Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just a couple days away and I can't wait. I love the food and my favorite is oyster dressing. If I only got to eat one thing, that would be it. Karen and family are coming up for the holiday. Looking forward to that also.

Garth, Aimee, Dylan, mom, and dad came over and we put up lights. Poor Dane and I were freezing, but Garth was toasty warm. We will be ready for the lighting of the houses either Thanksgiving night or sometime this weekend.

I am sitting here waiting for a tow truck as my Rav would not start this a.m. I called at 7:00 and I was next on the list. It is 10:00 now and still no tow truck. This was not how I wanted to spend one of my last 2 days of vacation time. On top of that, poor Baby Girl (my cat for those of you that don't know) got sick all over everything. It has just been a great morning.

Everyone have a great Thanksgiving.

Flashbacks of The Blair Witch Project

A couple weeks ago Bren said she would go with me to take some fall pictures and knew a really good place. She had scoped it out previously. It was down a very pretty road and we found it easy enough. She thought it would run by the river. Needless to say after tramping around for a while, across bridges, up steps (what's with the steps), we found the river. We couldn't get down to it, but we could see the river. Trying to find our way back was a big of a challenge. At one point, I told Bren this trip reminded me of the Blair Witch project movie. I just needed a video camera, tears and snot running out of my nose. OK, maybe that was too much information, but if you've seen the movie, you have a good idea what I am talking about. We did find our way out.

Doesn't this picture look like something out of that movie?

No sooner did I get home, than my friend Mauna called and wanted to know if I wanted to go out and take fall pictures. We didn't get lost and I actually got some pretty decent pictures.

Last week I got the cutest poem in the mail telling me that Garth & Aimee are expecting a baby next June. I am so excited. Now I can't wait to find out if it's a boy or a girl.

This was a short week for me. I'm trying to get in all my vacation days, so I was off Thursday, Friday, and then this coming Monday. Nothing big going on. I mowed for, hopefully, the last time, did some scrapbooking, and plan on doing some more.

Bonfire

Last Thursday (16th) was Dane's 24th birthday. In celebration, we had a bonfire. It is the first one we've had at this house. It was a great night for one. Not cold, but cool enough the fire felt good, slight breeze and a clear night. Entertainment was provided by Ethan who told very spooky stories about werewolves with big eyes and big teeth, haunted castles and an assortment of other entertaining things. Ethan gets very animated when telling stories. Dylan was totally enthralled. He just sat there and watched Ethan. I'm sure he had no idea what Ethan was saying, but was enjoying it it anyway. At one point Dylan did get up and was "telling" a story also to Aunt Benda (as he calls her). The layout shown is Ethan telling the story and Dylan listening. Jordan also played soccer with Dylan. At first, Dylan always keeps his distance from Jordan. In fact, he wanted nothing to do with Jordan at first. Later, Jordan was all he really wanted. Jordan could "kick big" according to Dylan. They played for quite a while.

I had Friday off to do a few things around the house, including getting the furnace serviced and making an appointment to get the fireplace (keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer) working so I can actually use it without opening a window and turning on the fan. That kinda defeats the whole purpose.

Saturday was a crafting day. I made several cards and got 3 layouts done and also watched Dylan for a few hours.

Today, hopefully, Bren and I will take a drive and I can take some pictures while the leaves are still on the tree.

Through the Eyes of A Child

Garth, Aimee, Dylan, and I went to Menards to check out new lights for the house. I was pushing Dylan around looking at the lights. It was neat to watch him admire the lights. He was so fascinated, but as you can see, he was not touching. It is so much fun watching him see things that are new. He kept saying "Come on Gamma, over there, let's go see." On the way home, we stopped and they picked up their pumpkins. Sunday Brenda and my friend Pam and I went to Joann's for a candy making class. It was not the best class we have taken, but it was nice to get out with friends. I did get a couple more scrapbook layouts done. I think I'm going to do another blog that has nothing but my card/scrapbook creations. I just need to take the time to create it.

Zoo

I had a great week. On Monday, I took Dylan to the zoo along with dad, mom, and Brenda. We started out at the playground where Dylan played for a while and I did a bit of refereeing and trying to keep up. We had some lunch and then made our way over to the zoo. It was a really great day. Weather/temp were perfect. We wondered around the zoo. Dylan wanted to ride the Merry Go Round and the "sish" (fish) is what he picked out. Doing a ride that goes in circles is not something I tolerate very well, but for Dylan, I would do it. He was so excited to ride, but about 30 seconds after getting on the "sish" he wanted off and go very upset. So before the ride could start I moved us back to a bench that we could ride on. He kept is face buried in my shoulder and then looked up and saw the Puma behind us and decided that is what he wanted to ride. Needless to say, we did not change seats. From there we wondered around and got a Popsicle which was almost as big as Dylan. We rode the train and then ended up in the gift shop. The rest of the week was very quiet. Dane had a wisdom tooth removed on Friday and I went with friends up to Plymouth to a scrapbook store and then on the way home we stopped at Lakes of Winona and ate at the Boathouse restaurant. Today Bren and I went to Jefferson Point and had a nice lunch, walked around there a bit, and stopped to visit Mark/Mary Tuttle to look at his photographs. Someday maybe I will be able to take photos like that. That is one of the things on my "Bucket List."

Mom & Dylan

Oz Fest

Well, it was really the Wizard of Oz festival in Valparaiso, IN. I had seen it in a book and as I love the Wizard of Oz, Mauna and I decided to check it out. It was a bummer. Not much going on. A few characters walking around that you could have your picture taken with. Mauna took my picture with a group of them. Check out the blonde Dorothy with red streaks. Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion were there, but those darn little kids took up all the room and wouldn't let me close enough for a picture. I mean really, you would think they would have made room for the old lady jumping up and down and screaming "I love you Tin Man." We also stopped at a couple scrapbook stores which was fun. One was having a 70% off sale. We were suppose to spend the night, but the electricity was out at our hotel, so they let us cancel our reservation and we just came home. We did stop at The Boathouse in the Lakes of Winona for a great meal. I found out today that I won a $25 gift certificate to the scrapbook store. Now I'm going to have to go back.

Thought: Memories are like keepsakes, always to be treasured. (Author Unknown)

Labor Day and Beyond

Karen and her family came home for the Labor Day weekend. We met for breakfast on Saturday a.m. and then most of us headed back to mom & dad's. I kept Dylan with me so he could play with his cousin Kaille who is 6 mos. older. It was fun watching them interact. For the most part, they did pretty good, but it's funny that a toy can sit without anyone playing with it, but as soon as one picks it up, the other one wanted it. There was a lot of "you have to take turns" and "it's my turn" said that day. One cute thing that was said, among many, was the "take it, take it"..........Grandpa made Kaille and Cole chocolate milk. Kaille was blowing bubbles in her's and Karen (Kaille's mom) told her to stop or she would take it. Out of the mouth of Dylan comes "take it, take it."

On Sunday we went to Bren's for supper, swimming, and fishing. Some people caught several and then there were others that caught nothing. We need to get the fish for Christmas a.m. Bren also received instructions on how to fillet a fish.

On Thursday of this week, I met my cousin Nancy at the mall for a visit. It was the first time in many, many years that we visited. We were very close growing up and then everyone goes their own way after school and we grew apart. It was great fun to be able to visit. Don't think she has changed a bit.

This weekend I had Dylan while Garth & Dane went golfing. We visited with Papa and Gege for a while before coming home.

November 12 "Menopause the Musical" is coming to Ft. Wayne. Three friends, mom, and I are going to go. Should be a great time.

Thought for the Day: Maybe it's true that life begins at 50, but everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out. (Phyllis Diller)

This is her second piece, you should have seen the first one. Didn't have my camera at that point. It was probably half the size of this one. I do give her credit for doing it though. We would never have fish if I would have to clean & fillet them. Way to go Bren!!!

Just Because Time Off

I took Friday off as a "Just Because" day. I was really wanting to hit some of the local craft stores and also to see my friend's new home. I hit Joann's first and purchased some Sizzix diecuts, then on to Hobby Lobby where I picked up a couple Cuttlebug embossing folders and lastly the stamp store to see if they still had the Cuttlebug Halloween embossing folders because Hobby Lobby didn't have them. Picked up 2 there, but keep in mind folks, it was a $1 more than Hobby Lobby.

I came home and did a few layouts and then my favorite little man came to spend the night with me. We got out his box of stickers, crayons, and paper and had a craft time. We played in his "tunnel" which is actually a pop-up tent that I had picked up for him in Nashville. Dylan and I also went to Papa's and Gege's to help celebrate their anniversary.

Saturday was more layouts and recipe cards, both creating and printing.

I sure could get use to "Just Because" time off.

This coming weekend Karen and family will be home which will be fun and the next weekend is my trip to the Wizard of Oz festival. That should be interesting. I don't suppose my tall, dark, and hopefully handsome man will be among the munchkins do you? He sure would stand out among them.

Thought for the Week: Always keep several Get Well cards on the mantle so if unexpected guests arrive, they will think you've been sick and unable to clean.

Week In Review

Boring! That about sums up my week. I went to work, got groceries, saw Mamma Mia! (great movie.), visited with some friends (good time), and went out for supper with Bren to Triangle Park. OK, so maybe my week wasn't as boring as I thought. I am having had a great weekend. I got some cards made using my Quickutz. It's about time I did something with those things. I seem to collect them and then not use them. I also did a couple scrapbook layouts which you can see. I really enjoy digital scrapbooking. It is so much easier. Not necessarily faster sometimes, but at last I can undo anything I don't like or change colors to meet my needs. I order a book this weekend also. I can't remember the title, but it is about reading the Bible in 365 days. Maybe I can make it through the Bible then and at least say I've read it. I order it in large print just in case these old eyes need it. Anyway, here are a the layouts I did this weekend. Enjoy.

Scrapbookers Dictionary:

Chocolate: Food for Thought.

Creative Juices: Beverages consumed while scrapbooking.

Creativity

Just finished reading an article in one of the ladies magazines on women who started a blog for various reasons. A couple had really creative names, for example, "wouldashoulda" or "ican'tbelieveiambloggin". Now why couldn't I come up with a more creative blog name than Debbie's World? I'm going to have to work on it.

Had a stamping/scrapping garage sale last weekend with 3 other friends and it went fantastic. Got rid of enough suff to help pay a couple bills.

Bren and I went to see Mamma Mia. Great movie, especially is your are middle age. Definitely a toe tapping movie and pretty funny. You know my psychic said I would marry someone a couple years younger than me. I'm not one for younger men, but after watching the movie and seeing some of the young men, I may have to re-think it. I wish I could be as outgoing as the women in the movie were, even a little more would be fun. Anyway, great movie.

Next pro golfer.

Thought for the day:" Maybe it's true that life begins at 50, but everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out. (Phyllis Diller)

Vacation Week

What a fun week. It started on Sunday, July 27th with Dylan's 2nd birthday. The picture is of Dylan trying to get his 2 fingers up. Then on Monday, July 28th, Brenda and I started our trip to the outlet mall/Nashville, IN where we were meeting Karen for 3 days of fun and laughter. It was very relaxing. We did a bit of shopping at the outlet mall and thendrove to Nashville, IN and checked into our great room. I would definitely recommend going there during the summer because the rates for the room right downtown were fantastic. It cost each of us $40 a nite for our room and the room also came with a full breakfast, an afternoon snack, and a dessert in the evening. The free food is what sold us on the Cornerstone Inn. We went into Brown County park and did a "easy/moderate" 1/2 mile trail. That was a joke. Picture below shows some of the stairs we had to take on this trail. Karen and I didn't make the full half mile. Bren, however, jogged part of it. Bren and I also had a reading done which was really fun. My future doesn't look too bad except for getting a new job in the next year, but supposedly I will be much happier. We'll see how that works out. I don't know how long it has been since I laughed that hard. It was a very relaxing trip. After I got home, I decided to continue my vacation with getting my hair cut and highlighted and my nails done. It was a great vacation.

Does this look easy? I don't think so. This picture doesn't even show all the stairs.

Time Flies

Where has the time gone again. I finished the 2nd Jessica Sprague scrapbooking class and started the camera class that goes through the first part of August. I am so far behind in that class. I took a "mental health" day this month and sat on my front porch from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. with Baby Girl and enjoyed the view, weather, and a good book. Everyone should have a front porch in which to relax and watch the world go by. Watched "The Bucket List" and I would highly recommend it. I laughed, cried, laughed and cried together. It would be great to create a bucket list, but I would have to find someone with money to do some of the things I would like to do. For example, I would love to go to Australia, but can't see that happening any time soon.

If you ever need an uplift (serious or otherwise), I would recommend getting the newsletter from ScrapGirls.com. Even if you don't do digital scrapbooking the muses are great.

Next week I'm off on vacation with my 2 sisters. Should be a fun/funny time. I will write more on that later and may even post some pictures.

Thought for the Day: My mind works light lightning. One brilliant flash and it's gone.

Catching Up

Last weekend, Sue Benner from the Yahoo group, SSSD, came from Wheaton, IL for a visit. Sue arrived Friday night around midnight and we sat and chatted until 3:00 a.m. Got up the next a.m. and hit the stamp store and a quick trip to Archivers. We came home, had lunch, and stamped until 11 or so and then stayed up talking until 2:30. I had a great time. Sue is a very easy person to talk to. Then I had Dylan for a few hours on Sunday while everyone went golfing. We went next door to play in the pond and did get a little swimming in, but a storm was coming so it was cut short. I also finished up my basic digital camera class at IPFW and signed up for an on-line digital photography class through Jessica Sprague's web site. It starts this coming Monday. Really looking forward to that. I hope I am able to get more out of it than the IPFW class. I am also working on the Intermediate digital scrapbooking class on the JS web site. Her classes are really great for anyone wanting to learn to do digital scrapbooking using Photoshop.

Everyone have a save and happy July 4th.

Thought for the week: As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Not a whole lot happened this week and no great words of wisdom. I did, however, want to share a layout I did this a.m. My sister lives in KY and they are experiencing the cicadas (locust?) doing their every 17 year thing by coming up out of the ground. Her daughter is shown holding one in the picture and hopefully you can read the story that goes along with the pictures. There were a lot of other e-mails flying around, but I picked out the best. I finished the Jessica Sprague class and will sign up for the next one on Monday. Definitely recommend her class. I have not gotten my photo assignment done this week (I know mom), but it's been too hot and rainy and well, I have a whole bunch of excuses I could give you. I did, however, get flowers planted in the front of the house.

Older People

When I was growing up I was always confused as to why "old" people got up so early. I mean, come one, kids are grown you can do what you want without having to check with people and you could sleep in. You could sleep in until noon if you wanted, yet they would talk about all the things they had done before 7 because they were up at 5. I mean, what's up with that? Well everyone, I am now an "old" person. I have noticed more and more that I go to bed later and wake up earlier. I'm not saying I get up because my inner voice is telling me to stay in bed fool. So I force myself to stay in bed until a whole 7:00 now. It's not five, but it is also not 9. I have also noticed other changes which are not fun or pretty. I won't go into them , but hey sisters, it is getting really ugly. Mom never talked to me/us about a lot of these changes. At least, at this point, I don't have to cut holes in the sides of my shoes yet.

As far as my week goes, I am behind in both my on-line class and the Book of Me. This week's topic in the Book of Me is about my significant other. Hope to post the layout in my next blog. Still trying to come up with what I want to write. I know which pictures I want to use.

This week, however, I will add a picture of my little significant other. He likes to swing, kick the ball, drink milk, and watch Dora.

Thought of the Day: I believe the true function of age is memory. I am recording as fast as I can (Rita Mae Brown)

Family & Education

Where has the time gone? I had planned on posting something every week, but time just flew by. The last couple weeks were very busy.

On Mother's Day I made shish kabobs and went over to mom & dad's where Bren and I grilled them. Mom and Bren made the sides. The meal was great and as always, being with family was the best part. I am so glad that I live close to my family. If only Karen and & family would be closer.

I started the Jessica Sprague Up & Running digital scrapbooking class and have completed lessons 1 and 2. When I started Lesson 1 I wasn't sure if I would learn anything since I've been doing this for a little over a year now, but since it was all self-taught, I had hoped I would pick up new things. So far, I have learned quite a bit. Definitely recommend this class for anyone getting into digital scrapbooking.

I also did a couple more pages for the Book of Me. One was the favorite things and the 2nd one is about family.

My first basic digital camera class at IPFW was last Monday. It came complete with homework. The teacher is Jim Sweeney and he, so far, is very easy to understand. Brenda & Ethan went out with me to take pictures for the class.

Thought for the day: In every conceivable manner, the family is a link to our past, bridge to our future. (Alex Haley)

Here are a couple things I've done this past 2 weeks.

May 5, 2008

Yesterday was my birthday and I had a very nice one. I went out with my friend Mauna. We did a picture taking tour (Spencerville Covered Bridge and the river walk in Leo), out to lunch, movie (Fools Gold), and then to the Vera Bradley sale. After that I went with mom to listen to a gospel quartet and then cake and ice cream at mom & dad's.

This month starts my very full month. Tonight was my first digital scrapbooking lesson (layout below) at the Jessica Spague web site. I'm also working on an All About Me album. I have the journaling down, it is the picture of me that I'm having a problem with. Every picture that I've had taken just doesn't look like I think it should. I think people are using wide angle lens and have put some sort of age filter on the camera. Oh well, maybe I can Photoshop it and make me look like I should. Next Monday I start my digital camera class. I think that is what I am most excited about.

Here is the layout I did for the class tonight.

Thought for the day: My friends have made the story of my life. (Helen Keller)

Sunday, April 27

This week I met with a digital scrapbooker (Frances) from this area. I didn't think I would ever find someone that I would be able to discuss digital scrapbooking with locally. We had a nice visit at the mall and will stay in touch and probably meet every once in a while.


My life has really been blessed with new friends in the last year. Not only did I meet Frances, but I have a friend through another digital scrapbooking site that lives in Australia (Lauren) and my Yahoo stamping group (SSSD). It has been great!





Here is the card I made at the SU stamp club. It was made with the SU stamp set Year After Year, So Saffron cardstock and marker (cake plate). The cake was paper pieced.

Dylan spent Saturday night with me. He was a very early riser (4:15 a.m.) and didn't stop moving until mom and dad picked him up.

I played around with my new camera and will post pictures or website for you to view later. My will start my camera class 5/12. Really looking forward to that.

Thought for the day: Friendships multiply joys and divide griefs. (Thomas Fuller)

I'm So Proud of Myself

To some people it is probably not a big deal, but when I figure something out on my own, especially electronics, I am very happy. I hooked up the TV converter box so I can get digital channels, and believe me, it wasn't just a plug and play for me. I also purchased an iPod yesterday and today I figured out how to download the iTunes stuff, register the iPod, and purchased 2 albums. They show downloaded, but now I have to wait for it to charge to see if it worked. The 2 I purchased are Lou Christy's Greatest Hits and Helen Reddy's Greatest Hits. Now I can rock while I am mowing. Most of the albums I want to download are from the 60's and early 70's. Best music ever.

I also had Dylan overnight. He is such a joy. Brenda, Dylan, and I went out for breakfast this a.m. and of course, Dylan did not want to eat, he kept wanting to go. He was "all done" according to him. Needless to say we no more got in the car than he wanted to eat. Go figure.

Thought for the day: Life is short, dance like no one is looking.

Beautiful Day

What a perfect day. Sun is shining, it is warm with a breeze. I took the day off and got my yard mowed. Last night I went out for supper with some friends and then we went back to Cindy's house and made a great card using punches (thank you Linnie). Check it out and tell me what you think.

This weekend I hope to play with my new camera and maybe post some of the pictures.

Thought for the day: Did you ever stop to think and forget to start again? (Winnie the Pooh)

Handling Stressful Situations

This saying came from a friend of mine on the SSSD Yahoo group and I thought it was pretty good:

Handle every stressful situation like a dog.
If you can't eat it or play with it,
pee on it and walk away.

Beginning

Well, it seems I am going to enter the world of blogging. Not sure how it will go or what will show up in here, but I'm going to give it a try. I hope to post some of my digital scrapbooking layouts and photos using my new camera. I start a basic digital photography class in May and am really looking forward to it.

Today was a day of scrapbooking and then cleaning up the computer. Not only did I get some scrapbook pages done today, but I uploaded them to be printed. Can't wait to see how they come out. I did 17 8" x 8" and 5 4" x 6" layouts. After that, I burned all my pictures and layouts to a DVD, so I am good to go on new projects.

I also got my April SSSD swap done and will post tomorrow.