Checked off my list

Yeah I finally completed my challenge, thanks to Kristii for putting this one out there.
Sorry about the lousy photo shots, I was anxious to get posted today..
Left Side

Right side ~ I left the "Celebrate" box in upper right empty for Jennifer to fill in notes/comments about the night.

My daughter and her friend celebrated her friends birthday at Roll on America in Lancaster, MA
it was deemed appropriate as they grew up roller skating there every week ~ not to mention I spent alot of time roller skating there also... Fun times, lots of laughs, good memories and oh yeah few bruises too! :-)

This paper was "Endless Summer" it was exclusive to Archiver's from WRMK ~ It's just been sitting waiting to be used.. Font on typed journaling was Jokerman ~ nice match to my new Zelda font by Quickutz ya think???
Until next time!

Buzzing around

Plant it and they will come. True statement I was blessed with my first Hummingbird of the season yesterday, of course I did not have my camera with me outside as I was just reading and actually didn't think about it at the time. It was about 6:50pm and I was just relaxing and finishing up my book "Scarpetta" and happened to look up at this Bee Balm plant at the right time and see the little hummer buzzing around!!!! OH yes this made me happy! I specifically planted this plant for them and was blessed last year with having them stop in for a spell. I will be watching again for the little burst of joy and hope to gather a photo to add to my collection.
Bee Balm

My Lillies in side garden.

My current reading List:

I just love our library it is the best ever!! I can put books on hold and just wait for the phone call (well recording) stating your books you requested are on hold!!! Music to a bibliophile"s ears!!!!

I do have to say James Patterson is a favorite author and I actually have an autographed book by him. When I worked on the east coast I was working with his sister and she got him to autograph it for me.. A collectors item for my "home" library!!

Ok so the Saturday weather was still hot, humid and sunny... glad I was off to enjoy some of it. Kerry and I did get out on our movie date to see The Proposal.. good movie. Next on my movie wish list is to see Public Enemies with Johnny Depp (insert swoon here!) lol I read he will be playing the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton next year... another look forward to movie. I just love that he never stereotyped himself as an actor and plays many roles.

Ok enough ramblin.. off to finish my layout to post..

Until next time!

The 80's part 2

So those of us who lived through the 80's probably have many memories.. lol

I definately remember Jennifer and her crimped hair, leg warmers for skating, swatch watches, and hot colors.. well NEON Bright colors.


I get to re-live this time warp frame with some photos of Jennifer and her friend at a 1980's themed birthday party at our local roller skating rink Roll on America!!! oh my, this layout is fun to be doing, and i have the colors and prints chosen and placed on the paper, now to add the journaling - and embelishment... I hope to post tomorrow as it is toooo stinkin hot to sit here much longer (we are boycotting air conditioning to $$) lol but Kerry informed me it's going on tomorrow!!! that's ok we will $$ave elsewhere right, it's important to have your priorities.


So most of you know I utilize my Quickutz for alot of my work, I am thrilled to say I saved $30.00 off the limited edition Zelda grand font at Archiver's... I loved that font and really loved getting an email coupon so well timed to get it! www.quickutz.com
Until next time!

I am...

Hey blogging friends, saw this on Cathy Zelieskes blog and wanted to do it also!

TODAY : June 23st, 2009
Outside my window... Blue skies and puffy clouds with lots of sunshine peeking through.
I am thinking... about how humid it is and how many showers can one take in a day??
I am thankful for... fans
From the kitchen... Something quick and easy, maybe ice cream???
I am wearing... ugly black shorts, orange tank top and garden sandals.
I am creating... a two page layout for Jennifer's book based on Kristii's challenge.
I am going... to head out to sit in the shade and enjoy my yard critters.
I am reading... "Scarpetta" by Patricia Cornwell.
I am hoping... to find something for my nephew Tylers birthday off his terribly expensive list!
I am hearing... sounds of some old movie Kerry is watching
Around the house... there is vaccuming to be done and a kitchen counter to be decluttered.
One of my favorite things... my Camera.
A few plans for the rest of the week... work till Friday, off for the weekend hoping to see the new movie with Sandra Bullock "The Proposal", weed one of my gardens and make s'mores on the fire pit!
Until next time!

Bloom plants BLOOM!

So the rain, and the humidity has been almost unbearable here... and we are supposed to have T-storms again this afternoon.. I wish it was going to be a nicer day for all those Dads out there but where ever they are I hope they have a Happy Father's Day! I put my weekly call into my dad and I was lucky this was a "chatty day" for him.. lol so after I caught up and Kerry told him a couple jokes they went back and forth with them for a bit Kerry says goodbye and get this Dad says to me "boy he was chatty today huh"??? lol yeah dad he was! I love my Dad like most people I think mine is the BEST!!!! :-) I can't wait to visit with him again!

Yarrow in Bloom

Yarrow, 2 plants that just took off (possibly with help from Miracle Gro??) lol

Bee Balm (this is the 4ft. tall plant) I am excited about all the blossoms on this one, as this was the plant which drew the hummingbirds to my yard last year.. Come and get it!!

Love this peek into my retreat!

So while Kerry was chatting I took a couple photos of my hummingbird and butterfly garden starting to really Bloom, I am so excited and hope it finally warms up so they will come.

Until next time!

Room for one more?

LOL, I have been on a roll... scrapping away makes me smile and pleased to have accomplished something.. So for the moment this is my last critter photo in this run. This was the one I was working on in my last post when I asked the question if all layouts need titles? I decided this one did not!

So my friend kristii posted a challenge on her blog for us to use 5 4 x 6 photos on a two page spread, I found the ones I wanted to use. My daughter and her friend having an 80's birthday party roller skating.. lol this will be fun and it's for her book. Stay tuned for leg warmers, hot pink, belts, and omg do not forget the hair!! I did pick out some solid cardstock, now I am wading thru my patterned papers stash for the perfect companion papers. I will post it when complete.
Until next time!

3 in a row!

I have been enjoying the rain believe it or not!! It actually has given me a reason to work on my scrapbooking and NOT feel guilty about being inside. I have been having such fun with the DCWV Recycled papers for my backyard retreat/critters. The colors in the papers work so well with my yard scape and current "nature" fest.. lol
Sometimes I have trouble coming up with titles, and I don't necessarily think every layout needs one either, so this one just has some journaling. Question to my blog readers: Do you create a "Title " for all your pages ?


Well for now I am off to read my friends blogs, and check out Jocelyn's "happy list" Hope everyone is having a great day so far. It has been humid and wet all morning, but I am happy that it has rained as it is making my garden BLOOM. My Bee Balm plant is 4ft tall (lotta help from the miracle gro I think!) and it has finally budded. I will get some updated photos with the blossoming yard soon!
Until next time!

Where would you GO?

Well yesterday Kerry and I did head to the Casino as planned for brunch. Yummie, I filled up on lots of goodies for breakfast, then did a second round with lunch.. He did play in the Casino for a bit (bit too long if you ask me, but he does enjoy it ~ me not so much!) So if I know we are headed there, I grab a book yesterdays was Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult. Now I do like her books, but this one was a struggle for me to keep reading I did finish it though.. I was thinking she spent too much time jumping from chapter to chapter to different characters telling the story.
Other sights were this great theater in Aurora, IL it is down the street from the casino and has been around for years. I love the old look of the building it has character don't you think?
The Paramount Theater

Here is a plaque with the history to learn more about this great looking place:

So here I am now in my backyard retreat enjoying life and hear this jet! Makes you wish you could go somewhere doesn't it... so here is a question for my blog readers if you could hop a plane to anywhere in the world where would you go?? Leave me a comment I'd love to imaginary travel with you. Me ~ I'm heading to Ireland ~

Until next time!

MoJo part 2

Good Sunday morning!! The sun is shining here in the Windy City, so I will be outside for a bit today enjoying it!!! I did complete the 2nd 12 x 12 layout for myself last nite and am posting as promised. I again used the DCWV paper and the "SnowDay" alpha by Quickutz, I just love how fun it is..These layouts are going in a book about family/home for future viewing pleasure.
Pond Ducks ~

Lately I have been scrapping in no particular order, just whatever photos come up next in my pile so not sure whats coming next but hope you will enjoy looking at them.

Oh Kerry and I might be headed to the Casino for a "Free Breakfast Buffet" this am.. yum yum now thats something to look forward to. Yesterdays Cookout was a success his folks really enjoyed themselves, ate too much and relaxed outside by the pond watching the ducks and birds. This in itself was a good thing for them to be outside as they tend to stay indoors most of the time. Except at the camp in VT. !!!

Oh and a movie to see if you have not was "Grand Torino" with Clint Eastwood, I was impressed with the young girl and boy who had lead parts. Clint is pretty much a ledgend and great producer/director as well as his years of acting.
Until next time!

Life Bird ~

As most who read this blog know I am a nature freak... lol well avid bird watcher. I was thrilled to see a "life bird" today in my own backyard! A "life bird" is one you have never seen before and therefore one you can check off on your "list". Todays bird was a Northern Flicker, it is a member of the woodpecker family, and I was fortunate enough to see it as I went to look out my window, there he was pecking at the ground for ants.. of course I got Kerry to view it too with my trusty binoculors but he flew off before I could grab my own camera!! Ahhhh heres to hoping it comes to visit again, but I scored a photo off the wonderful internet we all have at our disposal. So for your viewing pleasure I present the "Northern Flicker".

Until next time!

MoJo is back!!

Whew, I thought it was lost and gone for good.... lol summer has a way of sucking the creativity out of me. I really love being outside and in nature watching, learning, and enjoying all the critters. This is a fun spot for our Chipmunks, Squirrels, and of course my Birds and resident Duck pair!~ I was enjoying my lazy day watching the birds and reading when this little critter got thirsty, I of course now watch the backyard activity with my camera at hand, binocculars (courtesy my inlaws last Christmas - one of the best gifts ever!!) and was thrilled he stopped for a drink, then heard the whirrr of the camera and looked up and around, but never took his little paws off the saucer!! I loved this shot and it gave me an opportunity to use my DCWV Recycled Green stack>... the solid color for the title is American Crafts Earthtones and I used my Quickutz "SnowDay" alpha for title.. I am moving on to other photos from the same day... hope to post later today or definately tomorrow.

I miss my family very much, it is amazing how much time changes everything. Now one of my ambitions for this year is to capture as much of them as I can in photos. I don't care if it is a bazillion megabytes of digital photos.. I need to have these type of photos shown below. I hate that I miss out on recitals, day to day drama, shopping, creating, laughing etc with them.

But most of all I miss that Sarah has grown up and I was so far away!! I love this almost teen like she is my own... Sarah is so excited bout turning 13 this year!! I look at this photo and remember she was only 10 last time I saw her :-( time, economy, life just comes and goes.. but not the love or memories, she is the one who faithfully writes me and I get so excited to get "Sarah mail" even if it is now by email!!

Sarah and Carrie

Sarah at Recital

So to celebrate her big 13 this year I am looking for the best present ever.. Pretty sure I have it can't say cuz I don't know if she is reading my blog or not.. LOL but I am confident that it will twirl her baton a time or two!!

Ahhhh as for today, it rained all morning, I was outside tying up some of my plants that seemed to take to the Miracle Gro a tad more than anticipated!! lol so here I am standing in rain in pj's with tomato string tying them up. Glad I did it, now if the sun comes out as planned they will lift themselfs upward towards it... hmmmm oh yea the optimistic child..

Off with Kerry to meat market, we are having a cookout for his shhhhhhhhh (birthday that was on the 9th) he hates having birthdays so we dont really celebrate much.. I on the other hand love having them, so I told him we could just celebrate me!!! lol

Until next time!

Hey everyone sorry I've been missing but this is summer and you all know where I am!! OUTSIDE.

A couple sneak peaks at what I have been working on. Seems May was a month of Tulips everywhere I looked they were blooming and so pretty. I need to plant more this fall, I want to have them in my own yard instead of traveling all around the city to find them and take pictures.

These photos are from my 2009 mini book for May, the tractor is from an adventure or "road trip" Kerry and I took to get a wheel for his dads lawnmower. You see it is really the little things that matter to me most, spending time with Kerry just makes me "Happy" no matter what we do. He is too funny it is kind of a joke between us that he "takes me places I've never been" lol think about it how many of you ladies would be excited to go on a road trip to DeKalb, IL to the John Deere Implement place.. not many I am sure.. but I just enjoy spending time with him no matter what.

I've got to head to work now, but I will share more later this week I promise.. Enjoy the little things those are what really matter!

Until next time!

Where's Lorry??

Wow, time has flown. I can not believe it is June already and I have not had one silly measly posting yet. I have been reading all your blogs daily or when updated friends, but my computer time is next to nothing when it is nice out.
I live to be outside... there is something about the sun shining on me that just makes me smile. Ahhhh that could be a "happy list" comment like my friend Jocelyn...
1. Sunshine makes me happy!!

I have been working on my monthy 2009 book and have almost completed the month of May, I will post photos when done. I do really love the small format and minis. I remember when I started scrapping it was 12 x 12 only... lol oh how I struggled to work on 8.5 x 11 for my nephews book, I could not fit everything on the page.. Now I have trouble filling up a 12 x 12 page!~ go figure.

I was blessed with watching my ducks in my pond tonight, it was dusk and they were dipping and diving under the water.. That makes me Happy!

I have been able to connect with some old work friends and school friends on facebook. It is funny how that works, you "friend" someone and realize they are "friends" with someone else you know, so you add them as a "friend" and before you know it you have sucked your time away scrolling through endless friends and those dagnabbit quizzes.. lol but I was "Happy" to meet up with some dear friends who I have missed since moving to Chicago. I only wish it didn't suck up so much time inside. I try to do it in late evenings but then ahmmm 6am comes earlier now than it did when I was younger whats up with that??

So in a nutshell, I have been gardening, reading, and soaking up sunshine. I miss being able to scrap as much but still strive to do a little bit each day. I promise to post again sooner!
Until next time!