Wow... Christmas is almost here...

So 10 days till Christmas Eve....

Why does the time flies by so quick once Thanksgiving gets here, seems like Christmas comes quicker every year... lots has been going on, but I will give a full update soon... just didn't want ya'll to think I had given up on the blog!!!

I hope everybody has a wonderfully, happy and joyous Christmas holiday!!!

hApPy HaLLoWeeN

We got candy yes we do, 12 bags to be exact and we had about a bag left!!! After the first 25-30 trick-or-treaters I gave up on counting, I figure we had at least 75-100 kids come thru... saw several fairies, a few butterflies, Thomas the Train, Batman and Joker, all kinds of Star Wars characters, a few Transformers, witches and ghosts and various Hannah Montana get-ups, oh and some cowboys and Indians too...
David's parents came down to witness the spectacle and he and his dad are already planning to dress up next year-LOL!!
Here are a few pics from the nite...

Being Crafty...

so the crafty bug has bitten me... I bought a chipboard banner and this is what I made last week...yea I know it isn't even Halloween yet, but I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I saw it. I cut the MERRY letters using my Cricut ('bout time I put it to use), because my Slice died and had to be shipped back for repair :(
Thanks to the Scrapbook Princess in Odenville for the Maya Road album and Graphic 45 papers, if you get a chance go visit Paulette and Christen!!

sorry for the not so great pictures, we all know who the photographer is in this family and it isn't me!!

Red Rooster Retreat

Well....once again I have become a blog slacker. Back the first of August I went on this great scrapbook retreat near Cullman (north of Bham). Now, my fellow scrapper Sandy, has been inviting me to this for like 3 years and it seems like every year something would always conflict with me being able to go.

Atha (mom-in-law) and I finally got there this year and not really knowing what to expect were a bit apprehensive, me especially because
I really despise roosters of any kind, real or decorative and the name of this place kind of heebs me out especially when you drive up there is a 5 ft tall RED rooster greeting you.

Plus, other than Sandy we didn't know anybody else coming but figured we would make some new friends by the time we left, which we did.

First, although I really despise roosters, this place is pretty awesome, the owners live there and pretty much cater to all our needs.
We get a huge room with a table to ourselves for scrapping away
and Atha and I lucked out getting a bedroom and bathroom to ourselves,
sometimes it pays to be a snorer-LOL!!!

Second, the food is INCREDIBLE!!!!
I mean it is worth going just for the food....all home cooked, 3 meals a day and
I don't think there wasn't anything I didn't eat and some things I wish I had ate more of!!!

Third, all the ladies we met were super nice and really made us feel at home
and now we can't wait to head back in April!!







Oh and we all got to spend some time with this cutie-patootie and future scrapbooker, Allie...

Busy, Busy....

I know I have been a serious slacker when it comes to blogging, I just knew I would have great and witty things to right about all the time and people would be reading my blog, just laughing and thinking what a funny person I am...LOL!!!!

You know for 2 people not to have kids we have been really busy this summer....we started at Memorial Day and really just slowed down...between house projects, travel ball and scrapbook retreats we have been on the go alot more than we had planned that is for sure.

Here are some pics and info from our summer....

We started with some outside projects....finally a gate on one fence and the other closed up..YEA!!! Oh and new screen and trim on the back porch. We also had hopes for siding on the house, but after getting some quotes we will be lucky if it happens by next summer :)
My dear mom-in-law making sure they do it right!!! hahaha



We did take a few days and spent down in Mobile and Biloxi; our first time in a casino and heck no we didn't win big, might have won back what we spent. We really didn't understand the whole slot machine concept at first and after some questioning we will know more when we go back.

And we did go to Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile, it was excruciatingly hot, but oh did I get the money shot!!! Yes, I did take this picture!!! David is pretty jealous too...hee-hee






Oh and we have spent several Saturdays at various ballfields watching Paige play softball, not my favorite thing in the world in the heat, but I wouldn't miss seeing her play.


This was the 1st tournament of the year, it was raining buckets and we were all sitting in the car wishing they would call it off!!!


And finally just wrapped up all the goings with a scrapbook retreat at The Red Rooster Inn in Cullman and man what a treat for sure....3 days of nothing but scrapping and great eating!!! Sorry no pics for this since they are on a different card my computer won't read, but take my work for it was great fun, made lots of news friends and can't wait to go back next year!!!

So there it is, our summer in short story form, busy but fun and now I am looking forward to a few weekends of nothing to do, well at least till football starts.

Check this out!!!

Hey -check out this blog post by Margie -I met her at Wishful Thinking (ScrapEtc event in May) and she's crazy fabulous! So go check it out!! She and her daughters have started this cool kit club - The Girls Loft and are giving away "3" subscriptions. hurry - why are you still here?

Exhausted and Exhilarated...

all at the same time!!! Just got back to the 'hood after a wonderful experience in Hotlanta, aka "Wishful Thinking", the ScrapEtc event for 2009. It was 3 days of inspiration, full of laughter, a few tears, a little stress and little sleep, with all kinds of great ladies from around the country. It is amazing to me that 100 women (most of whom we don't know) can get together and have such a great time all because we share a passion for scrapbooking. I could probably post a book about this past weekend there was so much going on, but I will spare you the novel and hit the high points along with a few pictures....oh and the hubby's joined us but other than the Braves game, sleeping and an occasional meal they were on their own (that is another post)!!

So here goes....left Wed. for Atlanta, stopped at a couple of scrapbook stores along the way,
rode the Marta (an experience all its own!!)




went to a Braves game (1st ever)





....then Thur. started the fun, here is a very short synopsis

....2 days of classes with 6 teachers and a whole bunch of fun in between!!! Elizabeth Kartchner, Melodee Langworthy, Jenni Bowlin, Gretchen McElven, Margie Romney-Aslett and Jessica Sprague, what a line up....I learned so much and am so ready to get in my scrap room and create....I wonder if David will let me quit my job and just scrapbook all day long??? LOL!!!











my camera battery died during my last 2 classes....so I have to get those pics with Margie and Jessica from my mom-in-law who went with me. I am so lucky to have a MIL that loves to do this with me, so many of the girls were jealous that I get along so good with my MIL!! Oh and I bough a SLICE, which is about the coolest thing since sliced bread...a portable die-cut machine...LOVE IT!!!

I am Amazed

at how my creativity flows sometimes...as you know I have a passion for scrapbooking and usually I don't think I am as creative as other people, but I have to say since getting my scraproom somewhat organized, all I want to do is create. So here is my latest creation using a page kit from The Scrapbook Princess in Odenville (hey Paulette-hope you like it)


and for the record....this is the 4th layout I have posted for other people to see...shocking I know!!!

SCRAP ETC event

If you are a scrapper, check this out...a chance to win a free spot at the event in Atlanta, April 30th-May 2nd.

No April Fool's Joke!!!
You can win a FREE space to the Event!
Five of you!

Yes, you read that right!

We are giving away FIVE spaces to the Scrap ETC event!

And we have FIVE ways you can win:

1. Post a comment on the blog.
2. Tell your friends to come and post a comment, and if they do, tell us that they referred you! Both of you will get a chance!
3. Post this contest on your blog---and post a link in the comments!
4. Post a link in the comments to anywhere else online that you have posted about this!
5. Post it on your facebook or twitter status---and let us know that you did!

We will draw the names Thursday morning,April 2nd!

Start posting NOW!


For updates and registration info:
ScrapETCEvent09

If you miss anything, don't worry, you can check it out
at Scrap ETC.com

On the road again...

this time to Nashvegas, aka Nashville, TN. We spent last weekend in Nashville to go to the SEC gymnastics championship, go to McKay's (great used bookstore) and just to get away from the craziness we call life. Here we are at the riverfront across from the Titans stadium

The famous Earnest Tubbs record shop

On trips, I always make a point to search out any scrapbook stores wherever we may be and in return we have to do something for David so.....since he is really into civil war stuff and photography we spent a good deal of time doing stuff he likes too.
We started our trip early Friday morning to be able to stop all the places we wanted....
1st stop-Lynchburg, TN home of the Jack Daniels Brewery and best of all FREE
We had the best tour guide and learned alot about the whiskey process and that some people will actually pay up to $9000 to have their own barrel of whiskey delivered to their door.

2nd stop-Stones River Battleground, this is the most endangered civil war sight due to all the traffic and urban growth around it, as you walked thru it you could picture the soldier hiding within the rock formations.

Saturday we headed off to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens because it was FREE(this was a BUDGET conscious trip) also along with half the population of Nashville . I think we were about 2 weeks early though cause most things hadn't bloomed out yet. After a quick trip north to visit a scrapbook store :) (and we saw a kitty that looked like Kit Kat too) we headed downtown to the Sommet (pronounced Somay) Center for the gymnastics and it was great seeing all those athletes perform and yea to Bama for beating Georgia to win the championship.

A Sad, Sad Day

It has been a sad day at the Carson house...our little baby, Kit Kat, went to kitty heaven sometime last nite. He was our youngest kitty, who would have been 6 in November, and it is really hard cause all of our kitties mean the world to us, but him especially. He would play fetch with David, jump in you lap while you were on the computer, crawl under the covers while you read at nite, push the other cats out of the way to get to the food ball first even though he was alot smaller than them. Everybody loved him and his little crossed eyes.

We know is in a better place and not feeling yucky anymore and even though we knew in the back of our minds this day would come, it still doesn't make it any easier. I guess that is why Blackie showed up in our lives, to help fill the empty space that Kit Kat would leave us with.
WE LOVE YOU KIT KAT!!! You will always be momma's baby!!!

SNOW!!!

Yes....it is snowing in Alabaster on March 1st!!! The first snow at our new house was awaiting us this morning, I heard David on the phone with his dad, so I peek out the window and there it is-white stuff covering the ground. We spent the morning out in it taking pictures and walking thru the neighborhood, cause how many times can you do that in the South??? It was almost "blizzard" like cause there was so much falling and the wind was blowing it everywhere, the last time it did that was the "Blizzard of 93". We officially got 3 3/4" in our back yard.













But sadly, it is already gone and we should be in the 70's by the weekend, which will be nice because softball season has started and it is no fun watching Paige play in the cold!!

Are you up for a Challenge???

As ya'll know, one of my resolutions this year is to scrap more. Last nite I went to an organization class to get some suggestions on organizing my scrap room (which I did) but one of the things she told us was to make time to scrap, so when Lisa posted the "challenges" again today, I thought "this is a sign" for me to get busy.

I tried to get this up earlier today (Challenge #3) but here is my Christmas picture(s) layout, and they are actually from this year-LOL!!!


This is my NON-Christmas layout (Challenge #5) made using the Making Memories FA LA LA Christmas kit (that I got on clearance at Target no less)
Remember, no laughing!!!

Have you ever???

So I saw this on another blog and thought it was pretty cool and realized there is a ton of stuff I want to do or see in my lifetime...so I have listed all the stuff I have done in dark blue and then made some notations in pink by some others. Check it out and do it yourself and let's compare.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii-hoping to do this on my 10th anniversary

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland or World

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped-I have absolutely NO desire to do this!!!

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child-considered this at one time
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables-contemplating this in the spring
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort-no snow here in Alabama
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping - Shh!
27. Run a Marathon-yet another thing I have NO desire to do-LOL!!
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice-would love to do this one day
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise-on my list of to do's in the near future.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person-ditto #32
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance-NO desire for this either
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies-nope, but bought plenty of them!!!
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check - oops!
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person-on the list of to do's in the near future
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life - not with CPR or Heimlich but talking them into getting help.
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby-unfortunately not in the cards for me
95. Seen the Alamo in person-might do this in the fall
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Addicted...

to facebook, that is. I love it, I have come across so many old friends thru FB, what a great way to keep in touch and it is FREE (my favorite word).

Kids today have it great, so much more technology that we did (back in the 80's & early 90's). My niece and her friends find it shocking that I didn't have a TV in my room and only one in the whole house (and didn't have cable till I was in HS), much less a phone in my room till I was a Sr. in HS, while most of them have had TV's and phones since they were born or it least it seems that way.

Anyway back to facebook, it is so much fun to see what everybody is doing with the status up- dates and finding old friends I thought were lost forever is amazing to me. Plus you can do all sorts of neat things, post pictures, invite people to events, keep a garden, have a flair board and be a fan of all sorts of things (schools, causes, etc). So if you haven't found facebook, check it out and join cause I can assure you will find just as addictive as I have!!!

Another first....

So here it is...my first scrapbook layout for 2009 AND the first one I have ever sent in to be "judged". It is also the first layout I have completed in my scrap room using tools I have never used before like the Xyron Runner I got for Christmas.

ScrapEtc. put up a challenge for layouts about resolutions and/or non-resolutions and I thought well I will give this a try, a huge step out for me, cause I don't think my layouts are ever any good. So here it is, my first "published" layout....sorry about the slight glare, this was the best one to show the color....please don't laugh...

Happy New Year!!!!

Well another year is upon us. It is 2009, would someone please tell me where 2008 went??? I remember being a "tween" when Prince's song "1999" came out thinking "that is SO far away" and now 1999 was 10 years ago!!! Time flies whether you have fun or not, so you might as well have some fun along the way.

Since it is a new year, it is mandatory to make "resolutions"
(things we want to accomplish over the coming year). So this is what I have been pondering today, while I take down decorations, making sure to be very organized, what do I want to accomplish this year??

So here is my list and hopefully I will accomplish ALL of these: or at least 1/2 of them :)

1) Become closer to GOD, and acknowledge him in all that I do (I have been a slacker lately)
2) Be healthier (eating AND exercising)
3) PUT AWAY MY CLOTHES /don't let them pile up on the dresser
4) Keep the house picked up at all times (so I don't have to use my day off cleaning)
5) Scrap, Scrap, Scrap.....I have a whole room dedicated to this, it shouldn't be an issue
6) Don't let TV rule my life (DVR, DVR, DVR)
7) Re-unite with old friends (thanks FaceBook)
8) Simplify and organize (this incorporates various aspects of my home and work life)
9) Pay off some debt once and for all
10) Enjoy life and everything it offers (good and bad)

So there ya go....my "resolutions" for 2009, you've read them so try to hold me to them!!!

I hope everybody has a wonderfully happy and prosperous New Year!!!