4 Years of Blogging

Just got back from vacation at Disney. Have a lot to share--lots of pics of course, but that's a whole other post! ;)

Sometimes I find it hard to believe that it's been 4 years since I started blogging. I never thought I'd blog as much as I have (yes I know that doesn't include recently!!). I know, I've lost the blogging mojo, but some days I feel like it all gets said between Facebook or Twitter or there's just not much to say. Then there are days that I could talk for hours. Just depends on my mood, I guess.

All in all, I appreciate everyone that stops by to visit. Whether it's the loyal or the casual--I appreciate your interest in my life.

Sometimes I wonder if I should call it quits & close up the blog. I think, "No one out there cares about my life. They don't know me." But then I didn't start this blog for the comments, I started it for me as an outlet about my life. There are lots of blogs I read about people I don't know that I now know so much about them & consider them friends. And sometimes I feel like I'm just talking to myself (and I do that quite a lot), but for those out there that actually stop to read--THANK YOU!!

In honor of my "blog-o-versary", I have a box of scrappy supplies that need a new home. Some stuff I've been purging that I've outgrown & needs a new home.

So if you're interested, leave a comment telling me something about yourself.

Anything.

It could be the book you're currently reading, the awesome new app on your phone, what you like to search for on Pinterest, your favorite scrap tool, what kind of posts you like to see here.

You'll think of something.

I'll pick a random number & post it on Friday after settling back into regular life. ;)

Counting the Days...

We are at the point around here that I'm ready for school to start.

I'm looking forward to having a schedule again, but NOT looking forward to the homework battles.

Looking forward to running errands by myself & having them not take up so much time by herding the kids in & out of the car.

Looking forward to peace & quiet for a nice part of the day.

So I'm counting down the days. It's 20 days from today before the girls start school.

Pray my sanity holds out that long.

Thinking of my Dad

Today would have been my Dad's 72nd birthday.

He's been gone for the last 17 years but never forgotten.

This pic might be from before my younger sisters were born I'm not sure. It was my sister Marie & I goofing around with my Dad. I'm wearing the awesome plaid ensemble that blends well with the couch. When I mock my Mom for the clothing styles she dressed us in back then she tells me "At least they were clean!!"

At the time, we had no fashion sense, but we were loved. My Dad spoiled us rotten whenever he could. We were his princesses, whether there were 2 of us or later on his 4 girls...we were adored by our Dad. To say we were devastated when he died from lung cancer is an understatement.

No matter how long it's been since he's gone, he is not forgotten.

Happy Birthday in Heaven Daddy.
Miss & Love you.

Blast from the Past!

This week we are having a new fence installed around our yard. Since I have to be around I decided to take the girls' old baby photo albums & convert them into pocket photo pages. Did Gianna's yesterday & converted 6 albums into 2. So much better!!

Today I am working on Marissa's 7 albums (no idea why I'm working backward!) & I came across this. It just may be my very first attempt at Scrapbooking.


OMG right?? I've come a long way since then...

School Kits Kindergarten Miss G

I have had these laying on my desk for too long & finally made a point to take pics so I have something to blog. ;) When I get these done the last thing I do is the journaling. Since I handwrite it, I procrastinate about it.

Now I only have to work on THIS school year & I'll be done until next summer!! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel & I'm excited about it!

Gianna's Kindergarten year was the same year that Marissa was in 3rd grade & I must have volunteered a lot that year in both classes (or they had a lot more going on) because I had to make three LO's for this year just like Marissa's. I tried to limit the number of pics but part of the problem was they were already printed & since I hate to waste prints, I went with it.

LAYOUT#1

Once again the banners find their way on the LO's....

I try to use as much of the kit that I can without using it all & then have nothing to last for future LO's. (got that??) The border stickers that come in the kit I use in small amounts. Wish there were more of those in the kits than just 2 sheets. On the other hand, the photo corners & fasteners I have plenty of & use as much as I want--they were plentiful in the kit.


LAYOUT#2
This LO was obviously made when I was lacking creativity. Looks like I just slapped the pics down & call it a day, but since it's done, I'm not stressing over it.
I knew I was going to use the banner stamps on the journaling card but it looked sorta plain (still does) so I added that little owl.


The second page I use more of the border sticker that came in the kit plus a border punch.

LAYOUT#3
I think I redeemed myself with this LO & made it pop more. I think when I limit myself to "just" the kit the ideas freeze.

I can't seem to make a LO with a border punch involved. A few select ones never leave my desk.I tried using more of the alphas instead of just the numbers on the MM Tiny Type stickers. It's not even funny how many sheets I'm messing with just for numbers. Now I just need to print off Gianna's 1st grade & Marissa's 4th grade years & scrap those, then I'll be caught up!! YAY!! My goal is to get them done before vacation. Wish me luck!