Mixwit tape!

Is this cute, or what? Looks like the tapes of olden days, ya know? I know I even still have tapes that look just like this! So, it has some of my favorite songs on it, just like I used to record off the radio and stuff. Yup, my first tapes!! I couldn't afford to buy them so I just recorded them off the radio. Complete with DJ talk and all!!

(Updated 1-6-09) Well, that image bit the dust! I think the site is now gone!

Some layouts!

I've come out of the creative slump - somewhat! I've been able to make a few layouts. So that's been good!

Wanna see some?

This was so dang cute of Hailey!! Since I was babysitting for her every Friday during this past summer it was easy to take pictures (oh yes, when I remembered my camera!!!). I always found it such a pleasure when she was laughing and playing like that when I was there. Ya never know how a baby is going to react when Mommy isn't there!!!

I made this one for a challenge using a great template. The one up above was also for a challenge using a particular kit. But this one uses papers that I had made. Remember them from waaaaay down below? I thought they all looked really nice with the photo colors. Doesn't Katie look so sweet with Hailey in their nursery? Loved it!

Andy had to really work at getting Hailey to like him again. It had been a month and a half since he'd even seen her! So there I was, babysitting on a Saturday night. Andy shows up at the door to spend some time with Hailey!!! Okay, never mind that she'd been asleep for a half an hour (grrrrr!!!)! It was important to have some bonding time. Even though Hailey didn't even want to be with me when Mommy left, she still clung to me when Andy tried to take her away!! LOL!! It was so cute!! But she did eventually warm up to Andy. Too fun!!

Here we go with the kind of layout I don't usually do - one without people! I liked this purple freebie and decided to make a layout with lilacs. This photo was taken in North Dakota back in June. Actually Katie took this photo out in the Badlands. Gorgeous! And I thought it looked so nice with these papers. Yup! It's a good one!!

No creativity...

I have been in such a creative slump since my Dad died. I go get my daily downloads and let things slide as far as trying to make any layouts with the new materials and all the new photos I have. It's probably understandable. Right? I'm sure things will get better as time goes by. Right?

While walking with a friend last weekend we talked about losing a parent. She had lost her mom 9 years ago. I mentioned that even though I'd also lost my daughter at 11 and a half months (and that's almost 18 years ago!), losing my Dad was so much different. Someone who gave ME life and had been there my entire life. And seeing how it has affected all my brothers and sisters, and my mom. He had such an impact on so many people. Such an active life for someone who had so many health difficulties and at his age (81). I'm still trying to deal with everything. It's tough.

My Dad....

My Dad died August 11. The last two weeks have been extremely difficult. Since my Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on June 9, 2008, his life had been up and down with trying to fight it. And then it came down to a heart attack instead of the cancer.

Everything feels like a bad dream. How can he be gone? I can't put my mind around the fact that he's not here anymore. I keep thinking things like, "just two weeks ago he was here," "he's been gone a week," "he's been gone almost two weeks." Things will never be the same again. Now my mom is alone. I'm so glad I was able to stay an additional week. I just wish I could be so much closer!

Happy for David!

I was going to be happy no matter WHO won American Idol this year. Seeing David Cook's reaction totally blew me away. The emotion was so very touching. And didn't you love when his brother mouthed "that's my brother" at the very end? It was a great finale. Lots of fun!

I am SO glad it's Friday!!! A 3-day weekend is here!!! I have nothing specific planned. I know I want to go see the new Indiana Jones movie, but who knows when that will be. It would have been cool to see it on opening night. But since I knew I was going to be at the prophecy meeting until at least 8 I'd have to go to a late showing. Too late for this old lady!!! But I WILL see it at the theater. The only Indy movie that I will have seen there!!

Upon realizing that my parents' 60th anniversary is just about 2 weeks away, I'm feeling nervous and scared about the program we always have to do. I was supposed to order personalized M&Ms but haven't done it yet. That's $130 for 5 pounds of white M&Ms. The money is not there, and I hate putting it on a credit card when I know I'm going to have to use that stupid credit card a lot on this trip!! And $130 could be better spent on other open house stuff. That's my rationale!!

Battle of the Davids!!

Woohoo!! I just finished watching American Idol. Awesome performances, but I really thought they would have been a lot closer in their "awesomeness." It seemed to me that David Archuleta far outperformed David Cook. I will honestly be happy for either of them winning. Based on tonight though, it would be David Archuleta. Can't forget to vote!!!

New Kit

"Jail" was good. I raised $420 for MDA - a great feeling! Thanks to everyone who contributed!!

I was able to babysit for Hailey Saturday night. We had a great time while watching Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - one of my favorites!!! Katie & Adam went out with Andy to celebrate his 21st birthday. They went to the local casino. Nothing I'd look forward to, but....

On Andy's birthday we just did the present, cake, and ice cream thing. But then we went to see Prince Caspian. It was a great movie! I'm glad we went. Of course the next movie to see is the Indiana Jones one!!! It opens Thursday!!!

I've been working on a new scrapbooking kit. I've named it Elegante Rose. Here's a preview of the papers so far...

I love the color combinations. I used some incredible Photoshop actions and beautiful overlays. Dontcha love the roses? Someday I'll have the entire kit finished and offer it as a freebie! Watch for it!!

Going to jail!!

I'm going to jail on Wednesday to raise money for muscular dystrophy. I'm not looking forward to this. With the goal of individually raising $1200 I'm feeling rather overwhelmed. I sent e-mails to pretty much everyone in my address book and have raised about $200 so far. Good grief, I hope I don't really have to stay in jail until $1200 is raised!!

The third night of the DISCOVER Prophecy seminar was tonight. I am charged with playing piano for about 10 minutes prior to the start of the meeting. Last night was the first night for that. I'm now finished with the second Jerry Ray book. Phyllis has it now so she can look it over. We do love Jerry Ray's arrangements!

Phyllis and I will practice tomorrow night after the meeting (or maybe before) for our piano duet for church this week. I forgot which one we'll be doing, but I'm sure it's nice! Of course that means I'll miss some of American Idol!!! Nooooooo!!! But I couldn't very well tell Phyllis that!! Haaa!!

I told the Pastor I would duplicate CDs for him for the meetings. Tonight was my first batch of 10. Using Toast Titanium makes it SO easy!

I'll have to remember to cash TJ's check for the MDA Lock Up. I'll need all the money I can get!! Please, please, please don't make me stay in jail!!!

This is so difficult!

Yup, I knew this would be the way it went! It's so hard writing something in here. I don't know how daily bloggers really do it. How can there be something totally interesting every day?

So, what's happened since October 2007? I was able to visit my son Josh and his wife Monica in Texas for Christmas. That was a biggie!!!
It was great spending almost two weeks down there. We had a great time! Andy was also able visit right around Christmas. Very hard coming back home! Katie & Adam weren't able to come down. Not enough vacation time and.....too much baby in the way!!! With Katie expecting in February she didn't want to be away from home.

And then.........Hailey Rebecca was born on February 16!!!

Isn't she beautiful? She is such a joy! My very first grandchild. Who knew being a grandmother would be so wonderful? Well, I guess every other grandmother already knew that. It's just so true!!

I'm going to have to try and blog more often. Although maybe I'm the only one reading this. Haaaa!!! At least it keeps a record for me!!