Paper Poppy September Sketch Challenge

Ok - did these for the September Sketch Challenge over at Paper Poppy.

I know. It's been like forever. Lot going on for this girl. Back to work FT; switched jobs; now home after a total hip replacement. Just recooping. Be back to norm soon, then back to work too. Actually, working from home for now, but trying to fit in a little creative time too.

Enjoy.

I HATE HOMEWORK...

OK, so I don't let my kids catch me saying that, but it's true, I do HATE HOMEWORK. Especially when it is a struggle, like it is almost everyday with my youngest, Isabelle. She is in the second grade this year, and though she doesn't bring home too much homework, there is at least one or two small assignments to complete each night - mainly reading. She has always struggled and we have hired a tutor in the past to work extra with her, as well as, she was in a Reading Recovery Program last year at school. All this has helped, but we still struggle - she just gives up soooo easily. It's frustrating. We try to make it fun, but it often just becomes a battle. Reading has gotten easier, but Math - oh let's just not go there now. Right now, I am feeling awful and she us up in her room pouting. I am trying to get up the energy to go upstairs again, and see if she is ready to give it another go.

So now that I have vented on that, on to more pleasant things. Have been meaning to share these pictures for awhile. I finally painted my scraproom/office. I only had the paint cans sitting in the room gathering dust for probably a good 6 months, but finally got the bug up my butt to get it done when I realized I was going to have to go back to work full time, due to monetary issues. I did say I was going to talk about pleasant things didn't I - well that being said, I won't go on and on about the fact that I am indeed working again full time - since July it's been. Save that story for another day - like when I have work stuff to complain about! LOL!

AaaaaChooooo.....

Oh, yes, the blog header is way old. Quick, blow away the dust and stop sneezing if you've made your way here. I promise, as part of my New Year's Resolution (actually part of my big resolution I will call "THE BALANCING ACT") I promise to try to be a better blogger. I miss it, I really do. Catching up on what friends are up to and other favorite bloggy places I like to visit. So many changes have occurred in these past few months, hence my absence. I hope to change that - the absence part. More to come - tomorrow.

To all my dear Friends and Family - Wishing you all a very Happy New Year.

Love,

Amy

Summer Break is Almost Here!!

...and I am still thinking about the first day of the school year!! At least that is what I have scrapped as of late. Here are a couple LO's to share featuring the first day of school at the bus stop for my kids in 2006, and back to school pics of Izzy and Zach from this school year. We have one more week to go!!




Now I am trying to clean up my scraproom desk and get ready to head to a weekend Crop for the Cure!! I haven't done much scrappin in awhile now. I think I have been mourning the soon to come "big move" of my BFF and scrapping budding, Tracy. Yes, Tracy is heading to the BIG APPLE next week. We have one more last hurrah this weekend and then we load up the moving truck next week and she hits the road for new adventures in the BIG CITY. WAHHHHHHHH!!!! Pass the tissues please!!!

OK - sniffle, sniffle...I'll get by somehow.

Leaving you with one more thing to check out - MY FIRST E-Zine publication!! Exciting stuff!! Here's a link to check out ScrapStreet.com Magazine and my LO of course!!

Oh that cute little bunny...

I love the Sassafras Bunny!! I'm not even going to tell you how many pieces of paper I have with that bunny on it!! Of course I had to do an Easter LO with him! The pictures are actually from a neighborhood egg hunt we had a couple years ago. Isabelle had smashed her finger in the door about a week before Easter and after a trip to the emergency room and several follow-up visits to a hand specialist, we still weren't sure how well her finger would heal. She ended up splitting her whole finger open - like a peeled banana! Just thinking of it makes my stomach turn. I was sooo scared when it happened and felt horrible for little Izzy (yes, she insists we spell Izzy with a "Y" not "ie"). I am glad to report this incident is well behind us, and her finger did heal perfectly. Anyhow, back to the egg hunt. Izzy was absolutely in melt down mode when she realized she could not hold her basket and pick up eggs at the same time due to her injury (don't ask me why she couldn't just set her basket down and put the eggs in!!). Daddy came to the rescue and became her "Egg-sistant" - LOL!- I thought the name was funny, not sure about you. OK, so the colors here don't really say EASTER, but I do love the bunny -isn't he just perfect?!! Wonder how many more of my Easter/Spring projects he'll show up on????

Our Critters

Just sharing some layouts I did this weekend featuring some of the critters in our home. I still have soooo many more pet photos to scrap. The kids take lots of pics using my camera and of course they usually choose our pets as photo subjects.


Picture of Abbey's parakeet, Nikko with Sammy, Zach's guinea pig. They really do enjoy hanging out together, but Sammy recently did chew Nikko's tail off - no worries, Nikko is fine, and the tail feathers will grow back!


In our home, each child gets to choose a pet for their 8th birthday as long as it has feathers or fur - no reptiles or slimy things here people!! I did the frog thing once and that was enough. Of course, no more dogs at this time - two is enough and no cats - Trey is allergic. This leaves us with birds and rodents - I can handle that. Zach's guinea pig Sammy really is cute and boy has he grown since this picture was taken!!


And NO - Lafferty really isn't in the dog house!! Are you kidding me??!! He is like the best dog ever - SERIOUSLY!! I just got this little house in a kit and thought it would be cute. Wish I had a better story to give you, but I don't!! Now if it were Gulliver in the photo, I am sure I would have some stories to tell!!

Speaking of photos, I realize now as another month almost comes to a close, I have barely taken any photos so far this year. I mean, it's really sad. Or at least it makes me sad. I need to get on this!! For instance, I should have taken pictures of ALL THE SNOW WE GOT overnight!! Yes, that's right - MORE SNOW - ewe!! Or perhaps I should have gotten outside with the kids today and gotten a pic of the snowman they built in the front yard. May still be time for that, however, the sun is out and it may have already melted. Note to self: GO CHECK ON SNOWMAN!!

Anyhow, I mean to make amends with myself and start taking more photos starting right after I post this. TTFN...

It's Officially Spring

Yep, it's a little chilly out today, but officially, it's the First Day of Spring!! Well alrighty then! I keep looking for signs of my Spring flowers outside, but no such luck. Instead, I keep finding little holes dug in my flowerbeds. Something tells me Mr. Squirrel has been visiting and I will have NO Spring flowers! At least Mr. Squirrel is getting a good meal!

Just posting a few cards I made this past week. I've been trying to use up all the scraps of paper and such in a Studio Calico Kit I got back in January. I tell you, those scraps can really go a long way!!





Tonight my hubby is taking me out for dinner for my birthday, which is actually on Sunday, but Abbey has an synchro skate competition Sunday that we will be at most of the day. Saturday, I am celebrating my birthday with my BFF, Tracy - some much needed girl time for the both of us. I cannot wait!! I love having birthdays, on or near the weekend - then it becomes your birthday weekend!!