My Scrappy To Do List:)

I realized today how long it has been that I actually sat down and worked in my scrapbooks and it has been quite awhile. I keep meaning to with good intention but then get side tracked so I am hoping if I make a list I will get some things accomplished and can mark them off as I go.

1. Finish Susan and Jays wedding album
2. work on Halloween pages from 2010, 2009 and 2008
3. get a Disney album to scrapbook all of our Disneyland photos
4. work on vacation album for our fair-coming up a month away
5. work on Christmas photos from 2009
6. keep working on organizing my craft room and put things together in themes so I can find them easier
7. make some cards for:Birthday, Anniversary, Thanks, Thinking of You, Get Well

keep practicing on the digital scrapbooking-I am really liking digital right now:)
   8. Prom 2010
   9. Skiing with the school 2010

That is my list so far--I am sure I will think of more but that's a pretty good start.

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Caption.iT - Moon Glow Photo Frame Text Generator

Caption.iT - Moon Glow Photo Frame Text Generator

Christmas in My Heart

Here we are only a few weeks away from Christmas and usually I am not so into all of it this early-the music, thoughts of baking and spending time with friends at the mall just having coffee and seeing all the decorations up but I really am into Christmas this yr. I have been listening to Christmas music all week long at some of my favorite online radio stations and I don't know why but Christmas gives me just a different feeling that is so warm and cozy every yr. but for some reason this yr. even more.

I am not even that bothered by the snow like I usually am-don't get me wrong..I love snow in the mountains and where we live we get plenty of it. It is beautiful and makes for some awesome photos. It is the driving in the storms I can't stand.

The best part of Christmas is being with family and being close and snuggled in together near the warm wood stove sharing stories from Christmas past and watching a good Christmas movie like Miracle on 34th St. or something to make you laugh like Christmas Vacation--I love that movie:-)

I am thinking we are going to be getting our tree soon-the smell of a pine tree is one of the best smells there is and then when it is all decorated with love-and the lights-glorious!

The true meaning of Christmas to me though is where all this love and this "good" comes from is who it is all about--Jesus truly is the reason for the season and I am so thankful he has given me this love to share and the beauty of Christmas that will always and forever be in my heart.

Summer Challenge #14- from SB.com (a few things about me)

1. What are your other favourite things to do (other than blog or scrap)? I love, love photography and it shows..you should see all the photos on my computer that I say someday I am going to scrapbook-Right, I don't think I can scrapbook that many photos-um, i probably have about 2,000 atleast. I love to travel with my family and our vacations are something I look forward to every Summer even if it is just for 3 days away from home. If I had enough money and time I could just get in my car and drive and go wherever I ended up. I love to see different places and the way of life there but family time is the best. I love to read a good book -one that keeps me interested from the beginning to end. It is hard to keep up with it if it drags on or is just "so so". I love to watch our kids play sports, horseback ride and have fun. I love just hanging out with our kids and listening to them talk and grow physically and mentally. I must admit though, that I really do miss those "little kid" stages sometimes, they used to say the cutest things that just touched my heart. I love rubber stamping and making cards for people. I have been stamping since 1991 and when I saw it demonstrated at a craft fair I knew right away it'd be something I'd love since I have always had an "artsy" side to me. I really need to do it more often though. I have many new sets that are calling my name to be used on some cards:-)
2. Where or who do you gain inspiration from? I gain my inspiration in nature-sunsets, places I see in magazines, tv, music-this is a big one for me cause I love music so much and usually listen to it every day. That should of been in my first list above. I gain inspiration also from people-just kind words, smiles, even the unhappy times-all of life is a lesson and something to be praised. Makes me want to love those around me even more.
3. What do you like to do to relax? one word: Bubble baths-they are so relaxing to me..they help me unwind from a crazy, hectic day and the more bubbles the better. Scented candles are a great addition too. Take a bath at night and just have the glow from the candles and it is so nice.
4. What is your favourite kind of music? I love all kinds of music but my most fav. would have to be Country since it is the one I listen to the most and sing along with:-) some of my fav. singers are Tim McGraw, Sawyer Brown, Faith Hill, Sugarland and Toby Keith.
5. Do you have a scrap or creativity space - can you show us a picture? (This could also be a pic of a place you like to spend time in or at) I have an awesome scrapbook room-I just need some more shelves for all the stuff I have. When it is better organized I will have photos:-)
6. What's your favourite food? I love Shrimp Scampi and love to eat it any new restaurant I try. It is one of my fav. dishes to make at home-Yum!!
7. Are you afraid of anything? Oh yeah, don't get me started on this one..there are a few things. I really don't like snakes at all and I guess I am not really afraid of them but I am-does that make sense:-) I don't like heights but am not really afraid to fly on a plane. It is more like a close to the edge or on the ledge kind of thing looking over-don't like that at all.
8. Do you have a favourite tv show? Army Wives is a great show and love watching that. It makes me feel so patriotic-even more than I am already and it has a great story line.
9. Do you collect anything? I feel like I collect scented candles sometimes because I have so many and still find more that I like when I am shopping:-) Yankees are my fav. they have so many great scents.
10. If you were sent to a deser island, and you could take 3 things, what would they be? (it could be anything!!)My Bible, my family, a journal

Tomorrow is the Day

It has been a busy week and we are finally leaving tomorrow for our fair. We will be there for 4 nights and it will also be busy while we are there but lots of fun.
The kids are showing and selling their pigs and C will be taking her horse and she is so excited. He is her new horse that she bought in May at one of the horse sales and what a sweetheart he is. I am excited to see how they will do this yr on the horsemanship and her pattern, that isn't til Thursday morning.
They also show their pigs on Thursday night and they will be judged-man I hope they aren't over weight, they look heavy to me but they did last yr. too and it surprised me how well they did for weight.
We will see:-) I am still in the process of packing so of course I am running behind like usual and I better get going to finish it up along with my album that I am doing. I am going to post pics. when I get home of all the excitement from our Fair Fun:-)
Oh, and we are going to the rodeo too-I love rodeos, Summer isn't the same w/out going to atleast one rodeo and seeing all those bulls and broncs and the clown is pretty good too.

Almost Fair time again

Where has Summer gone? It seems like after the fourth of July it just flies by and before you know it school will be starting up. We still have so much to do to even get ready for the fair..the kids need to walk their pigs, make sure they have all their supplies/tools for the animals at the fair and we need to go shopping for clothes that they have now outgrown:boots, shirts, pants and whatever other supplies they need for the horse or pigs.
They have their interviews on the 1st of August or they can't sell their pigs at the fair. This is usually a very busy time for us and then and sigh of relief the day we come home from being gone for 5 days-lots of animals, tired kids, business, parade, fair food:-), and ribbons to take home.
C is really excited to be taking her new horse this year for her horsemanship level 3-he is such a sweetheart!! He just loves to have attention so I think this will be a good thing for both of them. He works good for her and I think she has her pattern down, she rides him every day (if she is home) I am so looking forward to spending some time with my husband for a few days..haying season is really long this year it seems-some nights he doesn't get home til midnight from a long day in the field. Going to the fair is our second semi vacation of the Summer and when it's over you know school is right around the corner. My baby is going to high school this yr. This will be a huge change for us but I think she will like it.
Here are some photos from past yrs. at the fair:-)

Reflections

I was looking through some old photos today and came across these that were in my bag of really important photos to scrapbook and right away the memories came flooding in. My life has been inspired by so many people for different reasons but none more than my family and I can remember as far back as when I was 6 yrs. old and the place we lived in Wyoming-it was a friendly sub division where all the houses looked the same and we made some good friends and did the things that kids usually do-run through the sprinkler in the summer time, go to the park or a friends house that had a swing set and swing for what seemed like hours. We had cats and a dog when I was a kid, Dad brought home this big tiger cat when it was a baby-someone had abandoned it and he had been hunting that day near The Hoback and brought it home for us..we named it Hobbs and that cat was huge it seemed as he got older.
There are so many wonderful memories for me in this house we lived in when I was 6..it had wood floors and I loved the smell after my mom would clean and wax the floors, they shined and the whole house smelled good. I remember Birthday parties there and big family get togethers which seemed to last for hours and hours. My parents had lots of friends that would come over and play chess or ping pong(on the tv) or this game they called "bump" with a wood board and marbles.
Growing up I didn't have many cousins at all since my Dad was the oldest of two and my Mom was an only child. I never knew any of her family but we did have two cousins from my Dads brother(he is the one in the photo with me and my sister) and there is a story about him too but maybe someday I will be able to write about that. He died when I was 19 and it was something he had planned and it just killed me inside at the time-we were really close as I was growing up and I never even imagined this would of happened.
When I was 8 my cousin Susie died from Leukemia-that was the first time I ever dealt with someone dying close to me and I didn't know how to handle that for awhile..when your a kid you think some how it was your fault. I realize now that things happen and for a reason, I just wish I could of seen her grow up and see what kind of person she would of become. She died when she was 4(she is the little one in the picture with me and my sister.)
My Great Gramma was so fun to be with-we'd go for rides in hers and Grampa's Red Chevy down to the store and buy penny candy and sit on the stools in the back part of the store at the old fashioned soda fountain and order a cold drink on a Hot day. I wish they still made places like that! There was something about her cooking too:-) She made the Best toast and eggs I have ever had-with Apricot jelly on the toast. She lived in a little trailor that was so homey to me and on the coffee table in the front room she always had tea roses in water that she had picked off her rose bush. She called me Raynay(only she did that and I loved it)
I remember a time with my uncle going hunting for deer and the two of us were driving behind Dad in his truck with the windows down and the music playing just having a great time talking about everything and anything(we had some great long talks) Man I miss him!!
When I was 21 I decided I wanted to be a nanny and I had really wanted to see the East Coast so I went what seemed like to another world for me clear across the USA to Connecticut all by myself to a family I had only know through photos and phone calls to work for them taking care of their 5 month old baby James. It was so rewarding and what a beautiful place to go..I remember the first night there I cried myself to sleep-I was a really long way from Montana and I didn't know at first if I'd make it being so far away. I am really close to my family and this was a huge step for me but I went for more than one reason and I am so glad I did. I got to see the ocean for the first time and since then I have been captivated! It's amazing how beautiful the USA is and so glad I got to see and do what I did.

My Memories are beautiful to me even though some are so bitter sweet-they make me who I am today and I wouldn't change a thing as I reflect on "yester"days.

Almost a month ago

This girl was getting ready for her evening at her 8th grade graduation and how beautiful she looked.
I don't know where the time goes seriously..every day is a gift to be cherished because it goes by so fast. I can't believe she is going to Highschool in the Fall and there will be new beginnings in her life and in ours too. There will be sports, dances, lots more homework, pep rallies, new friends and new dreams. Being a Mom we want the yrs to go by so much slower than they do so we can enjoy the moments with our kids but I look at it as a gift each day to see how they change and grow and WOW how this little sweetie has grown and changed. She has always been petite stature but has a big mind for what she wants in life and one of her most biggest desires is anything to do with horses-a trainer, barrell racer, veternarian, and just about anything to do with them.
She has been drawing them since she was 5-how those drawings have changed over the yrs. and they are so beautiful.
I can't wait to see where the future takes her and so glad to be her Mom and go on that road with her along the way.
She is a gift to me !!

on her first day of  1st grade in her little schoolOn the Beach in Oregon during one of our vacations-age 7 yrs.4th grade photo-Love that haircut she gave herself..so funny but they all do it sometime or another :-)Practicing her dribbling in the house..lolShe was so happy when she finally got a horsewith her sister in their new clothes that they got for the fair to show 4-H animals in:-) Pretty snazzy girls.Together is the best place to be- :-) Cassie with her sister and brother8th grade :-)give a girl a horse and she is in heaven:-)Cassie with her cousin on her 8th grade graduation-Way to go Girl!!!

50 Things That Really Matter

this is a great little book with a lot of information in it. It's one of my most favorite books-one that I won't ever be taking to a thrift store to give away. It is just a happy feeling book and makes you smile, and cry at the same time. It is also a great journaling prompt with the titles of the book. Just looking at the titles makes me want to journal more about the Important things in life. I got mine at a Hallmark store a few yrs. ago and have read it many times but am delighted every time I clean out my craft room that stores all my favorite treasures-books, stamping supplies, scrapbook supplies, photos on the walls of family and friends and quote books. This one is my favorite by far for inspiration:-) Don't you just love those little shoes on the cover? That really is the reason I bought the book in the first place and then I read it..what a great book! I highly recommend it.

1. Wisdom
2. warm spring days
3. Memories
4. Honest work
5. Faith
6. Bubble Baths
7. Passion
8. Puppies
9. The sounds of music
10. Seashells
11. Candlelight
12. Saying "I love you"
13. Saying "I'm sorry"
14. Flowers
15. Motherhood
16. A Good Book
17. Kindness
18. Afternoon Naps
19. Friends
20. Thunderstorms
21. Sad Movies
22. Family
23. Gratitude
24. Quiet Time
25. Independence
26. Imagination
27. Contentment
28. Milestones
29. Hugs
30. Sunrise
31. A Child's Heart
32. The smell of a new baby
33. Romance
34. Holidays
35. Trust
36. Sympathy
37. Holding Hands
38. Charity
39. Summer Nights
40. Old Dogs
41. Family Dinners
42. A Good Cup of Coffee
43. Curiosity
44. A Sense of Wonder
45. Hope
46. Companionship
47. Home
48. Butterflies
49. Courage
50. You
    

Amazon.com: 50 Things That Really Matter: Hallmark: Books

Exploring Old Houses & Treasures

I don't know why but I have always loved old abandoned houses and buildings ever since I was a kid. I think it is the idea of who lived there before and what their lives were like, what they did for a living, how many kids they had (if they had any) if they had any pets and stuff like that.
I am a really nostalgic person and love History.
Today on the way home from town with the kids we finally stopped at the geo cache spot that Cassie had been telling me about and I had told her the next time we went by we'd stop-today was that day and I am so glad we stopped. I felt like it was a real treat, a two for one on the same day-I got to see the "old" abandoned house finally and she got to show me the fun treats you can find while using a gps-we don't have one but this is a fun thing they get to do at school that she has really has had a lot of fun with and had been to this spot with her teacher and classmates. They even got to go in the old house so she told me all about it before we even got in the door. I felt like I was in an old movie or something, it is the big kind of house that had lots of rooms in it and everything was pretty much destroyed-the walls had sheet rock that was coming apart and the carpet was different colors in every room(lots of colors) I was walking through the house just imagining the people that once were there and what kind of things they went through and why they left. It is in a beautiful area too, near the lake and the grass had grown really tall, you could tell nobody had been there for a long time. There were lots of trees all around the house and a barn, a bunk house, and old car that had been broke down for quite some time.
I had a great day with the kids on our exploration and can't wait to take my husband there just to see it. I know he probably won't appreciate it in the same sense I do but that is just something about me, I LOVE old warn buildings-it's the past that tells the stories of today.

I wish I would of had my camera with me but I am taking it for sure next time:-)