Scrappin'

My long lost love!

I had my (91) July pictures uploaded to Snapfish a couple of weeks ago, selected and printed the ones I wanted and they arrived yesterday as I was walking out the door to my last bible study.

I already have 3 pages done and a two-page layout sitting on the table waiting for the computer journaling. I can't believe I've put my pictures on the back burner for this long.

And using the computer? Pure Genius! While I like my handwriting, I'm totally altering my normal style now by typing the text. I am limiting my comments, letting the photos tell their part of the story and using fonts as part of the design. I'm not getting bogged down in captioning every photo - I feel so free!

It helps that I have PrintShop now too. I remember when my goal list on the SC forum was to print on vellum - about a year ago - I finally did it today, without a second thought.

I switched from CM albums this time too. I'm using true 12x12 drop in pages and that's a huge difference. I can do a two page layout and it looks continuous.

So, my new goal is to keep up on the months for the rest of the year and add past months as I have time. That, at least, seems manageable.

Sunday Reflections

Being the official first day of the week, I'm going to try to do a little pondering on last week and a brief look ahead to the rest of this week.

Church was good. We all made it again this week - Fishing Guy included - to both Sunday School and Service. We skipped the potluck and had leftover pizza at home. The Prince was moved up to the next Preschool class - now that he is a 4 year old. He's back in class with The Princess, thankfully they both like that.

The Prince seems to have gotten the hang of pooping in the toilet down in one day. He went yesterday afternoon, when I let him run bare-bummed in the house. Finally! He made it through church this morning with no accidents and pooped when we got home. In the toilet! Huzzah!!

We are having a last peek at summer today - it's almost 70* and sunny. I imagine it will be one of the last beautiful days before we get hit with the monsoons. Fishing Guy is mowing the yard and the kids are running around in shorts.

Last week:

It was the 4th anniversary of my brother's death on Wednesday - although I just had to check the calendar for the exact day. It seems so much longer ago than that.

I didn't get much scrapbooking done, past pulling out the pictures.

I designed my second card for our card swap and finished the first set. I really need to start taking pictures of them for my idea book.

I had a total meltdown on Thursday with the kids and their whining. Fishing Guy ordered pizza and I got to eat downstairs in peace. Just an hour alone makes such a difference! I'm pretty sure I just made my own case for not homeschooling next year.

This week:

I have my last bible study class for Leviticus tomorrow. I can't believe that we learned so much that has actual application today. I will miss getting together with this group of ladies - until the next study starts sometime in October. Fishing Guy files to Anchorage for a meeting - up and back in one day. Joys of living in remote Alaska.

Tuesday is my free day. We normally do something with Crafty Neighbor and her kids, since it usually works with her schedule.

We have registration for AWANA on Wednesday night. The Princess will be moving up to Sparks and The Prince will be a Cubbie. I'm going to help teach in the Cubbie room, since both kids will be there this year.

Thursday, the kids both go to their first days of school. *Sniff* Fishing Guy is taking the day off and will be coming with me. We have it planned as a date morning, complete with a breakfast out and a trip downtown.

Friday, The Prince will be home and The Princess will go to school, so I will have to think of something fun for us to do.

Now, I'm off to finish up my study notes, clean off the computer desk, write checks for bills and make some bread.

End of the Week Review

Oy! Where does the time go?

Monday - I had my Bible Study in the afternoon. We have one more session and then a break for a few weeks. I got the first info for next year's VBS too. The theme is Alaska!

Tuesday - I spent almost all day outside. Crafty Neighbor and I stamped in the front yard while the kids played. I installed Yahoo IM and talked to Mindy for a while in the evening.

Wednesday - In the spirit of procrastination, I finally called to get the kids in for their immunizations. Amazingly, they got me in about an hour from when I called. Poor kids though - they each got 5 shots a piece, followed buy 3 toys at the office and Happy Meals with milkshakes on the way home.

Thursday - Fishing Guy's day off. I got to sleep in a little, shower in peace and got a little crafting time. The afternoon was quiet - I even got a nap on the couch - and then we went to the Open House at the school. The kids met their teachers and ate cookies.

Today - We had a 9 am follow-up at the Dr. office for the TB tests. Then we went to Fred's for milk and eggs and bread - and a quick visit with Fishing Guy. I printed off coloring pages for the kids when we got home and I'm thinking another nap sounds really good for this afternoon.

In other news:

The Prince has been accident free this morning - even went to the store in undies. Yippee!

The neighbor across the street dropped off a box of books for me yesterday, so I'm digging through those and deciding which to add to my pile for the winter.

The boat went out for a successful test run last night, after being out of order for the last 2 months. I might be able to go fishing off of it yet this season.

My fascination with MSN games has more to do with earning the badges right now. I had the trophy system figured out and then they changed it. I love Shape Shifter, Gold Fever, Zuma and Jewel Quest. I really suck at Bejeweled 2, but I try anyway. Hee!

I felt inspired to think about quilting the other day - must be getting cold enough again. I haven't sewn anything since I did Ann's quilt back in February. I started another scarf last week and found more yarn on clearance this morning. I've been stamping and making cards all summer and I need to get going on my scrapbooks. I ordered the photos for July - all 91 - and they should be here any day. I pulled all of my childhood pictures out of the magnetic albums they were in and started going through them. Some of those are really hard because my brother is in them. It's time to work through them though.

I've got to go make lunch for the kidlets. Have a great weekend!

It's time

to return to this everyday.

I've been playing too many games - I'm addicted to msn.zone right now. I have nothing to show for the summer in stories and thoughts. I need to start writing again.

Especially since school starts 10 days. Both my babies will be going this year. I'm a mess about it, even though I put up a good front. I'm having issues with the commitment I have to make to get them to school everyday, whether I want to or not. In the rain and snow and slush. I'm going to try to walk them over too - instead of driving around the block.

Anyway, enough about that for now. *sniff*

I have potty training issues to deal with - buy stock in Hanes now because at the rate I'm throwing out poopy undies, you will be rich before the boy figures it out. There's the mountain of laundry (always with the laundry) to tackle - Hey! We might all be naked tomorrow! - and Christmas to start thinking about - Yikes! Fishing Guy put out Christmas lights at work last week.

My Monday To-Do list is already too long, but it is allowing me to spend the rest of today with my fingers in my ears, yelling, "LALALALALA! I can't hear you" to everything else.

Now, I'm off to play a game and earn some more badges...

Meme

OK - here goes...

When did you move to the neighborhood?

We moved into our place here almost one year ago.

What region of the neighborhood are you from?

We live in the Valley. It's not Downtown and it's not Out the Road.

What is your favorite part of the neighborhood?

I love our cul-de-sac! The kids are free to play in the yard and ride their bikes in the road. I don't have to be standing over them every second either.

What is your favorite place to visit around these parts?

I love the Glacier, the Tram, Sandy Beach and the Shrine.

Where would you suggest someone new to your region should visit?

All of the above, plus do a little shopping downtown.

Pictures of the Busy

As promised - And it's not even raining today. *winks*

Tristan and Ethan's Combined Neighborhood Party - Sunday the 24th of July



The Cake



Ready to blow out the (Trick) Candles - Hee!



Tristan eating his cake - the windows out of the sailboat



Tristan opening his gifts on Tuesday - also marking the end of The 3 Day Birthday Extravaganza - His crown declares him the Birthday King. Dawn made them for the kids instead of party hats, like we wore for Ethan's Special Dinner and Gift Opening on Monday night. Both boys chose variations of Mac and Cheese for dinner each night.



The Gifts (in use) on Wednesday. Grace is wearing her crown. Still.



And Thursday...



And on to August.

The kids at Sandy Beach. We took my parents in hopes that there would be a cruise ship coming in, but we just ended up throwing sticks and rocks in the water.



The last of the fireweed - folklore has it that it will snow 6-8 weeks from the last bloom. We are headed for snow in September if it's true.



Have a Great Weekend!

Busy, busy, busy...

I have every intention of sitting down and typing something everyday. Not that it happens when the weather is nice or when Fishing Guy is on vacation from work.

We moved our bedroom downstairs and the kids are now back in their own rooms. My parents were in town last weekend and we did more than seems possible. We have been helping the neighbors paint their house and we are still working hard at getting The Prince to use the potty. I'm doing Week 5 (of 7) in a very in-depth bible study. I've read the first 5 Harry Potter books - in the last month - and I am about to start Book 6. The kids start school in a couple of weeks and I have a few things to get done for that too - starting with potty training and any immunizations. I might help out as a teacher's aide two days a week (for The Prince's class), but I need more info about it.

I've got 3 days until I'm an Official Alaska Resident and then I'll be spending my spare time fishing for salmon. Winter is fast approaching and I'd like to have the freezer full.

Hope you all are having a great end to the summer - I'll be back when the weather turns rainy and nasty. :)