Scrappin' Shutterbugs

New Year's Eve

2011-12-31T16:00:00.000-06:00

New Year's Eve already..... Oh my, time sure goes by quickly. A tradition in Tim's family started when he was just a child is to have New Year's Eve dinner as a family. That in itself is so peaceful and loving. This family dinner has evolved just a bit since Tim was a little kid. Now, the dinner has spouses, children, and in-laws. It is no longer a family dinner made lovingly by Tim's mom in their family dining room. We all get dressed up and have a wonderful meal prepared by the fabulous chefs at the St. Louis Club.

Each year, we get to make a "wish". It could be something we are thankful for from the previous year and carried into the new year. Or it could be something new for the new year. Often that is thought about during the day on New Year's Eve. This year I decided to write down my thoughts.

Here is what I've come up with today:

December 31, 2011

As I sit gathering my thoughts for tonight the thing that keeps popping in my head is ‘One Little Word.’ I believe it was Ali Edwards (a scrapbooker and blogger that I have met) that started this several years ago. I’ve always thought about this and have had several words that seem to be “it” for the year. This year, I thought it may be good to write them down with my reasons for that being the word and maybe that would help me pick ‘one little word’.

Respect… Such a powerful word. We need to remember to respect ourselves and each other. Respect what the other person feels and thinks. Respect is a way to show others that we truly care what they think and feel. Respect their things and their feelings. Respect to others help us gain their respect back to us.

Love… A word that is used in so many ways. I love you is a statement that means so much! We love each other as a family. We love our friends in a different way but still very meaningful. We also use love to just mean something great. “I love my new toy, or chocolate chip cookies or jelly beans!” A great statement, but a different meaning still. Love makes the world go round!

Courage… A word I truly thought about using! Courage to be yourself. Courage to try new things. Courage to accept things you can’t control. Courage to let your kids go somewhere without you. Courage to go to a different country on vacation. All wonderful things, sometimes very scary and sometimes very exciting. Many things take courage.

Joy…. We all need to find joy in everyday life. When times are tough, joy is what can pull you through. Joy is in everyday life! It is the smile we give and get back to a friend. It is watching your child play. It is holding your husband’s hand knowing that a simple touch can relay how much you love him. Joy is everywhere. Sometimes, we just need to look for it.

Peace…. One of my favorite songs we sang this Christmas is “Et in terra pax”. The first line of the song says ‘et in terra pax, and on earth peace’. The song gave many of us chills each time we sang it. Peace is something I strive to always achieve. Sometimes it is really, really hard! Peace within our own life, peace with each other, peace with our children, peace with friends. Peace needs to come from within. It can’t be purchased or given to you by anyone else. There are so many outside influences in our daily lives. Having peace inside will help with the outside stuff that may not seem manageable.

So I my word for this year is Peace… Peace will open our hearts to the love and joy of all that is around us. Peace will give us comfort, and confidence, and courage to try new things. Peace will give us respect for ourselves and for others. Peace will bring us closer to God and to each other!

My friends, have a peaceful New Year!

Missing Daddy

2011-09-23T17:30:00.001-05:00

Missing Daddy today and every day! Five years ago he left this world to go to heaven. Cancer took over his body and was not kind. Miss you, Daddy! You taught me so many many things about life and living! I'm truly blessed to be your daughter!

Home from Creative Escape

2011-08-29T14:05:00.002-05:00

I had the best time with my friends... Kathy, Linda and Julia!!! You all are such incredible women!! Creative Escape was a fabulous experience!!! I loved the girlfriend time! Loved the scrapbook stuff! Loved the classes!!!!! Such a wonderful adventure!!!

I am such a lucky girl!!! I had lots of hugs and kisses from my boys last night and this morning! Love that!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Anniversary

2011-08-21T23:28:00.001-05:00

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband, Tim. Eighteen years ago on August 21, 1993 we were married at St. Raphael's church. I love you, Tim!!!!

Today was a fun day. We had Brandon with us overnight. We had a big breakfast at home. Then went to the Manchester Pool for a fun swim. Myra kept the boys so Tim and I could have a fabulous dinner at Bravo.

Lynch grandkids

2011-08-07T23:45:00.001-05:00

The end of summer vacation brought most of the Lynch cousins together!!

My brother his wife and their two kids visited from Montana for two weeks!! It was so great having them here. We haven't all been together since my daddy passed away almost 5 years ago. We did go visit them but even that was about 4 years ago.

Time passes too quickly. We had a great time and did lots of fun things including a cousins sleepover at our house and one at grandma's. We went swimming several times, went to the zoo on a way too hot day and visited Meramec Caverns. So fun having them all here!!!!!!'

My sweet Benjamin is 10

2011-08-07T21:31:00.000-05:00

My sweet Benjamin turned 10 on May 31. He is such a great little man! He finished third grade with Mrs. Sugrue. After summer break he will head on to fourth grade with Mrs. West. Benjamin is a fun loving boy that absolutely loves baseball!!!!!!! Love you, buddy!!!

Bad blogger

2011-08-07T21:30:00.001-05:00

So much has happened since I last blogged. I'll try to catch up.....

Fabulous day at the Bay

2011-03-09T03:46:00.003-06:00

Today was awesome. Tim brought me breakfast then he went to his meetings. I had an easy morning then headed out to find the your bus. The bus was red with an American flag painted on it. It stopped at 21 different stops with a taped narrator telling about San Francisco stuff along the way. It was great. This bus allowed you to hop on and hop off stops. They were at each stop every half hour.

The first stop I got off was at the Golden Gate Bridge south view point. This turned out to be a fabulous stop. There was a gift shop and a little cafe with lots of flowers in the landscape. It allowed east access to walk or bike along the pedestrian path of the bridge. A bridge patrol officer on bike chatted with me a few minutes. He said the actual bridge is 1.7 miles and with the approaches it is 2 miles. I didn't go all the way across although if Tim would have been with me I might have. I did go to the first set of red beams it looks to be about a third of the way. It was pretty cool to be walking on the bridge. Then I got back on the bus and sat on the upper open deck. The bus drove across the bridge. It was incredibly windy and it was a cold wind. I got off at the next stop being the north view point. Surprise there was only a scenic view and a park bathroom. So I waited for the bus again. Got on the open upper deck and the bus drove back over the bridge.

The next stop I got off was at Ghiradelli square. They used to make chocolate there but today it is a few shops and restaurants.

I walked all along the Fisherman's Wharf area. This area has lots of touristy shops. Had lunch at Boudin Bakery. They make oh so fabulous sourdough bread there! I had melted harvati on sourdough. So yummy!!! I walked all the way to Pier 39. Love it. I spent lots of time there. There is a special set of docks just for the sea lions at Pier 39. That was amazing to see so many sea lions in one place. Some were just sleeping and annoyed with others and some were very playful! Such a delight to see!!! Then inside the Pier area there are lots of touristy shops. There is even a store that only sells socks. I found a pair that says 'scrapbook girl'. I did find that there were several stores that are candy barrel shops. Fill up the basket with whatever you want and buy it by weight.

Back to the hotel I went. I got back about 5, just as Tim was finishing up for the day.

Tim and I went back to Pier 39. We walked around and had dinner at Wipeout. It was decorated like with a surfing theme. The bathroom was through a red and white cabana. It was decorated with flip flops on the wall.

This was a fabulous day!!!!!!!!

The Bay area

2011-03-08T10:56:00.002-06:00

This trip is fabulous. Yesterday, Tim and I got the boys to school and headed to the airport. Our flight to Denver was on time. We had a short layover then off to San Francisco. We got in an hour late and headed to the hotel. We are staying at the Marriott on 4th street. We have a beautiful room on the 26th floor. There are 39 floors to this hotel.

Tim and I headed to Fisherman's Wharf. We took a ride on the famous cable car. We walked around Fisherman's Wharf a bit. It is fabulous. We had a light rain so it was chilly. We had dinner at Scoma's on pier 47. It was outstanding. Tim had a caesar salad and a shellfish sauté. I had butternut squash soup and petrale dore. It is a white fish. Our meals were outstanding. So so so yummy. We even took the cable car back. So fun!!!

This morning Tim is already in his meeting for the day. He brought me up breakfast. So sweet. He is in meetings until 5. I'm going to venture out to shop on hop off sightseeing tour

Have a fabulous day everyone

Falling is not fun

2011-02-09T19:24:00.001-06:00

Monday morning I fell I do not recommend falling on ice to anyone. It hurts. Our driveway is great on the winter because it dries pretty quickly when we have snow. We have a bit of an incline and the sun shines on it at just the right angle. So that is a benefit.

However, Monday morning there was one very small patch of ice and I happened upon it. Down I went. I landed on my back and hit my head. I just laid there for a few minutes then sat there for a bit before getting up. It hurt so bad that I cried for over an hour. Not a good way to start the day or the week. All day Monday and Tuesday I hurt so much. Thankfully it is now Wednesday night and it no longer hurts to breathe. My neck and upper back is still site but I'm moving around and can turn my neck again mostly.

Bottom line, be careful out there. Falling on ice is no laughing matter. I am very lucky that it wasn't worse and nothing is broken. Take care everybody

I have a teenager

2011-02-02T15:26:00.001-06:00

I can't believe Peter is 13. Thirteen years ago we welcomed this beautiful baby into the world. He was 10 days late and weighed in at 9 pounds 5 ounces. The delivery nurse said he had the biggest little feet. Such a beautiful baby and suddenly I was a mom!

Peter is a wonderful young man. I'm so proud of him and all that he has accomplished. I absolutely love to hear him play drums. He can get quite loud and he plays hard but it is truly music!!!

I love you Peter!!!!! Happy 13th birthday!!!

Sledding at Art Hill

2011-01-29T21:06:00.001-06:00

On January 22, Tim took Peter and Benjamin to Art Hill to sled on the big hill. According to Benjamin it is a very big hill and it was lots of fun.

Lots of snow

2011-01-20T12:53:00.001-06:00

The one decoration I left up... What was I thinking

We have 5 inches of snow and it is still coming down. The snow sure is beautiful. The boys are loving playing in it. Enjoy your day

Happy December first

2010-12-02T12:07:00.001-06:00

I can't believe it is now December first. Christmas is right around the corner We are sitting at the neurology office for an appt for Benjamin. We really like his neurologist. Tim took a vacation day today and we took advantage and purchased a few Christmas presents today. It is hard to believe that I've even purchased one gift already. That is do not like me. I'm usually pretty far behind. Tonight starts the advent calendars and after homework we hope to put some more ornaments on the tree.

I hope your December is filled with lots of blessings and fun family traditions. Hugs

A close up view of a table

2010-11-28T23:57:00.001-06:00

Here is a picture of one of the tables close up. We use the good china that was handed down to me by Mehlville and Anna Garrett. We also use Waterford glasses. A lot of these were wedding presents and Mom and Daddy have found them for sale in houses throughout the years. The silverware is stainless I have the set we received when we got married and mom found a similar set for sale a long time ago and we bought it right away. It is fabulous to have that many stainless pieces. The napkins and tablecloths are all cloth. This year mom ironed all of them for me. I need to find another 8 foot tablecloth. The one I have is showing signs of use.

The decorations are fun. I find a few things to add each year but I try to stay along the simple side. That way it will all still go together.

Hope your Thanksgiving was filled with love and friendship and many many blessings.

Thanksgiving tables

2010-11-28T23:50:00.001-06:00

GeoTagged, [N38.57638, E90.45509]

Here is the set up of our tables at Thanksgiving. We had 15 people fir dinner and 17 for dessert. It was a fabulous dinner. We all had a great time.

Gratitude

2010-11-25T22:57:00.003-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all! What a beautiful day!!!! We even had a little snow shower this afternoon! Kind of funny to see the purple flowers on the Ramona Climatis covered with snow.

A little stressed this morning... the boys just needed to realize that the jobs I gave them really did need to be done. It all worked out. Everyone was invited for dinner at 3 pm. Dinner was actually ready and when everyone got there, we ate! Yummy yummy dinner... turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, squash casserole, green beans, cranberries, applesauce, relish tray, rolls, pumpkin pie and apple pie! So tasty!!!!! We had 15 people for dinner and 17 for dessert. We love having our families here for Thanksgiving. It is Tim's favorite holiday! Tim is fabulous in the kitchen. He made the turkey, mashed potatoes and green beans. Plus he helps with it all! The tables were set up so beautifully.

I am so grateful for the many, many, many blessings in our lives! Tim, Peter and Benjamin head the top of my grateful list. They are so wonderful!!!!! I love them very very much!!! Our family and our friends are important to us as well! We are so grateful for each and every one of you!!!

Happy Thanksgiving and always remember to count your blessings every day!!!

Thanksgiving invite

2010-11-18T11:01:00.001-06:00

Our Thanksgiving dinner invitations have already been sent. Of course Thanksgiving is next week. We will have a great group of family here once again. We love hosting Thanksgiving. Even though it is a lot of prep work. The dinner is always wonderful. I just love how we all sit around the table and chat about being thankful and grateful and about all kinds of stuff

The invitations turned out pretty cute. I used the Thanksgiving Cricut cartridge to make the cuts. Inside is a cut out pie abc the actual invite. I love how they turned out. Simple but yet fun!

Hugs

Altered my journal

2010-11-15T00:23:00.001-06:00

I fancied up the front of my 21 day challenge journal today. I really like how it turned out. I liked it simple before but I just was playing with a few things still lingering on my desk and this is what happened. So fun!!!

Today our family went with Tim's parents and his sister's family in a four mike walk/bike ride around Creve Coeur lake. It turned out to be a beautiful day. A bit chilly but the sun was shining. The boys and I started out on our bikes but with everyone else walking the boys soon walked their bikes. It was a great hour. Four miles of exercise is pretty awesome!!
Hugs!

21 day challenge

2010-11-09T20:45:00.002-06:00

I've decided to accept the 21 day challenge with Rhonna Farrer. Today is day 5. I've done pretty good so far. Along with the physical challenge I am also journaling every day. This has been fabulous. I bought a small lined journal and decorated the front with glimmer mist and the challenge mantra. The kit was purchased from house of 3 and has so many great art inspirations. Instead of putting the whole thing together at once, I'm forcing myself to journal and artsy it as I go. Love it!!! I'm do glad I decided to go this route. Along with the journaling this is allowing me not to beat myself up for not doing more. After all, every but I do is more than I may have done.

This has been do great for me. I don't do well with competitions. But since this is just for me it is great. I think I'm enjoying the journaling the most.

Rhonna says that it takes 21 days for a habit to sync in or get busted out. Really I can do as many 21 days as I choose. Rhonna also stresses that one thing at a time is it. We all have so much that we want or need to change but focusing on one thing at a time really works. I love this!! If you want to do your own challenge I encourage to click on the picture on my blog of the 21 day challenge. It is linked to Rhonna's blog and you can get the whole scoop.

Hugs and blessed happiness to you!

Apple Picking at Eckerts

2010-11-09T20:23:00.002-06:00

What a fun day we had! It was the Alberici picnic at Eckerts! Off we went to get some yummy apples and pick out a pumpkin. It turns out that each of the boys were able to pick out a pumpkin.

Wow! Eckerts has changed. There was so much to do. The boys fed the parakeets, watched a pig race, rode a couple of rides and lots more. We did end up with a few apples. But not too many. It is too easy to go to Kirkwood Farmer's market and get apples almost any day.

The apple picking event was October 3, 2010. Of course the only pic of me has my eyes closed. I do have some great pics of the boys. They sure are growing up fast!

A picture of us in Ireland

2010-10-26T10:55:00.004-05:00

This is a picture of us in Ireland this past June. I just love seeing all of the smiles on our faces, the lush green of Ireland and the ocean in view. This picture was taken in the front yard of the house we rented for the week. We had the best time!!! Love the memories!!!!!

A bday card

2010-10-19T16:18:00.003-05:00

This is a card I made for Benjamin's teacher. I made it 5 x 7 so that there would be enough room for all the kids to sign it.

This card was do much fun to make. I made 3 crepe paper flowers (2 pink and 1 white). Then I used glimmer mist on pink bubblegum to spray the white flower and the front of the card. I used pink polkadot crepe for the ruffle. The cupcake border was punched in white and then glimmer misted in lucky. The leaves were cut out on white and glimmer misted in lucky. The happy birthday is a rub on.

This was a fun card to make. I know the teacher liked it. The class presented it to her without an envelope and all had a Krispy Kreme doughnut to celebrate. Hugs

Decorated Mirror

2010-10-18T00:30:00.001-05:00

Last weekend I was with some friends. We had a wonderful time. So much fun and laugher and friendship. Of course, we were also crafty. Some of us decorated mirrors. With Halloween the end if this month, most of the mirrors were decorated with that theme in mind. I made mine girly. Here it is. This really was a fun project. I learned how to use alcohol inks and also used crepe paper flowers that I made. The crepe paper flowers are my newest obsession. I just love them. Hugs

Yummy

2010-10-01T12:58:00.001-05:00

Look at these yummy cupcakes my sweet mother in law brought me. Yummy. Yummy.

Today I am 43 years old. I have a pretty great life. I am married to Tim. He us the best in the solar system. I have two great boys. Peter is 12 and Benjamin is 9. They are my world

I have a great family and lots of wonderful nieces and nephews. I have great friends and we have lots of fun together.

All in all my life is fabulous. Of course we all have our moments. I still miss my daddy every day. I can't believe it has been 4 years. There are always little bumps but with my fabulous family and friends we can make it through anything

So thanks for being you and helping to make my life fabulous. Love to all

Love this book

2010-09-11T22:23:00.003-05:00

I read this book and loved it. We were at Innsbrook enjoying family time. I am the only night owl in the family so I read after everyone went to bed. This book is great. The next day I finished it while sitting in the sun watching the boys fish. Just had to share!

Love this card

2010-09-11T22:12:00.002-05:00

I learned how to make crepe paper ruffles by watching Heidi Swapp's web show. I am so excited!!!

Happy 17 years, Tim!

2010-08-26T17:43:00.002-05:00

Happy Anniversary to Tim! We have been married for 17 wonderful years!!! We went to Maggiano's for dinner that night. It was Yummy!!!

I know I'm a lot behind in posting from the summer... More to come later and hopefully soon.

Hugs to all!

Memorial Day and Benjamin is now 9

2010-05-31T18:54:00.002-05:00

What a fabulous day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today is Memorial Day which means a lovely day with family and friends remembering all the brave men and women that serve and have served our country.

Today is also Benjamin's 9th birthday! So we had a fabulous outdoor party. It sure is a hot day today, but everyone had fun. We had very large pitchers of lemonade and ice tea and Peter set up a sno cone stand. He made sno cones for everyone. So great!!!

We called it Benjamin's Backyard Barbeque Birthday party. Yummy food... BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, homemade potato salad, homemade slaw, baked beans, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew and cake, of course.

We had a great day with family and friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Summer!!!!!!

Happy St Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T13:57:00.001-05:00

Happy St. Patrick's day everyone!

The boys have been enjoying the sunshine and riding their bikes! Hooray for warmer weather!!!

Scrapbooking with the Girls

2010-03-14T23:56:00.002-05:00

Hello all,

Spent yesterday scrapbooking with the girls! How I love love love to hang out with my girlie friends and scrap the day away! I actually got quite a bit done.

I'm working on the scrapbook from our trip out west in 2007. Can you believe it? I am way too far behind... Anyway, a while back Kathy gave me some Bazill stuff (complete with album how to's) and I made the start of an album. Then yesterday I actually put pictures in it! I'm thankful I actually started the album. Now to finish it! This was the trip when we drove to Sioux Falls, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Missoula to see my brother, his wife and two adorable children, then to Yellowstone. What a fun trip!!! I loved seeing Michael, Julie, Alexia and Aiden. I miss them very much!!!

Hope all is well in blog land! Hugs to all!
Me

Our Family

2009-12-16T21:00:00.004-06:00

This picture of our family was taken at Megan and Gregg's wedding in November. Megan is Tim's younger sister. The wedding was absolutely lovely!!! The boys all looked so handsome!!!

Thanks to all the amazing people in my life!

2009-10-07T11:32:00.003-05:00

A while ago, I had the opportunity to share a few hours with some amazing women in my life! These women are all unique in their friendships with me. They each have a special place in my heart!!!!! Each and every one of these women bring something to my life to complete the circle of me.!!!!!!!!!!! I am grateful to each and every part of these amazing women!!!!!!!!!

Now, that being said.... There are many amazing and wonderful women in my life! I cherish every person that comes to be parts of my circle of life!!!!!

Thank you to all the amazing and wonderful people in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are all a true treasure!

Love to all that makes the world go round!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My birthday

2009-09-30T19:33:00.002-05:00

So here it is on the eve of my 42nd birthday. I'm thankful for all of my family. Tim is wonderful!!! My boys Peter and Benjamin are fabulous!!! All my parents and siblings and nieces and nephews are awesome! My extended family are awesome! My friends are the best!

What can I say, I am truly blessed!!!!!

Happy Anniversary Tim!

2009-08-21T12:31:00.003-05:00

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life!!! Today, we have been married for 16 wonderful years!!! My life is complete with you in it!!! You, along with Peter and Benjamin, make my world go round and round!

I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back to School!

2009-08-17T22:19:00.002-05:00

Big changes around here! Peter started middle school (6th grade) today and Benjamin started 2nd grade today. Both boys came home and said they had good days! Gotta love that!

I finally ordered the ScrapRack. I've been coveting Katie's for a long time and I finally ordered one. I told Tim it was for our anniversary and my birthday. So since half of it is for our anniversary, he says that a quarter of it is his. No problem, but I'd like a quarter of his help in organizing it. No wait, I don't want that because his answer is to get rid of it all and just buy what you need for each page. What???????? He obviously isn't a scrapper.... But I love him!!!!!

I am up to my eyeballs in centerpieces. Tomorrow I am making 48 centerpieces for the Kookin for Kids (St Vincent's Home) auction that is on Sunday. I am very happy to report that my friend Katie has graciously agreed to help me. Thank Goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She will be here with me tomorrow and may not like me very much after that. Just kidding!!! Seriously, thank goodness she is helping me. Otherwise, I may have quit! What was I thinking?

Ok, so that is my life in a nutshell right now. I know you know that there is always more. But that is it for today!

Have a wonderful day! Hugs to all!!!

Peter was Rockin'

2009-08-03T21:54:00.002-05:00

I am so proud of Peter!!!! He did an amazing performance!!!!!!!!! He drummed and sang to two songs. They were "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi and "You Really Got Me" by the Kinks and Van Halen.

Remember this darling face... Someday he will be a famous Peter Gunn!

from our garden

2009-07-08T12:42:00.002-05:00

We just picked these from our garden! Woohoo!!!!! The boys are really excited that finally stuff is growing. We lots more cucumbers growing. Lots of green tomatoes, but nothing red. Our corn stalks are bare. Peter is sad that we don't have corn already. The green peppers are doing just ok. The zucchini has the two that we just picked and the yellow squash has just the one so far. The orange mint is growing wild. I need to figure out how to transplant that a little farther over. It is crowding the tomatoes.

Ok, so I'm really not a gardener. But not bad for our first attempt.

Hugs to you all! Monica

Benjamin's bday

2009-07-02T00:22:00.002-05:00

I know, I'm a little behind in blogging.... Benjamin turned 8 on May 31. We celebrated his birthday at Spencer's Grill. It was an awesome party!!!! Caroline and Lauren and Melanie are fantastic and really helped make Benjamin's bday special. We love that place and go there almost every Sunday after Mass.

Anyway, Lauren made Benjamin 8 pancakes with candles on top. Benjamin was so excited! I love this picture. It shows just how many bites make up 8 pancakes. So Fun!!!

Basement work has started

2009-07-02T00:16:00.002-05:00

Woohoo! So it has only taken 2 months. It seems like forever!!!!!!!!! The water came on May 5 and today they have finally started the drywall taping. I so wish this could have been planned better. But the water didn't see it that way!

I can't wait to get things back to where they belong. Unfortunately, it will probably be another two weeks before things are back in order, but at least the process has finally started!

Hugs!

water everywhere

2009-05-05T14:25:00.002-05:00

Tim woke me up this morning at 6:15 am to a major water problem. There was a pipe that broke under the kitchen sink and the kitchen floor was flooded and it leaked through the cabinet and the floor into the basement. The basement took the brunt of the mess. But the dining floor (hardwood) took water as well. The nice guys at Woodard say the hardwood floor and kitchen will be just fine.

The basement is a mess. Luckily Tim hadn't left for work, he was on his way out the door. So we have spent the day bringing everything from the basement to the garage. We have lost some things, but we are fortunate to be able to dry out most. At least it wasn't sewer water.....

The carpet and the pads have just been hauled away by Woodard. Thank goodness they are doing that work. The bags of carpet and pad were dripping wet as they put them on the truck. What a mess! We wanted to clean out and redo our basement this summer, but not this way. Ugh!

Please say a small prayer for me. Things come in three and this is #2 in two days. On Sunday we came home to fine our mailbox was completely taken out of the ground. After we called the police to report it, we found it about an hour later in our neighbors back yard. No, they didn't take it. In fact, he helped Tim put up the new one. Kind of strange. I guess it was someone that didn't have anything better to do on a Saturday night. Hopefully we won't get a third bad thing.

I hope you all are having a great day! I just want to go back to bed and pray that this was a bad dream!

Hugs to all!

I got to meet Stacy!

2009-04-25T00:37:00.003-05:00

I am over the top excited that I got to meet Stacy Julian tonight! She is amazing and so delightful! I also got to spend some time with Becky, Barb, her mom, and a new friend, Monica from Ohio. Then I got to spend some time with Kathy and Linda and get and give lots of hugs and smiles! I wish I could have spent the weekend at Scrap St Louis with all of them. Oh well! The weekend is just too busy! Maybe next year.....

Hugs to all! I'll post pics in a few days!

My Peter - the Drummer

2009-04-15T14:15:00.003-05:00

As promised, here is a picture of my drummer! Peter did fantastic at the show! He drummed and sang to 5 songs with his band. We are so proud of him!

Have a wonderful day! Hugs, Monica

2009-03-25T14:59:00.006-05:00

Yep, I've been tagged! I've been tagged by Kathy. How fun!

This is a Self Portrait Tag

Here are the rules:

* take a photo of yourself....NO primping or preparing.....just snap a photo NOW!

* load onto your blog....

* tag 3 people to play.....can't wait to see what great photos you girls take!!

So my pic was taken with my phone. It is really hard to take a picture of yourself. My first several attemps were very blurry. I am sitting in my very full scraproom! This is my messiest and most happy place in my house! It is 3pm and I'm getting the boys in a half hour.

I'm tagging.....

Pamela Nichols from Digitreats. She has awesome digital kits! Her kids are just adorable!

Stacey Julian from Altogether Too Happy. I just love her blog and her insights to the world we live in! She is one fascinating lady!

Monica from Random Inspirations. She is also a great digital designer. Plus we have the same wonderful name and live in the same city! How cool is that?!!

Ok, ladies, I read your blogs daily. So I want to see your pics.

Have a wonderful day!!! Hugs, Monica

2009-03-11T14:58:00.002-05:00

Oops, I completely forgot to post this picture. Here is Kathy Northup, Monica Gunn (me), Author - Joanna Campbell Slan, and Julia Vaughn. The three of us won the trivia contest about Joanna's book - Paper, Scissors Death. This is a great book!!! Kathy, Julia and I actually got 35 out of 35 answers RIGHT!!! Woohoo!!!!! This was a very fun crop at For Keeps Sake. Didn't get much cropping done. But we had a great time!!! I even talked to a radio person that was interviewing Joanna.

2009-03-11T14:52:00.001-05:00

Two lost teeth! Peter lost tooth #9 and Benjamin lost his first. Actually Benjamin had his pulled because the new one was already there. We loved having the tooth fairy visit us twice!

What is your word?

2009-02-15T14:06:00.003-06:00

What's Your Word?
What's Your Word?-->
Your Word is "Love"
You see life as possibility to form deep connections with a few people.Relationships are the center of your world, and you always take time to bond with those you love.You are caring and giving. You enjoy helping those you love.And when it comes to romantic love, you feel passionately ... even in a very long term relationship.

So check this out! It is a blogthing quiz. It is only 5 questions. How about that... my word is love.

http://blogthings.com/whatsyourwordquiz/

Go do the quiz and tell me your word! What a fun and random thing to do!

hugs,
Monica

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-12T22:06:00.004-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! This digital card was made using the Just for You Digi Scraps 'Heart Attack' kit and Valentine word art from April the Scrapoholic.

I just love how it turned out!!! I don't normally change the color of the photo to black and white, but I do love how it works with this card.

Have a wonderful Valentine's Weekend!

Hugs, Monica

Paper Scissors Death

2009-02-08T13:35:00.002-06:00

WOW! Have you read this book yet? It is called Paper Scissors Death and it is written by Joanna Campbell Slan.

Let me just tell you that it is very well written! It keeps you interested with scrapbooking stuff and several twists. I am a person that loves to read, I just don't read novels very often. I'm more of a magazine person, because that way I can get through all the pages with lots of interruptions.

But, this book is so good, that I read it while making dinner one night (among other times). So, I'm sure I read it too fast the first time, so I'm reading it again! Love it!!! I have found a few things that I read too fast, but mostly not. GOOD BOOK!!!

Go get it!

Happy Holidays everyone!

2008-12-26T13:40:00.004-06:00

Happy Holidays everyone!

What a lovely Christmas this has been! We have been able to spend lots of time with family and extended family. I love that!!! Next week is New Year's, can you believe it? So much has happened this year.

I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday.

Hugs to all, Monica

Advent Calendar I made

2008-12-04T14:37:00.003-06:00

Check out the advent calendar I made. Yes, it took a long time! But it is totally worth it. I just wish I would have made it this summer. I found the tutorial at split coast stampers. The link is under blogs I read. She has some awesome tutorials. Take a look for yourself!

Hugs to you all!!! Monica

TLC Stuff on sale!

2008-11-14T18:31:00.002-06:00

Hey all,

Just a reminder that all TLC products from me are 50% off the listed price! Let me know if there is anything you want.

Hugs, Monica

TLC kits for Sale

2008-11-11T23:58:00.001-06:00

Five Simple Rules to be Happy

2008-10-20T10:07:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I figure that we all need a little reminder to enjoy the little things! I am trying to clean out my computer a little bit of old files that I don't need any more. I came across this and I want to share with you.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3 Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

I am sharing this with you in hopes that I can remind myself as well! I hope you all are having a great day!!!

Happy Birthday to my brother in law Kevin!!

Hugs, Monica

Join the campaign

2008-10-08T19:09:00.002-05:00

Hi all,

Check out Donna Downey's blog. She has started a Campaign for Creativity! Absolutely brilliant! I love reading her blog. She is so talented and such an inspiration!

Hugs to you! Go be creative!!! Monica

2008-10-07T17:04:00.001-05:00

A gift for teachers

2008-09-30T13:34:00.003-05:00

Ok, while I am sharing. These are cans that I made (with Peter's help) for the boys' teachers. The monkey can is for Peter's teacher and the butterfly and flowers can is for Benjamin's teacher. Peter was telling me that his teacher loves monkeys, so we decided to make a gift for them. I know that teachers get so much stuff at christmas and at the end of the year, so we decided to give them a gift just because. We filled the can with a bag of smarties. Yes, the teachers loved their gifts!!

The tshirts

2008-09-30T13:29:00.003-05:00

Here is a picture of my sweet Peter. This was the most crafty part of Outdoor Awareness Day. I'm really not a out in the woods kind of gal. So I was stationed at the table that made fossils. The kids took a cup, filled it part way with dirt, then took a shell (covered in vaseline) and a leaf, then we poured plaster on top. The next day they discovered the fossil they had made.

The kids loved the day of outdoor learning. I was truly impressed with the day. I think traditional learning is great, but alternative learning is so much fun and just as important.

The kids seemed to like the tshirts. They had their classmates sign the backs of the shirts. It was a very fun day!!

Been a little busy

2008-09-20T00:05:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I've been a little busy. I didn't realize that I hadn't posted in over a month. I still have many TopLine Creations (now Breezy Design) products available and on sale. If you want something, please let me know.

How do you like the page header? I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I have been doing a little more digital scrapbook pages. I like doing them, but it almost takes longer to create. Plus it is a little bummer that I then have to upload the pages and get them printed. I love the look, but I am still so much in love with paper!!! It is nice to mix them up a bit in the books.

I just finished designing the t shirts for my son's fifth grade field trip. I am really happy with how they turned out. Some day I'll post a picture of the shirts. I need to get better about taking pictures of things I want to post.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. We will be at Fallfest and Mass most of the weekend. It should be fun if it doesn't rain.

Hugs to all! Monica

What a GREAT weekend

2008-08-11T21:18:00.001-05:00

We had so much fun!!!!! Katie, Julia, Beth and I had a great weekend at the Scrapology crop. I actually got 29 pages done!!!!! Woohoo!!! Julia broke her record in pages done!!! Beth and Katie were very focused and did a lot as well!!! Both classes went well! The card class and the memory box class both had 11 people take the class.

Can't wait to do it again!!!! Hugs, Monica

Exciting weekend

2008-08-02T13:48:00.002-05:00

Hello all,

I'm so excited about this upcoming weekend. Katie and I will be cropping, shopping, and teaching 2 classes. I'll post pics of the classes later. One is a cropping friends memory box and the other is a dimensional digital card class. I just love the cards we created!

I've been trying to pack some things today. The boys are at mom's and Tim is working all day. There is so much stuff in my room, that in between getting things done, I've found myself playing. One of these days, I'll have my scrap room perfect.... Oh wait, that will never happen!

Anyway, I just wanted to give a quick hi!

Have a wonderful day!!! Hugs to all!!!

Monica

More fun ponies

2008-06-24T10:32:00.002-05:00

More fun ponies

some cute girls

2008-06-24T10:30:00.003-05:00

Aren't these girls adorable? This is just a sample of the girls we have.

Are you a princess?

2008-06-24T10:28:00.002-05:00

If you are a princess, then you need a tiara? or is it a crown?

Crafty Girl

2008-06-24T10:26:00.003-05:00

A sample of the Crafty Girl ponies. I absolutely love these!

Ponytail Time Rack

2008-06-24T10:24:00.002-05:00

The Rack of Ponytail Time ponies!

More are being added daily....

These Are Addictive!

2008-06-19T13:45:00.002-05:00

Okay, you know you have an addiction when you are spending oodles of laundry folding time making pony tail holders when you have short hair! Monica keeps reminding me that my girls are loving them and they both have long enough hair to sport these colorful buttons! As a matter of fact, they are walking billboards! Back to embroidering!

Lots of ponies made!

2008-06-16T20:05:00.001-05:00

WOW! Katie and I have been extremely busy today making ponytail holders. I'll post a picture soon. They are so cute. We have lots of letters and even some that say Crafty Girl. Remember, if you want one, just let us know. They are fabulous!!!!!

Ponytail Time!

2008-06-13T18:58:00.003-05:00

Ponytail Time! These adorable ponytail holders can be custom made for you with your choice of background color (plain or patterned) and your choice of letter color and initial. They are only $5. I wear one in my hair almost every day. After all, it is summer and it is ponytail time!! Let me know the colors you want...

Woohoo

2008-06-13T18:47:00.003-05:00

I am so excited to be starting this blog! Look for fun stuff all the time. You never know what will show up here. I am a former consultant with TopLine Creations. (They are no longer in business.) So there are scrapbook supplies that will show up for sale. My friend, Katie, and I are also making initial ponytail holders. There are darling. Watch for a post about them in a few days.

I'm off for a date with my hubby. Woohoo!!!