Blogs I check

• A good photographer
• Alysen
• April's Neck of the Woods
• Audrey
• BB Marlowe
• Becky
• BJC Clan
• Breable's Transplants
• Brooke's Day
• Camille
• Candice
• Christi private
  
• Cousin Heidi
• Delightful
• Downey
• Duffin's Treasures
• Duraz
• Elizabeth
• Everything you never needed to know
• Farmgirl Faith
• Frerichs
• Giles
  
• Graffiti
• Happy Little Home
• Heidi
• Hope & Believe
• Hot Buns Recipies
  
• Idaho Jen
• Jayna
• Jen B
• Jen's thoughts
• Jennie's Oh what a life
• Joni
• Justin & Alicia
• Kam's Bandwagon
• Karen B.
• Karen's Southern Sunshine
• Lambson
• Lindsey's Pursu
• Linus
  
• Lise
• Lyssa
• Marla
  
• Miss Parker
• Moda Photography
• Nutter Cousins
• One Boy One Girl
• Pacini
• Pagina's Fancies
• Party of 5
• Raygon
• Reilly's Jelly Bean Babies
• Ring around the Rosie
  
• Rome Mission
• Sandra
• Scrap Happy Mamma of 2
• Scully's Supps
• Shadow Taiwan
  
• Shawna
• Shayna
• ShellBell
• Shelly's Ramblings
• Sherida
• Spils' Private
• Sunshine on my Shoulders
• Susan's bright side
• Sweet G
• Sweet Life of Shannon
• Texas Youngs
• Tina Sparkle
• Tina's Photography
• Treat Queen
• Valene
• Virtual Quote Wall
• Women of Destiny
• Young & the Restless

Excuses & Free Giveaway

So sorry that I haven't posted. I've been a little under the weather & I've been caught up with my latest obsession.

Yep, that's right. I've given into the temptation. I couldn't help myself. I'm on book 2 as we speak.
But not to worry.
My house is not a total disaster.
My children are not going hungry (yet) & I'm still spending time editing some photos.
My life has been completely turned upside down.
Oh, and I've been watching the Olympics.
So, blogging has been on the back burner.

But as I was checking in with a few blogs.
I found this darling blog BIZZY BEE CREATIONS & a FREE GIVE AWAY!
I hate to tell you to go check it out because it lessens my chances of winning, but I gotta spread the good news. If you love her stuff, you can also check it out here.

Interesting...

Here's a little plug for a blog about everything. It's just getting started, so check back often. Enjoy!

Sneak Peek Follow Up

Probably not as special as you thought it was going to be. I think that some people thought that I was going to sew something magnificent out of those towels I posted. I'm not a sewer, I'm not a decorator, I'm not ...well, a lot of things. But, I'm trying to be creative with my house. So, I thought these might be some fun photos for my laundry room. I'm not totally sold. But I do love HY's special blankie just thrown on the top. Check out the rest of the photos HERE.

It came!

My book came! It actually came about 2 weeks ago, but since I've been so crazy busy I haven't had the chance to show it off. First let me say that I LOVE IT! It makes such a huge difference to hold something that you created. It took me about a month to edit (it started out around 400 pages & ended up being 160 pages). But it was so worth it. And get this: someone came into my house, and actually read through a lot of the pages! So there you have it. A book--by me. My family history. And it was all made possible by this blog & blurb. I think that I'll get a jump start on Volume 2.

52 Blessings: 11 & 12 INPO

Who knows how many weeks I'm behind on this 52 blessings thing, but I can't give up! Just like this little girl. I posted that she's started walking. In the past 2 weeks (of course since I've been gone and working) she's decided to walk & even run now. And for me, that's been a blessing--at least for now. Before she would cry because she couldn't keep up with us & wanted to be carried all the time. And I'm just not a carry you all the time mother. So, now that she walks, she can get to where she's going much easier. Everyone seems happier. Of course, HY can tease her much more easily now. He knocks her down every chance he gets. And as of last night, he lures her into a room and then shuts her in. Ah, the blessings of having a brother!
credits{natalie x-mas flower (recolored), fall leaf (recolored) Shabby Princess Sweet Serenity Alpha, TCO paper, Miss Viv Denim Paper, Tangie tag & mat}
The other blessing that came into my life about 38 days ago is this blog. Okay, it's not totally the blog, but the opportunity to take pictures. I love taking pictures, but I'm not terrific, probably like a lot of you. I wanted to improve my skills and so I asked Tina if she'd be apart of this with me. Of course, she accepted. I've had so much fun & I think* I've gotten better with my photos and use of photoshop. It has made scrapbooking even that much better. I really love some of the photos that I've taken. And that was pretty rare before. So, thank you Miss Tina for being so encouraging & letting me place my amateur photos next to yours. It's an honor & a blessing.

Credits: Summertime Designs Inspiration Kit, Tangie green tag}

Sunshine on my Shoulders

Horray! My sister (Aunt Runny) just put her first post on the coolest blog ever. She is an incredible seamstress & she's got a couple of her latest works of art up on her new blog. Check it out & leave her some love!! Welcome to the blog world---Sunshine on my Shoulders.

Working 9-5

I've been up to my ears in this blog. Since I found that I am almost out of space on the blog, I have taken some drastic measures.

1. I am making my blog into a book using Blurb. It's taking me FOREVER! I have a lot of "fluff" that I need to get rid of in order to make it a do-able size. It started around 400 pages & I've got it to under 200 now. I think I'm going to really love the finish product! Or at least I better.

2. Since I'm getting rid of the "fluff" on my blog, I wanted a backup copy of the entire thing this far. So I used Blogs to Books to help me compile it all together & then "print" it as a PDF so I can save it to my computer or a disk.

3. After completing the book, I'll be eliminating some of the larger files from my blog so that I'll have room to continue posting. Not to worry...blogging will continue. I just don't want to purchase more space.

That is all: No picture to save space.

Hey Y'all...Look at my Husband--

Farmboy's boss took him shopping for some new clothes. I'm diggin' his new look. He started working for Guardian Life Insurance a couple of months ago. Now he looks the part! What do you think?

As a side note Blogger informed me that I've gone overboard with my photos. Yes, I've used too much space. So, I'm in the market to print this puppy out & start deleting a few things that are taking up so much space. And of course, I'm going to start making everything smaller. So...any suggestions for printing this out? (without any hassle on my part?)

Happy Birthday Baby Blog

I love spring birthdays! I know that most of you will agree with me when I say

that having a blog is a blessing. It's kept me in touch with so

many people that I'd lost contact with. It's helped me keep a journal

on my family. It's forced me to start scrapbooking again. And most of all

it's been one of the most inspiring projects I've ever undergone. Thank you little blog!

(And thank you Tina, for nudging me & letting me copy all of your wonderful ideas.)

In honor of my blog's 1st birthday, I've started another one!

Tina & I are improving our photography skills.

Give us look here.

100 Comments & Counting

I think this is the greatest thing that has happened to me ALL week. I love it when I have read 80+ comments in one sitting. I didn't even realize that my goal was to get to 100 comments, but YOU ALL have done it. I'm so impressed.

As for the random generator...I will make sure that 3 different people are picked...even if I have to randomly generate 10 comments. I wish all of you could win. You have been so passionate about making your comments.

Good luck to everyone! Tomorrow is the DAY.

Pay it Forward Contest

I am the Winner! I rarely win anything so I'm very very excited to announce that I won a "Pay it Forward" Contest on my friend, Raygon's blog! (audible applause). Thank you -thank you very much.

Here's how it works: You post a comment on my blog & on Friday, I'll be announcing who the random winners are. There will be 3 winners, so you've got a great chance of winning one of my fabulouse prizes (not telling what, but I promise they will be fabulous).

If you are one of the 3 winners, you are responsible for keeping this contest going. If you do not win, I'm sorry---it doesn't mean that I don't love you---it just means that the random generator didn't pick your comment. But, feel free to carry on this contest---win or lose.

****no restrictions apply--feel free to comment as much as you like.*****

Need Your Help!

Alright, I'm in the process of changing my topper for the Christmas Season. This morning I took a few pictures & then messed around with them on Photoshop. Please tell me which one you think would be best for a blog topper.

1) sneaky HY

2) Mini-E under the tree (differnt colors)

3) Sepia Mini-E

4) Soft Tree & Piano Christmas Setting

5) Mini-E in AH

6) The ornament grab

7) Rudolf & Mini-E

8) HY Ornament

Sorry there are so many to choose from.

I'm lucky I got as many good shots as I did.

I'm pretty excited because this year is Mini-E's FIRST Christmas!

ToP TEn Tuesday

Here are the top ten things that I'll be doing or already have done today (sorry no pictures, who has time for pictures when you've got a list like this?):

10. Cleaning up the basement. I spent 2 hours on it yesterday & another 2 hours today. Sadly...it's not done YET.

9. Catching up on blogging. I can't devote hours everyday to blogging (I know, you are surprised) so I try to look at everyone's blog at least once a week. A few everyday...

8. Drop a load of junk off at DI! (please see #10)

7. Read to HY his favorite Tractor book

6. Change blog topper (picture from Miss Sparkle)

5. Clean the kitchen

4. Vaccum

3. Laundry (you'd think that after I did it yesterday that it would STAY done)

2. Do my hair & makeup!

And the #1 thing I'll be doing today (and I'm the most excited about)

Going to Midway for Dinner & Cowboy Theater

compliments of my sweet Dad!

It's gonna be one funnnnnnn day!

If you can dream it Friday!

I know that many of you spend precious time on your blog documenting everything that happens in you & your family's lives. I have something incredible to help you save all that documenting: I'm very excited to tell you about this new software created by Farmboy's cousin. She's incredible. You've got to go to this website & check out her latest invention. And not to worry, you won't break the bank...it's totally and completely FREE! If you love it, send her a little donation love! I'm so excited to try this out. And give her lots of feedback.

Don't hesitate to let all your bloggin' friends know. Pass on the goodness!It's FREE People!

Computer Savy?

So today as I was browsing, I found this. It's somebody's instructions on how to save your blog to a disc/cd. Just in case anyone was wondering how to do that. I know, I kind of was. Also, check this out: Blurp turns your blog into a book. Pretty cool huh?

anybody else have any ideas? I know that Tina always has great ideas. Give 'em up!!