Time Flies!

It's been such a long time since I've posted. I have been more in the "phone call" mode for updating my life lately.

I am loving this fall weather. It's sooo nice to not sweat like a pig everytime I go outside.

I am gearing up for a trip to Kansas City to buy, buy, buy for Get Scrappy. It should be a REALLY fun day for Linda and I. We have not had a lot of time just the two of us (my fault) and I am looking forward to our time together.

At the end of the month, our scrapbook group (12 of us) will be heading down to Tallequah, OK for 4 FULL days of scrapbooking. I am getting quite excited. I will be working on Alicia and Rob's honeymoon book. I am in the "gathering" phase of organizing all the things I will need or want to take. Pages are pre-planned and my intention is to start and complete the book while I am there. Wish me luck!

Hope everyone is well. Drop me a line anytime. And NO, if I am sleeping YOU WILL NOT WAKE ME UP! So call, whenever!

I know I have been MIA lately. Just really needed some serious downtime! Get Scrappy 4 is DONE! It was another great event, but boy amd I glad this one is in the bag.

I have been totally enjoying this spring weather which I hope is finally here to stay. I am busy planting and poking in the dirt. The front flower pots and baskets are done. Now comes the 20+ pots and baskets for the back. Okay, maybe not quite that many, but close. Who says there's a recession! When it comes to flowers and buying, I have absolutely NO CONTROL! I must have them ALL!

When I get everything planted, we will have a girls night on my patio!

Well, I must get dressed and head to Dillons. For food ------ oh and maybe some flowers!

Get Scrappy Countdown!

Well another year's planning, dreaming, buying, organizing, packing, buying, shuffling, buying and finally packing, oh wait, one more buying trip and now loading everything up and we are ready for another Get Scrappy. Can you believe it's Get Scrappy 4!

We are making the final run arounds for last minute STUFF! Gift Certificates, coupons from our wonderful local scrapbook store sponsors, more gift certificates and as always lots of prizes! We did our morning "schtick" on B-98 yesterday morning. Brett, Tracy and Kathy are true supporters of helping us bring awareness.

I have done a pretty good job of ignoring "the elephant in the room" to quote Mitchell, but I just have to go on record with my next comments. Here is your opportunity to stop reading now if you don't want to hear what I have to say. And if you are offended if you read it, you should read and understand fully my disclaimer for my blog, that can be found at the very beginning of my blog!

With the closing of Scrapbook Garden East and the loss of my job, Get Scrappy lost a significant contributor to our event. Altough Bob and Kathy were not as supportive the first two years of Get Scrappy, they were supportive last year with wonderful coupons for every attendee and the grand prize winner gift certificates. This was a considerable contribution and we were very grateful. Even though in light of everything that went down with the store closing, Linda and I (especially me -- and you know how hard this is) tried to "rise above" and were still hoping for support for Get Scrappy. We sent out our email requests and made follow up requests. All to no avail. Totally ignored, no reply to email, no nothing. Just dumped! Gee just like the store closing --- See a trend here. I have to say, I am not in the least surprised. Bob --- communicate! Hummm. No much rather just bury the head in the sand and it will just all go away. I guess being a local community business and being community-minded are not tied together. Enough already, I digress.

In any case, this meant we were now on the hunt for a new supporter to provide local scrapbook store support. And boy did we get it. Scrap-Funattic has been a supporter of Get Scrappy ever since they opened their store in Andover. They really get the vision behind Get Scrappy. Even though it is a monumental task to even hope to stop domestic violence, they are not short on desire to do what they can to bring awareness. We are so thankful for their support.

I pulled the section about Get Scrappy from their website to my blog. Please take the time to really read this and let your heart lead you in your contributions this year. Be sure to check out the Wish List that includes items that the center needs constantly. With the economy being what it is, and so many people losing their jobs, you can be certain domestic violence is on the rise.

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From Scrap-Funattic Newsletter

Okay - i might be going out on a limb here, but i was doing some research about this weekend's upcoming GET SCRAPPY event and i thought this might help you decide to come out and support this wonderful cause.....so - please know that what you're about to read is a little upsetting:

I Got Flowers Today (Dedicated to all Battered Women)
By Paulette Kelly ©Copyright 1992 Paulette Kelly All Rights Reserved


I got flowers today!
It wasn't my birthday or any other special day;
We had our first argument last night;
And he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt;
I know that he is sorry and didn't mean to say the things he said;
Because he sent me flowers today.


I got flowers today!
It wasn't our anniversary or any other special day;
Last night he threw me into a wall and then started choking me;
It seemed unreal, a nightmare, but you wake up from nightmares;
And I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over — but I know he is sorry;
Because he sent me flowers today.


I got flowers today!
And it wasn't Valentines Day or any other special day;
Last night he beat me and threatened to kill me;
Make-up and long sleeves didn't hide the cuts and bruises this time;
I couldn't go to work today because I didn't want anyone to know — but I know he's sorry;
Because he sent me flowers today.


I got flowers today!
And it wasn't Mother's Day or any other special day;
Last night he beat me again, and it was worse than all of the other times;
If I leave him, what will I do? How will I take care of the kids? What about money?
I'm afraid of him, but I'm too scared and dependent to leave him! But he must be sorry;
Because he sent me flowers today.


I got flowers today….
Today was a special day — it was the day of my funeral;
Last night he killed me;
If only I would have gathered the courage and strength to leave him;
I could have received help from the Women's Shelter, but I didn't ask for their help;
So I got flowers today — for the last time.



WOW! Believe it or not - there are battered women and children out there, and they can turn to the YWCA for shelter, protection and comfort. The money that the "Get Scrappy" event raises ALL goes to this cause. Money for food, toiletries, clothing, bedding.....all the things that these women need to get out on their own two feet and start their lives all over again. Please consider this event!! Mary and Linda hold this event once a year. It's at the Beech Activity Center - Friday evening and Saturday until 7:00pm. Grab your girlfriends and get signed up today!!! There are still seats available, and some GREAT prizes, great fun and a GREAT CAUSE! CLICK HERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE GET SCRAPPY EVENT!!!
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All the hard work has been done in planning/preparing for Get Scrappy 4. Let the FUN BEGIN!!! I hope to see you all Friday!

Such Fun!

I have never had more fun at a crop than the one I went to this weekend. It was an absolute BLAST! Scrap-funattic started this PJ crop. It begins at 5PM and goes until 5AM. And can I say, out of our group, Linda, Nikki and I ROCK!! We went the distance! Yea, and had an awesome great time.

Sarah admitted even before it started that she would not be staying till the end, but while she was there, she was a hoot!! I was not privy to all the goings on at her table, but they were sure having a great time.

As the evening went on we got more and more wild and quite a bit louder. But we never got in trouble or anything! Someone (I know who but I will protect their identity) made an amazing comment about how different and nice it was to see the employees of the store enjoying the crop and actually cropping, and not having to "hide" the fact that they were cropping. What an amazing concept. They were truly part of the crop and had as much fun as everyone else.

Thoughout the night everyone seemed to get alot accomplished. I think Nikki won in our group with 17 pages done. Linda rocked on a NEW, yes NEW project. And I really made some great headway on Get Scrappy II book. I only have two pages left to do and I think I can get one done this afternoon. It feels really good to be so close to completely this year long project. I have to say, I am going to work on some things other than Get Scrappy for awhile.

Final details are being checked off our list for Get Scrappy 4. Thanks to those gal pals (you know who you are) for stepping up and helping at the sale table Friday night. We so appreciate your help.

Registrations are coming in. Linda and I had a lunch meeting yesterday and got a phone for 4 more registrations. YEA!!! But there is still plenty of room, so spread the word! Last night Linda and I got together at my house and whipped through a project for the event. It is so good to be checking these things off our list. All the silent auction items have been numbered and catalogued. We have over 200 silent auction items. Can you believe that? And NO, Linda and I did NOT purchase all of them. SOME of them, but not ALL!

It's going to be a beautiful day today, so try to get out and enjoy this little touch of spring, if you can.

Off the Face of the Earth --- NOT!

Well it seems like forever since I wrote on this blog. I am not sure this is something I can keep up. I just am too "old school", I guess. If I want to talk to people I usually like to either have interaction with them either in person or by phone. This typing and waiting for a response, maybe, is soooo not me. In any case, life has been pretty busy.

I have been super pumped lately. I just got back from CROP-A-GANZA. What a weekend!
I got SO much done. You are not going to believe it. I almost have Get Scrappy II done. Yes, almost --- two - three pages left to do and it is FINISHED! And can I say, I will have met my personal deadline to have it done before Get Scrappy 4, thank you very much!

On top of doing that at Ganza, Linda and I got so many projects done for GS4. We are feeling a little less pressure when there are more and more checks on our seriously long checklist.

Hey, I need some help if any of you are interested. We are needing some volunteers to supervise the sale table at GS 4 for a couple hours on Friday night. Would anyone be interested in helping? Please let me know. We would appreciate any time you would be willing to give.

We have a final meeting with Beech Activity Center to go over final plans. Thats when we really know time is getting close. Exactly 30 days to go. Countdown is on.
Please let all your best scrappin buddies know, as I am sure you already have. Thanks so much. If they can come, there is still room. We are getting reservations DAILY!!

Speaking of Get Scrappy, I cannot tell you how wonderful Scrap-Funattic has been in support of GS. They have ALWAYS been on board, from the very first year. But this year they have just really been so supportive. I just am very thankful that they truly see the vision Linda and I have behind Get Scrappy. What a refreshing change.

Work is going well. Bruce is in the middle of a garage reno project that thankfully does NOT include me in any way.

This weekend we are going to the home show to get ideas and inspiration for future projects. Can you believe we have come so far as to think about more projects. Yes, time heals all wounds they say. The next projects for us will be mostly outside ones so those are always a good thing.

Well, I must go soak now --- get ready to go scrap at Linda's church tonight. Gathering more things for GS4. By the way, if anyone has any, and I mean any, hand-me-downs and stuff they don't want anymore, we would LOVE, LOVE to have it. The sale table can never have too much stuff.

Take care all!

Only in Kansas

What a difference a day makes. Or even 2 hours. The temperature went from 61 degrees to 40 degrees in under 2 hours yesterday. Today, baby it's cold outside. And of course the Kansas wind is blowing like crazy.

Earlier this week we had three, yes three large trees cut down in our backyard. Each one was probably over 20 feet high. It was fairly inexpensive to have them cut down and just left on the ground. That means of course that someone has to cut up and haul away all that wood. Guess who!??? So Bruce and and I began this huge backyard clean up. Well just like everything else, the project mushroomed on us. In order to get the wood hauled off out of the backyard, we needed to clean out the dogpen area. Yes again! It is amazing how quickly a family gathers crap that finds its way to the dogpen. What would we do with this stuff otherwise.

So we loaded a broken computer monitor, flat tire, old hoses, two wooden pallets, used oil, old paint and light fixtures away to the dump. After returning from the dump, all those collected leaves from the tons of trees we have had to be sucked up.

So that got started. Then of course, there were problems with the sucker-vac. So thinking I could still be productive, I went to the back with one of our large trash cans and started cutting up some of the smaller limbs and filling the can. After 4 cans full, I finally saw grass again. So I grabbed the rake and started "prettying" up a section of my yard again. Bruce has fixed the sucker and is gathering leaves like mad.

Sooooo, when as I am raking up this section of yard and fall over a large limb still on the ground around me and hit my head on one of the concrete walk pavers in our backyard, Bruce doesn't hear me. I lay there for a minute. Realize once again nothing much is hurt but my dignity. Thank God our yard is fenced! I slowly get up and continue on with my task.

Well, a day later I felt the effects, let me tell you. My neck and shoulder were screaming at me. So now I have an appointment for the chiropractor, but not till after the weekend. I don't think I could stand anyone to do any kind of adjusting right now. This morning is much better than yesterday, so by Monday I should be up to the appointment.

Since it is so cold out, I am finally taking down Christmas today. Bruce hauled up the boxes and I am ready to start. Wish me luck. Every season after taking down Christmas, I usually get the urge to "update" redecorate. Sooo, I am sure I see a trip to Hobby Lobby in my future. And since we are going to Sam's later today, it's right on the way -----right?

It's been a good week. And again let me state for the record, I worked 46 hours in the last two weeks and made as much as working 70 hours at Scrapbook Garden. WOW!!!! Plus I had all that time off with Alicia and Rob. And not once did I have to hear Bob complain about possibly having to work in his OWN store to help cover shifts. Some things in life just give you a new view, don't they? Simply Blissful!

Reality Bites!

Well, the time has come. The days have flown by and the kids are back in Virginia. Life in both places is getting back to each of our "normal" routines.

After saying good-byes at the airport around 4:00pm yesterday, which I will say again, never gets easier, we dropped by Bryan and Vic's for a little hummm, liquid encouragement. That helped ---- a little! I found this really cool thing at the liquor store this week. Instead of a 4 pack of Smirnoff Ice, they have these BIG single bottles,mmmmm. So I bought 1, just 1. However, when leaving Bryan and Vic's realized the bottle was more than 2/3 gone. How does that happen? Bruce ruined my fun by telling me that that single bottle was probably the equivalant of two if not three regular bottles. Oh, well, I am doing my part with recycling by only having to throw away one bottle now, instead of three. So there!

After getting home, I got the kid's bedroom all put back together. Stripped the sheets, cleaned the floor, made the bed. It's ready for the next set of company, whenever!

I went to work at 10:30 and worked until 4:45. The last hour was quite a struggle, I will say. Came home and went right to bed. No unwinding that night. Bruce and I met in passing to the bathroom, and I told him not to let me sleep past 11:00 AM this morning. Well, I woke up at 11:30 and he was gone. Golfing no less. But it is a beautiful day today, one not to be wasted. So what am I doing inside?

It's been good having all this time off when Alicia was home. We had such fun just hanging out. They are still just so in love and truly look happy. Alicia is soooooo skinny. Wow! I cannot believe it. I have never seen her so thin. We all know how she's getting her exercise!! I just don't think I am up to that level of committment however. Sorry Bruce!

Now that the holidays are done, reality is life. It is time to really get cranking on Get Scrappy. Tonight is craft night at the church. Linda, Sheri and I are going to try to come up with our card project for GS4 tonight and hopefully begin pulling papers together for all the kits. Wish us luck! In a couple of weeks Linda and I will hit the pavement for donations. Hopefully those who have been supportive in the past will be supportive this year. By adding the quilter group, hopefully we will have a great turnout this year.

I have to say, with all the home improvement projects, holiday work schedules and company here, I have not scrapbooked at all and I am SOOO missing it. I am getting the laundry done today, so Sunday is going to be MY DAY TO PLAY! Pages are calling to me!