Etsy shop

two new items in my shop :)
Art from the Heart

this week...

has been just a weird week. We found out Tuesday that our office has no heat. So the weather has been in the low 30's in the morning and mid 50's in the afternoon and a building with no heat. Just lovely. Kinda hard to work with purple fingers! They hope to get it turned on Tuesday. Yes. Tuesday! Tomorrow is our Halloween day at work. We are dressing up (me and my 3 pals) as Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom girls. I'm really not in the mood all of the sudden...maybe because I am COLD! lol

Billy is getting better. Slowly. But he is being a good boy and taking his meds like he is suppose to and sleeping when he can.

Landon is home! YEAH!!! I am dying to see him but until Billy isn't contagious anymore I will refrain from seeing him. Which makes me sad cause I really want to see and hold the little turkey!

Been scrapping in the evenings. Working on my Survivor layout now. And also working on doing Ali's December album. I have all the pages but I need to get them put together so I can start decorating them. I think I might try to do that tomorrow. Although I have all of November but who knows how fast november will be. I mean geeshhh....just 13 more days and I will turn 37. yuck yuck yuck. I wish for a birthday full of fun...laughter...friends...family...but it will be more than likely an ordinary day. bah humbug right...lol. But anyway...back to the scrapping...I found out today that two of my survivor layouts will be in Scrapbooking & Beyond! Have I mentioned how much this magazine ROCKS. Seriously. They have made me the happiest girl in the world over the last 3 years.

Okay. Greys is on. gotta run!

It's with deep sadness...

that I have to say that Tom Sanders passed away. He has been a family friend for my husband for as long as I can remember...at least 25 years. I went to school with his daughter Suzanne. We graduated together. Tom was a well known lawyer here in Paulding County. If it wasn't for Tom...I am not sure we ever would of gotten the chance for Billy to adopt my kids. He helped me thru my divorce....thru dealing with my ex husband...with the adoption...and so many other things. He was a smart man. He will be greatly missed. The viewing is tomorrow but not sure if we will make it or not. I have to run to Target and get Billy's meds filled. He spent the last 3 hours in urgent care and came home with 4 medications. So maybe after I have them filled, Shawn and I can run to the funeral home to pay our respects. They don't want flowers so I don't know what else to do.

Have I mentioned Monday's suck! At least this monday. The computers were down at work. I spent 6 hours entering new IP addresses for 30 printers on to 23 servers. Not even something I know how to do. But I did it for my bestest friend Dorothy :)....worked out and I hurt all over. Billy has been keeping from me that he has been feeling horrible and hurting really bad for 5 days at least. Finally got him to the doctor. It will take him a week or so to get back to normal. Then Tom....it's just not been a good day at all.

Shopping for some gifts????

do you need a last minute holida gift or maybe want to start looking now :)
check out my etsy store to the right ---------> I just marked down all my bracelets to buy one get one half off! Hope you can find something you might like!

a part of my grandmother

I finally got around to reupholstering the office chair I got from my nanny's after she died. It was going to go to the dump but I remembered playing on it as a toddler so I asked if I could have it. It needed some work so I cleaned it up and took on the challenge of getting it fixed up. Little did I know how cool the originial chair was. I wish I could of left it that way but I couldn't. So here is the project I worked on yesterday.

The band placed second last night. Upsetting for the seniors who wanted to go out on top but still a very awesome accomplishment for this year. Unfortunately that led to some maor band drama (boy do I remember that stuff) which had Kayla pretty upset. She will have to nip this and talk to the band director Monday. I mean for petes sake she wanted to quit the band last night because of this rumor crap. And the sad part....my high school band friends daughter is a culprit.

Anyway....only a few more games to march at...well maybe a few more than that since it looks like we might go to the playoffs...and then it is concert season and she can get away from the drama some. I just think all the kids are just worn out from all the practice and late saturday's.

The boys are coming home today :) I missed them actually. No deers. But then again...what else is new :)

OK okay...

Alright Jen and R :) you will be proud to know I finally cut the heat on late last night. After my shivering stopped...lol. But it is set at 67 so that it doesn't come on all the time. I want to enjoy the low power bills just a bit more!

Went loafing around this morning with Kayla. Took her to Racetrac, Sonic, Claires (all to put in job apps) and then we went to Barnes N Noble for a little book time. I wanted to get the Southern Vampire series but I just couldn't get into the writing so I ended up going home with a new Dean Koontz book and Kayla got a book too. Not sure if I will start reading it tonight or not...I have so many things I want to get finished today. Tomorrow we will have to take the cars to get the emissions checked and I need to run to Michaels.

Haven't heard from the boys so that means no deer yet. Would be nice since Shawn is sporting his birthday present, a $450 20/20 rifle AND the case his dad just HAD to buy yesterday AND the hunting license AND the $50 boots (each) that dad just HAD to buy for both of them. Yep....it would be nice if they really brought home something from this weekend!

Well...there goes my daughter...off to her last competition. One that I am not attending which kinds makes my heart sad. It's just to far away for me to go by myself. I hope they win tonight. I really do. She will not be getting home until about 1 am so I am sure I will be up all night. I don't like her being out that late...not by herself. It's going to be a long night my friends....long chilly night! BUT...I have hot chocolate :D

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home. Motley Crue. Man I used to so love that song. It's on my ipod now and I have the speakers cranked up and listing to some good ole '80s music and scrapping until my heart is content. The boys left to go hunting for the weekend. Kayla is off at the football game until late. So it is just me, the cats and my rockin ipod! Whomever invented these and itunes just made me a very happy girl :)

It's kinda chilly in the house too. It's been COLD here today and I refuse to turn my heat on just yet. But I have my fuzzy socks on and just trying to warm my hands. I could fuss because I don't have any hot chocolate in the house. What is up with that!

Here is one of the layouts I managed to squeak out this evening. It was for the Survivor challenge at Tallyscrapper. It was fun to do too. I just love these pictures of the boys.

I hear Landon may come home in a few days. Does he not realize I want to just squeeze him and hug him and just love on him! But he has to come home first :) so get busy little fella!

UPDATE: Kayla is home and the band won 27-7! Great win after last weeks upsetting loss. We were 6-0 until last week and tonight we were playing another 6-1 team. We are now 7-1!! and it was homecoming too but the band didn't play because it was raining so bad today. tomorrow they had off 2 hours away to a competition, their last for the year. Football season should be calming down now. We have two more games....and the last one will be hard. It will be the last football game and it is Senior night. We get to walk on the field with our daughter. I just know I will cry! I just know it!. But anyway....just a small East Paulding football/band update!

going ons...

Had to take a break from my book for a moment. I think I might go buy a Dean Koontz book that I saw advertised today. There are 4 in the series. I am not sure I want to get involved in yet another Vampire type book. I don't want to ruin my giggly feelings for Twilight just yet...lol. Although the Sooky series is sounding pretty good from what I hear about the HBO show. Anyway....

Shawn is in his room playing his guitar annoying the snot out of Kayla...giggle. Gotta love electric guitars.

Billy is in the shower. There is really nothing on TV. Today has been a kinda blah day. Can't put my finger on why.

I did do just a little bit of work on my grandmothers genealogy tree (entering it into Ancestry). And let me just say there is NOT a lot of information out there internet wise on her side of the family. It is kinda depressing. I have lucked up so much with my husbands side of the tree finding information and grave stones that I am bummed it is not as easy with hers. But my husbands at least lived here in the county that we are in now...or most of them. My Nanny's lived about an hour and a half away or else in Texas. And neither of those have good cemetery pictures on line...ugh. So...I may put hers up for a while so that I don't get so discouraged and hope back over to the Thackston's and work on that some more.

Report card checks....Kayla failing one...Shawn failing two. Well at least today. Report cards officially come out friday so we will see if the teachers still have grades to put in.

I have a few DT layouts/cards to post soon for you. And if your looking to be a guest designer please head on over to Iamascrapaholic and give our visiting therapist call a try. We would love to see you over there!

Did a little Christmas shopping on line today. Well...at least one gift. I can't wait to give it to her. I think I am going to do about 95% of my Christmas shopping with handmade items this year. I think it will be fun. I just have to figure out some things...and I may make some domino necklaces for some of my friends. so we will see. If I plan on doing this then I need to get busy. My hubby is heading to the deer camp this weekend so it might be a good time to start. so....I guess I better get off here and finish this book so that I have the time to do other things.

It's official

It's official. Mama has posted on her blog so I can now be a proud Aunt and show off my new little nephew. Isn't he the cutest thing EVER!! And I am so in love with him already!

our weekend

Hope your weekend has been good. Landon is getting stronger each and every day. Hopefully he will get to come home in a few days!


Last night was Kayla's 3rd band competition. The kids are getting tired. You can tell. And it was freezing cold. They placed all Superior ratings in their division, 3rd place drum major in division, 1st place percussion in division, 2nd place Color Guard in division and overall 2nd place band in their division. The band that won I just couldn't stand. Don't get me wrong they were a good playing band but they had "acts" all on the field which takes away from the band marching in my opinion and is more of a theatre type show. which I think should be in its own division or competition. They have one more competition next saturday but I will not be attending that one. And the Raiders lost thier first football game of the season to Harrison High. Both teams were undeafeted. We are now 6-1 for the season with only 3 more games to go. We are all ready for the football season to be over with.


I was in a cleaning mood yesterday and got my scraproom all straightened up. I still have some stuff to put away but I think it looks better and today I am going to hit my chipboard and clean it all up. I did scrap too :) Here is my layout with the October kit from Iamascrapaholic.com! This was such a fun kit to work with. I loved the colors. This was from our Sunday trip last weekend to see the scarecrows.



Today is my mom's Birthday. I have a very COOL paintcan to give her that was made by my friend Emily. She makes the most awesomeist cans. I took my moms and filled it with soft peppermints. We are going over there today to see her so I will finally get it to her. I've been doing some Christmas shopping already. I have decided that this year is going to be 95% homemade Christmas gifts. I ordered one last night from Etsy and will order another this next weekend. I have some stuff for Kayla to make and put together. I just don't know what to get Shawn this year or Billy. I think Billy just needs clothes. But for a lot of my friends I will be making them my domino necklaces. I hope they like them. Speaking of my etsy store just isn't moving at all. I was so hoping it would do better but it just hasn't. I am sure I am not advertising it good enough or something...who knows. I want to put up some prints but I am not sure how to go about doing that. I don't want to take the store down just yet but I don't know what else to do. I flip thru there and see all this awesome stuff people make and just wish I had their talent and could make the things they do. It would be so cool. But anyway....


I'm off to genealogy it a little while my house is sleeping. Oh wait...I just heard someone up. Drat it.

Joseph Landon Thackston

is here!!!!!! AND OMG he is beautiful. I would love to share him with you here but I will wait for his mom to share his beautiful picture. She did PERFECT and it was a very easy delivery for them both. He weighed 6 lbs 5oz (not bad for a 5 week early baby) and is 19 1/4 inches long. He has a head of dark hair and is just perfect. He will have to spend a little bit of time in NICU but it's just precautionary since he is so early. He was having a time breathing and just needs a little help until he can get stronger!



I am so blessed that Rachael let me be there. Thank you my love. that is the most precious gift of life to observe and it is just a moment I will never, ever forget!



Welcome Landon. We are all excited that you are here!

Wednesday - Full Moon

Seriously. Why does the full moon make people nutso. I wish it would just go away. It sure is causing havoic around here!

and just a little eye candy...courtesy of my "Bella" Leah! I just love looking at him!

Nothing major going on over here. Just lots of stress. High Blood Pressure. Tempers galore. and ready for a simi quiet weekend.

weekend is done

another weekend gone.
I had Friday off which was nice. I got a lot done. Several pages completed, an album for work done, some genealogy worked on...and some cleaning! Much needed cleaning!

Saturday Shawn finished his Eagle Project ....WOHOOOOOOOO!!!!! I can't wait to share the pictures. It is amazing and they worked HARD yesterday. 6 hours of staining, cutting, hammering, mulch....it really looks good. The we flew home to turn right around and go to Gordon Central High for Kayla's band competition. We didn't know until later in the afternoon that she would be on the field representing the band and receiving any awards. That was cool. They choose 5 seniors and she got to be one. Yep I got pictures too. They received superior ratings across the board. Took home 1st in Drum Major, Color Guard, Percussion and Second in band. We were bummed by that last one because they EARNED a first place but who knows how the point system went. They could of lost first place by 1/2 a point. Sooooo off we go this weekend to yet another one. They have only 2 left. I sooo hope they can pull off a Grand Champion this year. It's been several years for them.

We got home late and finished watching the race. Got up this morning and headed to Braselton to see the 5414 scarecrows lined up thru town. Yep you heard me correctly. This small town made it into the Guiness Book of World Records with all these scarecrows. I got some good pictures and hope to scrap them this week. Then we went to Bass Pro Shop...which by the way is a cooooool place...but then Billy got into a rather grouchy mood and shot the rest of the day to he$$ and back. So it was a very long ride back home. Thank goodness he is sleeping now and I sure hope he wakes up in a better mood.

Really didn't get much else done today. It's been rather wasted this evening. I don't feel much up to doing anything really. My mom is having surgery tomorrow so I am cooking up some potato soup for her to take to the house tomorrow afternoon. Will turn into bed early tonight and go back to work...yuck. The kids only have 4 days at school this week and this coming up weekend is deer hunting season for the boys so thank you....they will be leaving for several days....which means good quiet around here....long computer nights....and hopefully a happy hubby when he comes back home. He needs a weekend with the boys. Well....he does...or else I will have to kill him....giggle. So for his sanity he better go :)

I SHOULD be in SC today

Yep I should! Meeting Nikki, Latte, Jan, LauraJean, Christine...to name a few. The girls are meeting up in Spartenburg SC this weekend for a Tally Rally and I am really bummed I want be there. I know they will have soooo much fun! Think of me girls ok!

This weekend warrants a crazy amount of stuff that has to be done. Tonight is a football game. The Radiers vs N. Cobb. Shawn will be the mascot again. I am nervous as he will be riding the bus there and a different bus back. I just don't want him to get left behind. He on the other hand is happy as a lark because on the way up there he gets to ride the cheerleading bus! Yes you heard that right. The only boy on the bus! I think Billy and I will take the opportunity of a kidless evening and go out to eat for supper. Just the two of us! HELLO....when was the last time we did that...gosh I can't even remember! I have so much to do today....DT work for one. Now that I am thru reading my books (we want mention that I started rereading Harry Potter 7 last night) I need to get some scrapbook projects done. I MUST finish my album for work so that I can turn it in Monday.

Last night I finished the 3rd Survivor Challenge at Tally. We had to use a calendar, wings, 2008, journaling and use the title Everyday Life along with using a sketch. This page killed me. I almost threw it away twice...lol! But I didn't...its done...and into the album it goes.

Tomorrow we start on Shawn's Eagle project again. Hopefully it will be completed. And then Kayla has another band competition that we might try to squeeze in. It is at Gordon Central in Calhoun...about an hour away. It just depends on if everything else gets finished first. The family day at my nanny's was cancelled at the last minute but that is okay because I didn't know how I would be there and everywhere else too.

Over at Serendipitykits.com, we got our October kit and YUM!!!!! Here are a few pics of the mini album I made.

This week happenings

Yesterday was our pre-surgery consult for Kayla. In a month and a half we will begin the long process of her tooth implant. Its been a long road trying to decide what the right route should be. The best case scenerio will be the actual implant will only cost $1500...worst case....$3600! Why that much...the surgeon fears that she might have to have a bone graft. In that case...they will have to go in and remove bone from her chin to attach to her jawbone. We want know until he gets in there to look around on November 24th. Cross your fingers that this works out in the most easist way possible.

We've been busy at the house with school stuff this week. Every day we have had something to do after school. Today I have an IEP meeting with Kayla's teachers. Hopefully it will be short. Friday we have a football game against North Cobb and Shawn wants to go as the mascot. He will have to ride the cheerleader bus up there. He said he didn't mind that one bit...lol. I am sure he want! We just have to find him a way home now since the cheerleaders ride home with parents after games.

Saturday he will hit his Eagle Project again and hopefully get it finished and then Kayla has another band competition. Not sure if we will be able to make that one but we will see. There is so much going on Saturday that calls my attention that I just wish I could be split into 5 people and do all 5 things. My heart wants to be in South Carolina meeting my Tally Friends as they will be enjoying the SC Tally Rally. Just know I am there in spirit gals. And have a great time. I so wish I was there with you.

On some good news...I just weighed in (we do WW here at work and just had weigh in) and I lost a lb for a total of 10.2 lbs! YEAH! I am very excited about that.

I also finished reading the final book in the Twilight series AGAIN! It was so awesome the second time around. I hated to close that book last night but seriously...I have to get back to my regular life and scrapbooking...lol...and cleaning the house! I will forever be in love with Bella and Edward! And I DID do something I said I wasn't going to do and I submitted two pages to Somerset Magazine last night. I am not counting my chickens but we will see. I told myself I was going to stop this submitting stuff but they just had a call that screamed these two layouts...giggle. I also finished a Halloween album for Serendipitykits.com last night! I can't wait to show it to you. Be watching our blog because this October kit was way cool!

Hugs everyone. Love you bunches

Happy Monday morning

Busy week this week. Crazy busy.

Today Shawn will decide if he wants to be in the Academic Bowl at school. I gotta run by Wolf Camera and pick up some pictures and then some I made to hang in my bathroom. We started hanging the chair rail yesterday. It looks great but I need new pictures in there ;) Hopefully we can get the rest of it finished in a week or so.

Tomorrow Kayla will have her consult for her oral surgery. We have it scheduled for the 24th of November.

Check out my resume blog. A big THANK YOU for my outstanding neice Rachael who made the beautiful banner for me! http://myscrapbookresume-becky.blogspot.com/ It's still a work in progress but I just had to swap from Scrapbook Resumes to something easier for me to manage.

And an update on Hooters. The food was kinda yucky I am sad to say...cause I love their shrimp usually. Shawn was deeply embarressed when he had to stand in a chair, were balloons as...um...boobs...and waves his arms like chicken wings while the girls sang happy birthday to him. I would say he was pretty embarressed to be there...lol. Kayla was appauled to be there. I didn't really care...they don't have anything I don't have really so no big deal. Billy....well if you know Billy...he could of cared less...lol. So anyway...birthdays are now complete. We just have mine and Billy's left over here and we just don't celebrate them anymore...giggle. Although I secretly wish he would surprise me with something WOW and some flowers...but we know how that goes.

I did get some scrapping done this weekend amongst everything else. Started on a mini album and finished this page below. Shawn purchased his first round of supplies for his Eagle Project which he will hopefully finish this upcoming saturday. Enjoy

Saturday Thank you.....and more

First off thank you to each of you that didn't mind me having my small pity party yesterday. I appreciate each and every one of you. I hope you know that!!!! I'm in the scrapping mood today which is great but I can't get to the table because we have to get ready soon to take my newly 15 year old son to Hooter's for his birthday - gasp! yep...that is where he decided he wanted to go and as in his own words "I'm a boy...and we have needs!" oh my gosh!!! I'm not kidding.

Anyway...here are the promised pictures from last night! The first being my adorable son as the Raider Mascot. He was a hoot and a half! The second picture is the Raider ship at the end of the football field. After every touchdown they shoot a cannon off in it. It's kinda cute. And then my lovely adult daughter sporting off the bands NEW band uniforms (which in my opinion either look like black power rangers or just add a top hat and they will be pilgrims). I'm not 100% sold on these new uniforms yet but what do you do. Today is the bands off day since a bunch are taking the SAT and nope...I am lazy and didn't get Kayla signed up for it. drat it. So we are behind already with this senior stuff.

okay....well...in honor of breast cancer month and save the tatas month...we are headed to Hooters :)

OMG...

The Raiders just won 17-14 over the Etowah Eagles!! We are now 5-0 for the season! ROCK ON RAIDERS. And the Etowah Eagles were 5-0 going into the game! I have PERFECT pictures of my children to post tomorrow. I can't wait to share. Shawn as a Raider Mascot and Kayla just being Kayla in the band!
hugs everyone
The day ended wonderfully. I just love doing things with the kids. It's good for the soul.
And Latte...you rock...have I told you that lately.

Kinda sad...

well I am kinda bummed today. Today was the announcement of the Dream Street DT. And nope....my name wasn't on the list. BUT I do know several of the ladies that were and they ROCK totally so I am very happy for them. Well deserved. But still kinda bummed. One of the main reasons being...I had officially told myself in a long conversation (with myself...giggle) that this was my last effort at a manufacturer DT call. I have tried and tried and tried. Seriously. they HAVE to be tired of me trying by now...lol. But I don't know....I am beginning to think that it is just not something that is meant for me and that makes me sad...it was something I really wanted to do. But before I even entered the DT call...I told myself that this was it...do it now or bust. Guess I am going for bust...lol. I've almost considered even passing on submitting anymore to magazines. The last 6 months or so have been hard on me rejection wise. I don't know why that is but it just has been...and has really knocked my confidence down. I wish I could put my finger on it but....I can't. Sometimes I think it is because I take it so literally. I have always done that with my art. If I didn't place in an art show I would wonder "hmmmm was it not good enough"....and I think I bring that to scrapping to...each one is my own personal piece of art and when I send it somewhere and it gets no where...does that mean it wasn't good enough??

A great friend told me today...no matter what...I am a great scrapper to her. That meant the world to me. Because really....I do this for my family. I do pages for my friends. they are who counts and who will benefit from my pages in the long run. I know this....deep down...but it still stings sometimes..ya know.

Anyway...enough pity talk...here is my layout that I did for the second week survivor challenge at TallyScrapper. I liked the idea of using pictures of Kayla from infant to senior. boy has she grown huh!

Happy Birthday Shawn

Happy Birthday baby!!!! I can't believe my baby is 15 today! Where did the time go??

If I haven't told you in person...you are so special to me. I love how you make me laugh when I need it the most, I love your goofy faces, I love your sense of humor, I love how smart you are but yet think otherwise, I love your baby blue eyes and locks of curls. You have been a sparkle in my life since the day I found out I was carrying you. I see the twinkle in your grandfathers eyes each time you two are together and that just makes the world come together full circle. I have huge hopes and dreams for you because I know that you....YOU...will make those dreams come true. You are so capable of doing what ever you want out of life.

The last 15 years have had its ups and downs but you have come out of it with smiles and so much happiness. With a father that loves you more than anything...(even though he gets on to you for the smallest things...that is what daddy's are for)...a sister that really does love you even though it makes her cringe to say it...and a mom who would do anything in the world for her son. Even though you came to me unexpectantly and at a time that was not good in my life...I rejoice each day and thank God for giving you to me when he did. I never could of made it all these years with out you my son....I love you. Forever and always.

XXOO
Mom

Thank you Lord!!!

Shawn's dr called today and everything is okay. No signs of a mass or a tumor in his chest. She said that most peoples chest caves in and his just caves out. The pain he feels is more than likely from growth spurts and the bones growing. Thank goodness. I was so flipping worried about it.

Thank you to everyone for the prayers. It means a ton to me and my family.

Tally Rally.....only 9 days away!!!

And tomorrow.....tomorrow....my baby turns 15!! I can't believe it. I really can't. He has grown so much and so fast.

And on some more fun news...Shawn will be the school mascot (pirate) at Friday nights game. For one...this so suits him since he is so wacky and loves to make people laugh...and on the other hand I am "Oh my lord" worried at what he is going to do down on the field...lol.