Warmer Than A Bootie Bag...

They did it.  Zappos amazes me.  I ordered slippers yesterday at 5:41 PM Indiana time.  Before 2:30 PM Indiana time... they were on my back porch.  I couldn't have gotten myself together and gotten to Indy to the mall and back and had a pair in that amount of time.  Impressive.  As are the slippers.  Have you seen the latest ones on the TV commercial that you heat in the microwave and then wear?  Um there is no way they could be warmer than my new Uggs.  My feet are as warm and comfy as they are when I am wearing my Rosalyn boots!  Besides... with the heatable ones... do we really want to put things we wear on our feet in the microwave?  Is it supposed to comfort me that I am supposed to place them in something called a "bootie bag"  first?  Cause all I am thinking is Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha !!!! And maybe Ewwwwww...

Well at least one of us was productive today.  Look what Darrel did.  He made this pen, for himself finally.  He has made quite a few pens at this point, but owns none!  We figured it was time he got to have one.  :)  He also started two more and one of those is PINK.  I wonder who that one is for. 

Let's see what did I do?  I spent half the day coughing up icky stuff from this dumb cold/sinus thing.. especially after having a wicked bloody nose this morning.  That was fun... not.  Darrel says we are calling for more antibiotics tomorrow.  He's so bossy.... I love it when he takes care of me.  I tried to decide what book I want to read next and had little success there.  I am thinking either maybe Under the Dome or possibly Lost December... cannot make up my mind.  I mean gee.. I only have like 400 on my Kindle to choose from. Apparently that is not enough.

I worked on my smash book a little bit while Darrel went and picked up Bobe's pizza for dinner.  We watched a movie, Mr Popper's Penguins and were surprised at how much we liked it!  We watched the latest episode of Body of Proof.  We let Sophie in the house and hugged her a lot.  Have I told you we are toying with the idea of making her/them indoor cats?  I love them and want them in.  I am not so in love with the whole cat hair, cat litter, scratching my furniture idea... just not sure what we want to do.   Have I mentioned I love her? 

I decided perhaps I need to stay away from emails and facebook for the rest of my vacation.  Perhaps that would have been a good idea from the start.  Been getting some work emails which makes it hard to just have a clean break and get away for the week.  They get my head going and thinking about whatever problem is presenting itself and really... it may be selfish... but I just want some quiet peaceful time away for our last 4-5 days here and not to have to think about all that.  I'll share a secret with you.  It took me a good 2-1/2 -3 days to de-stress and relax and not be crabby Deanna.  Ask Darrel... he was there for the fun.  Then I read something that our niece posted on facebook that made me sad.  Then someone else was posting some happy news about their new pregnancy and getting to see their baby for the first time on ultrasound and while I am SO happy for them.   So serious about that... at the same time the pain of infertility can rear its ugly head and jealousy can just swallow me up.  It hurts.  It made me cry and I just needed to hug my husband and cry and then hold Miss Sophie for awhile... and step away from the facebook page.  Peace.  No stress.  4 more days.  That is not too much to ask right?  You said right didn't you?  I knew you would still love and support me.  :) 

Caught up on some blog reading and am enjoying some of the posts others are doing to wrap up or remember 2011.  I am thinking I'd like to do that... maybe tomorrow.  Maybe.  If it starts to make me stress then I'll have to back away from that too. 

Toyed with the idea of starting project life but am not ready to do that yet either.  I am thinking I will have to try doing it as the week goes on each week, or try setting aside some time each weekend or Sunday to recap the week previous and do it then.  Not sure which idea sounds better.  Maybe I'll do both! 

So until tomorrow, I bid you goodnight!  Blessings!

A Smashing Holiday

OK are you ready for this?  It may be a first.. .well OK it is a first for me!  I have completed 6.. count them SIX smash pages in the last day and a 1/2.  Me... slow... scrapper... me.  Apparently either vacation or 2012 agrees with me.  Here is the first 2 page spread about our Advent tree.  With this smash book I have been having such fun saving wrappers and tags and tidbits to well smash!  I don't know why.. I am beginning to wonder if I have latent hoarder tendencies... but lets not dwell on that! I mean if I get the urge to paste actual garbage in my book...then we shall call the men in the white coats.....

The reason I mentioned the um garbage tags and things is that for this day I saved some of my Dove candy wrappers.  There is one showing the little Dove promises message in the wrapper below the photo on the right and then... I had 3 other wrappers (which should not at all imply I have only consumed 4 pieces of dove chocolate.... ) which I had folded out flat.. then folded in 1/2 into a triangle as I moved them around the page deciding what to do with them.  Maybe a pinwheel?  An arrow? Um no... what do 3 triangles stacked together make? Well a Christmas tree of course... which would be what the concoction at the top left of the page is supposed to be.  But you knew that of course right?  The right page already had the word fabulous on it, and I was set to cover it up... again... but then... again... decided to make myself work with it and I have to say... happy with the way it came out! The little tree under the word advent was stamped.  I've had that stamp for several years and its still a fav!

2nd 2 page spread shows our tree as well as all of our other favorite decorations.  I cut out some trees from patterned paper and added those in the lower corners.  Added a few stickers and die cuts, journaled a bit and this one - I pronounced her done!

On the next 2 page spread I had the day I made the gift tags for our gifts.. which of course had to include an actual tag... No wonder I was short when we were wrapping gifts! ha!  Added another small sizzlets tag as part of my title and a little bakers twine. 

On the right page we have more garbage saved tidbits.  This day was a date night where we had went Christmas shopping.  I saved a little spoon from Baskin & Robbins... for a nice touch of pink!  Also the tag from our new snow globe purchased that night, a perfume sample card from the mall (when did they start spraying a card and handing it to you instead of attacking you with their sprayer?  What a good idea! ha!) a tag from a free scarf we got at The Walking Company, and our fortunes from our fortune cookies at dinner!  Although.. reading the "fortunes" these days I'd more call them advice cookies... I had so much stuff to smash on this day... all I needed besides that was a few letter stickers, a sheet of ledger paper and some journaling.  Yes.. I am having fun making a true "scrap" book. 

So how has your New Year's Day been?  Did you stay up to see midnight?  We have been completely pretty lazy these past few days and yesterday was no different.  We slept in, had some yummy pancakes and left over sausage gravy for breakfast and I did some reading and worked on the smashing.  Later we watched movies (A Dolphin Tale and Larry Crowne, both enjoyable) and rung in the new year with some B-Dubbs for dinner and a kiss at midnight.  The night before for date night we had Chinese food and watched movies (Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Apollo 18... also good) so apparently its been a movie kind of a weekend! 

I shall sign off for now... we have some plans for tomorrow so bed is calling soon.  Tune in on Tuesday for all the scoop and maybe even more pages... wouldn't that be amazing.  Blessings! 

Having A Smashing Holiday

Since I promised you more smash pages before the weekend was over... does Monday evening count?  That is part of the weekend right?  Ha... I wish.. Monday is so not my favorite day.  It's like the morning of the week and I am soooo not a morning person!  ha!

Anyway- although I am not caught up, I did manage to complete 2 more pages for my smash book and yes... it was so fun!  These pages are for Dec. 2nd and Dec. 4th.  On the 2nd, we went out for date night and saw Christmas lights so of course I decided my page needed Christmas lights.  What's a girl to do?  I didn't have any... so I drew some on the back of red patterned paper, cut them out, used a white pen for some detail and then "strung" them on some bakers twine with a little glue... see!

Not too shabby right?  I decided I like it and have pronounced it good.  That's all that counts right? 

December 4th was the day we did the advent reading so I included a copy of the reading, and also a picture of our sweet kitten Sydney.  Darrel had spent that afternoon working on his truck and while he was sitting on the garage floor, she climbed right up in his lap and made herself comfy.  This was a first so we of course had to commemorate the event.  The little tag in the lower right corner was in my Embellies kit from Evalicious.  How cute is that?  The tree stickers on the lights page were also in that kit.  It was interesting... when I started these 2 pages, I was not in love with the background pages in the smash book and had considered covering them up.  However.. .I just decided to go with it and ended up liking it.  Love how that works!

I have sooooo much more to share.  Got some cool gifts on Sunday and today.  Started the baking.  Had a great date night... but all of that will have to wait for Ten on Tuesday as my bed is calling me.  Remember when I was sick?  Then I got better.. .then got a touch of it again... then Darrel got sick... and now.. yep.. sore throat AGAIN... so tired of this.  I thought there was no illness allowed on Christmas week right?  Hope your week has gotten off to a good start.  See you tomorrow!  Blessings! 

Smashing the Holidays!

OK, how cool is it to pull up your blog reader and see the first post is from K & Co., Smash Blog... and the images are from my own pages?!   SO cool.  I heard from K & Co. today that my pages were featured so of course I had to rush right over there.  Been doing a happy dance every since!  I think... can one do a happy dance while sitting?  I think I've been managing it.  Might have done a cartwheel... but trust me, no one wants to see that.  Love my smash book and love getting to share my pages!  It totally has me fired up to go create some more.  But first... a list.  I need one of my lists because I am behind on my smashing holiday and I am getting quite confused on what happened on what day and what little pieces of stuff I have saved to smash!  See... lists are important even in scrapping. 

Sorry to have missed Thankful Thursday.  I was in fact thankful... even though I didn't post because I got to have a shopping day with my Mom.  I promise to be back soon to fill you in on all the details... but for now.. I must run because it is date night and trust me when I tell you my date is NOT with my blog.... Happy Weekend!  Blessings, 

A Smashing Christmas

Yep!  Did a little smashing today.  Good thing because I am thinking its not a good thing to get a week behind before the first week is over!  Ha! 

Started out with pages about last Monday and Tuesday, Nov, 28-29.  Had to show my pretty pink tree from my office and my new favorite pink snow girl ornament.  Are you noticing a pink girly theme here?  Yes?  Good cause I am all about pink girly stuff!

The page on the right is about a song I discovered on Monday on the radio, and by Tuesday I had been asked to sing it at church on Christmas Day.  SO happy and excited about that because I am in love with this song!  Already have the accompaniment downloaded and been working on it.  Did you know a fair amount of rehearsal happens while driving... I am sure this is how the professionals do it don't you think? 

Here is my little drawing.  Although I am secretly worried it looks like someone colored it in a coloring book... I am happy with it.  It was fun playing with my colored pencils and I like how it looks nestled down in the bottom of the page there.  When I first drew the outline I asked Darrel if Jesus' head in the straw there actually looked like the top of the head and not like someone had dropped a bowling ball in the straw.... He assured me there was no danger of that.  I also included a picture of the album cover from the song and a piece of the sheet music.  I wanted to tuck it behind something so I used my new Matha border punch to create a border strip.  Love that vintage doily look. 

Here are pages for Tuesday, yes again, and Wednesday.  Tuesday was our first snow day and the day of my adventure climbing in the car trunk and soaking my hair before I even made it work.  All adventures must of course also be documented right?  On Wednesday it was the beginning of the Advent devotional readings and we had dinner at China Wok that day.  I used the brochure about the Advent, Christ's Birthday Offering, and then a piece of the menu from China Wok.  They are the littlest place in our tiny little town but SO good.  Just did a bit of journaling about the day and added a few fun stickers.

Here is a better look at the snow page.  I had an overlay I bought I think 2 years ago from Little Yellow Bicycle.  I used that and added a few punched snowflakes and a couple of goodies from Evalicious.  Also did a clear snowflake border sticker down the left side.  And yes... pink snowflakes.  In my world all snowflakes are pink. 

Date Night!  We started out the evening thinking we were probably heading to the big city.  We weren't all excited about the idea though. It was kind of a blah day and yes... I admit it... we weren't all that happy with each other.  Yes.  It happens.  Darrel got home a little later than normal because he had to pick up Sophie from her surgery at the vet.  We ended up just talking and spending some time together at home and then went for a late supper at our favorite restaurant.... You didn't have to ask where did you?  Yes.  La Carreta and it was even more fun to share a plate of nachos at a late super on date night.  Afterwards we hit Kohl's and bought one Christmas gift and looked around a bit.  Then we drove around a bit to see the lights in the downtown area.  Pretty!  I love our little old fashioned downtown areas here in Southern Indiana at Christmas.  The decorations are pretty... and probably quite vintage.  This was a look down main street... or whatever its called... in Vincennes otherwise known as going to town... not to be confused with the big city.. remember?

Rest of the weekend was somewhat lazy.  I did get a walk in at the campground.  One camper was at his site doing some maintenance and he yelled out to me that I better slow down before I get pulled over for speeding... ha ha ha ha.... I get a kick out of them getting a kick out of me.  We kept an eye on Sophie, whom we've had to keep separated from Sydney because they play too hard.  Sydney seems lonely without her, so we took Sophie in by Sydney just to visit and it was SO cute.  Sydney put her paw over Sophie and kept licking her.... it was so sweet.  It was like there she is!  There's my sister.  Poor thing, this is the first time either of the kittens has been alone without the other since birth. 

Today we had church, and we helped a friend do the Advent reading.  We are currently trying to locate the elusive Advent reading paper which seems to have disappeared between Darrel reading the last section, and us going up to choir to sing.  I  of course need the reading for my holiday book right?

And now... it is time to head to bed so we can begin a new week!  This week will hold decorating, wrapping, and the much anticipated Christmas party!  Can't wait!  Hope your week is fabulous!  Blessings! 

A Smashing PINK Holiday

No new smashing pages to share today but I of course just had to show you the first ornament to go on the tree.  Isn't she pretty?  :)  She's like a pink tutu ballerina snow person.  I love her cause she makes me smile.  Darrel bought her for me when we went to Covered Bridge in October.  She has just been waiting for this moment when she could grace our tree.  She has a prime spot, front and center, in clear view from my chair of course.  She will definitely be a part of the smashing holiday pages!

Let's see... what else occurred today?  We got out the snow globe collection.  Always a favorite Christmas activity.  As it is in most years I couldn't remember what the new snow globe was from last year, so its always a happy surprise to unwrap that one!

I finally got in a walk today.  I've been missing way too much lately between being sick and then all the thanksgiving hoopla last week.  Problem.  The belt on the treadmill keeps slipping.  At one point today it was picking up speed all on its own.  The next minute it like stops and threatens to throw you off.  Um this is scary as I begin to wonder if I am going to end up on the tile floor with a cracked head.... Plus its not so conducive to keeping a good pace.  Darrel is going to look at the belt again.  Perhaps I should write a letter to Santa.  Maybe he can fit a nice new treadmill on his sleigh for me.  Is Santa rich?  Cause those things are expensive.  I've been a pretty good girl.. .maybe... he might consider it huh? 

I got my pink tree up and decorated in my office at work.  I love that tree.  So pretty, pink, and sparkly!  I am asking myself once again how come I don't just leave it up year round.  Nothing wrong with that right? 

Been listening to WBGL on the Internet at work.  They are a radio station we used to get when we lived in Illinois.  They have switched to all Christmas music and today... this song came on.  Be Born In Me by Fancesca Battistelli.  Oh. My. Goodness.  LOVE that song.  I need to sing it!  The first line caught my attention and stopped me in my tracks..."Everything inside me cries for order, Everything inside me wants to hide..."  When I am struggling... that so describes how I feel.  As the song went on,  I realized it was about Mary, but wow.  The words are powerful.  I discovered this song is part of a CD created as part of a Bible study called "The Story."  I bought the CD thru itunes and can't wait to hear the other songs.  I ordered a free sample/info on the study and am very interested in finding out more.  Anyone done this study? 

Tune in tomorrow for Ten on Tuesday!  Blessings!

Having A Smashing Holiday

Yes, I actually did it.  I scraped... which is an amazing feat considering how much time I intend to head to the scraproom but seldom go!  I got a start on my December Daily album for this year.  However, as I mentioned, I wanted to start with Thanksgiving and probably go thru New Year's to cover our entire holiday season.  So... since I am using a smash book, I decided it would be "A Smashing Holiday."  Smashing as in fabulous... not smashing as in destroying.. bwa ha ha ha....

Well here you have a bare cover.  I haven't decided how I wanted to decorate it.  I seem to do that every year and end up finishing the cover last.  I am going to try to do better at that this year.  I left a title page, and I may do like a holiday calendar there or something, but after that I started with a 2 page spread covering Thanksgiving.  See?!

I am going for more of an old school scrapbook/journaling kind of feel so kept things a bit simple... for me anyway, and then also kind of doodled with one of the 5 copic markers I own to do the word Thanksgiving.  The holiday button is from Evalicious.  How cute are those?  The green paper top left is one of the little smash book journaling book accessories.  Did lots of journaling to remember the details from our Thanksgiving for 2. 

Here are my pages for Saturday and Sunday.  For Saturday I played with my new honeycomb stamp that I bought from Cocoa Daisy recently.  Very cool.  Will be playing with that some more. 

For Sunday I didn't have a picture but I wore my new Christmas outfit today (the black sweater and skirt with my new pink Jessica shoes.) so I saved those tags, and then grabbed a card from our favorite restaurant where we had lunch today.  Also used some smash washi tape and played with my new Martha snowflake punch.  That thing is very cool!  Today was a good day, but also stressful at parts so I basically just journaled about those things. 

It was fun "smashing" for the first time!  I am eager to continue with my book.  I have decided I will not stress and obsess about getting a page done for every single day. I just plan to do what I can and what I feel like.  By the New Year I should still have a great memory book from a Smashing Holiday!  (If you click on any of the photos above, you will get a larger version of the photo)

So how was your Sunday?  We had church and worship leading.  That was a bit stressful, but we enjoyed church and I enjoyed my pretty pink shoes!  This is the first time I wore them for any length of time and they were actually pretty comfy and very stable to walk in.  Except.. on gravel.  Do not reccomend gravel, rain, and platform shoes.  Not a good mix.  We enjoyed a nice lunch at La Carretta and then I spent the afternoon smashing... while Darrel did some woodworking projects.  Made us a little turkey salad for a late supper while we watched Amazing Race.  Darrel was very jealous of the guys that got to drive the new mustangs on the test course.  Tomorrow is back to work and we hope to finish the decorations in the evening!  I would be quite happy to have all that done before December first! 

I will be back tomorrow, or Tuesday at the latest with more Smashing!  Blessings!