Wow! November is here!

It is hard to believe that November is already here. The time has flown by.

I have been busy working on the house, working shows, and taking care of the family.

My creative time has been cut to almost nothing for the past few months but has been exchanged for time working on our house. New paint, new kitchen and bathroom. It is nice to have it feel so fresh.

I have been cleaning and going through some of my clothing. I have a stack of scrapbooking t-shirts in sizes m-l-xl. If anyone would not mind hand me downs..(they are practically brand new) let me know! I would hate for them to go to waste!!

I am seriously looking forward to the holiday season. Time with the family is the best.

I did post a few layouts above that were done. I have been loving the Dr. Seuss isms lol!

Thanks for looking!

August is here!

August is here and it is getting time for school to start. Dare I say.. I can't wait!! (wink wink!)

The first of the month is always a busy day for me . I always try to get my newest Rusty Pickle projects for the month up on line. I posted them above.

We got up for an extra early walk this morning because Ian had to work. I think the dogs look forward to going as much as I do. There is something relaxing about our walk. It is our time to talk about what is going to happen for the day and spend a little bit of time together.

Last weekend we headed for the coast. It wasn't for fun but to go through a few things at Ian's mom's house before they sold it. We were able to take an antique china cabinet (the glass needed repair work) and also an antique men's dresser for David's room.

Tomorrow we plan to head back over there and visit with his mother who is in a nursing home.

It seems we are always running somewhere.. at least we are running together!

We are Back!

After our 6,500 mile road trip we are home! We all had loads of fun . We did have a few "bumps" in the road but we all worked together and tackled it as a family and are now returning to our busy lives at home.

Andrew had so much fun. I still hear things comming out of his mouth telling someone about something that happened or that he learned on our trip and think.. "wow! He really was listening". He was telling someone yesterday about how electricity was made with a dam and how the locks work on the dam we visited. The funny part was we had stopped by this dam for a quick picnic one day with my parents. But boy it must have made a big impression on him!

We visited Destin, Flordia and spent one day on the beach. Ahh.. the water was so nice. Not freezing like we have here in California. We all got a bit of sun even with the spf 70 we used.

Visiting with my parents was so much fun and eventful too. I was able to pick enough blackberries for some homemade jam. Yummm!

I missed Ruby and Max terribly and they were so happy to see us when we arrived home. I think their "welcoming party" lasted for about 20 min. We finally had to put them outside so we could carry in our luggage.

Now we are refreshed an back to our "real world", but boy it was sure fun to get away for a bit!

Well we are about to head out in a few days on our yearly "Family Vacation". I say "about", because here I sit, with nothing packed or ready to go.

It has been a hectic week around our house. My mom and Dad were out visiting, my grandmother was placed in the hospital, and then a rehabilitaion facility, Andrew had swimming lessons, and the list goes on.

My birthday is fast approaching and my kids decided to surprise me with the "bestest" gift in the world. They decided that mom needs to "stay connected" on her trips and bought me a laptop. It was such an awesome surprise! My son Jeremy orchestrated it all and then did the horribile duty of setting it all up with my software that I need. Eveyone tends to hide when I need computer help.

I must say thank you to each one individually as all had a hand in this..

So Thank You... Jeremy, Jennifer, Michael, David, Andrew (Yes! You can have my old dinasour!), and Ian... Y'all are the best! I love you all!

I also included a photo of one of my Dt projects for Rusty Pickle for July to the side! Thanks Jamie for the inspiration and thanks Andrew for the idea on how to use TH Swivil Clasps to hang the circle on! What would I do without my little scrapbooker? He is so full of ideas! I love how this turned out!

Now it must be off to pack!

Remember... "SMILES ARE FREE!"

Hugs!

"Up" and Away!!

Things have been busy around our household these past few weeks!
After returning from Pasadena everything has taken off!
My poor grandmother had to celebrate her 97th birthday in the hospital.
Hugs Grandma! I love you!
My parents are visiting from Tennessee.
Andrew is taking swimming lessons. It is too funny to watch. He loves the water and has fun when he wonders off from the class. I swear he is going to be the death of me.
We leave for vacation next week. I have packing to do.
I am trying to get my July Dt projects finished. I can't wait to share them with everyone.
I did post my "Day in my Life" page for June above. We went and saw the movie "Up".
I used the idea from the movie of the house floating away with balloons. The bottle cap pin from the movie, the movie ticket stubs, and a picture of Andrew were all used. Oh and then I also used a strip of an old 8mm movie.
Well I am off to start accomplishing some more chores.
Did I mention that everthing in my garden is "in season"? Squash or tomatoes anyone???

Back From Pasadena!!

It was a great show in Pasadena!

I got to see lots of my local friends who traveled up to visit Pasadena's first ever CKC.

I just had to post this photo from the show. It is our typical "WE ARE DONE!" dirty hands photo.

I even had the hubby and Andrew helping us out! Andrew was quite the motor mouth during tear down. I think our neighboring booths were getting an earful of him. I had to laugh, because my hubby told me on the way home.. "Now I know why you come home so tired and bruised every show." He had helped us with set up too and said he had to get back to his work to "rest".

We had an awesome crew! Thanks Guys!

Now I am busy around the house doing catch up for being gone for the past two weeks.

My parents will be arriving on Saturday and I am anxiously awaiting their arrival.

I have a few projects to complete and then just got an awesome box of new Pickelicious goodies from my UPS man! SCORE!

Off to Arlington!

I am headed out the door soon to work the GASC show in Arlington, Texas! I will be working with my good friend and fellow chef Kim and a local person from the area I have never met.

I am also hoping to touch bases with my freind and fellow chef Jill! I can't wait!

This is going to be a busy next two weeks. I will be doing back to back shows with the next one a CKC in Pasadena!

I am anxious to see the new Rusty Pickle Patriotic line at the show... and maybe pick up a few more goodies. I am already anticipating getting home and getting to play.

I will be missing Andrew who told me he slipped a secret note into my suitcase. I am not susposed to look until I get there.

I wanted to leave you with a few of my June RP creations. Enjoy!