Just a couple of random photo's from Christmas Eve & Christmas Morning!
Our White Christmas Eve (day!) View from out our Front Door
The Happy Tears from those 12x Posters!? Who Knew?!
...and The Happy Scrapper!
Happy New Year!!!
~Karri~
Friday, December 29, 2006
Random Photo's from Christmas Eve & Morning!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
The Quiet Aftermath...
Aaah yes... the quiet and calm of the days after Christmas!
The decorations are still up - although the tree now looks rather sad and lonely!
The wrapping and empty boxes fill the garbage cans to overflowing.
The new clothes have been tried on, the games have been played, the CD's listened to, and the money and gift cards are just now beginning to burn a hole in some pockets!
Yes - it is the quiet aftermath of a frenzied and fun Holiday weekend!
My daughter has her bff overnight and they are still asleep on the hide-a-bed in the family room - I have a sneaking suspicion that they were featured playing new video games all night long... they will wake soon and want to get on here - to play the new Nancy Drew game... but all of that means that I have had time to sit and relax this morning... do a bit of reflecting and really drink in the events of the past days!
So many great memories made... so many blessings counted! We were missing my sister and her family... and my nephew who is away at college... their absence was felt several times through out the festivities. My Dad experienced his first Christmas after losing his mother last Spring. His father died a few years ago and he has yet to deal with that loss. I know that this year must have been difficult on him... and yet he is not approachable and his denial is where he wants to be. Still - it made me sad to think that he could be sitting right beside me in my home and be hurting - but would not receive any support or emotion. I had moments of watching him out of the corner of my eye and trying to 'see' beyond what he was showing... he seemed fine... so who am I to bring it up!? I just said a prayer and returned to enjoying watching my own child! She was a joy to behold! Thrilled beyond measure at every gift - exuberant and happy and showed her appreciation! It was, as she said, "the best Christmas EVER!" Did she get that ipod she wanted?! (No!) ...what about the laptop or the cell phone? (No!) But - she did get things that she has wanted for awhile... a green purse that she fawned over every time we would go to this store... I couldn't see my way around buying a $3 or $40 purse for an 11 year old... my sister, however, could! Kaye was pleased to say it mildly! Of course - she also got a Scarf and Watch to match! Then the other gifts on her list like a Hoops & YoYo T, the Dream Life Game, some CDs, etc.! Then - the one that pushed her over the edge to Happy Tears... was posters. Yes - people... posters!? She has wanted to hang posters in her room for some time now... I always said no. The thing is... who do I want her to spend her time focusing on, thinking about, and wanting to be like (or date?!)... um - couldn't' really FIND any posters of those kinds of people... I know many think it is fine and harmless... but I just think we have to encourage them to be so careful with what they focus on and who they strive to be... then - I found 12x12 posters on eBay of some of her most favorite Christian artists... I think I paid less than $1 for each of them... and this - THIS is what pushed her over the edge?!
Anyway - Dave and I do not trade gifts... we do each others Stocking Stuffers but we do not exchange gifts. Sometimes we will buy a Family gift... something for the house - like an entertainment center, a stereo, DVD player, etc. This year - Dave surprised me and bought some new towels to match our bathroom! We have not bought new towels for a LONG time... so it was a nice surprise! He also bought us a new phone system... our answering machine broke months ago and we were constantly missing calls. His birthday is the day after Christmas too - so that is how I am able to not buy too much for him for Christmas! LOL! I can cheat and buy it for his birthday instead! Plus we tend to cram things into those stockings that really don't fit?! LOL!?
All in all - we had a great few days of celebrations! Today - I MUST get back to the Gym... I have managed to not 'black out' too badly over the holidays - although I DID make this incredibly yummy Tiramisu Cheesecake... oh my?! It is so easy - and so delish! I can't be left alone with it! LOL! Sometime today, I need to take Kaye and get her new lenses put in her glasses and pick up my own new contacts... ("I could have been seein' stuff!") and I am sure once we are out and about - Kaye will remember that she has about $100 to spend from Christmas money as well!?? Of course - right now... the girls are just waking and will not want to get out of their new robes or leave Nancy Drew unsolved too soon!
I have been praying for you all - knowing that God has blessed you and been with you in your celebrations as well! What are you all doing for New Years Eve?! I am sure we will end up with Dave's family, playing games... that is our usual back up plan anyway - and we have nothing else lined up (since the Beeler's have moved away!)
Enjoy the last few days of No Routine!
& Scrap Happy!
~Karri~
The decorations are still up - although the tree now looks rather sad and lonely!
The wrapping and empty boxes fill the garbage cans to overflowing.
The new clothes have been tried on, the games have been played, the CD's listened to, and the money and gift cards are just now beginning to burn a hole in some pockets!
Yes - it is the quiet aftermath of a frenzied and fun Holiday weekend!
My daughter has her bff overnight and they are still asleep on the hide-a-bed in the family room - I have a sneaking suspicion that they were featured playing new video games all night long... they will wake soon and want to get on here - to play the new Nancy Drew game... but all of that means that I have had time to sit and relax this morning... do a bit of reflecting and really drink in the events of the past days!
So many great memories made... so many blessings counted! We were missing my sister and her family... and my nephew who is away at college... their absence was felt several times through out the festivities. My Dad experienced his first Christmas after losing his mother last Spring. His father died a few years ago and he has yet to deal with that loss. I know that this year must have been difficult on him... and yet he is not approachable and his denial is where he wants to be. Still - it made me sad to think that he could be sitting right beside me in my home and be hurting - but would not receive any support or emotion. I had moments of watching him out of the corner of my eye and trying to 'see' beyond what he was showing... he seemed fine... so who am I to bring it up!? I just said a prayer and returned to enjoying watching my own child! She was a joy to behold! Thrilled beyond measure at every gift - exuberant and happy and showed her appreciation! It was, as she said, "the best Christmas EVER!" Did she get that ipod she wanted?! (No!) ...what about the laptop or the cell phone? (No!) But - she did get things that she has wanted for awhile... a green purse that she fawned over every time we would go to this store... I couldn't see my way around buying a $3 or $40 purse for an 11 year old... my sister, however, could! Kaye was pleased to say it mildly! Of course - she also got a Scarf and Watch to match! Then the other gifts on her list like a Hoops & YoYo T, the Dream Life Game, some CDs, etc.! Then - the one that pushed her over the edge to Happy Tears... was posters. Yes - people... posters!? She has wanted to hang posters in her room for some time now... I always said no. The thing is... who do I want her to spend her time focusing on, thinking about, and wanting to be like (or date?!)... um - couldn't' really FIND any posters of those kinds of people... I know many think it is fine and harmless... but I just think we have to encourage them to be so careful with what they focus on and who they strive to be... then - I found 12x12 posters on eBay of some of her most favorite Christian artists... I think I paid less than $1 for each of them... and this - THIS is what pushed her over the edge?!
Anyway - Dave and I do not trade gifts... we do each others Stocking Stuffers but we do not exchange gifts. Sometimes we will buy a Family gift... something for the house - like an entertainment center, a stereo, DVD player, etc. This year - Dave surprised me and bought some new towels to match our bathroom! We have not bought new towels for a LONG time... so it was a nice surprise! He also bought us a new phone system... our answering machine broke months ago and we were constantly missing calls. His birthday is the day after Christmas too - so that is how I am able to not buy too much for him for Christmas! LOL! I can cheat and buy it for his birthday instead! Plus we tend to cram things into those stockings that really don't fit?! LOL!?
All in all - we had a great few days of celebrations! Today - I MUST get back to the Gym... I have managed to not 'black out' too badly over the holidays - although I DID make this incredibly yummy Tiramisu Cheesecake... oh my?! It is so easy - and so delish! I can't be left alone with it! LOL! Sometime today, I need to take Kaye and get her new lenses put in her glasses and pick up my own new contacts... ("I could have been seein' stuff!") and I am sure once we are out and about - Kaye will remember that she has about $100 to spend from Christmas money as well!?? Of course - right now... the girls are just waking and will not want to get out of their new robes or leave Nancy Drew unsolved too soon!
I have been praying for you all - knowing that God has blessed you and been with you in your celebrations as well! What are you all doing for New Years Eve?! I am sure we will end up with Dave's family, playing games... that is our usual back up plan anyway - and we have nothing else lined up (since the Beeler's have moved away!)
Enjoy the last few days of No Routine!
& Scrap Happy!
~Karri~
Sunday, December 24, 2006
What's Your Favorite Christmas/Holiday Movie?
Hey there...
Finally - we can officially say Merry Christmas... well - close enough!
It is Christmas Eve and my house is buzzing... the food is in the oven, snack trays have been assemled and coffee is ready to go... the lights are on and the music is playing in the background and I am preparing my heart not only to host and entertain my family, but also to invite my Lord in as well! Most of my family are believers which makes this holiday much more at peace I know... I am blessed. Still - I want them to experience the magic of Christmas and the sense of His Presence in a way that they normally may not stop to notice through out the year! So... I pray... I pray through the house and I pray over the meal and I listen and wait to see what He will say to me!?
Anyway - as the food is cooking, I got to thinking - what are my favorite Christmas movies?! There are a few we watch every single year... and so - I will share a Top Ten list of our family favorites... and feel free to share a few of your own!
1. Elf (even though we know it by heart!)
2. The Sound of Music
3. Miracle on 34th Street (the remake!)
4. The Grinch (cartoon AND movie!)
5. While You Were Sleeping
6. It's A Wonderful Life
7. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
8. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
9. A Christmas Story
10. Santa Claus
Merry Christmas Eve!
Take Pictures to scrap... No, Corinna... NEW ONES!!!
~Karri~
Finally - we can officially say Merry Christmas... well - close enough!
It is Christmas Eve and my house is buzzing... the food is in the oven, snack trays have been assemled and coffee is ready to go... the lights are on and the music is playing in the background and I am preparing my heart not only to host and entertain my family, but also to invite my Lord in as well! Most of my family are believers which makes this holiday much more at peace I know... I am blessed. Still - I want them to experience the magic of Christmas and the sense of His Presence in a way that they normally may not stop to notice through out the year! So... I pray... I pray through the house and I pray over the meal and I listen and wait to see what He will say to me!?
Anyway - as the food is cooking, I got to thinking - what are my favorite Christmas movies?! There are a few we watch every single year... and so - I will share a Top Ten list of our family favorites... and feel free to share a few of your own!
1. Elf (even though we know it by heart!)
2. The Sound of Music
3. Miracle on 34th Street (the remake!)
4. The Grinch (cartoon AND movie!)
5. While You Were Sleeping
6. It's A Wonderful Life
7. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
8. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
9. A Christmas Story
10. Santa Claus
Merry Christmas Eve!
Take Pictures to scrap... No, Corinna... NEW ONES!!!
~Karri~
Friday, December 22, 2006
Playing Around Digitally
Hey there...
I know - you all will notice that - yes - indeed - you have seen these photo's before... Maybe Corinna is rubbing off on me!? LOL!? Anyway - I was just goofin' around this morning a bit!
I am off to Grocery Shop for the weekend... along with everyone else!? (Hey - it's better than trying to go tomorrow?!)
I know - you all will notice that - yes - indeed - you have seen these photo's before... Maybe Corinna is rubbing off on me!? LOL!? Anyway - I was just goofin' around this morning a bit!
I am off to Grocery Shop for the weekend... along with everyone else!? (Hey - it's better than trying to go tomorrow?!)
Maybe after Christmas I will have pictures to scrap...
.... NO! NEW ones!!
Happy Day!
~Karri~
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Festival of Lights... and Laughter, and, um... wild cats?
Hey there...
Last night we enjoyed lighting the Hanukkah Lights, reading the nightly blessings and scriptures, (playing the Dreidel game) and just enjoying the Peace that seems to come over us each time we sit and relax and reflect over the Lights, and our little Manger scene too!
Last night we enjoyed lighting the Hanukkah Lights, reading the nightly blessings and scriptures, (playing the Dreidel game) and just enjoying the Peace that seems to come over us each time we sit and relax and reflect over the Lights, and our little Manger scene too!
BEFORE the relaxing evening sitting by candlelight... we did venture out of the house. Kayelyn and I had a slow lazy morning... as I worked on some website stuff and she continually cracked me up... I mean literally laughing out loud - um - loudly - cracking up! The girl is hysterical!? Great entertainment! She has this new trick... I hate it... absolutely hate it... it tends to take the wind out of my sails. Whenever I am trying to discipline her... she manages to just look at me this one way - and it crack me up - every time! Even when I know it is coming and I am really really mad... sort of diffuses the situation!? Sure - it does lighten the mood... and yes - there have been a few times I have had to discipline her while we are both laughing hysterically - which sort of takes the wind out of HER sails. Still... I guess it is a gift... and way much better than yelling and screaming!?
Speaking of yelling and screaming... I had BARELY poured my cup of coffee yesterday morning when I heard a LOUD crash next door. Well - 'next door' means my parents' house and so I felt like I should go over and check. They are not by any means OLD - but they are at that age where they should not fall or make loud noises that I can hear next door?! LOL!? Anyway - my Mom beat me and I saw her in her jammies running to my house for help... turns out one of 'her' strays (...yes - my Mom has become THAT woman! LOL!) anyway - one of the wild cats braved its way into the house... and then immediately FREAKED out!? She feeds maybe 2 dozen stray cats and kittens several times a day... none of them have EVER braved their way into the Feeding house... they all patiently (and not so patiently) wait by her door, on my BBQ, staring in her windows, ...if she wakes long enough - they will move to MY window for no reason whatsoever?! Anyway - this poor cat made her way in and, for the life of her - or maybe several lives - could not find her way back OUT the wide open door! She managed to attempt to scale the cabinets and counter tops, race around the entire upper level of the house and finally scrunched herself into a corner and cried... it took maybe 5 minutes to get her all worked up again and manage to catch her in a box... which we slowly slid towards the door and she managed to escape (with the box for a few seconds!) and run across the yard, under the neighbors fence and beneath their deck. I suspect she is STILL there!?
Anyway - after THAT - I was awake... and we did manage to get to the Library, Bank, Post Office, and Gym. Today we are off to a matinee - Charlotte's Web. I cannot find my @#!* waterproof mascara... so that will be pretty I am sure!? I think we'll go to Red Robin for lunch afterwards as long as I am not streaked in black... it should be fun. I am sure next week we will be featured at yet another matinee - probably the new Ben Stiller Museum movie... I will have to wait and read the reviews first! (You just never know what Ben will 'bring'!?)
So... that is my lengthy and yet full of fluff update! LOL!
Have a Great Day!
~Karri~
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Just for Darcie...
LOL! Well... Darcie asked for an update with photo's of new projects...
maybe she didn't read the part where I said I did not take any pictures in Wallyworld
and that I am all caught up?!
Still... I aim to please... so here are my other current layouts that I did using the
Thanksgiving Tags/Place cards that I made for this year!
Other than these... I think I have showed you all my projects...
I am now working on updating my website... I also just bought a new domain. It will basically send people to my already existing website but that will take some focus as well!
Yesterday I did not leave the house... at all... I didn't even go outside!? This is HUGE for me?!
I am always running errands or going to meetings... something... there is ALWAYS something that requires me to leave the house?! It was wonderful! I read a book (Karen Kingsbury - Like Dandelion Dust)... I worked on the computer a bit, and goofed off with Kaye, we played her GameCube for a bit, I made a huge Mexican dinner that was DELISH! After we put Kaye to bed, Dave and I watched "The Devil Wears Prada" (Great movie... sad that is it basically a true story...) I did brush my teeth, but I did NOT put on any make-up or really 'do' my hair... I wore sweats all day and slippers... I had hot tea (Good Earth - YUM!), and coffee (Peppermint Mocha), and even a little water too!? I laughed a lot (thanks to Kayelyn), cried a little (thanks to Karen Kingsbury!), and just overall had a great day doing nothing?!
Today - well - I MUST get to the gym and the bank and the library... but after that... Wide Open! Aaaah - yes! I LOVE Christmas vacation!
Be Blessed!
~Karri~
maybe she didn't read the part where I said I did not take any pictures in Wallyworld
and that I am all caught up?!
Still... I aim to please... so here are my other current layouts that I did using the
Thanksgiving Tags/Place cards that I made for this year!
Other than these... I think I have showed you all my projects...
I am now working on updating my website... I also just bought a new domain. It will basically send people to my already existing website but that will take some focus as well!
Yesterday I did not leave the house... at all... I didn't even go outside!? This is HUGE for me?!
I am always running errands or going to meetings... something... there is ALWAYS something that requires me to leave the house?! It was wonderful! I read a book (Karen Kingsbury - Like Dandelion Dust)... I worked on the computer a bit, and goofed off with Kaye, we played her GameCube for a bit, I made a huge Mexican dinner that was DELISH! After we put Kaye to bed, Dave and I watched "The Devil Wears Prada" (Great movie... sad that is it basically a true story...) I did brush my teeth, but I did NOT put on any make-up or really 'do' my hair... I wore sweats all day and slippers... I had hot tea (Good Earth - YUM!), and coffee (Peppermint Mocha), and even a little water too!? I laughed a lot (thanks to Kayelyn), cried a little (thanks to Karen Kingsbury!), and just overall had a great day doing nothing?!
Today - well - I MUST get to the gym and the bank and the library... but after that... Wide Open! Aaaah - yes! I LOVE Christmas vacation!
Be Blessed!
~Karri~
Monday, December 18, 2006
Random ABC's
Hey there...
Yes - I am taking the easy way out of an update today... I am stealing Corinna's Random List of ABC's... (Hey... it's the first day of vacation?!) We had a blast in Wallyworld... perfect travel weather... relaxing time of visiting and laughing and walking around downtown!!!I know you all will be SHOCKED... but my Scrapbook for 2006 is somehow WAY too big again... so I left my camera at home all weekend long?! I HAVE to figure out how to make a normal size album for next year... I have a sneaking suspicion it will involve Digital scrapping and putting those on a CD?! Anyway - here is my List - an ABC list of Random Things about me...
A - All about me or knows how to listen to others:
Hmmm - I am a good listener probably more than talking all about me!?
B - Baked or fried:
Fried...
C - Cake or pie:
Cake!
D - Drink of choice:
Chai Tea Latte's... or seasonal Starbucks drinks!
E - Essential item you use everyday:
Um... Hello!? The Computer?!!!! Oh yeah - and my contacts and toothbrush too - sure!?
F - Favorite color:
Plum purple!
G - Gummy bears or worms:
Hmm... if I HAD to choose it would be the sour worms, but I'm not a Gummy fan either?!
H - Hometown:
Yakima, WA.
I - Indulgence:
Cheesecake!
J - January or February:
February! (Valentine's Day!? C'mon!?)
K - Kids & names:
One daughter - Kayelyn
L - Life is incomplete without?
Jesus, Dave & Kayelyn... but Music was good too! HAVE to have music on everyday!
M - Marriage Date:
October 17th, 1992
N- Number of car accidents:
two... as a passenger, when I was maybe 10, and one as a driver way back in '88 or '89... I lived on a busy street and wanted to head the opposite direction - so I did a U-turn from my parking spot and hit another car coming out of an adjacent parking lot!? We were BOTH in the wrong! LOL!
O - Oranges or apples:
Apples - hands down! When I was a kid - I had hypoglycemia and I had to have Oranges or OJ EVERY day... blech... it is a RARE occasion with I WANT an orange now!
P - Phobias or fears:
Heights... but I am getting better! Water - as in being out ON the water... not good!
Q - First quote that comes to mind:
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, But by the moments that
take our breath away!” (Unknown) My Mom bought a wall hanging that says this when we were in Leavenworth - and I have used in on a few layouts or cards recently... I LOVE it!
R - Reason to smile:
Thinking about my Blessings, hearing Kayelyn's Laughter, having Dave make me laugh, and - yes - like Corinna said... "Life, an old memory, my kids, sex."
S - Season:
Like you have to ask?! Um... FALL!? The changing colors, crisp mornings, smells and routines, and just the overall mindset of the season!
T - Tortilla chips or potato chips:
Organic Tortilla chips with some Fresh homemade salsa...Mmmm - sounds like LUNCH to me!!!
U - Unknown fact about me:
I was not supposed to live... nearly died several times in the first few months of life!
V- Vegetable you don't like:
Cauliflower... raw or cooked?! blech?!...
W - Worst habit:
scratching... especially in the winter... my skin gets dry and itchy and I can black out and itch for too long... LOTION is key!!!
X - eXtraordinary memory:
The first time Dave ever told me he loved me... it was a big production... also my Wedding Day... and the day my daughter was born.
Y - Your favorite food:
Anything Italian... Mexican is a close second... and Thai!? LOL!? Yeah - I like food!
Z - Zodiac sign:
Gemini
So - there ya go... things you never needed to know... but - an update nonetheless!? LOL!
~Karri~
Yes - I am taking the easy way out of an update today... I am stealing Corinna's Random List of ABC's... (Hey... it's the first day of vacation?!) We had a blast in Wallyworld... perfect travel weather... relaxing time of visiting and laughing and walking around downtown!!!I know you all will be SHOCKED... but my Scrapbook for 2006 is somehow WAY too big again... so I left my camera at home all weekend long?! I HAVE to figure out how to make a normal size album for next year... I have a sneaking suspicion it will involve Digital scrapping and putting those on a CD?! Anyway - here is my List - an ABC list of Random Things about me...
A - All about me or knows how to listen to others:
Hmmm - I am a good listener probably more than talking all about me!?
B - Baked or fried:
Fried...
C - Cake or pie:
Cake!
D - Drink of choice:
Chai Tea Latte's... or seasonal Starbucks drinks!
E - Essential item you use everyday:
Um... Hello!? The Computer?!!!! Oh yeah - and my contacts and toothbrush too - sure!?
F - Favorite color:
Plum purple!
G - Gummy bears or worms:
Hmm... if I HAD to choose it would be the sour worms, but I'm not a Gummy fan either?!
H - Hometown:
Yakima, WA.
I - Indulgence:
Cheesecake!
J - January or February:
February! (Valentine's Day!? C'mon!?)
K - Kids & names:
One daughter - Kayelyn
L - Life is incomplete without?
Jesus, Dave & Kayelyn... but Music was good too! HAVE to have music on everyday!
M - Marriage Date:
October 17th, 1992
N- Number of car accidents:
two... as a passenger, when I was maybe 10, and one as a driver way back in '88 or '89... I lived on a busy street and wanted to head the opposite direction - so I did a U-turn from my parking spot and hit another car coming out of an adjacent parking lot!? We were BOTH in the wrong! LOL!
O - Oranges or apples:
Apples - hands down! When I was a kid - I had hypoglycemia and I had to have Oranges or OJ EVERY day... blech... it is a RARE occasion with I WANT an orange now!
P - Phobias or fears:
Heights... but I am getting better! Water - as in being out ON the water... not good!
Q - First quote that comes to mind:
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, But by the moments that
take our breath away!” (Unknown) My Mom bought a wall hanging that says this when we were in Leavenworth - and I have used in on a few layouts or cards recently... I LOVE it!
R - Reason to smile:
Thinking about my Blessings, hearing Kayelyn's Laughter, having Dave make me laugh, and - yes - like Corinna said... "Life, an old memory, my kids, sex."
S - Season:
Like you have to ask?! Um... FALL!? The changing colors, crisp mornings, smells and routines, and just the overall mindset of the season!
T - Tortilla chips or potato chips:
Organic Tortilla chips with some Fresh homemade salsa...Mmmm - sounds like LUNCH to me!!!
U - Unknown fact about me:
I was not supposed to live... nearly died several times in the first few months of life!
V- Vegetable you don't like:
Cauliflower... raw or cooked?! blech?!...
W - Worst habit:
scratching... especially in the winter... my skin gets dry and itchy and I can black out and itch for too long... LOTION is key!!!
X - eXtraordinary memory:
The first time Dave ever told me he loved me... it was a big production... also my Wedding Day... and the day my daughter was born.
Y - Your favorite food:
Anything Italian... Mexican is a close second... and Thai!? LOL!? Yeah - I like food!
Z - Zodiac sign:
Gemini
So - there ya go... things you never needed to know... but - an update nonetheless!? LOL!
~Karri~
Friday, December 15, 2006
Busy couple of days...
Hey there Everyone...
It's been busy here - but not out of necessity... I have actually had TIME to scrapbook and play a bit... with Christmas music playing... tree lights lit... snow falling... aaaah - yes! It's been a busy couple of days!
I also worked on my Thanksgiving Tag Layouts! I am - ah yes... wait for it... All Caught Up!
I am off to Walla Walla tomorrow to play Santa Claus and deliver gifts to my sister and her family from the rest of us! We don't get to be with them over Christmas - so we try to make a trip there the week before! Hopefully when I return, my porch swing will still be here?! Last night - the wind that was literally about 75 mph tore apart the top/cover canopy and it is now hanging in shreds from the top frame... makes me sad - but at least it is cold and so I can't care too much about it today!?
Happy Scrappy Everyone!
~Karri~
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Favorite Spot
C'mon People... I KNOW you all have a favorite Christmas Carol?!
Makes me not want to update for a bit... in hopes of getting some comments here... LOL!
But - just for fun - here is a piece of our Christmas Letter from LAST year... (minus all that personal family info...)
I can't believe that it is already the time of year that finds me browsing over our yearly calendar & making plans for the weeks to come as well! With the decorations all around, the lights plugged in, & the carols softly playing in the background, I find my focus & peace as I gaze at the Manger that occupies our Living Room. This little Babe, after all, is why we celebrate! If not His Birth, then at the very least, His purpose... Love! "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son." It's such a familiar passage that we sometimes forget... "For God so loved... that He gave..." For God SO LOVED... that HE GAVE! That is amazing, isn't it?! He still gives today, you know?!
We so often sing the carols about Jesus... His Birth... His Gift... But what I have been thinking about lately is what have I given?! We are not required to do "good works" to earn His Gift of course... we'd never be able to work enough to EARN it... (that's what makes it a gift!) But we are called to bear fruit! The Bible says that people should know that we are Christians 'by our love.' So, what do I do to let His Love flow through me & shine into a dark world? How do I allow Christ to be seen in me? I think we'll be surprised when we see the various ways He worked through each of us from the other side of eternity! It is in the big AND the little things! It's in the sacrifices AND the things we love to do! One Sacrifice I make each year at Christmas time is such a small thing...but it helped me to communicate with my daughter a powerful truth of habit & home!
Creatures of habit... that is what we all are! Whether you think back to childhood memories or current rituals.. we all have our favorite spots! At the dining room table, in the car, your side of the bed, etc.! We have been blessed with a room with a view... a huge picture window that overlooks our city! There are better seats in the Living Room... there's a spot on the couch that if you sit there as the sun rises, you can watch Mt. Adams change colors as the sun reflects off the snow; there's the Loveseat that is angled to look straight out the window & give a view of the city lights at night time. But my favorite spot is in the chair in the corner! It's close to the window & I can still enjoy our view... I can watch the sunrise, hear the quiet of snow falling, or see the twinkling of lights below...But my chair is also angled in, so I can see into the rest of the house. I am able to see when someone comes home, or enters the room. & I am able to keep an eye on all of the activities going on! It's a comfy chair, & the side table has everything I need when I come & meet with my Lord! It's got my favorite lamp (a keepsake souvenir from a trip with friends.) It's got a few of my favorite scented candles, a framed photo of friends & family, & the current books I am reading. Just below that I will find my Bible, & a choice selection of Journals for me to write in! It's close to the stereo so I can set the mood with music, & close to all my other resource books, if God sets me on a chase in His Word! We used to have a room in our home that was the designated "Prayer Room" - I used it especially when my little one was younger. She came to learn that if Mommy was in that room, I was meeting with God in prayer & worship. She would come in from time to time, but it was a necessary spot 'set away' so she knew if she was coming in, she'd have to pray & wait... a great lesson to learn! As she grew older, & we housed more & more guests, our "Prayer Room" became our "Spare Room" & I found myself sitting in this chair in the corner, more than anywhere else!
During Prayer meetings, Bible Studies, or morning Devotions, this chair is my 'Withdrawing Room" as R. B. Munger writes. I have made my heart Christ's home, & we meet here ~ in my favorite spot ~ to talk about my day, pray over what concerns me, or just sit & spend some quiet time together. Whether it's intercessory prayer, a morning devotional time, or evening reading, if I am seeking God or communing with Him 'on purpose' ...this is where you will find me!
I light my candles, grab a drink, open up the Word & feast with Him at this banquet table He prepares in my Favorite Spot! There is about one month out of the year that I sacrifice my Spot! As we decorate for Christmas, I move my Chair into my daughter's room. She absolutely LOVES that! It is where I will find HER praying & reading in the mornings & evenings during the holidays! In place of my chair, we set up our Hay & Feeding Trough... & we place a "Babe wrapped in Swaddling Clothes' in that spot! We hang a Star from the ceiling & shine a spot light on Jesus - our Reason for the Season! As the holidays near, we put gifts around the manger scene & spend some time focused on WHY we are celebrating!
One day my daughter asked why I put this scene in my Favorite Spot, giving up my normal routine each December. I thought about it for a moment & said, "It's a little sacrifice for me, but that is the spot where His Presence is... it's the perfect Spot! It is where I honor Him throughout the year...where else would He go?!" My Favorite Spot is surrounded with some of my favorite things, but it's His Presence that draws me there - to our "Withdrawing Room." I know I carry Him with me in my heart... & where I go, He is. But there is something special about having a tangible meeting place set up! I encourage you to search out your heart & your home, & prepare Him room... Prepare a place for Him! Whether you have never offered Him your heart - or that was done years ago... I encourage you to pray about how You are loving those around you... what can you give... what do you sacrifice... how does He flow through you to bless the world around you!? ...When we 'Prepare Him Room" - Oh My - how He comes!
So - now TWO questions...
1. What is your Favorite Christmas Song?
and...
2. Where is your Favorite 'spot'
Blessings,
~Karri~
Makes me not want to update for a bit... in hopes of getting some comments here... LOL!
But - just for fun - here is a piece of our Christmas Letter from LAST year... (minus all that personal family info...)
I can't believe that it is already the time of year that finds me browsing over our yearly calendar & making plans for the weeks to come as well! With the decorations all around, the lights plugged in, & the carols softly playing in the background, I find my focus & peace as I gaze at the Manger that occupies our Living Room. This little Babe, after all, is why we celebrate! If not His Birth, then at the very least, His purpose... Love! "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son." It's such a familiar passage that we sometimes forget... "For God so loved... that He gave..." For God SO LOVED... that HE GAVE! That is amazing, isn't it?! He still gives today, you know?!
We so often sing the carols about Jesus... His Birth... His Gift... But what I have been thinking about lately is what have I given?! We are not required to do "good works" to earn His Gift of course... we'd never be able to work enough to EARN it... (that's what makes it a gift!) But we are called to bear fruit! The Bible says that people should know that we are Christians 'by our love.' So, what do I do to let His Love flow through me & shine into a dark world? How do I allow Christ to be seen in me? I think we'll be surprised when we see the various ways He worked through each of us from the other side of eternity! It is in the big AND the little things! It's in the sacrifices AND the things we love to do! One Sacrifice I make each year at Christmas time is such a small thing...but it helped me to communicate with my daughter a powerful truth of habit & home!
Creatures of habit... that is what we all are! Whether you think back to childhood memories or current rituals.. we all have our favorite spots! At the dining room table, in the car, your side of the bed, etc.! We have been blessed with a room with a view... a huge picture window that overlooks our city! There are better seats in the Living Room... there's a spot on the couch that if you sit there as the sun rises, you can watch Mt. Adams change colors as the sun reflects off the snow; there's the Loveseat that is angled to look straight out the window & give a view of the city lights at night time. But my favorite spot is in the chair in the corner! It's close to the window & I can still enjoy our view... I can watch the sunrise, hear the quiet of snow falling, or see the twinkling of lights below...But my chair is also angled in, so I can see into the rest of the house. I am able to see when someone comes home, or enters the room. & I am able to keep an eye on all of the activities going on! It's a comfy chair, & the side table has everything I need when I come & meet with my Lord! It's got my favorite lamp (a keepsake souvenir from a trip with friends.) It's got a few of my favorite scented candles, a framed photo of friends & family, & the current books I am reading. Just below that I will find my Bible, & a choice selection of Journals for me to write in! It's close to the stereo so I can set the mood with music, & close to all my other resource books, if God sets me on a chase in His Word! We used to have a room in our home that was the designated "Prayer Room" - I used it especially when my little one was younger. She came to learn that if Mommy was in that room, I was meeting with God in prayer & worship. She would come in from time to time, but it was a necessary spot 'set away' so she knew if she was coming in, she'd have to pray & wait... a great lesson to learn! As she grew older, & we housed more & more guests, our "Prayer Room" became our "Spare Room" & I found myself sitting in this chair in the corner, more than anywhere else!
During Prayer meetings, Bible Studies, or morning Devotions, this chair is my 'Withdrawing Room" as R. B. Munger writes. I have made my heart Christ's home, & we meet here ~ in my favorite spot ~ to talk about my day, pray over what concerns me, or just sit & spend some quiet time together. Whether it's intercessory prayer, a morning devotional time, or evening reading, if I am seeking God or communing with Him 'on purpose' ...this is where you will find me!
I light my candles, grab a drink, open up the Word & feast with Him at this banquet table He prepares in my Favorite Spot! There is about one month out of the year that I sacrifice my Spot! As we decorate for Christmas, I move my Chair into my daughter's room. She absolutely LOVES that! It is where I will find HER praying & reading in the mornings & evenings during the holidays! In place of my chair, we set up our Hay & Feeding Trough... & we place a "Babe wrapped in Swaddling Clothes' in that spot! We hang a Star from the ceiling & shine a spot light on Jesus - our Reason for the Season! As the holidays near, we put gifts around the manger scene & spend some time focused on WHY we are celebrating!
One day my daughter asked why I put this scene in my Favorite Spot, giving up my normal routine each December. I thought about it for a moment & said, "It's a little sacrifice for me, but that is the spot where His Presence is... it's the perfect Spot! It is where I honor Him throughout the year...where else would He go?!" My Favorite Spot is surrounded with some of my favorite things, but it's His Presence that draws me there - to our "Withdrawing Room." I know I carry Him with me in my heart... & where I go, He is. But there is something special about having a tangible meeting place set up! I encourage you to search out your heart & your home, & prepare Him room... Prepare a place for Him! Whether you have never offered Him your heart - or that was done years ago... I encourage you to pray about how You are loving those around you... what can you give... what do you sacrifice... how does He flow through you to bless the world around you!? ...When we 'Prepare Him Room" - Oh My - how He comes!
So - now TWO questions...
1. What is your Favorite Christmas Song?
and...
2. Where is your Favorite 'spot'
Blessings,
~Karri~
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Favorite Christmas Carol?
Hey there...
Yes - It is December 10th... the 'deadline' I set for myself every year... and yes - I DID make it!
Well - in theory! I am done... we have one Starbuck's gift card to buy for a teacher... we have one couple gift to buy for friends, and we have one gift to buy for my nephew... but those three things (plus a gift exchange gift for a Christmas party) are all Dave's responsibilities! He offered to buy those gifts... and as time ran out - I agreed! All so I could say I was done! LOL! No - honestly - I agreed because he does like to help with the shopping - but by the time he is ready and in the mood to shop... well - as you can see... it is December 10th at the earliest?!
So - I do all the decorating, the making of the cards, the writing of the Christmas Letter, the addressing and mailing... I do all the cleaning and baking and shopping of gifts... and the stocking stuffers... so - his only real responsibility is my own stocking stuffers... that, I do not do... (although there have been years when I wished that I did... LOL!) I know - Darcie - Dan still 'wins' on the stocking stuffer/7-11 fiasco! But still... ?! I am ready to mail off the cards tomorrow and then the 'fun' festivities begin... Kaye's Choir performance, a Christmas party for Choir, caroling will come in play somewhere I am sure... holiday entertaining here at home... then Christmas break will be here and we will have sleep overs and baking, etc.! And... today - right now... I am at peace! ...and ready to enjoy the season!!!
So - as I sign off... I was thinking today about my favorite Christmas song... hands down, for me, it is O Holy Night! What more needs to be said about Christmas that this song does not say!?
O Holy Night
O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees, O hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night divine,
O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need; to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
A close second would be O Come, O Come Emmanuel! I remember hearing a gal at church about ten years ago - she had a rich alto voice... and sang this song accapello... it gave me goosebumps!
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appears
Chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
O come, thou rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of hell thy people save
And give them vict'ry o'er the grave
Chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
O come, O Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by thine advent here
And drive away the shaves of night
And pierce the clouds and bring us light
Chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heavenly home
Make safe the way that leads on high
And close the path to misery
Chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might
Who to thy tribes, on Sinai's height
In ancient times did'st give the law
In cloud and majesty and awe
Chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
So - what are your favorite Christmas Carols or songs?! (And why!?)
~Karri~
Yes - It is December 10th... the 'deadline' I set for myself every year... and yes - I DID make it!
Well - in theory! I am done... we have one Starbuck's gift card to buy for a teacher... we have one couple gift to buy for friends, and we have one gift to buy for my nephew... but those three things (plus a gift exchange gift for a Christmas party) are all Dave's responsibilities! He offered to buy those gifts... and as time ran out - I agreed! All so I could say I was done! LOL! No - honestly - I agreed because he does like to help with the shopping - but by the time he is ready and in the mood to shop... well - as you can see... it is December 10th at the earliest?!
So - I do all the decorating, the making of the cards, the writing of the Christmas Letter, the addressing and mailing... I do all the cleaning and baking and shopping of gifts... and the stocking stuffers... so - his only real responsibility is my own stocking stuffers... that, I do not do... (although there have been years when I wished that I did... LOL!) I know - Darcie - Dan still 'wins' on the stocking stuffer/7-11 fiasco! But still... ?! I am ready to mail off the cards tomorrow and then the 'fun' festivities begin... Kaye's Choir performance, a Christmas party for Choir, caroling will come in play somewhere I am sure... holiday entertaining here at home... then Christmas break will be here and we will have sleep overs and baking, etc.! And... today - right now... I am at peace! ...and ready to enjoy the season!!!
So - as I sign off... I was thinking today about my favorite Christmas song... hands down, for me, it is O Holy Night! What more needs to be said about Christmas that this song does not say!?
O Holy Night
O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees, O hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night divine,
O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need; to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
A close second would be O Come, O Come Emmanuel! I remember hearing a gal at church about ten years ago - she had a rich alto voice... and sang this song accapello... it gave me goosebumps!
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appears
Chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
O come, thou rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of hell thy people save
And give them vict'ry o'er the grave
Chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
O come, O Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by thine advent here
And drive away the shaves of night
And pierce the clouds and bring us light
Chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heavenly home
Make safe the way that leads on high
And close the path to misery
Chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might
Who to thy tribes, on Sinai's height
In ancient times did'st give the law
In cloud and majesty and awe
Chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
So - what are your favorite Christmas Carols or songs?! (And why!?)
~Karri~
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Merry Christmas, Baby!
I know, I know... I have sort of taken a breaky... I will post a 'real' update soon...
but - until then - enjoy this:
~Karri~
but - until then - enjoy this:
~Karri~
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Need a Laugh!?
Well... I needed a laugh today... just somehow not in the Festive mood that usually comes over me around this time of year?! I am hoping to get at least SOME decorations out between now and the weekend... I did finish my Christmas cards... all 60 of them... yes - I am crazy!? Every year my husband complains that we don't even KNOW that many people... but we do... every year!?
Sending cards is somewhat of a lost art... makes me sad... who doesn't love getting cards in the mail!? I am online often - and I enjoy a nice e-card... but there is something precious about a card with a handwritten note inside... although - 60 cards later and a project involving cards to tackle this afternoon - well - next year I may (MAY!?) be buying them by the box or online with a family photo... I know - I know Na... ?!?! I can't know if I will REALLY do that... but I can see the urge...
Anyway - I spent some time with HomeStarRunner, Strongbad, and the Teen Girls Squad this morning at: www.Homestarrunner.com OK - is it 12 year old boy humor?! Yeah - pretty much! Does it still make me crack up out loud?! Oh yeah! Pretty much!!! My favorites?! Well - the Teen Girl Squad of course... and Strongbad E-mails! Marzipan's Answering Machine - but you have to click on the archives to get the priceless prank call messages from Strongbad... aahh - it had been a LONG time since I had visited with those guys!
Next... I checked out my MySpace and found my good ol' friend Brian Reagan had added some new clips! Now - the clip is long - and GOOD... it has some old stuff - some new stuff... some HYSTERICAL stuff (of course!)... but once the clip is over... I can not endorse any of the OTHER clips that come up to click on! Honestly - just don't even think of clicking on them?! I didn't - but the titles alone caused me to almost not share this... but - like I said - I needed a laugh - and Brian is ALWAYS good for that! So - with discretion - here ya go:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=90859443&MyToken=e0b275f5-8341-414b-a9a3-a467d00ee046
I will try to get some pictures of my Christmas Card mania...
Just because I have to - I will say - yet again - that I am STILL WAITING for some pictures?!
Scrap On!
~Karrilee~
Sending cards is somewhat of a lost art... makes me sad... who doesn't love getting cards in the mail!? I am online often - and I enjoy a nice e-card... but there is something precious about a card with a handwritten note inside... although - 60 cards later and a project involving cards to tackle this afternoon - well - next year I may (MAY!?) be buying them by the box or online with a family photo... I know - I know Na... ?!?! I can't know if I will REALLY do that... but I can see the urge...
Anyway - I spent some time with HomeStarRunner, Strongbad, and the Teen Girls Squad this morning at: www.Homestarrunner.com OK - is it 12 year old boy humor?! Yeah - pretty much! Does it still make me crack up out loud?! Oh yeah! Pretty much!!! My favorites?! Well - the Teen Girl Squad of course... and Strongbad E-mails! Marzipan's Answering Machine - but you have to click on the archives to get the priceless prank call messages from Strongbad... aahh - it had been a LONG time since I had visited with those guys!
Next... I checked out my MySpace and found my good ol' friend Brian Reagan had added some new clips! Now - the clip is long - and GOOD... it has some old stuff - some new stuff... some HYSTERICAL stuff (of course!)... but once the clip is over... I can not endorse any of the OTHER clips that come up to click on! Honestly - just don't even think of clicking on them?! I didn't - but the titles alone caused me to almost not share this... but - like I said - I needed a laugh - and Brian is ALWAYS good for that! So - with discretion - here ya go:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=90859443&MyToken=e0b275f5-8341-414b-a9a3-a467d00ee046
I will try to get some pictures of my Christmas Card mania...
Just because I have to - I will say - yet again - that I am STILL WAITING for some pictures?!
Scrap On!
~Karrilee~
Monday, November 27, 2006
Let The Games Begin!!!
Hey there, Everyone!?
I pray your Thanskgiving gatherings were all filled with good food, friends, family, and plenty of time to reflect and count your blessings! Our weekend was full... of all of the above!
We had my sister, Karinna and her family come 'home' on Wednesday... they stayed until Sunday afternoon! Karinna has always been one of my very best friends... I have missed her more than I knew... I am blessed in that she lives just a short drive away... however, our lives are full and busy and they rarely travel anywhere - so that leaves it up to me to visit there usually! So - it was great to have them home for Thanksgiving!
I had the best of intentions of actually photographing the FOOD this year... getting great photo's of the feast - but - with 14 hungry people - and a buffet style set up - well - it was just not gonna happen! Instead, I got a blimpse of the line... although - it was near the end anyway...
We did also use my fun Basic Grey Thanksgiving Tags and I will (as you can guess) make a layout with them in our family Scrapbook! Everyone played this year without too much grumbling! LOL! Hey - maybe it really IS becoming a family tradition now?!
I battled a cold/ear infection/sore throat much of the weekend... not too much fun!? But - praise God - it never did knock me totally out... I did not however go out at all on Black Friday! I am not a huge Day after Thanksgiving Day shopper anyway... I look every year - but usually I am done shopping - or nearly done... this year - I had barely started - but still - there was nothing that was luring me out of my bed that early in the morning to deal with the likes of Darcie! LOL! (Oh come on... you know it's true!) Oh - but... my DH gets MAJOR Bonus Points... because he went out super early and braved the madness to get me some medicine and herbs... and even brought home breakfast too! What a guy!!! I didn't even ask!
Saturday the entire family went to see Happy Feet... too cute! So fun... LOVED the music - no surprise there! LOL! I think I laughed out loud more than my daughter... I thought that there was a LOT of sexual references for a children's animated movie - but hey?! Maybe that is just me?! Overall though - it was entertaining - if not a bit too long! I thought they could have cut out a lot towards the end and it would have been even better?! Still - fun time!!! Oh - a pricelss Dave/Everybody Loves Raymond-Dave moment... we go and prebuy our tickets - at my insistence that if we didn't it would be sold out... (so glad I was right on that one... the ticket gal was like - oh wow - how many?! Good thing you are here early!?) anyway - we buy the tickets nad then head out for lunch... then we go back to the theater. We were told with that many of us - we should get there at 2... so - we show up at 2 and there is already this huge line in the lobby. Now - these people are obviously in line for Happy Feet. The sign in the lobby just said "Please wait in Lobby" But - these people all formed a line. Dave - my own personal Raymond - decided that we should just wait in the lobby - but once the 'cord' is open - we can go down and enter the second entrance to the screen house and get seats that way. Now - most of us were giving him a hard time about not getting in line... he pointed out that it doesn't say to form a line - but to simply wait in the lobby... amazing to me... if I would have done this - someone (again - yes - like Darcie) would have given me a ton of crap about it - with good reason!? After all - they were there earlier than us - and they are wanting a good seat as well... but once that cord was down - they were all entering the tiny entrance - and Dave took off for the second entrance... it would be one thing if it was just two of us - but there was a dozen of us?! LOL?! We all followed Dave - our leader - whom we planned on blaming if anyone complained... but - no one did?! Not a one!? Hmph?! Apparently - everybody really DOES love "Raymond"!?
Anyway - then Sunday - we woke up to SNOW!!!! I am talking a LOT of snow... snowball fighting, snowman makin', slippin', slidin', several inches of snow! So - what did we do?! We had a BBQ of course! LOL! We really did... we had a family BBQ and enjoyed one last meal together before my sister and her family cautiously headed back home!
What a great weekend... we played games, talked, ate a LOT of food, laughed, sang, goofed off, and just enjoyed being all together. We had several moments of reminsicing and talking about the good ol' days... several serious conversations and deep meaningful discussions... several times to give thanks - to God... and out loud to each other! There is something so powerful in telling those we love - that we love them... and why! I don't know about you - but I am pretty good at talking with God about all that stuff - but I can forget to really get specific in telling my loved ones WHY I love them!
Since I am still fighting off this cold - I am not in the midst of decorating anything yet... but - I am sure by the weekend - I will be! I also have to finish up with my cards and start writing my Christmas Letter too... I went out and did a bit of Christmas shopping today too - so I think I am about halfway done now! My normal deadline is December 10th - but that includes everything - stocking stuffers, all the gifts, packages mailed, cards/letters out and the whole show! I am pretty sure I will make it this year even though I had such a late start!
So - I have not scrapped anything... been working on Christmas cards for now... and yes - I am STILL WAITING for photo's from our trip!?!?
Hope you are all well... Off to work on cards tonight!!!
Scrap Happy!
~Karrilee~
I pray your Thanskgiving gatherings were all filled with good food, friends, family, and plenty of time to reflect and count your blessings! Our weekend was full... of all of the above!
We had my sister, Karinna and her family come 'home' on Wednesday... they stayed until Sunday afternoon! Karinna has always been one of my very best friends... I have missed her more than I knew... I am blessed in that she lives just a short drive away... however, our lives are full and busy and they rarely travel anywhere - so that leaves it up to me to visit there usually! So - it was great to have them home for Thanksgiving!
I had the best of intentions of actually photographing the FOOD this year... getting great photo's of the feast - but - with 14 hungry people - and a buffet style set up - well - it was just not gonna happen! Instead, I got a blimpse of the line... although - it was near the end anyway...
We did also use my fun Basic Grey Thanksgiving Tags and I will (as you can guess) make a layout with them in our family Scrapbook! Everyone played this year without too much grumbling! LOL! Hey - maybe it really IS becoming a family tradition now?!
I battled a cold/ear infection/sore throat much of the weekend... not too much fun!? But - praise God - it never did knock me totally out... I did not however go out at all on Black Friday! I am not a huge Day after Thanksgiving Day shopper anyway... I look every year - but usually I am done shopping - or nearly done... this year - I had barely started - but still - there was nothing that was luring me out of my bed that early in the morning to deal with the likes of Darcie! LOL! (Oh come on... you know it's true!) Oh - but... my DH gets MAJOR Bonus Points... because he went out super early and braved the madness to get me some medicine and herbs... and even brought home breakfast too! What a guy!!! I didn't even ask!
Saturday the entire family went to see Happy Feet... too cute! So fun... LOVED the music - no surprise there! LOL! I think I laughed out loud more than my daughter... I thought that there was a LOT of sexual references for a children's animated movie - but hey?! Maybe that is just me?! Overall though - it was entertaining - if not a bit too long! I thought they could have cut out a lot towards the end and it would have been even better?! Still - fun time!!! Oh - a pricelss Dave/Everybody Loves Raymond-Dave moment... we go and prebuy our tickets - at my insistence that if we didn't it would be sold out... (so glad I was right on that one... the ticket gal was like - oh wow - how many?! Good thing you are here early!?) anyway - we buy the tickets nad then head out for lunch... then we go back to the theater. We were told with that many of us - we should get there at 2... so - we show up at 2 and there is already this huge line in the lobby. Now - these people are obviously in line for Happy Feet. The sign in the lobby just said "Please wait in Lobby" But - these people all formed a line. Dave - my own personal Raymond - decided that we should just wait in the lobby - but once the 'cord' is open - we can go down and enter the second entrance to the screen house and get seats that way. Now - most of us were giving him a hard time about not getting in line... he pointed out that it doesn't say to form a line - but to simply wait in the lobby... amazing to me... if I would have done this - someone (again - yes - like Darcie) would have given me a ton of crap about it - with good reason!? After all - they were there earlier than us - and they are wanting a good seat as well... but once that cord was down - they were all entering the tiny entrance - and Dave took off for the second entrance... it would be one thing if it was just two of us - but there was a dozen of us?! LOL?! We all followed Dave - our leader - whom we planned on blaming if anyone complained... but - no one did?! Not a one!? Hmph?! Apparently - everybody really DOES love "Raymond"!?
Anyway - then Sunday - we woke up to SNOW!!!! I am talking a LOT of snow... snowball fighting, snowman makin', slippin', slidin', several inches of snow! So - what did we do?! We had a BBQ of course! LOL! We really did... we had a family BBQ and enjoyed one last meal together before my sister and her family cautiously headed back home!
What a great weekend... we played games, talked, ate a LOT of food, laughed, sang, goofed off, and just enjoyed being all together. We had several moments of reminsicing and talking about the good ol' days... several serious conversations and deep meaningful discussions... several times to give thanks - to God... and out loud to each other! There is something so powerful in telling those we love - that we love them... and why! I don't know about you - but I am pretty good at talking with God about all that stuff - but I can forget to really get specific in telling my loved ones WHY I love them!
Since I am still fighting off this cold - I am not in the midst of decorating anything yet... but - I am sure by the weekend - I will be! I also have to finish up with my cards and start writing my Christmas Letter too... I went out and did a bit of Christmas shopping today too - so I think I am about halfway done now! My normal deadline is December 10th - but that includes everything - stocking stuffers, all the gifts, packages mailed, cards/letters out and the whole show! I am pretty sure I will make it this year even though I had such a late start!
So - I have not scrapped anything... been working on Christmas cards for now... and yes - I am STILL WAITING for photo's from our trip!?!?
Hope you are all well... Off to work on cards tonight!!!
Scrap Happy!
~Karrilee~
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Counting Blessings
Hey there... Yes - a Thanksgiving Post...
You all know how I LOVE Fall... and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday - it sets the tone and mood for me for the chaos that come sat us starting on Friday!?
So- in honor of the holiday - and also paying tribute to our Family Blessing Box... I wanted to encourage you all (especially the ones with younger kids!) to go out and buy a copy of "Counting Blessings" by Debby Boone (yes - THAT Debby Boone!). It is SUCH a great children's book and has such a great lesson in living a Thankful life! Seriously - find this book!
I will take a suggestion from the book and count my blessings A-Z!
A= Aggetts - every last one of them! I am so thankful for them!
B= Brian Regan! LOL! Seriously - I love this man! Besides, Laughter is good for your health!
C= Chatting with Online Friends/Bloggers/Bible study friends
D= Dave... this man amazes me every single day! I can't say enough about how good he is!
E= E-mail - it is how I stay connected to those I love who are far away (and who are close by!)
F= Friends - each one is a blessing in different ways!
G= God - the biggest and best blessing ever!
H= Home Business - Blessed Memories Scrapbooks - I love what I do and it is such a blessing to share my passion!
I= Integrity... to have it and to find it!
J= Joy - I am blessed with a joyful heart - and it IS good like medicine!
K= Kayelyn - among my Top Three! I adore her... even in these hormonal changing times!
L= Love - this is what we are called to do - everyday - all the time!
M= Make-overs - whether that means a new hairdo or a new Scrap Space... LOVE that kind of change!!!
N= New Scrap Supplies! What is better than a bag full of new scrap stuff?!
(Can life get better?! I submit that it cannot!)
O= Online Shopping!
(Yeah - I agree with Na - no lines, no stress, no crowds! PLUS - Presents arrive at your door!)
P= Prayer Meeting on Tuesdays... HUGE Blessings each week!
Q= Quiet Time - I love that I have time in the mornings or afternoons to simply sit and be quiet and listen and think and write and hear from God! What a blessing!
R= Right-standing (with God, first - and then with others in my life!) Praise God for forgivenenss and grace and Right standing!!!
S= Stone Church - it's nice to have a 'home' again!
T= Truth in Love... I love it when I discover truth - when I rely on it - and when it is shaerd in and with love!
U= Understanding & Compassion! again... to give it and find it! Priceless!
V= Victory over circumstances, obstacles, the enemy. All good!
W= The Word - Reading, Studying, and Feeding on the Bible blesses me in SO many ways!
X= Xylphones... ok - not really - but what would YOU have put?! LOL!? How about (since I am a fan of the 70's and 80's...) Xanadu! It's a real word - and it means "an idyllic, exotic, or luxurious place." I suppose my Xanadu would be the Beach! I LOVE the beach and am blessed to live in a place where we can visit often!!! It's not so exotic I guess - but idyllis and luxurious - oh yeah! That it is!
Y= You! Seriously - if you are reading this - you can know that I count you among my blessings!
Z= In the Zone - it doesn't matter what it is - but whatever you are doing and you hit that 'zone' where you know it is working and everything is flowing and things are going your way - gotta love being In the Zone!
So - there ya go... there are several things I could add for most of the letters - I encourage you to make your own list of Blessings from A-Z! Share it here or scrap it!
Either way - reflect and Give Thanks!
~Karrilee~
Monday, November 20, 2006
Photo's to go with Last Post!
Yes... I finally Crunched some photo's - so Blogger could HANDLE them...
so here ya go - photo's to match the last post!
Thanksgiving Tag/Place cards... Yummy!!! (Ya gotta Love Basic Grey!)
Newly Organized/Rearranged Scrap Area... Everything is all organized and put away... funny?! ...now I want to SCRAP!? I think I will be working on my Christmas Cards today!
Yeah, Baby! Kaye and I in our matching Boots!
Scrap Happy!
~Karrilee~
~Karrilee~
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Thanksgiving Tags+New Space+Boots=Happy Day!
Hey there...
Just a quick update of sorts... My Scrap Happy group - while it was SMALLER than usual - was fun and I was able to get a lot of my Thanksgiving Tags done! I finished them up yesterday after finally organizing (yes - again!?) my Scrap Area! I rearranged the Family Room to give myself more space... I am happy with it for now... although at least one wall is BEGGING... pleading, really - for some Rustic Red paint?! We'll see!? I did promise my dh when we moved in here that he could have the family room... I would decorate the rest of the house... but he could use dorm tape to put up posters and maps and whatever... however, at the time, who knew I would need that space?! LOL!? Anyway - I got inspired to make these Placecard/tags for Thanksgiving... we normally write out our blessings on plain paper and I scrapbook what they say... so this year I scraplifted a tag from CK I think and will use them on an actual layout!
So - finished project, reorganized crafting area, and NEW BOOTS... it's a happy day!
More soon... maybe I'll crunch some photo's too!? We'll see!?
~K~
Oh yeah - until then... because you KNOW if I didn't - Darcie would have:
These Boots are made for Walkin'
Nancy Sinatra
You keep saying you've got something for me.
something you call love, but confess.
You've been messin' where you shouldn't have been a messin'
and now someone else is gettin' all your best.
These boots are made for walking,
and that's just what they'll do
one of these days these boots
are gonna walk all over you.
You keep lying, when you oughta be truthin'
and you keep losin' when you oughta not bet.
ou keep samin' when you oughta be changin'.
Now what's right is right, but you ain't been right yet.
These boots are made for walking,
and that's just what they'll do
one of these days these boots
are gonna walk all over you.
You keep playin' where you shouldn't be playin
and you keep thinkin' that you´ll never get burnt.
Ha! I just found me a brand new box of matches yeah
and what he know you ain't HAD time to learn.
Are you ready boots? Start walkin'!
Just a quick update of sorts... My Scrap Happy group - while it was SMALLER than usual - was fun and I was able to get a lot of my Thanksgiving Tags done! I finished them up yesterday after finally organizing (yes - again!?) my Scrap Area! I rearranged the Family Room to give myself more space... I am happy with it for now... although at least one wall is BEGGING... pleading, really - for some Rustic Red paint?! We'll see!? I did promise my dh when we moved in here that he could have the family room... I would decorate the rest of the house... but he could use dorm tape to put up posters and maps and whatever... however, at the time, who knew I would need that space?! LOL!? Anyway - I got inspired to make these Placecard/tags for Thanksgiving... we normally write out our blessings on plain paper and I scrapbook what they say... so this year I scraplifted a tag from CK I think and will use them on an actual layout!
So - finished project, reorganized crafting area, and NEW BOOTS... it's a happy day!
More soon... maybe I'll crunch some photo's too!? We'll see!?
~K~
Oh yeah - until then... because you KNOW if I didn't - Darcie would have:
These Boots are made for Walkin'
Nancy Sinatra
You keep saying you've got something for me.
something you call love, but confess.
You've been messin' where you shouldn't have been a messin'
and now someone else is gettin' all your best.
These boots are made for walking,
and that's just what they'll do
one of these days these boots
are gonna walk all over you.
You keep lying, when you oughta be truthin'
and you keep losin' when you oughta not bet.
ou keep samin' when you oughta be changin'.
Now what's right is right, but you ain't been right yet.
These boots are made for walking,
and that's just what they'll do
one of these days these boots
are gonna walk all over you.
You keep playin' where you shouldn't be playin
and you keep thinkin' that you´ll never get burnt.
Ha! I just found me a brand new box of matches yeah
and what he know you ain't HAD time to learn.
Are you ready boots? Start walkin'!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Just Because... "betchya glad it wasn't you instead!"
OK... so (by NOW!) ya'll know at least two things about me...
I love Fall... and I can quote anything Brian Regan! LOL!
You gotta go check out his website... if you missed his latest performance on Letterman - you can watch it here:
http://www.brianregan.com/experience-av.html
I am getting ready for my Scrap Happy Group tonight... so - I will write more later...
Just think of this as a "Blank Inside" card...
ROFLMBO! (Seriously... click in that link!)
It's like buying a crease!
Scrap Happy!
~Karrilee~
~Karrilee~
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Random Snapshots...
Hey there...
Just a few random shots from the weekend...
Soon after we first arrived, we all piled into Marley's car to go to the Store to make a Snack run ...(and to get some dinner ingredients too!) Since I am - well - 'biggest' - I got to ride shot gun... so that meant Darcie, Robbin, and Janice had to squeeze into the back!
I can't say much about Janice - but that meant TWO East Valley girls in the backseat... which - I know?! - you would think they would know their way around back there... but they had some difficulty figuring out the whole seat belt deal!
Marley and I are all up in the front clicking away ("Clickity, click, click, click... it don't matter - you're in the BACK... Wait! Don't start the car... grab a ROPE or somethin'?!") LOL! FINALLY... they got it and it was all Thumbs up to begin the trip!
Whew?! So - Safeway was the destination just around the corner... Robbin was a good girl and just got the Ingredients for her famous Chicken Broccoli Fettucini... while the REST of us wandering all over the store picking up all SORTS of snacks... including ice cream, BOB, some teas and chips and salsa of course! Not that we ate even half of it all!? But - ya know - we were on vacation!
And here is Robbin and her gift...
She did get a chance to read through it while we all got ready for our shopping extravaganza... I'm hoping she's found some quiet time & a cup of coffee to sit back, & read through it all again!!!
Good times... good times!!!
~Karrilee~
Monday, November 13, 2006
Girl's Weekend Get-Away
Hey there...
So - yes - this was the view from our Beach House over the weekend!
Not too shabby, eh?! Living Large on vacation...
Well - this is the view from the inside out... and looking from the outside in... well...
Ya gotta love a Yellow Single Wide!
Ya gotta love a Yellow Single Wide!
OK...OK - that was not the house we stayed in... but it was CLOSE to the house we stayed in!
It helped our own little Double EE feel right at home so far away from her Trailer Park!
We had so much fun! We added two new gals this year... and that always sort of changes the feel and the flow of everything - but it was still so much fun! We left Yaki-Vegas on Thursday morning around 8ish... and we stopped off at North Bend (Outlet Malls) to shop a bit and grab a bite... although - Marley and I forgot to eat?! LOL!? Now... that is good shopping?!
Actually - Miss Darcie was scheduled to fly in and we had to leave right away to make the flight arrival on time! Marley did great... she's used to California driving... so I was not nervous at all! We pulled in to a parking spot at SeaTac when my cell phone rang... DarcEE was calling from the plane as they taxi'd on the runway! Perfect Timing! So - Marley and I get our fluorescent yellow sign that says, "LOOK WHO'S TURNING 40!!!" on it... I wanted to put something else on the back... (but her plane was ten minutes early!?
I was going to put:
"DUH - BULL
WHY - DUH"
But, sadly, we ran out of time!
We found Darcie and finally her luggage and we were off to find our house!
Let me just say - whenever I FINALLY get the photo's (Yes - we are back to THAT again!?)
I will have some more F-U-N-N-E-R stuff to scrap!!!
Anyway - we found the house... gorgeous... and we all got settled in! We ended up staying in that night... we ran to the grocery store and grabbed snacks and stuff for dinner! We had a nice dinner and played a game and watched a movie too! Lots of visiting and goofing off!
Friday was our marathon shopping day! I am talking an ALL DAY EVENT!?
Now - I enjoy a good amount of shopping... I can go for a few hours or more...
but it was getting borderline ridiculous! LOL!
We left the house at 10 a.m. to go to ("OPEN! OPEN! OPEN!") Mervyn's!
This is one of - if not the one - Favorite store of Robbin's... and since they are all closing in WA and OR - we were thinking they would be having some serious close out clearance prices!
Wrong?! Only 30% off... the whole store - but still - their usual sale prices are better than that!?
I did wander off to JC Penny's and found racks and racks of things for $2.97!!! Woot! That is so awesome!!! I got some great layering stuff for Christmas gifts for my daughter and niece!!!
After our time at that mall... we decided to head over to the SUPER MALL...
we grabbed lunch super fast and then resumed our shopping again!
We were there for HOURS and HOURS... we would split up & set a time to meet together again, only to show up and find that some had called in to say that they were not done yet...
it was crazy! We found some great deals and had fun... but by the time we were all together,
we were exhausted and really not wanting to go OUT for dinner on our tired feet!
So - instead, we grabbed dinner to go and headed home to change into our Jammies and relax!
Yes - it was me... I had the bright idea of all rolling up our jammy pants
and soaking our tired feet in the jacuzzi tub...
if we set up all our bags around the tub,
I thought that would be a really cute photo!
Well - we did take pictures in the Living room with our bags all around us!
(and by we - I don't mean ME?! LOL!? So - yes - again - my camera was not used for much of the weekend - so I am waiting for someone else to upload?! ...again!?)
After that - we ran water for the tub and all went in to soak our feet.
I was the last one in... and somehow - the STAIRS were being blocked... so I had to step up onto the surrounding tile and then step down into the tub. Now - yes - I did actually think in my brain that I should ask Robbin to move over the other way, so I could STEP DOWN into the tub... but - for some reason!? - I did not... thus taking a mix of a large step and a jump down into a bubble bath... with slippery soapy water! Yeah... whatever?!
Yeah - if I had the picture, I would post it... (maybe... don't get any ideas Darcie!)
It looks as if I am partaking in some strange Sleep Over Baptism Ritual!
LOL! So yes... I slipped - and I fell... which was the beginning of the water fight!
I will point out that our own sensitive compassionate
Miss Beeler did not ask if I was ok - but kept asking,
"Did you get that?! Did you GET that?!"
After or during the water fight... someone (I wonder who!?) got out the black silly string!
Not the BRIGHTEST idea to use in a jetted jacuzzi tub?! But hey... it all worked out in the end!
We all needed to change our clothes and dry our PJs... we ended up watching a Stand-Up comedian (NOT as funny as Brian!) and talking until late (again!)
Saturday morning we all packed up and got ready to check out of the house!
We did have a short time of prayer together... I really felt like that was something that God has asked of me over the weekend... we all used to go to a Home Group together - so it wasn't too strange to suggest it... but it had been awhile since we had all prayed together! It was actually a really cool way to wrap up the weekend I think!
We had a Starbuck's before we hit the road home... Darcie and her friend Kim took off from there! I trust you made it home Darcie... I am assuming the flight and the house were both not too bad - or we would have had an update by now! LOL!
I stopped off again at North Bend on the way home...
(We couldn't go home with money left over... it just seemed wrong somehow?!)
I found a Vest!!! Yeah! I am still in the club!
(All the girls bought vests but me at the Super Mall I think!?)
Anyway - this week I have my Scrap Happy Link...
I will work up my design for the Thanksgiving Table Place cards/tags
that will also go into our Family Blessing Box
(or they will be scrapped! LOL! That is most likely!)
Plus... there are ALWAYS Christmas cards to make!
(Unless I take the Na route and just upload a photo
and have them mass-printed at Stuff-Mart for $0.19 a piece! LOL!)
Oh yes - and to top all of that off... I am reorganizing my Scrap area...
turns out it is in the wrong corner of my Family room,
so when I want that 'background noise' on - I can't actually watch the TV if I wanted to...
so I am hoping to not only reorganize it and put it all away...
but also to move it from one side of the room to the other...
all that - AND - my dd has 1/2 days all week! OH JOY!
We did have her Teacher Conference today... she is getting mostly A's - a couple of B's
Her teachers all - of course - adore her!
Who doesn't, really!? She's a great kid!
So - after a GREAT weekend away... I am back to a busy hectic schedule!
Oh - and I have been chatting with a potential new client.. has LOTS of photo's...
which means a fun big project to work on!
Anyway - Thanks for loaning us Miss Double Wide (DUH-BULL WHY-DUH!)
"WHO KED ON PUH HON ICKS WOR KED FO MAY!"
Scrap Happy!
~Karrilee~
~Karrilee~
Sunday, November 12, 2006
The Secret Project... Revealed!
Hey there...
Well - I will
update on our weekend 
hopefully tomorrow... but here is the Secret Project revealed...Over the weekend, I gave Robbin her Lunchbox Album and she loved it!!! She read through all the files... each one from a friend or family member who filled out a questionnaire telling her how wonderful she is! LOL! Who doesn't need a box like this?! Having a hard day? Get out your box and read about how cool you are! Feeling lonely or sad? Read through a few files and remember how loved and blessed you really are! This reminds me of our family Blessing Box... that is where the concept came from really! In fact, for my Scrap Happy group this week - I am actually READING that children's story (Counting Blessings by Debby Boone) and showing them my Thanksgiving Place cards/tags for this year!!! Anyway - more to come soon...
Signed, the REAL Splash!
Scrap Happy!
~Karri~
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Short & Sweet...
LOL! OK - well - you KNOW it's prolly not gonna be 'short' or 'sweet'... well?! Maybe sweet!? Although I have yet to have any COFFEE today?! (Yep - been too busy?!)
So - since I have been leaving a wee bit o' smack on OTHER blogs... I figured I should update my own before I head out of town...
There is not much to update on... my life is fairly routine... (One of the MANY MANY - {countless, really!} reasons why I love FALL! After an unpredictable free for all fun Summer... Fall and all it's routine and schedule is a welcomed change!) Let's see.. Yes - I did give away my Boxen of Cards (12 - that is!) ... I thought my friend was going to cry she was so surprised and loved them so much! See... I had sent her one last week and the next day when I saw her she mentioned that she could use maybe about 12 or so... she was just joking but I had been praying about a way I could bless her. My budget and her budget are - well - non-comparable - so I wanted to DO something for her... but we are new friends and I don't know too much about her outside of our meetings... so when she joked about the card order... well - THAT I can do!!! I used to sell cards... but they didn't sell for very much and so I stopped trying to promote that aspect of the business! Maybe - after seeing her reaction - I should open that 'dept.' up again!? Hmmm?! Well - I would post pictures of the cards... but - ya know - Blogger is free and yes, Na, I know - we get what we pay for!?
Speaking of business... I am considering offering Workshops... I would put together some Kits and open up my home (or somewhere) and teach a workshop to complete layouts or tags or cards... much like normal lss make-n-takes... I haven't really taught classes before - but I know I could... most of the gals that are coming to my Scrap Happy group are new... and - well - you know - having a kit with precut items and step by step instructions would have been a DREAM when we were first starting!!! I am looking at focusing on Kids for the Holidays... offering two or three different dates to sign up for to pay for the kit and class time to complete the project. That way they could make something to give the parents, siblings, friends, or grandparents for Christmas!? I am also working on a business letter to send out to various local businesses... I have not done a lot of local advertising... and we are feeling like now is the time for that!
I am also working on a Links Page for my website... I am in need of updating... I have to explain to my WebMaster that Scrapbooking is like Fashion... so I need to have the most current layouts on the cover or up at the top... I am getting a great deal and so I can't really be pushy with him... plus they were running a campaign for their local State District Rep... but - Election Day was yesterday - so that should be winding down for him. Anyway - if you all have a website that you would like to exchange links for that would be grand! Just let me know!
So - my weekend officially starts TOMORROW!!!! Yes - our Girls Get Away weekend... Thursday through Saturday... it's gonna be GREAT!!! AND... (bonus!) I will have something to Scrap when I get back!!! LOL!
Scrap On Ladies!
~Karri~
So - since I have been leaving a wee bit o' smack on OTHER blogs... I figured I should update my own before I head out of town...
There is not much to update on... my life is fairly routine... (One of the MANY MANY - {countless, really!} reasons why I love FALL! After an unpredictable free for all fun Summer... Fall and all it's routine and schedule is a welcomed change!) Let's see.. Yes - I did give away my Boxen of Cards (12 - that is!) ... I thought my friend was going to cry she was so surprised and loved them so much! See... I had sent her one last week and the next day when I saw her she mentioned that she could use maybe about 12 or so... she was just joking but I had been praying about a way I could bless her. My budget and her budget are - well - non-comparable - so I wanted to DO something for her... but we are new friends and I don't know too much about her outside of our meetings... so when she joked about the card order... well - THAT I can do!!! I used to sell cards... but they didn't sell for very much and so I stopped trying to promote that aspect of the business! Maybe - after seeing her reaction - I should open that 'dept.' up again!? Hmmm?! Well - I would post pictures of the cards... but - ya know - Blogger is free and yes, Na, I know - we get what we pay for!?
Speaking of business... I am considering offering Workshops... I would put together some Kits and open up my home (or somewhere) and teach a workshop to complete layouts or tags or cards... much like normal lss make-n-takes... I haven't really taught classes before - but I know I could... most of the gals that are coming to my Scrap Happy group are new... and - well - you know - having a kit with precut items and step by step instructions would have been a DREAM when we were first starting!!! I am looking at focusing on Kids for the Holidays... offering two or three different dates to sign up for to pay for the kit and class time to complete the project. That way they could make something to give the parents, siblings, friends, or grandparents for Christmas!? I am also working on a business letter to send out to various local businesses... I have not done a lot of local advertising... and we are feeling like now is the time for that!
I am also working on a Links Page for my website... I am in need of updating... I have to explain to my WebMaster that Scrapbooking is like Fashion... so I need to have the most current layouts on the cover or up at the top... I am getting a great deal and so I can't really be pushy with him... plus they were running a campaign for their local State District Rep... but - Election Day was yesterday - so that should be winding down for him. Anyway - if you all have a website that you would like to exchange links for that would be grand! Just let me know!
So - my weekend officially starts TOMORROW!!!! Yes - our Girls Get Away weekend... Thursday through Saturday... it's gonna be GREAT!!! AND... (bonus!) I will have something to Scrap when I get back!!! LOL!
Scrap On Ladies!
~Karri~
Monday, November 06, 2006
Girlfriend Getaway!!!
Yes!!!
The Countdown has begun... we are closing in on a mere 2 days until our
ritual Girlfriend Getaway! I have a group of Girlfriends that have sort
of made a pact... whenever one of us enters a new decade... we celebrate
by taking a Girl's Getaway mini-vacation!
One of us is entering a new decade... and who didn't LOVE the 40's!? LOL!?
OK - well - she is going to be 40... so I guess that would mean that we love
the 60's... and, well - we all know the 60's was FULL of love!
Anyway - yes - I have finished the "Secret Project"... after all of my talk
about it, it will be almost anti-climactic - but I will post some pix next
week (after she has actually received the gift!) I did however also work on
- what else?! - more Fall cards?! A friend of mine (who I mailed one of
last weeks' cards to) joked about needing about a dozen! So - I am planning
on surprising her tomorrow and dropping off 12 blank Fall Cards! They
turned out pretty good and I had so much fun! I haven't made a bunch of
cards for quite awhile... and I know I should be working on my Christmas
cards right now... but - well - you know... I LOVE FALL!!!
After I return from my little trip - well - you know I will have some photo's
to scrap and I will have to work on my Place Card/Tags for my Thanksgiving
table... and THEN I will get to those Christmas cards!
Hope you are all well... we had SNOW last week... SNOW, people?! Sure - it only
lasted for a few minutes... and OK - well - it IS November but you know how
much I love Fall - and I love Fall to LAST for longer than a few weeks?!?!??
Especially for the next few days of travel!
Anyway - Scrap Happy...
Until next time,
~Karrilee~
P.S. Yeah - whatever... I WAS going to upload photo's
... maybe tomorrow!?
The Countdown has begun... we are closing in on a mere 2 days until our
ritual Girlfriend Getaway! I have a group of Girlfriends that have sort
of made a pact... whenever one of us enters a new decade... we celebrate
by taking a Girl's Getaway mini-vacation!
One of us is entering a new decade... and who didn't LOVE the 40's!? LOL!?
OK - well - she is going to be 40... so I guess that would mean that we love
the 60's... and, well - we all know the 60's was FULL of love!
Anyway - yes - I have finished the "Secret Project"... after all of my talk
about it, it will be almost anti-climactic - but I will post some pix next
week (after she has actually received the gift!) I did however also work on
- what else?! - more Fall cards?! A friend of mine (who I mailed one of
last weeks' cards to) joked about needing about a dozen! So - I am planning
on surprising her tomorrow and dropping off 12 blank Fall Cards! They
turned out pretty good and I had so much fun! I haven't made a bunch of
cards for quite awhile... and I know I should be working on my Christmas
cards right now... but - well - you know... I LOVE FALL!!!
After I return from my little trip - well - you know I will have some photo's
to scrap and I will have to work on my Place Card/Tags for my Thanksgiving
table... and THEN I will get to those Christmas cards!
Hope you are all well... we had SNOW last week... SNOW, people?! Sure - it only
lasted for a few minutes... and OK - well - it IS November but you know how
much I love Fall - and I love Fall to LAST for longer than a few weeks?!?!??
Especially for the next few days of travel!
Anyway - Scrap Happy...
Until next time,
~Karrilee~
P.S. Yeah - whatever... I WAS going to upload photo's
... maybe tomorrow!?
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Using Favorite Quote...Digi-Style!
OK, well - yes... I admit it! Corinna's super cute succesful attempts at DigiTAL scrapbooking (your welcome, Na!) inspired me to play around a bit! This is my first attempt at Digi-Style scrapping as well!
I found these adorable papers and coordinating fun stuff at Shabby Princess... you can check it out and download the free kit (Dinner Party) at: http://www.shabbyprincess.com/
Now - I am oober-NEW to this - but this site looks like SO MUCH F-U-N!!! (Have at it Corrina!)
So - what are you all working on this week!? Have you included any quotes to your projects?!
Hope you are having a Scrap Happy Week!
Blessings,
~Karrilee~
Monday, October 30, 2006
What's your Favorite Quote?
“I cannot endure to waste anything
as precious as autumn sunshine
by staying in the house.
So I spend almost all the daylight
hours in the open air.”
~ Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hey there...
Hey... Don't you just love that quote!? I LOVE Fall! I suppose it is the combination of routine and schedule and colors and textures in abundance... I love the cooler crisp mornings and the yummy homey scented candles... Yes - I know you have heard it before here... but I truly do enjoy Autumn!
Anyway - it was a crazy busy week last week... but it was all good and I had so much fun working on 'secret projects' and making cards and spending some 'down time' with my family! (Busy - with down time?! Yes - we have to schedule it in these days... but I highly recommend it!?)
So... my last question was not exactly answered... (What do you listen to while you Scrap!?) For me... my Scrap area is in our Family Room and I normally work on project in the afternoon while the hubby is at work and kiddo is away at school... so I often will scrap with a great chick flick movie on in the background... sometimes I will play some tunes... I have this Jack Johnson DVD but it only has a few songs... I am listening to a lot of Chris Tomlin right now (new CD, ya know?!) and I also love the soundtrack to 13 Going on 30... LOL! Hey?! Who doesn't love the 80's?! It is very happy music that helps me to feel energetic and creative!
Last weekend we had THREE (Count them - 3!) birthday parties to go to... one was for my daughters' best friend... so we just dropped her off for that one and went on to a surprise party for a good friend... he is turning 50! (Oh yes - favorite quote of the week... "He's as old as Yahtzee!") That was super fun... he had no idea... we got to visit with a lot of old friends from previous church circles... it was great! From there... we met back up with our daughter and the other birthday family to go to the THIRD party... another surprise party! It was for our Pastor - who also turned 50! The theme was the 50's so there were PLENTY of poodle skirts and doo-wap music goin' on... lots of Elvis and Fonzi's too! Jon was totally surprised and stunned... then at the end, several friends pitched in and we all raised money to buy him something he has wanted to about 20 years! We were able to raise enough funds to buy him the top of the line Harley Davidson!!! It is tricked OUT... I think his wife will even go on long road trips with him now! Too fun! He was literally speechless... which - many of you know - is not easy to do to a Pastor?! LOL!? Good times, ...good times!
My daughter has her first Choir performance this week... can't wait! I am not even sure what they are singing - I think it is all patriotic songs?! (?!!? In November?! Veteran's day I am guessing!?) I need to bake some brunch-like snacks for a group this week... (Recipe queens?! Any ideas for quick, easy brunch snacks?!) I was supposed tog o see Baby John John today... but it is not going to work out... maybe later in the week!? We'll see?! (Must.... Hold... New... Baby!?!?!?!?!!!)
We are now counting down our Girls Weekend Trip... just 10 days away!!!?!!? Can't WAIT!!!?!
So... my Question this week is based on Quotes! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Quotes... I love famous quotes - I love personal family sayings and quotes... I love quotes from song lyrics or movies or books?! My favorites are always changing from week to week it seems... but lately - for the past several weeks - one of my favorites is this:
“Life is not measured by
the number of breaths we take,
But by the moments that
take our breath away!”
~Unknown
I simply LOVE that quote... how true it is!!! As a scrapbooker - we can get caught up in the 'moments' that we document - but it is in those moments that take our breath away (with or without that camera in our hands!) that truly measure the life we live!
So - I encourage you to share some of your recent/current favorite quotes and consider including them in a scrapbook page or project that you are working on now!
Until next time,
Scrap On!
~Karrilee~
~Karrilee~
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