Cozy & Call To Act

Here is Cozy.... my first new item since the move and in over a month!

Get It Here

"Cozy" is just what I want to be when the leaves turn beautiful colors and the air is crisp. Cozy the kit is full of those warm autumn colors perfect for an autumn or back to school layout, or even Thanksgiving cards.

Included in Cozy are 8 artistic papers, 5 felty stitched leaves, 3 buttons, 3 tags, 2 frames, 2 ribbons, 2 flowers, 1 ribbon photo wrap, 1 swirl, and 1 string of beads. Enjoy!

** and as always! 20% Off today!

Here is a quick LO of the boys I did yesterday with Cozy~

And... wow... have you seen this yet? Call To Act at The Digi Chick.

Can you believe its free?

Call To Act is a kit created by your favorite designers from all over the community with a common desire to make a change. This kit is being given as a free gift to all scrapbookers that can show that they are taking action to help in their communities. This could be donating canned goods for needful families for Thanksgiving, clothes for those affected by the fires if you live in California, or volunteering your time at evacuation shelters, even being apart of a donation effort put together by your church or child's school for the holidays. Sometimes contributing monetarily isn’t always feasible. This kit is to encourage you to step up and step out into your community. As they say, give and you shall receive.


· Upload your receipt, or photo (blur out sensitive information of course) packing boxes, or participating in school donation events or such.


· Describe what you did to contribute in the credits area


· TDC Administrators will PM participants with a code to check out with the kit for free.


· Layouts must be uploaded to The Digichick gallery linked HERE to be eligible.

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I participated!

Here in Montgomery County there is a place called Stepping Stone Shelter for the homeless. They take up to 6 families for 3 months, and help teach work skills to the parents. They also try to help find work and suitable living places for them once their term is over.

I belong to a Mom's Group Bible Study at my church and very recently we donated items for their "Oct Wish List." Stuff like new socks, coffee, underwear.... stuff most of us take for granted even if we are tight for money.

We felt really convicted about the Holidays and wanted to contribute again, and they offered us the parents for Christmas. Everyone always wants to do the kids, so we felt great about pampering the parents a bit that day too.

My contribution was nail polish for the 6 mothers there. I wanted to give them something personal and JUST for them.... and a bit upscale too.

See the pic of nail polish HERE.

JC Penney Catalog 1977‏

**** I got this as an email from my sister, who had forwarded it from a friend. I *think* its an original email from the friend's relative..... but dang, I could be wrong, LOL! For all I know ya'll saw this 2 months ago.

Last weekend I put an exhaust fan in the ceiling for my wife's grandfather. While my wife's brother and I were fitting the fan in between the joists, we found something under the insulation. What we found was this:


A JC Penney catalog from 1977. It's not often blog fodder just falls in my lap, but this was two solid inches of it, right there for the taking. I thumbed through it quickly and found my next dining room set, which is apparently made by adding upholstery to old barrels:



Also, I am totally getting this for my bathroom:

There's plenty more home furnishings where those came from; however, I'm not going to bore you with that. Instead, I'm going to bore you with something else. The clothes.

The clothes are fantastic.

Here's how to get your butt kicked in elementary school:

Just look at that belt. It's like a boob-job for your pants. He probably needed help just to lift it into place. The belt loops have to be three inches long. And way to pull them up to your armpits, grandpa.

Here's how to get your butt kicked in high school:

This kid looks like he's pretending to be David Soul, who is pretending to be a cop, who is pretending to be a pimp that everyone knows is really an undercover cop. Who is pretending to be 15.

Here's how to get your butt kicked on the golf course:

This "all purpose jumpsuit" is, according to the description, equally appropriate for playing golf or simply relaxing around the house. Personally, I can't see wearing this unless you happen to be relaxing around your cell in D-block . Even then, the only reason you should put this thing on is because the warden made you, and as a one-piece, it's slightly more effective as a deterrent against...

Here's how to get your butt kicked pretty much anywhere:

Here's how to get your butt kicked at the beach:

He looks like he's reaching for a gun, but you know it's probably just a bottle of suntan lotion in a holster.

How to get your butt kicked in a meeting:

If you wear this suit and don't sell used cars for a living, I believe you can be fined and face serious repercussions, up to and including termination. Or imprisonment, in which case you'd be forced to wear that orange jumpsuit.

How to get your butt kicked on every day up to and including St. Patrick's Day:

I don't believe that color exists in nature. There is NO excuse for wearing either of these ensembles unless you're working as a body guard for the Lucky Charms leprechaun.

In this next one, Your Search For VALUE Ends at Penneys.

As does your search for chest hair.

And this -- Seriously. No words.

I'm guessing the snap front gives you quick access to the chest hair. The little tie must be the pull tab.

Also, judging by the sheer amount of matching his/hers outfits, I'm guessing that in 1977 it was considered pretty stylish for couples to dress alike. These couples look happy, don't they?

I am especially fond of this one, which I have entitled "Cowboy Chachi Loves You Best."

And nothing showcases your everlasting love more than the commitment of matching bathing suits.

Then, you can relax in your one-piece matching terry cloth jumpsuits:

I could go on, but I'm tired, and my eyes hurt from this trip back in time. I think it's the colors. That said, I will leave you with these tasteful little numbers:

Man, that's sexy.

Santa's Stocking Up....

Getting back on my feet by Monday was a very ambitious thought. And it didn't exactly happen that way. Its now Tuesday, and I am very still much in need of a crutch. However! This morning I am able to put a bit of pressure on my heel. Nate did leave for his conference yesterday, leaving me in panic mode, BUT it went better than I thought. A couple ladies from church called to ask if I needed anything, but Nate left me pretty stocked up. Bath & Bed time took f o r e v e r but at least both my children got clean, LOL!

Stairs a re a challenge, especially with Lucas. I have to hold him in my lap and come up and down on my bottom.

Santa is starting to stock up at our house.

Here's what we have so far....

For Seth:

Automoblox Minis

These cars are so cool.... they are kinda like blocks, where you can change out the fronts and ends and interchange, and I love that they are made out of durable wood.

My First Batmobile (Along with Batman & Superman figures)

Lift Off Rocket

Candy Land Castle Game

For Lucas:

Sing & Go Choo Choo

Grip & Grasp Stroller toy

Rumblin Truck

Our Big Toy we are (err.... Santa is) doing is putting together a Wooden Thomas Train Table for them. (I know that Lucas is still young for that, but dang! Its rather expensive, and if he's anything like his brother, I'm sure he'll love it within the year.) Seth already has a figure 8 set, so we are supplementing it with the Table, expansion pack, extra track, more train cars, covered bridge, train shed.... I can't wait to see his face!

I'm also planning on Ratatoullie DVD too. I know that Gramma is getting them a Wagon for Christmas.

I could use a couple more ideas... especially for Lucas. Its hard for him b/c he's at the age where he's more interested in household stuff than actual toys, and he has all of Seth's old baby toys... KWIM?

Off to work! That's right, you heard me! ;)

Call Me Gimpy.....

Did I have a day or what yesterday??? I was eating a Starburst and lost a filling. Then last night, I was running around with Seth and I fell. I heard a "POP" and knew it was bad. I ended up tearing some ligaments on the outside of my right foot, and am currently using a crutch to get around. Its all swollen/ bruising, and distorted.

This is a huge Deja Vu for me, because I fell in the yard when I was 7 mos. pregnant with Seth, and broke my ankle. The next day Nate had to leave for a conference, and I was stuck grocery shopping. Now imagine in your heads a hugely pregnant woman trying to navigate a grocery store on crutches. :c( Anyhoo~ Nate is leaving for a conference on Monday for a couple days. So I really need to be on my feet again by then. Thankfully its not as bad this time around as last.

Speaking of running.... I never got to share this.

I went to my college's Homecoming a few weekends back and ran in their Alumni 5K. I came in 2nd for women! And I was 7th or 8th overall! Sweet! Let me tell you though.... that was a challenge. It was still hot up here in MD (think 90 degrees) so I only packed shorts and a tee. Well, the race started at 8 am, and it was closer to 55 degrees and frosty! I also hadn't run consistently b/c of the move and such. My time was 26 min and 20 sec. I was a bit disappointed that I lost a minute over my 5K win a couple years before, but not shabby either. I got a nice ribbon, LOL!

And.... TOOT!

I have a LO featured nice and big on the Simply Stunning page in the new Dec/ Jan Digital Scrapbooking Magazine! Woot! Its of my lil' Lucas! Well... when he was nice and little, LOL!

I've started Christmas shopping for the boys, so be on the lookout for some of the list... coming soon! :c) Off to ice my foot and take some more Tylenol!

hee hee hee.....

HOT off the presses, LOL! I just got this from someone at church (I didn't get one of my own!)

Can you guess who we were???

Happy Belated Halloween!

From The Pirate and the Dragon..... (it sounds like a children's story doesn't it? Or at least a fable... LOL!)




And let me tell you..... I definitely have plans for a Scrap page featuring the out takes of the 2 kids together, LOL!

And since I didn't get a chance to share any beach pictures, I thought I would share this one. I adore this! My two kiddos and their lovely cousins under the pier.

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And a quick new delicious recipe. We had this last night!

Taco Soup

1 ½ lbs lean ground beef, browned and drained OR 2 C diced cooked chicken / ground turkey

1 16oz can black beans, undrained

1 16oz can pinto beans, undrained

2 14oz cans diced tomatoes, undrained

1 14oz can whole kernel corn, drained

1 package taco seasoning mix, dry

1 package ranch dip mix, dry

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot and simmer on low for 6 hours OR heat thoroughly to blend flavors and simmer until serving. Place crumbled tortilla chips, bite size corn chips, or soft flour tortillas. In individual bowls. Cover w/ meat mixture.

Top w/ : sour cream, shredded cheese, sliced black olives, chopped green onions.

*** This is a thicker consistency. I did end up adding about a cup of water, and on the spur of the moment a couple dashes of hot sauce, a spoonful of jarred garlic, and some salt and ground pepper.

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Have a great November day!

Hallelujah!

We finally have internet at home!

I'll be back in action before you know it!!!

ROCK ON!

Get IT Now!

These are the absolute LAST days to get Fusion, the collab from Michelle Underwood and myself.

I WILL be retiring it permanently Sunday or Monday. As a retiring treat, it is 20% off until then. Use the coupon code burns-fusion20

Enjoy!

Birthday Pictures....

I know, I'm so sorry that these are now a month old. But here is my "Ses" (his name for himself and a new nickname) turning that Precocious Three.

Sept 25, 2007

His train cake he talked about for weeks before and after... LOL!

Waiting for his presents....

The traditional "fingers" pose, LOL!

His Big gift... he ADORES this "plees car."

"To enfany and bee-yon!" BTW~ HUGE Buzz fan now too... his Nana got him both DVD's for his Birthday. And let me tell you... great babysitters for unpacking, LOL!

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On to the home front. I am really starting to get frustrated. Unpacking is taking SO much longer that I thought it would. It doesn't help that we are unpacking everything, purging, and re-packing/ organizing it back up. But still. Nate's been so busy with work that I'm doing a lot of it myself, and with 2 kids it is very slow going. Not to mention that they have both been sick this week. A nasty cold has them both cranky.

I'm also frustrated because I'm not "out" in the digital world right now, nor have been for a good 6 weeks, and I am GOING CRAZY about that. I'm fearing that my digital sales are suffering because I'm not out in the community. I also MISS the community. I have NO idea what's going on, what the hot new products are, what the trends are.... I am missing the forums and the camaraderie.

Moving twice in a month is not a joy I would wish on anyone. Living out of boxes for 6 weeks really is waayy too long. A woman's home is her castle, and I am SO ready to be done, and settled already.

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One thing I am excited about.... I ordered a couple cool necklaces from Lisa Leonard. She really has some GORGEOUS hand stamped jewelry that you can customize with any names and/ or phrases. I can't wait to get my "Wish" necklace!

Tonight we are off to look at some rugs for the boys' rooms and maybe some drapes for downstairs......

I really, really hope to be "with" ya'll more consistantly very soon.

((hugs))

Craziness....

Life is insane right now. We moved into OUR new house yesterday, and I can barely turn around in there, LOL! I have a lot of work in the next couple days setting up our new nest.

Super fast reminder that there are less than 2 weeks left that FUSION by Michelle Underwood and myself will be available. Snatch it up before it disappears!

Our New Home....

Here's our new house!

Not shown is our finished basement with laundry room, boiler room, and storage areas! There's also a half bath on the first floor too.

Kitchen above (more cabinetry surroundng a stainless steel side-by- side fridge)

living room below

Dinig Room

upstairs looking down

master suite

entrance to master bath, a closet flanking each side there. All closets cedar-lined

stone shower!

bedroom 2 (seth)

bedroom 3 (Lucas)

2nd bathroom

YAY!

The landscaping in both front and backyard needs a lot of attention, but that will be fun!

A House!

I'm so excited! We finally found a house we adore! (After 3 solid days of about 10 or so places each....)

We made our offer, and it was accepted! We actually close on the 16th, so the end is finally in sight. Ahhh......

First time home owner here!