Cards, cards, and more cards... Oh and sleeping in & our Wii introduction!

Aaahh - nice!!!

Kaye has had Holly over since Saturday and that means some serious sleeping in today - the first official day of Spring Break!!! The girls are actually STILL downstairs - but I hear movement now?! LOL?!

I have been busy over the weekend making some of those custom cards to fill my latest order... the hardest part is giving them away (well - selling them, I know?!) once you are on a roll because I start to really love them! LOL! It 's the same with the layouts too - but at least with them - I am using the clients photo's - so the temptation to keep them is not there! (OK - except for a couple of those Italy LOs! LOL!) Anyway - I think I am over halfway done now... I will get to work this afternoon I think and finish up! Gotta get paid for Spring Break money!!! Here are a few of the cards I made:

This means that I got to watch Pride and Prejudice (the theater version)... aaahhh - so nice! When Mr. Darcy is walking towards Elizabeth at the end... oh my! That is nice!!! LOL! I also started watching the luxurious 5 hour version, so maybe I can get back to that when I am finishing this project!? However, I have actual errands to run today which include the ever excruciating Grocery store, the Library, my date with Millie, and seeing how much longer I can keep Holly!? LOL!? THEN I will maybe be able to go downstairs and play (I mean work) some more!?

Yesterday at church we started a new Sunday school class - it is a marriage class/video with Mark Gungor... have any of you heard of him!? OH MY - he is HYSTERICAL!?!?!

Check out this video from YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuMZ73mT5zM

(It's about a 10 minute clip - but it is so funny - and so right on!!!) Oh my gosh... seriously - this guy is too funny and what he says is so true and really vital information to help your marriage!

So far - we have just watched the first part of The Tale of Two Brains... but he also talked a tiny bit about sex...

You can watch that portion here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqgsD-IhFtw&NR=1

Again - true and so funny! At one point, he drew a little anatomy picture! LOL! I was hoping to find THAT on YouTube! LOL! It was hysterical... He promised to keep it at least PG-13, so he began with the woman's heart... and then, several inches down - well, OK - I am gonna have to draw what he drew:

So - he went on to explain that to get to intimacy with women, you need to go through her Heart... ("Be nice to the girl!")... once she feels you have touched her heart, you can - well - you know... touch the place of happiness! But men, to get to intimacy, you go through the place of happiness to get to the heart. Of course, this is all in the boundaries of marriage... but in general, this is how men and women differ when it comes to sex... he is just so funny and has such a fresh (and honest) approach! It's gonna be a great class!

Last night, we went out with some good friends and had some coffee and visited while the girls were home hanging out together... we assumed that they were playing the Wii - because, well - if it is an option, why wouldn't you!? Now, neither Dave nor I had ever been exposed to this new phenomenon! So - when we got back from Starbucks, we plugged it in and proceeded to play tennis and bowling (mostly!?) for hours! Now - I have to say - I am so gonna need one of these!?!! Me?! I am so not a video gamer?! But I loved it - and mostly because it is finally something that I can BEAT DAVE at that is somewhat sports related?! LOL?! Right... !??!! It would never happen in real life - but in Wii Land... well - anything is apparently possible?!

I sold two sets of cards yesterday on Etsy too! Slowly, ever so slowly, my shop is taking off! I am off to make that dreaded grocery list and head out to run errands. I am FAIRLY certain that when I come home, I will NOT find a house surrounded by swat teams and assault weapons aimed at the neighbors... I can't be SURE... but - then again, I think it's safe... because I don't live in Boise!? LOL! Seriously Darcie?!??

Anyway - Scrap On!
~Karri~

Spring Break is around the Corner...

Ah yes - it is true... Kaye has 1/2 days today and tomorrow and then we are officially entering Spring Break. We have no exciting plans this year... we may head to my sisters for a day or two... but that is still up in the air... I am looking forward to sleeping in a bit and maybe just hanging out together, watching a movie or two, talking, maybe a little bit of shopping squeezed in there... we'll see?! Oh - we are so super mean parents that we are actually considering FORCING our (tennis star) daughter to take a 3 day Tennis Camp the first three days... it's only in the afternoon and it will be with the high school Tennis Coach and a few star players... but she is not wanting to go? She is intimidated to think of playing tennis in high school for some reason and she is still apparently shy and not wanting to go since none of her friends are going to be there?! It's so hard, because we have this only child and we SO want her to be active... she quit soccer in the 3rd grade and Tennis is the only other sport that she has expressed interest in... and she just so happens to be incredibly good at it. So we are trying to find the fine line of supporting and encouraging her, and pushing her just a tad to try new things or step out of her comfort zone - but we don't want to cross the line and become 'those' parents, ya know!? So - what to do? We are still undecided?! sigh...

So - in the past week (or so)... I finished that last spread:

I went shopping for some super cute Easter Paper and made this adorable little Mini:

I have officially lost over 20 pounds since the end of January and I am P-R-A-Y-I-N-G that soon, oh so very soon, I will be able to finally buy a smaller size pair of jeans!!?! I have been wearing the same size since I had my nearly 13 year old daughter?! Yeesh!? So - yay... it is working! But it is the first of many 20's that I need to lose - so it is just one step!

For Easter this year, I scaled WAY back on the candy dish detail of my decorating... not even buying candy for the Easter Basket until Thursday! Oh - and the Easter Basket - first off just let me say that I SO MISS the good ol' days of filler... you know, the egg shaped sidewalk chalk, the Easter themed playing cards, the crayons and ponytail holders... something that would take up some room other than the candy filled eggs and chocolate bunnies?! Yeah - I miss that! Now the 'filler' is clothes, body wash, makeup, lotions and potions, music... etc.!? And as far as the Easter Basket itself... well - my girl is a firm believer in Tradition and she refuses... REFUSES I say, to let me buy or make her a new basket:

Yep - Darcie - that is the SAME basket... we made them for Kaye and Chloe's FIRST Easter ever... and every year - Kaye makes sure that I know to use THAT basket... (It doesn't hurt that it is HUGE?! LOL?!) It has been well loved. I told her it was breaking (It is, after all, a PAPER CRAFT?!) and she said that she intends to pass it down to her kids...?! Right... along with that plastic kitchen at the end of the stairs that we still have?! Whatever?! So - among the little candy that I actually bought, Kaye scored the new Stellar Kart CD, the new Carrie Underwood CD, some super cute Bermudas, some bath and body wash stuff, a shower cap (OK - that is totally Dollar Store filler! LOL!), a paper lantern for her room, a headband, and yes - a wee little bit of jellybeans and chocolate! I bought some Lemon Chocolate Kisses at Target... so good! Not as good as I anticipated though because I thought that they would be milk chocolate and lemon creme... but they are white chocolate and lemon... still good - but luckily for me - not as much of a temptation!

We had a great service at church and then went over to the in-laws for our annual Easter Egg Hunt and Dinner... Kaye is now old enough that she is the Official Hider and no longer a 'hunter'!? Luckily we still have two little ones who make it fun! The boys are so adorable:

And of course... My Kaye:

We had a traditional Ham and Potatoes lunch/dinner and I ended up weighing and measuring all my food... skipping some options and making sure I had room 'left over' to enjoy a Reese's Peanut Butter Egg at the end of the night!!! Oh - within the first two minutes of the Hunt - my camera died... just the batteries but still - no replacements on hand... so I got all that pretty paper and I have only a few shots?! PLUS we completely forgot to take the annual Family Shot with everyone together...?! Sigh?! Oh well.. Easter was early - it was cold - nothing was in bloom?! LOL!? There's always next year, right?!

I have not yet begun work on the card order?! I know... I know... I will get it done super fast once I start which will hopefully be tomorrow!? Kaye has 1/2 day and then we need to buy our Carrie Underwood tickets... and then she is going to a friends for a sleep over... and THEN I should maybe be able to get to work! Dave has a gig on Saturday night and that will be nice... I will eat first and so I won't need to monitor the menu options too much. I am learning and one day I trust that this will be second nature!

If Kaye does do Tennis, then we will head to my sisters next Thursday... if she doesn't, we may go earlier!? We'll see?! It's kind of nice to have an entire week that is pretty much Wide Open!!!

It feels rather luxurious?! LOL!?

Scrap On, People!

~Kar~

All caught up... and what do you know?! ...A custom order?!

Yes way!!!

It's true... I am now unofficially all caught up! I say 'unofficially' because my last 2page layout (Brian Regan Live) is laid out - but not glued down... so give me ten minutes tomorrow, and we are all done, baby!!!

I made several layouts last night at my Scrap Happy link at church and we all had a great time visiting and just being together (aka out of the house with no kids?!) Here is what I accomplished last night...

I got a custom order for about 40 cards... all different... and some photo cards as well! Yay! So - I will be busy for a bit... (well, you know me... at least for a few days?!) tee hee!

I am feeling better and have gotten back to my normal workout routine... I met up with one of my very best friends from Junior High and High School... we reconnected ten years ago when she was in town for our ten year high school reunion... (shut up - I can do that math and I know what that means?!) Then we lost touch again and thanks to Darcie, I signed up at Facebook and immediately found her again!

What fun we had today catching up and reminiscing and laughing at our memories (and lack thereof)... talking about growing up and getting our priorities in order and how some never do outgrow those high school games!? Anyway - thanks Darcie... if it wasn't for you - there is no way I would have logged on to Facebook! Annette, MaryAnn, and I were pretty much connected at the hips and we did everything together in high school... too weird?! We met at her parents house today so her little daughter would be able to play and be entertained... it was such a blast from the past pulling up in her driveway, visiting at the house, & checkin' out the old bedroom! Then, driving home, I took the backroad that took me to MaryAnn's folks' old home... so weird?!

Anyway - today is Good Friday... so important to stop and really remember and reflect on what that means! Tonight Kaye is having one of her great friends spend the night and we are planning on watching a portion of The Matthew Movie (The Good Friday part... through the BEST part!) and then we'll take Communion together... Here is a link to a great song by Brad Paisley and Sara Evans... perfect and powerful for today - well - any day but especially today! Check it out and have a BLESSED Easter weekend!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NaSROohLzs

Scrap Happy!
~Karrilee~

I was already thinking of updating anyway Darcie!

It's true... for reals... I was already gonna update today - but time got away from me... and then I got your comment and I remembered I had PLANS!? LOL?!


This week has sort of dragged on... I was feeling better on Sunday, went to church... visited a friend a bit... relaxed... felt like crud again on Monday... pushed through and went Grocery shopping and slept for a LONG time after that... Tuesday I went to my prayer meeting, and felt okay... but alas, no - it did not last?! Dave came home early on Wednesday not feeling well but he got plenty of sleep that night and went back to work on Thursday! (Praise God! I mean honestly... I was feeling better - but not better enough to have to take care of a... um, sick man?! Ya know?!)


So... this is me... feeling pretty good on Tuesday...
And this is my stack of Classics for the month:



Aaah - Poetry... gotta love it! After reading that book that Na talked about on her blog, the author made me want to revisit some of my old favorites... at least all this laying around was not wasted! I ran across a sentimental favorite by ee cumings... "i carry your heart" Let me give ya a little background... (time for true confessions here I suppose)... Dave and I dated for a short 3 months before moving in together... and even after living together for several months, and falling madly in love - we had never actually SAID the words... He was waiting for me to say it so he didn't put himself out there... but I was afraid to say it first... thinking it would pressure him to say it back not really meaning it. Sadly, this was a thought out plan that was carefully followed on my part. Aaah to be young and stupid again!? Anyway - I had a family crisis where I had to drive my parents over to Seattle for emergency surgery and while calling to let him know we made it and the surgery was happening right then, I got our answering machine... well - without even thinking... I ended the message with, you guessed it, "I love you!" (Oops?! I didn't even realize that I had said it?!) Anyway - fast forward two days to my arrival back home and my Dave has the house cleaned and dinner ready and the lights dimmed, and the cassette tape cued and ready to go... (Yes, shut up! I said Cassette tape... whatever!?) He sits me down and asks me to listen to this song... and hits Play and on comes Michael Hedges version of the famous e.e. cummings' poem "i carry your heart" So beautiful!!! Anyway - after the song, he sat down beside me and told me he loved me... it was priceless and so perfect... I then admitted to him that I had loved him for months but didn't want to pressure him into saying it back... which cracked him up because he confessed that he rewound the answering machine tape and listened to my message over and over and over! LOL!? Too cute!

Anyway - in addition to enjoying ee cummings, I ran across this little treasure:

"I do not love you" by Pablo Neruda

"I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way than this:
where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep."


Anyway - finally, today - I feel nearly human again! I even got in an almost normal workout... and then... magic! A whole afternoon set aside for Pretty In Pink and A Walk in the Clouds while crafting some Easter/Spring cards for my Etsy store!!! aaaaah yes... it's true!!!


I have told my daughter for two years now that her 'Stalker' is her very own Ducky... every girl should have at least one Ducky in their Jr High and High School years... I had a couple myself and they are amazing!!! So - when she came home today she wanted to watch it with me... oooh... the joys of Pretty in Pink!!! So love that movie! LOL! (so did Kaye... and she SO saw that Ducky was her stalker... and that made her sad because, well - she loves Ducky - but like Andy in the movie, um - not like that?!)


Anyway - I AM feeling better... blowing my nose less, and coughing rarely... I hope to continue crafting tomorrow to Sleepless in Seattle! LOL! (I loaned all my chick flicks to Robbin as she recuperated and needed to buy a couple replacements?!)


Scrap On!
~Karri~

Concerts, Crutches, and Counting Calories...

Ah yes... it has been WAY too long since I have updated... and as Darcie pointed out, I have PLENTY to talk about... and I even found three C's to title this post with - so no having to change spellings or anything to make it cute! LOL!

So - my last post (not counting the cheater one I did last week about Craft Corner DEATHMATCH!) was way back in February and did, in fact, have some concert info... we did enjoy our Matt West/Jeremy Camp/TobyMac show... however, I have not yet mentioned the other 'concert' we went too yet! A few days after the big show, we went to a local big show... our most beloved Brian Regan did a concert at the gorgeous Capitol Theater on Thursday, Feb 28th. We had 4th Row Center seats and he was standing right in front of me! It was GREAT! The warm up act, Kermet Apio from Seattle, was hysterical! Seriously - he put on a great show and had us laughing hysterically before Mr. Brenemenammenamm came to take the stage! Then, much to our delight and surprise, Mr. Regan went on to do over an hour of ALL NEW material! Now, this is saying something since I basically STALK him online and have heard everything that has ever been recorded for TV or radio by him... so a full hour of new stuff was incredible... I entered the theater with a dangerously full bladder and have to admit to literally giving praise to God that I did not have any trouble... (and no, I did not down a steaming cup of coffee right before the concert... I learned my lesson LAST time... but I did drink an incredible amount of water through out the day?!) Anyway - a great show... I seriously love this man and if you get the chance to see him live, do not hesitate - he will not disappoint! Here are a few shots of that concert:

On to Crutches... Well - my daughter's nickname given to her by my sister used to be BamBam - because the girl is just tough! She has always been solid and strong and can take a beating... ok - not literally, of course - but the girl is constantly showing off her scars or bruises! She wears them like a badge of honor and with each new one I simply praise God that she has never BROKEN anything?! So - with that said, she went to a sleep over last weekend and was scheduled to be picked up at 11am the following day. The sleep over was at a friends' house for her birthday and the party was fairly small - all girls from church... so when I got a call from someone OTHER than my daughter at 10:50 saying that Kayelyn wants me to come and get her - I knew right away something was up!? I didn't ask though - because Dave was already on his way to get her. So at first, after hanging up - I thought that it was maybe some classic girl drama... but that didn't quote set well - Kaye would have called herself. I began, then, to get a bit concerned!? I started praying... and about 30 minutes later, Dave walks in and goes straight to Kaye's room and sets up her bed. (Not good?!) He tells me that she hurt her knee and can't walk - but she will be fine. Hmm? OK... I am not quite connecting those two facts but I am willing to wait and see. So - out he goes to retrieve her from the car and carries her down and in the house... I can see that Kaye has been crying and this is the fact that really worries me the most! My tough girl who can bodyslam a wall and not be phased... my girl who can crucify her hand on top of a cyclone fence and hang there without letting me know she is stuck and bleeding... my girl who can cram her knee into a screw on the Matterhorn at the fair and still enjoy the ride while blood trickles down her leg... (yeah - you get the picture!) This very same girl has tear stained cheeks and a runny nose and she is unable to straighten her leg. Nice... no more spending the night at the Pastors house, ok?! So - anyway - long story short(ened) - the girls were wrestling and playing around and one of them picked her up and bodyslammed her to the floor and something behind her knee sort of snapped and it locked up. It was pretty swollen and so we spent much of that first day icing it and elevating it and praying... she could move her toes and her foot so we figured nothing was broken and we just wanted to wait and see what it looked like when the swelling went down a bit. Luckily my Mom had crutches from her knee surgery last year and Kaye was able to walk around school and home using those for a few days... the swelling quickly went down within a day or so and she was able to slowly unbend it all the way... I am happy to report that yesterday she was able to walk around without crutches and only once in awhile do I notice her limp a bit... so it has been a full week today and she is healing up quickly... thank the Lord! Oh - and as a side note... um - even though I am an obsessive scrapbooker and I am all up to date and I only have one... I STILL forgot to take pictures of her injury - or even any of her on crutches?! I suppose I should still do that... even though she is better now... at least I should have a staged photo to document it, right? So - here ya go:

Lastly, Counting Calories... well - I can honestly say that in all my years of struggling with my weight - I never resulted to counting calories!? It just seemed too hard and I didn't think I could really stick with it... plus - I am not one to really like having anyone be the boss of me so much - and I was afraid those pesky numbers would start really bossing me around... however, I will say that since joining SparkPeople and using their Nutritional Tracker... I have lost over 15 pounds so far and have found that it is not as hard as I once thought!? Have I given up some things... of course, but it's not like I can never have them again - I just am learning that I have to be able to PLAN for them... I am not able to be as spontaneous as I once was when it comes to eating out or enjoying a margarita - but if I preplan my intake for the day - I can have almost anything?! I saw almost because, really - when is it a good time to preplan to take in a meal that normally runs over 1000 calories?! I mean - sure -I can do it... but in the end, it may not be worth the sacrifice. Take, for instance, my rare - um - 'occasion' to enjoy my once beloved China Express from Safeway!? Yesterday, seemingly out of the blue, I got SLAMMED with some sort of sinus sickness... I mean - honestly - the day before my throat was a little dry/sore - but not much and the next morning my entire head ached - like my bones even... my ears, my throat, my nose, my head... everything was achy and feverish... I managed to get my daughter to school and then rest (not sleep?!) the entire day until I had to go get her from school. In between my trips to drop off and pick up - I attempted breakfast and that didn't really stay down so well... and even though I KNEW I should have been at least drinking fluids - I just didn't have it in me... so I was weak and tired and barely made it home with her in the car before I went to bed and finally SLEPT... Now - this was yesterday, which was Friday. Anyone who knows us well, knows that Fridays mean Take Out or Eat Out... now, with all my changing habits and counting calories - this has come to be a stressful 'treat' and we have had to make changes... one of them was no more China Express.. Goodbye General Tso - I will miss you immensely! Anyway - last night - Kayelyn asked if we could have China Express and while Dave was saying no I found myself deliriously saying Yes! Enthusiastically saying Yes! I know, I know... I SHOULD have had chicken noodle soup - or 7up and Crackers... but I figured when else am I going to actually have ROOM in my calorie counting that I can actually HAVE this treat... and besides, what are the chances of me keeping it down?! So - my dear husband went out and bought China Express (AND Chicken Noodle Soup and 7up and crackers!) for dinner... I have to say - it could be because I was sick... or it could be because I haven't really eaten anything like this for over 2 months now, but the chow mien noodles tasted very starchy and not so appetizing, and even the General was lacking to my 'taste bugs' (as Kayelyn used to call them!) So - I had less than half of my plate and was able to keep it down... but was not tempted today at lunchtime to have left overs... no - today I am going for the Chicken Noodle Soup... this new lifestyle is becoming more second nature and I am finding that this is something that I can - and will - do!

As far as crafting goes... I have been in some sort of a slump... I did do a couple of digi's the other day and I will post those... I need to be making cards and just need to feel rested enough and back on track with my schedule to have the time to sit downstairs and craft! Plus - of course, I have all the concert photo's to scrapbook too! So - I need to get busy so I can stay caught up! It seems as though as soon as I get caught up again, the Lord brings me a new client and I am ready for that, so I better get to crafting this week! Here are my most recent Digi's:

Scrap On, everyone!

~Karrilee~

Oh... How I MISS this show...

Instead of a REAL update... for now, you will have to wish for days gone by with me...

Oh - how I MISS this show!!??!?

Craft Corner DEATHMATCH...

"Do you dare to decoupage? Are you aesthetically aggressive? Is pain on your palette? Then maybe, just maybe, you're tough enough to handle Craft Corner Deathmatch, every Wednesday night at 10 on the Style Network.

It's Martha Stewart Living meets Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome when amateur crafters compete against each other, against the clock--and against the imposing Craft Lady of Steel. Armed with nothing more than hot-glue guns and a few basic materials, the contestants must swiftly assemble projects that are judged on beauty, creativity and utility. Host Jason Jones is the devious ringmaster, throwing twists into each challenge and riling up the bloodthirsty studio audience.

For these hardened competitors, honor's at stake. But what's in it for you, besides the gut-wrenching thrill of watching two desperate do-it-yourself divas go mano a mano? Gladiator training, that's what: Each epic episode offers battle-tested quickie craft ideas and tips for taking on an artsy adversary of your own.Wanna get swept up in the fine-arts frenzy? Then check out our episode guides and the Craft Like You Mean It section for recaps, step-by-step project instructions and more.

This ain't your grandma's sewing circle--it's home ec as extreme sport, and someone's about to get the craft kicked out of 'em."

I'm thinking I may need to find the Season DVDs? Do you think they sell this? Talk about GREAT entertainment!!! LOL!

Scrap On, Diva's! Scrap on!
~Karrilee~

I Was Made to Love...

Yep... it is true! I WAS made to love... and love, I did... we had a GREAT time at the concert on Sunday night! But I am getting ahead of myself...

As I mentioned, we all had a great Valentine's Day last week and really enjoyed our evening together! Not sure if I mentioned that my kid got a rose (again!) from someone who is not her Daddy!? I suppose we have entered that stage... it was not Stalker boy... but someone NEW?! sigh!?

Anyway - Kaye had no school on Friday so we had a lazy day together and that was nice! She ended up going over to a girlfriends' house in the evening for a movie (although they never actually watched it?!) and Dave and I relaxed at home together... Saturday Dave took off for Ellensburg to look at the music store there and then hit a few fishing spots on the way home. He was gone all day... and really needed the time! We had gotten a call from Dana (Kevin's ex) a few nights ago and she was not doing that great. It sort of stirred up some stuff and I think the time alone was good for Dave... While he was gone - Kaye and I had a 'movie' day... I rented a few movies and I had all those yummy stamp sets to put together, so we just hung out together and watched movies... Sidney White was actually our favorite of the three which surprised me (the other two were The Nanny Diaries - not as good as the book! - and the Martian Child - never read the book?) I put together all six sets while watching two... we waited and watched the last one (Martian) with Dave. He was a bit disappointed that we stayed inside all day... Kaye stayed in her jammies. He never did understand the joy and lure of "Jammie Day!" Kaye and I LOVED Jammie Day! But - as she has gotten older and our schedules are a bit busier - Jammie Day happens less and less?! Oh well - we loved it! It is good bonding time - even if it IS matched with laziness?! LOL!?

Sunday we went to church (Kaye had to go at 8am to be on the Greeters Team all day) and after church we grabbed a snack, packed out bags and headed to Richland to spend the night with our good friends Gene and Syl'... oh yeah - and to take in the concert!!!

We had an incredible early dinner with the Gibsons... and they even made me coffee - real caffeinated coffee... and I made it just how I like it and took my first sip when Dave said we had five minutes before we had to leave for the show?!?! What?! Five Minutes?! Yeah... um - all of the sudden I forgot that I am not in fact still in my teens or 20s with an iron gut but approaching 40 with some rare IBS symptoms?! Nice!!! So - I downed the big ol' mug of goodness and was ready in less than 5... we headed to the concert figuring that the doors would be open already - but we were still over an hour early so we should be able to get good seats!? (We had General Admission tickets) Now, remember - I ate dinner and then RIGHT AWAY downed an entire over-sized cup of coffee... and even went to the bathroom before we left... but as we got out of the car, I noticed that unfortunate urgency of having to go AGAIN... (already?!) ...and you guessed it, the doors were NOT unlocked and the line was CRAZY long!? Yeah... that is when I began to pray in tongues!? LOL! Only by the grace of God did I make it that extra 20 minutes in line... we went in and found our seats (yes -the ones we wanted!!!) and then I ventured out to locate the restrooms - which of course ALREADY had a line that was wrapped around the side of the hallway!? Oh my?! Yet again, prayer I can tell you works... I made it... and cursed that yummy cup of coffee and the damage it was obviously doing to my insides... I made my way back and prayed that everything would settle down (Simmer Down Now!)... I had to make one more trip in the middle of the concert but I have learned my lesson! No more downing coffee on top of a full meal and then going somewhere with lines and crowds and such?! The concert itself was great! Matt West came out first and sang about 5 songs... I didn't get any pictures because he was just standing in front of a curtain and he didn't have any lights really - so it was too dark... but he did great! Shared his testimony of how he had vocal chord surgery last year... then Jeremy Camp came out and put on an awesome show! I didn't realize how many songs of his I already knew! Of course, he shared of his wife's battle with cancer and how he lost her... sad, and very powerful! And then TobyMac took the stage... along with background singers and rappers and dancers... the guy can still put on a show! I remember seeing him WAY back in the day when he was a kid with DC Talk... it was Holly's first concert and I had just as much fun watching her reaction to the stage as I did watching the stage!

Kaye and Holly

Jeremy Camp

Toby Mac

We all really enjoyed it! Superchic[k] and Britt Nicole are coming in May... I was more excited about that than the girls though?! So I am not sure if we will go?! Anyway, we went home to the Gibson's and talked with them for a bit and then we all went to bed... except the giggling girls, of course?! Apparently Holly was trying to learn TobyMacs' dance moves?! We had a nice relaxing time on Monday morning visiting more and talking... Syl' and I always have a great time sharing what God has been speaking or showing us... and it is almost always the same thing or at least along the same idea! We stopped in to see my friend Jennifer on our way home and that was great too!

So - I am still having issues with Millie... I think she needs a new motor!? I will have to look into that tomorrow... see if I can order it online and how much it will be... she has really knocked me off track with my workouts... but I am determined to NOT give up this time around... I weigh in tomorrow and I am hoping that soon the Scale will be worthy of a name... I am working on a Friendship SWAP (sort of like a Circle Album) for Spark and that has been a challenge because it has to be a 6x6 page?! Anyway - that is what I am working on tomorrow night at my Scrap Happy group...

Hope you are all well and scrapping and are seeing signs of SPRING already!?
I am SO ready for it!
Scrap On!
~Karrilee~

Aaaah - Valentine's Day (a day late!) LOL!

Aahh yes... as a true and hopeFUL romantic, I am all about this special day!

When I take down my Christmas decorations... I pull out my Valentine's Day decorations!!!

I love it! I suppose it could stem back to the days of growing up with a Mom who worked a second job at Hallmark... but much to my husband's early dismay, I LOVE to buy little gifts for Valentine's Day for our dd... and Easter... and... and... and! (I think he has talked me out of St Patty's day now that she is older... but I can't say for sure!?) He can thank Hallmark for this, I am sure! Well - Hallmark and my Mother!

Actually, back in the day - when we were new parents, we would normally get a babysitter for our dd and go out to have a romantic dinner out... sometimes even going out of town overnight. We are not so into the buying of gifts (for each other!) and I am fine with that! He has this incredible knack for picking the PERFECT card... at any time, for any occasion... and he writes the sweetest notes in them... that is gift enough for me! (Can you tell that my #1 Love Language is Words of Affirmation?) His is too... so it works out great!!! Anyway - a few years back, I felt the Lord direct me to include our preteen daughter... as I prayed about it, I found the importance of teaching her that Valentine's Day is not all about lovers and only for couples... but it is about LOVE... for couples, yes - but also for friends, and family... and so we began a new tradition!

So - that is what we did again this year! My day, however, started out like this:

OH YEAH! My UPS guy was LOVED today! Not only did I get the RAK I won on I Am A Scrapaholic, but I got my Stampin' Up! Party box, too!!! Yeah! Then I rearranged the living room and prepared for the night! We ordered take-out from our favorite restaurant (MMmm - New Thai - instead of the yummy Chicken Phad Thai with EXTRA Peanut sauce, I got the Holy Chicken with rice... a little healthier!?!) I pulled a nice intimate candlelit table over to our window with a view and we enjoyed a romantic dinner for 4 and just relax together. We end the meal by taking Communion - focusing on the One who loves us Best and who already gave the Greatest Gift! We all loved it... and I know that our dd feels loved on and special and included! I did not want her to be single at 14 or 16 (or 35) and feel like this day excludes her! I still love to give Valentine's to friends now and then... although this year, I made so many sets for Etsy that I was just crafted out and didn't give any out - other than Kaye and our roommate Lorraine! I actually BOUGHT Dave a card this year... I figured that would somehow be MORE special?! LOL!? Since I ALWAYS make them for him! Usually I would make a fancy homemade dessert as well... but this year I went to a bakery and purchased individual desserts so I won't be tempted by leftovers! I got a large slice of Cheesecake w/blueberries, a piece of Carrot Cake, and a piece of Frosted Chocolate Cake... YUM! There are four of us - so we gave Kaye about 1/2 of the chocolate cake and then the rest of us split the other desserts so we each got a little "amuse bushe"!

Normally, Dave and I do not trade gifts... just a card and maybe a small (4pc) box of chocolates! But this year he surprised me with 2 new CDs (LeAnn Rimes and Jeremy Camp) and a potted Hydrangea plant! Woot! and some yummy dark chocolate covered berries and almonds! Mmmm! I got Lorraine a DVD (Sense and Sensibilities) and some fancy chocolate too! For Kaye... well, I got her a new make-up set, and a little box of chocolates... and a super cute boy-cut undergarment! LOL! Honestly - she has wanted some of these for months but I am cheap and I refuse to buy them one at a time for $6 each... and besides, she is 12... she is so not in need of cute underwear!? LOL!? But - I remember being about her age when I wanted to have nicer pajama's and all... just makes you feel girly... Anyway - we also went and got our hair (and eyebrows) done... nice!!! Anyway, I know that I am blessed with a wonderful husband who meets all my needs... but I think it is so vital for us to focus on a larger aspect of LOVE!

Here are a very shots of our Valentine's Day!

Speaking of LOVE... I am feelin' it today! I weighed in yesterday (yes... a day 'early' because I couldn't stand not knowing!) and measured as well... I am down 9#s and have lost a couple of inches as well... (1" off my waist; 1.5" off my hips; .5" off my neck) When I told my husband this morning... you would have thought I said I lost 50 pounds?! He's awesome!!! The one set back that I am dealing with this week is that it is quite possible that Pretty Millie (my treadmill) is sick... she's been having Hot Flashes and I am concerned! I have been taking my workouts in smaller chunks of time this week instead of running her for 70 minutes straight... but I can't actually keep doing that - it's not gonna work for me or for her long term!? I am praying that she will be fine and we can just clean her and she will get back to normal... but if she is really sick - I may need a miracle... I can't imagine not having her now that I am obsessed with her! I can't go a day or two without meeting with her and nothing else really compares?! Pray for Millie... LOL! Today I did a 30minute workout and gave her a break... I am hoping to get another 30minutes in this afternoon!

Oh... here is Kaye's new do... her hair was almost down to her waist yesterday morning!

It is just too cute! It looks great flat ironed (like this:)

Or just letting it air dry and scrunching it a bit to encourage that gorgeous natural curl! (like this:)

So... here's to a great day all in all - and to more success on the way! V-Day I will admit at first intimidated me... it is so often tied with chocolates and overeating and candy galore... however, I think I was able to enjoy my meal guilt-free (without blacking out!) and even enjoyed dessert! Here's hoping you all felt loved and treasured yesterday!

So, I offer you a belated Happy Valentine's Day, people!

Share the Love, people! Share the Love!

~Karrilee~

Aaahhhh FRIDAY!!!

Yes, it is true... we made it to Friday! For some reason, this week has sort of flown by and yet, it was so full of errands, and listings, and chores, and ... oh - yes, and reading?!!! LOL! (THAT is where my time went?!)

I did read a couple of books this week... my Mom brought over a stack of Debbie Macomber books - and I had only read one of them already - so that is what I spend a good portion of my week doing... it was wonderful! I also put a lot of computer time in this week... lots of time on SparkPeople.com It has become some sort of obsession... I love it! I have already met so many incredible people there, and have benefited from using the Nutritional Tracker and the Fitness Tracker too! I joined a few 'teams' in the beginning and quickly realized how much stinkin' e-mail I was getting... it was too much! THEN I found the little box to UNcheck whenever making a post and cut the load in half immediately! I was amazed that I was able to get through Super Bowl Sunday without too much trouble, and even made it through Bunko last night! Now, I admit - the weekends are harder, because that is when we often eat out or have a drink in the evening... but I am learning that I just need to adjust my numbers so I can still do this without completely blowing the entire weekend! The best mind adjustment for me has been to remember that nothing is really off limits, because this is not a diet... it is a lifestyle change! Anyway - I am sure that I will learn how to spend my time on that site better (with less blindly browsing around) so it won't require so much of my day! I also listed a few stamp sets on eBay... about 10 sets are up and for sale... check 'em out if you are interested! They are all Stampin' Up! sets and are all Retired. You know me... I have to make room for the new sets I just ordered, so these must go! I am also working on listing a few more items in my Etsy store... and that has taken some computer time as well!

However, I am happy to say that I have not spent the ENTIRE week either on my reading chair, or on the computer! Pretty Millie and I are getting along famously and we meet four times this week! I also went on a nice walk with my sis' and discovered/enjoyed a yummy Starbucks Skinny Caramel Latte for only 90 calories! SaWeet!!! (actually not... it was sugar-free?! LOL! Which, I have to say - I usually don't like that because I can taste that after taste... but the caramel is really pretty good!)

Kayelyn's friend at school let her know that she thought they should stop talking to each other for a week... (again!?) and informed Kaye that she would be bringing all of her belongings to school today... ya know, the stuff she has loaned her or left at her house... Yeah - I know... it sounds like they are breaking up to me, too!? Whatever?!? ...the drama is endless, and honestly I am so proud of how Kaye is handing it all! You could not PAY me to be in Junior High again!? OH - and Kaye had Tim (aka Stalker boy) call her at 7am yesterday!? yeah?! On a school day!? I don't even THINK so?!

I managed to do my business taxes yesterday... (and yeah, by "I" - I mean Dave!?)... glad that is done... maybe now I will feel like scrapping again? It's been a week or so and I need to get back to work, I know... but it was nice to take a week off and read and relax! I had Bunko last night... I won - but I won Avon Lotion... which is great... but my Mom sells Avon - so my cup runneth OVER already, so I gave it away! Dave went to a SunKings (basketball) game and Kaye had a Baby Shower for the Youth Pastors wife... Oh yeah - I made this super cute Baby Girl card (and forgot to take a pix of it?!) and then had Kaye write in it since the gift was from her and all. She asked what to write in a card for a pregnant woman, and I asked her what came to mind. So she said, "Good luck on the table, and don't forget to push, Honey!" Yeah... that's my girl! LOL! So - that is what she wrote! Too funny! I didn't tell her about the custom of passing AROUND the cards/gifts! Tee hee! She is a gift of JOY, that one!

This weekend?! NO plans?!?!!! Not ONE thing on the Calendar?! Of course - all the Passes are closed so it's not like we can go anywhere too far away!? But - I think I feel a road trip coming on!!!? We'll see?!

Anyone have any plans for Valentine's Day!? Do any of you do anything special - any kind of tradition or anything?! (with your spouse, or with your kids?) C'mon Na... you must do SOMETHING?! Happy Anniversary next week Chuck... hope you guys get to do something FUN and special!

Oh - here are a couple of Digi's I did for a Scrap Challenge for one of my teams at SparkPeople:

I have been walking with Millie and thoroughly enjoying the new Jack Johnson, and "The Lost Highway" CD from Bon Jovi! I also have the new Eagles CD... I haven't listened to it yet, so I am off now to plug it in and get back to real 'work' here on this computer!!!

Hope you all have a GREAT weekend!

Scrap On!
~Karrilee~

Quick Update

Hey there...

Well - I don't have a ton of time right now as I should be getting ready to make dinner - but I wanted to give you a little update - since SOME PEOPLE are not giving you anything new to read! (Yeah... that would be you, Chuck!)

Last week was crazy... full of sickies in this house - which I must say is not (thankfully!) a normal occurrence! Dave was home sick from work on Monday AND Tuesday... he went back to work on Wednesday but was feeling rather weary and drained... Kayelyn was sick in the middle of the night on Wednesday night/Thursday morning - but insisted that she felt better and wanted to go to school on Thursday, so I let her! Hey, who am I?! LOL!? Honestly - there was no fever, and she wasn't coughing or anything... seemed healed, Praise God! She stayed all day and claimed to feel fine so we let her go to her Bible study group... and then when she came home, it turned out that the girl had no voice?! Yeah?! And within about two or three hours, that fever was back and she was wiped out! Didn't even argue going to bed!? AND she crashed right away! We decided to not wake her up in the morning... as I was MAKING her stay home from school... she slept until nearly 10am and spent ALL of Friday on the love seat in the kitchen watching TV and whispering or passing me notes?! Poor girl!? We are blessed with such health that we are really not good at being sick!? She went to bed when told on Friday night at 8:30pm... you KNOW that she was not feeling so hot... no Monk... no Psych... She laid around most of Saturday as well and thankfully started feeling better Saturday evening... she sounded terrible on Sunday - but we went to church anyway and she seems to be getting back to normal now! Yay! I managed to not get sick! I hate to even type that out loud... ?!?

So - while I had the sickies in and out of the house - I had my Stampin' Up! party on Monday morning... only had two women show up... (we had lots of snow!) We made these super cute little boxes... perfect for Valentine's Trinkets!

I spent some time crafting for my store at www.karrilee.Etsy.com...

I made a few new sets of cards:

And a few more adorable boxes like this one:

I mentioned in the last post that I signed up at SparkPeople.com and I have to say - I am loving it! I hope you all have checked it out! It can be overwhelming, but so full of tools and encouragement! I can't tell you if I have actually lost any weight yet... While I am faithful and true to Pretty Millie (We logged 33 miles in January!) I have yet to name the Scale... He is gonna have to sweet talk me a bit before I can think of a name that doesn't include 'numbers, and symbols and stuff!' I made it through Super Bowl Sunday within my SP numbers too... (OK - well - my fat intake was a wee bit higher than the limit, but everything else was fine!)

Anyway - I hope you are all doing great... I am attending my first ever online Crop tomorrow... which works out great because I will play with some Digi Layouts just for fun! I also need to work on a few card sets that are not holiday themed! LOL! Plus - I am reading a few more books... OH, Na - INCLUDING "Give It Up! My Year of Learning to Live Better with Less" Yeah... um... I read the chapters... ?!?! Seriously!? And we can do this!? Some of them will be too easy and I am sure I will have to actually substitute it for something that is a sacrifice?! Elevators?! Really?!

Until next time, people!

Scrap Happy!
~Karrilee~