Brain Spasms...

Some of you know that I had my nails put back on. My cuticles looked terrible and with the artificial nails, I can't dig at them. (Did I justify it yet?)

Anyway, I went to get a "fill" today. I went back to my usual place. These guys are ultra competitive with each other. When they haven't seen you in a while, they want to know where you've been going. I usually lie and tell them I had to go somewhere out of town. I know, that's horrible. So much for honesty is the best policy. But they just seem to feed on the "bad job" the other place did. I don't go for that. I just agree that this place is better, but I had no choice. Am I bad to lie about something so petty?

The guy I had today is the guy I usually get there. He's great. He tries to talk to me, but I can rarely understand a word he says. Only today when he wasn't talking, he was smacking his gum. I mean smacking. He had a full-blown, cow chewing his cud, toddler learning to chew smack. SMACK. He even had his little "doctor's mask" on and I could see that jaw muscle working like a freight train. And I could still hear it. You know how I feel about this. Many times, it crossed my mind to say to him, "You really like that gum, don't you?" I nearly had a nervous breakdown. He's lucky he's good at nails and I needed them done.

I think I need therapy.

Ahhhhh....rain!

If you live in Seattle, a day like today would be just another day. Me - - I don't think I'd ever suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. I could deal with the rain every day. Perhaps that comes from living in a part of Texas where there has been *no* rain all summer. We have had a good, steady rain all day long. Complete with thunder, too. It's been awesome. I have loved it.

After lunch, I sat down with my book, "The Big Picture. " I am teaching a class on Tuesday night and I wanted to refresh myself. (It's not as much a class as it is a club. We are going to work through the book together.) I stay amazed at her line of thinking. She really simplifies things for you, if you'll let her. I am seriously considering converting to her style of doing albums. Actually, I think I've been doing them similarly for quite some time, I just couldn't figure out how to present them. I quit trying to scrap chronologically for J since he was about 3 months old. (He's about to turn 3 years old.) Stacy, the author, to me is a genius and really - - my new hero.

I read on Stacy's blog the other day that she and her hubby just found out that they are going to adopt a little girl (I think from Korea.) How exciting for them. I think she has four boys, plus her hubby. Talk about a Princess! She will be so pampered. Hmmmmm.... That kind of makes me think a little. How would I do with a girl? What would I do with a girl? I don't know how to do hair!!!!

I better call it a day. I'm rambling. Everyone is in bed but me. This would be about two hours early for me. I think I could use the rest. If anything, I might lay in bed with my mp3 player and watch the lightening. Oooooohhhhh. That sounds good.

Signing off.....

A New Guilty Obsession

Okay, I have a new favorite (and quite off-color I might add) favorite show. It's The Chelsea Handler Show. It comes on E! and is so hilarious. Word of warning though, it is beyond offensive and crude. She's downright nasty. But I *love* it!! Nobody is spared. It brings out that obnoxious laugh I have. You know the loud, annoying, did that just come out of me kind of laugh. New episodes air on Friday nights. Have you seen it?

Very Fond Childhood Memory

How many of you out there remember having a cassette walkman that would record voices? How many of you out there tried to use that little recorder to record your favorite song off of the radio? You know, you called in to the radio station about 8,000 times during their "request hour" and each time you changed your voice a little so that they wouldn't be "on to you." They knew we wanted it, and they knew why. We didn't have the money to buy the record or 8-track of the actual album. So we counted on it being played on the radio. The trouble with that method (one of the few troubles) was that the DJ *always* kept talking during the intro of the song. You're at home with your finger positioned just so on that red record button, waiting for the DJ to shut up and just play the freaking song. And God forbid your little sister came running in the room when you finally were getting a good song, in it's entirity. It was then she came in singing the smurfs song or something completely gay like that.

Does anymore remember having to make your cassette tapes that way? What songs were you recording then? Some of my faves were:

1. Freeze-Frame
2. Centerfold
3. The Tide is High
4. Eye of the Tiger (hubby's fave)
5. Islands in the Stream
6. Keep on Lovin' You

Wow, good times. We also recorded some pretty silly stuff too. Man, I loved my childhood. I had a blast!

Justin's Words (Part 2)

Okay, not what you are thinking. It's not another layout. It's something he said today. Something he was working on wasn't going quite right and he said, "Oh crap." To that I say, "Oh crap!!" I wonder where he heard it. I can just hear the conversation I have with his teacher at Mother's Day Out when I pick him up. I'm pale just thinking about it. He also said butt today. Not that bad, but still. I've got to watch what I say. The little guy is a total sponge. Yikes!

By the way, he's still awake. He just yawned, so I'm hoping he will crash soon. Maybe if I turn the lights out.

Goodnight...

Justin's Words

I was looking for a way to document Justin's first words. So I took pictures of the actual item and placed his version of the word next to the picture. I think they speak for themselves. It's not anything fancy. Just something I want for him to remember when he is older and has little ones, too. They grow and change so fast!

Scrapbooking on the Q

**UPDATE**
Most of the good stuff is during the day on Tuesday. It doesn't look like there is much on today.

Be ready Monday and Tuesday. It looks like we will have at least one full day of stuff we wish we could buy. Creating Keepsakes is on at 11:00 on the 21st and then two more times on the 22nd. It looks like lots of scrapbook stuff for both days. Stay tuned!

Movie Review Time

Frantic - Harrison Ford thriller from 1988. It was like Han Solo in Paris without the Millennium Falcon. Instead he had a young, hot smuggler helping him find his wife. I kept thinking, this is gonna pick up soon. I was still saying that two hours later when the credits started rolling. There's two hours of my life I'll never have back. But hopefully I can spare you a similar experience. Don't rent it if you haven't seen it. Just because Harrison Ford has some excellent movies out there, it doesn't mean that they all are. This one stunk on ice. I won't give it a failing grade because I did stick with it. I was somewhat curious. I'll give some credit that it did contain HF. So - a solid "D" Tomorrow night, we'll be watching Original Sin with Banderas and Jolie. I'm looking forward to that one. I'll post it's review as soon as I can.

Bobby Update

My brother is not feeling good at all. It is killing me to be so far away from him. You know how fever makes you turn into a nut job? At least it does to me. And that's with my family and loved ones right here. Imagine what it feels like to be that way and living in a third world country! He sent a text message to my Dad and told him he was miserable and for my Dad to be sure to tell me that he loved me. Ouch. Ouch. Please pray that he gets a restful night's sleep and that God gives him some peace.

Go ahead and add Kyndal to your list. She's got some kind of virus that's going around over there. I won't bore you with the details. You can read it all on Bobby's blog. It is www.bobbycox.org. There's no sense in me re-typing all of that information.

My heart is breaking for my family. They are being so obedient to God's call in their lives and it seems like they just keep getting attacked. Is it God telling them it's not the right time, is He testing their obedience, or is Satan trying to get them to quit? Just pray that God's will be done and that His vision would be clear for Bobby and Angie.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and prayers for us. That's the best thing you can do for us. Love us, pray for us and keep being our friends. It's okay to ask how we are. Just be ready to not necessarily hear that we are fine. Sometimes we're not.

I hope you all have a blessed weekend.

Key Lime Pie Blue Bell

I stumbled across this old favorite of mine the other day. I haven't seen it in the stores in so long. When I saw it, I nearly broke my arm ripping the freezer door open. My mouth was drooling and everything. I got home and immediately fixed me a small bowl of it. It is fabulous. So much for losing weight, huh? I hate it that I love food so much. I have a particular weakness for the sweet stuff. Oye...

I highly recommend it. It is to die for. I got it at Wal-Mart. Go get you some.

Kind of a role call - - what is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Talladega Nights Movie Review

Let me preface this post with a disclaimer. I am fully aware that a few of my friends are real into Nascar, this post is not meant to offend you. If you are afraid it might, quit reading now and wait for my next post.

Okay, I *laughed my butt off.* I seriously laughed. This movie made so much fun of the rednecks that eat, sleep and breathe Nascar. Personally, I wouldn't go to a Nascar race even if Starbucks had a free coffee booth. I don't see the thrill of watching cars go around the same track over and over and over and over...you get my drift. I equivocate it to watching paint dry. So, I knew that Will Ferrell would do it up right. He did not disappoint. That scene where he thinks he's on fire and he's running around the track in his whitie tighties while he's praying to Tom Cruise and to Oprah - - priceless.

There were also some pretty stinking funny movie lines that will forever be embedded in my brain. For example: When asked about his success he said, "you know, every morning, I get up and just piss success." It cracked me up.

Then, his kids' names. Walker and Texas Ranger. Too funny.

It was Redneck for sure. There were product endorsements all over the place. Just for being sattirical, I give it an A-. Will Ferrell, however, deserves a strong A. Funny movie.

Please pray for Bobby...

It looks like my brother has Dengue Fever. Please pray for him and his family. You can view further information on his website at:

www.bobbycox.org

Georgia...

I have a scrapbook friend that I met back toward the first of this year. At the time, she told us she is terminal (cancer) and only has about two years. She is only 50 years old. She doesn't have any family to help care for her, just her husband. Another good scrapbook friend has really taken her under her wing and has done anything and everything she can do to help. It's just so hard to watch a friend lose their battle - right in front of your eyes. It's heartbreaking. So, please be in prayer for Georgia and her family. Please pray for peace, love and comfort as she deals with this life altering illness. Pray that she can plug in to a church that will love on her and take care of her. Mostly pray for God's timing. Let us all be open to that. Pray for Georgia!!

Flowers for Mom

Here is my latest project. J brought me some flowers that I had once used in the kitchen. I love daisies. I took advantage of the photo op and got this great shot. I used three of the flowers from the bouquet in the layout. I hope you like it.

The price of frienship...

Should there be a price on it? I think we all know the answer to that one.

Should I support a business that isn't kind to everyone? Just because personalities don't mesh? Should everyone who shops at this store walk on eggshells because one of the owners is hyper-sensitive? I'm growing weary of being told how lucky I am because other businesses wouldn't give me the same perks. What kind of perk is it to be put in the middle of a nasty situation? (And not for the first time!) Is it a perk to be talked about behind your back? Not a perk I'm interested in. I must admit. I've been just as guilty of talking about others. I hate that. It makes me feel like a hypocrite. I'm just ashamed of myself for not standing up for my friends. And by the way, what ever happened to "the customer is always right?" In this particular situation, only *certain* customers are right. The sad thing is, I think I'm a *certain* customer. I'm treated nice. That I know of. There are other days that I feel like I'm not. It depends on owners mood and what she needs from me that day. Ooooooh. I don't like the way that sounded. I feel like I need to smack myself in the head and say, "Helloooooooo??????" Can you say *being used*?

DH pointed out that anytime or any place you get a group of women together, there's going to be trouble. I think he's right. I've seen it happen more often than not. Do men have these problems? Rarely. Why can't we just mind our own business and keep our freakin' mouths shut? They just get us in trouble. It keeps me in trouble.

My solution to the problem. Hmmmm. I don't think I will withdraw all of my business there. Not that I'm a huge customer anymore, anyway. I will however commit to the following:

1. Quit walking on eggshells
2. Stand up for friends being talked about and not join in or initiate such nasty conversations
3. Not be afraid to shop at other locations or online
4. Recognize that I've been used and not allow that to happen anymore
5. Just be *kind.* Treat others the way I'd want to be treated.

If this doesn't work, I'll re-evaluate later.

I'm not an Ogre...really!

Wow, I must sound really mean. I've struck the fear into my friends. I don't mean to offend. It's just my personality. Say it like it is. It, along with my facial expressions, keeps me in trouble. For the record, you are allowed to chew gum around me. I chew gum. And I probably actually smack it sometimes. I, like Yoda, am afraid of dragon breath. So, point it out to me if I'm smacking or popping. I deserve it and will very likely get a good laugh out of it. Just don't litter. I will report you!!! Ha ha ha!!!

Don't Mess With Texas

Busted! I got someone today. When will people learn? No littering. Especially when it's one of my pet peeves. It was a cigarette butt. Don't mess with Texas!

My Day

I changed six poopy diapers today. That doesn't include the wet ones. How was your day?

Favorite Actresses

Thanks for the inspiration K. Here are my favorite actresses and my favorite movie that they are in.

1. Angelina Jolie - Mr. & Mrs. Smith
2. Bonnie Hunt - Return to Me
3. Reese Witherspoon - Sweet Home Alabama
4. Julia Roberts - Stepmom
5. Meg Ryan - When Harry Met Sally
6. Kate Hudson - How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
7. Kirsten Dunst - Mona Lisa Smile
8. Michelle Pfeiffer - Up Close and Personal
9. Julia Ormond - Legends of the Fall
10. Julie Andrews - The Sound of Music
11. Ashley Judd - Double Jeopardy
12. Julia Stiles - Save the Last Dance
13. Catherine Zeta Jones - Chicago
14. Nicole Kidman - The Interpreter
15. Annette Bening - The American President
16. Jodie Foster - The Silence of the Lambs
17. Diane Lane - Unfaithful & Under The Tuscan Sun
18. Diane Keaton - Something's Gotta Give
19. Susan Sarandon - Stepmom (I don't like her politically)
20. Sandra Bullock - Miss Congeniality

Late post...

Be sure to scroll down and look at a post from the other day. I started it on Saturday but didn't finish it until today. It's called Pet Peeves. I just don't want you to miss it. It's written from the heart!

Favorite Actors

Like the movies, but in no particular order. BTW, I can't even believe that I left Steel Magnolias and Pretty Woman off of my movie list. What was I thinking? Anyway, I've listed off my favorite actors. Some are on the list just because they are so funny or I think they are great actors. The rest are either both of the above or just because they are HOT! You figure it out... I also picked my favorite movie that he is in.

Here's the guys...

1. Harrison Ford - The Fugitive
2. Brad Pitt - Legends of the Fall
3. Matthew McConaughey ** okay, he's actually my fave!! - How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
4. Matt Damon - Oceans 11
5. Ben Affleck - Pearl Harbor or Armageddon
6. Robert Redford - Up Close and Personal
7. Michael Douglas - A Perfect Murder
8. Cuba Gooding, Jr. - Jerry Maguire
9. Denzel Washington - Man on Fire
10. Ed Harris - Stepmom
11. Heath Ledger - The Patriot
12. Richard Gere - Pretty Woman
13. Rupert Everett - My Best Friend's Wedding
14. Dermot Mulroney - The Wedding Date
15. Robert Duvall - Lonesome Dove
16. Tommy Lee Jones - Lonesome Dove & The Fugitive
17. Josh Hartnett - Pearl Harbor
18. Billy Crystal - City Slickers (both) & When Harry Met Sally
19. Kurt Russell - Backdraft
20. Robert DeNiro - Cape Fear & Meet the Parents
21. Ben Stiller - Meet the Parents
22. Mark Ruffalo - 13 Going on 30
23. Will Ferrell - Kicking & Screaming or Wedding Crashers
24. Tom Hanks - Sleepless in Seattle
25. Sean Connery - First Knight