pressure and was big enough for the girls to shower together. I also made Aaron shower in the other side (much to his dismay...but hey...there were curtains!). Aaron's side had a shower that would hold a host of Lilliputians, but was entirely inadequate for shower supplies and a change of clean clothes. So with no good place to leave the glasses Aaron and Rachel gave me theirs and I put them in my pocket. I bent over slightly to wash Eve's and I felt a bend. I pulled the glasses out and Rachel's created an L shape. I was so mad! I felt really bad, too because I was projecting how I would feel if I had to go around for days having things blurry. Rachel was really sweet about it. She accepted my apology for breaking her glasses and had a great, yet blurry time.

I will finish uploading photos to the family website when Michael gets home from work. I have a few hundred and I can only upload 4 at a time. I think I've uploaded about 30, so far. FUN!

:::::::::::::::::Book Review:::::::

On Saturday night we finished reading Escape From The Carnivale. The kids and I enjoyed the story. Noah was, especially, eager to read each new chapter. The imagery in the book is written so vividly that it helps you visualize the scenes very well. The book has a mixture of magical creatures, a far away island setting and pirates, so it is great for all ages and genders. The theme of a little girl and her friends getting into trouble because they have delibrately disobeyed is one that everyone can identify with at some point in their lives. How they get out of a terrible fix is a great story. There is also a fun twist in the chapter right before the end of the book. This story is an enjoyable read. If you get the opportunity check it out!

::::::::::::::::New Family Reading Book:::::::


The Sisters Grimm: Once Upon a Crime. We have already plunged into the first chapter and the story line is moving at its normally quick pace. The kids all groaned when I stopped reading. This one looks to be another great installment!

:::::::::::::::::::Salute to the States:::::::::



_{Background: Alexander by Janel Kretschman,
Journaling Bits and Music Doodles: Kate Hadfield,
Font: DB Michael, Jane Austen,
Painted Alpha: Rachel Young,
Vintage Frame and Cluster Frame: Nancy Comelab,
Alpha: Christina Renee}

100 Years:

for my Great Aunt Wilma! Congratulations to her and to her family for a wonderful party in Phenix City, Alabama.








Wilma's daughter and her friends belong to a Hula group. They perform at retirement homes. They were simply awesome!

My dad with Aunt Wilma:


My cousin Lisa, Aunt Diann, my step mother Alice, Aunt Peggy, and Aunt Pat:



After the party the my kids went for a walk along the river with their cousin, Haley, and Granny Alice McClure. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Michael and Aaron looked for a couple of Geocaches, but couldn't find them. One area had some hypodermic needles, so that was a pass.


Here are some layouts I made with photos I took on Saturday when we attended Family Home Evening at Michael's sister's house. These layout show 2 of her 4 daughters.


<sub>Background paper and Soldiered Alpha by Jen Wilson, frame by Rhonna Farrer, Stitched Blooms by Natalie BraxtonButterflies by Syrin, stitching from Genuine Spirit, fabric, Hand Stamped Alpha and paint by Michelle Coleman, Font: Jane Austen


Text: Corinna and Uncle Michael had fun singing during Family Home Evening!


Cluster Frames No.4 by Nancy Comelab,
Cardboard flowers "Little Lauren Lalas"by Amanda Rockwell,
Feltyflies by Dani Mogstad,
Fun Frames by Traci Murphy,
Musical Doodles, Hand-Stitched Alpha, Doodled and Stitched Flowers, Doodled Paper Borders,
Doodled and Stitched Arrows by Kate Hadfield,
Background paper from Nosalgia No. 4 by Jen Wilson,
Font: Pea Johanna Script</sub>

::::::::::::::The Phantom Tollbooth::::

I haven't even finished this book and it has me enthralled. I love the constant word play with the characters and their conversation. Some of the characters are the "Whether Man", "The Which" and King Azaz the Unabridged. You have to watch what you say there because you often have to "eat your words". There is also a half-bakery in the Kingdom of Dictionopolis because where else would you get half-baked ideas like, "The world is flat." Just wanted to share the enthusiam of a good book!

Seeing Double

_{Espadrilles kit and Design Essentials pack by Julie Howard at Purescrapability.com}


::::::::::More Doubles:::::::::::::

My dad is almost finished with the double tray ceiling and it simply rocks, people!

Our double oven arrived from California today and Michael is looking sooooo forward to splicing the electrical cord! The ovens look quite handsome!


::::::::::::::Bedtime Reading::::::::::::

We have started Peter Pan in Scarlet and the first chapter has sucked us right in to the story.

By the way, Book the 13 by Lemony Snicket was great! The Chapter about being in "the dark" had me rolling!