For My Favorite Skeptic...

Jessica Hagy has a brillant blog called Indexed. Here are just a few of her "Indexed" cards that remind me of my husband:












Nessie and I wish you a fabulous day!

Trying to Catch Up

Yes, if you are desirous of Girl Scout cookie goodness. Let me know and I'll try and hook you up.

::::::::::::: www.indexed.blogspot.com

This is so true:



:::::::::::::Another Page for Rachel:::::


I have the completed page with journaling, but don't want to have all the kids' names on-line.

::::::::::::Photos from my Mom's Surprise Party::::::

I made 45 royal icing violets and Eve made me use them all. She also showed me where she wanted them place on the cake. She kept telling me that symmetry was what's all about.

My mom gave me some silcone cupcake molds, but I couldn't figure out a great way to display them, so I crisscrossed some toothpicks to keep them upright on their small bases.

Great Mom and Great Pop Towhey brought some super tasty pretzel bites. Just a bit of mustard and they are bits o'heaven!
Mom with my nutty family:

Mom with Nan and Jim:
Mom with Melinda, Jason and Suzanne:

Tweedle Guy and Tweedle Jim with mom and Lani:
Mom, Carol and Debbie:
Debbie and Terry:
Aaron:


:::::::::::::::::There has been so much sad news on the animal front:::::::::::
Please:


Take Care!!!!!!!

A Couple of Funny Things:

:::::::::Indexed is too cool:






::::::::::::My Crazy Kids:::::::

Breakfast with the Taylor kids on school mornings is loud, and usually includes an argument between Aaron and Noah. On Friday it was no different at the beginning, then Rachel started crying. I heard snippets of Aaron and Noah's banter, so I figured out what upset her so much. Aaron was trying to determine how easy it would be to throw a grappling hook and grab Noah's arm, then use the hook to rip his arm off. Rachel was absolutely disgusted and came running to me with tears streaming down her face. Since she declared she could no longer eat I sent her to brush her teeth. Eve joined her sister, while I told the boys they were using inappropriate conversation at the table. A few minutes later Eve and Rachel came back down stairs where upon Eve declared:

"I lost my appetite because of them! (complete with hands on hips).

Then, she did a slight turn of her head and asked, "Does anyone know what appetite is?"

Rachel and I got a good laugh out of that question.

Merry Christmas...soon!

I Need A New Perspective

_{Credits: Photos by Marcus John Taylor
DJB TANYA by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Come Out and Play collab by Kate Hadfield, Catrine and Birgit
Primaveria Collaboration at Catscraps.
Swirl Therapy by Jofia Designs at The Digichick
Font: CK Ali's writing}

This layout is true on more than one level. It has been a hard year schooling Aaron, and an exceptionally difficult week. I took a break for most of the day, yesterday.

:::::::::::::Indexed::::::

This is another hilarious card from Indexed:




Michael would whole heartedly agree.

::::::::::::::::Girl Scout Cookie.......

deliveries are going pretty well. I took Rachel to Michael's work so she could hand out cookies and collect the money. Michael's associates were very friendly, especially Keith. They appreciated that a "real" Girl Scout was behind the form that dad brought to work. Rachel was very polite and warmed up quickly to her giddy self.

::::::::::::::::Forgot to Mention::::::::

This is Grandpa Jim's version of the weekend with grandkids. He always makes me laugh about their antics...it's that or cry...or maybe scream. Laughing is far superior.

::::::::::::::::Food:::::::::::::

Yesterday, Michael made his awesome chicken soup. Aaron, Rachel and I always want the noodles, Eve wants EXTRA carrots and all the kids want dad to throw in some alphabet noodles for fun. Noah just wonders when we are going to serve him something with ketchup.

I made Granny Sydney's recipe for "Funeral Potatoes" just for fun. She told me to use hashbrown style potatoes in the frozen foods, 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1 small tub of sour cream and a tablespoon of grated onion. Sprinkle the top with cheese and melt to finish. Her outcome was better, but mine passed with a B.

::::::::Time to Wake up the kids and dose Noah with his meds.

Later!

:::::::::::::::

What is Made from 100% Girl Scouts?

If you answered Girl Scout cookies you are correct. I got Rachel to smile for this shot by making her say, "SAMOAS!" What an instant response of joy with visions of caramel, chocolate and coconut!



Please let me know if you Georgia folks would like any!

_{credits: Sausan Designs: My Little Heart collection
Darcy Baldwin: DJB PASTOR DAVE at The Digichick
Sande Krieger: Borderlines
Miscellanous font: Another Typewriter}

Here is a Girl Scout cookie quiz from the AJC
:::::::::::::::::::::"Is That a Euphemism?::::
That is an oft heard question in our house. We have taught our kids the correct terms for things, but the kids hear parts of the body called other things by family and friends so they started to try to figure out as many euphemisms as they could. They realized the process is endless and here is an Indexed Card as evidence of that:



::::::::::::::::::::Recommendation Friday:::::::

Jessica Hagy has completed a book of her hilarious graphs called Indexed. It's for sale for $8.80 at Amazon and they are taking pre-orders.


I would like this idea to become a weekly thing, but we shall see.

I have layouts to post later, but Shabby Miss Jenn wants us to wait a tad bit more.

I hope your weekend is fantastic! Michael and Aaron are running off to hike and camp. They were going to go to Blood Mountain, but changed their mind due to the recent hiker murder. Michael decided to hike there with the kids another time.

Smiles!

Happy New Year!

:::::::::::::::::New Year's Day Festivities:::::

My mom held her annual "eat at my place" party. Michael made sweet potatoe souffle and we brought some Pomegranate 7UP. We enjoyed such faire as greenbean casserole, corn pudding, collards and hoppin' John, turkey and ham.

The sad news of the day was from our friend, Kathy, who lives in Washington. Her companion, Bill, was killed when he went to the shed at the cabin they own and due to the weight of the snow the roof collapsed on him. Our hearts and prayers go out to her and their family!

:::::::::::::::Vacation Layout:::::::

Here are a couple of double page layouts of our stop in Pennsylvania:

We enjoyed the Amish buggy ride. Our buggy ride ended right before the storm we had been watching approach sent rain down in torrents. Then we ran into the restaurant called Plain and Fancy and head an Amish style meal. Rachel loved the honey butter and I loved the rolls.












_{Darcy Baldwin: DJB MICHAEL at the Digichick,
Nancy Comelab: Cluster Frames
Mary Fran: Fall papers and elements
Shabby Miss Jenn: Tree Trimmin' Party, Staple from Old Letters lil kit
Michelle Coleman: Emma's Sundress clear alpha, Hand Stamped Alpha
Kim Christensen: Tag Alpha
Catrine: Chalk Brushed Alpha
Jackie Eckles: Journaling Highlites}


::::::::::::::::::::::This Is So True::::::::



:::::::::::::::::::::::Marshmallow War Casualties:::::::

Noah was out with Aaron and Aaron's friend Nick only a few minutes before they shot him in the eye. He insisted on going back out. I suggested that he protect his eyes with sunglasses. That lasted a couple of minutes. Then, he came back in crying and he thought it would be best if he wore his Darth Vader mask. That lasted another...WHOPPING two minutes when the proverbial Achilles heel of the mask idea. Noah had to tilt up the mask to shoot his marshmallow. THWAP! Shot in the face, again. Ah, the angst of being a kid trying to smack other kids with stuff. I think they are going by the old adage..."Do unto others before they do unto you".

::::::::::::::::::::::::Platinum Rule:::::::::

During a talk at Church, a sister spoke about the "Platinum Rule" in their house. Most of us are familiar with the "Golden Rule" of do unto others as you would have done to you. They took the rule up a notch by saying do unto others that they need done for them. Supplying what the person needs, and treating them with what they stand in need of is a very personal and added layers to an, already, good way to live our lives.


::::::::::::::::::::::::Mistakes Were Made::::::::

I'm almost finished reading the book and, as usual, have little strips of paper marking pages that I find interesting and wish to reference. Those little strips are between most every page. I resist the urge to grab a highlighter, as this is library property. The concept of an "Ethical Compass" was discussed with a pertinent example of Jeb Stuart Magruder, Richard Nixon's special assistant and was a key player in the plot to burglarize the DNC and conceal the the involvement of the White House. He explained how Liddy came to them with a wild and preposterous plan, which they quickly said no to and when he presented them with a much more scaled back plan the new idea seemed more rational and the group accepted the new idea. On p. 37 of the book he says, "Somewhere between my ambition and my ideals, I lost my ethical compass." as he stood at his sentencing. The authors of the book state concisely what happens that was learned by the Milgram experiment: "...shows us how ordinary people can end up doing immoral and harmful things through a chain reaction of behaviour and subsequent self-justification"..."You get him to take one step at a time, and self-justification will do the rest".

Another chapter deal with physcians accepting fees and incentives from drug companies and then low and behold the amount of a particula expensive drug is prescribed or a certain study fills up with the doctor's patients. This reminds me of an episode of the British show "My Hero" where the doctor hands out a new drug to his patients who are all eager to accept to try it when he says it will when a free trip...then he mutters he will be enjoying the trip to the Sechelles at the end of the month. My advice is to question and research the things your doctor says and the drugs you are taking.

I will go into more later.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::Resolutions::::::::

*enjoy the pool membership

*learn to decorate kickin' cool cakes (thanks to my mom's gift to the Cake Art store)

*Continue to read

*Declutter

*take better photographs

*Keep my mind and ears open for more ways to improve myself and relationships

Smiles!

Oh, My Darlin'! Oh, My Darlin! Oh, My Darlin!

...Clementine! Yes, that's right folks...it is the season for the tasty, seedless, round bits o'joy! Clementines rock the proverbial house! If you are unfamiliar with this seedless delight here is some information: Click Me!


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


We finished reading Magic And Other Misdemeanors last night. The kids were huddled around me like I was going to give them some football calls. The story kept all of us guessing, but not disappointed. The twists and turns were interesting and the kids really love the sub-plot about Sabrina and Puck. This series makes me think what it would be like to send Nancy Drew into Wonderland...clever and suspenceful! Two thumbs up!

:::::::::::::::::::::Yet, More Brillant Index Cards:::::::




I'm off to paint some more!

Smiles!

Give Thanks!

:::::::::Letters to the troops for Thanksgiving:


I got this email today: Something cool that Xerox is doing Let's Say Thanks

"You can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them...

...It really did just take a few moments to choose a lovely card and sentiment, so please send one if you get a chance!


::::::::::::::An Oldie, but a Goodie::::::
Who Needs 31 Flavors...
When there is VANILLA and chocolate!




_{Shabby Miss Jenn: Ice Cream Party kit at Shabby Miss Jenn Designs
Darcy Baldwin: DJB KELLI, DJB JULIANA IN A HURRY, Stickbet Alpha, Save The Date at The Digichick
Jenn Patrick: Backward Staples
Kate Hadfield: Wordy Bit Alpha}


This layout is using photos taken in 2005. This photo of Noah's face just makes me smile. I, especially, like the ice cream on his face.

:::::::::::::::::::Genealogy Merit Badge::::::

I worked with the Scouts last night on the Genealogy M.B. We talked about relatives, where to look for information and why it is important to learn information from family sources before they pass on. I also cautioned them that two people at the same event can see things and remember things completely different. It was interesting to note that Aaron was unaware of a lot of family information because I take care of all of that for him. Maybe, just maybe, he will pay a little more attention.

::::::::::::::::::::Indexing::::::::::::

I have signed up to transcribe historical documents. Through www.familysearchindexing.org I have downloaded my first batch of documents from a book of marriage certificates in the 1850's. The handwriting is already stumping me so I need to do some more letter comparisons.

Off to index for a bit!

Smiles!

Mermaid in Training!

Eve's first real swim!


During her third swimming lesson Eve was able to use her arms and legs with her face in the water to swim to her instructor, Laura.


_{Darcy Baldwin: DJB Teacher, DJB Doodl E Doo, DJB Karenscript at The Digichick
Kay Miller: The Blue Lagoon
Font: Doorkeeper 41}

:::::::::::::Another Layout from Our Summer Vacation::::



::::::::::::::::Another Great One:::::::

This is too true:

Index Card blog





:::::::::::::::Some Really Neat Artist Links:::

This is a great site: Artist Freebies

Acme License Generator

Smiles 'til later!