What a great day we have had today!!! Last night Chase had his first soccer practice!!!! We carpooled with his buddy...they live across the street and is on the same team...how cool is that arrangement? The fact that I like his mom and dad is really cool too! Tyler (Chase's friend)told his mom...I really hope we don't miss them...it would be a shame if you and Tracy dont' get to spend some time talking! hahahahah..how funny is that?!?

So..I was reallllly proud of the way Chase paid attention at soccer. I was worried since he was tired (does not even like the WORD nap anymore!) and he didn't pay attention during t-ball. But he did such a great job. I liked the coach and they got right to work showing them dribbling and passing! Very impressive! I talked with some of the other moms there...they were ALL nice and sweet...not cliquish at all. I was just in heaven.

Chase, Hayden and I were really stuffed up all night and today though. The wind started to blow and they had just mowed the field. We are still a mess, lol.

School went good...I am finding her to still be relaxing---each day a bit more, though I do NOT like the way she talked with this one little girl. She is one who really likes me and she came over to me and was talking at lunch. I told her she had to go sit down at the table. Well...the teacher comes flying over and tells me...."don't let her walk all over you. she is a maniulative one....she already got in trouble with the bus driver this morning and the principal had to get involved"...then she looked at her and said in a really stronnnnngggg voice...you sit down RIGht now. So I just walked away....then when we were leaving the lunch room, she turned to the boy behind her and said something to him...I am not sure what it was...but the teacher grabbed her shoulder and spun her around and said reallllly loudly..."we DO NOT talk like that in this class....do you understand. That is not allowed"...so the little girl started crying...it was just a little unnerving. I am all for discipline...but gosh lady, lol. She tells me every day how sweet and well behaved Chase is...but I just hope I never see her grabbing on to him like that....hisssss ,lol.

Then we took Joey...a little boy that Chase had in preschool for the last two years and became good friends with...and I adore his parents and siblings...well...he is in the classroom next to ours...the one I wanted to get Chase moved in to....but I picked him up too and took them and Hayden out to my Father in laws orchard. Their cousins are visiting...Hannah is 12 and Ian is 9.....so the boys were excited. We don't get to see them much due to some issues that their parents have with the family...very long story. So they ran and played and got filthy. I made everyone lunch...my MIL is in Texas and he is very much used to having her do for him. He could do it himself...but I just thought it would be nice...especially since he is working so hard in the orchard right now. When we dropped Joey off a little bit ago...they were all so exhausted, teehehee.

So...that is that.

Today I have a new kit out at Digital Freebies (will be at SDK next week). It is the follow up Cowboy kit that some ppl were asking for! I just love working on these! It is on sale 30% off for the rest of the week.






I also am so excited to announce that I am once again on Amy Knepper's design team. I am so honored to be among the great gals she has chosen. Here is a layout I did using her newest kit at Digi Chick....Young and Carefree. It is a layout of the last trip Brandon and I took before Chase joined our family....the last time it was just the two of us. I was 8months preggo with him, lol. Click on it to make it bigger.






ok....that is all for now...love and hugs!

oh yeah...what a day....I miss my boys...they stayed one more night with Auntie...I got a kit finished, got a couple layouts almost finished (can't see them though...for the newsletter for Raks ;)) I did some exerciseeeeee oh yeah babyyyy, cooked, cleaned...phew.

Today will be spent cleaning the rest of the house since Bran's family will be coming over at 4p. We are having a dinner party to celebrate the August bdays in the family. August is a big bday month in this family. I get soooooo tired of cleaning and doing laundry, lol. I just never thought I would spend so much time doing that as a stay at home mom, hahah.

Ok...So...some stuff to show you.


You all know how much I love my design team chickie poos. Well today I am featuring our Ms. Melinda. She is so rockin' the party in the layout department. Here are some of her latest....aren't they freaking fabulous????? (Only the two at the top use my designs....but the rest are so fab I had to show you those too!!!) Check out her blog for the credits. Click on the picture to see it bigger.




Wanna know a little more about her???? I know you do!


Her bio: Melinda aka mmbstaley

I'm Melinda. I live in Colorado Springs, CO. DH (Mark) and I are coming up on our 16th anniversary in July this year. We have 5 kids- Bryce, 9- almost 10, Elizabeth and Carissa, fraternal twins who are 7, Brenna, 2- almost 3, and Sarah who is 4 months.

I've been scrapping for about 9.5 years. I started digital scrapping about a year and half ago. I can't quite give up my paper supplies though- too many other uses for them and I do like to play with them occasionally still.

I'm also on the CT at RAKscraps and Scrapdish. I spend most of my spare time working on LOs and checking out the forums at RAKs. I love chocolate anything, my beverage of choice is usually Diet Coke,
a favorite meal is fried catfish, okra and hushpuppies (southern girl at heart), and most of my digi LOs are 'paper style,' though I like to try and do graphic style occasionally (and every now and again I manage to do one well LOL).
Melinda

With that....have a great day! hugs!

oh yeahhhh...I forgot. I got tagged by sweet lil Gina!!

List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets. Tag 5 friends and list them. Then, those people need to write on their blogs about 5 weird things, and state the rules, and tag 5 more people. Don't forget to let the people you tag know by posting a comment on their blog!

So...I am a wierdo kind of chick...so I am going to list about me...though my pets...phew..strange ones too. Heck...will list their's too.

Me:

1) I sing ALL the timmmmeeee. And songs that I haven't thought of in years. They will just pop into my head. Everyday I wake up with some song in my head. Don't know why...just have to sing.

2) I have been said to be able to make friends with someone in the bathroom of a store. I have to talk to people when I am out and about. I just have to. I love people, am nosey, and that is just how I work.

3) I vacuum ALL the time. And not just carpet. I sweep my laminate floors at least 3 times a day and vacuum up the little piles.

4) I buy lots of produce that I plan on eating to become healthier and it so goes to waste. I WILL change this

5)I sleep with my head and the foot of the bed. I sleep better that way. It must be the way we have the room set up...messes up my chi!

My pets:

1) My kittie who I have had for 14 yrs...she is called spooky or freaky kitty. She was rescued by the vet students at UCDavis. she was all scratched up and the only survivor of a litter of cats. And she has major issues. She only likes me and my hubby and only comes out at night. And she slithers around the house from hiding place to hiding place...almost on her tummy.

2) My oldest cat...he won't eat unless his bowl is full!

3) He follows me when I go visit neighbors...and yowls outside their doors

4) my crabs willlll nottttt change their shells anymore...know matter how small I think they are getting on them.

5)They love peanut butter.

not sure who I will tag...but watch out ;)

Yayyyy! It's the weekend!!! I am so ready for it to be, lol.

So...just to let you guys know...school has calmed down a bit. For the last couple days I have just been standing back and watching things happen. Not going in at lunch etc. I am pretty sure that the Principal talked to the teacher...told her I came in. She said "Just dont take Chase out of my class" when I was talking to her and she has totally changed the way she does the lunch line. I feel a little self-conscious now, but need to get over it...he is my kid after all, lol.

My mom came yesterday and played with the boys for a bit....and ended up taking the boys for the weekend, lol. She and my aunt talked me into it....it is the last weekend they will be able to do this for quite awhile....since Chase is starting soccer. He will have games every Sat, so I agreed. And it feels good. I do feel badly since we were going to a kid at school's bday party today...but I didn't know anyone who would be there and I never said yes, lol. I am feeling so guilty...ughhhh. Now I can get the house clean for the party we are having tomorrow night.

So my baby growing up didn't really regeister that first day to kindy...but when I was watching him leave to lunch yesterday. He didn't know I was watching, so I could just see him being himself. He walked out so self-confident...little backpack on. He waved at some friends in the sandbox as they filed past them. He went into the cafeteria...picked out his choices and put them on his tray and went and sat down. He just looked so precious and so biiigggg! Wahhhhhhh.

Then when I came to pick him up...his obvious joy at seeing me just melted my heart. His little head peeked over the kid infront of him in line. He jumped up and down and waved and said...hi mommmmmy!!!! Then I had this flash of realization that one day he would be "too cool" to do that. That I better enjoy this while I can, lol. That he could run up to me and plant a sloppy wet one on me, give Hayden a big love and hold my hand as we walked to the car.


They are just such beautiful children...they really are

Hayden's compassion and love is reallly starting to shine through. He is helping his brother more, just giving love for no reason, just really growing up. I think it helps that he is talking more and is able to express himself better. And he and I really are enjoying our time together. In just the one week I have seen a difference in him. He is able to talk to me and not be interrupted. He is able to do somethings that he wants to do and not what brother wants to do, lol.

So..that is what is going on here at home.

I have had nooooo time to scrap and it is making a bit crazy, lol. Hope to get a little done today.


My part of the Scrappin Digi Kreation's freebie mega kit is up now!!!!

Go grab it up and show me what you do with it!!!! I am so excited to see what you do...I think this is a fun kit, if I do say so, teeehee.
























Also...here is the last part of my sweet girl freebie kit! I hope you guys use it..please send me a link if you do...I really love to see what you do.

























Download here and leave me some love eh??

WEDNESDAY!!??

what? already? no wayyyyy. So...to catch you up.....

Monday morning started off at 7:45a. Chase's first of all...I was so excited for my baby. We show up at school and got a little more than we bargained for. TEacher was frazzled, the afternoon teacher that acts as her helper in the morning quit on fri before school started. ours is new to the school and had no frickin clue what was going on. I stayed at school for the orientation and then went to the store with Hayden. Then went back at lunch...yes...lunch. they forgot to tell us that before school started too! I pick him up at 11:55a and they still have lunch. So I had to buy his lunch at the cafeteria. They have 20mins to get to the cafeteria from their class, get their lunches and eat. 5yr olds...yeah right. And what happened to milk cartons...the old fashioned kind??? Now they have these plastic bags of milk...that are all wobbly and what not...that you try to poke a freaking straw into without spilling it everywhere. sighhhhhh. Then getting out was a mad house since the bigger kids are coming in for lunch at that time. We had several of our guys start to cry because there was so much caos.

So...after school....we went to lunch with my aunt and looked all over town for a lunch box and thermos....there were hardly any left!!! Then home for a quick nap and then to swim lessons.

Swimmmmm lessonssss...another fun trip, lol.We show up and they had NO Fng record of us. so....we had to put them both in level 1...which Chase just finished...though he doesn't care since he is swimming. and it helped get hayden in the water (which he wanted nothing to do with at first....big pool and a stranger...say what?). So then it was home for bath, dinner, clean up, book and bed. I fell asleep in bed with them, lol. Woke up at 3a with one heck of a neck cramp

Tuesday dropped chase off and then Hayden and I went to see sissy and the grand-baby. He was awake the wholllleee time. Man is he cuteeeeee. He just loveees his grammy. I bought him this cute elephant humidifier at Target: (ours is blue and it was on clearance for 20.00 and it is way cuter in person)









Also took her a handprint clay kit, some clothes etc. Jen is doing good...looks happy and healthy.

Tuesday's school was no better...in fact she lost 4 kids leaving the lunch room and tried to blame it on me and another mom. So I was fed up. After we got home, I went back to the school and asked the principal to put him in the other morning teacher's class...she has been there forever, has an awesome reputation and 3 kids from Chase's preschool are in there. And they only have 16 kids. But he basically said no...give it a few more days. Got home, got hayden down for nap, worked with chase on his letters, got htem to swim lessons, got home, bath dinner and then Tyler came over while his mom went to a meeting. He left at 9 something and got the boys to bed (which was hard since they were wired).

Today got Chase to school, hayden and I went in search of a bday present and a few more short sleeved shirts for Chase. then I stood back and watched how lunch went. She told me "I really missed your help at lunch" Duhh no shit...I do everything, lol. Then I introduced her to my friend dawn who has a son in the other class. Told her that she might pick Chase up once in awhile if he is going to Joey's for a playdate. Mrs West (teacher) said...that is good...as long as you don't take him out of my class. My husband was asking who Chase was...but hten she got cut off. So...I got the impression that the principal told her what I said and wanted to do. sighhhh.

Then we came home and had a snack and all three of us laid down for a nap. Then Chase and I got up and worked on our letters. Hayden just woke up....they are eating another snack. Then off to swim lessons and Brea and boyfriend coming for dinner.

good lord I am tired.

Heard from the soccer coach finally. Practices start next week and will be TWO times a week...Monday and Wed. Games every Sat.

Have to buy jersey, shorts, shin gaurds, shoes, socks and a number three soccer ball. He better like this sport, teeehee.

boy did I do a lot of whining up there or what, lol. But....to talk on the positive...I feel really good being so busy. I seem to get more done...feel more "placed".

So...that is what I have been up to, lol.

Here is part two of the sweet girl freebie I am offering.

























I will be passing this out in a couple diff parts. also..a couple things. Leave a comment if you grab it please. Don't get the links somewhere else...come here and read about my boring life, lol.



~~~~~~~~~~~~Download here~~~~~~~~~~~~


hugs and smooches

So...we are home from our camping trip to Fort Bragg, CA...but I don't know about the sound part, hehehehe.


The camping went well. I really liked Kristen's boyfriend. The weather was cool to cold...we got to see the beach, the ocean (Hayden calls it the BIG POOL), a seal or two playing in the cove, the lighthouse that is being redone and will be turned into a b and b...can't wait for that...and they are doing such a greattttt job on it! Just gorgeous. I would love to have a house like this.

We saw some marine exhibits, did some hiking (not really, but the boys though so), made s'mores, and just had a great time. Brandon did some abalone diving and so he was happy.

The boys and I had to come home Wed, but bran and the kids stayed till today. Let me tell you...that drive home was NOTTTTTTTT fun. It took me 5 HOURSSSSSSSS. YIKES. With NOTTTT happy children! sigh.

Then, I bathed them for hours and hours (not really...but wow were they DIRTY) and we all got in our pjs and turned on cartoons and ate in bed. Then fell asleep in each other's arms! hahah.

Next day we went to our friend Tyler's 6th bday party...at the bowling alley! It wasss sooooo funnnnnn! They all had a blast and wore us out completely! Hayden had a hard time focusing, though. The arcade had a BATMANNNNN car!!!! and he is soooooo infatuated with Batman. So....it was tough to keep him out of there after he got bored with the whole bowling thing. Pizza and cake followed....then home to rest.

Then today we went to school to drop off Chase's paperwork and to the park....watched Tyler for a bit. Talked with another parent which was nice...always nice to have some adult interaction.

Can I just say...I am tireeedddddd!!! lol

So!!!!!! I mustttttt tackle 27 loads of laundry, find my kitchen, clean the fridge, find something to cook for dinner, solve the problems of the world etc. hehehehe

I also thought how nice it would be to take the sweet grandson kit and turn it pink for those who don't have little boys like me,lol.


























I will be passing this out in a couple diff parts. also..a couple things. Leave a comment if you grab it please. Don't get the links somewhere else...come here and read about my boring life, lol.

Download here

Also...a gal I know is starting a new yahoo group.

NEW GROUP READY TO LAUNCH IN ABOUT 10 DAYS!! COME JOIN!!
Addicted to DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING, and buying kits huh? ... Well hang out here to pamper your addiction, and we'll tell you what's fresh in DIGITAL this week! The best Digital Designers post their new stuff to Digital Scrapbook Galleria each week, with links showing where to buy.
That saves you the effort of wading through lots of sites!
So if you love fresh kits, or you're a designer who creates em' - come join the party! This is not a site to share layouts, it's a site to share links to fresh new kits, and for designers to show us their wares! :)
This is not a forum as such. You email me your links and pics, and I send out an email once a week to members showcasing all the goodies! It's free, so why not sign up today!

Go here and check it out.


Also...I was asked how much longer to get your name in for my team...either for guest spots and/or for permanent. Ummm...how bout till the 27th? Ok? ok! email me at tmblankenship@gmail.com....would love to have you. (all will get a chance to be a guest ct...and get two free kits!!)
Ok...off and running. hugs

**If you're not living life on the edge you're taking up too much space.

If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten. Isn't that the way the saying goes???

So....why do I expect the things I don't like about myself and my life to just change on their own, lol. That is what I am doing when I just bitch about things but do not make any changes. Hmmmm...another interesting thing I realized about myself.

So....that is my goal. Nothing lofty or unachievable. I will start small.

So for this week:

1) Health: Drink more water, eat six small meals, less diet soda
2) Relationship:
a) with hubby: less criticizing, more little touches and smacks on the bottom;)
watch my tone/facial expressions/body language when talking;
say at LEAST one nice thing about/to him a day
b)with kiddos: change the way we do bedtime, less tv (gotten bad since I
am trying to clean the house and get rid of stuff, more positive
reinforcement
c)with friends: contact some I have let slip away a bit

Ok...that is good for now, lol. Hard to not write everything down...but I don't want to get overwhelmed.

So....this will be my last post till Thursday...can't wait to get to the coast!! Soooo need it. Hoping for some Zen moments and some fun for the boys.

I told you before that I was lucky enough to work with some great designer's work...well here is anoter layout done with a digital Freebie's designer. her name is Joana Carvalho....her kits and doodles are fun and unique and just a pleasure to work with.

Here is a layout I did using her Old Friends-Shannon kit. I love the colors, patterns and especially the stitched paisley
























I used it for my second part of my Double Trouble Sketch Challenge over at DF...don't forget the cool kit you get for your prize. Go check it out here.



Don't forget....you can still apply to be my guest CT spotlight member. You get TWO free kits, spotlight, fun challenge based off your gallery...No one is turned away. And...if you want, you can get the chance to fill two empty CT permanent positions. thanks to all who have applied so far..this will be so funnnnnn. (email me at tmblankenship@gmail.com if interested)


The link for the freebie quick page below is fixed now.

* Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

It's Saturdayyyyyyyyy! woohooo, lol. Bran took the boys out to his dad's, so I am catching up on some stuff. I am burning my pictures and kits to disks and cleaning up the old comuter. Something I have been meaning to do, but was pushed by my friend Melinda's blog.

I am also strating to get ready for our camping trip...Taking DSD Kristen and her boyfriend camping to Fort Bragg for her bday. She was supposed to be bringing a couple other friends, but they have backed out.

I miss going there....haven't been in so long. The beach calms me and makes me feel connected to everything. I just love it. And I know the boys will have fun. Can't wait!!!

So...Bran and I had a conversation about what we wish we could do "if". If being anything that stands in the way.

Mine were interesting to me....I didn't really know that I felt this way...didn't know I wanted to do these things, lol. I guess I haven't done any soul searching of late.

My first was to work in an after school program and/or big sister kind of thing. I know there are so many children out there who are lonely, uncared for and needing help. I know that if they had positive adult interaction in their lives the would receive great benefit. I would like to help them with their school work, their self esteem, etc.

My second was to educate the public on the elderly and their needs. It breaks my heart that so many of our elderly falls through the cracks. What happen to the days when our elderly were revered and honored? I would like to organize visitors for assisted living homes etc.

My third was to try to be more aware of our environment and to take better care of our planet. To live a more simple life.

I would also like to understand politics and world events better. I feel totally inept in that department

So...interesting to me...have to think about the reasons I don't do these things and try to make them happen.

I also did a layout with Maria La France's Warm Hugs kit...available at digital freebies Thanks for letting me play Maria!!

























And here is a little quick page I made for ya...with my Creative Expressions kit.




















Sorry...link expired. Will release again at later date.


* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably
worth it.

oh yeah...wanted to let you guys know where some of my freebies are again,lol

I am the friday freebie at Digital Freebies.... I am offering an add-on to my Cherished kit.




























Also at digital freebies...I am holding my Double Trouble Sketch Challenge---every two weeks or so you get a new sketch. You complete it and you get 1/2 of a prize kit. You still have a few days before the deadline for the first sketch for August.

Here is the prize kit:
























At Scrappin digi kreations we are giving away pieces of our Tropical Mega kit freebie...mine will be up soon. Go check out what's there now.

here is my part























Also...after the freebies are gone...you can buy them really cheap in the store. Like last month's cute icecream kit we did...look under each gal's name for their part.


Here was mine:





















I will also soon be announcing September's Guest CT Member. STILL TAKING MEMBERS FOR THIS...YOU GET TWO FREE KITS AND TONS OF FUN. JUST EMAIL ME AT TMBLANKENSHIP@GMAIL.COM

huggles...don't forget to go to the next post and snag the free quick page!

"Isn't he lovely
Isn't he wonderfull
Isn't he precious...

Truly the angel's best
Boy, I'm so happy
We have been heaven blessed
I can't believe what God has done
through us he's given life to one
But isn't he lovely made from love"
Stevie Wonder--Isn't She Lovely (changed to he, lol)


Some pics:

























Isn't he just the most precious, lol. I love that little guy. Everyone is doing great. They got released yesterday...had to stay a bit longer since Jen tested positive for The group B streptococcus and they like to keep those babies two full days. She is happy, Tobee is great!



Here is a layout I did with my Cherished Kit. Font is Paulinho Pedra Azul




























Ok...off to get ready. My mom spent the night...going to go run some errands, take her to meet Tobee and then hit the Thrift Store. Have a fabulous day!!!

I AM A GRANDMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! WOOHOOHOHOOOO!

Jennifer went in at 2a yesterday the 8th...had contractions coming but not strong enough so they sent her home at 4a. She was back at 7a....things were moving along pretty good...swore he would be here at 12p..but no...little bugger. He arrived at 7:23p and was 6lbs 14oz. He is GORGEOUSSSSSSSSS. They looked so happy. There were about 20ppl there at the end...I was cracking up. Great friends and family support.
I got to hold him...he looked at me and made this little kissie face...melted my heart. Then he opened his eyes reallllllly big like "hi gram". Ok...I am whooped.

My inlaws watched the boys...at 6p my FIL called and said "Who is coming to get these wild naked indian boys?" lol. We got there at 9p and they were exhausted...the adults not the kiddos, lol. I guess Chase thought he was going to get to see Tobee yesterday and was sad...at one point he was riding his bike down the driveway (they live on an orchard set way back from the street, don't worry) Gran said...where you going? Chase said...I am riding to see Tobee. poor monkey. They get to meet him today...they are sooooo excited!

pictures will soon follow...going to get some good close ups today. Her mom has all the good ones from yesterday...I got a few I will share but don't have time to upload them right now.

Also...don't forget I am still looking for guest Creative Team members. You get to work with some of my kits for free. Just email me (tmblankenship@gmail.com) and link me to your gallery. Everyone will get a chance to be a guest CT. Also, let me know if you are interested in trying for the two open permanent CT spots.


And....a lot of you have asked if I will ever share Sweet Grandson again. Well...today is a perfect day. Leave me a comment and don't share...you know the drill. Send them here.

hugs and smooches.

























Download here




And...here are the promised Courtship Album Quickpages from my buddie Lara Payton!?! Aren't they awesome!?!?!? And...they are for sale at Digital Freebies....40% this week! Wowza. A must have!!

The pics are of my hubby's Gran's 90th bday party! I left some open spots for her to journal.

ok....so I am in LOVE with a designer's work. I really need to get out more. She sells at Digital freebies and at Scrapbook elements. She is a super talented gal and guess what...she is SOOOOO sweet. Makes ya want to smack her huh? ehehhehehehe. just kidding.

So...Lara Payton's kits are so awesome...as well as her elements...but man oh man...does this woman know how to put together quick pages!!! And her work is such high quality. Geesh...I sound like a groupie don't I?

You have got to check these out. I got to play with some quick pages she has over at SBE






















Wait till you get to see what I did with some that are being released tomorrow...tehehehehehe. loveeee them.

We didn't get to the fair yesterday...they came home super dirty and super cranky...so we just layed low. Daddy and Chase made Crab fetticini Alfredo and bread and broccoli. yummmmmmy.

Today we are going to the park, taking my toshiba laptop to be sent back for repair yet AGAIN!!! Good thing I have the extended warranty. It has a prob that I have found a lot of ppl are having. In the back..where you plug in the power cord....the little thing that is the male..in the computer itself...comes loose. You cannot charge the battery and the computer dies. VERY frusterating since we just fixed this last December. GRRRR. Then we are taking lunch to their sister.....stillllll no baby Toby?!?! She has an appt today, so cross your fingers that something is starting to happen.

Ok...off and running...more later. Don't forget...there are two alpha freebies hidden in this blog...scroll down and find them. ONe is a glitter for My Cherished Kit and the other is...how to explain it....expressive, lol. From my Creative Expression Kit.

oh yeahhhhhh. I forgootttt. I am going to start having guest CT members. What does this mean? Each month I will have two people who get to choose up to 4 (at least 2)of my kits to work with. They will do at least three layouts and must post at 2 specified galleries and one of their choice. EVERYONE will have a chance to do this...no one will be turned away. I will also let those who are interested join a contest for two permanent spots on my CT. How fun is this?!?!?!?

So...if you are intersted in applying...please send me an email to tmblankenship@gmail.com. In the subject line type CT application. In your email I need the following. Your name, a link to one or two of your galleries, and if you are applying for just a guest CT spot or for the contest too.

Hugs!!!

Freebie hidden somewhere in this post, lol.

Howdy howdy howdy!!What a gorgeous week of weather it has been here in Northern California. Let me just warn you...this is going to be a doozy of a post...but there will be a freebie somewhere in it, hehehe.

First...let's get the drama out of the way.

This post is called....lesson given, lesson learned.

So...Friday I took the boys to the zoo with a friend and her son. We had such a fun time....the boys made us go into the reptile house TWICE!! Hayden was scared a couple times....especially of the "crock crock...biiiiiggggg....big teeth....big eyes! Scareeee meeee" Hayden's exact words, lol. And at one point I touched his shoulder to tell him something and he jumped out of his skin! Poor things, lol. But he realllly liked all the creatures. We saw the monkeys...one was ahem.....pretty gross, lol. We had a picnic and walked and walked!!!

So...it was time to leave...we left the zoo...got ready to cross the street, but missed the light. Hayden was next to Diane (whom he adores) while Chase was on the other side of her....Tyler by me. This woman was dragggggging these two little girls through moving traffic to catch the bus. We were shocked...staring after her and talking about how we couldn't believe it. The light turned green so we started to cross....I saw Diane walk a bit in front of me and then I saw her left hand...and it was NOT holding Hayden's. I froze and said...where is Hayden....I looked all around...he was NO WHERE in sight. I ran back to the zoo..screaming his name. No WHERE! I looked everywhere...could not see him. I was screaming his name. Then I saw this woman just watching me. She said in a really snotty voice...my daughter and I saw him and took him inside. She is there ...pointing into the zoo's store..inside the gates. Now...from the point I saw him next to diane to the point I noticed he was gone...I turned, we saw the woman, we commented and then started to walk...that fast. A) Thank Godddddd he was ok and returned to me. B) I was really hurt by the snotty tone of the woman and her daughter (yes...the daughter was snotty too) C) how the heck did they get him inside the store that fast....why wouldn't they look for the mom ro dad? D) Thank GODDDD I got my boy back to me safely. When he ran into my arms I literally fell to the ground and held him and cried. I was sooooo scared. He held me and said...shhhhh shhhh momma..no cry...momma scared." Poor guy.

So....there I was thinking how awful that woman was dragging her kiddos through traffic and I let MY child wander off. Judge not lest ye be judged. And...it can happen sooooooo soooooo fast. Sigh.

On to the rest of the week...my mom and dad came up on Thursday....took them to lunch and to the driving range (my dad is really into golf...he even made them a few of their own clubs, teehehee).





















While they were doing that I went to lunch by myself and shopping. It was freaking awesome, lol. I forgot how much fun it is to shop and eat without dealing with monkies. Then I went and visited with a gal pal.



Chase had the last day of this session of swim lessons....teacher said he did great. Moved him up to the next level



















Today we are supposed to take the boys to the county fair...if they get back in time. They have been helping daddy and grandpa get the orchard sprinklers finished.


Now...on to some layoutssssss!!

Here is one I did with Michelle Swadling's kit--Michelle's All Boy Kit...buy it here

























How 'bout some layouts by my great design team????

Here are some they did with my Cherished kit.




Two by Deb:

























By Melinda:























By Stacey:























Here is one by Jae at Digital Freebies using it too.























Here is a new one that Melinda did using Creative Expressions...isn't little Sarah getting so big?

























How about another freebie?? Melinda requested a plain glitter alpha for Cherished...so here is the upper and lower...numbers etc to follow at a little later in the week.


















Download it here: remember...do not share..send them here. Leave me a comment if you download too. Also....if you have used annnnyyyyy of my creations (freebies or not...) please email them to me or send me the link to them. I wanna see...it totally makes my day.

Ok...off to finish the laundry, do my hair, find something bad to eat (starting the eating/exercise plan again tomorrow, lol) and hope the boys get home soon.

hugs and smooches.

First...thank you thank you thank you for the love and support you guys have been sending me regarding yesterday's post. It was important for me to get out there, because not many ppl talk about it. I wish more did...I would have been more informed when I started this journey. I am such a believer in helping each other through this funny thing called life. We are all in it together...why not hold hands and help each other up when we fall. Why not share are joys as well as our tears. You guys are all amazing and I just thank you for being there.


so...on to some scrapping news. I am hoping to get some fab layouts done...I have a some designer friends who are sharing their kits with me! I am so lucky!!!!!!


Another big old sale at Digital Freebies. Almost EVERYTHING is 40% off....there are some great designers and kits there! I am going to do some shopping of my own, hehehe.

Also....I had to point you guys to my friend Melinda's Digi Craft Challenge. She has a great craft up (as is all of them) and a great prize too! She supplies you with the template and instructions.

You can still do the challenge...even if you missed the chat. You have till the 8th.

Here is the prize:













Here is the craft




And...did you know you can buy her older templates? And support Rakscraps? Go to Scrapdish's day old donut section...that is where they sell things to pay for the running of Raks...and they are affordable.


ok....just had to get that plugged. I am going to try to get crafty.






Today Chase and I are suffering from allergies (I am hoping it is just allergies), so we are hanging low.


Don't forget to scroll down and see the freebies and challenges I have going on!

hugs...more later!

Warning....long and winded, heheh....but there is a freebie somewhere in here!

Hi all....long time no talk. I know I mostly talk to myself here, but still...I feel badly for not being here. I have been trying to recover from all the little trips, get ready for my grandson to come, organize all the clothes I am getting rid of (the boys and my size 4-8 I will never get into again, lol) on ebay...still scared to try it out. Plus Chase has been doing swim lessons (he is doing fabulous by the way,heheheh)and getting ready to do soccer. We also are getting ready to replace the siding on our house (we have one side...the side with the master bedroom...that has mushrooms growing out the side. No wonder I am always feeling cruddy). Phewwwww!

Let's see....what else is going on. Well...my youngest step daughter is turnign 16...having a camping trip to the coast for her, her boyfriend :-0 and a couple girls....fun fun fun, hmmmmmm. Hayden has been increasingly challenging. I mean...realllllllllly challenging. Hubby is still driving me nuts. We got Vonage...will let you know how we like it. My oldest stepdaughter finally got another job...the middle is due with my first grandchild any day now.

I have been trying to find motivation to start taking better care of myself...it used to be so easy...now I am just so tired and tired and tired.

I am going out on a limb here...talking about kind of a taboo topic (though it shouldn't be)...debated whether to or not...but will in case there are others out there like me. I owe it to you to talk about it.

So...I have always been a little "moody"...prone to bouts of mild depression. Runs on BOTH sides of the family along with compulsions and addictions...well crap...did I get the good DNA or what? lol. I was always able to keep it working for me untill after my second pregnancy. Both of them were hard...but his especially. Bed rest...horrible birth, sick baby, trips to schriners, collicky, oldest son having a hard time (he was only 2) and marriage was VERYYYYYYYY rocky. Plus I had Post Partum Depression. I know this is taboo subject of late...but it is real. It is scary. It is harddddddddddd. It is more than just the blues. It is "I don't want to get out of bed, brush my teeth, can't cope bad!!! AFter 6months of pure hell...I finally got help. I got on some antidepressants and some counseling and started to come back. If this happens to you...please please please don't be afraid to talk about it. You are not a bad person. You are not a bad mother.

Bad part...I was put on Cymbalta. It deals with the seretonin levels as well as the body aches I was getting. Thought just a couple months and I would be fine. Well folks...here it is...he is now 2.5 yrs old. I have tried to get off of these "NON ADDICTIVE" drugs several times now...but the side effects are crippling. I tapered down...can even skip a day...but if I go two days....severe dizziness, nausea, fatigue and a general sense of being in a big fog and out of it hits me. This is beyond scary for someone caring for two small children. I have researched it online and found story after story of the same thing from tons of ppl...male and female. they basically all say....You will go through 8 weeks of Hell before you can BEGIN to start to feel better...not great...just better. I cannot do that! So...I am awaiting an appt with my doctor...where we will probably put me on a diff drug to taper me down and then try to stop.

My point is...why dont' they tell you this before hand. I NEVER would have taken this drug...there are so many others that work pretty good that don't do this? I am so angry. But I was so desperate at the time that I just trusted my doctor. Please please please research your prescriptions before blindly taking them. I feel so trapped right now. After two years of not being able to really cry or feel any kind of emotion strongly or have a real sex drive (both side effects of this drug)...I am so ready to get off!

I am a little embarrassed to be saying this here...but hopefully I can make you guys think before taking anything. I am all for help...but be careful. Read up on it. Talk about it. If we talked more about depression and PPD...we would be so much better off.

I got tagged my Gina...finally answering it, lol.

1. Have you ever been searched by the cops?

OH mannnnnnn. I don't wanna answer thisssss! Let's see. Yup. Twice. Once...I was young, parked on the wrong side of the street...open container in the back of the truck...oh yeah...being drunk by some more under age kiddos....and trying to get them home....started driving (without my lights) and was still on the wrong side (I WAS TRYING to get on the right side, lol) He was really nice....let me get them home....I wasn't drinking.

2nd time....I was with the wrong ppl at the wrong time. Nough said, lol

2. Do you close your eyes on a roller coaster?
nope....yell and scream

3. When's the last time you've been sledding?
When Chase was 1.5 yrs old. We went up to Tahoe.

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?

This is such a bad questionright now, lol. My hubby snores....my youngest has been having a hard time being away from me....so I would rather sleep with him. That way we ALL get a good night sleep!

5. Do you believe in ghosts?
Yes, I really do. My mom says ever since I was 4, she has noticed strange things happening around me....and they continue to this day.

6. Do you consider yourself creative?
Yes

7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife?
Yes

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? (silly, I know ... but very "now")
hmmmmmmmm. I used to say Jennifer, since I thought Angelina was strange and a man stealer. But...she is such a humanitarian..and so involved in issues other than her. So I guess I would say Angelina.

9. Can you honestly say you know ANYTHING about politics?
Not as much as I used to (worked in the state legislature...but still know some things)

10. Do you know how to play poker?
A tad

11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?
Yup...lots of times for entirely diff reasons. Partying and Parenthood.

12. What's your favorite commercial?

Hmmmmm...I am not really sure. Don't watch them much....though I like Gina's pick.

13. Who was your first love?

My first REAL love of the opposite sexx (non romantic) was my dad (step dad). My mom and I had such a rough life up until then. He was so good, sweet, caring and involved...with both of us. He made my mom sooooooo happy. I loved himmmmmmmmmmmmmm so much for that. My first romantic love......sigh...long, drawn out, painful and a huge learning experience

14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around you, do you run a red light?
Not on purpose

15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you?

Yes....I have several....and as much as I love my mom and my husband...they are the closest to me...but no one will ever know them.

16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees?
neither

17. Have you ever been Ice Skating?
Yes....16 yrs ago

18. How often do you remember your dreams?
All the time. I was trained to do so in college. I loveeeeeee my dreams.!

19. What's the one thing on your mind?
How much stuffffffffffff I have to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

20. Do you always wear your seat belt?
Yes. Always.

21. What talent do you wish you had?
hmmmmmmm....talent. hmmmmm. I wishhhhhhhh....I could multi-task better.

22. Do you like Sushi?
nope. I tried, I really did

23. What do you wear to bed?
tank and cotton capris

24. Do you truly hate anyone?
Hate?????? nahhhhhh. not worth it. Though there are people who really bug me, heheh.

25. If you could sleep with one famous person, who would it be?
I so couldn't. I am so committed to Brandon. And before...nahhhh. Never was into sex without real feelings and knowledge of who they were

26. Do you know anyone in jail?
hmmmmmm.....nope...not that I know of.

27. What food do you find disgusting?
Raw Octipus, anything too exotic...like dung beetles etc.

28. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back?
I must say....I did when younger...not to be malicious, though now I know it would have devistated them

29. Have you ever been punched in the face?
yes.

30. Do you believe in angels and demons?
Yes

will have to find some ppl to tag....mahaaawahhhhaaahaaa

I have a challenge starting today at Digital Freebies...a 2 parter. Do the two sketches and you get this prize



















Go here to check it out.





I also have a new kit out...one of my faves yet! And it is 40% off this week at Digital Freebies
































and....a new freebie for you guys. An alpha to match my Creative Expression's kit Please do not share and leave me a comment!! I love to hear from ya!













click here to download