Piggy Tales Hide n Seek Flap Book

More New Year relfections

I don't think I ever shared a photo of Savahn I took of her in her, "My First Christmas" santa hat. I love this photo. It's so darn cute!




Now, on to the business of the day.
I visited I visited Jozzie’s Blog today, which led me to Di Hickman’s blog where I found this interesting meme.

1.What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Went to CHA, had surgery for the first time.
2. What are your New Years Resolutions?
Lose weight, quit spending so much money
3. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2007?
Yes, my one and only sibling- my sister.
4. Did anyone close to you die.
Nope.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. In fact, we’ve been too busy with the house to take a vacation. The boys and I went to Texas for Thanksgiving while Eric stayed back and worked on the house. Maybe in 2008 we’ll take a vacation.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
A vacation with the family.
7. What date(s) in 2007 will remain etched in your memory and why?
I don't remember dates, I remember events/moments.
Events: My mom visiting from the Philippines and us going to the Botanical Gardens and Branson, my son turning sweet 16 and getting his first car, going to CHA for the first time and being mesmorized by Tim Holtz, holding my sweet niece for the first time, undergoing surgery for the first time.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting pubbed twice. Getting on manufacturer design teams- Hooray Piggy Tales!
9. What was your biggest failure?
Wasting time shopping and not using that time as quality time with my family.
10. Did you suffer any illness or injury?
Yes, I got my gall bladder out on Dec. 21st.
11. What was the best thing someone bought you?
My pocket digital camera- a Canon elph.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friend, Amy Birch and BFF Debbie each made me something really special.
13. Whose behavior appalled and depressed you?
Not really appalled or depressed but their actions really showed me how petty they are. And can you believe they’re church people? Which reminds me to tell you to remember to always turn your eyes towards God and away from people because God will never disappoint you.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Right now the house. Where did the other money go? Don’t even go there!
15. What did you get really, really excited about?
I was excited about CHA, and making it on the Piggy Tales Design Team.
16. What song(s) reminds you of 2007?
Anything by Rascal Flatts, James Blunt-You’re Beautiful, Rhianna- Umbrella, Fergie- Big Girls Don’t Cry, Gwen Stefani 4 in the morning, anything from August Rush.
17. Compared to last year are you...
a.) Happier or Sadder? Happier
b.) Thinner or Fatter? Fatter
c.) Richer or Poorer? Poorer. The raises can’t keep up with the inflation.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Anything, just be more productive!
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Surfing the web - what a time sink! Something I really need to limit. Oh and watching crap TV shows. (Direct quote from Di!)
20. How did you spend Christmas?
At Mike and Dani’s for lunch and watched National Treasure at the movies that night.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007.
Yes, with my new little niece- Savahn Ana-Li.
22. How many one night stands did you have?
None.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
American Idol and Extreme Home Makeover.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't this time last year?
To quote Di who quoted Laine from her entry: "Hatred is the wrong word. There are people I'm working on letting go of. But that's about as far as I'm going to go". I feel the same way. There are a couple of people who I won't be interacting with anymore, goes back to #13 really.
25. What was the best book you read?
I’m terrible. I haven’t read any books. Not even my Bible. I know. Shameful!
26. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
It must not have been anything eventful, because I can’t remember what I did. I turned 43.
27. What was your best musical discovery?
Hhhmmm…after watching August Rush, I discovered I want to learn to play the violin.
28. What did you want and get?
Published. Getting on Piggy Tales was the icing on the cake.
29. What was your favorite film of the year?
Augush Rush.
30. What did you want and not get?
Nothing.
31. What one thing would've made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More time with my mom.
32. How would you describe your fashion concept for 2007?
Just finding something that fits!
33. What kept you sane?
Sane? What’s sane?
34. Which celebrity or public figure did you admire most?
I admire people who selflessly give of themselves, namely Mother Teresa.
35. What political issue stirred you most?
Barrack Obama. I can’t believe that someone so controversial has gotten so close to being a president. What is this country coming to?
36. Who do you miss?
First and always, my Dad. Then my mom and my sister.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Met, as in real life? Probably Margie. She is the most nurturing person I’ve ever met. I wanna be her when I grow up. Then, Tim Holtz. I also enjoyed meeting Lance Anderson, Mr. Picklelicious.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned.
Trust God in everything. For example, don’t be upset if you missed a green light. That little pause just might have saved you from an accident later on down the road.
Also, I have come to the conclusion that it’s not about being published and rising to celebrity status in the scrapping world that is important. For one, I am not ambitious enough and am such a slllooooww scrapper that I don’t have enough time between family, church and work, to produce enough artistic projects to catapult me into fame, even if I had the talent (which I don’t). What’s important is the friendships that I’ve made along the way while pursuing this hobby and to nurture those relationships. This doesn’t mean I won’t continue to submit for pub, because it’s fun and exciting submitting it gives you something to look forward to. And if I submit and don’t get picked, I’ll remind myself about what’s important in the long run.

39. Quote a song line that defines your year.I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it.

If you're still here after reading all this, then I applaud you. I just wasted 30 minutes of your life you'll never get back. LOL! Seriously, thank you for caring enough to make it to the end. I love ya!

Miserable

Hi everyone!

I know I've been MIA lately. I went back to work and basketball season started up again so two nights this past week were taken up with games.

Friday night, I came down with an awful flu. I've been running fever ever since even up until today. And to make things better, the diarrhea has set in. I know. TMI! LOL!! I was hoping to get my PT project finished up and posted on my blog for all to see, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow.

Detta- thank you for checking on me. You're so sweet. I'm holding back your RAK package to send it with the puzzle piece.

Jude- I had to find the right box to mail your little goodie to you. I know I'm terrible. I hope you haven't been watching the mailbox all week! I promise, this week for sure.

Hope everyone is doing well and staying away from this flu!

I talked to Eric this evening about having a Pajama Crop (perfect for Jude!) at our new house once it gets finished. Thanks, Kara, for asking how the house is coming along. It's coming around slowly but surely. Anyway, he said he would make himself scarce whatever weekend we have it by taking the boys camping. Doesn't that sound like so much fun? It makes me more anxious to get the house finished so I can have y'all over to play!!

I'll keep you posted on it!

Theresa
XOX

The Value of Time

To realize the value of ten years:
Ask a newly divorced couple

To realize the value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize the value of one year:
Ask a student who has failed a final exam.

To realize the value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize the value of one month:
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed a train, bus or plane.

To realize the value of one-second:
Ask a person who has survived an accident.

To realize the value of a sister:
Ask someone who doesn't have one.

To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.

Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more if you can share it with someone special.

RAK from yesterday!

To everyone who commented on my post of yesterday, I'm throwing in a little something springy or valentinesy to your RAK package that I'm mailing off some time this week. It'll either be a little pack of flowers or brads or ribbon, etc.

So congrats to:
Jude
Margie
Carla
Joy
Robin

Woohoo!

Sneak Peek!

What're you working on? I'm working on my December Piggy Tales project assignment. Yes, I said December. Since I haven't felt well in over a month, I got behind on my assignment. Since my gall bladder problem is behind me, I feel like scrapping again.

I'm using the cutest album made by Piggy Tales called a Hide n Seek Flap Book. Coupled with the flap book, I decided to use an awesome pack of Spanish/English rub ons in honor of my father, who taught me Spanish. So many times, I'd ask my dad, "Daddy, how do you say, so and so, in Spanish". Now I want to pass along this knowledge to Connor.

I also used the Animal Kingdom Cricut cartridge to make the animal shapes and used chalks to bring them to life. I will post more pages of the book once I get it done!

Also, I'm getting together the "Thank You" RAK packages ready for my friends who participated in the Cumulative RAK thingy.

Liz- your 601 book will get to the PO some time this week.

Jude- I have something special for you too.

Thanks for looking. So what are you working now in this new year of fresh starts?

Reflection of goals

I made this to sit on my scrap shelf and remind me of what my goals were for 2007. It's just a bunch of little tags held together by a giant wooden paper clip that I painted to match my color scheme.

My goals were as follows:

1. Sharpen my photography skills, read my camera manual

Well, I did read my camera manual, but dozed off one too many times. I think I'm just a tad more skilled, but still alot left to learn.

2. Spend only $20 a week on scrappy supplies- I mean it!!
Well, I failed miserably in this department. I think it'll go back on the list for 2008
3. Quit putting scrappy supplies above personal needs. Each month buy yourself a new bra, a new pair of panties, etc.
I did pretty good on this one.
4. Submit at least one item per month for publication.
I did not follow through on this one. After I got published, I kinda lost interest, but I think it'll go on the list again for 2008.
5. Make at least 5 Christmas cards a month.
I exceeded this goal. I think I made close to to 70 but lost count. I know I sent about 100 handmade cards this year.
6. RAK something each month.
I'm pretty sure I reached this goal too. It'll go back on the list for '08 too! (Lucky you, those reading this blog!)
7. Enter SOY contest this year if there is one.
Oops! I forgot about this goal. I will change this one to Memory Makers Master. Anyone care to join me on this goal?

So, how'd you do? Have you made a little scrappy something like I did to set your goals for '08? If so, link us to it so we can see!!

One last post for 2007

Just popped in to say that I hope everyone had a great 2007 and looking forward to 2008. We're home and getting ready for bed.

Do you have any resolutions for 2008? What are your favorite memories from 2007?

I hope everyone has a safe and blessed year ahead!

A Christmas Layout

I took this photo of Connor last year and have been waiting for the right time to scrap it. I entered this in a contest and won $50 prize package!! Woohoo!! You can also find it in the Basic Grey gallery!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

The best thing about Christmas this year is that Connor still believes in the magic of Christmas and Santa Claus. I just love his wide-eyed innocence. I wish it could last forever.

Some funny things that Connor's said this holiday season-

Sunday, we went over to Eric's mom's house so all the kids and grandkids could open their presents from her. Well, one of Eric's favorite memories of Christmas was his mom's cut-out cookies, so her friend Brenda's daughter, Rachel, who is a childhood friend of Eric went on Ebay and got Eric the original cookie cutters still in the package that are the same as the ones Shirley used when she made those cookies. So yesterday, we're driving around in the car and I hear a little voice in the back seat ask, "Mommy, did Daddy get cookie cutters for Christmas?" I said, "Yes". He thinks about it a second and replies, "Pathetic". LOLOLOL!!! I guess he doesn't think cookie cutters are a cool gift for a man. LOL!!

Then a little while later as I was sitting wrapping Shirley's gift, Connor's sitting on the floor next to me and his little wheels are just a turnin'. All of a sudden he says, "I hope I don't get a sweater for Christmas. I DO NOT need any more clothes, especially a sweater!" Ha ha ha..!

We had a great Christmas. Connor got all sorts of goodies- a couple Nerf guns, a light-etching draweing board, a kiddie MP3 player, a Fisher-Price digital camera (following in mom's footsteps), a pogo stick type thing, Magnetix, Rataouille movie, Trouble game and flash cards.

Ryan got 2 months of his car insurance paid for him, three $20 gas cards, a beanie from Hollister and gift cards to the movies.

For Josh, I just gave him money to spend how he chooses. Hopefully he won't spend it on his freeloading girlfriend, but don't tell him I said that. Urrgghhh....More on that some other time.

I got Eric a GPS I found on sale at Toys R Us of all places, and a portable table saw, which he's been eyeballing for months but would never buy for himself. Leave it to the shopaholic to break down and fork over the big bucks for it. It's a gift for the whole family since he'll use it to build our house. Oh, I almost forgot- a two pound box of See's Candies, but don't tell him I really bought it for myself! Hee hee!!

I got a new Canon Elph pocket camera and a beloved Mrs. Beasley doll. I had one when I was a little girl in the '60's. We lost it in the move from the Philippines and I've always wanted another one. I found her through Ashton-Drake. It's a remake of the original, but I love her just the same. I don't know how to transfer photos from the new Canon to the computer but when I do, I'll show you pictures of Mrs. Beasley and the pathetic Christmas Cookie Cutters. LOL!

I hope everyone is happy, healthy and blessed this Christmas!!

I'm ok!

The gall bladder surgery went off without a hitch, but not without a stitch, hee, hee!!

Yesterday I was so sick from the morphine. Everytime I opened my eyes, the room was spinning which made me so nauseas. Then late last night I had the worst hangover, ha ha complete with splitting headache. Today I feel much better- no nausea or headache, but I'm really sore.

Thanks to everyone who's been praying for me.

I'm having surgery tomorrow

Hi everyone,



I may not be up to blogging for the next few days due to having my gall bladder taken out. If I don't talk to you before then, I hope everyone has a blessed, safe and Merry Christmas!!

Love you all!
Theresa

Look at what Deb made for me!

Isn't she the best? I'm so blessed to have such great friends, and especially to have Deb as a BFF!!!

OMGOSH!! We have a WINNER!!!!

Guess who the winner is?? ME!! I'm the winner!! I got an "all clear" on my re-mammogram today!! YES!! I'm so happy! But you know what really surprised me was how relieved Eric was when I told him the good news. He actually took me to the hospital today to get my tests done. When I came back and told him they confirmed it was a shadow on the first test, he hugged me really tight and kissed me. I've never seen him act like this. LOL! I joked with him telling him he's only happy that now I won't be so sick that he has to honor the "in sickness and in health" vow and have to wipe my butt for me. LOLOLOL!!!! OK. That's my twisted sense of humor. LOL!!


I'm also so happy that I got all my cards addressed and stamped!! I actually got 165 cards done and most of them were handmade:







Now, the moment you've all been waiting for!!!!!
I worked on the cumulative RAK today. I used an excel spreadsheet to help me get the correct number of names for each person in the drawing!

Here's how I decided to make it fair. Everyone gave me their post counts. I made a ballot for each count you told me for your name. Then I had Connor draw names until he drew the same name twice!

Drawing 1:

Drawing 2:













Drawing 3:

Drawing 4:

Drawing 5:

























Drawing 6:
















Drum Roll Please!!!!



The winner is



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It's a little blurry... I got excited when Connor picked the name and moved!!!

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KELLY!!!

Y'all don't feel bad. Kelly had 145 posts! Odds were in her favor.

I'm sending everyone who played a little sumpin sumpin for playing so don't feel bad. Ok?

I'll be doing this again so please continue to visit. You never know when the next RAK will be!! I'm thinking about doing another Cumulative RAK every three or four months, so stay tuned!!
Congrats, Kelly!! Happy dancin' in your honor!

Is everyone's count in?

Comment on this thread and let me know for sure if your count is in.

So far, this is who I have down for the running on the RAK:

Cheryl P
Cheryl Y
Carla
Deb
Kelly
Morgan
Sollie
Christine
Carla
Margie
Robin
Kara
Joz

If I missed your name, send it to me now!!!

Updates

Hi all my loved ones. Thanks for your prayers, thoughts and concerns.

After a long day for running to Washington to the doctor, pre-registering at the hospital for surgery and then running back home in time to make Dezi's 6th birthday party, I finally have an update on my condition. I am scheduled to have my gall bladder taken out next Friday. I am scheduled to have my left breast reanalyzed on Tuesday. So next week will be alot of poking and prodding on me!

Now, what you all have been waiting for- I have to sift through my emails to find everyone's post counts. Please email me if you haven't done so already. It doesn't look like I'll be able to get the box out by noon tomorrow as I planned because I haven't put everything together for Connor to draw a winner. I will try to wrap things up by Sunday and get the box out by Monday. So stay tuned. I'll try to get Debbie over here as a witness to keep me honest. Not that I'd pick favorites, because you are all my favorites.

Everyone will get a little something from me, so there will only be winners- NO losers! Ok??

I'll write back soon!

Prayers again please

Gosh, I hate to keep pestering my friends and family for prayers, but last night Eric took me to the emergency room because something was seriously wrong with my stomach. I was in excruciating pain and didn't know what was wrong with me. Come to find out, I have 3-4 gallstones in my gall bladder and am afraid I'll have to have surgery to have my gall bladder removed. I have an appointment tomorrow at 12:15 to see the surgeon. I'm not worried about it as this thing happens to so many people and it's a common procedure anymore. I guess this is the right time to give up fatty, fried foods. Darn. Ha ha....

Gosh I feel like I'm falling apart! LOL!

I wasn't going to say anything, but I really need your support

I was just going to wait to see how I did in this contest, but I got to thinking, if my friends rallied around me and left me some love on my layout contest entry, I might have a shot at a free trip to CHA.

So, if it's not too much trouble, would you please go here and leave me some love?

http://ebbscrapbooking.com/Forums/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=1776

Thanks so much for your love and support. I really wanna win so I can go and work for Piggy Tales and have my expenses covered.

Cumulative Rak help

Don't forget to count up your posts for the grand finale. Don't be discouraged about counting up your posts. It's super easy, but time consuming. Just start by going here. Count the number of times you commented on this thread. Then open the next thread right above this one and count your comments there and so on.
To find old posts, look to the right on my blog on the side bar. Scroll towards the bottom of the page under Blog Archive. It has all the posts there month to month. Click on there and count up your comments per thread. Then email me your count. It's that easy. But as I said, it could take a bit of time.

I'll try to send each of you who plays a little something, so be sure you send me your count.

Thanks!

I'm in love with Tim Holtz

I know that's no big secret to all my friends who know me well. Right now, Tim is doing 12 Tags of Christmas. Every day for 12 days, he's doing tutorials on 12 beautiful tags plus he's giving away the most awesome RAK prizes!!

Visit him on his blog here:

http://timholtz.typepad.com/my_weblog/

You can find just about everything he's demo-ing at this store:

http://www.blockheadstamps.com/sheets_christmas.html


I can't wait to see him again. I wanna be him when I grow up.