{me}anderings . . .

weekend fun . . .

believe it or not, that grimace in the first photo is one of sheer and utter happiness . . . his canned smile is a little pained these days . . . hopefully a phase that will pass soon . . . see that yes above him?  that's the reson he's so filled with joy . . . it's a yes!!!  yes he's old enough to ride all the kiddie rides by himself . . . woohoo!  we went to the wilson county fair saturday night . . . the gman was all about the roller coasters . . . that's my boy!

saturday night we went to a barbque to celebrate billy's graduation from officer's school . . . so proud of him and thankful for the service he gives to our country . . . so glad he remembers to spend time with g . . . it means a lot to the little guy.  need to post more party pics tomorrow.  it was on the lake and i was so enchanted by the lighting . . .

and of course we went to the pool both days . . . gotta take advantage of that while summer lasts . . . g's a snorkeling dude since we scored this set for 75% off at walgreens . . . he really amazes me with his self-taught swimming skills . . . he also cracks me up with the innocent comments (also like his mommy.  i could sure embarrass myself back in the day) . . . yesterday when we got out of the pool he told me, "take this off and screw me" . . . "what did you say?!!" . . . "take this off and screw me" . . . it took a minute for my mind to catch up and interpret . . . take my wet trunks off and tie the dry towel on . . . he can't stand to stay wet when he's ready to be dry . . . also like me . . . is he my kid, or what?

so today's monday.  had to work.  managed to get there 10 minutes early.  i was way impressed with myself.  stayed way past the bell.  got home to my reward . . . a big ole box of ac happiness . . . oh happy day!  can't wait to play!  :D

and the winners are . . .

my random number generator picked the following lucky winners:  stephanie howell, conniec, karen lee, shelley, wendi, sasha farina, and staci taylor!  yay for modern technology!  send me your addresses and i'll ge those tickets in the mail monday!  wheee!!!  :D

friday's at sherri's are few and far between lately and not nearly as productive as they used to be.  darn school anyway.  i did manage to get one layout done.  look familiar?  i seem to have parked in a couple ruts lately.  this one is about 97% ki bloom.  my bazzill kraft and white.  and i finally dirtied my new hero arts small line dots border.  i think it's going to be my new bff.

ok.  the gman's ready for a dip in the pool.  catchya later!  :D

happy hump day . . .

still busy.  still tired.  hard to adjust to the routine after the lazy summer.  but my kids are sweet.  and routine is good.  i'm sure i'll find my groove soon.

jbs layouts are up!  yay!  i think this is my favorite of my crop this month.  it's based on the song better hands by natalie grant. just a gentle reminder to me.  life hasn't turned out quite the way i would have liked, but it's still wonderful.  grace.

i have lots of jbs tickets to give away.  SEVEN envelopes stuffed full.  seven's my lucky number.  could be yours too.  leave a comment telling me what your favorite jbs product is and i'll pick seven lucky winners friday night.  aaaaahh friday.  aaaahhh the weekend.  soon.  :D

august jbs sneak peeks . . .

 

i wasn't sure how inspired i'd be with the kit this month since i'd already created three layouts with the new victoria line for cha.  i don't know why i doubted though.  when jenni first showed it to me i had to tell her it was so gorgeous it took my breath away.  i did five more layouts and a set of cards.  yep.  it inspired me.  the little stamp is divine.  my new favorite.  don't forget to check the site tomorrow night.  it's posting night.  always love posting night.  :D

one layout weekend . . .

kraft cardstock.  of course.  red and yellow mixed with shades of blue . . . love this color combination lately.  lots of ki bloom.  yummy.  those cutie sugar-coated flowers i snagged from sherri.  can you believe she made those?  k&co fabric-covered brads.  i rediscovered my fancy brad bottle friday night.  thanks again to sherri.  she had some laying on her desk that i really really wanted to take home with me.  i feel a joann's run coming on.  soon.  very soon.  stamping.  i don't do nearly enough of that.  hand-journaling.  way too lazy to use the computer.  ac thickers.  always the best alphas.  buttons.  of course.  a few stitches to finish it off.  happy happy.  :D

mugshots and outtakes . . .

i needed a new profile photo so of course i asked sherri to take it.  decided i was having a good hair day friday so me and g went over for a little impromptu photo session.  my mug was rather painful.  we had to get the light right, and me positioned correctly and her camera tilted just so and the wind blowing in the right direction.  whew.  finally got one that's passing. 

then enter the gman.  it amazes me how much more beautiful i feel with my child in my arms.  photos are easy peasy with him in the frame with me.  love when i get the opportunity to snag a few casual shots with my guy.  this mommy time when i can hold him in my arms is so fleeting.  backyard photography is perfect for capturing the mother son relationship.  i love the way it shows personalities and interactions and feelings. 

thanks so much for helping me record these moments sherri.  i really do apprecciate your friendship.  :D

p.s.  i have a layout almost done.  just a few more buttons and stitches and a little journaling to add.  hope to get it finished and posted for you tomorrow.  :D

back to school + too many projects = tired me

i'm really too drained to think of anything clever or interesting to say tonight.  but i realized that i never finished posting my jbs mini-album and i haven't posted anything pretty in a few days, so . . .

the title on each page is part of the lyrics to "my job" by conway twitty.  and yes i said conway twitty.  it's one of those country ditties i picked up on my road trip this summer.  the song goes "everything i do is because of you, to keep you safe with me, that's my job you see".  it's really beautiful.  and makes me think of my relationship with g right now.  love that kid.  i didn't bother journaling.  instead, i used each little bit of lyric as a springboard for quote searching on www.thinkexist.com. 

here's the mini in its entirety then.  click to enlarge.

in the news . . .

this is one of the photos i "sent out" for g.  he thinks it's awesome.  what do you think?  i'm curious about the girly girl to tomboy ratio of my readers.  go ahead.  zoom in.  if you dare.  :D

i have some VERY exciting news to share . . . i made the American Crafts design team!  yesss!  it was only my third time trying.  so so glad i persevered.

my friends dina and sasha made the hambly design team the same day!  yay dina!  yay sasha!

torm made the top five in paper crafts card idol contest . . . go cast your vote!  voting ends thursday 8/7.

debbie hodge's book is on sale . . . 40% off at amazon.com!

pioneer woman has posted part XXXVI of black heels to tractor wheels . . . such a sweet read . . . can i post it on goodreads?

jenni debuted a gorgeous new website and has a way cool contest going on this month . . . you don't want to miss it!

public service announcement . . .

i got an epson picture mate dash pm 260 personal photo lab per tracie's recommendation.  she wasn't kidding.  it's fabulous.  i am ecstatic.  my pictures look just like they do here.  no darkness.  no murky discoloration.  no loss of detail.  and i can easily print wallets without bothering with photoshop.  2 up.  2 different pics.  and they're cheaper instead of more expensive.  what a novel idea.  and ooooh the instant gratification.  i'm working on a little show and tell mini-album for g right now.  a picture book of his boating trips in florida this summer.  he loves seeing all his sea creatures "sent out".  that's his terminology for printed.  so cute. 

i think i'm in photography paradise right now.  good times . . .

back to school . . .

it really wasn't that bad.  the waking up/getting ready was the worst part.  the work was just fine.  g was super happy to get back.  he really loves his little friends.  glad i got one good back to school shot to share.  the first one.  woohoo!  it totally helped that i'd bribed him with hubba bubba glop.  had to follow through with the bribe by taking him all the way to walmart.  darn the gas stations for not being up with the bubble gum trends.  anyhoo.  this was the only good shot and i'm lucky to have it.  i brought my camera this morning and forgot the flash card.  doh.  ran home after work to snag it before getting g.  the battery then died after taking four pics.  i will take the whole bag next time.  and there'll be a staged back to school photoshoot in the near picture.  wonder what i'll have to bribe him with for that one.  gotta have good pics of his cutie new outfit.  i totally fell in love with the shorts at old navy.  then convinced myself he needed them for back to school.  and secretly justified the purchase because yellow is the hot color in the scrappy world right now.  ha.  ok.  gotta go to bed.  excuse any typos.  no time for editing.  and i have great news to share tomorrow.  happy happy.  :D