reveling in my Samness

Day 2 of NS

2011-06-09T14:43:00.001-05:00

Over the last two days I have learned several things...
1. I love chili dogs with cheese and mayo buy don't like the hot dog part.
2. I love fried chicken livers but not the breading.
3. Biscuits at Chicken Express are not very yummy.
4. Chicken Express' cole slaw is gross.
5. Jennifer is a good friend and a very supportive part of my new adventure.
6. Ashley is a "True Thin".
7. Skinny people don't snack. :)
8. H2Orange sounds gross but is actually quite yummy!
9. I drank over a gallon of water yesterday and didn't float away.
10. I like drinking out of a straw rather than the edge of the cup.

:)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Spam misses Mush

2011-04-27T21:14:00.002-05:00

February 26, 2011 - my 32nd birthday was the last time I heard from one of my very best friends, Michelle. This story won't really make sense if I don't start from the beginning...

Some of you may remember that a few months ago I posted on my Facebook wall that I was going to "unfriend" anyone that cussed in their status. So that's exactly what I did. I "unfriended" seven people that day. Most of them were people I went to high school with and I didn't really care about it. I thought about it for a week and one morning I was on Facebook and Michelle had been out the night before (probably drinking) and posted what I consider inappropriate language in her status... several times. I knew at that moment that the time had come to push that dreaded button. I was upset about it the whole day but I knew it was for the best. I have her cell phone number and email address so I knew I could contact her at any moment. I also knew that she had all of that same info for me.

Now... to my birthday. Mom and I were driving to James' basketball tournament when I got a Happy Birthday text message from Michelle. She mentioned that she tried to write me on Facebook and said for some reason we aren't friends. I said Thanks. She asked if I was mad at her and I told her no. I haven't been mad at her in a long time. The last time I was mad at her was when we were roommates and we had an argument about the electricity bill. She ended up moving out after that fight but we got close again about a year later. Anyways... not part of the story. I told her that I had unfriended people that cussed in their status. This, of course, pissed her off. She sent me two text messages after that and I haven't heard from her since.

For whatever reason, I have been missing her the last couple of weeks. I never explained to her that just because we weren't friends on Facebook didn't mean that we couldn't be friends in real life. I have been there for her when others weren't and she has done the same for me. I know some of her darkest secrets and she knows mine. She was the one that told me about 9/11. She was the one that was there the night of mud angels at the Delt house. She was there the night of my 21st birthday and stayed with me through all of the crap that came from that party. She was my one and only college roommate. Anyways... I miss her. Alot.

In search of the prefect accessories

2011-04-24T10:58:00.001-05:00

Becky spent the night with Mimi Friday night and we spent the day shopping for prom accessories.
I talked to Becca before I left home and she suggested some good places to try to accomplish our mission. She thought
we should try Stein Mart, Katie's and Shoe Carnival.
The day started with all of us sleeping in. Mimi made Mickey waffles as requested by Becky. They were delicious and brought back wonderful memories.
Our first stop was Stein Mart where we found a cute bag, a nice necklace and earrings. They were not perfect but we took pictures for reference later.

Next stop: Katie's
Here we found the PERFECT necklace with matching earrings and a beautiful bling bling bracelet.

We tried Famous Footwear but they were closed (forever). Mimi saw the Hallmark store so we went there. Then Bealls and Ross, both were a bust. I wanted to stop at Avenue, so we did. I got two new shirts, a bathing suit and a cover up.
We were all thirsty so Sonic was a must. Three Route 44s - diet coke with cherry, cherry limeade and vanilla orange fanta.
Shoe Carnival was having a sale but had nothing appropriate. Marshalls was next - nothing there either. Then on to Best Buy. (Mimi needed a wireless keyboard and mouse.) This is where we lost the car and Mimi ended up two blocks away. We finally found the car (exactly where we left it) but Mimi was a whole other story.
At this point Becky was hungry so lunch at Chick-fil-a was in order. 8 piece and 12 piece chicken nugget, chicken sandwich and a large order of waffle fries. Don't forget the sauce - chick-fil-a for Becky and honey mustard for me.
Next stop: Payless where we found the perfect shoes.

I also found a cute pair of black flats for work. Thanks, Mom.
Mom wanted to go to walmart to get Easter buckets. Becky and I napped in the car while mom shopped.
Now we are after the elusive - perfect purse... We end up at the mall where every man, woman, child and dog were after the perfect silver evening bag... JC Penney - no. Icing - maybe. Check out Mimi's hat:

Coach - no. Dillards - YES!!!

While at Dillards we saw Sweet Ilene and got a special treat - a Sweet Ilene cookie!
We stopped in a Build a Bear.
At this point we are all exhausted!!! We went to Mimi's house and took a nap. We were all surprised when we woke up almost three hours later. :) Of course we are all hungry so we went to El Charo's for dinner. Next we went to Brookshire's to buy stuff for Easter dinner. Becky was "being helpful."

Sorry the picture is blurry. It was just such a funny moment that I had to take a picture. With all of the shopping done for the day. It was time to take Becky home. Becky drove to where we met Charley. That was an adventure.

Charley was very surprised (and pleased) to see Becky behind the wheel. What a wonderful way to end a wonderful day!?! Hugs all around!!!

May all of your missions be accomplished with much laughter shared with those you love!

Happy tears...

2011-04-20T21:17:00.001-05:00

Most of you that know me know that my mom is blind as a bat. I don't like to admit how bad it is and I usually don't have to. Mom has figured out how to do almost everything. She has continued scrapbooking which surprises most people. We have to do a lot of preplanning but she creates beautiful pages.
I should have known that scrapping was getting tough when she thought a statue of a man on a horse was one of her grandchildren. Needless to say we made a joke about it and have laughed numerous occasions about the John Wayne picture... But it made me realize that she really couldn't see the pictures. She knows what they are because they were in the album together. I haven't ever talked about how sad that made me. Pictures are her life. The one thing she has always loved and treasured.
Mom started losing her sight around the time that I got married. That was over three years ago. Tonight I came to the realization that mom hasn't really seen a picture of her grandchildren in over three years. This is the same woman that has 108 8x10s in her living room. I hate to mention that she can't see any of them without taking them off the wall and using a magnifying glass.
So... Wade and I went over to Mom and George's for dinner. Mom and I love Survivor and it is so much more fun when we watch it together. Anyways... Before Survivor started we were showing Mom how I could hook my laptop up to their tv and use it as a monitor. I thought it was cool but I didn't realize how much it would change her life. I started by showing her her beloved Farmville and we played for awhile. Then I upped the ante. I logged into her SnapFish account. I opened up the album from one of James' baseball games and she could tell me about every single one of them. The happy tears came when I opened the pictures from OAP and for the first time in over three years she could truly see a picture of my brother and his family. Here she is looking at that photo (I don't think she knows I took this picture)

It took awhile for her to realize that she could do ANYTHING she used to do. Including: checking her email, Facebook and reading blogs.
She loves all things Stampin' Up! and stampshacklady.blogspot.com was the first one she wanted to visit. This was the first time she could do more than look at the pictures.

Well... Since I am still crying happy tears I should probably stop sitting in this parking lot and go home.

Much love and happy tears to all...

I am so excited

2011-04-19T17:32:00.001-05:00

I truly believe that the little things in life are what making it worth living. I have been told on more than one occasion that I am easily amused. I was once told that I have the wonder of a fifth grader. I am not sure if it was meant as a compliment or not but I took it as one. With all of that being said... Most people would not be excited about the thing that has made my day. So don't laugh. You are only allowed to think to yourself, "that's it?"

Ok... So... I can now post on my blog from my phone using an app rather than Safari. :)

Yep, that's it. But between learning about RSS Feeds, Google Reader, MobileRSS AND this!!! Who could have a bad day!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Jersey Mike's

2010-11-18T18:14:00.002-06:00

I had 17 points left for the rest of the day when I got off of work. Wade had planned to make tater tot casserole for dinner, but when I got home he was still asleep. At this point I was super hungry, so we decided to go out to eat. I looked at the Weight Watchers app and saw that my favorite sandwich at Jersey Mike's was only 11 points. I had never had it on wheat so I practiced ordering in my head so I wouldn't mess up. I proudly ordered my sandwich, started to log my points and realized I had ordered the wrong size! The mini is 11 points but a regular is 19.5!!! I can't order another sandwich... What do I do? Lie to the app? Nope, that's just cheating myself. So I recorded it as ordered. The more and more I thought about it the more upset I got. This sandwich is not worth all this and especially not worth 20 points AND going 3 over for the day. So, I am guessing you are wondering what i did. Well... I ate half the sandwich, recorded it as a mini and spent the rest of dinner blogging about it. Wade is still eating his full size double meat sandwich and I didn't want to watch. Weight Watchers day 3 was a rough one... but I have managed so far. Maybe blogging will fill the void of food - maybe not.

Today I said no...

2010-11-17T17:15:00.002-06:00

Today I said no to stuffed jalapenos and pumpkin muffins with cream cheese icing. I am pretty proud of myself. I just hope the will power can keep holding on. :)

Headed over to mom's to finish up Davy's invites. (I will post it later)

it's been a while

2010-11-15T22:05:00.002-06:00

I am sorry to say that I have been missing from my blog for a long time. I am back, at least for today.
I joined Weight Watchers today. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. This week's goal is to stick with it for one week. I can do one week. I went to my first meeting tonight and the lady in front of me met her goal, she had lost over 65 lbs. I was so proud of her! After she started talking, I realized that I knew her. She was one of my teachers in high school. I was even happier when she remember my name. Another lady at the meeting got her sticker for losing 150 lbs. I keep telling myself that if they can do it - so can I. I can do this - one week at a time. Wade and I went grocery shopping after dinner and I am ready to go. Day 1 - HERE I COME!!!

On another weight loss note - I am debating on weather or not to pursue having gastric bypass or not. I have to decide by Friday. I have done a lot of reading on the subject. I have always thought I wanted to, but now I am not so sure. I think I am probably going to do Weight Watchers for one year and if I am not happy with where I or haven't been able to stick with it then I will reconsider next November. I just don't know. What do you think?

EMHE: I was on the news!!!

2010-02-28T21:07:00.002-06:00

Check out KLTV.com
I was on the news!!! Mom & I volunteered from Midnight to 6 on Saturday morning. For anyone that knows me very well... I am NOT a morning person, I am not really an overnight person either. It was a long night but a neat experience. My birthday present to me... :)

2900 Medina - update

2010-01-31T20:36:00.005-06:00

I can't believe I haven't posted in so long. So much has been going on and yet I haven't posted anything. The house remodel is going great. Me, Mom, George and Wade have been working like crazy. Becca & GG have been a TON of help! We are currently in the process of painting. We hope to have everything painted and the floors are supposed to be laid the week of Feb 15. I am so excited to say that we have been able to purchase some new furniture! Here are our most recent purchases:
I can't wait to see everything to come together. Will post pictures soon!!!

much love and Totino's party pizzas

Vote For Ashley

2009-10-10T22:18:00.001-05:00

my niece Ashley is running for student council of the 4th grade. She asked Mimi & I to help her make posters and t-shirts. A trip to Micheal's, Hancocks and 8 hours later - she is ready to campaign. Hope you enjoy this episode of REVELING IN MY SAMNESS!!!!

much hugs & klondike bars...

World Cardmaking Day - guest appearance at Stamp With Dara

2009-10-03T20:05:00.003-05:00

World Cardmaking Day at Dara's - Punch Art: Roach

2009-10-03T18:46:00.001-05:00

ZigZag edge using SU! Star Punch

2009-10-02T06:55:00.004-05:00

2900 Medina - update

2009-10-01T18:51:00.002-05:00

I am VERY happy to report that the house has passed inspection. There are a few minor things we are going to ask the seller to fix but no deal breakers. It is sooo nice to finally be past the point of inspection. We still have a ways to go but we are one step closer than we have ever been. Today has been a good house buying day - the house passed inspection, we got approved on our home loan AND we got a lower interest rate! YAY us!!!

on a scrapbooking note: Heather Summers new online class started today. I am super excited. I can't wait to see the projects. Here is a link to the class http://stampwithheather.typepad.com/stamp_with_heather/2009/06/simply-babiesa-new-online-class-coming-soon-and-a-video-today.html

with much love and gummy bears,
Sam

2900 Medina

2009-09-26T11:01:00.002-05:00

We just finished negotiations... and offers have been accepted. We are buying a house!
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2900-Medina-Drive_Tyler_TX_75701_1108812310

Just thought ya'll might want to know. :)

101

2009-09-23T22:14:00.002-05:00

this is post #101!
How crazy is that? I have been sitting here trying to figure out what to blog about. I haven't designed anything new and fun in the last couple of days. I didn't even turn on MDS today... so what should I talk about. The only thing that is really on my mind - actually it has shoved every other thought out and is hogging all my thoughts... and that is buying a house and moving out. I really don't know what to do. I know Wade & I NEED to move out but I don't really WANT to move out. I know I rely too much on my Mom but I am totally ok with that. She is my best friend and no matter if I get upset with her - she is right there... waiting to make everything better again. With Wade working nights - it seems pointless to move. I am going to end up at Mom's house every night anyways. I hate being alone in the house during the day - much less at night. My brain is just churning... buy a house, don't buy a house, move out, don't move out, you are a baby, you are a grown up - act like one, buy a house, don't buy a house, stay here... and it keeps going and going... I can't even make my brain think of something else. I am betting I am never going to get to sleep tonight. I think this calls for a go to sleep movie... Good Night!
Hugs,
Sam

another digital layout

2009-09-21T23:11:00.006-05:00

8 1/2 x 11 scrapbook page. Started with a template and changed it up and ended up with a page I am VERY happy with.

journaling reads: "SUMMER 2009 JAMES PLAYED MACHINE PITCH BASEBALL AND HIS TEAM WAS THE RANGERS. AS A TREAT FOR THE TEAM THEY ALL GOT TO GO TO A TEXAS RANGERS GAME AT THE BALLPARK IN ARLINGTON. PAPAW GOT INVITED TO GO AND COULDN'T PASS UP THE CHANCE TO SHARE A BASEBALL GAME WITH HIS GRANDSON. THE GAME WAS ENJOYED BY CHARLEY, KATHY, ASHLEY, JAMES & PAPAW."

Hope all is well!
Hugs,
Sam

p.s. rumor has it that Heather Summers sent me a little surprise from Founders Circle. I already know what it is but I haven't seen it yet. I am so super excited. She is such an awesome person. I should probably chill out before she thinks I am a stalker - really, I'm not. I don't even know where she lives - I just know it is in Canada and that's far away from Texas. BUT if I ever take a trip to Canada - I am thinking I will schedule the trip around her stamp class... oh wait... that doesn't really help on the whole "I AM NOT A STALKER". But really I am not a stalker. :)

a lovely weekend...

2009-09-20T11:55:00.002-05:00

Yesterday Mom & I worked our butts off cleaning out the pantry but I have to say it was lovely to go to the pantry this morning and see what an amazing job we did. Last week I had a couple of sad days and that was hard to deal with but doing a little stamping on Friday night and then spending the day with Mom yesterday - I am doing better. Today we are planning on chilling and relaxing. I am currently blog hopping. Later on I have to go to my stamp room and make a pink flower for Mom to wear to Stamp Out Breast Cancer last night. I am super excited about this event. It will be fun to see stamping friends but even better for it to all be for a good cause. Hope everyone had a nice weekend...
Hugs,
Sam

a song my heart sings...

2009-09-16T20:39:00.004-05:00

I know what makes me comfortable
and I know what makes me tick
when I need I need to get my way I know how to pour it on thick
cream and sugar in my coffee
right away when I awake
I face the day and pray to God I won't make the same mistakes
Oh the rest is out of my hands
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
and I will change and I will change whatever I, whatever I can

I don't know my father or my mother well enough
seems like every time we talk
we can't get past the little stuff
the pain is self inflicted, no it's not good for my health
but it's easier to please the world than it is to please myself
Oh the rest is out of my hands
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
and I will change, I will change whatever I, whatever I can

Right now I can't care about how everyone else will feel
I have enough hurt of my own to heal
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
and I will change, I will change whatever I, whatever I can

Leann Rimes - Family - What I Cannot Change

Convention Scrapbook Pages with MDS

2009-09-14T22:24:00.007-05:00

What do you think? I am VERY happy with the way these turned out. I used a template but modified it to add an extra picture. Oh yeah... that is Heather Summers as in THE Heather Summers - it is ok to be jealous - I would be if I weren't me. :) If you don't know who Heather Summers is (SHAME ON YOU)... here is a link to her blog http://www.stampwithheather.typepad.com/ She is such a sweetheart and an amazing artist. I have taken ALL of her Simply Punches classes and I HIGHLY reccomend them!!! Hope you enjoy her blog as much as I do.

Hugs,

Sam

-- I just realized you can't read my journaling because it is too small. Since I took the time to actually journal - I am going to share it. Left hand page says "I will never forget my first Stampin' Up! Convention. I had such a great time. I got to go to Momento Mall and shop. We got to tour the Riverton Campus - which was completely AMAZING! We swapped like crazy and did a shoebox swap on Friday night. My roomies were Dara, Wendy & Tamala. Together we did lots of fun stuff like go to general sessions, stay up late and talk and laugh. I think it is so cool how rooming together created some long lasting friendships. But I have to say - the absolute highlight of my trip was getting to meet Heather Summers. She should probably have her own page but I don't want to seem like a stalker. She teaches AWESOME classes online and she is like a celebrity to me. It was by total accident that I got to meet her and I was so excited when her friends offered to take a picture of us. I was so nervous that I wasn't even going to ask. I am glad they mentioned it though because Mom would've shot me if I wouldn't have had a picture. I had such a great time! I hope to go back next year but if I only get to go once - this one time was PERFECT!"

Right hand page is a list of the pictures and says "1. Me with Heather Summers 2. Lunch on the last day 3. Friday night Shoebox Swap 4. Riverton Campus - banners 5. Momento Mall 6. Awards Night 7. Awards Night 8. Riverton Campus - fountain 9. General Session 10. Lunch on the first day"

Header Image

2009-09-13T16:59:00.003-05:00

What do you think of my header image? I created it with Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio. I really love this new program. I am hoping to that Stampin' Up! will offer some online classes so I can learn how to use it better. It is alot like Photoshop but doesn't have some of the functionality that I am used to. I haven't figured out how to re-size things the way I want them to resize. I am sure I will learn and I am betting that my other SU! friends and I will trade lots of tips and tricks! If you are SU! demo and want to share ideas - let me know! Maybe we can start a group on Yahoo to share tips, tricks and ideas. Hope all is well with all!
Hugs,
Sam

My 1st MDS Scrapbook Page

2009-09-09T21:44:00.001-05:00

OK - so SU! MDS is AMAZING! I know we got a sneak peek at convention but it was NOTHING compared to what all you can do. MY FAVORITE part are the sharing options! It is sooooo cool. If you don't already own this product OR you haven't ordered it yet (what are you thinking?) You need to order it NOW!!! OMG! If anyone wants me to teach classes with this product - I am SOOOO there!!!! Laters!

Top 5 Favorite Things From Convention 2009

2009-08-11T22:01:00.004-05:00

#4 - getting to visit the Stampin' Up! Riverton Campus!!!

I love to inspire...

2009-08-10T22:45:00.001-05:00

http://stampshacklady.blogspot.com/2009/07/butterfly-card.html

Top 5 Favorite Things from Convention 2009

2009-08-10T22:26:00.004-05:00

#5 - shopping at Momento Mall

For the last several Stampin' Up! events with a Momento Mall - I have been able to ask friends to bring me home certain items... but this year I got to go to Momento Mall and bring a few things to a couple of friends of mine. I can honestly say that both ends of the spectrum are AWESOME! I know that Brandy & Becca will enjoy their reusable bags as much as I enjoy my camera case from Rhonda & Dara and my tool bag that April brought back for me. :)

Come back tomorrow for #4... I'll give you a hint... "Oh the things you can think up if only you try" - Dr. Suess

Stampin' Up! Convention 2009

2009-08-10T22:12:00.002-05:00

well... I got back from convention last night and boy am I pooped. I had so much fun and came home with so many ideas. I haven't posted to my blog in awhile so I thought I would do another list. The top 5 things from Convention 2009!!!! I plan on doing a different post for each thing but with the top 5 comes the bottom 5. I would like to share them but they aren't as fun as the top 5 so they will only be on this post. sooo... here goes: the 5 things I HATED about Convention 2009! 1. my legs turning against me - they hurt most of the trip but thanks to Dara & Mineral Ice I was able to make it through the trip without crying or missing any fun convention stuff. 2. the plane ride from Salt Lake to Denver - we sat in the emergency exit row which was great for leg room but AWFUL for hip room. 3. not winning a Prize Patrol 4. No big surprise at the end 5. didn't get to pre-order My Digital Studio - that's all for the bad stuff.... now on to the good!!!!

I wish I had something to say

2009-07-11T20:31:00.002-05:00

I haven't blogged in a really long time and I think I should get back into it. Maybe not as much as the birthday countdown but at least once a week would be nice. During the birthday countdown it felt like a job and when something isn't fun anymore - I don't really like to do it. I bought the book: "The Book of ME - A Do-It Yourself Memoir" in hopes that it would provide me with something to talk about... so here goes...

Naughty or Nice - Connfessions
"When do you get caught red-handed?"
Stealing a candy bar when I was little. I know that sounds weird but I really remember it. We lived in Chandler and we had stopped at a gas station to get gas. Mom was at the register and wrote a check to pay for the gas. I picked up a candy bar and took it with me. When we go into the car - I started eating it. Mom asked me where I got that and I told her the gas station. She said that she didn't pay for it and that I had stolen it. I didn't really understand because she had written a check so I thought she was paying for everything but I hadn't asked so she didn't know I had it. She turned the car around and we went back to the gas station. I had to go in and apologize and give the clerk the candy bar back. Mom paid for the candy bar and apologized but I didn't get the candy bar back. That was how I learned about stealing and I also learned that just because Mom is writing a check doesn't mean you can have whatever you want. LESSON LEARNED!

iPod Touch

2009-03-12T18:54:00.004-05:00

For my 30th birthday Wade got me an iPod Touch! I picked it up from FedEx the Monday before my birthday and I have loved it ever since! that was until... today... when it came up with an error message saying to connect it to iTunes. I couldn't listen to music ALL day! it was so frustrating and the guy next to me was on the phone all day whining about something! I came home and plugged it into iTunes and lost EVERYTHING I HAD PURCHASED in the last couple of weeks. I was devestated. I am currently on the phone with Apple Support and they have been AWESOME! I got all my music back and they are helping me fix another problem now. The guy that is helping me is so super sweet. He keeps thanking me for being so patient. I don't think he realizes how thankful I am that he is helping me.

I am still on the phone! but he is nice. I think he thinks I am NUTS!!! he laughs at my jokes but I am guessing he is just doing that to be nice! Hopefully my iPod will be back to normall VERY soon!!! :)

1 day until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-25T18:22:00.010-06:00

I have had ONE life-long best friend - Duck
Amber & I met the summer before first grade. Her mom brought us a pie to welcome us to the neighborhood when we moved into the green & white trailer house on 4th street in Chandler. I was riding my bike a few days later and she was riding her bike too. We have been best friends ever since. I moved from Chandler during 3rd grade but we remained friends. We never had a class together or went to the same school after 3rd grade. We both had other friends but she has always been my very best friend. She was nick-named Amber Duck by my Daddy. He said she looked like a duck when she was riding her bike. I usually call her Duck. When we were younger we would ride our bikes, play in our tree, play monopoly, have sleep overs, walk the wall and watch movies. I have so many wonderful memories of Duck. Whenever I think of her I smile. She left for Jackson Hole, Wyoming on May 5 for a 6 month summer job at a dude ranch. During those first 6 months she met Gerardo and fell in love. She and Gerardo are now married, have a beautiful son and live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I miss her everyday but I know she is so very happy there. She came to Texas to celebrate our 30th birthdays. Her birthday is the 27th. We have celebrated so many birthdays together. It is awesome that we get to celebrate #30 together even though she lives so far away. Here are some fun pictures:

2 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-24T21:06:00.003-06:00

ok, so I have way too many twos to pick just one. So I am going to list them all!
I have TWO Aunts: Aunt Becky & Aunt Fish
I have TWO grandmothers: Nani & Mamaw
I have TWO dads: Daddy & George
I have graduated from TWO colleges: TJC & A&M-Commerce
I have been engaged TWO times: Wade & Tim
I eat lunch with TWO of my favorite people almost everyday: Becca & GG
I hug at least TWO people everyday.
TWO people and one dog sleep in my bed every night.
I buy TWO Diet Cokes with Cherry: 1 for me, 1 for Mom
--
I have TWO hearts. The one that everyone has and a heart shaped birthmark on my right leg
I have TWO God-parents: Aunt Pat & Uncle Jessie
I have TWO uncles: Uncle Tom & Uncle Johnny
I used to carry TWO iPods in my purse.

3 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-23T22:03:00.004-06:00

I have owned three cars.
1. The Sam-I-Am: 1988 Buick Regal - white two-door with camel interior (my very first car. I got it the day before my 16th birthday. The back window said "Sam-I-Am" and the driver's side door had my name in gold paint. It was in the carport with a big red bow at my 16th birthday party. Right before Mom & George gave it to me, George told me that they could replace the back window and that they did the best they could. Needless to say they didn't have to replace the back window and I totally LOVED my car!)
2. Dookie Brown: 1988 98 Olds Oldsmobile - brown four-door with brown interior (except for the driver's seat - it was maroon and you had to have spare towels when it rained. I hated this car but it really helped when Sam-I-Am died and I didn't have anything else to drive. It was my Aunt Fish's. Daddy gave it to me and it drove me back and forth to Commerce more times than I can count.)
3. Maggie: 2004 Toyota Matrix - phantom grey four-door with dark grey interior (my very first brand new car - I was so proud when I got to buy this car. The following picture was taken the night I got my car. Brookshire's is in the background because my job at Brookshire's helped me to buy my beautiful new car. This is the car I still drive and I still LOVE it!!!)

4 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-22T12:49:00.003-06:00

I have lived in four towns!
1. Marshall, Texas (this is the town I was born in)
2. Tyler, Texas (this is what I consider my home town)
3. Chandler, Texas (where I met Amber!)
4. Commerce, Texas (this is where I lived when I was in college)

5 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-21T21:51:00.003-06:00

I have been caught by the police FIVE times! (in no particular order)
1. Failure to control speed - I rear-ended a lady at the red light at Paluxy & the Loop
2. Speeding in a school zone - 23 in a 20 - went to Teen Court and got 15 hours of Community Service at Discovery Science Place
3. No seat belt - on the way hospital from a test on my esophagus
4. No seat belt - on the way to pick up Mom's paycheck when she was at Disney Land
5. Criminal Mischief - painting the dam - got 36 hours of Community Service at the band hall - how I became Spray Paint Sam & SpryPntSam

6 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-20T22:05:00.003-06:00

I have had six dogs!
1. Rascal (Black Lab)
2. BB (Black Lab) Birthday Boy - My faithful firefly.
3. Baby (Black Lab) Sam's Big Baby
4. Sambo (Black Lab)- Samboni Macaroni - Courtney’s Science Fair Project
5. Stone (Yellow Lab) - Stone Cold Milk Dud
6. Absolut (Min-Pin Cross) - Absolut Dog

Community Connections

2009-02-19T22:07:00.003-06:00

Tonight was the Fun Lover's Dance with the ARC of Smith County.
I volunteered as part of our Community Connections program.
Tonight was pure fun! We danced and mingled!
It was nice to do something for someone and expecting nothing in return. :)

7 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-19T21:59:00.004-06:00

I have 7 nieces & nephews! (from oldest to youngest)
1. Becky (daughter of Charley & Kathy)
2. Wesley (son of Garrick & Glenda)
3. Ashley (daughter of Charley & Kathy)
4. Davy (son of Debbie & David)
5. James (son of Charley & Kathy)
6. Kyla (daugher of Garrick & Angie)
7. Brianna (daughter of Garrick & Angie)

Back in the day...

2009-02-18T20:15:00.002-06:00

when I was young...
I'm not a kid anymore...
there's some days when I wish I was a kid again...

8 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-18T20:10:00.002-06:00

I have 8 brothers & sisters!
1. Charley - half brother (same mom)
2. Debbie - half sister (same mom)
3. Janie - half sister (same dad)
4. John Michael - half brother (same dad)
5. Garrick - step brother (George's son)
6. Lisa - step sister (George's daughter)
7. Kathy - sister-in-law (Charley's wife)
8. David - brother-in-lay (Debbie's husband)

9 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-17T21:39:00.003-06:00

I have been in 9 weddings!
1. Charley & Kathy - June 1990
2. Mom & George - March 1991
3. Debbie & David - November 1997
4. Jessica & Chris - June 2002
5. Amber & Gerardo - October 2003
6. Michelle & Clayton - February 2006
7. Sam & Wade - October 2007
8. house party for Tracy
9. house party for Ashley

Here are some highlights:

10 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-16T22:27:00.002-06:00

I have been thinking all day about what I should post today. The rest of the days are already planned but I don't have a topic for today.
So... what should I do?
10 things I thought about writing about today (in no particular order)
1. 10 people that have changed my life
1. Mom
2. Wade
3. Becca
4. GG
5. Amber
6. April
7. Shelli
8. Arlynne
9. George
10. Tim

2. 10 things you probably don't know about me
1. I bite my lip when I am nervous
2. I scratch my head too much
3. I bungee jumped in 1997
4. I used to be licensed to carry a concealed hand gun
5. I don't have any credit card debt
6. I want to be smarter in Math, English & History
7. I don't go to church but I believe in God.
8. I am NOT a morning person
9. I am organized at work but messy at home.
10. I hate fixing sheets on the bed.

3. 10 favorite animals (Wade's idea)
1. dog
2. hamster (I really want one and I want to name it Skittles)
3. turtle (I wanted to save one on Friday but I was afraid it would bite me)
4. leopard
5. lion
6. frog
7. hermit crab
8. clown fish
9. cow
10. horse

4. 10 favorite candies (Wade's idea)
1. Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
2. Reeses Big Cup
3. Reeses Nutrageous
4. Reeses Pieces
5. Reeses Fast Break
6. Butterfinger
7. Skittles
8. Snickers
9. Big Kat
10. Milk Duds

5. 10 go to sleep movies (Wade's idea)
Pick 10 movies from my post about movies I could watch over and over

6. 10 things I worry about
I don't think I could narrow it down to ten. I am a worrier. GG told me today that worrying is a sin. So I really need to work on not being such a worry wart. Mom says I am worrying about silly stuff and everything will be fine.

7. 10 reasons for Wade not to tickle me
one reason is enough - I DON'T LIKE TO BE TICKLED

8. the last 10 calls on my cell phone
1. Daddy
2. Duck
3. Mom
4. Becca
5. GG
6. Wade
7. BGC
8. Charley
9. Christy D.
10. April R.

9. the last 10 texts on my cell phone
1. tweet from iMatt
2. tweet* from iMatt
3. tweet* from iMatt
4. tweet* from iMatt
5. tweet* from iMatt
6. Christa
7. tweet* from andyburnfield
8. Wade
9. Mom
10. Mom
*if you are not on Twitter - you probably should be :)

10. 10 things I really want
1. iPod Touch
2. new case for my cell phone
3. hamster
4. a promotion at work
5. be better about putting pictures on scrapbook pages
6. new windshield wipers (installed)
7. a pedicure
8. to go on another scrapbook retreat with mom
9. iTunes $
10. a new pillow (that doesn't get squishy - I want one like Mom's that always stays the right shape)

11 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-15T00:33:00.002-06:00

11... I just got out of the shower. I am sitting on my bed at the retreat center and I have no idea what to post. I think I am going to tell you 11 things I have done at this retreat as of right now...
1. had a massage - it was my first massage and it was really nice. I was so relaxed, I just wanted to go take a nap. I didn't though. The last time I was here I spent the whole time sleeping. I am trying to have a normal sleeping pattern this time.
2. put pictures on a page titled "Rangers '08" - it has pictures from when Wade, Shelli, Derrick & I went to a Rangers game.
3. had Belgium waffles for breakfast
4. made an explosion box - it is full of pictures that make me smile. I didn't have all of the pictures that I wanted to put in it so I made a list of the other people I was thinking about when I made it.
5. added "followers" to my blog
6. posted to my blog
7. helped Mom use sketches and Simply Scrappin' kits to make pages.
8. put pictures on a page called "Berry Fun" - it has pictures of when we picked berries by our house with the kids
9. put pictures on a page titled "Trip to Regionals" - pictures for the trip to SU! Regional Seminar in Oklahoma City
10. put pictures on a page called "SU! Regionals 2007" - more pictures for the trip mentioned in #9
11. missed Wade - it wasn't because of Valentine's Day but because I don't have cell signal out here and I can't text him whenever I want to and I can't get texts from him. It is very frustrating. I have talked to him a couple of times but I still miss him.

I think I am finally tired enough to go to sleep... so... good night all!!!

12 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-14T12:00:00.004-06:00

And number of the day is 12
1. 12 eggs in a carton
2. 12 cans of Diet RC in a 12 pack
3. 12 colors in each Stampin’ Up! Family
4. we make 12 cards at card class every month
5. 12 months in a year
6. everyone has a birthday every 12 months
7. page 12 is the first page of the center spread of Celebrate Cooking
8. we have 12 feet of table space in the stamp room right now (also known as 2 6-foot tables)
9. 12 inches in a foot and feet are important because they help you walk
10. 12 dozen is a gross
11. you turn 12 before you turn 13
12. my first television only had 12 channels

note: I am curently at a scrapbook retreat with no internet access so I am hoping that this whole scheduled post thing works. :)

at Scrapbook Retreat!!!

2009-02-14T10:45:00.002-06:00

I am sooo excited that Crossroads Retreat Center has wireless internet!!! I just wanted to report that I have put pictures on THREE scrapbook layouts. April is going to be so proud of me. I will post pictures later! :) Happy Valentine's Day!!!

13 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-13T11:07:00.001-06:00

Wade & I were married on October 13. Soooo...
here are 13 pictures from our wedding:

14 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-12T21:51:00.008-06:00

I have 14 cousins! (in no particular order)

1 & 2. Johnny & his wife, Samantha (not in photo) 3 & 4. Carter & his wife, Cheryl (not in photo) 5. Ryan (tall guy in tux vest - has on glasses) 6 & 7. Kyle & his wife, Barbara (photo is at their wedding but they aren't in the photo) 8 & 9. Charles & his wife, Ruth (couple kneeling in the front on the right) 10 & 11. Stephanie & her husband, Marshall (lady in the pink dress and man with tux vest on standing behind her) 12. Margaret Pat (lady in the blue dress on the far right) 13 & 14. Zach & his wife (couple with little girl on the far left.)

also in this picture: ME (sqauting in the center), Debbie (blonde in the middle in blue dress) & Mom (brunette with glasses in blue dress in the center)

I am now going to try to explain how we are all related. My great-grandmother is Granny. Granny married Boss. Granny & Boss had Nani, Aunt Annette & Uncle Bob. Nani had Mom, Aunt Becky & Uncle Johnny. Aunt Annette had Stephanie (10), Margaret Pat (12) and Charles (8). Stephanie married Marshall (11) and have Kyle (6) and Ryan (5). Kyle married Barbara (7). Margaret Pat has Zach (13). Zach married his wife (14) and they have a beautiful daughter. Charles married Ruth (9). Mom had me, Charley & Debbie. Uncle Johnny had Johnny (1) & Carter (3). Johnny married Samantha (2) and have Avery, Aiden & Little Little Johnny. Carter married Cheryl (4) and have Taylor and Little Carter. I THINK I have this right but I am going to check with mom just to make sure. This is kind of a like a miniature family tree. I am going to explain brothers & sisters on day 8. So you have that to look forward to. :)

15 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-11T21:48:00.003-06:00

I have lived under 15 roofs
1. Austin Street, Marshall, Texas
2. apartment behind where Hobby Lobby is now, Tyler, Texas
3. yellow house, Tyler, Texas
4. apartment complex where Barnes & Noble is now, Tyler, Texas (this is where the microwave fell on my head when I tried to climb on the oranges to get to the candy. Candy will be the death of me one day - just not that day. BUT it did mess up my pituitary gland that makes my growth hormone by all messed up.)
5. Norma’s house
6. green & white trailer house on 4th Street, Chandler, Texas
* where mom chased the possums with the butcher knife
* Daddy bought BB (Birthday Boy) for $10 in dimes on for his birthday
* BB thought the green carpet in my bedroom was grass
* Met Amber
* Amber became Duck
* Rode my bike through the sticker burrs and I got in SOOO much trouble because they would make my tires go flat and Daddy would have to fix them.
* Learned about the Christmas notebook and the importance of NOT looking at it (if you do look at it, you will get spanked with a flip-flop and Mom takes all of your presents back - Note to any grandchildren of Mimi that might be reading this: IF YOU FIND THE NOTEBOOK - run away very fast and don't look at it because I think she may still have that flip-flop)
* The tree (Duck and I used to play in this tree and we always thought we were hiding but come to find out, BB always sat outside of the tree so Mom always knew we were there)
* Amber & I would walk the wall
* BB tried to go to school (Dogs weren’t allowed so he would sit by my bike all day - he did come in one day when a kid was being mean to me. I got called the to the Principal's office and mom got called and had to leave work. After that, he would sit my bike on the bike rack.)
7. double wide that burned in Wild Wood, Chandler, Texas
* blue corn with Duck
8. Earl’s Farm
* Steve kept all the pictures I ever colored for him and gave them back to me on my 16th birthday.
9. double wide in Wild Wood, Chandler, Texas (different from #7)
* BB got shot
* Had to build a ramp because he had a wing but he never pooped in our yard
* BB would walk me to the bus stop every day, go home and rest in his yard and then be back at the bus stop when I got off
* Ants in the bed (Mom got free chips from work and I snuck them to my room, ate them in bed and then stuffed the packages behind the headboard. Nobody knew any better until I woke up with ant bites and ants in my bed.)
10. duplex where BB ran away but came back the last day of the move, Tyler, Texas
* I played in the woods where the rainbow tree is
11. Mr. Sam’s little house on Hwy 64, Tyler (Chapel Hill), Texas
* Orange potatoes
12. Pinehurst, Tyler (Chapel Hill), Texas
* Blower woman
13. house with the bad drive-way, Tyler (Chapel Hill), Texas
* this house had a really big field in front of it with really tall grass and I walked through it once and got really bad chiggers
* lights & electricity
14. 1611 West Neal #110, Commerce, Texas
* my apartment during college - I LOVED this apartment, but I came home every weekend. George built tons of shelves for me. We put up magnetic walls and I had TONS of magnets. There was a subway poster of Eminem behind my entertainment center. I was in my bedroom of this apartment when I found out about 9/11. My roommate, Michelle and I were worried about gas so we each bought a gas can full of gas. They later got stolen off of our porch. During my last semester, there was a shooting two doors down. For awhile I was the only apartment with hot water. There was one point when I didn't have hot water for almost a month. It SUCKED! I would go to Michelle & Clayton's to shower.
15. 10254 CR 2254, Tyler, Texas
* Home! - I have so many memories in this house. I don't think I could even begin to do it justice. This is my home. Where I am loved unconditionally and I can be who I truly am. I have always said that home is where your mom is and that is so totally true. I know one day soon I won't live in this house anymore and that is ok. I will go make another home with my husband. I guess I will have to change my thinking to home is where your husband is or maybe - home is where your stamp room is... LOL!

16 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-10T22:25:00.019-06:00

16 pictures from James' 1st Grade Program

James & Will going to get the American Flag.

He was so proud that he got to help carry the flag. Look at that grin!!! :)

Highlights from the program. James was V is for Veterans.

Charley being a goofy big brother and goosing me. He wasn't expecting me to tickle him back.

Charley was still in the tickle mood - he was tickling Ashley in this picture.

Ashley "dancing" with Aunt Sam

How cute is he? Mom wanted him to stand on the bench by the flag but they aren't allowed to stand on it during school so he wouldn't stand on it. Gotta love that! Mimi & James
Aunt Sam & James
GRILL MASTER!!!
Ashley & MoMo
Aunt Sam & Ashley (I took this picture)
Papaw & James playing chess.

17 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-09T21:27:00.005-06:00

I have had 17 jobs in my life
1. cashier at K-Mart - I loved this job. Not because of the job itself but because I got to work with friends: Shelli, Bobby, Charlie & Billy. I had a huge crush on Billy and he was friends with Bobby & Charlie. The VERY first time I got drunk that my parents didn't know about was at Bobby & Charlie's house. Oh... are there tons of memories from that night. Shelli driving Billy's truck. Billy's truck hitting Bobby & Charlie's mom's truck. My car getting hit in the street and noone telling me - George was CONVINCED I hit a pole at the gas station. Us driving home and my car dying everytime I got over 35... man... those were some crazy times... we thought we were sooooo cool!
2. cashier at Suncoast - my all time favorite job in high school. I was employee of the month tons of times. I could sale 12 packs of blank video tapes like nobody's business. I made some good friends - Shane, Amy & Mimi. We would watch movies and quote all the lines. Shane LOVED to play 6 Degress of Kevin Bacon. I got pretty good at it, there for a while. That is also where I met Matt K. He loved Star Wars and I didn't. He wanted me to watch those movies sooo bad but I wouldn't. I don't really know why I wouldn't but I refused. We dated for awhile. He took me to winter formal. I wore this beautiful off the shoulder dress, Aunt Becky's mink and carried Aunt Becky's Bob Mackie handbag. I looked amazing. Suncoast closed the week of Spring Break my Senior Year. :(
3. shirt folder at Lane Bryant - lasted about two weeks. I hated this job. There is nothing worse that not being able to fold shirts to their standards. FYI - I SUCK at folding shirts!
4. Birthday Party Coordinator at Discovery Science Place - this job was sort of happen stance. I had to do community service from Teen Court when i got a ticket for speeding in a school zone. I was so good at dusting the cave they thought I would make a good Birthday Party Coordinator and I did. I liked it but some of the kids were really bratty.
5. receptionist at SuperCuts - got this job the week after I graduated from high school. I had to go there because I had gotten a really bad hair cut the week before. They fixed it for me. As I was chatting with the stylist she mentioned that there was an opening for a receptionist and I had style. I think she said that because I was wearing really cute sling back tennis shoes what were red, white and black patent leather. That's what they called style back then. I quit this job because they made fun of me because I didn't know how to use a mop & bucket to mop up some annoying little kid's gross and yucky vomit. I didn't have style that day.
6. cashier at JJs - the only job I have been fired from - enough said
7. cashier at Drug Emporium - I became an expert with a pricing gun. I never knew one store had so many packs of gum.
8. student assistant at TJC - I quit Drug Emporium the day I got this job. I was soooo excited. I couldn't believe that I WAS GOING TO GET TO DO GRAPHICS FOR MONEY!!! I had so much fun at this job. I had a great boss and awesome co-workers. I got promoted to assistant graphics specialist (see #9)
9. assistant graphics specialist at TJC - had all the benefits of #8 but I also got to park in Faculty/Staff Parking and that was AMAZING!!!
10. student assistant at A&M-Commerce - transfered from TJC to A&M-Commerce. It was a cool job and I LOVED getting to go do press checks. I knew everyone in the printshop and I even got to do some of my own jobs on the press.
11. photo lab technician at Target - worked here at the same time I was working at TJC and then A&M. I really enjoyed this and I was good at it. I gave really good customer service and I was able to use my photography background to help others. Not to mention I made some AWESOME friends and went to AWESOME parties and I will NEVER forget the Target bunch and all of the fun we had!!!!
12. pre-press intern at Story-Wright - also did this while I was at A&M and Target. It lasted three weeks. I worked with John (for a long time I thought I was going to marry him - he just never knew it). John's Mom & my Mom are best friends so I have know John for like EVER. I wonder if he ever knew I had a crush on him.
13. School Photographer for LifeTouch - the job from HELLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! It was my first job out of college. I was ok at it but the equipment was soooo heavy. I threw out my back and it was awful. I still to this day have back problems because of that job.
14. receptionist at Chandler Family Chiropractic - After I graduated from college it took awhile for me to find another job after LifeTouch. My brother opened his own chiropractic office so he asked me to be his receptionist. It was fun. I met really nice people and I got to see my brother every day. I wasn't there very long when I interviewed with Brookshire's.
15. production artist at Brookshire Grocery Company - My first real job! I loved this job and was so excited to get up every day and go. I got bored with the work I was doing and had trouble there for awhile. One day something clicked and I decided that I was going to be happy with what I was doing. So I became the best production artist I could be and starting enjoying my job again. My hard work and dedication was noticed and I got promoted to Ad Layout Coordinator. (see #17)
16. Scrapbook Specialist at Scrapbook N Such - part time. wasn't really what I thought it would be. But out of the deal I got two AMAZING friends - Brandy & Mary!!!
17. Ad Layout Coordinator at Brookshire Grocery Company - my current job. Sometimes I get annoyed and sometimes I wonder IF... but at the end of the day I truly LOVE what I do and I am happy that I get to go to work and get paid for doing what I love to do and I get to make the world a prettier place! I still dream of something more. One day I hope to become a Design Artist. That day is in my future. I just have to be patient, do my best and keep dreaming MY dreams!!!

18 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-08T20:38:00.003-06:00

18 THINGS I love!
1. My Coach purse
2. Blackjack II (my cell phone)
3. iPod Nano (2nd Generation - the one that has my videos)
4. iPod Nano (1st Generation - the one that has my music)
5. Sizzix Big Shot
6. 2004 Toyota Matrix (my car)
7. Wii
8. Nintendo DS
9. scrunchies
10. My laptop
11. my SU! tool bag from convention
12. my digital camera
13. my SU! camera bag from convention
14. my SU! paper swatches from Leadership
15. my wedding ring
16. my bangle bracelets
17. the ring on a chain that Wade gave me on our wedding day
18. comfy socks

19 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-07T11:12:00.003-06:00

19 things I want out of the new Stampin' Up! catalog (in order of the catalog)
1. Totally Tool
2. Fashion Forward
3. That's Funny (ask mom about taking pictures of Pumpkin Carving)
4. Family Accessories Too
5. Playful Petals (I SOOO want to watercolor this)
6. Four Square
7. Hope Happens
8. Varsity Alphabet
9. Varsity Numbers
10. Taste of Textiles
11. Rockabill Specialty DSP
12. Sweet Slumber Specialty DSP
13. Good Morning Sunshine DSP
14. Bright Delights Rub-ons
15. Fleurettes
16. On Board So Tweet
17. Glass Mat
18. Stampin' Up! Movers & Shakers Curly Label Die
19. Stampin' Up! Billboard Die

20 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-06T19:29:00.004-06:00

20 random thoughts
1. I hate when people pop their gum.
2. I love Reese's peanut butter cups.
3. When soda or tea is cold, I would prefer that it didn't have ice.
4. I believe the only appropriate cardstock for scrapbooking is sold by Stampin' Up!.
5. I think manners will get you far in life.
6. Sometimes a new box of Crayola Crayons and a coloring book can make everything better.
7. A hug "just my size" is the cure for anything.
8. Honesty IS the best policy.
9. "what if the hokey pokey really is what its all about"
10. Life is all about the accesories. When all else fails... ACCESORIZE!
11. I am a graphic designer but I can't draw.
12. Although my dream job is at Crayola, I don't think I would actually do it because I would have to live WAY too far away from my family.
13. I aspire to be as creative and artistic as April and as good a friend as Becca.
14. I am not sure if I want to have kids.
15. I love digital cameras but nothing beats the feeling of printing your own pictures in a darkroom.
16. I feel really sorry for those who's only friend is Tom.
17. My greatest fear is being alone.
18.I love to scrapbook but I rarely put pictures on my pages.
19. There is one person in the whole world I would give almost anything to meet - my Nani.
20. One of my greatest joys in life was when James picked arts & crafts with me over Chuck E. Cheese.

21 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-05T21:42:00.002-06:00

21 places I like to eat (in no particular order)
1. Magic Time Machine
2. Jersey Mikes (Club Sub - Mike's Way with no onions)
3. Jason's Deli (salad bar so I can share hummus dip with mom and get pickled okra for Wade)
4. Chili's (Big Mouth Bites)
5. Mercado's (chimichanga ala carte)
5. El Charo's (chalupas - 2 gacamole & 1 beef) OR (#1 with dry tamales)
6. Casa Ole (beef fajita quesadilla with extra rice and no beans) (Amber & I used to go there ALL the time. It is funny because her least favorite food in the whole world is Casa's green sauce and it is one of my favorites!)
7. Daddy's House (he is the only person I know that can make SOS)
8. Chick-fil-a
9. Outback (Victoria's Filet - medium well)
10. Heartland Ham (brownie & Diet Coke)
11. Bruno's (Robin Hood Salad)
12. Dairy Queen (Happy Hour - Diet Coke with Cherry)
13. Olive Garden
14. Johnny Carino's (Garlic Jalapeno Talipia - no jalapenos)
15. Becca's House (Stephen makes really yummy Ritz Chicken)
16. Fuddruckers
17. Mom's House (Mom makes the best spaghetti & red steak on the face of the planet)(Wade makes the best pizza I have ever had)(George is the only person I know that can make foil dinners)
18. Campezzies (I have no idea if I spelled that right but they have AWESOME Sleazy Belini's
19. Potlucks @ work (GGs Macaroni & Cheese and other yummyness)
20. Subway
21. MixDonalds (actual Mc Donalds - I love to eat here because if I am eating here I am with the kids.)

22 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-04T18:20:00.002-06:00

My To Do/See List for the next 30 years (in no particular order)
1. New York City, New York to meet Candy (Mama C) and see Statue of Liberty, Times Square and Central Park
2. visit all 50 states
3. Paris, France to see the Eiffel Tower & the Mona Lisa
4. Grand Canyon
5. The Strip - Las Vegas, Nevada
6. Tree of Life – Disney World
7. Hot Springs, Arkansas
8. Stampin’ Up! National Convention
9. Crayola Factory – Pennsylvania
10. Becky, Davy, Ashley, James, Hallie and Baby Joe graduate from High School & college
11. Mom celebrate her 95th Birthday
12. Golden Gate Bridge – San Fransico
13. Kansas City, Missouri to eat at the Crayola restuarant
14. Disney Cruise
15. Hawaii
16. attend a taping of a national talk show or game show
17. win a stamping contest
18. be published in a stamping/scrapbooking magazine
19. own a copy of Becky’s first published work of art
20. meet Baby Carter
21. write a book
22. help Amber moved back to Texas (preferably East Texas)

update on the "go to sleep" movie

2009-02-03T21:54:00.000-06:00

I HAVE THE REMOTE!!! and the opening credits to National Treasure are just a button away!!!

Good night all!!!

If you don't know what a "go to sleep" movie is - ask... :)

23 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-03T21:26:00.003-06:00

23 things I can see from where I am sitting
note: I am sitting on my side of the bed leaning against the wall
1. alarm clock that says "10:00" (set 15 minutes fast to confuse me in the morning)
2. Wade (who is telling Absolut that he is taking over his half of the bed)
3. Absolut
4. TJ (a Cabbage Patch Kid that I have had for as long as I can remember)
5. Tinker Bell Calender
6. Pokemon Christmas ornament
7. My college diploma
8. ceiling fan (that Wade just turned on - I will probably be frozen in the morning)
9. Wade's computer
10. Hermit crabs (5 of them: Mini Me, CC, Hercule, Big Bird & Cookie Monster)
11. "and they lived happily ever after" wall hanging
12. shot glass rack
13. Heartland Ham cup (half full of Diet Coke left from card class)
14. Super (the very first thing Wade ever gave me)
15. a tiny flashlight
16. "So Many Choices" Snowbabies that Debbie gave me
17. crystal Cinderella shoe that Aunt Becky gave me
18. Cinderella postcard from Paris that Mom gave me
19. little Cinderella snow globe that Velta & the kids gave me
20. a really big red brandy glass full of bottle caps
21. Cinderella cookie jar
22. 3 bottle of Absolut vodka
23. Teen Titan on the TV (YUCK! - I will soon be asking if we can put on a "go to sleep" movie. I know The Treasure is in the DVD player. What do you think it will take to get Wade to push play? hmmm... "honey... please?"

Note to self

2009-02-02T20:22:00.002-06:00

when someone asks you to walk at break, listen to the lazy part of your brain say no because the sensible part of your brain thinks it is ok to walk a lap around the conrete track in dress shoes... which in turn... causes blisters the size of nickels on my feet... what was I thinking... oh well. I am now stuck in the bed - missing hip hop and feeling sorry for myself. I am sure tomorrow will be a better day.

24 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-02T20:15:00.004-06:00

24 of my favorite tv shows (in no particular order)
1. Numbers
2. Survivor
3. Big Brother
4. Deserving Design
5. CSI
6. John & Kate + 8
7. Little People Big World
8. The Patty Duke Show
9. The Big Easy
10. True Blood
11. Law & Order
12. Project Runway
13. Trading Spaces (the old ones)
14. Law & Order: SVU
15. Law & Order: CI
16. Deal Or No Deal
17. Days of Our Lives
18. Full House
19. Hannah Montana
20. Top Chef
21. 90210 (the original one - 1st couple of seasons)
22. NCIS
23. Criminal Minds
24. The Dresden Files

25 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-02-01T21:26:00.003-06:00

25 Stampin' Up Colors off the top of my head
1. Real Red
2. Chocolate Chip
3. Basic Black
4. Whisper White
5. Old Olive
6. Pacific Point (this color makes me think of April because she loves it so much)
7. Kiwi Kiss
8. Wild Wasabi
9. So Saffron
10. Barely Banana (this is what color my stamp room is painted)
11. Riding Hood Red
12. Green Galore
13. Pixie Pink
14. Brillant Blue
15. YoYo Yellow
16. Only Orange
17. Really Rust (this color makes me think of Becca)
18. Creamy Caramel
19. Not Quite Navy
20. Gable Green
21. Blush Blossom
22. More Mustard
23. Night of Navy
24. Lovely Lilac
25. Very Vanilla

26 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-01-31T22:01:00.002-06:00

26 video games I love to play

1. Super Mario Brothers (NES)
2. Super Mario Brothers 3 (NES)
3. Super Mario Sunshine (GameCube)
4. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
5. My Sims (Wii)
6. My Sims Kingdom (Wii)
7. Mario Party 8 (Wii)
8. Mario & Sonic Olympics (Wii)
9. Harvest Moon (GameCube)
10. My Sims (DS)
11. My Sims Kingdom (DS)
12. MillionHeir (DS)
13. Big Brain Academy (DS)
14. Kirby (DS)
15. Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst (PC)
16. Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst (PC)
17. Mystery Case Files: Huntsville (PC)
18. Mystery Case Files: Madame Fate (PC)
19. Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects (PC)
20. Alabama Smith: Escape from Pompeii (PC)
21. Spider Solitaire (PC)
22. Zuma (internet)
23. Poppit (internet)
24. Slingo (internet)
25. Out of Order (internet)
26. Bejeweled (internet)

27 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-01-31T21:53:00.002-06:00

27 movies I could watch over and over and over

1. National Treasure
2. Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
3. Princess Diaries
4. Princess Diaries 2
5. Gone in 60 Seconds
6. The Rock
7. The Fast & the Furious
8. 2 Fast 2 Furious
9. The Fast & the Furious: Toyko Drift
10. The Italian Job
11. 13 Going on 30
12. 27 Dresses (Wade HATES this movie)
13. Step Up 2: The Streets
14. You Got Served
15. Grease
16. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
17. Hairspray (the original one)
18. The Cutting Edge
19. The Devil Wears Prada
20. Sweet Home Alabama
21. Hackers
22. American Pie (1, 2, Wedding, Band Camp & Naked Mile)
23. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
24. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
25. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
26. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
27. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

note: this post should have been posted one day earlier. :)

28 Days until my 30th birthday

2009-01-30T19:31:00.004-06:00

28 most played songs in my iTunes

Womanizer - Britney Spears
In Color - Jamey Johnson
Take a Bow - Rihanna
Say - John Mayer
When I Grow Up - The Pussycat Dolls
Circus - Britney Spears
Kiss My Country A*s - Rhett Akins
Let It Roll - Group 1 Crew
Everybody's Gotta Song to Sing - Group 1 Crew
I Kissed a Girl - Katy Perry
Get Silly - V.I.C.
Kill the Lights - Britney Spears
How I Could Just Kill a Man - Charlotte Sometimes
Holler Back - The Lost Trailers
Buttons - The Pussycat Dolls (feat. Snoop Dogg)
Out from Under - Britney Spears
Purple Pills - D12
Goodbye Earl - Dixie Chicks
Mercy - Duffy
High Cost of Living - Jamey Johnson
The Door Is Always Open - Jamey Johnson
The Last Cowboy - Jamey Johnson
Stars In Alabama - Jamey Johnson
One In Every Crowd - Montgomery Gentry
Pocketful of Sunshine - Natasha Bedingfield
Unusual You - Britney Spears
Phonography - Britney Spears
Mowin' Down the Roses - Jamey Johnson

note: this post should have been posted one day earlier. :)

29 days until my 30th Birthday

2009-01-29T20:10:00.004-06:00

29 others who share my birthday

1802 – Victor Hugo
French poet, novelist, playwright, essayist, visual artist, statesman, human rights campaigner, and perhaps the most influential exponent of the Romantic movement in France.
http://www.astrotheme.com/birthdays/february-26.htm

1829 – Levi Strauss
born Löb Strauß, was a German-Jewish immigrant to the United States who founded the first company to manufacture blue jeans.
http://www.astrotheme.com/birthdays/february-26.htm

1846 – Buffalo Bill Cody
William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was an American soldier, bison hunter and showman.
http://www.astrotheme.com/birthdays/february-26.htm

1928 – Fats Domino
Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino is a classic R&B and rock and roll pianist and singer-songwriter.
http://www.astrotheme.com/birthdays/february-26.htm

1932 - Johnny Cash
American, multi Grammy Award-winning influential American country and rock and roll singer and songwriter.
http://www.astrotheme.com/birthdays/february-26.htm

1954 – Michael Bolton
Michael Bolotin, better known as Michael Bolton, is an American singer-songwriter, known for his soft rock ballads and powerful singing vocals.
http://www.astrotheme.com/birthdays/february-26.htm

1971 – Erykah Badu
Erica Abi Wright, better known as Erykah Badu, is a Grammy Award winning, American R&B, soul, and hip hop singer and songwriter, whose work encompasses elements of jazz.
http://www.astrotheme.com/birthdays/february-26.htm

1978 – John Carey
young dancer that has in the past only been referred to as "Michael Flatley's Understudy". John did begin in the Lord of the Dance as Michael's understudy, but has become so much more than that. A member of Troupe 2, John danced the role of the Lord of the Dance. His golden locks and his ability to leap to incredible heights has earned him tremedous attention.
http://members.fortunecity.com/emberj/carey.html

1979 – Margaret Samantha House

1980 – Steve Blake
Steve Blake is a point guard for the Portland Trail Blazers.
www.mahalo.com/Steve_Blake

1981 – Maria Sansone
Maria Sansone is the host of The 9 on YAHOO!.
http://www.usgirl.org/woman/beautiful-girls

1982 - Rebekah Elizabeth Ford
Rebekah Elizabeth Ford is the granddaughter of President Gerald Ford.
http://www.ford.utexas.edu/grf/genealog.asp

1983 - Billy Laninovich
Billy Lavinovich placed 6th AMA at Supercross Lites East in 2007
www.billylaninovich.com/about

1984 - Emmanuel Adebayor
Emmanuel Adebayor is a Togolese football player who currently plays for Arsenal.
www.goalvideoz.com/player/Emmanuel-Adebayor/

1985 – Sanya Richards
Sanya Richards is a track and field athlete who competes internationally for the United States. She was a gold medalist in the 4x400m relay at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece and at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanya_Richards

1986 – Teresa Edwina Palmer
Teresa Edwina Palmer is an Australian model and actress, best known for her role as Violet Nottingham in the movie Bedtime Stories.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_Palmer

1987 – Antonia
Antonia, Princess of Oettingen-Oettingen+Oettingen-Spielberg
http://members.tripod.com/~young_royals/princesses10_12.html

1988 - Demetrius Andrade
2007 Welterweight World Champion who won the Olympic opener in Bejing China.
usaboxing.org/athlete/athlete/374

1989 - Bryan Brutlag
RPI Hockey Player
www.rpihockey.net/roster/player.php?id=brutlag

1990 – Jojo Koomson
Junior Braves Hockey Player
http://www.saanichbraves.ca/team.php

1991 - Kayla Suriani
Sultan Prospects Basketball Player
http://www.sultanprospects.com/juvenile/juvenile_team.asp

1992 - Mathew Chrystian
Camrose Kodiaks Major Midget Hockey Player
http://midgetaaa.camrosekodiaks.com/meet_the_team.htm

1993 – Taylor Marie Dooley
Taylor Marie Dooley is an American child actress. Played Lava Girl in The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl in 3-D
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Taylor-Dooley

1994 - Creason Carbo
Daughter of actor, Ronn Montague Moss (Ridge Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful ) and actress, Shari Shattuck (Ashley Abbott, Young and the Restless)
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Ronn-Moss

1995 - Samuel Jones
Some random guys nephew
http://www.rickus.com/light/bdays.php

1996 - Nicholas And Victoria
Two very beautiful children
http://tchin.org/portraits/nicholas-3.htm

1997 – Erica
Daughter of Mark Schmidt (2006 Redskin Head Coach)
http://www.neshaminyfootball.com/2006/coaches.htm

1998 – kings baby doll
black labrador retriever
http://www.1-labrador-retriever-puppies.com/black_lab_picture_10.htm

2008 - Quintyn Joseph Bechard
Some random cute little baby that will be celebrating his 1st birthday on the day I celebrate my 30th.
http://picasaweb.google.com/verenablackburn/WilliamHarmanFamily#5178862370705937218

note: this post should have been posted one day earlier. :)

30 days until my 30th birthday

2009-01-28T20:27:00.005-06:00

30 things about me

I/I'm...
M - married to Wade
A - almost always early
R - randomly turns life into a musical
G - girly girl when it come to purses
A - Amber's best friend
R - runs from confrontation
E - enjoy scrapbooking
T - turn down the volume of video games

S - silly, super and sometimes sneaky
A - Aunt Sam to Becky, Ashley, Davy & James
M - MySims Kingdom is my current favorite video game
A - Absolut's mommy
N - need a pedicure
T - texts constantly
H - have to have a diet coke in the morning
A - always hug Mom goodnight

H - has 5 hermit crabs
O - only like purple skittles
U - usually have my hair in a ponytail
S - scared of the dark
E - Eminem & Snoop Dogg are my favorite rappers

R - ramble when I'm nervous
O - one in a million
B - Best Little Whore House in Texas is my favorite movie
E - easily ammused
R - rarely get up early on the weekend
T - tomatoes are my favorite fruit
S - sing in the car
O - only use Stampin' Up! cardstock
N - naughty on occasion, but usually nice

note: this post should have been posted one day earlier. :)

Miss me?

2008-12-07T21:25:00.003-06:00

ok, so I haven't posted in a really long time and I have had several complaints. So here I am, sitting in bed and listening to my husband snore while I try to figure out something to blog about. Life around here was pretty boring this past week. On Tuesday, Mom & I went to card class and I started coughing this really deep cough. I woke up on Wednesday sick as a dog. Went to the doctor: have an upper respitory infection that is viral so the doctor couldn't give me any antibiotics. Told me to take a couple of days off work, get plenty of rest and lots of liquid. I had to waste three days of vacation because I was sick. YUCK! WHAT A WASTE! I should probably be thankful that I have vacation and didn't have to go to work while I was sick and stay sick twice as long. I am feeling better but I still have a pretty bad cough, not to mention the drainage. And since I sleep three days sleeping - I have my clock turned all around and can't seem to sleep at night. I will definitly be hitting the Nyquil bottle before I go to bed.

I am a bit nervous about work tomorrow. I haven't been to work since last Tuesday and since I have been gone my cube mate moved to a different cube. I will have a cube all to myself once again. I am not really sure what to think about this. I am happy because I will be able to concentrate on my work much better but I am sad because I won't always have someone to talk to if I need a pick me up.

well... I can't really think of anything else that I would like to discuss with the world... so off to read some other blogs...

Best Decorated Bra Contest @ ScrapPink

2008-10-05T19:04:00.001-05:00

Texas Rangers VS Detroit Tigers

2008-09-20T21:15:00.005-05:00

Wade, Shelli, Derrick & I went to the Rangers game last Tuesday. I fulfilled a lifelong dream: I ate a hot dog and drank a beer at a professional baseball game. WOOOWHOOO!!! Here are the highlights:

Becky goes shopping

2008-09-15T23:07:00.003-05:00

ok... so every year we take Becky shopping for clothes for her birthday. Usually we do it before school starts so that she has fun, new clothes for the beginning of the new school year. But this year it just didn't work out. SOOO... Mom gave her $100 for her birthday that she could spend however she wanted. She was given the choice of going shopping with whoever she wanted to or turning it in for "Mimi Bucks" and going shopping with Mimi & Aunt Sam. Well... she is a smart girl so she traded it in for a shopping trip with Mimi & Aunt Sam. I am so glad she did because we had so much fun. She came home with a haul! It was like everything was on sale, looked cute on her and FIT! It was awesome! Here is her with my favorite shirt we got.

A random memory: When I was little we would go to Georgia every summer to visit Aunt Becky & Uncle Tom. Aunt Becky would always take me school clothes shopping. We would pick things out and try everything on. After we found several outfits we would check out. Sometimes we would go to several stores, sometimes we would only go to Macy's. One outfit I remember very vividly is the outfit I like to refer to as the "Clinique Counter Outfit". It was shorts with a matching vest with a purple shirt to go underneath. The purple shirt was some fancy fabric. I also got these really awesome colored leather loafers. They are really hard to explain but I can see them in my head. I wonder if we have pictures of that outfit somewhere. anyways... After we went shopping we would go back to Aunt Becky & Uncle Tom's house and I would put on a fashion show for Uncle Tom. I don't think he really cared what I got but I remember it being to important to do that fashion show and it was so much fun. He would say all the right things and I would always feel so beautiful. I would get ready in the guest room and everyone would be in the living room. I would come in and parade around. Mom & Aunt Becky would talk about my outfit and as always Uncle Tom would say just the right thing. It is a very random memory but a very vivid one none the less. I look back at those times and I hope that I am the kinda aunt to Becky as Aunt Becky was to me. I have always tried to be an Aunt Becky kind of aunt. I wonder if Aunt Becky felt so complete after a shopping trip with me as I do tonight after shopping with Becky. I hope I showed enough appreciation. I look back to those shopping trips as some of the happiest memories. Well, actually not the shopping trips themselves but the fashion shows when we got back to the house. well... I could probably ramble all night about Aunt Becky but I should probably be getting to bed... Good Night everyone... sweet dreams... Aunt Becky - if you can blog in heaven... I miss you! I love you and the pearls were perfect!

Becky's 14th Birthday Party

2008-09-15T22:55:00.009-05:00

There is nothing better to complete a birthday party than a craft. Becky had planned to have a slumber party but because of Hurricane Ike only one of her friends was able to spend the night. I had made enough kits for 6 little girls. It all worked out though because Aunt DeDe and Ashley got to use some of the extra kits. We made a picture frame and a ribbon bookmark.

the ribbon bookmark
close up of the flower at the end of the ribbon bookmark

the picture frame

(there is ribbon, a rub-on and a button on the top of the glass)

the girls are crafting

(l-r: Aunt DeDe, Alexis, Ashley, Aunt Sam & Becky)

Mimi & Becky

Aunt Sam & Becky with her finished frame

Ashley & Aunt Sam with her finished frame

(she was SO proud to get to do the project with the big girls)

This is the picture that was taken for Ashley to put in her frame. Becky & Alexis had taken a BFF picture together for their frames and Ash wanted a picture with all of us for hers.

I LOVE birthday party arts & crafts!!!

Little Little Johnny

2008-09-04T21:27:00.008-05:00

This past weekend Mom & I went to Burnet, TX to meet the newest member of our family. Little Little Johnny was born on August 26. Here are some photo highlights.

Little Little Johnny

Little Johnny (my cousin) & Little Little Johnny

This is my absolute favorite picture from the trip. Little Little Johnny gives the best snuggles!

The proud big sisters, Aiden & Avery. They were riding in the backseat of my car. Avery was reading a book about a dog going to school all every so ofter Aiden would say "woof, woof" SO CUTE!

My Soundtrack

2008-08-23T22:14:00.002-05:00

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?
So, here's how it works:
1.Open your iTunes
2.Put it on shuffle/Random
3.Press play
4.For every question, type the song that's playing
5.When you go to a new question, press the next button

Opening Credits:"The Door is Always Open" Jamey Johnson
Waking Up:"#1 Stunna" Big Tymers
First Day At School:"Never Got Off The Ground" Alison Kraus
Falling In Love:"Love Gets Me Everytime" Shania Twain
Breaking Up:"Mud on the Tires" Brad Paisley
Prom:"Just Lose It" Eminem
Life's OK:"Homewrecker" Gretchen Wilson
Mental Breakdown:"Deez Hollywood Nights" Snoop Dogg
Driving:"That's My House" Toby Keith
Flashback:"Shoop" Salt N Pepa
Getting Back Together:"Don't Stop the Music" Rihanna
Wedding:"Cool" Snoop Dogg
Birth of Child:"Whatever You Do. Don't!" Shania Twain
Final Battle:"Islands in the Stream" Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
Death Scene:"That Summer" Garth Brooks
Funeral song:"If" Nelly
Dance Sequence:"Rainbow Man" Jeff Bates
End Credits:"Now I've Seen It All" Travis Tritt

55

2008-08-19T22:02:00.002-05:00

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:45
2. Diamonds or pearls? depends
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Dark Knight
4. What is your favorite TV show? Numbers
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? oatmeal
6. What is your middle name? Samantha
7. What food do you dislike? pickled ockra
8. What is on your ipod at the moment? randomness
9. What kind of car do you drive? Toyota Matrix
10. Favorite sandwich? honey roasted peanut butter and grape jelly on white bread
11. What characteristic do you despise? hypocrit
12.Favorite item of clothing? silky panties
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Jackson, WY to see Duck and hopefully going camping in the Great Tetons or Yellowstone
14. Favorite brand of clothing? cheap
15. Where would you retire? ask me again in 20 years
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? 26th it was my Golden Birthday
17. Favorite sport to watch? Olympics
18. Farthermost places you are sending this? Blogville, USA
19.Person you expect to send it back first? hmmm...
20.When is your birthday? February 26
22.What is your shoe size?9 1/2 wide
23.Pets? 1 dog, 2 hermit crabs
24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? my first order from the new SU! catty will be here on Thursday!!!
25. What did you want to be when you were little? a lawyer
26. How are you today? sleepy
27. What is your favorite candy? reese's peanut butter cups
28. What is your favorite flower? red rose
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Thursday
30. What is your full name? M. Samantha Robertson
31. What are you listening to right now? Boomerang (I call it Booma-crap)
32. What was the last thing you ate? Fiber One bar
33. Do you wish on stars? not in a very long tim
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? wild strawberry
35 How is the weather right now? yucky
36 Favorite Restaurants? Dave & Busters
37. Favorite soft drink: Diet Coke
39. Real hair color? red
40. What was your favorite toy as a child? TJ my cabbage patch kid, Until a few years ago, I slept with her every night now she sits on my nightstand.
41. Summer or winter? Fall
42. Hugs or kisses? depends on who they are from but usually hugs
43. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
44. Coffee or tea? tea
45. Do you want your friends to email you back? sure, why not - even if I am posting this to my blog
46. When was the last time you cried? yesterday
47. What is under your bed? a bunch of junk
48. What did you do last night? organized my ink pads
49. What are you afraid of? the dark
50. Salty or sweet? sweet
51. How many keys on your key ring? a bunch
52. How many years at your current job? 5 years at the end of September
53. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
54. How many towns have you lived? 4
55. Do you make friends easily? usually not, I can be hard to understand when you first meet me but I wish everyone would know that I am genuinly a nice person and usually only want the best for those around me.

Dr. Evil - the hermit crab

2008-08-19T21:58:00.001-05:00

I am very sad to report that we lost one of our crabby babies today. Dr. Evil - the oldest of our three hermit crabs molted on Sunday afternoon and passed away today. Wade is pretty sad but we are going to have a little crabby funeral tomorrow (when it isn't raining) and then go to the mall to pick out a new one.

I Am...

2008-08-15T20:09:00.003-05:00

I'm nothing but a big goofball. I'm quite playful and fun! I'm widely known for my zany personality and my vivacious attitude. To say that I stand out in a crowd would be a definite understatement. Remember that I can be overwhelming at times and that people appreciate me best in small doses.

What Font Are You?

Thanks for letting me know...

2008-08-09T16:08:00.003-05:00

Ok... so Mom & I are over at Dara & Rhonda's stamping and the subject of my blog comes up. Dara says so sweetly... "with the background on your blog, your pictures are kinda hard to see." and then of course Mom chimes in "I have been meaning to tell you that" SOOOO... thanks for letting me know that I needed a new background. I mean, if you can't see my pictures then what is the point of having them there. I can give up a cool blog template for the usability and view-ability of my 3 loyal readers... anyways... hope ya'll like the new template. :)

Another Stationary Box

2008-08-07T21:41:00.011-05:00

All images copyright Stampin' Up!

These are a few of my favorite things...

2008-08-07T21:32:00.005-05:00

hugs just my size
cuddles
tippy-tippy-toe-toe
new SU! cattys
cards in the mail
warmed by the sun tiny tomatoes fresh off the vine

I picked these off the vine when I got home yesterday. Mom is winning the great Tomato Race of 2008. So I normally get to pick at least one a week. These are truly one of my FAVORITE things and a wonderful amazing guilty pleasure.

KWernerDesignBlog Color Inspiration - #18

2008-08-07T21:08:00.006-05:00

I have been trying to do one of these since I found this blog. KWernerDesignBlog is awesome and I highly recommend it to all of my 3 readers. OK on to the challenge... here is what I came up with...

Oh yeah... and I am super excited about posting this because it is my first card posted with my fancy star punch sawtooth punch technique. If anyone is interested in knowing how to do the technique shown here on the Green Galore cardstock - PLEASE let me know, I would love to share. :) ok for really real this time... HERE is what I came up with...
scan of the card

Photo of the card that shows the glitter better.

Supplies used: All Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.
Cardstock: Basic Black, Rose Red, Only Orange, Green Galore
Ink: Basic Black
Punches: Large Star & Small Star
Misc: Chunky Black Glitter, Sticky Strip, Black Brad, Orange & Green Ribbon
Other products: random paper piercing template (I think by Bazzel)

Ok... what do ya'll think?

I LOVE NKOTB!

2008-08-03T00:24:00.004-05:00

I was looking for pictures cirque 1989-1990 for my earlier post and found this one and it was too funny not to share. Me - 1989

I loved flair even back then.

A Blast From The Past

2008-08-03T00:05:00.004-05:00

Mom & I were eating dinner at Jason's Deli tonight. This girl walks up to me and asked if my name was Sam. I looked at her questioningly and said "yes". She said, "I am Heather Gilbert." I was SHOCKED. I did not recognize her AT ALL. It was so awesome to get to see her. We were BEST FRIENDS in middle school.
She is living in Arlington with her husband who is a firefighter in Fort Worth. Here are a couple of pictures of us from way back then. The first two pictures were taken in front of our duplex in 1989. I don't want to hear any comments about my lack of fashion sense. I hadn't become my fabulous self at this point in my life. :)
The thing I remember most about our friendship is that we both LOVED New Kids on the Block and Donnie was our favorite. We went to a concert together in 1990. Here is a picture of us being to super cool and having a RAD time at the concert.
Ok, so we LOVED NKOTB. We both collected the trading cards and both of our sets were almost complete. We were each only missing ONE card. The card was #10. Every package we would open we would look for a #10. I was going over to her house for something, I think it was an end of the year party for 5th grade at Dixie but I didn't go to Dixie but since it was at Heather's house I was invited anyways. I started 5th grade at Dixie but moved to Chapel Hill in the middle of the school year. ANYWAYS. We got to Heather's house and I was opening a new package of trading cards and there it was #10. I couldn't believe it. I was so excited. I jumped out of the car screaming at Heather. I couldn't believe I had found the card before she did. It was a picture of NKOTB in tuxedos. I can't believe that I actually remember that. I know Heather got a #10 very soon after I did. I think it was later that night, actually.
Whenever I would go stay the night we would hang out at her dad's office. She had the coolest stuff. I loved going over there because she had a real arcade game that you didn't have to put quarters in to play. I vaguely remember so sort of pillow fold-y thing that was really awesome too but that was a long time ago.
I am not really sure why we stopped being friends. I think after I moved we just kind of drifted apart. If I had to guess, we were in completely different cliques when we were in high school. I am guessing she was a socialite at Lee and we all know I was a band geek at Chapel Hill. Oh well... at least we found each other again and who knows where this friendship might lead...

ABC

2008-07-30T21:07:00.003-05:00

Available? For what? To date? NO. To Stamp? YES
Birthday? February 26, 1979
Cell phone? ATT - Sliver
Drink u had last? Diet RC with ice and a bendy straw
Easiest person to talk to? Usually, Mom
Favorite Color(s)? Red & pink
Gummy bears or worms? Worms
Hometown? Tyler, TX
Ice Cream: Bunny Tracks
Just something you always say on IM? :)
Kissed someone today? Yes, my husband
Limeaid or lemonade? Lemonade (with cherries)
Money or Love? Why can’t I have both?
Number of Siblings: Halves: Charley, Debbie, Janie & John Michael - Steps: Garrick & Lisa - In-Laws: Kathy & David
One wish? To be the kind of person I really want to be
Poop today? yep
Quiet? When I am sleeping
Reason you smile? Life really isn’t that bad
Song you last heard: something on a blog byIngrid something or another
Time you woke up today? 7 am
U like someone right now? Yes
Vegetables? Lima beans
Worst Habit? Biting my nails
X-cited about something? YES, I can’t wait to see more pictures of SU! Convention
Yellow a good color? For the sun
Zodiac sign? Pisces

Mimi Trivia

2008-07-30T19:44:00.005-05:00

July 14 was my mom's 65th birthday. She spent her birthday in Alabama with my sister so we couldn't throw her a party on her birthdya so her party was last Sunday. I had decorated everything with Eeyore, we ate ice cream sundaes and played a Winnie the Pooh match game that I had bought. Me, James & Ashley were playing the match game having a great ole time when Becky said, "I made up a game, can we play it next?" we all said sure and that is when MIMI TRIVIA was born. Becky made up all but two of the questions and typed them on her DS. I pulled the laptop out so I could type all the questions becuase I saw MIMI TRIVIA making it to a scrapbook page in the near future. I never knew how competitive my brother was until this and I never knew how observant Becky is. She is truly a remarkable little girl (although she really isn't a little girl anymore). Here is MIMI TRIVIA as typed by Aunt Sam on July 27, 2008.

Mimi Trivia - July 27, 2008
Players: James, Ashley, Aunt Sam, Charley (Daddy), Papaw, Kathy (Mommy)
Creators: Becky, Mimi

1. What is Mimi’s favorite color? yellow
James - blue
Ashley - yellow
2. Who is Mimi’s favorite character in the 100 Acre Woods? Eeyore
James - eeyore
3. What is the farthest place Mimi has ever been? Paris, France
Aunt Sam - Paris, France
4. What is Mimi’s favorite hobby? scrapbooking
Aunt Sam - scrapbooking
5. Mimi has not only seen Disney in the movies, she has also seen it somewhere else? hint: very cold Disney on Ice
Charley - Disney on Ice
6. Mimi likes to go to _______ to do another one of her hobbies. What is her other hobby? Disney - pin trading
James - her work
Ashley - JCPenney cause she likes to shop
Charley - Disney to trade pins
7. Whar is Mimi’s favorite daytime TV show? Days of Our Lives
Aunt Sam - Days of Our Lives - she has been watching it since Charley was a baby
8. What is Mimi’s favorite nighttime TV show? Numbers
Papaw - Numbers
9. Mimi has many grandchildren, name them in alphabetical order and say their name backwards. yelhsa, ykceb, annairb, yvad, semaj, alyk, yelsew
Noone got this one right - we were all super confused!!!
10. What is her favorite salad at holidays? green mayonaise
Kathy - Mayonnaise

Question created by Charley:
What is the item God created right after Mimi was born? DIRT

Playing MIMI TRIVIA (from L-R: Kathy, Sam, Ashley, James & Charley)

Sam for President '08

2008-07-29T22:24:00.000-05:00

Its gettin' hot in herre...

2008-07-29T19:27:00.003-05:00

I got into my car this afternoon at work and my car was so super hot.

I looked at the thermostat and this is what I saw...

So... it really is gettin' hot in herre... (imagine that Nelly is rapping in the background)

Happy Birthday Eve!

2008-07-13T22:45:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow is my mom's 65th birthday!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVE, MOMMY!!!

24 things to do everyday

2008-07-11T21:13:00.003-05:00

Got this in an email from a friend of mine and instead of forwarding it I thought it would make a great post! Have a GREAT weekend!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for______________'
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. GOD heals everything.
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________.
Today I accomplished _________.
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

randomness? MUCH!

2008-07-08T20:03:00.002-05:00

How often do you hold back from saying what you are thinking? EVERYDAY
Have you ever kissed someone who's name starts with a J? Yep
Do you have an older brother? yes
Do you think you will be in a relationship 3 months from now? I sure do hope so!
Have you made a mistake this past week? what kind of mistake?
Who was the last person you talked to last night before bed?my husband
What's the longest you've ever talked on the phone? 13.5 hours
Who knows you better than you know yourself? God
Who was the last girl you talked to? Mom
Who was the last person you talked to in person? Mom
Recently done anything you regret? not recently
Who's Myspace password Do You Have? Wade's (because I set up his account)
What does the last text message in your inbox say? "cpalmer74: 82hrs on pokemon for the ds. lord save me. no, i have not caught them all."
Who have you texted in the last 24 hours? Wade, Mom & Twitter
Are you single or taken right now? happily marries
Whats the closest thing to you thats liquid? soda
Something you're happy about?I am in LOVE with my new laptop
What did you do friday night?saw a fireworks show with Wade, Mom & George
What are you doing tonight?Having breakfast for dinner and then watching a movie with my husband
Where are you right now? Mom's scrapbook room
Who else is in the room with you?Mom just walked into the kitchen to cook dinner
In winter, would you rather wear jackets or hoodies? hoodies
Do you wish you were somewhere else right now? yes, I wish I was on vacation
How long can you go without your mobile phone? a few minutes
lWho was the last person that called you babe/baby?my husband
Have you ever kissed anyone whose name started with a D? no
What time did you go to sleep last night?11:30
What/who woke you up today?alarm on my phone
Are you excited for the future? sure... the future is all we really have
When was the last time someone yelled at you? Saturday night
Things you did today? went to work
Last time you showered? last night
Do you own a polo shirt? yes
Are you excited for winter? I am excited about it not being so hot
How old do you look? 29
Where are your siblings? I am guessing at home with their families
What are you going to do after this? help Mom with dinner
What was the last thing you drank? Diet RC
Where's your cell phone? in my lap
What is the last thing you thought about? where my cell phone was
lDo u have unlimited texting? yes
Are you easily confused? depends
Are you wearing jeans right now? yes
What is the wallpaper on your phone? My favorite picture of Wade & I
How many 20 dollar bills do you have with you right now? 0
Do you think too much or too little? just the right amoutn
Do you dance in the car? YES
Where did you get the shirt you're wearing? Lane Bryant
Can you live without the computer?NO
When was the last time you got flowers? Valentine's Day
Do you believe in anniversaries? yes
Do you have a tattoo? no
Are there things you can't live without? yes
What was your first thought when you looked in the mirror this morning? I guess that will just have to do
Have you memorized your social security number? yes
How many texts did you receive today? over 100, I have had to clean out my inbox twice

Facebook

2008-07-07T22:51:00.004-05:00

Thanks April, as if I needed another addiction. At least this one is free. I am currently addicted to Pieces of Flair on facebook. This is my current favorite piece of flair.

Stationary Box

2008-07-07T22:11:00.013-05:00

a gift I made for a friend of Mom & I

Includes: 12 cards with matching enevelopes, 6 love notes with matching envelopes, 12 tags, notepad, mini gel pen and 1 book of stamps

here is the tutorial I used:

http://jackietopa.typepad.com/addicted_to_stamping/tutorials/index.html

More Pictures on Pages

2008-07-07T07:30:00.005-05:00

a weird day

2008-07-02T18:52:00.002-05:00

Today was weird. Most of my days aren't normal, but today was unusually strange. I didn't take my lunch to work today because I was going to go to Best Buy and then pick something up. Well, Donna asked if we were going anywhere for lunch so I said we could ask around and see if anyone wanted to go. I asked around and the normal lunch crew wanted to go. Martha & Joe had planned to go to El Chico because they had a coupon so we all decided we would tag along. So... a pea lunch is created. Normally we plan lunches days in advance so it was weird that none of us brought our lunch. I had to be Tom this morning but right as we were getting ready to leave Tom shows up from jury duty. I was super excited so he finished up the PDFs. It is now time for lunch. Martha, Joe, Donna and I all ride in the Peamobile because Ashley and Jennifer are going to stop and pick up the other Ashley. We get to El Chico and they aren't busy so we get a table really quick (which is weird with a group of 7). Then the fun begins. We had the SLOWEST waitress know to man. She was slow taking the drink order, slow getting our drinks, slow taking our order... then we sit there... no chips and empty drinks for 45 minutes... we FINALLY get our food. I ordered fajitas but had no tortillas and that took another year to get. So we all eat... ask for our checks... 10 minutes later we get our check but she didn't split it... 10 minutes later she brings our checks and we give her cards and cash... 10 minutes later a random guy brings our table some cash but it was change for the wrong tickets... after we ask for the manager we get our cards back. Almost everyone of the tickets were wrong. So at 1 pm we leave El Chico - we got there at 11:35. Donna, Joe, Martha & I walk into the office building with the door propped open. THE POWER IS OUT. it is dark and spooky and scary. The power is out so we can't clock in. Ashley & I get to our desk and realize we aren't on the back-up so we have no computers. The power went out at 12:40. So everyone is sitting around trying to figure out things to do. At around 2:15 a lady came around saying that our CEO was sending us home if we didn't have a computer to work on. At 2:20 the power came back on. I was glad I didn't go home. I went to Tom's desk to get to work on the PDFs and at 2:22 Tom shows up. He was dismissed from jury duty. I decided to go out to the Celebrate Cooking photo shoot and it was a complete bore. It was kinda like you just sit around and wait. I watched two super simple shots and then it was going to be another hour before the next shot was going to be ready so I went back to the office. It is really sad when a photo shoot is so boring that you would rather be at the office. I read the recent issue of Communication Arts and then it was time to go home... I have played around on Facebook and iTunes and now it is time for dinner... wonder what other weird things are going to happen...

Piddlin' Pottery

2008-06-26T22:07:00.003-05:00

On Saturday Mom, Ashley, Jennifer and I went to Piddlin' Pottery. (http://www.piddlinpottery.com/) Today, we got to pick up our finished pottery. This is what I made:

Yes, I free-handed the letters. If the plate ever breaks, I have no clue what I am going to do because I don't think I could do a repeat on the whole lettering thing.

Today I feel... INSPIRED!

2008-06-26T21:56:00.005-05:00

Tonight I went to scrapbook class at April's (www.aprilstamps.blogspot.com).

I very rarely put pictures on scrapbook pages. I am more a collector. I have been taking this class for almost three years now. It is once a month and we make 3 2-page spreads. Now let's do the math... that's 108 2-page spreads. Let's not count the all day things where you make like 20 pages. You don't put pictures on at class, you just do all the stamping, cutting & gluing so that you can add your photos later. So, needless to safe I have a TON of scrapbook pages with no pictures. I was working on the following page and when I stamped the sentiment "You make me life a beautiful thing" I IMMEDIATELY thought of the picture of me & Hallie from my wedding. She is truly a beautiful little girl. Her beauty radiates from within. SOOO... I stamped and wrote the headline "true beauty comes from within..." After I got home and showed Mom the pages, I pulled out my wedding albums and Mom asked me what I was doing. I told her I was getting the picture of Hallie. She was SHOCKED and said "You are actually going to put pictures on a page" and I laughed. I picked out these photos, went to the living room and started cropping. 10 minutes later... this is what I came up with!

THANK YOU, APRIL! For making me feel INSPIRED!

more randomness

2008-06-22T16:00:00.002-05:00

Ten years ago: June 1998 - in love with a man who didn't love me the way I needed to be loved - but I have to say: If I hadn't lived through Tim then I wouldn't have gotten to Wade. I wouldn't have appreciated Wade for the man that he is or the way that he loves me.
Five things in tomorrow's to do list:
1. go to work
2. don't piss anyone off
3. workout at least 30 minutes
4. try not to take work things too personally
5. enjoy dinner with my family
Snacks I enjoy: peanut butter cookies, corn-nuts, almonds
Things I would do if I was a millionaire: Quit my job. Build two houses connected by a HUGE scrapbook room (one for Wade & I and one for Mom & George).
Places I have lived:
1. Marshall, Texas
2. Tyler, Texas
3. Commerce, Texas
Who's the last person you flipped off and why? I honestly can't remember
What's the worst job you ever had? Cashier at Drug Emporium
What do you really think of GWB? excellent president
What was the last argument you had with your spouse about? Money.
What did you do afterwards? I think we kissed and made up.
Dill or Sweet? Dill.
Worst habit? biting my fingernails
What do you watch on TV - for real? The Design Star, Law & Order, Jon & Kate-Plus 8
How good are you on Jeopardy? No
Can you finish a Sudoku? depends. One star - yes. Five star - no.
What about your face would you change? What's wrong with it? I wish I didn't have a wart on the side of my nose. But them again, I kinda like it because Mom has one too.
Do you hold doors for people? yes
When you pout, what do you pout about? not getting my way
What would people say about you if they thought you would never know? That I can be a bitch
What makes you laugh out loud? Twitter
What do you most regret? June 1998
What is the best thing you make in your kitchen? tacos
Do you believe in UFOs? no
Do you kill bugs or take them outside? kill them
When was the last time you were drunk? a ling time ago
Last book read-really? the 7th Harry Potter book
If you weren't what you are, what would you be? art teacher
Even if you don't believe in reincarnation, what were you in a previous life? a queen
Why do you think that when people are asked that question, they never ever say some ordinary Joe? because everyone wants to be something they aren't
You have an afternoon all to yourself-what do you do? sleep, blog, watch tv
What did you want to be when you were growing up? lawyer
Mayo or Miracle Whip? Mayo.
Favorite ice cream topping? Hot fudge.
When was the last time you drove a car by yourself and where did you go? Friday, to work
Did you break any laws? I don't think so
What do you order on a pizza? pepperoni and extra cheese
What is your greatest fear? losing my sanity and being put into an insane asylum
When was the last time you operated a washing machine? today
What's on your IPOD? a whole bunch of random songs that make me want to sing.

Random Thoughts

2008-06-22T15:44:00.002-05:00

I haven't blogged in a while because I haven't had much to say. I am sitting here by myself. Wade is at work and Mom & George just left to play cards. I enjoy the time to myself but around 6, I will start feeling lonely. Wade will be home around 8:30 and we will eat dinner together, watch the rest of Design Star, put in a movie and I will go to sleep.
I had a great day yesterday. Mom & I went to Piddlin' Pottery with Ashley & Jennifer. We had so much fun. I can't wait to pick up my plate on Thursday. I will post a picture after I pick it up.
That's about all I have to report. I know totally boring. Hopefully I will start posting more when my new laptop gets here.... laters...

My Most Recent Creation

2008-06-09T20:28:00.002-05:00

I made this mini book in tin to go in a time capsule for my cousin's wife's baby shower.

To see the entire book - go here: http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=225039930/a=3945650_3945650/t_=3945650

Amber Update

2008-05-25T12:29:00.001-05:00

I am so super happy to report that Amber is CANCER FREE! She got her biopsy back and all is well. She has to go back every three months for the next five years for checkups. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. I love ya'll!

Sometimes 1 phone call can change your life

2008-05-19T21:43:00.002-05:00

I just got off the phone with Duck. She called and it was so nice to hear from her. We did the usual "how are you" "what's up with you". I told her that nothing exciting was going on with me. I was pretty much just making up stuff to tell her. Mentioned that Wade had a flat today and that was about as exciting as my news got. I asked her what she had been up to and she said nothing much and then said "I had surgery on my leg" I am of course SHOCKED. I talked to her last week and she didn't mention anything. Come to find out she had surgery last Thursday to remove the area around a mole she had removed a week earlier and that came back as Melanoma. That's right. My best friend has Melanoma. For everyone as dumb as I am, Melanoma is skin cancer. I asked why she didn't tell me sooner and she didn't want me to worry. I am just so in shock right now. She lives so far away and she has been hurting and I didn't even know. She told me she cried everyday last week. How did I not know she was hurting? I always thought I would just "know" there was something wrong and be able to fix it. But I can't fix it and I can't even give her a hug. She is going back to the doctor tomorrow because they think her incision may be infected. She said she would give me a report tomorrow and if she doesn't I am so going to call her myself.

Duck - I know you will never read this but there are somethings I need to tell you.
1. I love you!
2. I miss you!
3. I think about you everyday!
4. You are my best friend!
5. It amazes me that you know EVERYTHING there is to know about me and you love me just the same. The best part is that you don't have to love me or be my friend and you do.
6. No matter how far away you are you are always in my heart.

ok - now that I am crying - I think I will go to bed. Tomorrow is another day.

NKOTB

2008-05-19T17:57:00.002-05:00

OMG! I am so super excited! New Kids On The Block are going back on tour. They are coming to Dallas on October 19!!! I am SOOO going to be there!!! Who wants to go with me? Tickets go on sale June 9!

Komen Race For The Cure 2008 - Tyler, TX

2008-05-16T16:37:00.002-05:00