Bees and Flowers

The main components of my two latest layouts, Flower Child and First "Real" Halloween.

Currently feeling: ghostly

Do you know what time it is?!

Credit: Pinky Blinkies

More importantly, do you know what time it is on what DAY? That's right, it is Saturday, one of the few days I get to sleep in, and I pretty much rely on that extra sleep to make it through the week. And to borrow a favorite term of my friend Suz, some Asshat was cutting down trees and using a garbage truck sized wood chipper BEFORE 8 AM!!! Now normally, I can sleep through anything, but I had just been up to use the bathroom, and I was *just* settling down to drift off back to sleep when this nonsense started up. I probably wouldn't have even known if I hadn't already been awake, but being awake at the time, there was NO way to sleep through it. Might could have managed with just the chainsaw, but not the industrial wood chipper. 7:50 on a Saturday morning, with my child still unconscious in his crib, and I'm awake because some Asshat can't be more considerate. Are you seriously telling me this couldn't have waited 3 hours? Go do rural work in the mornings, where the only people you will be annoying are the people who are paying you to do so!

Currently feeling: royally ticked

Lotsa Scrapping

Three layouts in 24 hours. Not bad! I had deadlines (for posting prizes) and great inspiration. Funny how much easier that makes things. I'm also posting a fourth layout from a couple of days ago that I never put here for some reason. Not much else going on; nothing really to say. Looks like CATS Nashville may not happen due to a schedule conflict with a family tradition, but perhaps that will make CNSF more likely? Time will tell. Anyway, hope you enjoy these:

Nature Boy: Luke at play outside

Fraser River: great photo, courtesy of Christine (mtrlgirl)

Rough Day: Bengal having a Calgon moment

4 Things - Movies: a challenge based on the meme

Currently feeling: prolific

The Big 3-0

Credit: none required

Happy birthday to me! (I think.) I am officially no longer a 20-something.

Thank you, everyone, for all of the birthday wishes. It has really made what has not been all that great of a day much more pleasant. {{{hugs}}} to you all!

Currently feeling: I have no idea!

Ghosts of the Past

My latest layout, and I am so thrilled with it. The challenge was to use a black and white photograph, but I don't have any. So I went on a quest to find the perfect photo to convert to black and white. It took several tries, but I knew this was the right one when I saw it. Ghosts of the Past
Currently feeling: patriotic

Charity, Layouts, and Plans

Probably should have worded the title differently, since I'm starting with plans. My parents are visiting this weekend to celebrate my birthday (which is Monday), and I should FINALLY be able to see Pirates of the Caribbean at the theater, Yay!

I have two more layouts to share with you, both done yesterday (or really early this morning), and each done using a different charity kit. All proceeds from the purchase of these kits goes to help families of children with cancer (specific families, which ones are detailed with the kits). The first one is All Star, featuring the Ethan's Hope Charity Kit, which is huge huge huge! The second one is Mouse Ears, featuring the Kaleidoscope of Hope charity kit from Guardian Peas (everything at this site is for charity). No affiliation, just a happy customer, but all of these kits will be discontinued after July 31, so if you want them, get them now. Enjoy!

Currently feeling: ready to sail

To make you smile

And to remind me why I let him live. Cuteness is definitely a survival skill, and it doesn't get much cuter than your own child laughing hysterically. Be sure you have the sound on/up. Enjoy!


Hosted by DropShots

Currently feeling: giggly

Where do adults come from?

Or older children, for that matter? Maybe *that's* what really grows in the cabbage patch. Has to be, because I see no way that any human baby makes it past the age of two without being throttled by its parents.

Currently feeling: beyond hope

I scrapped me!

Enjoy it, because it isn't something you will see often. I just happen to like this photo of DH and me. Together in May 2004

Currently feeling: like hiding

The Tell-Tale Eeyore

With my apologies to Poe. These are the kinds of little things that I keep forgetting to write down about Luke's childhood, so I am going to try to be better about it.

How do you know when Luke is ready to get up? Sure, you hear him rustling, maybe talking and playing. And it is fine to go get him at that point if you want. But you know that true fussing is about to ensue when you hear Eeyore. I bought this super-soft small Eeyore doll on a trip to Texas when I was pregnant with him (went twice while I was pregnant, actually, but this was the second trip for Connie's wedding because DH was with me). We were in a used bookstore, and Steve comes up from the depths of the kids section holding the cutest little baby Pooh and baby Eeyore you have ever seen. But the kicker? Eeyore rattled when you shook him. So they came home, and we have been using them in Luke's crib ever since he was old enough to have stuffed animals. You will occasionally hear him rattle at night, keeping Luke company, but presently his primary purpose is to symbolize that naptime or bedtime is over. When Eeyore hits the floor, you'd better get up! It's even become a "catch phrase" at the house now. Conversation usually goes like this: Is it time to get him? "I don't know. Is Eeyore down?" LOL

And I think I'll sneak a layout into this post, too: Playground Tunnel.

Currently feeling: sneezy (I caught Luke's cold)

The Breakfast Club

Yes, more 80s, and another layout. Since my previous 80s entry was so lame in the design department, I decided to do a second one. I was suddenly inspired to use the most famous line(s) from The Breakfast Club earlier today. I worked hard on this one, picking the right fonts and placing the staples just so on each strip. I am insanely proud of it, even though it really isn't much to look at. Hope you enjoy: The Breakfast Club

Currently feeling: pleased

The Venetian and The 80s

What a combination, eh? (Sorry, that's my Canadian slipping out. I actually got to speak with a Canadian weather goddess this evening after she volunteered me to be the guinea pig for her new internet phone service. It was fun!)

Anyway, two more layouts for today. One is of the fountain in the lobby of The Venetian in Las Vegas; photo by Sandi Engiles (SandiInVA to all you stitching board people). I absolutely loved this photo when I saw it hiding amongst the rest of her Vegas bathroom pictures (don't ask).

The second, which is not very good in the design department, is great in the "oh man, I remember that!" department for any child of the 80s. It was an impromptu challenge to scrap something you loved from the 80s, so what could be more appropriate than my favorite 80s cartoons. See what kind of memories it brings back for you! I {heart} 80s Cartoons

Currently feeling: like breakdancing

But that's *my* name!

You have got to be freakin' kidding me! It took me years upon years upon years to FINALLY come up with an internet handle better than "ewgaston," and now the MPAA is stealing it from me? Here is the article link, but I'll go on and quote the whole thing here:

In an effort to become more in tune with moviegoers' opinions on the film business, the Motion Picture Association of America announced Tuesday a new online panel, My Movie Muse.

Hoping to engage 7,500 participants initially and ramp up to 15,000 by next year, the MPAA created Muse in order to periodically survey participants about movie-related topics, from theater attendance to home video rental, advertisements and piracy.

"The opportunities for innovative new distribution models, the competition from other entertainment sources and the transition to digital cinema and television make it ever more important for us to stay in close touch with consumers on the range of issues that affect us," MPAA chairman and CEO Dan Glickman said. "Focused, consistent input from people outside the movie business can help better inform the industry during these evolving times."

The MPAA intends to survey participants quarterly and hopes they will act as unofficial advisers to the film industry.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

No wonder I can't get hold of that domain name! I've been trying for years. It was owned by someone in England, but it wasn't being used, so I kept biding my time, seeing if it would expire and/or go back on sale. And sometime, it did, and was snatched up before I could get it. I wonder if they are the ones who did it. So help me, they had better not come after me for copyright infringement. (Actually, can I go after them? Probably not, since I didn't register it somewhere?) That is MY user name. MINE!!! And frankly, I think I should be automatically included on the panel.

Currently feeling: rather irritated

I hate it when he's sick

I know no one likes it when their kid is sick. He's not even "really sick," just a cold, but it's a doozy. I just feel so bad for him. He looks so sad and pitiful, and he *clearly* does not feel well. And to borrow Kari's phrase, he's turned into a snot factory. Joy.

Currently feeling: sad for her baby

Next - Friends Forever

And please, no one get offended if you are not featured in the photos. It doesn't mean you are not my friend! LOL I just happen to have the most photos of my group of friends from college, so I used them. I think the most recent of these photos is from 2004, with one as old as 2002! That means that A) we need to get together more often (we've been together since then, but not frequently), and B) we need to remember to take more pictures when we do!! Friends Forever

Currently feeling: friendly

Another - A Dream Come True

Wow, these pictures are so old, it is from before I had my blog!! Sheesh. But they are of July 4th (and the preceeding week), so still timeframe appropriate. This was truly a dream trip for us. We were gone over a week, we had a rockin' price on a famous hotel (The Parker House, of Parker House rolls and Boston Cream Pie fame) in downtown Boston, we rented a car and went to Newport, RI, for a day to visit the mansions (something I had also always wanted to do, but we lost all but these two photos in a computer crash, so I have nothing to show for it), we went to Fenway Park, and we spent July 4th with The Boston Pops on The Esplanade. Awesome trip, and certainly one I will never forget. A Dream Come True

Look for probably two more layouts from me by the end of the weekend. Hey, I haven't done a single one in almost two weeks!

Currently feeling: on a roll

New Layout - Alyssa

I have a new layout, done of Alyssa Engiles, daughter of my friend Sandi (of SandiInVA fame). Sandi kindly let me borrow this fabulous photo of her daughter, who earned the Congressional Award Gold Medal. Be sure you read the whole description beneath the photo so you can understand what an accomplishment it is to earn this award! Here's the link: Alyssa

Currently feeling: humbled by this awesome young lady

Movie Musings - July 6, 2006

My latest movie reviews. More to come, including the three movies I saw in the theater in the last week (X-Men 3, Cars, and Superman Returns, all worth seeing).

* Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
* Dangerous When Wet
* Holiday Inn
* Kaena: The Prophecy
* Ocean's 11 (1960)
* The Princess Diaries
* The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
* Titanic (1953)

Currently feeling: cinematic

101 Update - 9 down

I have completed 2 more items from my 101 Things in 1001 Days list. Looks like I'm right on track; roughly 10% done with about 10% of the time gone, plus I am making progress on several of my interval goals (like weekly and monthly and such). Please note that at the time I wrote the first item, I didn't know that the second one would be required for the correction. It was on the list for my passport renewal, which I don't even need it for.

89. Correct my Social Security information (just found out part of it is wrong). Completed June 26, 2006 (in theory; still waiting for confirmation)

91. Get a copy of my own birth certificate. Completed June 23, 2006

I also now have copies of DH's birth certificate as well.

Currently feeling: on target

Happy Anniversary to Us

Credit: Heidi's Blinkies
Credit: Blinkie Madness
Credit: Jo's Blinkie Obsession
Credit: Berry Hollow

Hard to believe that eight years ago yesterday (yes, July 4th), DH and I were married. Thanks for always being there for me, and for still loving me after over a decade together. I love you!

Currently feeling: loverly