This Little Piggy had a Melt-Down, and this Little Piggy went to Middle School, and this Little Piggy cried all the way home...

OK... so... Yes - that was a LONG (some'in some'in) Title... but it is ALL true?! LOL?!

So - last night - I mentioned in passing to my daughter that her Aunt and Uncle just bought a little Piggy... OK - now - let me just say that I KNEW she would not be HAPPY about their plans for it... but I thought she would just be a bit bewildered... maybe even disgusted - and leave it at that?! I know?! What was I THINKING?! The girl has read Charlotte's Web and all that... she even - as she so hysterically reminded me - bought a new adorable Beanie Baby Piggy while on vacation this summer... however, what I did NOT expect was my "little piggy" having a total and complete meltdown!? No joke... I am talking lying on the floor in a fetal position, hysterically crying?! You think I am exaggerating - oh - but I am not!?!?!? Sure... I like Pigs as much as the next guy... I mean - they are cute and I know SOME people have them for pets... I'm not a huge Pork lover... and I can say that I would not really want to 'own' a pig only to slaughter it in the winter... but?! I did not foresee this reaction!? Not in the least!? The poor thing cried inconsolably for nearly an HOUR?! AN HOUR, Ladies?! Her poor Father was beside himself in confusion... Sigh...?! Yes - I know - I figured out later that it was not just all about the Pig... it was also hormonal... and nerves due to school starting soon and Orientation today... still... ?! Oh my?! I won't even TELL her that they plan on butchering it themselves?! Yuck!? She is now on a "Hoot" Crusade to SAVE THE PIGGY!!! (Good luck with that?!)

So - that brings us to "Piggy # 2"... same child... going to Middle School?! So I said here a few days ago that I gave her the choice of having Mom come along to Orientation or not... at the time she said she didn't really care either way... So - I was sort of planning on going... just thought it would help me to know where she is and what she'll be doing... and it would give me a chance to meet her teachers and all that... but - then again - I remembered back to when I was entering what was then called "Junior High" in 7th grade rather than 6th... Anyway - I digress... I was thinking of when I was starting a new school and how nervous I was... but I would have DIED if my MOM wanted to come to school WITH me... I mean - that is just a really good threat for when they are misbehaving... not just because I want to go along... So - I thought I had better SAVE that threat for later use - if necessary! LOL! I had talked with her again last night and said I wasn't sure - if it looked like other Mom's were going to - I would kinda like to go... but if not - I understood and would just drop her off! Well - this morning - while I was getting ready - she casually asked where I was going and what I would be doing when she was at school!? Hmmm!? OK!? I guess she has changed her mind from 'not caring' to not wanting Mom alongside her... I'll give her that... I helped her to CURL her new Layers and she stressed over what to wear... and yes - that IS a bottle of Tums in her hands... Finally - with minutes to spare (tee hee!) ...we are in the car and on our way to Middle School! I told her then that I would not get my feelings hurt if she would rather not have me there... that I would have not liked having my Mom come with me... but then again - my Mom wasn't NEARLY as cool as I am! LOL! (Smart girlie... she DIDN'T laugh at that one!) So - we pull up and I see all kinds of Mom's walking in with their kids - but MY kid said, "You can just drop me off up there..." Sigh?!

(Yep... here comes "Piggy #3") Well - I DID give her the option... and I have to respect her courage and boldness. My little timid, shy girl is growing up and so I dropped her off at an unknown school - where I know none of the staff or where anything is... I can't check up on her or back her up... I won't know exactly who is in her pack or who her new friends are... or what her teachers are like from that first impression BEFORE they know who my kid is... I pulled out of the crazy-(some'in some'in)-Mr. Mom-"Enter from the NORTH/Exit from the South, you moron!"-Parking lot and headed home... surprised to find myself a wee bit forlorn and teary eyed?! Hey!? What happened to that "Woo-HOO!!! BACK TO SCHOOL!!!" Chant?! I guess it just officially brings an end to her Elementary school years... and officially dawns the new days of Teen Drama, Hysterical Outbursts of Emotion, and yes - Independence!?!?! Hmmm.. maybe I SHOULD have had another kid?! (Just kidding... but I do see now why people have more than one?! LOL!)

So - now - I have just returned from picking her up... we have a friend here and they are watching a movie... and Oh MY - you should have SEEN the way they walked those halls like they owned them ALREADY?! ...OK - put to rest my fears... my Little Piggy is going to be JUST FINE!!!

Scrap On!
~Karri~

Back to School Clothes... & the Money Shot!!!

Hey there...

Just a couple of fun pictures from our trip last week... we had so much fun!!!

Tomorrow is Orientation at Middle School... I asked and my dd said she didn't care if I stayed... LOL! I would hate to embarrass her... I told her I would just sort of play it by ear and see what the OTHER Mom's are doing?! She is so much like her Daddy that I believe that she truly wouldn't care one way or the other... no matter if I was the ONLY Mom or not... still... I will pray and follow accordingly!

Anyway - we got our hair cut today... mine is just trimmed with maybe a couple more layers... but the older I get the curlier my hair is?! What is that all about?! I just decided not to fight it anymore - so - most of the time - you can't really TELL I have layers - but at least I am not looking (much) like Roseanna Roseannadanna! My dd also got a trim and layers... which is Huge for her... but Bonnie quickly put her hair in french braids so we can't really TELL how the layers look yet... our Stylist ALWAYS braids Kaye's hair... it's so thick - I think she just has fun playing with it! I was thinking of getting my brows done... maybe next time... I also thought of offering Kaye to get a streak or two put in... but thought her Daddy would have a COW... so - we just got trims and layers... boring?! Oh well... at least the dead ends are gone!!! That's a start!


So - the fun pictures of our trip - yes... the Money Shot of our Jumping on the Bed Scandal... and a few of all her Scores!!! The girl is SET... (of course - I am so bad... I am still wanting to get her some new Clogs... a denim mini skirt... leggings if I can talk her into them... and she'll need some GYM SHORTS for P.E.!?) But - other than THAT stuff... she is SET! LOL! (If you know her Daddy - you know that is where I got that phrase... he ALWAYS thinks that she is "SET"... doesn't matter what fits or doesn't or what is worn out... he is not High Fashion! LOL! Oh - don't worry - I took WAY more than just this... but - unlike SOME people - I figured you all may not be interested in looking through 122 pictures taken in one day?! tee hee?!

OK - I am off to edit photo's for eBay... yes - it is back to school and Back to WORK time!!!
Happy Scrapping!
~Karrilee~

Mother/Daughter Trip... Dr. Dobson ROCKS!!!

Yes, it's true... Dr. Dobson DOES ROCK!!! (and yes... so do I! LOL! Just ask my kid!)

I went away with my 11 year old daughter on a Mother/Daughter Trip for 4 days...

"Our" Plan was to get out of town... listen to Dr. Dobson's "Preparing for Adolescence" CD's... stay in a hotel and go swimming, hot tubbing, (cable TV)... and - of course - School Clothes Shopping in a bigger city than where we live!!!

MY Plan... to be able to have some serious conversations about what I went through as a teenager... values I was - and WASN'T - raised with... honestly talk with my daughter about how I was raised and what things I want to do differently with her... pray together, not to mention laugh A LOT, have fun, oh yes - and SHOP!!!)

um... HER Plans - I think pretty much - SWIM and SHOP...

In the end - we were all - er - um - both (...whatever!?) - all of our goals were met! We had SO MUCH fun!!!

Before we left town - a couple of days before - I had Kaye listen to a couple of the CDs with me at home... and after each CD I would have her write something down in a private journal... I just wanted her to have something to look back on and jog her memory or answer questions... so as she listened to the CDs she would stop and ask what a word meant and write it down in her journal... and when each one was finished - she would write a little something down... that was my plan for each CD!

We left town on Wednesday morning... headed just about an hour and a half away... it was a good road trip - and for the first time I let her sit in the front seat... as much as we didn't need "Eye Contact" for the CD that I had cued up (CD #4! LOL!)... I did want her to be able to stop the CD if she had any questions or wanted to talk about anything... Anyway - already - she was feeling pretty grown up and cool! You have to know - I just started letting her sit in the front seat IN TOWN a few weeks ago!? We have air bags and I just thought she was too small... but she is almost 100 pounds and I think the requirement is 90 pounds!? I can't remember - but I know that she is as big as many teens and adults... she is getting taller it seems by the minute... We listened to the CD and she handled it well! We of course - have talked with her about sex and all that stuff since she was really young... she has many books on the changes her body is going through and so she has a handle on that... but to have Dr. Dobson talk so clearly and plainly about what happens to the male and female body and how it all works... and then how well he explains how important it is to save this until marriage... it simply reiterated what we have been telling her all the while!!! He also touched on the Big M issue... I thought he did great and I agree with his view of that... when we arrived at the Mall, we had just finished CD #4... I wanted her to write something down as we had been doing - but I knew she would probably need some time to write her thoughts and process... I also knew that much of what the CDs addressed - she hadn't even been necessarily curious about yet - but I wanted her to have the TRUTH before entering Middle School and hearing things that are not right... when I asked if she wanted to write something down before we went in to the Mall... she said, "No - I already knew all of that stuff!" (WHAT?!!?) I said, "Um - ALL of it?!" She said, "Yes - we saw that movie at school!" ...um!? Hello!? I said, "Well - that movie was supposed to just talk about your body changes - it didn't cover the boys body changes, and it didn't cover exactly how Sex works... and I am SURE it didn't talk about Masturbation!?" (Right!...) She was like, "Oh - yeah - I didn't know that stuff... (long pause...) ... but I already knew what I needed to for right now!" (Oh - she is BRILLIANT, this one! LOL!) So - she jotted down a few things real fast and was ready for lunch - and SHOPPING!!!

We went to Columbia Center... (well - ok - FIRST I wanted to find our Hotel which was not too far away from the Mall... I thought I was so prepared because I had printed out all these directions to and from the Mall and the hotel and the restaurants we were going to... well - turns out - MapQuest happened to completely simply just MAKE UP a WHOLE ROAD that doesn't exist?! So - FINALLY - after driving back and forth and finding out own private U-turn spot... we found the hotel and found our way back to the Mall... and THEN we went shopping! Her favorite stores?! Rave, Rave Girls, Old Navy, Macy's, JC Penny's, Sears... and yes - and don't forget CLAIRE'S?! Mommy just wanted to find Barnes and Nobles and get a STARBUCK's!!!? Turns out - forgetting (yes - !??!!? FORGETTING!?) to have coffee for three days can turn into one Helluva Big Ass Headache?!?!?! Which - in turn - makes Mommy cranky in Claire's... and needing a Nappy at the Hotel!!! Kaye was a trooper... and we quickly wrapped it up and found our hotel - without getting lost - and checked in to our room. Praise GOD it has cable and she was happy watching the Suite Life of Zach and Cody while I 'rested' on the bed...

I began to feel a bit better and we noticed that our 'neighbors' were SUPER SUPER Loud! At first we thought it was a TV that was too loud - then we realized it was someone on a cell or phone and others just talking and laughing... we started making jokes about how LOUD our NEIGHBORS are... (talking rather loudly ourselves...) So - when my migraine began to lighten up... I remember reading Elsie Flannigan's Blog and seeing super cute pictures of her and some friends jumping on the bed in their hotel room... so... yep - I did it... well - I let HER do it... I took a TON of pictures of her jumping all over our bed... then she saw that some of our snacks (aka CANDY- began to fall our of the box - she decided a CANDY BEDSPREAD would be fun to jump on... anyway - in all honesty - the bed Jumping Photo Shoot lasted maybe 5-10 minutes tops... then I became a Mom again and made her stop... after all - my headache wasn't COMPLETELY gone... and we did have 'neighbors' below us who were NOT loud...

We changed our clothes and got ready to go out for dinner... to the Olive Garden! YUM!!! She was so excited... that girl - she would have happily just had Bread Sticks.. LOL! So easy to please?! We had a great dinner... our Waiter was named something crazy like Franco-Antonio and he could not have BEEN more Italian! LOL! Accent and all... made the whole experience better! LOL! We ate a yummy dinner - and had great conversation and just too much fun! When we got back to our hotel... literally - WHEN we got back - like - I am talking SECONDS after entering our room... the Hotel Phone rang... Kaye was so excited she grabbed it and it was a gal from the Front Desk calling to say that they had complaints about noise... slamming doors, screaming, laughing, jumping... Kaye looked so scared... LOL! She whispered to me what was said and I told her to tell the gal that we literally JUST got back from dinner... and we have been gone!?!? So she told the gal and the lady just said, "OK - well - if you hear anything just let us know!?" and she hung up! Hmmm?! Strange?! We hadn't been home for even a minute and they are saying that we are being to loud?! Whatever?! Then - about a minute later, "Mark" from the Front Desk called and I answered it... he asked for me by name and I identified myself... he was like, "Well - we are getting complaints that it is too loud up there... some jumping or slamming doors or something!?" I was so mad... I said, "Well - Mark - we literally just walked into our room about one minute ago and we've been gone to dinner for over an hour..." He was like, "Oh - OK - well I don't know if you have kids with you..." I said, it is just my daughter and I and we have not been slamming doors or being loud... we just got here!" So - he is like, "OK - well - we are RIGHT BELOW your room, and we heard some noise and just wanted to let you be aware that we are right below you..." I can't even remember how I ended the conversation -but I remember as I hung up thinking I should have complained about our loud neighbors - maybe it was THEM... but then I realized - (Remember - I had a MIGRAINE when we checked in...) we HAD no neighbors... it was a balcony that overlooked the Lobby and Front Desk area... hmmm... THEN I remembered the BED JUMPING... hmmm?! LOL!? OK - maybe they meant that EARLIER they heard noise?! Too funny?! So - the rest of the night we laughed and giggled about making too much noise... the thing is - I couldn't really care too much if they heard us - because WE heard THEM and thought that they were right next door to us... Later we 'snuck' down to the Pool and Hot Tub and - thanks to it being mid-week - we had it all to ourselves!!! Sweet! We swam and goofed off - quietly! - for a couple of hours...

Thursday we slept in a bit... enjoyed an awesome free breakfast... (made up for the "Noise!") After Breakfast, we spent some time in our room talking about growing up - what I went through as a Teen... things I want to do differently with her... values that I have now that I didn't then... we prayed together and God gave me a Psalm that I felt He said to have her write out and memorize... it is a Psalm that He said she would turn to and cling to in the years ahead... it will help her through difficult times and will encourage her to make Godly choices and decisions! THAT was so cool! She loved that part!!! Finally, we packed up and checked out of our hotel around noon! We went back to the Mall... and did a bit more shopping there... and then listened to another Dobson CD while we headed to Walla Walla to visit my sister and her family! We got to their house and my Niece showed up soon after... she took my daughter with her to show Kaye her new apartment that was just a block away... and then she took her to a thrift store and taught her the value and art of Thrift Store Bargain hunting... we all went out to dinner after that... Applebees has what they call the "Perfect Margarita"... um - oh yeah... they are right! Hadn't ordered a drink at a restaurant for maybe a decade?! LOL!? Every once in awhile I will have a glass of wine or a wine cooler at home... anyway - it was yummy... we visited for hours that night before going to bed!

Friday we had the house to ourselves as my sister and her dh went to work!!! We relaxed and listened to another CD on our own... we goofed off downtown and went to the Restaurant to meet up with my sister... then up to the Bumble Abode - a vacation rental they manage - for a few before meeting up with Karianna - my niece - again and going shopping some more! We went to about two or three more Thrift Stores - and then on to the Mall there... In the evening we ended up hanging out at Karianna's new apartment... they painted her living room a great color of GREEN... like - not quite Kelly Green... close - but cooler! ...and the Kitchen is PINK and GRAY! Too cute!!! We had a great Greek Pizza and just chilled there...

Saturday we were able to hang out with the fam' a bit more before heading home and listening to the last 2 CD's... We were happy to get home... to see Dave again and reconnect as a family... (Plus she got to show off ALL of her NEW CLOTHES... LOL!)

All in all - it was a GREAT trip - one she will remember not only because of the info she got... and the support she knows she has in me now... but also just because of all the fun we had and inside jokes we now share!!! God is good... and I trust that He will seal and keep all that He planted in Kaye over these last few days!!!

Now... I just have to upload and order those Pictures to SCRAPBOOK!!! LOL! (and yes... I am STILL waiting for Darcie to upload!?!?!?) LOL! I had plans of taking a picture of all her clothes and posting it with this update... but - somehow - she is STILL sleeping?!!?! Oh MY?! I should be doing better at getting her ready for School Mornings... tomorrow... I am sure I will wake her up early TOMORROW!?!?! LOL!? So - as far as the picture goes... I may add it later today?! We'll see?!

Scrap On, Ladies!
~Karrilee~

Photo's?! Maybe...

Hey.... whaddya know?!

PICTURES?!

LOL!?

OK - NOW I am off...

Scrap On!
~Karrilee~

I ROCK... that's right... I said it...

Yep - I have had a GREAT day...

I Rock... even Corinna says so... so - ya know - it must be true!? LOL! Anyway - we had a rough night last night... my little one could not sleep... had a headache and a tummy ache and was just wide (I mean WIDE) awake... I could see her brain working overtime - but she was not wanting to talk about what was worrying her or where her thoughts were going... I am guessing that after an evening of playing at a friends house for his birthday party - she was once again reminded that she will have NO Classes with these friends. Up until last night - she literally knew NO ONE in her "Pack" Anyway - I am thinking that may have been what was causing her distress... Anyway - what that meant for me - the Mom... AND the Light Sleeper... was literally every 30 - 40 minutes - I got up - out of bed... and went down the hall to check on her... to sit with her - to pray - to get her a drink... whatever was needed... by about the eleven-teenth time I was fighting being cranky with her... but I managed to not let it show... I finally fell completely asleep at about 5a.m. However, she never actually did fall asleep - and so by 6 a.m. she was talking in complete sentences to me... wide awake and wanting to know when I was getting up?!!? (... remember - no sleep and no coffee yet - and STILL I didn't think or say any bad words! LOL!)

Anyway - finally she crawled into bed with me at 6:45... while she went on to fall asleep soundly - I realized that once again - my little one has stolen the covers, and the pillows, and is pushing me off my own bed?! So... I arise! I had a meeting at 9a.m. and ended up leaving her home to sleep... my Mom lives right next door and she was planning on checking in on her for me in a bit... I had a good meeting and then called home to let my daughter know I would be swinging by the grocery store unless she needed me... nope - she was fine... feeling rested and all better too (praise the LORD!)... So - I grocery shopped in record time - all the while shopping for my Honey - as I am leaving town tomorrow and won't return until Saturday or so... I bought him all his fav's and came home - put things away... managed to do some laundry, clean the house, do the dishes, fix lunch and listen to one of our Dr. Dobson CD's with KK... then we packed our bags, and I made up my Card Kit Cards... made 5 cards and I must say they are super cute... AND I made a Baby Shower Gift Frame and matching card as well!

Whew?! So - my DH is wondering why - since I am leaving for DAYS tomorrow - I am typing on here tonight?! LOL!? So... uh ... I guess I should get going... Tomorrow I am out of here... we are so looking forward to this trip - for ALL the reasons... the shopping, the swimming, the talking, the laughing, the food... and seeing my family as well...

OK - so - I even took PICTURES of my creations today - AND Uploaded them... but Blogger won't upload my pix again!? What is up with that?! I will try to add them tomorrow maybe - if I remember?! Anyway, I will be back and update when I can... until then... ROCK ON!

~Karrilee~

Oh - Darcie... what?! Are you making me a Scrapbook of our trip to Boise?! Is that what is taking so long?! Why didn't you just say so... rather than letting me mouth off about all your uploading woes?! LOL!

Somewhat of an Update...

Hey there...

OK - so Darcie has lovingly called me a Blog Stalker... leaving a comment suggesting that I am just 'mouthin' off' on her blog and not updating... Well - here ya go - this one is just for you! LOL! Maybe I haven't updated because I have nothing new to share?! LOL!? This is in theory my 'Scrapbook Blog' and I have not yet scrapped anything new... not since that entire mini album a few days ago... which I posted pictures and all on THURSDAY... and I believe that YOUR last post was on WEDNESDAY!?!?!?!!? Oh MY?! "Someone" needs to update... um - AND UPLOAD HER PICTURES... LOL! Still!?!? My - what are you - on a dial up!?

Anyway - sarcasm aside... I have not scrapped or anything... I haven't even put together my Card Kit - which I need to do before I leave town on Wednesday!? Maybe tomorrow afternoon!? Who can know?! We ALL know I can't scrap anything until Darcie learns how to upload her pictures... and then I have the sneaking suspicion I will have to have an hour or two set aside to browse through all the Vegas shots before we get to the Boise photo's?! LOL!? I haven't even printed my own out yet because you KNOW I would be tempted to just scrap without hers... but yes - I would regret it in the end... and so I wait... still...

Let's see... an 'update' since Thursday... well my daughter has been getting all the over-nighters in that she possibly can before school starts and Sleep Overs are officially OVER... LOL! So - she has a friend over on Wednesday night... and then went to that friends on Thursday night... so that gave me ALL DAY Friday to do NOTHING... I mean - sure - I COULD have put together that Card Kit... or weeded my garden... or (gasp!) organized my Scrap Area - (yes - it's in need of that AGAIN... already...) but I did none of that... I read a book... yep... nearly an entire book... I drank Iced Tea and sat in my favorite chair and read... did a little computer work - but other than that - I did nothing... and it was great! Then in the evening we went out to dinner with my sister and her family. That was nice... sadly - even though she lives literally right down the road from me - I hadn't seen her in weeks... she is super busy - a self-supported Artist who works from home - but what that has come to mean for my super talented super procrastinating sister is that she works 16 hour days... every day... so to get her away from her computer and canvas... and out to dinner... well - let's just say that the laughter is good for the soul! We have a tendency to laugh OFTEN when we get together... so it was a night well spent... I think even Kim would say so!

Saturday we relaxed around the house - just doing a few little things here and there and then we met up with friends at Borders... gotta love Borders - we sat in the Cafe and had coffee and visited, then browsed through magazines and books... the girls listened to CD's... the boys read through some books... that is when I love to look through those Scrapbook Mag's that are not actually magazines I guess because they cost like $20... but they look and feel a lot like a Magazine - so I can never commit to actually PURCHASING them... anyway - my daughter found a backpack AND matching lunch box at Old Navy for under $20 too - so that was a great find! Her friend ended up spending the night with us too... (I told you - LOTS of sleep overs lately!)

Sunday was church... very good... I gotta say - I love our Pastor - he is so real and so open and honest... really fights against distancing himself from others in the whole Pastor/pastors' people mentality! He shared from his heart and it was really moving... good service! We even visited with people afterwards... LOL! We come from a background of lingering after church... but this place - people are in and out and everyone is gone before you know it... so it was nice to actually TALK a bit afterwards! We had a nice relaxing afternoon... my daughter and I listened to the first CD in Dr. Dobson's' Preparing for Adolescence" series... we are taking a trip to listen to these and discuss all this stuff... the CD's are SO so GOOD! I highly recommend them to any parent who has little ones fast approaching puberty and adolescence!!! We are going School Clothes Shopping and making a long road trip out of it... we'll stop in at my sisters' too - so that will be fun!

We leave for that trip on Wednesday... and we'll get back on Saturday... I appreciate all the prayers over our trip... the shopping is a bonus - but ya know - Darcie - pray for great bargains and all that... LOL! - Also for great conversations... that this will really give my daughter the courage and confidence and understanding that she needs before we enter into - (Gasp!!!? - oh the Horror of it all...) Middle School!?

Am I ready for Summer to be over... OH YEAH...
Am I ready to mother a teenager in Middle School... um - I think so?!!? I pray so...

So - all of that to say - I've not much to update on... and I will be gone for about 4 or 5 days... so - ya know - hang tight! LOL! I am sure I will have stories (and pictures of my OWN to upload!) from our trip!!!

Until then, Scrap On!!!
~Karri~

Alright Already... An Update!?

Alright Already... a Real Update... with Pictures and everything?! So... yeah - I finished my Blank Album that I am donating to the Church for a Door Prize... Wow... um - I sorta love it?! I would love to fill it with gorgeous photo's taken in the Fall... um - I am gonna try to win it back!? Sad - I know?! But... it COULD happen?! Once I got going - it didn't take that long... but here's the deal... I still have so much trouble pricing things out... According to my website, this album would cost apx. $160... now - see - to me - that is just crazy talk!? But - really - the supplies are about $50... and then my time... oh yeah - and my 'expertise'... hmmm!? Now - I have other S4O people complaining that my prices are too low?! Weird... if that was true - you would think I would be super busy with clients who find my prices are so great... but that has yet to happen!? I am wondering if I actually rose my prices if I would finally get some steady business?! Seems strange - but you know how some people are... the more expensive - the better the service?!

Anyway... So - yes - (Darcie) this is why I hadn't updated for - what - a day or something?! LOL?! I was busy making this album... I am really praying that this donation will really stir up some interest in my business from our rather large church?! It will help get the word out hopefully?! Oh... I watched a DVD that I received from CK and SS... it is part of a new Instructional DVD Club or something... it featured all the big wigs... I was a bit disappointed in it... just because - come to find out - these people are pretty much just like me... and it got me thinking... hey - I too could reach Scrapbook Super Stardom!? LOL!? Why not?! I am sure the DVD was a Basic Scrapbooking deal... and there were maybe two or three techniques that I didn't know how to do... but that is not because I couldn't figure it out - but because it is just not my style?! Anyway - I sent it back with a Thanks but No Thanks... I get to keep the Card Kit though... so I will play with that soon! (AFTER I finish that Surprise Birthday Project... but probably BEFORE I get to actually see any of Darcie's uploaded pictures?!) tee hee!!!

Scrap On Ladies!!!! Scrap ON!
~Karrilee~

Oh - hey - I forgot to complain about something... LOL!? I know - honestly... I know it is a shocking thought... but what I was most looking forward to in scrapping with OTHER PEOPLE was browsing through their Albums and getting some new ideas... I was so bummed when I realized that I didn't even think to do that when I was on vacation... of course - that GI-NORMOUS STACK of loose pages didn't seem to 'browse-able'!!! LOL!

Prayers, New Projects, and Gorgeous Papers...

OK... well - honestly - I had a picture to post this morning... but... somehow it is not loading!? Oh well - it is probably best as it is a VERY belated birthday gift... but still - you should see it - it is GORGEOUS (LOL - if I DO say so myself?!) It's not me though - I take no credit... it is the gorgeous new paper from Daisy D! So lovely!!! I finished it last night and just love it! I used the Daisy D papers, some flowers (from Corinna), ribbon, and yes - my very own Brads... AND I even used up some old stickers too...

I also donated a Blank Mini Album for our church... we are having a huge Church Picnic in September and they are giving away Door Prizes... I figured it was a unique item and may be good advertising for my business... so - I started that last night and will be working on that today... yes - I am using a few sheets of the Daisy D paper (which means, Darcie - I may need to send you some money to buy me some MORE?!)...

I haven't yet printed out my Boise Trip pictures... I would hate to scrap them all and then browse through "Someone else's" pictures to find the perfect shot... so I wait - even patiently believe it or not?! Honestly... I have been dealing with other projects... and other Life stuff too...

Speaking of that... thank you all for your prayers... we can feel them! Things are better... and we are just speaking it by faith that Healing is being completed!!!

So... short and sweet I know... and with no photo's no less... !? I posted something else on my other blog this morning though - and that one usually takes more time?!

Anyway - I am off to Scrap... blank albums are more difficult for me... I so love to work with the photo's and plan my layouts around how many I have and which ones I want to 'feature'!? But still - I am having fun with it!

Until next time...
Scrap On!
~Karrilee~

Update/Prayer Request...

Hey there Everyone...

This is not a normal Post... this is a Prayer Request for my husband, Dave...

We went back to the Bone Specialist today for a new set of X-rays and a check-up to see how Dave's hand/bone is healing on it's own... and the X-rays unfortunately did not show much new growth... the healing is slower than the Dr. had hoped for and he agreed to let it sit on it's own for three more weeks... and after that he said if there was not much new growth, he would probably suggest surgery... needless to say Dave is not happy about this report. Surgery would start the healing process all over again and set him back that much farther from actually being able to play guitar... not to mention do his job at work and just basically function normally with the use of both hands.

We know that we have had prayers sent up on our behalf through out this ordeal... and we do so appreciate it... I must say that Dave's natural disposition is so encouraging and positive... it is difficult to watch him go through these negative, depression battles and yet I know it is 'normal' I suppose... we are just praying for faith and healing to rise up... we are believing that God is well aware of all that is going on and we want to follow His lead and stand on His Word in this trial. We are trusting in God that His plans and purposes for Dave are for good and that He will see us THROUGH this - physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially!

So many others we know are battling serious illnesses and diseases... trials and tribulations that seem so much bigger than our own - and yet - I can't convey enough how much Music is a part of who Dave is and what drives him onward... other than God and family - it is his biggest passion and greatest desire... it is the area that the enemy is most attacking him right now in his thoughts and worries!!?

We have three weeks... three weeks to see God work a miracle in recreating his bones in his left hand and strengthening him - mind, body, and spirit! We appreciate the prayers of agreement more than you can know! Pray however the Lords leads you...

In Him,
~Karrilee Aggett~

...And these make me Caught Up... thanks to Boise!

...And these are 4 of the 6 Layouts I did in Boise last weekend... (check out those GREAT Fabric Brads!!?!??! PERFECT!!!) ...and yes... I am now once again "Caught Up!" Well - not officially I suppose - I still need to print out some Journaling in Vellum because apparently there is a No Journaling rule for Crop Night?! LOL! So - I still have to do THAT... and THEN I am Current again!

Of course... I have another Project I am just beginning to work on now... not my own... it is one that will be sort of like a Circle Album as far as needing other people to fill out info and send in pictures... (Yikes?!) I admit that I am a tad bit obsessive and maybe just a little controlling... so depending on others will be a stretch - but if everyone 'plays along' - then I will be a great project!!!?

Anyway - that is all from here... I must go to work on my CafePress store... have nelgected it for way too long!? LOL!

Scrap On!
~Karrilee~

Recent Layouts...(before Boise!)

Here are a few personal Layouts I have completed in the past couple of weeks... (BEFORE Boise!) This is a 2-page Layout of our trip to Boulder Cave... yes - where my dh broke his hand... and a 2-page Layout (out of 4) of the 4th of July!

~K~

"I'd like to state for the record..." ..."That the rest is still Unwritten!"

Hey there...

Yes - it is true... I am home safe and sound... and much to my dh's dismay - I am seated at the Computer...already?! He has the day off - so I am sure he was hoping we would do something TOGETHER...(since we didn't see each other much over the weekend somehow) but he doesn't understand that I have been away from this computer for days?! and before that... WEEKS?!

So ...'for the record'... I had a BLAST in Boise! I got to meet some of my friend Darcie's scrapbook pals and they are so fun! I loved hangin' out with you all and laughing and joking around... I even managed to do 6 layouts in the midst of all of that... (and yes - I am caught up again?!) ...also 'for the record'... I only saw Corinna put TWO pictures on a layout... and apparently they were the same two pictures that she always uses?! Apparently she used up all her other pictures on one other layout?! Oh yes - and that Fabric book was Beautiful!

Well - I was 'caught up' - but not for long... I have to upload my pictures from our trip... then I will have a few pages to do at least!? I'll see if I can limit it to 4 layouts... six at the MOST?! My - how my albums get TOO BIG?! It is the downfall of being so good at taking pictures and never getting scrappers block?! LOL! (Just kidding!) I worked on my daughters' school album - now her Elementary years are scrapped and put away! (Sniff, sniff!) and we are ready for Middle School!? OK - well -- not 'ready' - but... !??!

Some random thoughts/memories of the weekend...

Lemon Chicken! YUM!!! (You really should think about making it just for DAN sometime, Darcie!) LOL!

Krispy Kreme... "Chocolate, Strawberry, or White"... I will forever refer to whole milk now as White! (Who knew the employees at Krispy Kreme would be prejudice?!)

ChatterBox Papers... To see - in a real Scrapbook Store - all those papers lined up... sigh... Gorgeous! I HAD to buy at least SOME?!

Spray from the Fountain at 'the beach' at Lucky Peak... kids playing in the water... dh's sleeping in a chair... and scrapbooks at our feet, sitting in the sun, slamming back some Arizona Tea! Aahh - nice!

Speaking of that... Big Ass Iced Teas & Big Ass Zucchini's!? Apparently - in Boise... everything is "Big Ass"?! (Watch it now... LOL!)

Speaking of that... I will just say Ta Ta's and Doorknockers... ('nuff said!) ...you girls... you ARE a bad influence?!

and speaking of THAT... Halter tops at the Smoothie place?! Yikes?! Let's just say What Not To Wear should have had hidden camera's!

Brain Regan... (aka must-have-empty-bladder...) "Who has the AUDACITY..." (to steal Darcie's Brads)

Lastly...
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Darcie's Fabric Brads! (tee hee!)

Oh... and here ya go Darc'... this one is just for you:

"I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with eyes wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten"

(Unwritten by NatashaBedingfield)

Thanks again for a GREAT weekend!!!
Happy Scrappin'! (and hurry up and upload those pictures, girl!? I got pages to scrap!?)
~Karrilee~

I Vaguely Remember my Former Life...

Hey there...

So - I am in Boise right now... on vacation with a family that I believe is my own - but it seems I have hardly seen them since we arrived!? Today I will though - we are all going to a Lake that somehow is supposed to have some sort of "Beach" ... we shall see?! In my Former life - we vacationed at the Beach every year... this year however - we opted for the Beeler's in Boise... It's a nice place to visit... always covered in laughter and good times... but I must admit I was missing my toes in some sand... oh - yeah - and my family!? It seems my daughter is at the age that she and her friend can just disappear for hours on end and be fine... which on one hand is nice... and on the other hand... I think she still has long brown hair and her Daddy's brown eyes... she is also learning to move in a great sense of humor! My Husband has been great... one hand and all... drove all the way here and has been with Dan and the kids while Darcie and I run around... I have managed to NOT go to the Mall ... the only shopping I have done was done at the Scrapbook Store(s)... which means another night out without the fam' as we hook up with Darcie's Scrap gals and pull a late night crop! Should be fun... hopefully we can get through it without too many lyrics from Grease!? But - one can never know?! So - in my Former Life - I spent most of my time with my dh and kid... especially on a vacation... we'll make up for it this afternoon at the lake... AND more than likely get WAY too many pictures to scrapbook!!!

Anyway - I get to Scrap tonight... with people! (Yes - it is true- I am mostly a Loner Scrapper... I find I get more done that way - but it is never as much fun!)

Til next time... Happy Scrappin'
~Karrilee~

Unplugged... and Desperate?!

Hey there Everyone...

Um, OK - I am STILL without a Computer...

Now - most of you don't 'KNOW me' know me.... but for those of you who do... I know you understand! LOL! Sure- it very well me the Lord's way of getting me away from the computer and out actually DOING some stuff... not that I haven't been - but - ya know - time seems to evaporate when I am sitting on the computer!? Anyway - I HAVE enjoyed the time away... read a book (or two)... got another Sun Burn... (which - in itself is not so fun... but the getting it part was nice!)... actually cleaned the house... ALL of it... spent some one on one time with my daughter... and my Honey... so - overall - it's been good... I guess?!

The thing is - it was not the Hard Drive... so that is good - but it still won't work - so that is bad!
It turned out not to be the Mother Board... so that's good - but it still won't work - so that's bad!
It's not the RAM... Again... good - and bad
We are thinking it may be the casing?! Whatever THAT means?!
I just know that my Computer Guy - yes... thank GOD I even HAVE a "Computer Guy"... well - he is working on it today and is very sympathetic of the idea of not having a computer for so many days in a row... then again - he also blames me because it is, after all, an E-Machine. Apparently that is not so good... who knew?! (Other than him - I mean?!) So -hopefully he will have good news for me tonight... we shall see?!

I haven't even scrapped anything new... I DO have stuff to scrap - a trip to Boulder Caves (where my Honey broke his hand?!)... 4th of July... I even have my daughters last couple of days of school to scrap in her school album... But - we are still considering going to Boise on Friday - and I suppose it would be good if I had SOMETHING to Scrap while I am there?! We'll see!? (Darc' - we'll call you tonight and figure stuff out one way or the other!)

Just wanted to share... Oh - and hey... um - I know it's sad - but since I am not on my own computer - I don't have all your Blog links... I feel so out of touch?! I guess maybe I should get off my Mom's computer and maybe - sigh - CALL someone... yes - it has come to that, people?! (I HATE the phone... with a passion... just not a phone gal - would much rather chat online or better yet - in person over coffee or tea!)

I have been trying to book hotels in two cities - and without a computer I feel so lost?! LOL!? I know - it's just sad?! Anyway - I'm still here... sort of... but - by faith - I will be back SOON! (E-Machine or not!)

Scrap On!
~Karrilee~

Power Surge + Hard Drive = Crash

Yep - it's true...

Somehow - we had a power surge... or a drop in power... or something strange and out of the ordinary... and it caused my computer to die... at least (for the hard drive) it was a quick and painless death... however, for me... it is long and drawn out?! sniff, sniff...

Hello, my name is Karrilee, and I am a computer-holic! (Everyone says, "Hi, Karrilee!") It is true... I can barely go a few hours without doing SOMETHING on my computer... a little eBay... some CafePress work... a Blog or a Post... update my website... check e-mail... IM... type out a devotional or do an online Bible Study... not to mention uploading and editing photo's and playing games?! Oh my!? With the Computer in a central area in our home... it makes it super easy for me to sit down "...for just a sec'!" (much to my family's frustration!)

So... while I had PLANS to do all my normal stuff... well - I am in the process of buying a new hard drive and hoping and praying we can get at least SOME of my info off the dead - er - Old one?! (Fingers crossed, breath held, eyes closed... prayers being sent up...?!) We shall see?! Got that new Digital camera... and lucky for me I am a tad bit obsessive and caught up in scrapping because that means that even though I didn't back up my files... I have already scrapped the hard copies?! Yes... I know... see?! There are up sides to this compulsion of mine?!

On another note... we went to the Bone Specialist today to get new X-rays! My dh's hand is healing - and the surgeon still is saying surgery is not necessary... however it is still healing really slowly... he got a new cast and we'll go back in three weeks... even though it was a good report overall - the doctor also used '6-9 months' to him when talking about guitar playing... someone will die if it takes that long - I can tell you that right now! We are praying for a faster than normal recovery - AND we are praying about our vacation plans that we had for the month of August as well...

Anyway - this is my excuse... er - um - explanation for my absence the past few days!!! I will be back... soon hopefully! I am going through withdrawls... at least I can still have my Starbucks!?! It's not the end of the world YET!?

In faith - I will be back very soon!
Until then... Scrap On!
~Karrilee~

The New Catalogs are here... the New Catalogs are here!!!

Yes... it is true... I have been strangely 'absent' today - far away from my Blog and e-mail... my husband and I got up literally at the crack of dawn to go watch the sunset with friends and visit over coffee and pray together... then we picked up a little one from a sleep over and then I read a book... yep - a whole book... and then... sigh... I spent some one on one time with my new Stampin' Up! Catalog!!! It is beautiful... I don't even want to crease any pages yet... we went to a soccer game tonight with friends and now I am checking e-mails... enjoying a tiny 1/2 cup of Raspberry White Choc Ice cream... Ya gotta LOVE a Good Full Saturday!!!

I will maybe Scrap tomorrow... with some new inspiration from the SU catalog maybe I will work on some cards!? We'll see?!

Have a great rest of the weekend!
~Karrilee~

(I know - it's weak Darcie - but there ya go... a little something something to feed your obsession! LOL! Have fun in Vegas... hey - maybe you can pick me up a shirt, or something?! ROFLOL!)

Picnic with Friends... Just BREATHE!!!

Whew?! Finally - a break from the heat AND an afternoon to catch up with a good friend!
THIS is what Summer is all about!!! Everything in me screamed YES this morning!!!
No errands planned... no lists of things to do...laundry can wait... just a picnic planned in a park with a good friend and the kids... We planned it early and knew it would turn into an all day affair... (and yes... it's turned into dinner too - which is in the oven as I type!)

I got this great idea to personalize Water Bottles from Heidi Swapp's July Newsletter... check it out here: http://www.heidiswapp.com/julynewsletter/waterbottles/ Too cute!!! Great way to know who is the culprit drinking half a bottle and leaving it to get warm and be put back in the 'frig never to be touched again!?!?! Sigh... or is that just in my house?!

It seems that my good friend is in the midst of one of those CRAZY BUSY Seasons... We attempt to get together often - but lately it rarely works out... So to spend an entire afternoon enjoying the sun and cool summer breeze as the girls rode bikes, played tennis, goofed off and laid around was priceless! We got to talk about all those little details that we would normally discuss every other day - but it had been weeks!!!

Don't you just LOVE it when you decide to throw caution to the wind and 'waste' an entire day... and don't you find that what, in your over-scheduled, crazy busy life, sounded like it would be a waste of time or simply just too frivolous - ends up being exactly what you needed and even ends up helping you to feel rejuvenated and ready to get back to work the next day!? I was talking with my sister the other day - she is WAY over-booked and feels hopelessly behind schedule... she is a self supported artist and is really busy... she took a break and watched Ferris Bueller's Day Off with her teenage daughter... Even though she is still super busy and not at all caught up... we are going to meet for coffee tomorrow... because, as Ferris says, "Life moves pretty fast... If you don't stop & look up every once in a while, you just might miss it!"

So... as my dinner cooks, and the girls play yet another round of Boggle, I type this to you and look forward to an evening of more visiting, laughing, and unwinding together - which will now include 'the boys' as well! I encourage you to treat yourself to that ever-so-hard-to-come-by "Free Time" and 'waste' it away with a good friend!!! I can guarantee you it will do you good!!!

Scrap On!
~Karrilee~

Chatterbox Layouts

Hey there...

Here are my 3 double page Layouts I sent in to Chatterbox... I was one of the Lucky Ten (winning a Kit from CBX... I won "Cottage"!) I sent 6 lo's but Chatterbox posted my 2-Page Layout of our Garden on their Blog...Only one page is posted here... the others were not posted - but are made from teh same kit! So fun!!! I still have left overs too - so I can make MORE!!! (Gotta Love THAT!)

Scrap On!
~Karrilee~

Ahhhh - Color-coded Cardstock, & Glass Jars of Ribbons!!!

Yes... it is true! It was beyond time to organize (again!) my Scrap area... I am not lucky enough to have a whole ROOM ...yet?! For now -I occupy a corner of our Family Room and call it my Scrap Area... and yes - it does seem to grow... I have a great table that I can make larger when needed... a few cabinets full of supplies... some containers that hold all my papers... some Retro looking Glass Jars for my Ribbon and Fibers... Expanding file folders for all those scraps I just can't seem to throw away... and after a few projects in a row... it seems that my Scrap Area explodes over to the Coffee table and the surrounding square footage floor around my table... scraps and stickers, tags, and (if I'm lucky) adhesives are piled up on my table (aka work space) along with stamp sets and ink pads and paper cutters... sigh.

Yes - it was time! So - yesterday I spent nearly 5 hours organizing my papers - ALL of them - patterned paper, cardstock, scraps, all of it... color coded and filed where it is SUPPOSED to be... and then I took out all of my Ribbon stash and re-wound it and put it back in place as well! I need to go through all my little containers that hold embellishments and tags... eyelets and brads... and (gasp - the horror of it all) I should probably downsize on some of my stamp sets again... ?!!? I DID take pictures of my new organization - but Blogger won't load 'em - again?! Not sure what is up with that?! Oh well... you'll just have to take my word for it... I can see nearly ALL of my table top!?

So - for now - I am happy! I can see my workspace again... and I am happy just to flip through all my patterned paper and think of the possibilities!!! I may even want to scrap something again soon... !??! Hate to mess it all up!? LOL! I can be fairly good at picking up after myself in the beginning stages of a newly organized space... but after a few jobs in a row - as I mentioned already - some sort of combustion happens and I am forced to scrap on the floor in front of the TV watching Princess Bride or Pride and Prejudice...again... ?!

Anyway - Happy Scrapping! May your creative juices flow freely, your paper be color-coded, and your Ribbons all have Happy Homes!!!
~Karrilee~

Update

Hey there...

Well - I finished three double page layouts using all my fun Chatterbox stuff... just not sure if I can post them here or not... need to e-mail them and find out...(I know they will post them on their Blog soon!)

We went to the Bone Specialist on Wednesday and got a Good report! Praise God! The Doctor actually said that he would not suggest surgery unless we really wanted it... it could warrant surgery - but he didn't feel it was necessary and it looked like the bone would rebuild itself and not really have any lasting effects on his range of motion and all that good stuff! So - that is a HUGE Praise Report... (thanks for the prayers!!!)

My hubby was actually playing his guitar last night... with his one good hand! LOL! It had been all of 2 days and that is honestly the longest he has ever gone without playing it (at least when one has been within hands reach, anyway!) He was practicing on some picking - since that is all he can do with his right hand... still - it was literally Music to my ears to hear him play!!!

I will see if I can post my latest layouts... Oh - I did work on a few frames too... I can post those I know!

Happy Scrapping!
~Karrilee~

Aahhhh - Independence Day!!!

Ahhh... How we love and are thankful for our Freedom! This being 4th of July - we have plenty of photo opportunities - and lots that we can scrapbook... from BBQ get togethers, to swimming, to games, and of course fireworks!!! I encourage you, however, to also include some journaling or a photo that captures and explains the feelings that are stirred up in you as you celebrate Independence Day!

I was not raised in a overly patriotic home. My parents did not serve in the military, although my Grandfather was a war hero - among the small group of men who personally took out Hitler... We were raised to be thankful for living in America... and to know that it was a great country and we had opportunities offered to us that others around the world did not have. It was as an adult, though, that I began to really fall in love with America, her foundation, and her history. It is true. Much to my own surprise, I have become a patriotic 'nerd'. I cry at the National Anthem or "God Bless America"... I get a reverential awe come over me at the raising of the Flag... and after 9/11 - whenever I see military people, firemen, and police officers, my hand goes over my heart as my lips silently move in a prayer for them... for protection, and for thanksgiving! Instead of writing something myself today... I wanted to share an article that I received via e-mail this morning! It says it all... and I simply add "Amen!"

Enjoy, and Happy 4th of July!
~Karrilee~


The Star-Spangled Banner
by Kenneth Copeland

June 14 is the day Americans celebrate the flag which symbolizes our liberty and freedom as a nation. Each year the president proclaims Flag Day and encourages all citizens to fly the American flag outside their homes and businesses. Many states hold special celebrations and observances, and people are encouraged to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to our great nation:
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Since September 11, 2001, many Americans have rediscovered the importance of flying the flag as a symbol of hope, determination and national unity in the face of the threat of danger. The true spirit of America—one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all—is being restored. The history of our flag began June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress issued a resolution establishing an official flag for the United States to express liberty and separation from Great Britain. It has undergone some changes over the years, but the basic design has remained the same with alternating red and white stripes and a rectangular blue field containing white stars in the upper corner near the staff. I've heard it said that the red stripes represent the stripes Jesus bore for us and the blood He shed, the white represents the purity of the new birth, and the blue represents the truth of the Word of God. I believe that. Sometimes called the Stars and Stripes, the flag is a powerful symbol for our nation. It is not a political symbol, but rather, it represents a mighty and free people—the freest people on the face of the earth. It represents all that is good, sacred and godly in this country. Our flag is a standard of liberty and freedom, and that includes above all, the freedom to worship God as a Christian nation. Isn't that what the founding fathers came here for? Isn't that what many of them fought and died for? The freedom to worship and praise God has never been cheap. It cost Jesus His life. It cost a lot of other people their lives too. Our flag represents those who shed their blood for freedom—including Jesus. That's why Satan hates the banner called Old Glory. He hates it the way he hates the Constitution. He hates it the way he hates God. And he hates it the way he hates the blood and the Name of Jesus. Satan hates Old Glory's guaranteed freedoms. It has always been God's plan to have a nation where the glory of God could be sown and nurtured, from which His glory could spread throughout the whole earth. That nation would have to be a nation where all people could freely praise and worship Him. Why? Because God inhabits the praises of His people, and His glory is in His presence. Our flag represents a nation where men and women are not only free, but they can also worship and praise God without fear. "Conquer We Must, When Our Cause It Is Just"
A number of years ago God began to deal with me about ministering "The Star-Spangled Banner" to people. He told me it is actually a psalm—an ode, or poem from the Spirit of God, set to melody. When I began to study "The Star-Spangled Banner" and looked into the heart of the man who wrote it, I discovered that Francis Scott Key wasn't trying to write a national anthem, although that is what it became. Rather, as an eyewitness to a historic battle, he wrote his testimony during a time of war when men had decided they would rather die for freedom than live under tyranny. It so happened that during the War of 1812, Mr. Key, a lawyer, sailed to the British fleet to negotiate the release of a captured American. That night, detained by the British on a ship in the harbor, he witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry. As the battle raged and the sky filled with smoke from the shelling, Francis Key kept his eyes on the Stars and Stripes until the sun went down and it was no longer visible.
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
All night, through this critical battle, he had his eyes fastened on the place where that standard flew. The question in his mind, as important as the battle itself, was: Is the flag still there?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
The flash and glow of the rockets interrupted the black of night to reveal welcome glimpses of the Stars and Stripes. Then in an instant, everything went quiet. Smoke hung in the air. The sun had not yet come up. Francis Scott Key didn't know if the flag was still there or not. He ends the first verse by asking God:
Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Are we still a nation? Are we still a free people? There was not another free nation on the face of the earth. Some people even considered the establishment of this country to be an experiment that would fail. I imagine that throughout the night, these kinds of thoughts were rolling around in this lonely man's spirit and in his mind: Oh God, if that flag is not still there when the sun comes up, this thing is all over. There won't be a free nation anywhere. But it has to be, Lord...it must stand as the home of the free and the brave. Surely God would help this nation to stand strong as the ragtag army of courageous farmers and churchgoers dared to go up against the most powerful, best-equipped expeditionary force on the face of the earth. These were people of faith who were not moved by the odds. They were not moved by what they could see. They were moved by what they believed—and they believed they were already free as of the day the Declaration of Independence of 1776 was signed. They fought the fight of faith and praise as well as the fight of war. Throughout the war with Great Britain, Congress declared days of fasting and prayer and encouraged Americans to seek God's help in the battle for freedom. They were careful to declare days of thanksgiving and praise when God intervened and blessed them with victories. Once more during the battle at Fort McHenry, God honored their faith and the colonists stood strong against the enemy. As the smoke cleared at dawn, Francis Key was thrilled to find the beloved American flag still flying high, proclaiming victory for all to see. Historians report that the sight of that majestic flag inspired the words which became "The Star-Spangled Banner." Francis Scott Key was a man of faith, and I believe he learned something as he witnessed the fierce battle that was ultimately between freedom and oppression. I'm certain he meditated throughout the night about what the outcome of that fight would mean to our infant country. The words of the song give us insight into what was going through his mind. I believe Mr. Key began formulating these words during the night and that the last verse was the answer of his faith. He could not see the flag—except by faith. Spirit-inspired prophetic utterance came out of his mouth:
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
As relevant as Francis Scott Key's words were then, they are even more so today. We must not forget to praise the One who has given us our nation. We must not forget to praise the One who has given us peace. We must not forget to praise the One who has given us the victory during wars to keep America free, to keep the glory alive, to keep the Word alive, to keep the Name of Jesus on the lips of its citizens throughout this whole North American continent!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Thank God, we're free and our trust is in God. He has preserved us as a nation and will continue to do so. If our cause is just, we will always triumph. And our most powerful symbol of freedom, the Star-Spangled Banner, will continue to wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave...forever!

Left Hand...Broken!

Hey there...

Well - my PLAN to actually Scrap on Saturday faded away - although I must say I enjoyed my unproductive time of just sitting there staring at all my new supplies! I played around with layout ideas - but never quite got around to cutting or gluing... I couldn't decide on anything... then my dh came home and suggested a family movie night out... so we picked up our daughter and her friend and we all went out to see Cars... (LOVED it - by the way!!!)

Sunday after church we decided to head out to the hills and climb up to Boulder Caves - it is a popular spot not too far from here with bat caves... it was hot in town and we were hoping to cool off, enjoy a nice little hike, and relax up in the mountains with good friends... it started out that way! It was gorgeous - although apparently not high enough to be much cooler there!? We hiked to the caves and the kids were all ahead of us having a blast... they played in the river a bit and climbed some of the rocks... Then my dh decided that he wanted to climb up to get a better view of the waterfall...

Luckily - and by the grace of God - I did not see him fall... er - uh - 'slip' as he keeps saying. One of the guys that was with us however DID see it... and he refers to it as a Fall... not a slip! He also immediately asked over and over if Dave's chest was okay... and he made him a Sling to hold his hand up above his heart... Dave is a tough guy and never gets hurt... we pressed on through the cave and once we were back out in the light, I could see how swollen his hand really was! He was not wanting to complain or draw attention to himself - but i knew he was in pain and offered to hike back down with him, drive into town again and take him to the Medi-Center. When he quickly agreed - I knew it was bad! See - it's not that we are against doctors or anything - but we just don't 'do' them much at all. So for him to want to go - I knew something was wrong! Luckily we were able to let our kid stay there and play while we made our way back to town.

The X-ray showed that Dave's left hand is broken... this is hard to take because he is a musician... He is a guitar player and I can't tell you when the last time was that I haven't heard him playing something on the guitar... he plays everyday... and he is good - anointed even... it is so much a part of him - the thought (that the enemy clearly planted!) of him not ever playing again was simply just too much to take! Now we are waiting to hear from a Bone Specialist to see if they can set this - or if he will need surgery or what... we are praying that we will get in and get a good report! We are praying that God will heal it one way or the other!!!

So - scrap time?! Who can know... but clearly my attention is (thankfully!) peacefully resting elsewhere today!

I did take a few pictures - but for some reason my dh was not really up to me taking pictures of his broken hand?! Doesn't he know that this was a Scrapbook Moment?! Oh well - I did take a few of the kids though...

Anyway I am hoping to get a bit of scrapping in this week - but as I said - it is not nearly as important as it all seemed on Saturday!

Happy Scrapping!
~Karrilee~

"Free" Products... Thanks fo Chatterbox!!!

Free Toys from Chatterbox (Cottage): Turned into "Free" toys... I needed some Bazzill cardstock & ...well - other stuff?!:

"Free"

Yeah... well - my husband knows that this is never quite true! I received my winning packet of Chatterbox supplies with much anticipation today! I was so excited to see that square envelope in my dh hands...

I will admit - I am a slave to the double page layout... so what began as 'free' product, turned into a trip to the Scrapbook store and about $30 later - (and a Blackberry Green Tea Frap from Starbuck's - to help Fuel those creative juices) - I am ready to have a Happy Scrappy Saturday!!! My husband is out running errands (and watching sports on TV somewhere most likely...) and my daughter is over at a friends... so yes - a Saturday with no one home, an air-conditioned basement scrap area (somewhat picked up?!) and a boat load of new product to play with!!! I am gonna crank up my Jack Johnson CD, suck down my 'lunch' and get Scrappin'!!!!

Have a great day!
~Karrilee~

For My Blog Stalker...

tee hee...

Thanks to my friend, Darcie - I now have a Blog Stalker... I am so excited!

I was told that if I was going to make this Scrapbook Designer Biz a 'go' - a Blog would be a must in this day and age... so I actually have two... this one - that is purely a Scrapbook Blog - and then another one that deals more with my writings... Anyway - I would update this Blog every now and then... never knowing really if anyone had stumbled upon it or not... Oh how I love to see new comments!!! So ...thanks to my new 'stalker' - she is keeping me in line and on track with all my little projects! I just finished this small job for a client... she recently moved away from family and is going through her old pictures. Her family will not want an actual scrapbook - and she can't afford to do that for them anyway right now... but she loved the idea of making a small layout that could be hung or framed.. so - I have just completed 4 and I suspect that there will be more to follow!

I think it is so fun to work with other peoples photo's and create something that they would never have even thought of - but see as a 'Masterpiece"! It's been great as I have been in between Complete Album jobs... (and yes - I am STILL waiting for my Chatterbox box to arrive before I scrap my own pictures!!!)

So ...there ya go... a little update! Hoping the pictures will load correctly today!? Been having trouble with that for some reason lately here?! Anyway - apparently I got a business phone call yesterday while I was out playing with friends... sigh?! This reminds me too late that I still need to replace my answering machine! My family does in fact have a roommate... however she works graveyard and so when the phone rings and rings and she finally answers it - she is probably not very business-like or - you know - cordial?! Yikes?! She said she couldn't really understand the woman and it ended up that the lady was just going to mail me something... ?! Could it be my Chatterbox Box!? But -they wouldn't need to call me?! Could it be a new client?! (Or - it COULD be yet another credit card offer for the business...?!) Anyway - I am hoping it is a new client... I am ready to do a job that will require a bit more time and challenge... (and that will bring in some vacation money, as well!)

Happy Scrapping!
~Karrilee~

Retirement Craft Class 101

Hey there...

OK - well - I have a friend who is the Julie McCoy of Love Boat to all the Residents at Sun Tower Retirement Center. Or is it a Resort?! I can't recall - but I do know that when she called to ask if I would 'help out' with a Scrapbook related craft for June - I answered without thinking! "Yes!" I said enthusiastically, "Yes - I'd love to!" I LOVE Scrapbooking, I LOVE to hang out with precious sweet elderly women, why would I not want to 'help out'!?

It actually went quit well - but I must say as I was doing it... it didn't feel much like 'Helping Out' - and I didn't think it was going that 'well' either?! MOST of the ladies there - were in fact, precious and sweet... but if you can imagine they are set in their ways and know what they want... and they are tired of waiting in lines or waiting their turn!? I ended up buying the supplies - at least the ones that the budget could afford... which means I donated a lot of my own embellishments and such... but I wanted them to make a keepsake to enjoy in their rooms so I was willing to do a few little extra steps to help make it nice. The thing I forgot in all my prepping and pre-cutting is that inevitably - the paper that they want is not the one that is pre-cut... and the pre-cut paper, well - they would like those BIGGER?! Honestly, this was requested again and again... Can you make it bigger?!

I was thrilled to do it... it only took about 3 hours... and the ladies were all pleased with their finished products and seemed to have fun (although I wasn't so sure DURING the actual process?!) My daughter and one of her friends were my little helpers, and of course they were the hit of the show!!! As we were cleaning up and packing away our supplies, the ladies suggested we come back and do it again SOON... before they all forget how to do it!? I was going to add a pix or two - but Bloggers photo hosting is not working again!?

On my way home, in the 100 degree heat, I promised the girls a big bowl of ice cream as long as they permitted me to stop for a 'treat' of my own on the way! One of them guessed it would be a Starbuck's run... which sounded divine - however I am on a budget, and I had saved just enough cash to pick up my prints from our weekend trip to Seattle! I drove through my photo drive through to pick up my pictures, and all the while the girls were mocking me and teasing me...(and yet they wanted to look at the pictures as I drove home... before ME if you can imagine?!) My first copies from my digital camera... I was excited to see the quality and how well the enlargements turned out!!! Soon enough, we were in the house - enjoying air conditioning, with the girls enjoying their ice cream, and me my stack of prints... Aahhhh... now I just have to WAIT for my Chatterbox box to arrive... if only it was here today?! I can't know if I can really wait that long?! Luckily, my friend from Boise is coming tomorrow - she is always a good distraction!!!

While I wait and try to be patient, I bid the rest of you
Happy Scrapping!!!
~Karrilee~

Space Needle

Hey there...

OK - well - we went on a short weekend trip to Seattle... for a little family getaway - AND to find out just how awesome my new camera really is! (Well... that is why I went anyway?!) So - I am sure that once I get the pictures printed and the pages scrapped - I will post a layout or two... or six?! LOL!? But... we had a great time! Before I can get to scrapping these though, I have a Craft/Scrap Frame I am doing at a local Retirement Home on Tuesday, so I need to prep for that... and I also actually have other pictures from my daughters' last day of school to scrap. Anyway - I am hoping - with it being so hot here - I will have plenty of time to scrap in my nice cool basement!!! What are you all working on this week!? Any new tricks or tips you want to share... a fun new product that you just can't stop raving about?! Do share!!!

Happy Scrapping!
~Karrilee~

Digital Camera - New Toy

Well... I got a new Digital Camera and so I've been goofin' off with it... playing around taking pictures of EVERYTHING?! Plus - I did a layout all about me and saved a spot for a self-portrait... never like pictures of myself but hey - if you scrap - you gotta add pictures of yourself at least now and then!?

So - I guess these are a bit "MySpace" style... but it was fun! I will probably have to alter them a bit - maybe make one sepia for my layout?! We'll see!?

Have a great weekend!
Happy Scrapping!
~Karrilee~

Sample Album

Hey there...

Wow... what a busy few weeks!? School is now officially over and we are enjoying summer vacation - which means less time at the computer and more time with the kids! This is good... but it also creates more photo op's and less scrap time!?

I did manage to finish a Sample Album that I am Displaying at a local Fancy Shmancy Day Spa... it's a great opportunity and I am praying will bring in a whole new list of clients! So - that is what I worked on the past few weeks... just a little here and there! (Finding photo's that I hadn't SCRAPPED was the biggest challenge?!) I know, I know... it really IS sick?!

Anyway - what projects are you all working on!? Any fun summer ideas?! Above are a few pages from my Sample Album! Happy Summer!
~Karrilee~

Recent Layouts...

Here are a few Layouts done with all those new fun products I 'splurged on' while out of town! (That last one doesn't have too many bells and whistles because the photo's are so great... plus I had so much fun making my own little toilet paper roll embellishments! LOL!) Funny - the things that bring us joy!?

Happy Scrapping!
~Karrilee~

Aaaahhh - Almost Caught Up!

I know... ya'll know I could only allow myself to fall behind for just so long! It was driving me crazy!!! I was able to go to an All Day/All Night Crop on National Scrapbooking Day and I was able to overcome my Scrappers Block! I am officially caught up on our Family Album and only have one (2 page spread) layout to do in my daughters' school album... which I hope to complete this weekend! Whew?!

It helped to go visit a different scrap store in a different city... (a bigger city!) and buy some new products to play around with! Finally bought some Heidi Swapp stuff and some Chip Board letters to play with! Not too mention some super fun papers! Why is it when I am out of town, I feel more freedom to splurge at the Scrap stores?! Probably because they carry more items - and I can't just wait and get them later!? I am more susceptible to impulse shopping while on vacation... because, hey!? Vacations = Fun - right?! And how fun is Heidi Swapp!?!?

Happy Scrapping!!!