Days

It's a good thing that I didn't decide I was going to do a P365 or daily blog this year, lol. I would have totally failed. I'm just one of these people that if I don't have anything to say...why speak? Right? So basically just don't expect there to be any kind of real schedule on this blog, just whenever I get a wild hair or have something to say or to share. Last week was kinda, not great. As I posted last week, Casey had strep throat, and while she never really felt terrible, she missed 3 days of school so the weekend was spent being kinda lazy and helping her catch up on all the work she missed.

Sunday was a not so great day. A friend of mine had made some choices a few weeks back and ended up having some folks sayin some things about her that weren't so nice, which, me being me, got me all kinds of upset. There aren't a whole lot of things I'll say about myself that are really positive, but one thing I'll say is that I'm loyal, so when somebody who's close to me is having issues, well, I get all tied up. so that really bothered me and I spent quite a bit of Sunday being on edge and doing my best to defend my friend without making the shit storm worse.

And we won't even talk about yesterday. Let's just say major stress, and leave it at that.

A few good things did come though. A few days ago one of my friends blogged about a friend that she'd kinda lost touch with over the last couple of months, and had been reconnecting with within the past week, and how that made her happy. As I read it, I didn't really think she was talking about me, but I thought about how I could kinda fit into that same scenario, and that made me feel pretty good. Anyway, within a day or so after she blogged, we were chatting and I mentioned having read that, and how even though I didn't think she was talking about me, it had made me feel good anyway. She was like, you doofus, it WAS you! lol Well, let me tell ya, that really did make me feel like a million bucks. She's one of those friends that means a ton to me, but I know I don't tell her that often enough, so to know that our reconnection made her feel as happy as I am about it, well, yeah, it was a great feeling.

And another friend and I have also reconnected. Life just kinda got in the way and we hadn't talked much in the last few months, but we've been talking more lately too, and I'm so glad. She's another one who doesn't know how much she means to me, even though sometimes it takes a stressful situation to get us back together again, lol.

Oh oh oh!! And I almost forgot this. Some of you who know me, and know my digi-scrapping addiction, know that I have LONG been in love with Kristin Cronin-Barrow's designs, and have dreamed of being on her CT. Well, Friday night I got a DM from her on Twitter, asking if I'd like to join her team as her ad maker and a promo type girl for her. OMGosh!! Are you kidding me? So, I'm now Kristin's ad maker and I couldn't be more thrilled to have joined her team.

And on that positive note, I'll shut up for today, lol. I'll leave you with some of my recent layouts, well, cause it's my blog and I can do things like that, lol


this one is from Aaron's (Sir Scrapalot) release from last week. Kinda love this kit. It's actually one of my favorites of his.


And one from Traci Reed. This birthday kit is absolutely adorable. I LOVE the little animals in it, and she drew them all herself! How awesome is that?


And finally, this one is from Meghan Mullens. She's doing an alphabet collection this year, and I am in LOVE with this idea. This is the 2nd kit in the series, and it's so bright and girly, I just love it.

That's it for now...I'll have some more stuff to share later. Til then,
Live, Laugh, Love
Life is so much better when you do!

Ugh...Strep

So on Tuesday, I took Casey to the doctor to have some bites looked at. While she's there, the doctor looks her over (which they do no matter what she's there for, one reason I love my pediatrician's office) and she didn't like the look of C's throat, so she does a quick swab. Guess what? The swab comes back positive for Strep. Sigh. I got a really bad feeling. I hadn't felt good for a few days, so I mentioned this to the doctor, and she swabs me too (another reason I love this pedi). And yup, I have Strep too. Sigh. Casey hadn't been feeling bad at ALL. No sore throat, no fever. So they caught it early, got her on the antibiotics and told me to keep her home from school until today, when she wouldn't be contageous anymore. Ok, I can handle that. But this morning she wakes up, and...you got it...fever and sore throat. Sigh. So she's home again today, puny as all get out. One thing I've realized, when my days are out of routine, it's harder for me to take photos. I just get all out of whack. Add to that me not feeling well, and my camera gets a little lonely. But...I have managed to snap a few the last few days, one of them this morning, of Casey as I've seen her more often than not the last couple of days, sleeping. So here they are...hope you enjoy.

A glance back...and a look forward

I have to say that I'm pretty glad to have put 2010 to rest. It wasn't the greatest year for myself or my family. We've been through a lot, but have managed to come through it with heads held high, stronger than ever, and closer as a family. And, I will say that 2010 wasn't all bad. Despite all the lows, we had some amazing high's as well. I personally have made some amazing new friends. Friends who have been there for me through the lousy times and listened to me whine and moan and complain until I'm sure they were ready to scream, but never once made me feel as though I was imposing on their lives. And they were there with me to celebrate the amazing moments and to be happy for me as only real friends can be.

2010 was also the year that I reconnected with the best friend I have ever had. As friends all through school, we were as close as sisters, but managed to lose touch over the years since high school graduation. But this year, we "found" each other again, and renewed our friendship, and found that our friendship hadn't changed in all those years. I discovered the true meaning of the "words" BFF. At the point of the year when I needed a support system the most, she and her husband were there, in more ways than I can describe. I was in awe to realize that not only had I found my oldest and best friend, but in the process I had found a new and just as amazing friend in her husband. And in them both, Casey found pure, unconditional love and support, also at a time when she needed it the most. To the both of us, J and S are among the most valued treasures in our hearts. If you guys read this, we love you both more than you know.

And now looking forward to 2011, this is going to be a year of growth and change for me. This is going to be the year that I learn to believe that I deserve the good things in life. Not "things" really, but friends who love and accept me as I am. A life that is full and happy rather than lonely and empty. 2011 is the year when I begin to see myself as my friends see me. It's going to be the year that I finally learn to love and be proud of myself, and the year when I actually gain some confidence in myself.

Last year, I set a goal for myself to do a Project 365. This year I have decided not to put that pressure on myself. Instead, I'm challenging myself to take, or have taken, one photo of myself per week, and scrap it. Part of learning to love and accept myself includes my physical appearance, and I figure this challenge is a good start on that process. Now, just because I'm not taking a photo a day doesn't mean that I won't be taking lots of photos and documenting the every day. I'm just choosing not to pressure myself to take a "meaningful" photo on a daily basis.

2011 got off to a fabulous start. Casey and I spent the day with our dear friends J and S and their children. I cannot remember when I enjoyed a day more. It wasn't a perfect day, but it didn't have to be. We laughed and joked and just enjoyed each other's company. And part of what made it so great, was the knowledge that now that we're living only 2 hours apart, this can be a regular thing for us, and that makes Casey and I very happy. Here are a few photos of our New Year's Day.
Casey and Uncle J

Me and S

J and I making a pot holder. Mrs. Crass would be so proud, lol.

And really, the most adorable part of the day, S's new Boston Terrier, Mac. He really is the most precious thing, but trust me when I tell you that he's a weapon of mass destruction, lol

I hope that everyone (the few of you who read this anyway, lol) have a fantastic 2011. I know I'm going to ;)

Live,Laugh, Love
Life is so much better when you do.