Catching Some Shut-Eye...

not me! It's just the name of the layout I did for our reunion.

::::::::::::A Layout From the Family Reunion::::

My nephew, Elliott, with his Aunty Teashy.



_{Darcy Baldwin: DJB For ANNIE/ DJB MICHAEL / DJB KARENscript at The Digichick
Jenna Desai: Whimsical heart doodles
Gina Miller: Canvas Of Colors
Lisa Whitney: Chalked Full of Color
Kate Hadfield: Newspaper Doodles
Catrine: Chalked Alpha
Holly McCaig: Doodle Frame
Emily Merritt: Bubble Wrap Brush
Natalie Braxton: Cardboard Cut-Out
Christina Renee: Punch label alpha}
My recent downloads from Spiral Frog :

India Aire: Video
The Little things

Billie Holiday: As Time Goes By
Embraceable You
On The Sunny Side of The Street
I'll Be Seeing You
I've Got a Man Crazy Bout Me (He's Funny That Way)

Spike Jones: Entire Christmas Album

Blues Traveler But Anyway

Cher: Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves

Ringo Star: Octopus' Garden


::::::::::::::::::::::Emotions Revealed:::::



This book was a fascinating read! The use of memorable news photos, study photos and personal accounts made this a very approachable work of psychology. Dr. Ekman was able to explain the many emotions that we experience in a practical, as well as, a clinical way. He also used words from other languages since some emotions didn't have a descriptive enough English word. He explained how surprise is the briefiest of all emotions and that startle is different from surprise. He showed how the eyes really help you determine a genuinely happy smile from one only done with the mouth. There is so much amazing information in this book! Two thumbs up!

My next book is by Paul Ekman, as well. Why Kids Lie

::::::::::::::::Aurora County All-Stars:::::::


We just finished this book on Thursday night. The kids were a bit luke warm on this one. I think that our kids don't get into sports stories, so there is a bit of a bias about the story. The thread binding the story was part of the poem "Leaves of Grass" by Walt Whitman. The author never loses the thread and the story is tied up nicely at the end. The concept of how we are all connected and valuable is such a wonderful message. I recommend the book even if you have non-sports fans like my kids.


::::::::::::::::School Reading::::::::

Aaron has chosen for his next reading assignment for school to read The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. We read it as a family a couple of years ago, so I wonder what new insight he will glean this time around.

::::::::::::::::Spelunking::::::::::::

Michael, Aaron and a couple of friends from Church have gone caving today. They are planning to get back to the waterfall in the back of the cave. Since Aaron has no body fat Michael made sure Aaron had plenty of synthetic clothes to keep him from soaking up the cold water. He was joking that he looked like Mickey Mouse because his leggings were black, his long sleeve shirt was white and his shorts over the top were red. We all laughed about that one.

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

I worked on marriage certificates from Barbour and Jackson counties in West Virginia, then I was sent a 1900 Census. I am having a bit of trouble with certain letters. Argh! The census I'm working on is from Merrimack, New Hampshire. The information is really interesting. This is a great program if you are interested in being altruistic with your down time. :)

Smile!

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!

Sent Kids To Brush Their Teeth:

and this is all I can post for now, but I thought it was funny enough to share:

Noahism of the day:

You know a kid is a child of a genealogist when they ask questions like this:

"What is your second favorite color twice removed?"
"Mine is orange!"

:)

Things That Never Really Happened...

Here are a couple of layouts I posted to Designer Digitals with the theme of "Things That Never Really Happened":



Always known as an inventor, Georgia designed a dress that would allow women to fly around enabling them to get errands done more quickly. Her hot-air balloon inspired sleeves would inflate to bowling ball size and then the wearer's arms were used for attitude control.
Right as this picture was taken Georgia exclaimed, “Look mom! No hands!”


Invogue kit from Scrap Artist, A Traveling We Will Go brush by Sande Krieger, Curled Edge by Anna Aspnes, Font: DJB Michelled

As the photographer stared at Isabelle she realized her obsession for smuggling watermelons across the border had to stop.


Christmas papers by IOD, notepaper, Fresh stamp, string by Katie Pertiet (Magnolia Kit), cardboard tear by Linda Gil Bildal, postcard by Christine Honsinger, staple from Softly Softly by KSharonK, Curled edge by Anna Aspnes, Font: DJB Michelled and Taylor Mackenzie.


::::::::::::::::::::::::::Scout Camp Update:::::::

Michael drove through a hail storm, but got to the camp in safety. He is going to check the truck when he gets a chance because he said the hail was pretty large.
He said Aaron seems to be making friends from the different troops. Michael said that he was constantly saying "hi!" and waving to other kids. This is where Aaron takes after my mother. My kids are, all, really good about trying to be friends with new people. (Long-term relationships...that's another thing).
Aaron was the most excited to tell Michael he could now float. Aaron can swim, but has not learned any technique. He won't listen to either Michael or I when we try to teach him, but we figured working with a new instructor and boys with similar issues that he could resolve the problems. I'm very happy to hear that it is looking like he will.

::::::::::::::::::::::Reading Ahead:::::::::

that is a pet peave of mine. I never read ahead in a book because I really enjoy having stories unfold. Rachel told me that she read the end of the book we are using for our family reading. I couldn't believe it! I gave her quite a stern look and told her how unhappy I was and that she has really messed up the whole experience. She keeps getting upset with me for stopping at each chapter because she says they are each cliff hangers. Well, duh! (That phrase is more than trite, but it is how I feel about that statement)! Oh, I am ranting!


:::::::::::::::::::::Interesting Science Fact::::::

I have always wondered why Americans used the Farenheit scale over the Celsius scale and in the book I'm reading, Theories for Everything it gave this information:

"In 1708, Polish-born Dutch instrument maker Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit visited Romer. He returned to the Netherlands and porduced his own version of an alcohol thermometer, setting 0 degrees as the temperature at which beer freezes and 100 degrees as the temperature of the human body."

After reading this I was able to see the bizarre loyalty some people had in this reasoning. I wonder if I should shoot an email off to Coors and ask them if they are going to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Fahrenheit "beer" scale with promotional thermometers?!?

Smiles!

Bathing Beauties:

Miss Muscogee Pageant 1939





_{Mo Jackson's Mermaid and Swimming Pixie kits, and Moodles 4, In Vogue kit elements from Scrap Artist, Font: Fairfax Station/Shishoni Brush/ Susie's Hand, Arrow Doodle by Holly McCaig}

My maternal grandmother was a contestant in this competition held in Muscogee County, Georgia. I don't know which one of the ladies won. I just thought the photos were pretty cool!

:::::::::::::::Greek Mythology Day:::::::::

We have watched several stories that introduce Greek mythology to children. The series is really well put together.




...other interesting videos: The Cultural Revolution, Inventor: Alexander Graham Bell, and Life Science.


:::::::::::::::::::::Slideshow Complete::::

I finished the slideshow for a gentlemen in Jim's scout troop. I hope the discs I burned work on everyone's players. I created 8 copies and did the labels using the lightscribe printer. I also created a page that slipped into the dvd sleeve.

::::::::::::::::::This is Pretty Funny::::::

Warning Label Generator




Remember the Quick Trip motto: "If effects last for more than 4 hours PARTY ON!

Smiles!

Headstand

This is an old shot of my husband's grandmother, Lavone Moulton and her daughter Madeleine. Lavone loved to do headstands, whether it be the beach or the front yard. She was a hoot! (I wish this was a clearer shot, but it really shows her fun spirit!)


Loopy Loop Kit by Studio Sandra Boddington coming soon to Scrapbookgraphics!
I also used Studio Sandra's Extra Stitching.




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

We read Junie B. Jones: Dumb Bunny in 2 days. These books are hilarious to me! The books are also relatively short, so I just keep reading. The author, Barbara Park, captures children and their personalities so well. This was an enjoyable read.


::::::::::::Excerpt from The Phantom Tollbooth

pp. 174 & 175

Milo has just been asked a question by the Dodecahedron in Digitopolis and wasn't able to answer very quickly, so the Dodecahedron said:

"You'll have to do better than that," scolded the Dodecaedron, "or you'll never know how far you've gone or whether or not you've gotten there."
"I'm not very good at problems," admitted Milo.
"What a shame," sighed the Dodecahedron. "They're so very useful. Why, did you know that if a beaver two feet long with a tail a foot and a half long can build a dam twelve feet high and six feet wide in two days, all you would need to build Boulder Dam is a beaver sixty-eight feet long with a fifty-one-foot tail?"
"Where would you find a beaver that big?" grumbled the Humbug as his pencil point snapped.
"I'm sure I don't know," he replied, "but if you did, you'd certainly know what to do with him."
"That's absurd," objected Milor, whose head was spinning from all the numbers and questions.
"That may be true," he acknowledged, "but it's completely accurate, and as long as the answer is right, who cares if the question is wrong? If you want sense, you'll have to make it yourself."


::::::::::::I spoke too soon!::::::::::::

My poison ivy has spread. I have a few places of particularly unattractive places where the cell walls are swelling and collapsing. I feel like a maple tree in Vermont. This has become a particularly unenjoyable experience. The bright side is that Noah told me in the car, "I hope it doesn't kill you." I responded, "Thank you, Noah." To whit he replied..."I mean, I really hope you don't die!"
I love that kid!

:::::::::::The Tennessee Aquarium and Ruby Falls:::::::

We took the kids to the Tennessee Aquarium and Ruby Falls yesterday. The weather was gorgeous and the kids loved running around. We even saw our neighbor Shelly and her son Charles, while I was waiting to get tickets at the Auarium. Michael and I have some great photos to share, but we are going to the High Museum of Art with the kids today, so I will have to post them later. We had a blast petting stingrays and having butterflies land on us at the different exhibits!

We stopped and got handmade fudge at a little shop during the day and had lunch at T.G.I. Fridays. We also stopped at Ben and Jerry's Icecream shop. Rachel had "Half-Baked" frozen yogurt, Aaron had "Chocolate Fudge Brownie", Noah and Eve both wanted plain Chocolate icecream. I got the "Black Raspberry" frozen yogurt. YUMMY!

After we took the tour down to Ruby Falls the kids got to "pan" for gemstones in a sluice set up by the kids' play area. The kids had such fun sifting through the silt to find something beautiful and shiny. (There is a metaphor for life here, I believe).

Have a fabulously...non-itchy...day!

Smiles!

My Aunt Wilma:

Singing:



and Playing Harmonica at her 100 Birthday Party:

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!

Case of The Broken Gourd:

_{Who Done It kit by Mary Fran, Font: DBMichael, White photo frames by Canay}
The suspect, Kendall Hardin described the incident as "an accident", while she was playing with her cousin, "Eveybug" Taylor. The gourd was hand-painted by Kendall's mother to resemble a beehive. Though the suspect has a long rap sheet for getting into trouble, the prosecutor felt that this quick confession and sad countenance deserved leniency.

My niece, Kendall, kindly allowed me to photograph her in this time of penance.


:::::::::::::::::::Great Aunt Wilma's Birthday::::::::

I will post photos tomorrow and maybe I will figure out how to get the video I took to work on this blogizzle. She sang us a song and played her harmonica. So cool!

My Aunt Loly followed by a Bit of Silliness:

This is from a beautiful new kit coming out very soon from Sandra Boddington! The curled edges are by Anna Aspnes.



My kids all wanted to be dressed as pirates when they saw Kate's doodles, so I went a little overboard, so to speak. The Survivor title uses the words: Outfly, Outwit and Out Imagine.


The crocodile says," Pardon me, but I heard I might find an old friend here! Did you hear that ticking sound?


Kits by Kate Hadfield: Doodle Pirates, Doodle Paper Frames, Doodle Paper Borders and Doodle Wild Animals.
Paper from Janel Kretschman's Country Chic and Alexander Kits,
Word box by Vicki Stegall,
Clock brush by Robyn England,
Small brown background from Good Karma by Michelle Coleman,
Fonts: DBMICHAEL by Darcy at Blueflombingo.com, Survivor and Dark Ages.

Girls on Film...

SOOOOO, do I have you humming that famous Duran Duran tune? I know I am! Anyway, this post has nothing to do with Duran Duran, but a Japanese animator. Michael and I have had several conversations about Hayao Miyazaki and his use of strong, young, female characters. This morning before school starts Aaron and Eve are watching "Castle in the Sky". I know I've posted about Miyazaki before, but I'm continually impressed by his work. When we watch the movies the boys enjoy the stories, as much as, the girls. Alongside the female lead is often a faithful and honorable young man. The stories are fantastical (is that a word?), but speak to common struggles and choices. I read this and found it interesting:
Midnight Eye interview with Hayao Miyazaki. Here is an excerpt from one of the Q & A portions: "With that very personal connection you have with your characters, how do you explain that the main characters in most of your films are young girls?

That would be far too complicated and lengthy an answer to state here, so I'll just suffice by saying that it's because I love women very much (laughs)."

Here are some of the films we enjoy as a family:






I took Eve and Aaron for hair cuts, yesterday, so here are the results:

One well accessorized pirate!


Eat your heart out, Jack Sparrow!



<sub>Doodle Pirates and Doodle Frames by Kate Hadfield


doodle frame and doodle bird by Holly McCaig</sub>
::::::::::::::::Centenarian::::::

My great Aunt Wilma turns 100 years-old this week! She doesn't have a great short-term memory, so she never remembers who I am, but she can give you a complete history for last 80 odd years. She is doing a far cry better in the memory department than me and I don't have as much to remember. Happy Birthday, Aunt Wilma!!!!

:::::::::::::::::The Handwriting is on the...::::::::
wall! No, not really, but it is in the computer.

Family History Rocks!

<sub>These are photos from my husband's family line that have no name listed anywhere and no one knows who they are

Credits: Robyn England's new Return to My Roots Apprentice kit Available now at Scrapartist.

Clock Brush also by Robyn England.

Font: Artistamp Medium</sub>

You can get the elements for this amazing kit at the Scrap Artist Apprentice Challenge Kits at www.scrapartist.com

The kits for the challenge are selling for rock bottom prices this week at $2.00.

I highly recommend grabbing this kit even if you haven't figured out the digital scrapbooking thing yet, because when you do you will find this so useful for creating albums for your family tree.

Remember RUN don't walk!CLICK ME

Mother and Daughters:

_{Template by Janna Billman,
Inked edges by Nancy Rowe Janitz and Shabby Princess, also Tea overlay by Scrap Artist in their Carefree kit,
Brooch by Fhunglie
Heritage brad by Cottage Arts,
Braided Gimp by Sandra Boddington's Allure Kit at Sweet Shoppe Designs,
Button by Anna Benjamin,
Papers from Gina Miller's DST Chat Papers,
Font: Beautiful
Brush: Michelle Coleman}

The Photographer and the Horse:

_{Be Trusting kit freebie on Kim Christensen's blog
Font: Misproject, Franklin Gothic Demi Cond}

Text: Baby Julia Sue Harris seats nervously on top of Sally the horse. It was common for a photographer to go around to homes in the community, so parents could get their children's photo taken.

:::::::::



_{Template by Jen Caputo,
Pink Pepper Kit by Zoe Pearn from her blog,
Sequins and journaling tab (Florist Kit) by Sandra Boddington at The Sweet Shoppe Designs
Alpha from the Splendid kit by Shabby Princess
Font: Century Gothic}

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

Neighborhood Bullies:

Aaron was riding his bike and a one of the neighbor boys threw a rock at him and hit Aaron in the side. Aaron came in clutching his side a fell into the chair. He didn't even say what had happened until I asked. When he told us Michael jumped up and had Aaron go next store and confronted the boys. There were two kids, but the one that threw the rock has tried to taunt Aaron into fighting him. The other boy used to be friendly to Aaron until he started hanging out with "W." Michael made sure the boys were aware that if any harm came to Aaron again police would be involved. He also informed both boys they were not permitted to walk through our yard. "W's little sister, "J." is pretty rude in her own right. I think the children are rather indulged by their parents because they are divorced, but both live in our neighborhood.
Both of these boys have moved here within the span of a year, so I assume we are in this for the long haul...JOY! As these bullying situations go the bullies will just wait out the trouble a bit then look for opportunities to get Aaron alone and without witnesses and threaten him. I hope this doesn't keep Aaron feeling like he can't freely go and visit his friend in a nearby neighborhood. I suppose I could get my tail out in the garden and be beautifying the yard, as well as, being a bit of a watch dog.

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


Michael tried to burn the house down tonight. He attempted to make the kids some brownies, but left the oven on broil. Rachel came in from outside and asked, "What's burning?" I ran into check and smoke was beginning to puff out of the oven. I thought burning stuff was my job! I really think Michael needs to learn his roll in the family and stop trying to infiltrate my realm of poor cooking habits! Sheesh!

Web Slingin' and Plaid Action...

all on one blog! I said I would present a dose of my 70's coolness, so I give you some Spiderman and Plaid action:


_{paper, stitched flower (recolored)by Michelle Coleman, overlay from Studio Chic by Shabby Princess, Faux Jewels by Shabby Princess, arrows from Laura's Shabby Arrows, Font: Stan's hand, Hurry Up}

For this layout I used the font Stan's Hand. I felt it was appropriate in name only because of Stan Lee. As far as, the Dorothy Hamill haircut...Argh!...I looked awful in that style. I think I was trying to draw peoples' eyes away from my hairstyle by wearing such kickin' pants and who doesn't like Spidey?!? One of my all time favorite shirts was one with Vinny Barbarino (John Travolta) from Welcome Back, Kotter! It said, "Up your nose with a rubber hose!" I wore that quite often. I don't know if a photo still exists of me wearing that shirt, but I think I saw one at my dad's house once several years ago. I almost feel that I should write certain dates with the intials p.s. to stand for "pre-scrapbooking".
:::::::::::::::::::::
My niece, Makayla, was blessed today and we got together with the Michael's family and outlaws and had a great barbeque. Then, we dropped 3 of the kids off to spend a few days with their cousins at my step mom's house. The girls were the only ones going to spend the night, but Noah asked if he might stay and Granny Alice said sure. We didn't bring any clothes for him to change into, but he was completely cool about that he said, "That's okay I'll just wear these." Meaning the clothes he wore to church. My sister, Tracy, and I were trying to think of clothes he might be able to use, but he just got annoyed and repeated his original statement. Funny kid!

99%---

of my photos are always duffie! The kids love to make goofy faces, or they simple look downright confused. I don't know what causes the confusion...it is I...your mother...with a camera. You know me! Anyway, the goofy faces I accept because I have introduced you to my zany, plastic faced, husband.


_{storyboard by Lanne, Font: Edwardian Script ITC}

-----

Father's Day

We drove to Pine Mountain, GA for a family get together. My Great Aunt Doris was visiting from Brigham City, UT. The kids had fun playing with cousins they had never met before. My Great Aunt Margaret made a super yummy homemade salsa. My dad scarfed up most of the shrimp (he was quite the vacuum around the shrimp tray). My Aunt Diann made a great strawberry cake with whip cream frosting...light and tasty!

Luckily, Michael brought his laptop and we were able to get cemetery photos from Aunt Margaret and Doris' trip to North Carolina where we have a lot of family history. It is so fun to trade email addresses with folks in the family. I hope to get some really good leads and solid family information. The kids think they are so funny when they point out cemeteries when we are driving and ask if I want to stop and take photos.

------------

In Digi-News: There is a great, COMPLETELY OPEN, forum for all things digital launched by Shannon BiegerDigiShopTalk. I have signed up and look forward to this burgeoning community! :)

The Taylors Tailoring:

It is really gratifying when you are able to pass on knowledge of something good and useful to your children. In this vein our daughter, Rachel, is a proverbial sponge for trying to soak up any hands on learning opportunity or reading about how to do something. I suppose we could have given her the nickname "Sponge Rachel", but it seriously doesn't flow, so, though a great idea, will just have to go in the circular file. Michael has an infinite amount of patience for teaching if he feels that whom ever it is wants to learn.



_{papers by Traci Murphy, Fringe from Joann's Fabric Store, Font: Guttenberg MF}
Quote: “Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand." Author Unknown


_{papers by Traci Murphy, fringe from Joann's Fabric Store, Font: Marcishand}

Text: Rachel asked her dad to teach her how to sew her own purse out of CapriSun bags. Michael had made a similar bag, as a Christmas gift, for Rachel's cousin, Haley Morgan. Michael taught her how to thread the bobbin and thread the sewing machine. He had her practice on a piece of denim, so that she could adjust her stitch length. Rachel was a quick study and an enthusiastic student!

Here is a link to make the pursesJuice Pouch Purses. We used Capri Sun pouches, but the site used Kool-Aid Jammer pouches...works the same.

--------------------

In other extremely exciting news: My BIL and SIL are officially adopting their 4 foster children today, so they now have 7 children. These kids have been apart of the family, in our hearts, since the first day they arrived. YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!

Another BIL and SIL are found out they are expecting a baby boy! I am EXTREMELY excited, but I am in an Aunt Quandry. What is an Aunt Quandry...don't check Wikipedia because the definition will not be there (I suppose I could add it though)? An Aunt Quandry is when one of your few talents as an aunt is making beaded socks for all the girls in the family. It is a fun and simple project: I simply use plastic tri-beads and crochet thread and bead around the edge of a bobby sock. This makes the girls very happy and makes me happy. I have only branched out with the beading once and that was as a joke for Christmas when I crocheted and beaded a golf cover for my BIL, Benjamin's, sand wedge. I figured he was one of the few male members of the family that might actually take it golfing. It was multi-colored (similar to Rachel's Capri Sun bag and had orange beads). So, what to make for this new little fellow, Spencer (they already picked out his name) has left me in my Aunt Quandry.

3 Sisters

_{April papers by Iron Orchid Designs, Stitches One by Mo Jackson, corner stitches by Sarah Batdorf in the Whimsy Kit and the flower pins from Sandra Boddington's Persimmons in Summer. Font: Mama Script}

This is a photo of my two sisters, Katherine and Tracy, and myself about 1973. My father built this fence and a few years later a drunk driver destroyed it completely. You will notice I'm not wearing shoes in this picture and my sister, Tracy, is shoeless and unhappy. I still go shoeless when I walk around outside (yes, for anyone chastising me out there, I do step on sharp pointy, things that make me mutter things, but I simply prefer to leave my shoes off). My sister, now much happier, goes around with her shoes on when she goes outside. Katherine is a shoe wearer too, so I don't know about my backwoods personality.
This is an aside, but I read on the internet (Bastion of all thought, as it is) that if you never wore shoes your feet would never stink. I digress in wondering if adults went around na*ed would we not need deoderant? This is merely a thought and I am seriously not advocating nu*ity. I do own a mirror---Please!

Jack's Glass Shop

One of the jobs my husband's maternal grandfather, Jack Moulton, held was that of a glazier. Here is a photo of him with his work truck. His son, Vaughn (legs only), daughter, Sydney and Kathleen in the back of the truck.
_{I used Mo Jackson's Construction Site Kit, Aunt Laura, and Dorothy's Kitchen, paint brush stroke is by Michelle Coleman, baseball from www.sxc.hu, old window by Katie Pertiet.}

Isabelle's Buttons

Text: "Isabelle Price Kunkel (pictured here with one of her children) loved to collect buttons. She was an excellent seamstress, and she would keep left over buttons from something she repaired or buy buttons she took a fancy to. Her button collection was displayed for years at her granddaughter, LaVone Moulton's home. This button collection was a cherished position of the family and has since been divided among LaVone's 4 daughters upon LaVone's passing."
· Date: 5-5-06 · Views: 0 ·
Additional Info
Credits:
(no commercial or profit site links please)
: Enlighten Papers by Jen Wilson
Program Used:
: Photoshop 6.0
Fonts Used:
: Amienne
Elements/Extras:
: Vintage buttons and buds by Papermoons (Annaben), Sbb Vintage Artistry, and Extraodinary Everyday by Jen Wilson, Paper collage by Hope Wallace, Overlay by Shabby Princess, Stitches by Mo Jackson, and blue vellum from Jen Wilson's "Sunkissed"