Sunday, May 31, 2009

Graduation Surprise

This is my first assignment in my new class...
I killed 2 birds with 1 stone here...
I will print this out before I go so it can be framed for her party...
These are almost all of her school photos...
From Pre-K to Senior year.
Now I'm off to submit this assignment.
Love,
TT

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Change of Plans

A change of plans has happened due to the State of Georgia not getting the paperwork in on time. Tommy won't be able to go with us so we can save money on dog kennels and other expenses that won't happen when one is left behind.

Instead, he and the dogs will remain home and have their own party AND he can continue to find a job. He did have an interview at the Toombs County Sheriff's Department and has paperwork to fill out, so he can finish that up and be available to start if they decide to hire him.

So THANK YOU State of Georgia for ruining our vacation and my niece's dreams of having ALL her family with her as she graduates!!

Happy Frickin' Saturday!
Love,
TT

Thursday, May 28, 2009

7 More Days

Happy Birthday to my sister Teressa who turns 36 today! I'll crank out a card for you and send it out tomorrow! (Better late than never!)

7 more days until we leave for Minnesota.
10 more days until Ashley graduates high school.
By the time I get done mounting all her photos to background papers and cardstock, she'll have 2 albums' worth. Those albums are 12 inches x 15 inches. 2 of them. I should be finished mounting the photos by Sunday so that I can ship a box of stuff up on Monday and it will get there by Thursday. It's all in the timing.

I went through our toiletries bags this morning. 2 of those and one is Erik's for camp. It's like I'm packing for 2 trips simultaneously...oh, that's right, I am. I need to get travel sized shampoo for him and I think he's set.

We'll start packing clothes this Sunday. After they all get washed, dried, and folded. I'll have the suitcase on my closet floor so it's out of the way...that'll be best I think.

Well I'm off to start my day at work now...and finalize my shopping list...not much on it actually...but enough anyway.

Happy Thursday!
Love,
TT

Monday, May 25, 2009

Legos

Let's talk about Legos for a second.
I didn't get my first set of Legos until I was 16. It was Christmas in fact. I received a blue furry robe from Grandma and Grandpa and Legos and I think the Corey Hart cassette tape too. I can remember running up the stairs with my new Legos and wearing my robe to go to my room to listen to my new tape and play Legos.

I recently sent a priority mail box FULL of Legos to Tania Willis' 2 girls, Ashlyn and Emma.
We had plenty to share and still have a big rubbermaid drawer full. She recently posted them on her blog (you can click on her name to the right) and it just tickled me because I remember how I felt getting my first set of Legos. Even though I was 16, I was giddy with excitement and it was my favorite present that year, along with my robe (which I STILL wear).

It truly is better to give than receive. Now to get that box up to Children's this week.
Speaking of this week, I'm just about done with Ashley's album and I have a feeling I'll need to get her another one as well. I'm off to check that out.

Don't forget to take time out to remember those who have served and who serve today.
THANK YOU to our Veterans out there!

Happy Memorial Day.
Love,
TT

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Thank God For Mothers

Thank GOD for my mom.
Who, in her young age, came up with a brilliant idea and a way to save us dollars!
Thanks Mom!!

11 days and counting and we're super excited.
Morristown's Dam Days is that weekend and the kids love going to the parade...it's like a 200 unit deal and the biggest one in Southern Minnesota! So that is on our list of to do's. Along with:
Basilleo's
Cheryl's
Lynn's
(We're staying at Mom's)
Tess's
And the infamous Ashley's Graduation Party of the YEAR!
I'm sure we'll find more to do and I will have some schoolwork to do while I'm there, so I'm not planning too much more than that!

Today I'm doing Ashley's album. I have all the photos sorted and hope to get ALL of them in this album. What I don't get in, I may have to figure out another album, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
This is my number one priority as it has to be shipped out on Friday and has to be completed by Wednesday as I start school again.

Happy Sunday!
Love,
TT

Friday, May 22, 2009

8th Grade Promotion

Thursday, May 21, 2009
Collins Elementary/Middle School
Collins, Georgia
My son broke all the rules.
Here Principal/Coach Chris Freeman hands out the most ELITE and coveted award...
The Bobcat Award
to my son.
Only 2 per year are given, 1 male and 1 female. My son graciously accepted this award for doing what he does best.
Helping others.
He carried the sleepy little boy off the bus every day that he rode it.
He helped put chairs out and always did what was asked without complaint.
He is an example of what a model student is.
Usually this award goes to a student who has been at the school their whole academic career.
Not this year.
In one year, my son made a difference and an impact on the lives of these teachers and students at this school.
How many school Principals do you know of that hug their students?
This one does and the children remember that for the rest of their lives.
Erik is receiving his Promotion Certificate from Coach Freeman.
All the teachers that were present lined up like a reception line to congratulate all the 8th graders. Here, Ms. Randall, Erik's Special Ed. teacher (in the blue) is congratulating him.
That's Coach Eubanks to the right. He was Erik's football coach last year and just adores Erik.
All the teachers at this school are A+ teachers. They put their hearts into their work and teach every single student love for the subject and respect for other people. Ms. Rhoden even jumped up on chairs and desks to make it interesting.
They do what they HAVE to, to reach that child and teach that child.
That's what I love about this school.
Erik's Bobcat Award.
Awesome.
Happy Last Day of School Friday!
Love,
TT

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Husband For Hire

Well Tommy didn't pass his test yesterday and they terminated him. I guess 7 years of experience and an Associates's Degree doesn't get you anywhere.

What's that mean?
It means we are budget crunching. BIG TIME.
Nothing extra allowed.
Don't ask for anything at the store either.

This seriously couldn't have come at a worse time.
But I'm going to try to not let it put a damper on my upcoming trip.
But it will. Until that extra money comes back.
The State of Georgia doesn't have any welfare monies either...and help is very limited so he's actively applying for jobs and pounding the pavement.

I don't know what God's plan is...but I sure wish He'd tell me!
Say a prayer for us.

Love,
TT

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Final Grades

I did pretty dang good considering all the mini crisis' I had during this term. I hope the next term is better though!

College Writing II=93.57
Image Editing =76.68
Human Relations=92.50
Term Average===87.58

Happy Wednesday!
Love,
TT

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mother's 62nd birthday.
She is finally able to draw that Social Security check, should she decide to do so.
IT'S ABOUT TIME!!
While I can't shout out that she's 62 from the car so she can hear me, I can shout it out right here:

"Happy 62nd Birthday Mom!"

We love you and miss you!!
Have a great day today!!

Love,
TT

Monkeys and Tubas and Madness, OH MY!

The ever fabulous (and can be found to the right) Tania Willis has this cute monkey tutorial on her blog and this is what Gabby and Mo did with it....
They did make a video on Tom's cell phone and when he gets home, I'll get it on here! They have been having a blast with these monkey girls...so THANK YOU Tania for your creativity and inspiration!
Now on to the Band Concert....
A girl and her tuba...knowing that her momma is taking pictures...she even manages to crack a smile while playing...now THAT's true talent!

Erik sitting ever so nicely...one of the few well behaved boys in the 8th grade...

Coach McNeely...a.k.a. Coach McHottie...WAS NOT happy with Dalton and DJ...those 2 boys ended up sitting out in the middle of the floor seperated. How sad to be making trouble during an assembly and in the 8th grade too. I could go on...but I'll stop there. ;)
Natalea and her clarinet.
The CRCT Wall of Fame. Gabby is on there from last year exceeding in 3 areas of the test. This year however, she'll be one of the few that got all 5 areas mastered! Way to go Gabby!!
And actually all my kids did really well and it's safe to say that they will all progress to the next grade level.
I'm glad for the long weekend ahead...it gives me a chance to catch up on some things around here and get preparations done for Ashley's graduation.
Her invites turned out AWESOME!
I'll post those tomorrow...along with my Marlar layout I plan on doing tonight!
Happy Tuesday!
Love,
TT

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Photos and Finals

My Final Project-Tide Ad Campaign
Font by Kelly Purkey
Check out her blog to the right.
Erik Trump-8th Grade-Spring, 2009

Natalea Trump-7th Grade-Spring, 2009
Gabryelle Trump-5th Grade-Spring, 2009

Monique Trump-3rd Grade-Spring, 2009





ScrapSupply Birthday!

My favorite online place to be is having a month long, 5th birthday celebration! Click on this link for more information:
http://scrapsupply.com/

OR


Click on the link to the right...>>

Feel free to join us on the message board for games, fun, and prizes. They have the best shopping place online EVAH! And check out that Bazzill Swatch book for the best hands down way to match your papers up!! I have the Classic one and it's the most reached for supply I have and has saved me on more than 1 occasion! I actually have just won a newer version on the Get It Scrapped site...looking forward to that as well! (I'll pass my classic one on to my SIL if she wants it!)



Let me tell you MY ScrapSupply story....


It all began with ScrappersAnonymous.Com. One day I decided I needed a 12 step program for my newfound addiction to all things paper and brad. So I did a search (Pre-Google Era) for Scrapbooking Anonymous and found this message board. Well they sucked me in, hook, line, and sinker and before I knew it I had over 1000 posts. Great, another addiction for me to overcome. Pretty soon they had a celebration crop of some sort and well I won a $20 gift certificate to ScrapSupply.com. So I mosied on over there...looked around...she didn't have much then I remember. So I got this:
That's right...Order #21 on June 12, 2004. Shipped to me on June 13th. With M&M's too. I was hooked from that day forward. I don't have a bad thing to say about Wendy and John (Tech Support) White. They have rocked my scrappin' world for 5 years and I've never regretted it and love them and their store dearly with all my heart! I even painted their logo on my wall for inspiration. Soon, I'll have that same logo on a canvas to carry with me should I decide to move ever again. ;)

It's fun to see this place grow so much...my latest order placed on April 26, 2009 was order number 10,857! And the ladies on this board ROCK!! Not only are they full of great advice and inspiration, but they are some of the MOST creative ladies I've come across in my life and are great mentors in my crafty world!!

I won a contest once for the Most Obsessed ScrapSupply member...the Design Team scrapped my photos for me...all of them will hang one day on a Wall of Fame...right now I have Kim Kesti and Wendy's layouts up there. The others are safely tucked away until we can get frames and ribbon. ;)


While you're there, pick me up a gift certificate for MY birthday in 3 months...hehehe!! Just call 1-800-866-7348 and Wendy will hook you up. She's got all my information on her computer and even has access to my wishlist!!

Happy Saturday...Go get your ScrapSupply on!!
Love,
TT

Thursday, May 14, 2009

{5.14.2009}

Back on April 21, 2009 I posted some verses to the song "As" and would like to bring you back to that post to reflect on those lyrics.
Listen to the song...I mean REALLY listen to the message in it.
It's quite uplifting and spiritual.
Of course, I'm biased and all of George is spiritual for me. ;)
And know, I'll be loving you always...

One day...I'll meet him...and we'll say MISSION GEORGE: Accomplished. Hehehe.

Thursday's going's on....
Work and school...I have a paper to finish up and an Ad Campaign to master. I'll post after it gets graded, but here's a hint...it involves Tide and the ocean...heh...imagine that!
Everything is due Sunday by midnight, so I'll immerse myself in that.
I'm thinkin' I may call my brother and meet up with him since the next weekend he was talking about going home for the long weekend.

I'm registered for next term. And books are on their way for Art History and Advanced Image Editing. This oughta be fun. I decided to take 2 classes this term and I'll get back on track after this term, but for now since we have a vacay upcoming, I'm not spending my WHOLE vacay in school. We start back on the 27th. So that will be crunch week to get as much done as I can ahead of time.
Know what I mean Vern?

One day I'll do a post about what I've learned so far in life. But for now I'll leave you with this:

Happy Tip of The Day
Don't waste your life being angry and bitter.
It ain't pretty for all involved and life will pass you by.
Learn to forgive and move on.

Happy Thursday Y'all.
Love you much,
TT

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Wednesday's Word From The Wise

Learn from this and grow.
Don't make someone pay for somebody else's mistake.
Especially if they didn't ask for it or have anything to do with it.

You see my father was not perfect. In fact he never claimed to be.
He made mistakes that he had to live with until the day he died.
He hurt his children in the process and now we have to live with that.
While I vowed to find my brothers, I knew it wouldn't be easy on any of us.
I knew some things would come out and some feelings would hurt and while I can't change any of that NOW, I can move forward and try to mend.

And I can recite the Serenity Prayer.
Accept the things I cannot change.
And I can find strength in the Lord. And pray.every.single.day.
And ask Him to help heal those that were hurt most by this.
And have faith that it will all work out for the best and we can all bond like we should.
Yes, you gotta have Faith.
Pray, Have Faith, and Believe.

So say a little prayer for us as we get through all these emotions.
Love,
TT

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Tuesday's Musings

I have a paper to start and finish up by Sunday. It's supposed to be 7-10 pages. I'm trying to find the wind in me and I think today that will happen.

The girls have a band concert this afternoon, so I'm off at 1pm today. After that I'll come home and crank out an outline, list my references (most are already listed), and start there for a couple hours (while I prepare supper).

Erik has scouts tonight and he has to be there at 6. I think the girls and I are going to the Library...not sure I want to be roped into something I don't want to do. They are having a recruiting event. I'll have Erik call Anthony and find out for sure though.

I'm still tickled about my brother. I have some layouts in mind for a couple of those photos we took too. And I can't wait to get photos scanned and dad's album started. And before I forget this...Mother..when you read this, I need to scan in the cards from the funeral when I get home too please!

I can't wait to meet my other brother as well. And eventually all my nieces and nephews. And great nieces and great nephews. I still can't believe that I'm a GREAT AUNT. Let's hope that happens before I get too old...hint, hint...like SOON!
God surely works in mysterious ways and Miracles happen.
Lord knows, I have alot of proof of that in my life!
As a matter of fact, I think we ALL do.
Everyday is a Miracle, if you look at it the right way. ;)

Happy Tuesday!
Love,
TT

Monday, May 11, 2009

Happy Monday!

I don't think I can top the last 2 posts. It surely was a great weekend!
This week's goings on include boy scouts, library, and last week of school for this term (for me, not the kiddos).

Tommy is in his last full week of training camp with graduation scheduled for the 21st. Hopefully it will go by fast.

Only 3.5 weeks until we leave for Minnesota. That should be interesting as well. I'll have so much to do, I won't have time to relax!! Ahhh...the fun of it all though. Hopefully it'll be somewhat warm and I won't have to pack my parka.

I'm off to start my day....I may have more to say later!
Love,
TT

Sunday, May 10, 2009

History Was Made

History was made on May 9, 2009.
Perseverance pays off and dreams really do come true.
Divine intervention happens for whatever reason.
I'd like to introduce to you, my brother Dennis Lynn Marlar.
We like to call him Rick Jr.
Not only for obvious reasons, but the unobvious as well.
We arrived around 2:15 p.m. and didn't leave until about 9:30 p.m. Of course 7 hours wasn't enough time to catch up the last 30 years, but we got a great start. And honestly, it was like catching up with an old friend AND talking to a ghost at the same time.
Gabby wanted in this one, for whatever reason. It would have been the best photo.
My brother and I are very much alike. It's weird having a sibling that's like me as Tessie and I are complete opposites and never had any real interests together. Dennis and I though, are definitely cut from the same cloth...we even organize our closets the same OCD way! It's funny and amazing how you can be like someone and not have been raised with them. It's like genetics takes over and that's just how it is. Dennis does some of the same things dad used to do and only got to spend the first 10 years or so with dad in his life. It amazed both of us.
We couldn't stop laughing and giggling about it.
The kids and their uncle Dennis and I. The kids were over the moon thrilled to have another uncle in their lives. Mo took right to Dennis and made herself right at home. I think she's his favorite so far. He even gave Erik some good uncle to nephew advice...always agree with your parents even though they may be wrong. I think I'm gonna like this guy. Heh.
Our first family photo. Marlar's United. Wait til my other brother gets here.
Dennis' job will keep him here in Georgia for the next 6 months to 2 years and will hopefully bring our other brother Eddie Duane here as well.
During that time, we'll exchange photos and stories and catch up and make up for those 30 years and more. He can tell me stories about dad before I was born and I can fill in the blanks after dad left their lives. It's so nice to know that I have family here in Georgia after all.
Karma really comes around and really happens.
We both believe that.
At this point, we don't have a choice.
Happy Mother's Day.
Love,
TT

Friday, May 8, 2009

Marlar Chronicles...Lengthy Post...Grab Tissue!

It started when I was 9. Living in Brooklyn Center, MN with my parents and sister. I think (this part is foggy) that my parents sat us down and explained that we had 3 other siblings, 2 brothers and a sister. And then my sister arrived for a 2 week or so visit over the summer. Ok cool, I'm not really the oldest child. And I adored my sister Robin. And loved getting to meet her even though our time was short. And still remember wanting to be like her. She taught me how to crack my neck via rotation. Thanks sis, it feels great now!

So ok, when do we get to meet our brothers? Don't ask. Ever. That was a forbidden subject and because their mother had brainwashed them into hating our father, they didn't want anything to do with him or us (so we were told by him).

Ok, fast fowared to the teen years. Something is missing from my life and my heart, but what the hell is it? What is this incomplete feeling about anyway? I want to find my brothers and reunite my dad with them. No way Jackson, don't even think about it, do NOT pass Go and collect your $200, it is NOT happening. AND DON'T BRING IT UP AGAIN.
Fine then I won't. But I never forgot or stopped trying behind dad's back. Ever.

Fast forward to 21. I get a phone call from my mom. She says, "Dad's heart is acting up and he's not doing so hot, you better get over here to Fairview." He suffered from P.A.T.'s. I think that's Pulmonary Aortic Tachycardia. He spends several days and nights in the hospital to try to get his heart back to normal. No meds are working.
I write a letter. And ship it to Dallas, TX. Where I think I have found my brother. No response.
That I know of.

Dad finally get out of the hospital and I come home one day. He says, "Did you write a letter to the boys?" I said, "What boys?" (I had forgotten I wrote the letter by then) He said, "Dennis and Duane." "Oh yeah, I did because you were so sick." And it started. The rant and rave of my father. God Bless Him, but he had a temper and DO NOT PISS HIM OFF. 1000 reasons why I shouldn't have written that letter were rattled off to me in a matter of seconds.
OK THEN. FINE. WHATEVER.

Fast forward to after Monique was born...the year 2000. I do a family tree via a Creative Memories consultant and started asking my dad about his side (and scrapbooking was born). Enter the internet into my life.

Hello world. Hello other Marlar's of it. I search and search and search. I find my Aunt Thelma Marlar. My dad's only living aunt. And lucky for me, his favorite. I tell dad waiting to get my butt chewed again. Not this time. He calls her. And catches up with her. And raves about her cast iron skillet cornbread. And her Aunt Jemima collection. I talk him into going to Rosston, Arkansas to see her, to reunite with her. HE DID! While he was down there I think he mended some fences. Those fenceposts were getting pretty rotten. He had the opportunity to visit with my Aunt Mat as she was in the hospital. She ended up dying not to long after that, like days afterwards. In August of 2000, I decide to go down and visit my new found cousins and meet my new Aunt Thelma. 6 months after that, Aunt Thelma passed away quietly in her sleep. He was glad he went down there. And thanked me for reuniting them and perservering.

In the meantime, I'm still searching for relatives. And family history. And geneology. No luck finding the boys. Or anyone immediate for that matter. There's still a void in my life, even though I have my own children now and am married. Something's missing. WHERE the hell is it?

Fast forward to the fall of 2007. Dad has been gone awhile now. And I still feel guilty that I didn't get to tell his other children, Dennis, Duane, and Robin. THEY.NEED.TO.KNOW. It's their biological right, even if they didn't have anything to do with him, he was still their father. I write another letter. This time to Robin. No response. Fine, I've done my duty and let y'all know. I was at peace then. I had come to terms with never finding or seeing my brothers and any and all Marlar's. I put my name all over the internet, freely. Tonja Marlar Trump. Just in case. Google me, I dare you. I'm all OVER this electronic world. For good reason. This EXACT reason.

Fast forward to May 7, 2009. I'm at work, trying to look busy and work hard. I get a message on Facebook. It's from a lady named Jeannette. Hey Tonja, you don't know me but....and the story unfolds. She is married to my brother's half brother, Mike. (Dad was married twice before my mom. Margaret is the biological mom to my siblings and Mike) NO FRICKING WAY.
PLEASE DON'T MESS WITH MY HEART GOD. I read, I jump up and go share with the office girls my newly found news. I go back to my desk and read some more. My brother is WORKING in SAVANNAH. (Almost passed out here) Jumped up and ran to the office and cried as I told the girls. PRAY he wants to meet me. PRAY he wants to move past the hurt. Another email with pictures. OMG that is my dad in those photos. EARS and all!! Phone numbers are exchanged and I send some photos (all that Yahoo will allow me). I call Jeannette and Mike. We talked for an hour and 42 minutes. It was like talking to my best friend. Like we knew each other forever. Come to find out, I have a BUTTLOAD of nieces and nephews and I'm a GREAT AUNT!!!! Y'all know I ain't old enough for that shit. Seriously. A GREAT AUNT.

9:30-ish, May 7, 2009. The phone rings. It's a Florida number. I answer. It's my brother Dennis. Where do we begin? First I have to tell him I'm too young to be a Great Aunt. He's got to control his children. We laughed. And giggled. And explained. His story and my story had come together in the middle. He had the same feeling. That void. That emptiness. We are more alike than either of us knows. He laughs like dad. And sounds like dad. ALOT. If I didn't know better, I would have thought I was talking to my dad.
30 years I've waited and tried and tried and tried and waited and tried. 30 YEARS.
It was an episode made for Oprah. (Who treated me to lunch yesterday as well, thanks O!)
We will meet for the very first time ever tomorrow, as we both have to work today. Dennis is actually in Hinesville, which is about 45 minutes away from us here in Collins. That's the closest I've EVER been to my brother. (He's lucky I didn't have the Ford, or I woulda gotten the address from Jeannette and surprised him. And went there. Like immediately, I was that stoked and excited.) We talked a while longer, and he said, "Love you sis" before we hung up the phone. It's been a long time coming. But that void is gone now. I don't think I've cried this much ever. Mission accomplished. My life's Mission and a lifelong dream will be accomplished and realized tomorrow when we meet for the first time. (Duane, don't think you're getting out of any of this either..you're next on my list!)

Truly, God had a hand in all this. He sent an Angel named Jeannette to reach out to me and to reunite us. It truly is another Miracle and Blessing.
Happy Friday.
Love,
TT

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Thursday Ramblings

Man, am I glad it's Thursday!!
Now what that means for us is.....
Tommy comes home tomorrow night...only 2 weeks to go!
Exactly 4 weeks from now, we'll be flying to Minnesota.
Payday is tomorrow.
3 more days until the last week of school for this term.
If I work hard tonight and tomorrow, I can have the weekend for scrapping.
I get to make a list of things to do before the trip, what to pack, etc.

The girls have a band concert on Tuesday...and it's WaterPlay day. I'll be there with Mack Daddy.

I need to get a memory card for my phone. It takes semi-great photos. Heh. I even snapped one of Amanda actually working. Somehow I think I can USB it to the computer. One day I'll learn how to use all the things it can do.

As soon as the school figures out my 2 class schedule, I can confirm and get my books. Even though I'll be on vacation from work, there is not rest from school. I couldn't just take a term off without having to reapply. Hopefully they'll get it right soon.

Toodles for now...
Happy Thursday!
Love,
TT

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

My Dear Husband

After I nearly ran over the Man In Brown...I opened up my package to find 2 new cell phones in it. I can't believe my dear husband did that on his own. I still think it's a fluke. But it sure is fun playing with a new gadget and getting everything set up.
It was so much fun, I kiked his Vikings cell phone holder until I can find one I like!
AND I can change the faceplates. TOO cool...so I can have a different look every 3 months if I wanted. Heh. That's a great idea!!

I think I may go to the Alltel store and browse around a bit on my lunch hour. Heh.

Tommy is doing well in his training. They get to go over to the prison today and do searches. Just pray his knee holds out until AFTER graduation. I'm making him RICE it until then.
(Man, I miss Dr. Urbi.)
Then I'll get him in to the specialist.
Until then, we'll baby it.

So..on that happy note,
Happy Hump Day!
Love,
TT

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Stalking The Man In Brown

I'll be stalking the Man In Brown today.
You see, Tommy told me he ordered me something for Mother's Day and left me with nothing but a tracking number. Now that's evil. I am DYING here to find out WHAT it is...and dying to get it! I'll be hovering around the front office today...waiting, waiting, stalking, pacing, waiting.
To see what my dear husband got me.
I love surprises and I hate surprises. It's bittersweet for me.
I love the excitement, but don't want to be disappointed.
I do have some things to do at work today to try to take my mind off of this...for a minute.
On another note...I have a huge box almost full of stuff to donate to Children's. I made 2 albums this weekend and will make a few more this weekend. I really need to use up some stash!! And it's all for a great cause. I'm thinking maybe 2 boxes will go out, although I'm going to try to get it into one!
I also have to sort through Miss Ashley's photos this weekend and put them in some sort of order, sift through the doubles, you know, the usual. THEN I can put them into the album. Which reminds me I need to hit the CM website for those really cool layouts with cut up photos. I have some ideas brewing. Heh.
Speaking of Heh. Head over to Kim Kesti's blog to take her 30 day challenge. (See the link to the right) Ashley's project is part of MY 30 day challenge. AND she's giving away a $100 Target gift card! Which if I win, I will donate ALSO to Children's so they can go get adhesive and scissors and crafty things to go with all the scrappy stuff they are getting.
I just need to win that Mega Millions. I'd donate as much as I could then, whatever the limit. I'd only need 2 million, everyone else can have the rest.
On yet another note...
Today is my parent's anniversary. Even though dad is gone, I still count it. This would have been their 30th I think...I'm sure mom will correct me if I'm wrong. I need to see the invitation to remember the actual year...it was '78 or '79...so it could be the 31st.
But anyway, Happy Anniversary.
I'm thinking of you today mother.
And Happy Tuesday!
Love,
TT

Monday, May 4, 2009

A New Week...And I'm Feelin' So Good!

It's a new Monday.
A fresh week.
I've cleared my mind and working on clearing my soul.
I'm ready for the week.
Assignments are printed out.
Library trip is planned.
2 weeks to go before a week off.
Then next term I am taking only 2 classes. After that I may bump back to 3. I didn't want to be doing a bunch of work on vacation though. ;)
500 photos to sort through on Saturday.
All doubles I will get to keep.
The rest will try to make it into that album.
I have a box packed up (not sealed yet though) for Minneapolis Children's.
I have more albums to make for them. (2 were done on Sunday morning.)
I'm trying to use up some stash.
I have to start my dad's rememberance album.
(Read more photo sorting...after graduation though)
So much to do, so little time to do it in.
Where is Willy Wonka when I need him?
Enough ranting today.
Happy Monday.
Love,
TT

Friday, May 1, 2009

Cool Tools

Oh and by the way...it's awesome to see where my readers come from in the Feedjit Live tool!
I know you're reading and you're out there (and can pretty much tell who's who by where you are..very cool!)...so "Hey, how ya doin'?" *waving*

And I got the blinkies for my scrapbooking classes I'm taking up...thanks to Tania Willis for that!
Toodles...I'm off to shower now and then get kiddos up and clean up my scrap desk in preparation for the weekend.

This Weekend

This weekend, I am making time for a date with George and some patterened paper.
Yes, it's that time again folks.
National (or International) Scrapbooking Day is here!!
I have several projects to complete or at least get a good grip on, starting with these:
1. Ashley's album
2. Dad's album
3. Mini-Albums for Mpls. Children's

I plan on scrapping my stress away and forgetting about the legal battle I'm in the middle of. But that's another post someday.

I think a trip to Hobby Lobby tonight is in order. I need to find that piano paper and they may have it. If not, then I'll order it online. Maybe I'll get sheet music of the songs I most remember my dad singing...that would be cool, now wouldn't it! I can't wait to get this rememberance album started. There's so many things I don't want to forget and even though Alzheimer's isn't genetically a part of my family, I'm always afraid it'll hit me (like everything else).

I already have short term memory issues...so it wouldn't surprise me. But I'll save the rest of it for my paper I'm going to be starting on Sunday regarding the importance of memory keeping. It's all tied together and it's all good.

Peanut gets her shots today and Tommy will be home tonight. I'm hoping Bubba will be out of his pail by Sunday. Poor baby. I'll take photos and post this weekend.
Until then,
Happy Friday!
Love,
TT