A new day!

Wow, it really is a new day in so many ways today...our nation just inaugurated it's 44th President, Barack H. Obama! Our nation just inaugurated it's first President that is part African American! and, on a silly note, today is a new day, I mean, it isn't yesterday an it's not tomorrow!!

I had to tivo the inauguration ceremory because I had class this morning (and am happy to say that one more day of class and I will be done..woo hoo!!)..and I just finished watching it. So many things move me to tears. I am NOT a political person. In fact, if you asked me who I voted for the answer would not be Barack Obama. (nor would it be John McCain) My answer would be that I did not vote. I did not really care for either candidate and so my vote was to not vote! I am not just voting because I can, I am not just voting to "do it", I will vote when there is someone that I want to see in office! That being said. I am not unhappy that Barack won, nor am I happy. What I will say is that I truly hope our country sees some much needed change and that our new President can work good towards that change. I was moved to tears today to see our 43rd President, George W. Bush, leaving office. What a long, strange ride it has been for him and it really must be hard to have to say goodbye to a life he has known for 8 years now. I was moved to hear the prayer, led by Rick Warren (author of The Purpose Driven Life), but prayer always moves me to tears. I was moved to hear Aretha Franklin sing "My Country Tis of Thee", song usually makes me cry...well, meaningful songs do, not stuff like Justin Timberlake or Kelly Clarkson LOL!! and I was moved to hear the passion in President Obama's speech. I have hope and hope is a wonderful thing. Only time will tell, and so we wait and see....

Now, on to some less "emotional" stuff, shall we? :0)

I have been on a card making frenzy! After doing my December Daily album all digi, I have decided that the majority of my scrapbooking will be digital. In fact, today I received my book from Shutterfly and it is RAD!!!! Totally love it, and it cements even further into my head, the "going digi" feeling!! But, the question now looms, what do I do with all this paper fun goodness?? Simple, I love to stamp, I love to make altered stuff, so that is where my paper making hobby will go..cards and other fun things. I was a stamper before a scrapper so I suppose it will always be my "first" love!

I really dig A Muse stamps! I don't own many (well....currently anyway, I did order myself a big 'ol boatload of them yesterday!!) so some of the images you see, might be ones I've used before to make some cards. Anyway, I joined the A Muse message board and they had a challenge for this month...to use a new to your collection stamp to create a card. I checked (just to be safe) that I could use one of mine, that while they were not totally new, I had gotten them all at the same time so could I still play along..."sure!" was the answer. Here is my entry for the challenge!! I used the Margarita glass and the "Cheers to you!" phrase, along with some Bazzill pink cardstock, SU Black cardstock, White cardstock, MM pink patterned paper, my Marvy Scalloped punches, some glitter, ribbon, brads and my Prismacolor pencils!



I'm still trying to find the best way to photograph my cards so that the colors look true to life..but, this was the best I came up with today! I really like this one. Pink and black are always a nice combo I think!

I took a card class yesterday at Craft Fancy and that was soooo fun! Simone designed some really cute Valentine's Day cards for us to make (5 in all). I really love Craft Fancy, it is probably the best independently owned scrap store I have seen..love the mix of manufacturers that they carry, the line of stamping goodies, the general look and feel of the store too, waaay awesome! If you are local to Arlington Heights, Illinois, you really need to stop in and check them out! I keep telling myself that once the weather isn't an issue for me, I might just have to make weekly trips on down to play and see what's new!

Alright, not much else to report. Roger is due home any minute..yippee!! Looking forward to hanging out with him for a few days! I need to think about dinner for the girl, it's that time....so,

Until next time,
Blessings!

It's been ordered!!

I am so totally jazzed about it, it's been ordered and I should have it in about a week or so!!

Now to start another project! Got one in the works but I'm not gonna share anymore details until it gets under way, but, if all works out, it will be pretty exciting for me and a whole new avenue for me to venture down! I promise, you'll know as soon as I do! Hee hee....

In school news, yep, the bad weather we are having has caused me to miss a couple days this week...no biggie, I'm on a work at my own pace kinda deal so I only have to really go one day next week and I'll be done. I'm doing a gel fill and pedi tomorrow on mom, yay mom! I have to say, I joked with Roger the other day while we were chatting that getting back into nails is like riding a bike, you just don't forget...and you know something, it feels really good! I'm so happy with my decision to do this, in fact, I've been very happy with a lot of decisions I've made over the past 6 to 7 months! It feels really good to be "me" again, I missed me and I didn't even realize how much until "I" returned! I really have to thank God himself for putting into place, events and things that steered me into a much happier world! Prayer does work people! :0)

alright, that's all for now,

Until next time,
Blessings!

December Daily - Day Twenty Five

alright, here it is, the last layout!! I spent today working on getting the covers and spine done, now I just need to pen a title page, upload that tomorrow and my book can be ordered!! WooHoo!!! I am soooo pleased with how it turned out and I can't wait until I get my book!! I had a great time doing this challenge. I had attempted to do this last year and by Day Two I had forgotten to take pics and I just kinda said "oh well..". This year I was determined to start and complete this!! I'm not sure I'll do next year, I'll just have to wait and see how the mood strikes!!

I'm also pleased because by choosing to do this album digi, I learned SOOOOO much about PSE! I also learned a lot about how I like to create and what I like to create. You will definitely be seeing much more digi work from me in the future. I contemplate ridding myself of all the paper crap I have, but, truth is, I like to do cards and gifties and so instead, I'll purge stuff I don't need and simplify my scrapping world! I'm going to totally re-do my room (once we finish Mandi's room...that's our next project here at the Rawlins household) and make it much more digi friendly and comfortable! I see myself sitting at a beautiful antique desk, just scrapping away on my uber modern MacBook! Ah, gotta love it!

So, that's all. I'll share the book soon but for now, here is my last entry, Day 25!!



I don't have much else to share, the day was pretty routine. I did make Mandi some brownies though and indulged in one..I mean, seriously, how can you make brownies and not have at least one! Other than that, just a nice and quiet Sunday...it's now time to call it a night...throw in a dvd and chill.....so,

Until next time,
Blessings!

***I know, I know...I forgot to show Day 24!!! LOL...tomorrow!! and the recipe too...tomorrow!! :0)

December Daily - Days Twenty Two and Twenty Three!!

yeppers, two layouts to share today!! One more to do and this album will be finished!! I am soooo excited! I can't wait to start uploading it to Shutterfly and ordering my book!!

Like I said, it's taken me almost a week to get back to doing anything scrappy related, what with my CE classes and all...but I am one week down, 4 days to go and I will once again be a LICENSED nail technician! Woot!!

Today I have spent the better part of the day working in the sCRAP room, getting these layouts done. It's really not all that difficult, in fact, for Day Twenty Two I actually used another of the Ali E. templates (that in itself lends a ton of speed to the project..no having to come up with a design, gotta love that!), talk about easy peasy, and then the Day Twenty Three layout only has one picture so, yep, pretty easy to do!! I've already got it in my head how I want to do the last layout, so half the battle is solved there!

Alright, here they are:





Never you mind the goofy looking family picture...there is a whole story behind it and it's really not worth sharing but lets just say my darling husband couldn't find it in him to be serious for even a minute!! In fact, I have the funniest, most fabulous "goofy" shot of him that is going to be another layout (just not in this album)..that will teach him!! LOL

Lets see what else?? Oh, tried out a new recipe today for chocolate meringue cookies! 25 calories per cookie and NO FAT! gotta love that! I've already sampled two and they are quite tasty!! I'll post the recipe here tomorrow, with my last layout!!

Alright, the girl has a friend coming over to spend the night and I wanna get finishing this last layout, so,

Until next time,
Blessings!

December Daily - Day Twenty One

Wow, is this December Daily album dragging or what? LOL Seriously, I thought I'd be done by now, only 3 layouts left and I just can't seem to find the time to do them! I suppose, it won't hurt at this point to share some news with you, I've been lacking in the scrappy time because I have been going to school to get my continuing education credits so that I can re-instate my license for nail technology!! YAY!!!

Long story, short version...a couple years ago I foolishly decided to let my license expire! I know, what the heck was I thinking? Well, I was at a really weird point in my life, things were kinda up in the air for me and I had just had enough of nails. I just wasn't thinking clearly about the real consequences of doing that. I've always regretted it. It's not that I wanted to get back into nails, truth is I was burnt out, but I worked hard and spent good time and money to go through nail cosmetology school and I should have never let my license go. Over these past couple years I have thought about getting it back and I finally made the decision, just before the holidays that I was going to do it!! Luckily, because it hasn't been too long since it lapsed, I only need to do 20 hours of CE classes and then viola, it's mine again!!! Not looking too far in the future (that's my new way of life I suppose) as to what I'll do with it. Might try and open a business, might just put it in a safe place and feel happy that I have it again..just not sure yet..but I do love the feeling of having the possibilities open for me! Isn't it funny how you look back on certain periods in your life and think to yourself, "What the hell was I thinking??" "What the hell was I doing with myself?" some choices I made, I have to say, were really wacked, but, I've seen the light and all is good in my world these days!! I suppose that is how we learn, through mistakes, right?

So, there it is, one of my "secrets" for the new year. I have a few other fun things up my sleeves and in due time I'll share...hee hee...but, that is why the scrapping has been put to a halt for the past week...

I did manage to finish off one more layout this past weekend...and besides one other (for December 24th actually), this is the last completed layout..so I suppose I will have to get on the ball and create soon! I've got my new Wacom all set up and am having sooo much fun playing around with it..it looks all pretty and white and techno sitting next to my Mac...love it! I'm hoping to do some fun stuff with the next 3 layouts using it!

anyways, here is the layout. On this day, December 21st, mom came over for our annual cookie baking day! We do this each year on the Sunday before Christmas...it's always so much fun! We spend the whole day baking, listening to Christmas tunes, and we indulge in a little bubbly as a treat! I used an Ali E. template for this one. Couldn't resist buying them and I know I'll be putting them to good use throughout this next year as I digi my way through 2009!



Alright, that's about it for me tonight. I'm beat...gotta be up bright and early with the girl and then head out myself for class..think I need to pop a dvd in and chill (I mean, really...I do that all the time but it's my way of winding down!)..

Until next time,
Blessings!!

December Daily - Day Twenty

Day 20 is of my fur dude! Those of you that know me well, know how in love I am with Oswald. He really is a light in my life and I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have him around..yep, around to annoy me, bug me, irritate me, but most of all love me!!

On this day I took my guy to the groomers for his Christmas "do". Kathy, his groomer always does the best job on Ozzi and she loves him so much. She lets him have the run of the place instead of putting him in a cage to wait when he is finished getting all handsome'd up, and she always has the cutest little bandanas to tie around him!

Last year I bought Ozzi his very own Santa cap. Now, mind you, he HATES to wear it, but this year, he was a pretty good sport and allowed me to get a few pictures of him with it on, before he did his usual head shake and threw it off!!

Of course, what would my December Daily album be without a picture of Ozzi sporting his Santa hat and showing off his new hair-do!



I did this layout while at my crop last Friday too! Score for digi at a crop!!

Not much else going on, life as usual, which is okay. Mandi went back to school and now the house seems so quiet and empty..boo...ah well...a few more days and we are at the weekend again!!

Oh yeah, changed up the tunage too. I was driving home yesterday and again, those that know me, know I'm a total 70's music fiend...well, I had my XM Radio tuned to the 70's station (of course) and this song came on. BANG!! Immediately I was transported back to the 7th grade...it was so surreal! I completely remembered friends, clothes, school, and ice skating on Friday nights at Centennial Rink! It really is true that music can be a powerful memory jog for you. Anyway, I decided to throw this up on my blog and treat you all to a bit of me in 7th grade...LOL!!

Off to fix some dinner and chat with the girl...

Until next time,
Blessings!

December Daily - Day Nineteen

I'm getting there! I have only 3 more days worth of layouts to do and the December Daily album will be done! I went to a crop last night, took the laptop and external (what a huge relief that was, not having to pack up all my crap to go!) and worked on some layouts. Of course, it's really more of a social event for me than a working event, so I only finished two layouts, but, hey, two is better than none right? LOL

I was thinking that I'd finish off the last few layouts today but instead I went out to lunch and did some fun shopping with my girl Cathy, totally spur of the moment, totally fun!! So, the remainder of the layouts will have to wait for tomorrow (oh wait, taking Miss Mandi to the movies tomorrow) or another day! I'm really hoping to finish soon though, I've seen a bunch of the girls books up at Shutterfly and they rock, I want mine!!!

so, this is Day 19. This is the picture I used for including in the Christmas cards of those friends and family that don't get to see Mandi during the year. I took this picture on the spur of the moment, we had just come home from having dinner out and I asked her if I could play around with some pics! I really love the smile on her face, it totally reflects her so well!!

Really simple page, not a ton of extras on here...



I'll save the next layout for tomorrow! Now it's time to kick back, watch a movie and chill. I am having a hard time realizing that Christmas break will soon be over...one more day and it's back to the normal routine of school, early to bed, early to rise..crud! At least there is a 4 day weekend coming in a couple weeks..whew!

Until next time,
Blessings!

First Post of 2009!

Happy New Year!!

When did I go getting so old? LOL Seriously, by 8 p.m. last night I was done! I put on the pj's, turned on the tube and that was all she wrote! I always set my alarm to a few minutes before midnight just incase I fall asleep (which I did) because I have not missed ringing in the new year with my baby girl! We both made it! Watched the countdown, toasted the new year and then went to bed! Well...I went to bed, Miss Mandi decided to play Xbox Live for a few hours...who cares, it's her vacation right?

So, here we are at a new year. I don't do resolutions. I don't set myself up for failure. I have just taken a look back at life and seen the areas I want improvement and I'm working on that. No huge goals, just lots of baby steps and some very exciting ones at that!

Still working on my December Daily. I should be done this weekend. Going to a crop tomorrow..first one of the year, and I'm going digi to it! What a relief!! No stressing over what to pack, what pics to take..blah, blah, blah. This one is in the bag..literally! Got my puter, my extension cord, my external and some candy..I'm good to go! Seriously, I'm a digi girl in a digi world!! :)

Alright, here is my next entry. Day 18. Had fun with this one. Did another collage of pics, added another small element into the stash (an alpha set) and created my own polka dot paper..how fun! This layout documents Mandi and her one final exam that day which allowed her to be out of school by 8:50 a.m.!! Man, it was like having no school!! I picked her up and we did some shopping (got Roger finished off) and had lunch out with my mom...hung out and took some pics! It was a fabulous day!



I'm gonna totally miss this girl when she goes back to school next week....

So, that's it for today. Very casual day here, just hanging out, watching some tv, playing on the puter and being...

Hope everyone had a nice New Years Eve...this now officially ends the holiday season. Sad.

Until next time,
Blessings!