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2 Peas Refugees Blog Challenge


The last week of March was rough...is this the month that is a roaring lion in the verse??

Last Friday, my son and dil awoke to discover their car was stolen.  Everything, car seats (they had 3)...diaper bag and dil's wallet that was in diaper bag, garage door opener...all gone.  So they had to frantically come up with solutions.     And son is scheduled to leave on a business trip on Weds...so they had to deal with that also...and 3 kids.   Car has since been found...a town @40 minutes away...stripped.  Insurance is deciding if it is to be fixed or replaced.

Then they started getting sick.  I think it was the Tues before, oldest dgd had a fever and headache, but was better within 24 hours.  By Thursday it was 2nd dgd (2 years old)...by Saturday it was dil.  Then by Monday...Roseola for both 2nd dgd and dgs (4 months old)...So dil is doing it ALL without son, with sick kids and their high school exchange student is visiting for the week.  She is not allowing me to come over because I babysit my other grandson, and she does not want me exposing him.

So far, no signs of roseola over here. (fingers crossed)

but don't think it is over...

Tues afternoon, Fil was rushed to the emergency room!  Mil found him unresponsive and foaming at the mouth.   Long story short, he is still in the hospital...for lung infection, dehydration and a heart murmer. Originally should have been out today, Friday, but is looking like he is going to be longer...  He is 82 years old, very weak  and down to half a lung,(emphysema (lifelong smoker)  he is also on oxygen and on a scooter.  MIL is not in the best of health either and does not drive.

So, DH has been driving MIL to hospital all week and not going to work.  Okay for him, except it is a family business and his Brother, my Son in Law and Son are all at the same tradeshow in Kentucky...till Saturday (son comes home) ...and Sunday (others come home)  So, it has ALL fallen on dh as far as taking care of MIL ,,, and their business partner Art to run the business.

And also, DH is sick.  It hit him Tues night.  It is the cold I had earlier this month...the one dubbed "the Zombie Plague".

yeah, the family has been 'rocking'  and 'reeling' this past week.

But April is here and it is only gonna get better, right?

I tried  singing this morning,  cuz you know, something about it being over when the fat lady sings.... this song came on KLOVE this morning and it is so meaningful...it became worship.

How He Loves

(ignore the video...it is kind of odd...but the words...oh myyyyyyy)


  I am going to find time to hang out in my craft room and blog about it, right?

I did make a big Amazon purchase this week, filled with some organizing aids.  I really want to tackle the growing project life cards.

good, busy, crazy baby birthday weekend

All about the family ...wouldn't want it any other way.

this is from March 13....siiiiigh...

Friday - was the Fish Fry at dgd's school...well, they ran out of fish.  Luckily dh knows the guys who were back there frying the fish and they let him know there was not enough to serve the entire line...so we left early.  Ddil and dgd were there, further up in the line, but she says they were out by the time she got to the door.  Oh well, it is a fundraiser, so it is a donation to the school. We prebought our tickets.   We went with another couple to the local 'fancy' restarant and had yummy $12-15 burgers.  They were worth it.  And a great visit with great friends.


Saturday - Celebrated dgs, Jase,'s  1st Birthday.   Lots of fun, dsil and dd cooked a terrific dinner, followed by cakes and cupcakes...and they kept it just family.  So the only other kids were cousins. But we had a house full as Dsil (for me that is son in law)'s sister, bro in law and mom came from Texas and Oklahoma.   Little guy is ONE!!! hard to believe.  He LOVED his first cake...well, especially the frosting.  The party had a 'batman' theme, so the cake had a bottom layer of black frosting decor and top of blue  ... I guess he had colorful diapers the next day!!!

We also did a gender reveal cake for Jase's baby.......brother!!!

So, now I have 2 granddaughters, ages 7 (next month) and 2...and 3 grandsons, ages 1, 4 months and due in July.  Holidays are going to be the bomb diggity!!! ha1!  We are positive, Kyleigh the 2 year old girl, will be able to hold her own with the 3 little boys ...  In fact, we picture her as the Angelica of Rugrats...as she is no shrinking violet.

Sunday - Started my new Sunday School class for the Young Adults...18+,  We are going to be going through Blackaby's Experiencing God...this was an intro class, so we altered composition books, I gave a couple of announcements then gave my testimony...since the first lesson is on a Relationship with Jesus.  (hope I did not scare them away)...

Then the youth had a fundaising 'youth auction' ... to raise funds for camp, the bidding was for 8 hours...We 'bought' a couple of girls, one to help with the dusting at my house (I have a ton of knicknacks) and we are going to share her with our oldest congregant...to help her out. This girl also sings and plays violin, so I might ask her to give us an hour or so at the women's ministry tea next month. The other gal, we 'bought' is for our dil, to give her 8 hours of babysitting, so dil can get some stuff done.  OR she can give the gal some projects, but it was to help dil..3 young kids, and a husband who works police hours...can get a li'l crazy.  And the young man...I have a storage unit that needs to be emptied.. a car that needs to be detailed...have no fear, he will not be bored.  The average price was $100...I was so surprised!  BUT the kids raised $1500 for camp.

In the evening, everyone (except dsil's bro in law and sis) came over for taco dinner.  We were also joined by some very close friends.  All and all, crazy but fun weekend.

Expo, Expo, Expo report...mostly shopping and a class

Terrific Expo weekend, I arrived @4pm for the Friday Crop...had to work first, and of course it was raining fairly hard when I go there.  Lucky for me, I covered everything with heavy duty garbage bags the night before.  Not so lucky for the floors.  I pooled water...at the sign in area and in the crop, next to my desk, next to the door.  siiiiiigh.  A mop and a few towels.  but still felt pretty bad.

On Friday night we had 3 tables of gals.  I got a spot at the electricity table ... as I brought my cricut.

But here are a few pics...These are my 'freebies'.  the kits I got with my crop purchase...I am and a Snap album and cards (the red ones)...the middle set of Snap were given to my by Yvonne. she got it Thurs night and is not a pocket page scrapper, so she gave them to me.  YAY, it is a wonderful set, and I used it...will show you later   

One of the most popular booths, at least at our set of tables...and I saw quite a few croppers get these...Echo Park...the had a great deal 3 packs for $15, 4 for $20.  I got 4.  Though I think one is officially a Bella Blvd.  

Here are 'accessories" I also got at that booth.  I made at least 2 stops thru the weekend.

the 'other stuff' I got ... Stamps of Life die (already had the stamp), chalk writers and tags...and Bo Bunny stamp set for Bible journaling and Batman diecuts.  These aren't all the purchases...of course, just the ones I rounded up for pics.

There were a couple of booths with loose paper.  One was 2 for .50...so got a few.

Most were from the booth I had to 'ground' myself from, Scrap That.  I actually bought 5 packages of the chalkboard tags...and the pens...and an envelope to hold my scraps...After the 3rd visit, yup, had to ground myself.  

Kiwi Lane. has changed to a catalog/party ...like CTMH and Stampin' Up.  So instead of buying direct, they now have reps.  Dionne wanted a particular set, to get it she had to book a 'party'...so she let me know, I went to the booth...and spent more than I should have.  Even with the show specials.  But our group loves Kiwi Lane...I even helped in their booth a couple of years ago. They also give you a cool list so you can 'inventory' your sets.  I have about 25 to go before having all of them, I think Dionne has all but 5...yup, but you should see her pages, they are spectacular.  

This is not an Expo purchase, but a Scrapbook.com purchase that arrived Friday while I was at work.  It is Basic Gray's Saturday morning.  Though I was not thrilled with the warehouse box, after the box, I did want this collection... also are some Basic Gray pocket page papers.  Don't remember the collection.

So, those are most of the purchases this weekend....my new 'baby' is the final pic.   The crop was terrific.  For Saturday we had 4 tables 'reserved'...but 2 of the gals did not come, one had a Migraine and sold their tickets...and another sold hers Fri night and did not return...so Saturday we had 13 between all our tables.  The crop WAS sold out and none of our people had trouble selling their tickets.  But it was not full.  I am wondering if some people did not come because of the rain.

Saturday morning I took a class...Nicole Peterson's Echo Park class.  These are the 3 layouts that the class covers.   Now, I don't normally take layout classes...but made an exception for Echo Park.  And I did enjoy Nicole, but it was rushed.  We worked on 2 of the layouts, but did not finish either.  I had a problem...my fiskars ( the Teresa Collins white and gold one) that I have not had that long...the swing arm would not open!  so when Nicole said we need an 11" cut, I had to measure 1" reversed to have 11" left...yeah the 7.5 piece was not a fun one to figure out.  

But I did win one of the doorprizes...and soooooo happy with it.  My kids go to Yosemite...and this is perfect!!  

What I did work on Friday evening.  An altered composition book for the Sunday School I am leading...starting next week.   and tags for the Women's tea next month.  On the notebook is one of the Snap cards Yvonne gave me, sorry my camera could not catch the phrase, is says, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine"    

And here is my new 'baby'...really glad I got it since I had trouble with the fiskars.  I got a bit of a deal, since I already have the big Cutterpillar Pro...first generation (I had to get the measurement sticker)...but OH MY!! such a wonderful cutter.  I will still ask dh to fix the fiskars.  always good to have extra.  riiiiiiiight?

okay, since this is so pic heavy will post later with some layout pics. As far as layouts, since I only had one day of cropping...I concentrated on Kyleigh's 2015 book.

interesting week so far....are we jinxed

What is the saying, something about things coming in 3's.

1)Last week I had the 'zombie plague' (what my son inlaw calls my sickness).  I sure was zombie like Thurs and Fri

2) Then Tues night I get a call from the kids at 10:20 pm (I go to bed around 8)...they are making an emergency room run for my daughter, who is 4 months pregnant, do I want to come over so they don't have to wake up grandson and take him?   (of course). 
so, E.R craziness follows,  I mean the first thing they did was make sure baby was okay (he is) then kids get put in the 'back of the line'...lets just say they left @3am...as at the rate people were being seen their doctor's office would be open for the morning before they go in.  So, they did got appt with dr.....after all the bad things were checked off...appendicitis, UTI, placenta detaching...kids were sent home.  Told it may be dehydration and muscle strain...but get rest. 

3) Weds morning, before dr appt, Son in law was shopping for supplies to make us breakfast, and hurt his neck.  He spent the day looking like Lurch (from Addam's family) ...had an appt this morning.

So, okay, we have had our 3...someone else's turn. Nah, don't want this for anyone.

Thurs morning, day before Crop!!

Today is also my dr appt, this afternoon.  I have new insurance and could not get in until today (called Fri while in the midst of my sickness).  Figured if I got any worse, could go to Urgent Care or E.R...and even if I am better, which I am, then could use the appt to re start my Simvastatin, an a couple of other prescriptions...and get a new doctor.   This dr is the only office in our town that accepts the new insurance.

Wish I could have kept my Kaiser (this may not make sense for nonCalifornians).. Kaiser is not perfect but so far for me it has been the best system.  And such availability, through Advise Nurses, to multiple locations and doctor choice.  But alas, I do not make enough hours to maintain my own healthcare plan, so had to go on dh's.

Have a list of things to prep for crop after work...including...wait for it...figuring out how to waterproof my stuff.   YES, it is supposed to rain this weekend.  siiiiiigh, rain and scrapbook stuff...not a great combo.

Dh did make me a cover for my wagon.  Will take a pic for the next post.



gotta figure out how to protect rolling cases.


Then, and this is  something good, Son in law and I are switching work locations on Friday. (we work for the same business, a family business that has some leeway)  I normally work from home, and babysit the kid...but on Friday, he will work from home, I will work from the plant in Livermore.   I have to complete the 2015 information for the CPA...what we call 'the Binders' so he can figure out our final reports and tax liabilities ...and then...I can go to Pleasanton...and arrive earlier (I hope) than I thought I would.  HAPPY DANCE.  So even though the week feels a bit jinxed, hopefully the weekend will be TERRIFIC!!!  siiiiiiiigh

Did sign up for a class, the Echo Park layout...Echo Park is my fave line...okay top 4 or 5...so I am excited.  Also interested in the Thinking Inking....maybe if I arrive early enough I can sign up for that also.

Okay, baby fell asleep, back to work!

rough week...next week will be better

Well that cold I mentioned, yeah, it turned into something worse.  It was odd, took Monday off, felt pretty bad but felt a day of tea and rest would beat it.  Worked Tues and Weds, then Weds night it HIT, like  a  train.
Thurs and Fri just felt like I could barely breathe, my ears and throat inflamed and it was awful. Stayed home those days, drinking Apple Juice, 7-Up and tea.
 Turned the corner somewhat by Sat morn...actually went to work, but skipped Sat night plans with my girls.  siiiiigh, I have deadlines...I have plans, Sick is not part of it.  My son said I had the 'plague' and told my dgd to stay away from me yesterday. They came by the 'shop' to do inventory, of course, dgd and I hung out...just tried not to make contact and accidently drink her soda.  Really hope the contagious part of this is done.   Went to church this morning, sat in with the youth class...and they were all sick.  Whatever it is....is hitting us all.  

One night, or morning I was up at 2am...not sleeping, so used the time to pack a little.  I had gotten this Making Memories bag on impulse, but I am thinking it is a perfect "Pocket Page" bag...

and today, I finally finished packing for the crop.  I really admire the women I see arriving with only on rolling case.  How do they do that?   I have 2 rolling cases, 1 rolling duffle and my wagon.  yes that is Winston's backside photo bombing my pic.  

and felt like I did a good job of paring down.   Maybe the key is to not bring embellishments.  I dunno, maybe this year I am going to ask some of these ladies how they do it.  I know some make page kits...I bring my subscription kits, a rolling case full ...but they don't come with cardstock so I need another  rolling case of cardstock.   siiiiiiiiigh

Confession, I've been a shopping...which does not make sense, since I am going to EXPO...

But here is the Scrapbook.com purchases.   I had been building the cart for a while and when free shipping was offered, hit buy.  Also, but not pictured were pocket pages that are 4 6x6 spaces...hmmmm, looking forward to playing with those.

these are washi's from Etsy that Winston is inspecting for me.  Such an addiction washi's are..I sure don't use them enough...but I love them.

a cartridge from Amazon...it was less then $20 what can I say.  But now that cricut is going wireless with the Air, there will be lots of these bargains.   

and the Basic Gray warehouse box...as ya'll may have heard they are ending...siiiigh, one of my fave lines when I first started scrapbooking, though gotta admit, not so much lately.  I'm more into Echo Park and Bella Blvd...  Gotta say was a little disappointed by the box.  The chipboard album, kinda ugly chenille flowers...and these odd decorated wood sticks...

Expo, Expo, Expo in less than a week....hoooooray!!!!!  This will be my only Expo this year.  Not going to Santa Clara...with the stadium being built the hotel room is just getting too expensive.    So, no Santa Clara...at least not spending the night and cropping anymore.

Good thing we have Crop Camp twice a year!!  End of April and First of November!!!

Expo is coming, Pleasanton here we come!!

Expo in 2 weeks, well 10 days..

And I have NOTHING packed.   Did decide which pictures, projects to do, so that is a step, right??
 Because I am going a shorter time, instead of Thurs thru Saturday like normal...I will go Fri after work and Saturday.  Going to limit myself to granddaughter  pages and tags for a Spring Tea.
so just have to pack girly stuff.   ha!!


so, it is basically turning this 'mess' into packed projects.   Now that I do pocket pages, I also like to bring the albums......hmmmmm......

I was home sick yesterday, did I go in my room?  NOOOOOO, I really did sleep all day and drink tea.  Celestial Seasonings Throat Tamer tea....I highly recommend it if you have a burning throat.  My throat feels better today, just have a dry cough and am using Sudafed Sinus...as everything seems to have 'settled' in my sinuses and ears.   Siiiiiiiiigh, my grandson was sick also, he also has an ear infection, so he is on antibiotics for 10 days.  Today, he seems better already, just real tired and an occassional cough.   (he got it first, I got it from him)  I am sooooooo tired, a nap would be super  nice right now.

He is watching Baby Einstein as I type, He sure does love the puppets...esp the elephant that does the peek a boo from a basket.   from First Moves.

Oh, over the weekend, my son in law gave me his small fridge, so now I can say my craftroom is truly 'set up'.  We have a fridge!   Dgd asked if we are going to have food in there also.  Gotta say no, we live on 10 acres, so we pretty much live in a sea of mice....so food is only stored/eaten in the kitchen area...no bedrooms. or  craft room.

Superbowl Crop, and my plans for the Zombie Apocolypse...ha!!!

It has been a couple of weeks, but did manage to do some scrapbooking...Super Bowl weekend.  I did my own Online Superbowl Crop...and because the gals in my scrapping group were all busy, it was just me.  Well, one of the gals did post a pic on one of the challenges later.  Oh well, still got some scrapping done.


I have been shopping.  Kyleigh (dgd, aged 2 years old) has decided she like stickers.  So I made a couple of trips to Hobby Lobby to buy stickers for her, her sister Adriana (6 years old) and yes, me (54 years old)...

But here it is 2 weeks later and nothing...I have not even had time to open my subscription boxes.



Most of all my time is spent Nanny'ing my grandson, Jase.  This is a full time job!!!  Dad commutes, so I try to be here @the time he leaves @6:15 am...then sometimes don't leave till close to 6pm.  Mom sometimes works from home, sometimes she is on the road, so even if it is a morning Mom and baby sleep in till @7:30 that gives me time to take care of some of the General Ledger work I am still doing.  Though the past couple of Saturdays I have also been working...as little guy is taking less naps and getting a wee bit grumpier (teething).  siiiiiiiiigh.


I've also 'dove' into a couple of Bible Studies...Both EXCELLENT...but takes some time.
One is with the church, the Bible study based on the movie The War Room.  I would even call this one life changing.  I can see how it is affecting my walk...and a friend has opened up to me that this is affecting her also.  Funny, she is a fairly new Christian, I've been one for 30 years...same teachings affect us a little differently...yet deepens our walk. 

And I am semi-leading one on the book of Acts.  I say semi, cuz it is just me and a couple of friends...We are using John McArthur's study as our guide.  We are also watching/listening to Francis Chan's series on the Holy Spirit on Youtube.

And in March.....will start leading a Sunday School for young adults.  You know the recent High School graduates...I am getting to know these kids (I am 54 and I can call them that)...and they are a great group.  I don't consider myself a teacher, but hoping I can be a trusted mentor as we navigate our Christian walk together.  Pastor asked me to use "Experiencing God" as my study guide, and says I can take a year doing it.  And that sounds great to me. 

The Board has asked us ministry 'leaders' to fill out a sheet that includes our goals and progress.  My mission statement or is it vision statement...(supposed to be bodacious)  is "Equipping the Young People with God's Word so They can start their own Churches during the Zombie Apocolypse"  ha!!!

The Sunday school I led before with the 4th-6th graders was very "Art "heavy...wonder if I can do that with the older kids.  Do plan to introduce them to Bible Art Journaling...I only do mine on Sunday mornings, using a devotion or Bible study quote that was esp inspiring throughout the week.

Sooooo....let's see how it all goes.