So, I smile....

Best face of 2011

2012-01-09T09:34:00.001-06:00

I took lots of pictures of my beautiful family members in 2011 so it was very hard to choose just one. However, I narrowed it down to this one. This is my daughter, Allison. She and Ryan got engaged in July and they asked me to take their engagement photos. We traveled to Austin in October and this is one of my favorites. I captured this one that I think shows how happy she is and how much love she feels.

I heart faces entry (eyes)

2011-08-15T19:23:00.000-05:00

I heart faces entry

2011-04-17T15:21:00.000-05:00

I've been following the I heart faces blog for a little while. I've never tried to enter a photo before now but this week, their theme is wind. When I shot some pictures of Camryn for my photography class a few weeks ago, we had a lot of trouble with her hair blowing in the wind. Perfect, right? Well, here is my entry for this week's theme.

Aren't they beautiful?

2011-02-15T20:51:00.000-06:00

I spent Saturday with my girls. It was just the three of us. We left all the guys and the children at home. I so enjoy their company. What wonderful, beautiful, fun people they are. I am so lucky. I love them so much.

You are the poem I dreamed of writing, the masterpiece I longed to paint.You are the shining star I reached for in my ever hopeful quest for life fulfilled. You are my child(ren). Now, with all things I am blessed.

Feb 1, 2011

2011-02-01T13:15:00.000-06:00

Today, Melissa Nicole would have been 31 years old. I hope my daddy is enjoying playing with his very first granddaughter that we never got to play with in this life. Sadly, I won't be going to the cemetery today in this weather.

A List of Random Stuff

2011-01-22T21:59:00.001-06:00

1. I've only scrapped one page since Nov 1. Seriously. I was a little burned out and wanted to take a break. However, I haven't stopped taking pictures, so I need to catch back up.

2. I went through every drawer and box and piece of paper in my scrap room and filled up two big boxes full of stuff that I was just not in love with. That is what happens when you are on DT. Loved being on it. Loved it, I swear. However, I occasionally got stuff (for free) that I just really did not like. Gave it to this place. The birth mothers make scrapbooks for their babies. I wanted them to have fun stuff to use since I am so proud of them for making the decision to give their babies better lives, for choosing life.

3. I've signed up for a new photography class at UTA. This one is called "on location." I'm pretty excited. It is about finding outdoor locations and how to get the best shots using natural light. It meets on the 4 Tuesdays in February during the DAY from 12-2. I've cleared it with my boss and everything. I just have to use 1.5 vacation days for the time I leave early each week.

4. I bought one of these. It is just perfect for the tripod pictures where I don't want to have any camera shake at all or when I am trying to get a child to look at me. I can make great faces and still press the shutter.

5. The hot flashes are not fun. They keep me from sleeping well. too. I am also told that I am not so fun, either. I've been accused of biting a certain someone's head off a few too many times. I guess I need to look into remedies.

6. I need to start walking again, too. The pounds are starting to creep back on. Is that from menopause, too? I got lazy this fall and just didn't start back up again. Shame on me.

7. Why are all the robes in stores either thick and plush (which makes them hot) or short and slinky? I want a plain cotton wrapper that is at least mid calf length. The one I have is getting a bit worn out.

8. I'm starting to think about retirement a lot lately. I'm not ready financially but certainly ready, otherwise. I like my job but like the idea of not working, too.

9. I'm really excited about all the engagements that are happening in my family. Right now, I've got a niece and two nephews planning weddings.I'm betting the next few years will be busy with weddings as more and more of them get older.

10. I've seen several people post their top 12 pictures from last year on their blogs. I want to do that, too. I just need to find the time to go back through the 5 million pictures I took last year.

11. I've got a day planned with my girls for Feb 12. I am so excited. We haven't done anything, just the three of us, in quite a while.

Forever

2011-01-09T14:18:00.000-06:00

Forever lyrics

If every word I said
Could make you laugh
I’d talk forever (together my love)
I ask the sky just what we had
Mmm it shone forever
(together my love my my my my my my my my my my my my my)
If the song I sing to you
Could fill your heart with joy
I’d sing forever (together my love my my my my)
Forever
Forever
I’ve been so happy loving you

Do do do do do do do do do together my love

Let the love I have for you
Live in your heart
And beat forever (together my love)
Forever
Forever
I’ve been so happy loving you

Baby just let me sing it my baby
I wanna be singin’ my baby
Baby baby baby my baby
I wanna be singin’
I wanna be singin’ my baby
Oh oh oh oh
My my my my my my

So I’m goin’ away
Mmm but not forever
Na na na na
I gotta love you anyway

Forever

Not doing a project 365 again this year

2011-01-05T19:40:00.000-06:00

However, I am going to attempt a photography project for this year. Actually, I am going to do two. First, I am going to follow along with MCP actions and do their Project 52- one photo a week. I really like the idea of having a weekly theme and I especially like the idea of someone choosing those themes for me. Takes much of the pressure off of me. This week's theme is "around the house." I've already taken the picture. I just need to edit it and then I'll post. The second project is going to be called Me on Monday. I want to take self portraits of my self and I will take one every Monday. I may not post on Monday but will take the pictures on Mondays. I think it will be fun to take a look at them at the end of 52 weeks.

Christmas pictures

2010-12-26T21:50:00.000-06:00

I took very few pictures this year. I made a conscious effort to just enjoy the moments and not stress about the lighting and the camera shake like I usually do. I played around with some fun photos in the days leading up to Christmas. However, once the kids came over on Christmas Eve, the camera went on auto, the flash got popped up and I just took some pictures and handed the camera off so I could have pictures of me, too. I hope your holiday was as wonderful as mine was.

Joe graduates and a story

2010-12-19T14:04:00.000-06:00

Congratulation to my son-in-law, Joe on his graduation from college. It took him a while to get serious. He joined the navy out of high school and then after getting out halfheartedly went to school some and worked some until he and Karen reconnected a few years ago. I remember a conversation he and I had one day while we were in the waiting room during Karen's gall bladder surgery. He mentioned that he was not crazy about the job he had at that time but he took it because he loved my daughter and wanted to take care of her and Seth. He was interested in science and wanted to finish his degree, then go to graduate school and make something of himself. He had my heart at that moment. Here we are a few years later and he has his bachelor's. I'm so proud of him. He has worked full time, gone to school full time, loved Seth like he is his own and now has Stella, too. Good job, Joe. We love you.

I sat next to Joe's grandmother, Lee at dinner afterward. She was telling me how much she enjoys Seth and what a smart boy she thinks he is. She told me a story about him that did not surprise me one bit.

Shortly before Stella was born, Lee's husband, Ken was taken ill and died. Before he died, though, he was in intensive care for several days with his family keeping vigil at the hospital. Seth wasn't allowed to go into Ken's room because he was too young and that upset him a great deal. When Ken heard that Seth was upset, he sent word out to the waiting room to tell Seth that the next time he came to their house, he could play the piano for 10 minutes. Apparently, Lee and Ken had a 5 minute rule on grandchildren playing on the piano when they visit as most of them just bang on it. Lee said that, sure enough, the next time Seth came to visit, he reminded her that Grandpa Ken had said he could have 10 minutes on the piano. She also told me that Seth is unlike the children before him in that he will press the keys and actually listen to each note before he goes to the next one and can put some notes together well. She thinks he has some musical talent. I hope he pursues that. I loved listening to the music in the house when Karen was singing and Allison was playing her flute. Miss that.

The Christmas letter

2010-12-19T08:32:00.000-06:00

I did not make Christmas cards this year. I bought them. Of course, they still aren't mailed. I did not put together a photo collage of my family's year. I even considered not writing the annual Christmas letter as our year was pretty ordinary. No, I am not being a scrooge, I have just been really busy. Work has been nuts. I get home and I am tired. There have not even been many home cooked dinners, just lots of Subway sandwiches, pizza and the occasional grilled cheese sandwich. My favorite meal is definitely the one we eat somewhere other than our house. However, I did sit down yesterday and wrote this short note which I will enclose with the store bought Christmas cards that might get mailed tomorrow. haha I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season.

Dear family and friends,

I’ve procrastinated writing my annual Christmas letter because there simply isn’t much to tell. Life is crazy busy but actually kind of quiet. Curtis and I go to work each day. We come home and relax. We go to bed and then, we start over again the next day. Sometimes, I look back at those days when both girls were younger and we had sports and school and extra curricular activities to fit into each day and wonder how in the world I lived through it. I like our life. We’ve settled into our routine and are enjoying the quiet. We are very blessed to have just celebrated our 33^rd wedding anniversary. Of course, we look forward to seeing the girls at every opportunity. I talk to them on the phone several times a week and we still do fun things as a family. They are both happy and doing well.

Although she is currently looking for a job, Karen is a stay at home mom. She and Joe bought their first home this summer. They are slowly furnishing and decorating it. Seth is seven and in the first grade. He is smart, enjoys baseball and being a big brother. He has the cutest dimples and such a great smile. Curtis and I thoroughly enjoy every minute we spend with him. He says the funniest things. Stella just turned one this month and has started walking. She is a blonde haired, blue eyed cherub and we are all smitten with her.

Allison is teaching physics and Aquatic Science at Colleyville Heritage High School. She is very excited to have won a large educational grant that she plans to use for building a pond on the CHHS campus. The check presentation was especially fun as they surprised her by coming to her classroom with the marching band’s drum line leading them down the hall. She is also the adult sponsor of the teen leadership group at our church of which she was once a member and is teaching confirmation classes. For the last two years, she has seeing a very nice young man, Ryan Martin, a fellow Longhorn she met when they were both Biology majors at UT. He has become very much a part of our family, too.

Curtis and I hope the next year brings you all the joy and blessings you deserve.

With all our love,

Curtis and Detta Owens

Stella turns One

2010-12-07T21:22:00.000-06:00

It is hard to believe but little Stella is a year old. We celebrated with a party at her house. She wasn't too interested in the cake but did like her presents and was really interested in the Christmas tree. She is walking pretty well and I loved watching her. Here, of course, are a few pictures.

Playing in the leaves

2010-11-29T21:50:00.000-06:00

Seth and Stella came to play on Tuesday last week. Stella is beginning to walk and is saying a few things. She says E I E I O and she claps her hands and says "yay!" We played outside in the leaves. Seth thought it was great fun to rake, so I let him. Of course, I took pictures.

The end of an era

2010-11-06T12:55:00.000-06:00

I have decided to step down from my Design Team coordinator position at Memorable Seasons. It's been two years now and I have loved every minute. However, I seem to not have as much time to devote to it as the site gets better and bigger and my life gets crazier. Who would have thought this grandma would be busier now than when my kids were still living at home? How in the world did I do it? With that said, here are my last Design team kit projects. Our November 1 reveal was sponsored by Jillibean Soup. They have the most fabulous kraft paper designs and one of my favorite scrapbook supplies, the Jillibean sprouts. Are you ready for some Christmas? If not, I'm sorry but I will get back to Halloween stuff in a day or two.

Found these at a garage sale down the street. I got 8 of them for $2 thinking I could alter them somehow. Here are the first three projects using them.

I created the next project using a dollar store frame and a flower cut from old dictionary pages and tissue paper misted with Glimmer mist. It is kind of subtle but I rubbed some Tim Holtz antique linen ink around the edges of the snowflake paper.

This is an empty matchbox that I put a miniature candy bar into. It would be a cute stocking stuffer or a cute gift for your co workers.

and of course, I made a layout and some cards.

I will miss the free stuff I got for being DT Coordinator (haha) but I am looking forward to actually scrapping less and using just what I like. See you around, bloggers.

Pictures, I've been taking pictures

2010-10-15T15:05:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, October 3, I met my sister and her two adorable girls at the Arboretum and we took some pictures of the girls. The pumpkins were out. There were lots of pretty flowers and the girls were soo cute.

Curtis went with me and he was a good sport. He played with the girls and made them laugh. He also carried my a bouquet of pink flowers around that I wanted the girls to pose with. As he stood outside the restroom waiting for all of us girls to come back out holding those flowers, he reports that he was asked the same question several times. "Are you proposing, today?" haha too funny!

When we left there, Curtis and I went to the fair. I didn't take too many pictures, there. It was really really crowded and we didn't stay long. However, here is one of the ferris wheel that I took while we stood in line.

I'll be back over the next few days with more pictures. I have lots of them!

Sorry I've been neglecting you and October DT reveal

2010-10-14T21:37:00.000-05:00

Poor blog. I feel so bad for you since I discovered facebook. Even my love of sharing quotes has been satisfied there. Short little posts over there every day is just so much easier than sitting down here and thinking of things to expound on. I will try to do better.

So what have I been doing, you ask? I have been crazy busy. I've been taking lots of pictures, lots and lots of pictures. I love it. I'm still learning something new every day and I love that people like me to take their pictures, too. I promise I will start sharing more of those here.

The fabulous Echo Park Paper Company sponsored the design team at Memorable Seasons this month. They let us play with the Happy Halloween Collection. Cute Stuff! Here is what I did with it.

quote of the day

2010-08-10T19:42:00.002-05:00

"When your hobbies get in the way of your work--that's okay; but when your hobbies get in the way of themselves, well...."
~ Steve Martin

It is a Friend Raising Drive!

2010-08-03T09:11:00.000-05:00

Here at Memorable Seasons, we love our members. It is exciting to see our membership grow. We have a little over 450 members at this moment. We like that we have friends all across the country but we want more friends. Will you help us make more friends? As an incentive for you to ask your friends to become our friends, we are having a contest. Our goal is 500 members. The 500th person to sign up for membership will receive a $20 GC to the store and the person who invited them will get one, too! Doesn’t that sound fun? All you have to do is invite your friends. Post it on Facebook. Post it on your blog. Send out mass emails to all your scrapbooking friends. Tell them to say hello in the Welcome forum and mention who sent them. Let’s see how fast we can get to 500.

July DT kit at Memorable Seasons

2010-07-23T08:30:00.002-05:00

Over at Memorable Seasons, Jill gave the design team free rein in the store to pick out papers for our own kits and then she “accessorized" it for us. My goal was a red, blue, green color scheme. The pictures I had in mind are from Father’s Day and the 4th of July. I started with some papers from BoBunny Block Collection and then went hunting for some papers to coordinate with those.

The papers I chose

Bo Bunny Block Party Collection
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=8885
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=8609
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=8608
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=8606
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=8600

Sassafrass Lass
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=7797
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=7800

Bella Blv
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=4359 (this paper is mossier green than it looks in the store)
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=4368 (aand this one is lighter brown than it looks in the store)

Jill’s picks
Basic Grey flowers
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=8709
epoxy clips
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=8686
stitched brads
the blues and greens from this package
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=8683
glittery thickers
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=8900
OA rub ons
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=5723
and lace ribbons
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=7871
and this one is red which apparently is all gone cause I actually ordered some of this for myself.
http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/ ... oduct=8936

and here are a few that I did last night.

I used a craft knife and cut around two of the petals of the flower on the red paper and tucked the photo behind it. I also mimiced the look of the chipboard pieces with the brads.

the scan cut off a little on the left side but it has enough margin that there is a hand drawn black line around the photo collage

The lace that Jill included was perfect with the lace border around this Sassafrass Lass paper.

and for this one, I asked these questions of my girls, their guys and Seth. I plan to do a page for each of them.

_________________

Amen

2010-07-05T12:46:00.001-05:00

And this is Karen

2010-06-24T19:42:00.000-05:00

My oldest child is doing well. She is happily married and raising a beautiful little family. Seth is 6 and Stella is 6 months old. She and Joe have just bought their first home and are in the process of acquiring those essential things you need in a house and will be moving soon to Saginaw, Tx. She has been fortunate enough to stay home the last year and half with her kids and I believe everyone involved has benfitted from it. Although losing her job was traumatic at first, it all worked out. She plans to begin job hunting again once they get settled in their new home.

Karen keeps us entertained with her facebook updates and her daily adventures with her children. There is never a dull moment at her house. She likes me to take pictures of them which I love.

I am so proud and happy with the woman she has become. She is a wonderful mother. She is best friends with her sister. She fills my heart.I am also so proud of the way she ferociously defends her kids and looks out for other children, too.

Look, I'm back

2010-06-19T07:05:00.001-05:00

As promised, let me tell what is going on with the girls. I will talk about Allison today.

Allison has finished up her first year of teaching physics at Colleyville Heritage High School. She also taught a Geology class and a TAKS recovery class for kids who did not pass the science portion the first time. She now knows what it is like to stand on your feet all day and to catch every cold and sickness the kids bring to school with them. Her teacher friends assure her that her immune system will toughen up. The feet will probably continue to hurt, though. Next year, she will be teaching a new class called Aquatic Science. She is really looking forward to this one as her major was actually Biology and this is more her "thing." Right now she is searching for donations to supplement the budget she has been given to buy enough supplies (tanks) for the kids to take care of their own ecosystems as their year long project. She has applied for a grant at this site and is looking for help from anyone who wants to help out her cause. Here is the link to her grant proposal.

Raising Nemo in Aquatic Science

Allison is living in her own apartment not far from here. She has a serious boyfriend, Ryan, whom we like very much. Poor guy is an only child and is sometimes bewildered by all of the very large family shenanigans that goes with my extended family. She has also recently adopted a dog that she named Beaker. How's that for science geekdom?

Here are a couple of Allison layouts I've done recently.

Hello Blog

2010-06-16T16:34:00.000-05:00

Hello Blog,

It’s been a while but I’ve been kind of busy. I’ll do a quick catch up on what I’ve been doing and see if I can make you feel appreciated. I’ll try to visit a little more often after today.

I spend quite a bit of my time at Memorable Seasons where I am the design team coordinator. Between keeping things going on the boards and doing the projects required, I stay pretty busy and my scrap room stays terminally messy. Come see me there. The Last Scrapper Standing contest is going on right now and we already have some amazing entries. Jill keeps me supplied with enough supplies that I don’t even need to go shopping anymore. The ladies on the design team are super, too.

I have also been taking some photography classes at the University of Texas in Arlington. It is part of their continuing education department and can lead to a professional photographer certification. I’m still not sure I’ll go that far, but I might. So far, I’ve taken Digital photography basics I and II, Photoshop for photography, and am now in the first lighting class. There are classes for portrait photography, wildlife and nature photography, weddings, Lightroom, photography business, etc. If I take things one a time, I should be in the program for a while. I can shoot in manual. I spend more time in aperture priority but manual does come in handy for certain things.

I am really enjoying learning to use my camera. I am now shooting with a Nikon D90. I have two lenses, an 18-200mm 3.5 VR and a 35mm 1.8. I am always willing to take your picture. Please feel free to ask. I really want the practice. I’ve taken three nephews out to fun locations and done some photo shoots. I’ve taken family pictures for Karen twice and some couple shots of Allison and Ryan on their way to a wedding. I think that with each one, I’ve learned some different things. I am constantly reading books and searching for tutorials and help on the internet.

I have also discovered facebook. It manages to eat up much of my time, too. It is so much fun looking at everyone’s pictures and catching up on what every one is doing that time seems to just fly by when I am on there. I am also seriously addicted to Bejeweled and really need to beat my son-in-law’s score. It is my number one goal. At this time, though, I get positively giddy if I am in the top 10 scorers of my friends. Yes, I know that is pretty sad.

Of course, I do spend time in the recliner, too. While I don’t watch a whole lot of TV, Curtis does and I keep him company. I like to read or thumb through magazines while he watches the Discovery or Learning channels. Most of those shows just do not interest me.I mean, really. Why do I want to know how things are made or watch some guy eat a 30 pound hamburger in an hour?

Here are a few layouts I’ve done recently.I know if any of you are actually reading this, you know me from scrapbooking.

Next time, I’ll catch you up on the girls.

Contest Announcement!

2010-05-24T15:55:00.001-05:00

Memorable Seasons announces the second annual Last Scrapper Standing contest to begin on June 13. It is a fast paced, challenge based contest where members will vote for their favorites to survive each week. The final winner will be announced on July 28. Grand prize will be the winner’s choice of a Sizzix Big Shot or a Spellbinder’s Wizard. You must be a registered member to participate and to vote so get signed up today! See more details here.

Wow, I would love to attend this

2010-04-29T15:30:00.002-05:00

Check out the LOVE AFFAIR BLOG and enter to win a Kelly Moore Bag & a seat to their upcoming workshop in Dallas!! www.loveaffairworkshop.com”
Once again, don’t forget every day you play and each entry is another chance to win the scholarship drawing at the end of the week (Friday). That’s a free seat to the Love Affair Workshop… HUGE!

Time to choose May Guest Design Team Member at Memorable Seasons

2010-04-10T08:27:00.002-05:00

Short window of opportunity here. Let us see your interpretation of this quote.

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished.
That will be the beginning."
Louis L'Amour

It is totally up to you how you interpret. Use the quote literally. Use it as a jump start. Do whatever you want. You can do a layout, a card, an altered item. Like I said, it is up to you. Post it in the gallery and link it here by April 30 and we will choose by May 5.

Grandkids photo shoot

2010-03-07T08:31:00.000-06:00

My little leprecauns came to visit yesterdy and we took pictures. Stella is 3 months old and Seth is 6. I just love seeing how crazy Seth is about his little sister.

Mirror, Mirror

2010-03-06T20:15:00.002-06:00

Got this in an email from a friend. It made me smile

Shrek, Johnny Depp and Jennifer Lopez were all having
lunch together.
Shrek said, 'I have always thought that I'm the strongest
man in the World, but how can I be sure?

Johnny Depp said, 'I'm pretty sure I'm the hottest
man alive but I've never had it confirmed..'

Jennifer Lopez agreed. 'I'm told I'm the sexiest
of them all, but Sometimes I wonder.'

They all decided that the best way to find out if
their beliefs were true was to approach
the wicked Queen's mirror to confirm for
them whether Shrek was the
strongest, Johnny Depp was the hottest and Jennifer Lopez
was the sexiest.

They agreed to meet again the next day for lunch to
discuss their findings.

The next day Shrek walked up with a smile.
'Well, it's true. The mirror told me that I am
the strongest man in the world!'

Johnny Depp followed and boasted it is true, it has
been confirmed that I am the hottest
man alive. Jennifer Lopez walked in, head bent, tears in her eyes
and asked,
"Who the heck is Detta Owens?"

Graphic 45 A Proper Gentleman

2010-02-20T09:29:00.000-06:00

This month's kit from MS was full of Graphic 45 papers. I was veeeeery afraid. I am not the vintage type, usually. However, I am very happy with what I've done so far. I still need to do a couple of cards, though.

SCRAPBOOK THROWDOWN WITH MEMORABLE SEASONS!

2010-02-03T17:21:00.000-06:00

Get ready scrapbook chefs of America! It is time for the first ever Scrapbook Throwdown at Memorable Seasons! We will issue you a weekly "recipe" challenge, and your "dishes" will be taste tested. Get ready to cook up your best work yet. A great prize awaits the Top Chef!! (we will also have weekly random drawings for ALL the chefs participating too!) Now grab your apron and get ready!!

Contest begins on Feb 15 and will last 4 weeks. Unlike past contests, the grand prize will be awarded by random drawing and not by votes. However, in order to be eligible for the grand prize, you must complete at least 3 of the challenges by their respective deadlines.
Get more details here

January Design team kit from Memorable Seasons

2010-01-21T02:22:00.000-06:00

This month's kit was filled with yummy goodies from Making Memories Lovestruck collection. Here are the first two projects I've done with it. I will share some more after our crop this weekend. (see my previous post)

drop 10 crop

2010-01-21T01:52:00.001-06:00

Memorable Seasons wants to invite YOU to join us this Friday and Saturday for our DROP 10 CROP! We will start Friday at 7PM est and be going until we "drop" on Saturday! This Crop, sponsored by Fancy Pants, will be one you do not want to miss...Challenges, Games, Prizes and more! (and you know, there are always some great shopping deals for our crop crowd!) See you on the boards!!

Scrappy goodness

2010-01-19T17:37:00.000-06:00

I have been neglecting this blog. Life has been crazy busy. I have kept scrapping, though. Here are some layouts from December's kit at Memorable Seasons and a couple from January, too.

A photographic Journey

2010-01-03T08:33:00.000-06:00

I've started a new blog. It is titled "My Photographic Journey." I plan to keep this one for scrappy stuff and family updates. The new one is sort of a challenge blog for myself but you are welcome to play with me. Come see me here.

3 days old and we had a photo session

2009-12-08T16:03:00.001-06:00

24 hours old

2009-12-06T14:36:00.000-06:00

and already dressed in purple!

Stella Grace has arrived

2009-12-05T10:39:00.001-06:00

Stella Grace Hughes arrived at 1:50 pm on Dec 4, 2009. She is 19.65 inches long and weighs 9 lbs, 15 oz, just an oz short of her big brother. I'll add more pics later

The faces of 50!

2009-11-22T11:52:00.003-06:00

Here are some pictures from yesterday. I got flowers and candy and a real hug from Seth. All of the pictures without the cupcake were the ones I took in my self portrait session yesterday.

so a funny thing happened in my week

2009-11-21T16:11:00.000-06:00

I had good intentions. I was going to document this week in my life. It was a pretty significant week in my life, too. My plan was to take a picture of myself every day. My plan was to make a mini book with those pictures. My plan was to celebrate the week I turned 50. Well, life got in the way of a week in my life. I got busy. I had stuff to do. I forgot! I took pictures a couple of those days. I took pictures today. In fact, I actually like the pictures I took today, the day I turned 50. I intend to take more later, when the girls come over and I blow out a candle on my chocolate cupcake. I plan to hand the camera over to someone and say, "take my picture, please." You see, it's my birthday and I want some pictures of it. Did I mention that I am 50 today? Well, I am. I have the gray hair and the "smile" lines to prove it. I'll share pictures, later.

Day 2 of a week in my life

2009-11-16T21:39:00.005-06:00

Today is Monday. I woke up to a cold windy morning and had to wear the winter coat to work. I found myself at a store near Boo Boo's, one of my favorite sandwich shops at lunch time. I stopped in for a bacon and avocado sandwich and a piece of their yummy fudge. I left only to find the battery dead in my car. An hour later, when roadside assistance showed up to give me a jump. I was surprised to see the little lady who had come to rescue me. She got me started again and I went home. I wasn't going to take a chance that it wouldn't start again. I did not get to make the side trips I was planning to the post office and to the computer store at UTA. CS4 is going to wait until another day, I guess. Karen and Seth came by the house and I let Seth take pictures with my camera. I also gave him a Christmas tree "tatoo" with my stamps and ink.

Day 1 of a week in my life

2009-11-15T21:34:00.003-06:00

This week will conclude with a milestone in my life and I plan to document the week with words and pictures and put them in a minibook.

Today was a good day because it was just an ordinary Sunday. I slept late after attending the Lady Antebellum concert last night. I had my cup of coffee made with the cool new Keurig machine, read the paper and went to 11:00 Mass. Curtis and I had dinner at Texas Road House and just enjoyed the day.

I am cleaning out the old scrappy files again

2009-11-08T15:49:00.003-06:00

I am blessed to part of a wonderful design team at Memorable Seasons. (see the link on the right side of this blog) Jill is an incredibly generous owner and I find lots of wonderful treasures on my doorstep each month. I use as much as I can but I still find myself with an abundance of beautiful patterned paper scraps. Of course, I take advantage of way too many of the incredible deals she offers, too. I am trying to get down to a leaner supply stash and I find I just can't bear to throw good paper away. I also have numerous sheets of stickers and letters that only have a few pieces missing from them. There is lots of chipboard and flowers and just a few stamps, too. I have put together several "care" packages full of odds and ends that I will send to anyone who is interested. Please send an email to dettao@prodigy.net with your snail mail and I will get those out to you. Unfortunately, I need to limit this to US residents. Postage out of the country is just a little too high.

Halloween pictures and more catching up

2009-11-01T10:19:00.003-06:00

Wow,it has been an eventful week here in the Owens home. On Monday, Karen began having contractions. At that point, she was only 33 weeks. They were consistently 4 minutes apart when she arrived at the hospital at 9:30 pm. Fortunately, she had not started to dilate and they were able to stop them after two shots and a pill. Don't ask me what they gave her. I have no clue. However, by 11, when it looked like she would be there a while, I took Seth home with me and put him to bed. I had a heck of time getting tha boy up to take him to school the next day. It has been a long time since I had to do that kind of duty. Karen is now on a prescription to keep her uterus relaxed but has contractions when she exerts herself. That is why I got to take Seth to his school carnival and trick or treating last night.

I also would love it if you would say some prayers for my extended family, too. Joe's (my son-in-law) grandfather is in the hospital with heart and kidney failure and is not expected to make it much longer. His family is keeping vigil at the hospital and I brought Seth home with me yesterday afternoon to make it a little easier on those sitting in that waiting room. 6 year olds just don't sit quietly very well. Karen came over here for a little while to get Seth ready for trick or treating but went back after he was finished.

My cousin's 26 yr old son has been diagnosed with a brain tumor in his frontal lobe which has caused him to have seizures. He is on medication to control those seizures and they are going to monitor the tumor for a while because the neurosurgeon thinks it may have been there for a while. He was recently laid off of his job and does not have insurance. Please pray that he finds a good job soon so that he has coverage if the time comes to remove the tumor.

Allison has been furniture shopping and has purchased a dinette set, a couch and chair and is all set to move out next month. She is very excited and I am for her. I know she is ready to get out of her parent's house.

I heart Brian Andreas Story People

2009-10-17T09:04:00.001-05:00

So many of them speak to me like this one that came to my inbox this morning.

Dark Garden

I once had a garden filled with flowers that grew only on dark thoughts but they need constant attention & one day I decided I had better things to do.

See more of them here.

Pregnant women are beautiful

2009-10-10T14:41:00.008-05:00

especially when she is my own baby girl....

I've been eyeing this pink wall at Miguelito's Mexican Restaurant ever since I found out Karen was pregnant hoping it would be a girl so I can take a picture of a pregnant belly in front of it. There is a blue wall on the other side of the building.

My Mind's Eye

2009-10-08T16:59:00.004-05:00

Got lots of really fun My Mind's Eye products in my design team kit from Memorable Seasons this month. There isn't a piece of paper in the whole kit that I did not like. Here is some stuff I made.

updates

2009-10-04T10:03:00.004-05:00

I have not been as good a blogger as I used to be. You would think that having the children grown would make life less hectic and I'd have more leisure time. It seems that I am always busy. So, how is everyone? Well, I'll tell you.

Allison has begun teaching school at Colleyville Heritage High School. She teaches physics, a geology/meterology/oceanography class and a TAKS class for kids who didn't pass their science portion the first time. She is tired and busy but enjoying the kids and the work. She likes attending their sport events and making herself part of the campus life.

Karen lost her job back in January and has not found another job but enjoyed staying home with Seth all summer. She and Joe are about to celebrate their first wedding anniversary this month and are expecting a little girl in December. Stella Grace is due December 10 but she is already over 4 lbs and the doctor has said he will not let her get as big as Seth did who weighed in at 10 lbs when he was born. Maybe we will have a November baby, instead. They are also house hunting.

Seth has started kindergarten. He is doing well and gets a sticker at the end of each day just about as often as he doesn't so I think that averages out to an average kid, don't you think? He is riding his bike without training wheels, is sounding out simple words and has lost two teeth in the last week. He is also playing fall tball and looking forward to meeting his baby sister.

Curtis and I are doing fine. We are just working and enjoying the kids.

Meeting Dr Amy

2009-09-19T07:43:00.001-05:00

Amy and I have been chatting for several years since we "met" at the CKMB. I have loved watching her 4 gorgeous curly headed boys grow up through her pictures and beautiful scrapbook pages. She and I seem to have many things in common as our families grew up. We both love scrapbooking and we have both begun learning photography. We learned early in the relationship that she lived near Curtis' parents in Alabama and talked about meeting someday. Because I was unable to go with Curtis the last couple of times he made the trip, it never happened until now. On Wednesday, Curtis and I made the trip from Sylacauga to Inverness to meet Amy for lunch at Chili's near her office. Everyone seemed to think that 40 mile drive was a big deal but it wasn't any further than I drive to work most days. Besides that, we were in the middle of nowhere and there just wasn't any place except fast food between the two towns. It was just another opportunity for my ears to pop as we drove through the mountains again and watched the beautiful scenery go by. It was a delightful lunch. Amy was very sweet and I enjoyed the conversation very much.

I have met so many wonderful people through this hobby of mine. It is exciting to say that I have friends all over the world. Even though I have never actually met many of them, I have come to know them through pictures and stories on their scrapbook pages. The internet is an amazing place, isn't it?

September Guest Design Team at Memorable Seasons

2009-08-12T16:12:00.002-05:00

It is time to choose a guest design team member for September at Memorable Seasons. Since September brings Grandparent's day, please post a layout with Grandparents as the theme into the regular gallery and link it to this thread so we know who to choose from. Good luck!

do it anyway

2009-08-08T08:55:00.000-05:00

Found here and confiscated for my own use.

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."

by Dr. Kent M. Keith (often falsely attributed to Mother Teresa)
The last line is not one from Dr. Keith's original Paradoxical Commandments
it seems to have been added by.... anonymous.

Joscie visits the UT campus

2009-07-19T11:42:00.004-05:00

Flat Joscie has arrived

2009-07-18T08:58:00.003-05:00

I am so excited to be hosting flat Joscie here in Bedford, Texas. She arrived on Tuesday afternoon from Canada on the same day I got my design team kit from Memorable Seasons. My mailman rang my doorbell and announced that I had hit the jackpot since I had two big boxes. :)

To read all about Flat Joscie, see my friend Joscie Cutchens blog. She has been all over since she began her journey. Her travel diary is over 3 inches thick. I still even had time to read all the places she has been yet.

Flat Joscie went to work with me on Wednesday and kept Tom Thumb and me company in the office. She just hung out here at the house on Thursday but left yesterday (Friday) for Austin with Allison. Allison and Ryan and Ryan's parents are moving Ryan out of his apartment and back to Grapevine. I will be back when I have pictures from that adventure. I plan to pack in as many "Texasy" things as I can over the next couple of weeks.

Quote of the day

2009-07-11T10:23:00.000-05:00

“Smile, even if it's a sad smile, because sadder than a sad smile is the sadness of not knowing how to smile.

If anybody knows where this came from, let me know.

a blog candy give away

2009-07-09T15:58:00.001-05:00

Not from me this time but this stuff looks pretty good

http://judyscraftymoments.blogspot.com/2009/06/blog-candy-thank-you.html

design team call

2009-06-30T14:55:00.001-05:00

Memorable Seasons, an on line scrapbook store and message board, has one opening for a design team member. We will be accepting applications until July 15. The decision will be made by July 22 with the term starting August 1. We are looking for someone who is not currently on another store design team and ask that you do not join another one during your commitment. Kit clubs( as long as there is no store attached), sketch sites or challenge blogs are okay. Unfortunately, due to the high cost of shipping, this call is open to United States residents only.

Requirements include active participation on the message board (starting and replying to threads) and leaving praise in the gallery. You should also post at least 4 projects from the DT kit in addition to at least 3 other projects per month. Each DT member is required to do a blog post, pick a LOTW, and post a challenge on a 4 week rotating basis. You will also be asked to participate in occasional on-line crops and contests.

Benefits are free design team kits once a month and free shipping with all orders if you let them ship with your monthly kit.

Please join the board and upload the following to the DT entry gallery.
• Three of your favorite layouts with at least one containing 3 or more pictures.
• An additional project which could be a mini book, an altered object, a card, etc
• Start getting to know the other members on the board while you wait for the results

In addition, please email the following to memorableseasons@yahoo.com.
• A short bio that includes your full name, why you think you would be a good fit for Memorable Seasons and where you saw this call.
• Links to your blog and any galleries you have work in
• A list of any other design teams you’ve been on or message boards you are active on.

Quote of the day

2009-06-25T14:43:00.001-05:00

In the middle of
difficulty lies
opportunity.
~Albert Einstein

She has a job!

2009-06-02T16:28:00.003-05:00

Just had to do some shouting. I knew you guys couldn't hear me from my house so I'm shouting it here. LOL

Allison will be teaching Physics at a local high school beginning in September. She is in France right now involved in a student teacher exchange program. She called me using skype on her computer. Very cool invention! Can't wait until she gets home and shows me pictures.

Rachell's engagement party

2009-05-31T13:34:00.003-05:00

We spent yesterday at my brothers' lake house. (Two of my brothers own it together) We were celebrating Al's daughter, Rachell's engagement. The party had an Hawaiian luau theme so we each were handed a lei when we walked in. Rachell, who is in the marine reserves is being deployed to Iraq in September for six months but plans an April wedding when she comes back.

Graduation Day

2009-05-24T09:11:00.005-05:00

We had such a great couple of days watching Allison graduate from the University of Texas. We drove down Friday afternoon, went to dinner at Hula Hut and then went to the Congress Street to watch the bats fly. Graduation was Saturday at noon followed by pictures in front of the tower (of course) and a very late lunch at Chuy's.

Mother's Day shots and other stuff

2009-05-17T14:30:00.003-05:00

I have not been very good about blogging. I have been very busy with other things. I'm taking a photography class once a week at UTA. I have been asked to be the Design Team Coordinator at Memorable Seasons. Work has been stressful, to say the least. I also think that life has conspired to make me a little less tolerable lately. I am short tempered and impatient with those around me. I definitely need a vacation. I am tired.

However, my kids have been a source of joy. They make me proud. Karen, as I already mentioned, is expecting a baby on December 10. That is our wedding anniversary. Wouldn't that be fun if he or she actually arrived on that day? Allison has finished college. She has had a few interviews and is waiting to hear if she has a teaching job waiting for her in the fall. Graduation is next weekend and then, she leaves for France the next day for two weeks. She is in a student teacher exchange program. She had a French teacher stay with her for two weeks in March to shadow her while she taught and now she is going to stay with the same young woman to do the same thing. Seth has been playing teeball and is quite serious about the whole thing. He does not smile during games, he is so focused.

Allison came home for Mother's Day last weekend and for her interviews. Curtis turned 50 last week, too. We had the whole crew over for dinner on Saturday night. Curtis cooked out and we had German Chocolate cake. On Sunday, Karen went to Joe's family. Curtis, Allison and I took my mom to dinner. I had to hand my camera over to others so I could be in these pictures, so I put it on auto and hoped for the best. It was also raining on Saturday, so taking pictures outside was not going to happen.

2009-05-06T21:36:00.003-05:00

Isn't she pretty? Baby number 2 is on the way. Seth will be a big brother in December. We are all very excited.

Contest at Memorable Seasons!

2009-04-22T04:55:00.000-05:00

The Last Scrapper Standing...

Will YOU be the Soul Survivor???

It is here. Be prepared. It is the ultimate in scrapping showdowns... It is the MEMORABLE SEASONS LAST SCRAPPER STANDING CONTEST! That is right, scrappers young and old will be trying to out-create, out-glue, and out-embellish each other starting May 1st, 2009. The contest consists of a rigorous 6 week series of challenges, games, and creations. Each week, the Adhesive Council and member votes will decide... who stays and who will be "Scrapped"... Will you get the eyelet idol of immunity? Will you win precious prizes along the way? Will you outscrap the competition and win the grand prize???

The only way to find out is to get over to Memorable Seasons and get on board... literally. I mean the Message Board. All contestants must have a minimum of 25 posts to particpate!! So, get over there, introduce yourself and get to know the competition...

Quote of the day

2009-04-08T17:56:00.003-05:00

Yunhee Kim

To be happy, it first takes being comfortable in your own shoes. The rest can work up from there.

―Sophia Bush

March Design team kit

2009-04-05T14:56:00.004-05:00

This month's kit was full of fun stuff from Jillybean Soup and Bella Blvd a couple of relatively new companies and I loved it! Here is a link that you can go to see each item in the Memorable Season store.

On this spring day

2009-03-28T21:51:00.002-06:00

that stayed in the 40s and I had to wear my coat to run my errands, I find this quote to be appropriate.

“The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.”
Henry Van Dyke

and this one, too

“In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.”
Mark Twain

because tomorrow should be in the 70s with sunshine.

Spring break company

2009-03-22T14:24:00.002-06:00

My sister in law and her kids came to visit Texas for Spring Break. They didn't stay with us but came over on Saturday night for hamburgers. We had fun playing with the remote on the camera and getting some family shots. Oh and she got some pics of me getting the camera ready. LOL

Much better picture in manual

2009-03-22T14:22:00.001-06:00

My first photo in manual and Happy St Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T17:26:00.004-06:00

I have been taking the Candice Stringham beginning photography class on line. This week we learned about exposure. This is the very first picture I took in manual. (plus a couple more) My little meter was flashing right in the center after I played with the shutter speed for a minute. I think it is a bit overexposed but I like how crisp and clear she is against the background. I might be on the right track. I am taking Candice's class to get my feet wet because I did not want to look like a total idiot when I begin my digital photography class at UTA next month. At least, I will be familiar with some of the concepts when I walk in.

Photo tag

2009-03-16T15:05:00.004-06:00

My friend, Dr Amy tagged me in this game. I took one picture and then the battery died in my camera. I had not gotten around to charging my back up, either so I had two dead batteries. In the spirit of fair play, I decided to use this horribly exposed picture anyway. I think it is funny that I captured Amy's pic on my monitor in the background. So, here I am with no make up and no contacts and a messy desk. I am now going to tag Allie, Jen, Chrissy. Remember now, no fair primping!

Here are the rules

1. Take a picture of yourself right now, no primping or preparing. Just snap a picture.
2. Load it onto your blog.
3. Tag three people to play. Remember, if you are tagged on another blog, we will all be heading to yours to see if you played along.

Did you get a tax refund?

2009-03-13T13:06:00.002-06:00

Even if you didn't, you can't pass up these bargains! Go shopping at Memorable Seasons final frenzy sale!

http://www.qbaroo.com/memorableseasons/main.cfm?categoryoid=352

T-Ball

2009-03-07T12:13:00.004-06:00

Oh my goodness, these guys were so cute! I haven't laughed so hard or so much in a very long time. If you are ever in need of having your mood lightened, go find a Saturday morning T-ball game at your local park. There is no way you could leave there without a smile. Today was Seth's first game. He had his own cheering section with nine total relatives in attendance. Every picture I took was just so cute. I have to admit that I really like how they turned out even though I shooting through the fence. Seth was very serious about the whole thing. He, like almost everyone else on the team, had no clue what to do. However, by the end, he made a couple of good stops and some good hits. I am so looking forward to the rest of the season.

Quote the Day

2009-03-01T09:48:00.001-06:00

Here's the Story of the Day:

Coming Soon

I know I promised I wouldn't complain, she said, but I'm not ready to start just yet.

Brian Andrea

Happy Birthday to Karen

2009-02-28T08:03:00.003-06:00

You no longer have cute little drool on your lip when you smile but you are still just as adorable. I love you, baby girl.

Buzz Lightyear flies in my backyard

2009-02-27T16:53:00.003-06:00

Seth decided he needed Buzz Lightyear wings so he and Karen came over last night and we made some with cardstock, cardboard and packing tape. His are not a perfect match but the colors look close. Don't know how long they'll last but they looked good when he left. LOL

Quote of the day

2009-02-25T21:23:00.000-06:00

"Life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all."
- William Goldman

February Design Team Layouts

2009-02-20T13:18:00.002-06:00

This month's kit was full of papers and embellishments from Little Yellow Bicycle Zach's Life collection. These are papers and things I probably would never have picked for myself but I am pleased with what I did with them. I have a few more that I have planned but wanted to share these. Jill is adding new stuff often at Memorable Seasons as she receives the fun stuff Chrissy ordered from CHA.

And the winners are...

2009-02-18T13:42:00.003-06:00

I used random number generator based on the number of comments I recieved. I numbered everyone based on what day and what time you commented. If you commented more than once, you got more than one number.

The winner of the first RAK (the pink one) is Tracy.

The winner of the second RAK (the purple one) is Amy.

Please email with your address and I will get it to you soon.
dettaowens@texasearch.com

My first paid photo shoot

2009-02-16T08:06:00.004-06:00

I was asked to take pictures at a sweet sixteen party by the young lady's grandmother. It was a semi formal party with a DJ and dancing. These kids were so cute. It was fun to remember my girls at that age. They want to be grown up but they are still such little kids at heart. Loved hearing the girls squeal and giggle and laugh and sing to the music. The boys didn't squeal but they were just as adorable. Here are just a few of the pictures. I have only edited about half of them. The lighting was so bad in there that I don't feel right giving her the pictures without trying to fix them, first.

Loved these shoes!

With her brothers, one older, one younger.

She's been dancing, so the hair has been tied up and the tiara long gone. LOL

The RAK(s)

2009-02-15T10:03:00.003-06:00

I am actually going to give away two. The first one will be some 12x12 papers, some ink, some stamps, some flowers, some vellum titles and some acrylic alphas. I might throw some little stuff in there, too. The second will be a Making Memories accordian mini book with some purple embellishments and ribbons. Leave a comment on any of my love quotes from the past week and you will be entered. They go all the way back to Feb 7. The winner will be determined by Random Number Generator based on the date and time you commented. You have until Wednesday at noon, CST.

For us

2009-02-14T07:41:00.004-06:00

Today I have two. The first is special because Curtis gave me a plaque with these words on it as a gift when we still dating. It still hangs in our hallway as a reminder every day. It is also special because it can be found in a special book, the Bible. It is read at many wedding ceremonies and it contains valuable advice. However, it does not apply to just romantic love. It is a guide for loving all of God's people. I still love this guy after all these years. In fact, I love him more every day. He never fails to make me feel special even when he is doing his best to annoy me!
If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing symbol. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

I Corinthians 13

"Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that."
~Michael Leunig

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. I will post the picture of the RAK tomorrow. I will give everyone till Wednesday to comment on one of my love quotes from the past week and I will draw one random winner.

Love you all,
Detta

For Curtis

2009-02-13T14:35:00.002-06:00

“When you smiled you had my undivided attention. When you laughed you had my urge to laugh with you. When you cried you had my urge to hold you. When you said you loved me, you had my heart forever.”

For the guy who holds my heart

2009-02-12T15:49:00.002-06:00

“The minute I heard my first love story I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.”

Jalal ad-Din Rumi

For all of you

2009-02-11T05:00:00.003-06:00

“Spread love everywhere you go: First of all in your own house... let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness.”

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

For my beginner family

2009-02-10T14:20:00.002-06:00

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there. ~Barbara Bush

For my grandson

2009-02-09T16:17:00.002-06:00

“The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.”

Pablo Casals

For my Daddy

2009-02-08T08:21:00.004-06:00

Larry J. Johnston
11/29/1936-3/29/2003

I still remember the day the world took you back & there was never time to thank you for the thousand scattered moments you left behind to watch us while we slept.

Brian Andreas

For my beautiful daughters

2009-02-07T08:02:00.002-06:00

"When you’re soaring through the air, I’ll be your solid ground. Take every chance you dare, I’ll still be there when you come back down."

Nickle Creek

Quotes to count down to Valentine's day

2009-02-07T08:00:00.003-06:00

Those of you who follow my blog know that I am a quote junkie. I love finding special ones and sharing them with you. Every day until Valentine's day, I plan to share some special love quotes with you. Each one will be dedicated to someone special to me.

Everyone who comments on these posts will be entered into a special love themed scrappy RAK that I will be putting together this week. I will post a photo when I have it all together.

Winner of my RAK

2009-02-07T07:13:00.002-06:00

I only had one entrant but that is okay cause she had an awesome list and she even used one of mine! Love that. So, Dalis, email me your address.

dettaowens@texasearch.com

Here is her list

http://stamprgrl.wordpress.com/

What I'm For

2009-02-02T20:17:00.002-06:00

Pat Green has a new song on the radio that really speaks to me. I've listened to it over and over. You can hear it here and read the lyrics here.

From the first time I heard it, I've been thinking about making my own list, so here it is.

What I'm for:

giving all babies the chance to be born
the sweet sound of little girls giggling ( and big ones, too)
respecting those who've lived longer than I have
saying "I love you" even when it is an effort
giving children the opportunity to make their own decisions
and sometimes their own mistakes
and letting them spread their wings
smiles and laughter even when life gets hard
taking lots of pictures
giving lots of hugs
reading for fun and for knowledge
the way "grandma" sounds to my ear
old fashioned black licorice
dinner out on Sunday night
a man who still gives me butterflies when he looks at me
and a love that lasts forever and always

Have you got a list? Put one up on your blog and link it back to here so I can read it. On Feb 7, I will draw a random name to win this Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Some new layouts

2009-02-01T11:17:00.003-06:00

Quote of the day

2009-01-27T10:19:00.001-06:00

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint you can on it.

— Danny Kaye

Thanks, Danny and I also think you should add patterned paper and embellishments, too.....

Bella Blvd

2009-01-20T19:39:00.003-06:00

To be honest, I had never heard of this company. I followed a link posted over at Memorable Seasons in the thread about CHA sneak peeks. I am in love with the sweet celebration line. I really really want the cupcake paper and the candle paper and that heart paper. Aren't they adorable? Go take a look right here.

This month's Design team kit

2009-01-16T13:17:00.005-06:00

This month's kit was overflowing with the most beautiful paper ever! Jill sent several sheets of the Sei Jolie Chocolat paper plus stamps and ribbons and brads and buttons. This paper has got to be seen in person to be appreciated in all of its glittery, foiled, embossed glory. I had the worst time deciding which side of the paper to use cause it is all so pretty. Get over to Memorable Seasons as fast as you can because she had all her valentine's day supplies on sale for 35% off.

What I have decided

2009-01-11T08:46:00.002-06:00

I read this quote and it certainly made me think.

" Don't underestimate the power of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering."

from Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne

This year I am going to relax, enjoy each day, slow down. I am not going to do project 365. I will take pictures but not every day and not just for the sake of taking pictures. I will take pictures when I want to. I will keep those I like and delete those I don't. I did this project last year and it was cool but I just did not have time to do anything with those pictures. There are pictures cluttering up my hard drive with no real value and no real meaning to me. The one goal I am making for myself this year is to go through the three years worth of pictures on my computer and organize them. Right now, they are filed by the date they were taken. I want to delete the bad ones and duplicate ones and tag them so I can pull up what I want. I still want to take photography lessons and learn how to use my camera out of the automatic mode. I want to read more books. I want to give Curtis more attention. I want to declutter my life, be more organized. I want to just be.

Some new layouts

2009-01-09T06:43:00.001-06:00

My new favorite song

2009-01-08T16:29:00.002-06:00





Journey - After All These Years lyrics

A faded wedding photograph
You and me in our first dance
Our eyes are closed
We're lost in one sweet embrace
Since those days the world has changed
Our love remains the same
God knows we've had our share of saving grace

And I'm proud of all the blessings
You have given me
The mountains we have climbed to get this far
You learn to take the laughter with the tears
After all these years

You make it feel brand new
After the fires that we walked thru
Against the odds we never lost our faith

In a house we've made our own
Where our children all have grown
Precious moments time can not erase

Make a livin' up and down the gypsy highway
Seasons that we've beared to share apart
Somehow in my heart I always keep you near
After all these years

After all these years
You stood by me
The days and nights that I was gone
After all these years
You sacrificed, believed in me
And you stood strong
Cause with our love there's nothing left to fear
After all these years

After all these years
You stood by me
The days and nights that I was gone
After all these years
You sacrificed, believed in me
And you stood strong
Cause with our love there's nothing left to fear
After all these years



Lyrics | Journey lyrics - After All These Years lyrics

I am a published author!

2009-01-07T17:42:00.003-06:00

Okay, it is only six words but they will be credited to me and they are in a real book that will be on bookstore shelves! Do you remember this post? Six Word Memoirs is putting out a second book and this one is about love stories. They chose one that I submitted. I will tell you what it is so you don't have to buy the book. However, I'm thinking it will be a really cool book and is available at Amazon.com and your local bookstore. Are you still wondering what my story is?

" He makes me laugh everyday."

Would you like to be a Guest Design Team Member

2009-01-04T12:19:00.002-06:00

at Memorable Seasons? We are looking for someone for February. You will get the same kit as the regular Design Team. Just upload 5 layouts to the gallery between Jan 5 and Jan 15 to be eligible. We will choose from everyone who has uploaded during those two weeks.

http://www.memorableseasons.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=1850

How I spent my day

2009-01-02T16:45:00.003-06:00

I am embarrassed to admit that I have been stacking my layouts into two boot boxes for the last two years. After Michaels quit carrying the Pioneer D ring albums, I was lost. I began my search for the perfect album and just wasn't finding what I wanted. I bought three D rings from Hobby Lobby but they sat on the shelf mocking me with their emptiness. Several months ago, Jill at Memorable Seasons offered us a deal where we could preorder albums and page protectors from American Crafts for half price. I bought 8! Still, all eleven of my empty albums just sat on the shelf and taunted me. Today, I decided, was the day I was going to do something about it. By now, both boot boxes were full and I had been putting layouts into a laundry basket, too. I brought all of the layouts into my dining room and separated them into piles. I had a pile for each of us individually and a pile for our immediate family and one for extended family. This was a total of seven piles. I did not think to take pictures until I only had two piles left. Believe me, though, the table was covered. Of the books you see in this picture, only two of them has room for more layouts. The rest are full. I only have three empty albums left. I have ten albums full in the closet, too. I'm going to need to build an addition onto the house in a couple of years. LOL I hereby resolve to put my layouts into the album within a reasonable amount of time after they are done from now on. You'll notice that I said reasonable. I am not making any promises that I know I won't keep! Happy New Year, everyone.