HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIANNE!

OK, Marianne.....it is "Official" now. You have turned
"$)" (that is code...anyone wanting to know how old you really are will have to figure out what SHIFT buttons those are.) That way it the whole world (yes, the whole world reads this blog) won't know since you don't actually look THAT old! I say Make em "work for it".

I recently wrote my weight down on my medical History Form as an algebraic equasion. It was "ENCRYPTED" for a very good reason...not EVERYONE in his office needed to know what I weighed and if they really wanted to know they would have to do a little math.

Have an awesome day girl!!! Kudos to you for throwing one of the best birthday party's I have been to! Thank you for the beautiful flowers, dinner was yummy, and you even paid the crop fees! And it was YOUR Birthday! I had a GREAT Time! (CUE Birthday Song...) Enjoy YOUR day today!

Kimi

Just a quick layout of Kimi. I just love the paper colors. The blue is called Robin's Egg...pretty!

Today's Funny!

Lindsey just walked in the door after a long jog outside. She is "glistening" and flushed from running. I said WOW......Lindsey..you are getting so dark! And she quips back saying...."I know!.....I am "COLLECTING" sun!

(and YES, she DID use sunscreen Melinda!) ;)

You are So stinkin funny, Lindsey! I just love the things that come out of your mouth!

Has my Absence made you grow FONDER?

Wow...things have really been heating up! I thought that summer was supposed to be relaxing and carefree! Not here...getting up early getting home late....not much time for scrapbooking OR blogging!

I have been looking into going back to school. The girls are mature and growing up faster than I care to admit, but I DO see it...that EMPTY NEST looming in the trees over there...

SO, what about ME? It has been a super long time since I have asked THAT question! I have decided that I want a job that I WILL ENJOY. So, for now, the job hunt is on hold. At this point, work is VERY stress free so it is the perfect time to concentrate on working on thinking about a future job that I WILL ENJOY! Interesting concept??? I KNOW I KNOW!

Men in Uniform!

Believe it or not this was the best part of the fair last year! The Marine Corp Band was Simply Stunning! The music was incredible and the choreography was so fun to watch. Nevermind the fact that Chris was a Marine when I met him...MEMORIES!!! Takes me back to that gorgeous man in that dress blue uniform...hubba hubba!! Man, I loved seeing him in that uniform!

Volley

Just a quick layout with Kim and Chris playing Volleyball.

Mandatory Blood Donation in Texas!

If you are a Dallas Area Resident, you have almost definately been inducted into the new

Mandatory Blood Donation Program!!

You may or may not even realize you are an active Participant! History is being made here.....as higher than average numbers of Mosquitoes have swarmed every sector of society. I don't know about you, but I am itching my way through the day. With as wet as it's been this year, I don't think there is an end in sight. You just have to think about it in a Positive way...

Donating Blood helps saves lives! (although in this case...the lives you save may not be HUMAN!)

The Girls in DESTIN Florida

This was done with a template by Jen Caputo. All digital supplies came from Digital Designers.

Character...

What do you do when you are challenged? I don't mean a challenge to DO something, but one that involves presenting an obsticle in your path that you have to overcome. I am now "writing through" one such challenge. I need to get my thoughts down so I can see the big picture.
Situation...
I will have to be taking a 20% salary reduction at work. I was just called in this afternoon. I have made it through several layoffs and have been glad about that. My boss is asking me to "Hang in there" through a low workflow period. How long? It's Unclear.......could be a few weeks to a few months. There are several "irons in the fire" and an Offsite job that I have supervised before is warming up. What to do? I just don't know. I know I will likely stay I just need to think. I have to put things in perspective. I have not lost my job and I don't really have to think about finding a new one.
*My children are healthy
*My husband and I are healthy
*My family is happy
*I have a home, transportation, meals, and extras.

I have to bring my thoughts back to this when I think about gas going up, grocery prices seemingly to be creeping (and in some cases swiftly) up AND my salary going down. It is actually more that I have to make a decision to be just as productive at work and have "character" even when I feel devalued. Sigh...it makes it harder since Chris had some daunting news today as well. But, you know...life fluctuates. On the other side of this I will be stronger. My girls will appreciate life and the things we are blessed with. And just maybe, if they see me stay steady, they will learn "Character".

New Class Layout

Here is Lindsey at the State Fair a couple of years ago. I am really enjoying the Jessica Sprague Digital Classes. This one is about using a digital template to create your layouts! FUN!

Art Appreciation!

Lindsey loves her some ART. In fact she loves music, poetry, writing, and all kinds of expression. Here she is at the Ft Worth Art Show. Having a good time!

Donning Scuba Gear!

Apparently there is a storm system that has "stalled" over Texas! This has put a "damper" on pretty much most of out outdoor plans for the holiday. Not necessarily because it is raining all the time but more that everything is a mud puddle! We WERE going to an outdoor concert but when the radio suggested bringing a tarp....FOR THE GROUND...I said "oh...How 'bout Let's NOT!" We usually take one to sit UNDER not ontop of.
It has rained for weeks and the forecast says another week of wet! The good thing is that we can fire off as many "crackers" as we want to on the 4th....no fire alerts! Going to have a Happy Holiday at Kaboom Town in Addison! How will YOUR plans unfold?