Wow, it’s been a long time since I updated this thing!! Let’s see, where to begin!!

On New Year’s Eve, my grammy passed away. She went peacefully in her sleep and I was relieved that her struggle was over. Of course, I am grieving her passing, but I know she is in a better place. I spent a month there helping my mom pack things, and have an estate sale, but it was SO good to get home.

I got a new Mac. Steve and I kept arguing about whose turn it was, so when my brother asked me if I wanted to buy his not even one year old Mac for $800, I said yep!! She is mine and on my desk and even password protected so no one else can get on her!! Oh, did I mention her name was Stella? LOL

While I was in Texas, my mom got me hooked on the show Criminal Minds. Now, I watch that show all the time to catch up! LOL

Today is my son’s 17th birthday! I can’t believe that it’s been 17 years since that little boy came into my life and that in one short year, he’ll be an adult. Where has all the precious time gone?

I’ve been busy scrapping. I was asked to join the Pickleberry Pop site creative team which was quite an honor. I’ve enjoyed scrapping for them. I wish I could add a few more, but it isn’t in my cards right now I guess. LOL My all time fave shop had a call - which I applied for, but I wasn’t selected this time! I see it as a time to hone my skills more and maybe next time it will be a yes.

Anyway, that’s pretty much all that’s been happening here!! Scrapping and genealogy! My two favorite loves! LOL

Well, it’s been a long time since I posted anything. Lots has been going on. The fall semester at BYU-Idaho began in mid-September. I only have six credits left after this and I am finished! Woo hoo!! But, I never realized how two English classes could totally whip my butt. Man, I spend the week busy on school work - but I’m bot complaining - I really do love it.

As far as the scrapping world, I quit all of my CTs. That was the hardest thing I ever did. But, I knew with school starting that I just wasn’t going to have time to do it all. Until last weekend, I haven’t scrapping in two months. But, my all time FAVORITE store - The Lily Pad started having monthly challenges and I just had to do some. They even have a forum now, which I totally love!! I have found my new permanent digi home on the web!

Let’s see, what else is going on? I am now the Activities Chairman for my ward. It’s been a bit daunting, but now that I am in the groove, it’s been fun planning activities! Our Thanksgiving one is this coming Saturday! It’s going to be a Potatoes and Pie night. We opted to do this since our December one is a full blown Christmas dinner and program. It’s going to be awesome!

Well, I guess that’s about it for us! It’s been a wonderful fall full of football games, school, and activities!

OK, I read this on Kate Hadfield’s blog first, then I went to The Daily Digi and read the original. This was such an intriguing idea, that I had to do it.

As I look through my albums, I have discovered:

* I am not a very good journaler. I got into scrapbooking to tell those little stories behind the photos that my children will want to know one day. I was very good at the beginning but the last several pages that I’ve done don’t even tell a story and worse yet - have no date! This is one thing that I intend to change.

* I am not ashamed to admit that as my style has changed, I have re-scrapped photos previously scrapped if I didn’t care for the layout. Now that I have discovered my shortcoming in not journaling, there will be a lot of photos that I plan to re-scrap. Luckily, I’ve saved my all time favorite LOs in layered format, so that should not be too difficult.

* I am a chronological layout filer. I wouldn’t say that I am a chronological scrapper because I scrap as I am inspired. But, when I print and file my layouts, I do like to have them filed chronologically. It just doesn’t make sense to me to look through an album and see your child as a 15 year old and then turn the page and see her as a baby. It seems wonky to me. LOL

* I am a cluster freak! LOL I love to pile on all the wonderful goodies that I have acquired. I mean, I have lots of beautiful stuff, where is the problem in using it to make my pages prettier? Oh, and I just can’t get into the negative space thing. I’ve tried and for me, it just doesn’t fit my personal style. To me, it seems like a waste of good space. LOL

* I am a one - three photo scrapper. I believe that having one - three good photos is better than having ten. I mean three really good ones (and I mean ones that tell the story) can really illustrate the happenings of that particular day. I have scrapped out of focus photos - I mean as Kate says, out of focus photos are still snapshots into your life. What I mean by one - three good photos is photos that really show what’s going on during that time.

So, this has been a very good exercise for me. It’s helped me to analyze the things I need to change such as journaling and it’s helped me realize the things I’m good at such as clustering. Now that I have recognized the areas that I need to work on, I believe that my scrapping will be better than it has been. Thanks Janet for such a eye opening exercise.

This week at Sweet Shoppe Designs, we were asked to talk about our iTunes list. I have a LOT of tunes in groups on my iPod right now. It really depends on my mood. But, lately, I have been LOVING Daughtry’s new album! I can’t get enough of it! Even when it’s played through the entire thing once, I am back for more. I also have his first album in the same group - I guess one can’t get enough of Daughtry!!

Well, this is an easy one for me. I wish I could tell you that I have been to someplace beautiful and exotic. I also wish I could tell you that I’ve been someplace peaceful and relaxing, but I can’t. Since Hannah’s accident, the only places I’ve been are the physical therapy and her orthopedic surgeon’s office. So, without further ado, here’s a photo of a place I’ve been this past month.

But, here is a gorgeous place that I will be going to next weekend:

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I plan on being a better blogger once school starts. =)

Today, the FOBTY was to take a quiz about names. Here’s my results:

You Like Names that Are Retro and Fashionable

You like names that are from the past but becoming modern again. Names with a strong history are very appealing to you. You’re a big believer in giving children very adult sounding names. You’re not a fan of nicknames or newfangled spellings. Some female names you might like: Audrey, Emma, Fiona, Georgia, Isabelle, Naomi, Rosemary, and Veronica Some male names you might like: Brendan, Colin, Ethan, Jared, Kenneth, Martin, and Nathaniel

Of the girls names, I like them all. Of the boys names, the only one I don’t like is Kenneth.

My dad is doing well. He had his shoulder replaced yesterday and is having his foot reconstructed tomorrow. I’ll post more later.

Wow, it’s the middle of July and I can’t believe it! Where has this year gone? Today we are leaving for Salt Lake to get Hannah’s cast off. I can’t believe it’s been three weeks already! She is quite ready for it to be gone. LOL

Anyhow, here’s my FOBTY for this week:

You Should Spend Your Summer at the Beach

You’re a free spirit who is always thinking of new ways to have fun. And you don’t just love summer… you live for it. So, you really should blow off your responsibilities and head to the beach!

Today in history, Death Valley reached a scorching 134 degrees in 1913. So, today, at the Sweet Shoppe, we were asked to talk about our weather for today.

Today, right now as I am posting this, the temp is 53. But, according to the local news, it’s supposed to get up to 86. Still, that’s ok with me because that isn’t too hot. It’s supposed to be sunny and clear all day as well.

As for the weekend, we’re looking at pretty much the same weather, which is fine with me!