Gotta even things out!

OK, after such a grumpy post on Wednesday, I will try to be more upbeat today. Thanks to everyone who left comments or emailed me about my grumpy mood. You are all so sweet.

One of the boards that I go to asked the question "Why do you scrapbook?" I had to really stop and think about that one. When I was first introduced to scrapbooking the pull was to create a lasting legacy for my boys, in a fun and creative way. I wanted to tell their, and my life story. I think as time has gone on, however, the reason I keep doing it has changed. I really enjoy my pictures and playing with them and trying to present them in a fun and cool way. I enjoy the creative outlet that this hobby allows me. I'm not a real crafty person, but this is a way in which I can express myself with those who mean the most to me. I enjoy reliving the memories of the pictures while I work on a page and when I look through my albums. I also enjoy the social aspect to scrapbooking. I love getting together with my friends and family to play. I love chatting about the newest products and the hottest techniques. I love being with people who share the love for the hobby. Now, it is just a bonus that I'm creating a legacy to leave my family.


This is the last layout that I completed. These pictures were taken at Myrtle Beach in July.


These were also taken in July at a family reunion.

I'm in a bit of a foul mood today so I'm going to appologize in advance for my negative post today. I just feel like being grumpy so I'm going to share it with you, LOL!

These are 10 of my scrapping pet peeves and things I just dont't get:

1. I don't get the altered CD thing. I mean, it's a circle and you cover it up. So why use a CD? why don't you just alter a circle if you must??

2. mini albums. OK! I said it. I can see doing a couple of these to have around, or for gifts, but I don't get doing tons of mini albums on a million different topics. What do you do with them all? I'll bet that they are all just thrown into a box somewhere to be stored.

3.I know a lot of people are going to go into heart failure over this one, but I don't see what people like about Basic Grey paper. I don't mind some of them, to be honest, but most of them I find ugly. Especially the ones with the big patterns.

4. Brackets! {}

5. Too much distressing. I know this is my own personal preference. I don't mind seeing the odd layout that's distressed, but I got a little tired of seeing everything being distressed. I know I'm a clean, linear scrapbooker and am in the minority right now.

6. Digital layouts. OK. Let me explain. I love seeing digital layouts and trying to figure how I could scraplift it with paper and glue. They are beautiful and I know that a lot of work goes into them as well. What bothers me is when you see a digi layout online somewhere and the person doesn't say that it is a digi layout. There have been times when I've sat and looked at a layout trying to figure out the products and how they did the technique only to realize that it was done on the computer.

7. Another personal preference. Blossoms!!! I hate blossoms! (ggod thing I have boys, eh?)

8. Scrapbookers who live to get published. We all know who they are.

9. techniques that take a long time to do.

10. Bulky embellishments.

OK. I feel better now. Off to scrapbook.

Changing the Video

Streaming music videos from mvstream.com

What a lazy Sunday afternoon.

After spending sometime on my computer surfing, I thought I'd better go and check to see what everyone else in my family was doing. This is what I found!


I found John sleeping (surprise, surprise!)

This is what he should have been doing ... working on getting his entertainment centre put together and organized.

Matt was watching cartoons on TV. (I guess 15 or not, a boy never tires of a good thing!)

This is what Matt should be doing. Studying!! For a History test!!

Spencer was playing on the computer.

Need I say more??

Cameron was caught red-handed playing in Dad's work room!

OK! So he doesn't have a whole lot that he's supposed to be doing. His mess is not so messy right now.

Grandma's visiting, so she can do anything she feels like doing. ...especially since she did some of my ironing this morning. Thanks, Grandma!


No picture of me BLOGGING, but I should be scrapbooking or cleaning. Instead, I'm going to take Cameron to the toy store so he can spend his birthday money.

OK. Here are the pics of my new room.

I'm finally all done. I hung the new cutains, and got a few more things and then took some pics. I had to come up with something that hid everything away from sight as this room is on the main floor and I didn't want it to look like a craft room.



This is as you walk into the room. It's on our main floor and it's a small room. I was a little nervous about fitting all my stuff in, but I did it. ...with lots of room to spare.



This is my desk and computer.



The boys' computer which has to be in the same room for homework.



The cube shelf from IKEA



Another IKEA shelf.



Paper storage.

So there it is. My new room. So why am I on the computer, and not cranking out the layouts??

Your Career Type: Social

You are helpful, friendly, and trustworthy. Your talents lie in teaching, nursing, giving information, and solving social problems. You would make an excellent: Counselor - Dental Hygienist - Librarian Nurse - Parole Officer - Personal Trainer Physical Therapist - Social Worker - Teacher The worst career options for your are realistic careers, like truck driver or farmer.

What's Your Ideal Career?

I took this online quiz about my ideal job. Very interesting and so true. Before I stayed home with the boys, I worked with people who are mentally handicapped. I really miss it some days.

Good thing my ideal job isn't a truck driver!!!!

The MIL is here for the weekend!

OK, some people may cower in fear at just hearing that statement, but I'm actually very lucky in that I have a great Mother-in-law. She's not the meddling type. The boys love having her around, and I just find it easier when she comes to visit us rather than all of us go to visit her in her apartment. The boys are happier and I'm not stressed. The plan is for John, MIL and I to go out to a movie tonight. A movie that doesn't contain Disney anywhere in the title!!! I'm looking forward to it.

My new scrapbook room is almost done. I'm all moved in, painted, organized, and accessorized. Pretty much all I need to do is to buy new curtains.

I bought all my new furniture from IKEA. John also bought a huge new entertainment unit to house his big screen TV, all the components, videos, CDs, ...everything. This came from IKEA as well. We have been up to our necks in IKEA boxes, nuts, bolts, etc trying to get it all together. When all is said and done, I don't think I'll be buying any more IKEA furniture for a very long time!!

Here's a layout I did over the summer. As soon as the nice weather hits, Cameron sheds his shoes and we have a hard time keeping them on his feet.

I figured that once school was in that I would have ample time again to keep my BLOG. So what's happened? I don't really have a reason except that I just haven't done it.

School is in full swing now. Everyone has settled back into a routine. We are having some struggles with Matthew, homework, and anxiety. I was hoping that this year would be a good one, but it doesn't look like that's happening. I've already met with his teachers after he had a total shut down at school one day. The good news is that one of his teachers, his history teacher, has a 14 year old son who has nonverbal learning disorder and knows exactly what we all are dealing with.

I finally convinced John into letting me trade spaces with him. He had a main floor study which he never used and my scrapping room was in the basement. He's moved down stairs and I've come up. I've just finished making the move and actually scrapbooked yesterday. I still have a little organizing to do, but for the most part I'm done. Hopefully I will get a lot more done now!

Here's a layout that I did over the summer of my neice. Isn't she cute???

Occasionally I go to a site that has some very thought provoking questions. One of the questions that I read today was "what 5 changes would you like to make over the next 5 years?"

Hmmmmmm ....
The first, of course, would be around my children. Five years from now two of my boys will be off in university and totally in control of their own lives. The third one will be entering his teen years. I tend to be a very involved mother, maybe sometimes too involved. I would like to take a step back from their lives and allow them to be able to blossom into wonderful, independant young men. I want to be able to watch them from the sidelines and yet share in their joys and sorrows, without being controlling.

The second change would involve my relationship with my husband. Now that the boys are getting older, it's time that we spend more time and energy on our own relationship.

Thirdly, I would love to see myself in better physical shape. Over the past years, it hasn't been a priority of mine, but lately I've realized that I need to spend that time on myself and keep myself healthy and active.

The fourth thing would be that I contiue to build on my self esteem. Ever since I was small I've been a bit of an approval junkie. As I get older, however, I've become more confident and comfortable in my own skin. I am who I am.

Lastly, I would like to see myself giving more time and energy to volunteering of some sort. I need to look outside my own family and confortable little world and give to others.

Well, we made it through the first day of school. The night before, Cameron had a stomach ache. I knew it was due to anxiety. Spencer was a little nervous, too. All three had the longest faces I've ever seen.

It was hard to get them all out of bed yesterday morning, but they eventually got up, dressed, and out the door on time. Spencer wanted to ride his bike with his friend so I just drove Cameron. He lightened up a little when he saw a couple of friends. Then, he found out who his teacher was. His teacher is a young guy. A cool guy. Cameron was grinning from ear to ear and then said "OK, bye Mom!" I know he's going to enjoy his teacher this year.

Spencer ended up in a 7/8 split which he's not too happy aobut. We're not, thrilled, either, but I said that it's a testement to what kind of student he is. There are only 10 grade 8s and they are self starters and require very little teacher intervention. I hope he's fine.

Myself, I spent the morning running back and forth to Matt's school. Apparently they have to actually go through registration before they can go to class, even though they are already attending that school. We finally got him registered and he went off to class and I went home to pack my things and head out to the Scrapbook store to play with my friends.

When Matt came home he told me that he was already picked on! His first day of school, and it has started already. Matt has Nonverbal Learning Disorder which means that he has a lot of difficulties relating to others. Basically, he doesn't get all the non-verbal communication. As a result, he's been the target of bullying throughout his school career. Here we are, day one of grade 10, and it has started already!!!