2013 in review

well, 2013 is done, time to face 2014

It has been an interesting year.  In many ways it feels like a 'lost' year and in others its been great.

Start with the great, Grandbaby #2, Kyleigh ...what can I say, she is wonderful, adorable and yes, perfect and all at 2months!   (just like her big sis).   These 2 grandbabies are the 'light' of my life.  ANYtime, ANY chance I get to spend with them is a real treat.  Oh, and their parents aren't so bad either.  ha!!!

My ds was promoted to Detective.  My ddil got her braces out, she looks great even after having a baby 2 months ago. AND they are the parental units of 2 wonderful, adorable and did I mention perfect young daughters.

  My dd is working for us and doing a great job, she is walking just about every day and has lost weight.  She looks great, super cute in anything she wears...but, I'm mom, I think she doesnt need to be that thin.
But she and another coworker do encourage me to get out and walk also....I'm the one huffing and puffing behind them.

 And my dsil has moved his offices to our front room.  He is still building their internet business.    He is on his last year of his Masters program.  THEN they move back to Texas, boohoo.  I simply LOVE having them here with us, and will truly miss them.  But I understand, their hearts are in Texas (mine too) and that is where they want to live.

Just yesterday,   Dsil saw an altercation at the Walmart parking lot, he ended up calling the police and made the comment that he 'felt safer in Iraq than he does in" our little town in North Central California.  Walmart does seem to attract the less than desirable.  THAT is why I usually shop there between 6am and 7am...when they are still asleep.

Dh did well with his skin (precancer) treatments from home.  BUT he is starting another round today.
We are doing well, making a conscientous effort to spend more time together.  

Had a terrific Christmas, had one hiccup, a regift from someone that hurt at first, but I'm okay with now.  (It was an f-you) (I threw it all away)  That's okay too.  It is always good to know where you stand.

My inlaws are living 'with' us, well on the property, My fil is preparing to go into surgery.  I feel pretty 'mixed' about this situation.   There is a looooong not so good history between us...and I gotta say it, having them in my life every day is not my first choice.

My mom  has been moved, as she cannot live by herself anymore.  Talk about looooong not so good history, so I cannot go into detail ....  One good thing, the case levied against one of my sisters and me has been closed.  We are getting a copy of that file.  We'll see how it all pans out, but at this time it looks like a "Joseph" thing,  from the Bible, 'what others did to try to harm us, may actually turn out for our benefit"   But we will see.

I taught Sunday school in 2013.  Took on the 5th and 6th grade kids. (very small class, THANK Goodness!!)  I volunteered one Sunday, and they looked so bored with the program that was going on (it is geared toward younger kids) So....wow, it is a difficult age...but I'm glad I did it.  I've gotten to know the kids and I like them better than I thought I would. ha!!! So, gotta make a plan for 2014...you know my class is especially 'craft' heavy.  To finish 2013, we made a 2014 calendar for them to give to their families...with an ATC card per month.  Wow, that got crazy.

Oh, and the worst part of 2013...I've regained all but about 20 lbs of my weight.  So, gotta go back to the basics and get on a losing streak.  Gotta admit, I have spent most of the year pretty much ignoring and not wanting to do what I know needs to be done.

Spent yesterday 'doing New Year's' Japanese style.  Cleaned (over 6 bags of garbage)....well, more of an organzing, purging cleaning...still need to dust and did not tackle any shelves...that will come later.  Japanese lore, is to finish all work the day before, so you can spend New Year's day doing what you enjoy. For me that is reading, shopping, hanging out with family .... As what you do today, will be what you do all year. They also give money today...so you will receive money throughout the year.  My adjustment is I give out a book on New Year's day...so it will be a year of learning.  ha!!

Oh!  last night I did finish A Dance with Dragons (the 5th book in A Game of Thrones)...so now I can't wait for the next book...to be released, when?   aye yi yi.  So get to start a new book this year.  Thinking I'll hit the stack on my nightstand....then the 3 stacks in my closet...then the stacks under my nightstand.   2014 would be a good year not to buy anymore books!!

And hoping to scrapbook today,  I organized the room of piles last night...cuz I don't want to spend the year organizing...so, I can work on projects today.

We will see.

So, finally, Happy New Year ya'll.   Hope 2014 proves to be terrific for ya'll.   Not too much drama and lots of blessings!!!

craziness...

been wanting to post, you know, have been thinking blogs in my head, but none of it has 'made it' from thought to page.

It has been an interesting couple of months.

In Sept, I almost lost my Percy.  He came down with a bladder infection that went real bad real fast...some time at the vet, lots of medicine at home...and right now he is doing fine.   At the beginning of this month, I found more pink tinged pee droplets on the floor...took him in...they gave him some shots, but his urinalysis did not 'cultivate'.  So I take him back tomorrow for another one.   Dh was not 'into' the costs at the vet, but he said something while I was taking care of Percy.  He said, he once heard that if your cat loves you, he will wrap his tail around you...while he was watching me care for Percy, after giving him medication, I was carrying Percy and when I turned my back to dh..Percy's tail was wrapped around my waist and up my back.  DH said he'd never seen such pure love between human and pet before, and it brought him to tears.

At the end of  October, Kyleigh Savannah was born.   Grandbaby #2 for me.     and of course, she is perfect!!!  She looks so much like my ds, that holding her truly takes me back...ooooh, 29 years. ha!

Earlier this week I got to go to a crop retreat.  And actually, I am on my way to my scraproom to finish putting my projects away and take some pics.   It was from Sunday afternoon thru Weds morn.  and it was terrific.    BUT came home and on Thurs morning, I was sick.  Extreme dizziness, nausea and chills.  So Thursday was a 'lost' day...slept all but a couple of hours and only ate chicken noodle soup and sprite.   Friday, I did go to work, but was weak and lightheaded.   Very odd, we can't figure out if my equalibrium was thrown off by the trip down from the mountain (that's where the retreat was ) or if I picked up something.  As a couple of other people at work have had the same type of symptoms in the past couple of weeks.   Very odd, sooooo, I have not seen the grandbabies since my return.  BUT ddil has been sending me regular pics.      

sooooooo, I'm off to organize, take pics, prepare for the Sunday School class....and all that stuff that you have to do on a Saturday.   Did a couple more of the Julie Nutting paper dolls...so plan to post them.  BUT I really want to learn how to layer elements...but I'll go into that in a later post.

well, it has been a productive '5 day weekend'...ha!

Today is the last day of my '5 day weekend', cant say it was planned that way.  I ended up taking today off to await the dishwasher repair man.   Have I mentioned we've been without a dishwasher...and I've been having to hand wash my dishes.  I know, such a 'first world' problem...but gotta say, hand washing is pretty high on my list of really dislike doing.   In my mind, a handwash dish/utensil/cup can never be as clean and sanitary as machine washed..and it does a rough number on my delicate hands.  (But Leisa my pedicurist and friend told me to rub a bit of olive oil on my fingers after each session at the sink)


But I wanted to show off my scraproom reorganization project...a li'l more organized, can't say I've made any more room for more stuff...but I can find what I have!!! ha!!

this is ribbon area before...those open bowls...not good

 This is after, used the taller canning jars to hold ribbon by color...still have some by collection and added more rings of some American Crafts to the wall.  I never take things out of packaging cuz I am obsessed with keeping collections together.   So, this was a bit hard for me...but I did keep some collections together in th bins on the 2nd shelf...one bin is Stampin Up and the other is Websters Pages...and the large bin (next to the preschool pic of C)  is a combo of collections.

 Then I knew buttons would have to be next...here is before.

Here is after...Yesterday morning I went to World Market while  Nyki went to Winco...got spice-y...

of course could not get rid of those plastic 'purses'....

 all my blooms and buttons (kept in collections) in the larger jars (bottom 2 shelves of rack)..and even found a use for the hotel room service ketchup bottles I've been collecting.

 and a better view of the spice rack and cute li'l jars....still kept in collections...

Other shelves were reorganized and cleaned and had stuff moved around...but these are the most changed.

now, I've gotta work on my desk...and paper kits...and.....stamps (just don't want to do the binders, I really need to see to use)

have ya'll seen the youtube videos by Lindababyus      love her, if you watch the video I linked, at 11:45 she talks about 'washi crack'...cannot agree more.. I LOVE how she says 'But I'm shoppin', I'm HAPPY and I love it"!!!    ha!!!

now I know,

it's been a long time since 'blogging' and though my life has been busy, can't say its been all that interesting...

Still doing the Sunday School with the 5th and 6th graders...last Sunday the director asked me if I would be continuing...and though my last Sunday (2 weeks ago)  was AWFUL...we have a kid who only comes once in a while, but he is a li'l out of control...but, I think I will continue.   (I had last Sunday 'off' as the youth group kids took over, and actually sat in church).  

We are finishing our art journals, and for September the pastor has asked us to do lessons based on the book, The Circle Maker.   UNFORtunately the kids curriculum was not what he thought...so, we are going to have to build from scratch.   One idea I had was to do ATC cards based on the armor of God...but wanted to use different armor than just ancient Rome.   Thought of medeival, samari, futuristic (was watching Avengers last night)...but we'll see if I can put THAT together.

Did go to the Expo earlier this month...soooo much fun.  Had an odd 'situation'.  There was an awful smell under my part of the table.  JUST could not figure it out. At one point I thought it that the cats pee'd in my stuff while I was packing.   But, there  was a small rolling cart of cardstock and misc paper...some of it embellished by glitter by the manufacturer.   Let's just say, that once I moved it to the other end of the table...the smell went away.  Instead of reaching down to get cardstock, had to consign myself to getting up for it.

The product I fell in love with this year was Kiwi Lane.   Every year I tell myself, "I'm not going to spend that much money"....HA!  My layouts are still 'unpacked' so I'll have pics later.


oooh, I also got the chance to work with my Prima Paper Doll stamp...

the paper piecing was time consuming...but this is very addicting.  Funny note, when I showed Adriana this card, she said, "she needs something on her legs".  I told her, 'next time we can give her stockings'

  which leads to my 2nd new addiction...a friend loaned me hers to do the pink headband and shoes...

Inka Gold Metallic Rub

now, my friend has every color...but I got gold, green and purple (mardi gras)...no pink, she said it was a special order.
boohoo

Also have been re organizing my scraproom.  Redid my ribbon storage.  and today will tackle buttons.
So, I'd better get started.

weight loss reality check time

How goes the weight loss?   Well, I've taken a couple of months off. And have paid the price. Not a big regain...but maintaining the same rollercoaster of lose a li'l, regain it. Soooo, I'm back in the weight loss saddle again. 

During the month of June, went to Tx to visit my mom and sis...while there sis and I decided to challenge each other to lose 20 lbs by Thanksgiving. (she has had a gain this year, but she also has some thyroid issues and her gain could be related to that).. 

We are both under a stressful situation...something related to mom (she is 81, so it is only the beginning of mom issues) ...and I do have a habit of eating my stress. You know, you get that gnawing feeling in your tummy...and I was feeding it. 

Anyways, this is the first week since that challenge that I have seriously made an attempt. 

When I talked to my Jenny's consultant about it we came up with a plan...eat something small every 2 hours...instead of listening to that cue. So, I am fueling my body, not using food to satisfy an  'empty' feeling. 

So it is back to eating something small every 2 hours...and exercising...so far, I have exercised twice this week (why did I give that up for a couple of months? I enjoy it so much) 

And it does feel good. Can I say I've been totally successful? No, I've gone 'over' my calorie allowance...still need to tweak.

So, they short term goal is to lose that 20 lbs by Thanksgiving...I call it "Lose a turkey to have turkey"...gobble gobble! 

Guess I need more of these...(its a smoothie with kale)

And keep my mind on these...

my baby boy is 29 today...

aye, do I feeeeel old!  29!!

But I could not be a prouder mom...I do love my son and the daughter in law he has given me...and of course, the grandbaby!  and soon to be grandbabies!!!  (#2 due end of October)

hey, his bday works with the lo's I was gonna post...from dgd's 3 year old album...well, cuz he is in one of them.

for these thanksgiving layouts I used Pink Paislee's Prairie Hill...LOVE it!  also modified a tag I picked up at Michaels.   My son is the guy in plaid, next to him is my dil, the teen is their foreign exchange student from Germany and of course my dgd.

for this Christmas page I used old Heidi Swap (love the girly 'Christmas' colors) ...and washi tape...my newest addiction, these are Queen and Company.

 While in Texas I did get the chance to scrap, I actually did these when I had everything all spread out on my mom's coffee table.   I really struggled with my Hawaii papers.  I think I've mentioned that when I bought them in Maui, oh, I thought they were gorgeous...then when I tried to work with them...oh, I felt like I was on an ugly pp challenge!  This is one of the ones I liked, I don't think you can tell but the plumeria paper is actually 3 diff colors, pink, a soft coral, and brown.

did do more pages at a crop at Archiver's with my sis (will post those pics later).  I ran out of page protectors in my book...so as I 'book' them I'll take pics.   well, of the ones I kinda like.  Though I'll find one with really difficult pp to show ya'll what I mean by my struggle.  aye yi yi

oooh a couple more, our li'l local scrapbook group decided to do a color inspiration challenge...I got to pic the inspiration, so I chose this tote I got in the Bahamas....

and this is my card I created from the inspiration...used the beach chair die  I got for free at Archivers...one of those spend so much get a free die ... yeah, when I go to Archivers, no problem making any kind of minimum.  With only big box stores out here, when I go to a store that has actual scrapping brands...not just their stuff...yeah, I kinda go nuts.   ESP LOVED the new Jillibean Happy Camper Stew...

though we don't camp.   But figured its good for just about anything outdoorsy.

sooo, Happy Birthday to my J.J...Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!

oh my, do I feel old, my son is almost 30...wowza

My mommy's been visiting..

so no time for scrapping.

Did get a card done yesterday for son in law's grandfather's b-day... used this novel cover for color inspiration.....

And this was my card....I just LOVE that old man stamp, got it at the Pleasanton Expo, from rubbernecker.com booth...I think all the men in my life are getting a card with this stamp.   

Mom returns to Tejas on Monday.  We have enjoyed having her here.  She is 80 (next month she'll be 81) and a kick in the pants.   Tonight we are having a family dinner, hope to get pics of 4 generations tonight.