Decorating Christmas cookies has been a tradition in our family since I was little. How precious it is to see this tradition continue. Meg & Jim always look forward to spending time with Grandmama…but getting to decorate and eat cookies plus learn a few life lessons while doing so is a bonus treat for all~!
All I wanted for my birthday was to be able to spend it with my kids. I am happy to say that wish was granted~! =) Jim flew in from Arizona on Friday evening and Meg and Jeff drove down Saturday morning. So we had almost ALL of Saturday to spend together...precious~! Jim put up all the Kincade houses and Meg added baby Jesus to the manger scene...the Christmas decorations are finally complete~! =) My sweetie arranged an AMAZING dinner at Mr A's~!! We had a gorgeous corner table where we could look out over the San Diego skyline and watch the festivities at Balboa Park and see all the planes land...fortunately they all landed on the runway =) We came home and played a crazy game of charades. Nothing like family love and laughter to make a birthday or for that matter... any day... truly special. My hope for you today is that all your wishes come true as well~!
What better time of the year to be filled with joy than the Advent season. And who better to fill my life with joy than my kids. I love how one minute they can be sooooo totally serious and the very next moment they are totally out of control and being sooooo silly...it just cracks me up =) So let us all bring good tidings of great joy and laughter to everyone we meet this Christmas season~
Gathering around the Thanksgiving table and sharing what we are thankful for this year was such a blessing. Michael was thankful for his continued good health...Jeff was thankful for the friends they have made at their new church...Meg was thankful for her new job...Jim was also thankful for his new job and his ~family~ out in Arizona and I am sooooooooo very thankful for my little family and also VERY thankful that we have a house to celebrate our Thanksgiving in~! What are you thankful for?
I have sooooo many things to be thankful for this year... faith... family ...friends.... a home... just waaaay too many to list but I am truly thankful for them all and take none of them for granted. So I'd like to wish you and yours a most blessed Thanksgiving~! And hands off the sweet potatoes...they are mine~! =)
The sun is shining...the birds are singing...and it all just makes me smile =) And what makes me smile even more is that I get to see the kids this weekend...big time bonus~! Jim and Cassie are arriving Friday night..of course they will be spending most of the weekend at Disneyland =) But still we get to see them~!! Then we are going to visit Meg and Jeff on Sunday... plus we get to hear Jeff preach...double bonus~! So you see...it all just makes me smile =) so I hope you find something to smile about today as well~! =) =) =)
This layout is getting a lot of attention lately and I really have no idea just why!? Seems to always be the case, the layout I think is just so-so everyone seems to rave about and the ones I really like no one else does. Might say something about my taste I suppose =) This is another hybrid layout I made for Krystal Hartley's Creative Ensemble using some of her digital elements. It was one I honestly just threw together cause I had been working on it when we got the evacuation call and I literally just left it sitting on top of my computer. When we came back, there were ashes all over it...which you can tell if you look reaaaal close. So I just rather threw it together to meet the deadline. But Memory Makers Magazine didn't seem to mind and they showed it on their web page Idea Gallery as the ~Idea of the Day~ for November 4th and then sent it out in an email as ~Inspiring Page Ideas~ on November 6th. But attention for whatever reason is better than no attention at all =)
Look what popped up in our garden a few days ago. A brand new rose bud blossoming out of the blue. It's waaaaaay past the time our rose bushes bloom, in fact they have already been pruned back. So for this little flower to pop up after the all recent wind damage and ashes that have fallen in our yard is truly a miracle. So today, let's all find a way to put the past behind us and look to the future and so we can blossom and grow. For I have living proof that out of ashes come roses~
I thought it rather appropriate for ~All Saint's Day~ to post a picture of Bono. Not that I would nominate the chap for sainthood...but his goal to end poverty and AIDS in third world countries is a rather saintly aspiration in my opinion. The other night Meg & I had the honor and privilege of hearing him speak of these issues up close and personal. These are just a few quotes from his talk and if they do not make you stop and think...well then something is definitely wrong...
I recently had to find out very quickly what I treasured most in my life. I'm not sure if you can tell from this picture...but that orange glow is a fire that is coming close to our back yard. Just like the one three years ago, the Santa Ana winds came and all the dry brush ignited and was quick to spread. And when we got the reverse 911 call that called for our mandatory evacuation, we were ready. Fortunately we made our ~list~ three years ago and knew what to pack. But in all honesty...how do you decide in the matter of minutes what you treasure? When you sit down and think about it...the answer is relatively easy. Without a doubt knowing Meg & Jim were already safe and Michael was right there beside me gave me true peace of mind. And to quote him ~the rest is just stuff~ But some of our ~stuff~ is so sentimental and totally irreplaceable there is no way to put a price tag on it. So we packed pictures and videos...pointe shoes and track medals...love letters and a wedding dress...teddy bears and scrapbooks...the sum total of almost 30 years of marriage treasures stuffed into 2 cars. And driving north to Todd's house...not knowing if our house would be standing when we returned... it all didn't seem to matter. Because the most treasured thing is not a thing at all. It is the people we love. And being surrounded by loved ones is the most treasured gift we have been given...so talk to them...hug them...kiss them...each and every day...for you never know what tomorrow might bring~
Well here it is...my very first all digital layout~! What brought on this inspiration? Well, I am now a member of Krystal Hartley's Creative Ensemble...woohoo~! Krystal makes digital page kits so as part of my ~duties~ I get to play and create with these kits...how cool is that~!?!?! So I plan to use the elements in her kits with my traditional scrapbooking style...what is known in scrapbook lingo as ~hybrid~ pages... traditional paper scrapbooking combined with digital... I do not see myself ever giving my paper scrapbooking cause I love that touchy feely aspect of playing with all my supplies. But this layout took me all of 5 minutes to create... where as normally it takes me hours to decide on paper and embellishments... etc... sooooo....we shall see how this all transpires. So stay tuned as I have fun experimenting and I do my part for the enivironment and go hybrid =)
Life is full of treats. Like while talking to Jim on the home phone, the cell phone rings and it's Meg... big treat~! Like the beautiful sunny days that allow me to drive along the beach with the top down on my T-bird and wave to the waves... big treat~! Like having days off from work that allow me sleep in and then spend the rest of the day scrapbooking...big treat~! Like Friday night date nights with Michael...big treat~! Life is full of treats...you just have to look for them cause they might be tricky =) 
Michael & I went to dinner at a friends house in La Jolla on Saturday and this was the view of the Pacific Ocean from their front window. The beautiful radiant sun was just about to set and it was truly breathtaking~! I told our friends that if our house was this close to the ocean I would never get any work done~! Sadly they said that after awhile you just get used to it. A timely reminder not to take anything of God's blessings for granted and enjoy the radiance of the beauty around us~
Some rather major disappointments in life lately. Both scrapbooking and work related ... just trying to find my niche in life and enjoy the ride in the process~ So I spent most of today sitting in my garden ... listening to the birds sing and the fountain gurgle, trying to regroup and regain focus about the important things in my life. And I looked over and there was ~Nigel~ peeking thru the flowers and staring back at me. And I thought back to all the times that these silly gnomes have brightened up my life. From watching the movies Full Monty and Amelie...to watching Meg take a picture with one outside Buckingham Palace and most recently watching Jim try to make ~Henry the talking gnome~ ...talk~ For some unknown reason...these little guys just make me smile. Perhaps it's their constant grins or their silly little red hats...whatever it is I am glad for the temporary bliss I feel when looking at them and knowing all may not be fair and right with the world...but thru it all you can at least smile~
Fall is here... whether I like it or not. The nights are getting cooler, there is a crispness in the air... all the Halloween decorations are out... well actually they are all on sale and the Christmas decorations are out...so that really means it is fall =) This is not my most favorite time of year. I am a California girl all the way and I love my sunshine~ I love sitting outside in my garden and enjoying the sunshine. I love strolling along the beach and feeling the waves tickle my toes. Fortunately, being in California, fall does not mean an end to these things...it just means you have to do them with a sweater on = ) Fall also means it's getting closer to the holidays which means I get to see Meg & Jim more. Always a bonus~ This is a picture from a visit to Jim in Arizona. Fall in the desert is a welcome thing as it means an end to the scorching heat. And then there are those that live back east and have snow. So I guess in reality, falling into fall in So Cal is not such a bad thing...but I still like the sunshine =)~
I rarely talk about my ~real~ job as a Clinical Microbiologist cause after all this blog is supposed to be about scrapbooking ...but just like other aspects of my life end up on my scrapbook pages this too will make its way to a layout. Today I received a box of See's candies along with a thank you note that said this: To the unsung hero of Microbiology, Thank you for your hard work and expertise. Because of you I have escaped the numerous tests the interns had planned and I am making a slow but steady recovery.Thank you! It was so nice to be finally diagnosed! Debra W. (Brucella patient) I had identified this organism from one of her cultures and called our infectious disease doctor who set about getting her on the right course of treatment. I have to say that after working in this field for over 30 years, getting candy..let alone a thank you note...was a first. I was truly humbled by her gratitude, for after all this is my job. But her going out of her way to thank me made me wonder... just how many people affect our lives and we never bother to thank them? So today...I am going to show my gratitude by giving thanks...to someone who least expects it but more than deserves it~
Ever wonder what those ~Important Websites~ that are listed on my blog over there~~~~> are for? This is my way of turning my compassion into some kind of action. Our pastor once talked in his sermon about ~Passionaries~ These are people who transform their compassionate visions into positive actions that significantly change the lives of others. I have often wondered... How can one person like me really make a difference? Well I found a good way to start is to break out of my little insulated bubble of a life and start supporting causes that I truly agree with not only spiritually but financially. Some I joined for very personal reasons...like Livestrong because my father had testicular cancer and (RED) because of Meg's experience on her mission trip to Uganda. I joined ONE because I was soooo impressed with Bono's work at not being a typical rock star but setting a ~passionary~ example himself. But ok I joined Oxfam cause Colin Firth supported it but hey it is a worthy cause =)~ In addition to these causes...I am trying to be a good steward in my shopping as well. I recently bought Jeff a shirt to support the musicians fund in New Orleans and Meg a shirt to support Teachers and Education. I figure if I can purchase some item that part of the proceeds goes to a worthy cause vs. just buying an item for the heck of it...the worthy cause wins every time. And it is having a trickle down affect on my children. This past Christmas Jim bought me an ornament that supported breast cancer and Meg bought Michael and I a candle for our anniversary that supported Elton John's AIDS fund. Wouldn't it be an amazing thing if everyone became a passionary and we ran out of causes to support~! ~and I think to myself...what a wonderful world~
I don't think anyone can forget where they were the moment they heard the news about the planes hitting the towers Such a sad day that was...I was at work when I heard the news report on the radio. Suddenly we heard ~CODE CD~ over the loud speaker. Susan and I looked at one another in confusion cause that was a new code for us...we actually had to go look it up in the safety manual. But what it stood for was Code Civil Disorder...and we were basically in lock down. No one could go in or out of the hospital til they established a security check point at the main entrance. Have to say that was the most unsettling feeling for me. Not being able to leave when I wanted to and go home to my family. So I called Michael who was still at home and getting ready to leave for court. He had not heard any of what happened. Typical man...I think he thought I was over reacting =) But the minute the judge walked in and cancelled court he realized this was something big. I then called Jim's school to see what their plan for the day was and they kept them there in a semi-lock down and watched the events unfold on the TV all day. Meg was at UCI training to be an RA in her dorms, so she was on her hall all by herself. I was fine til I talked to her and she was rather freaked out being alone. Which rather freaked me out too. Fortunately Todd lives about a mile from the campus so she spent the next few days staying with him and his family. Being at the hospital all day, I all had were radio reports...tho some people snuck into patient rooms to watch the TV. So I really did not have a visual picture to go with all the news. I thought when they said the tower fell, they meant that little radio tower on top of the building. So when I got home, Jim was there watching the news. Since he had been watching it all day at school, he knew what I was in for and warned me saying ~Mom, you really don't want to watch it~ Which scared me even more. But I knew I had to cause this was history in the making. And after seeing it all on the news for myself, I still could not believe what I was seeing~! It was a time of disbelief...a time to hold your dear ones closer ...a time of lost innocence...and a time to remember all those who lost their lives. So for me today...6 years later...I am going to hold my dear ones even closer and remember all of God's blessings He has bestowed on my life~
Why...that is the big question... Why do I scrapbook? It's not for the fame or the fortune... obviously =) It's for preserving those precious memories passed down from generation to generation. To keep the family history alive by being able to tell a story thru pictures and a few words is rather an amazing thing. This layout rather sums it all up. When my older brother was born...his baby book was filled out in minute detail every aspect of his growing up... but then I came along 18 months later...all that was written in my baby book was ~shape of head is cute~ =) Now being a mom I totally understand that having two kids under the age of two is quite the handful...and my mom is not the best family historian... but I want my children and their children to know all about their family... past and present...so talking to relatives...getting the facts and the legends written down for future generations is a privilege and an honor...and a fun creative mess making project too =) so THAT is WHY I scrapbook =) 
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord. Psalm 121:1-2... recently I have been submitting some of my layouts to a certain Christian scrapbooking site... I liked the products they sold and hey they published some of my layouts =) But recently they underwent a new design format that I found really disturbing... their new symbol is a crossfire of a gun site... and the whole theme for their forum is now military based... hmmm...I liked the cute nonviolent purple cross they had before =) I really do not associate my scrapbooking with anything violent whatsoever...and when I wrote to them to tell them my concern... I got a really bizarre response justifying their new symbol...so after praying about it...I have decided not to visit that site anymore...which makes me kinda sad...not because they have published my pages...but because I like putting my faith onto my layouts and this gave me the opportunity to share that...for doing so is not always welcome in the world of mainstream scrapbooking...who knew scrapbooking could test ones faith~
My color for today is blue...I did not make the Design Team I submitted a page for... I did not make SOY... and I did not make MMM ...I keep telling myself that I do NOT scrapbook because I want the fame and fortune....but I admit a little validation in what I do would be nice...so right now my validation is coming from my family who love and appreciate the layouts and albums and cards that I have been creating...and bottom line they are the ones that I am scrapbooking for...so that makes my color for today turn into a bright blue =)
We are just back from a 2 week vacation... Michael had a conference in Salt Lake City... so I went along for the ride =) Jim flew in for the weekend and he and I hit the local roller coaster park... what else? Then Michael and I headed off on a road trip... We went to Moab... hiked to Delicate Arch... my knee will never be the same... then headed off to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon where we saw lots of wildlife and some amazing vistas like the one here... then we went to Flagstaff where we spent our honeymoon almost 29 years ago and then to Tucson to meet up with Jim again and get pampered at La Paloma...fun times...and I ~only~ took 800 pictures =) Now comes the process of printing them out and scrapbooking them...not much new on the scrapbooking front...tho I came back to a mailbox message to try out for the Design Team from the one place that has published some of my layouts...maybe God has something new and refreshing on the horizon =)
Since today is opening day at the Del Mar Race Track...I figured I would post a layout I did waaaaaaay back in 2003...I have to say I still like it...tho I notice I didn't write any journaling... what's up with that?!? =) Today was also the day I mailed off my layouts for MMM 2008 and entered a layout for Becky's Sketch column...so it was quite the creative day~
I miss my kids~! =( But the good news is that they will both be home for a visit this weekend yaya~! Jim will be flying in on Thursday to be the best man at his best friends wedding and Meg and Jeff will arrive sometime Saturday afternoon. So there will be a small window of time that they will all be here together yayaya~! I have been busy putting together layouts for SOY and MMM...I am keeping with my promise to only use the supplies I have on hand and its kinda fun to see just how they are all coming together with a little bit of this and a little bit of that =) For some good news...I had a few layouts published in Faithfully Yours...I'm glad someone likes my scrapbooking style =) anyway... off to get ready for a visit from the kids...yayaya~! =)
Happy Memorial Day~! I thought the best way to commemorate this special day would be to include a picture of my dad in his navy uniform... he's the handsome tall one on the left =) He joined the Navy after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and was in the Battle of Leyte Gulf...fortunately he survived or I wouldn't be here =) He was a signalman and got to wave around those brightly colored flags to send directions and codes to other ships... rather cool job I think =) Sometimes I think we forget just how much we owe these men for all the personal freedoms that we have today. I truly DO thank God in all my remembrance of you daddy and others like you. So remember to make this Memorial Day a memorable one~ 
Happy Mother's Day~! What a great day *I* had~! I started off the morning with a lovely gift certificate to my fave scrapbooking store from my sweetie... then we headed off to church to join as new members... then off to the Santa Ana Country Club for a wonderful Mother's Day brunch...the place was decorated quite differently than for Meg & Jeff's wedding but it was still quite festive and it brought back lots of happy memories for everyone~! Had a nice brunch with the entire family...except Jim =( but I got a really nice phone call from him so that was ~almost~ as good as him being there... Meg gave me a darling picture hanging and some gnome things =) in addition to a most touching card that I plan on using the idea in some scrapbook layout... and on the scrapbooking front...I made my mom an album for Mother's Day of all the things we did for her recent 80th birthday... of course I forgot to scan any pages before I gave it to her... grrr.... but the papers I used were from Club Scraps Mothers Tribute if you want to check them out...so it was great being with MY mumsy and being A mumsy on Mother's Day =)
My kids truly crack me up~! Talk about hamming for the camera ... no wonder I have such great photos to scrapbook ... for they are always doing something silly or crazy... gee wonder who they take after?!?! =) But in these crazy times... it's good to sit back and just be silly and laugh...enjoy life to its fullest and be truly thankful for all of God's blessings... and fortunately I can always look to my kids for that inspiration...thanks Meg and Jim for ALL the laughter and the joy you bring into my life...love ya lots~!!! 
Happy Easter~! The Easter Bunny left me this cute little present .... They sing and dance ~At The Hop~ with the little frog croaking out... hop.. hop.. hop.... cracks me up every time I listen to it =) We had a very quiet Easter... went to a beautiful service at our church... great sermon and amazing music... tho next time I will remember to sit further from the Easter Lilies.... ahchoo~! =) Spent the rest of the day switching between watching King of Kings or Jesus of Nazareth... they were on network tv... so we changed channels during commercials =) We also watched the movie Happy Feet...which the Easter Bunny left for Michael... cute movie with a great message... no scrapbooking today... tho yesterday I did finish a layout to submit for Becky's sketch...but today was a day to rejoice in the Risen Lord~!! 
A very blessed Easter one and all... We went to a very moving Maundy Thursday service last night... the choir sang ~The Rose of Calvary~ and it had some of the most beautiful songs and very touching lyrics... Easter will be just Michael and I this year... I sure hope the Easter bunny still comes =) I have been busy organizing my scrapbook room... trying to put things away in an orderly fashion but still close at hand so I don't have to dig for them... I'd like to think I'm making progress =) Not sure if I'm going to enter the SOY contest... but if I do... I decided I'm just going to use the supplies at hand and not buy anything new... now that will be a challenge =) These pages are from an Easter book I made...it starts with Meg's very first Easter and continues on to the present...how fun to look back and see how Meg & Jim have changed over the years... So here's wishing everyone a most blessed Easter this year~!
Happy 26th birthday Meg~! Wow its REALLY hard to imagine she is 26...even *I* remember being 26 years old =) We had a fun day celebrating with her and Jeff and quite a few other people at the happiest place on earth... Disneyland~! =) What a fun time we had~! Meg got a special birthday button, 2 phone calls from Goofy, birthday congrats from quite a few cast members and even a special song from one. We got to see some new changes to a few rides, dine at the Blue Bayou for dinner and enjoy the fireworks... what a way to celebrate~! =) I made this page for Meg after she came back from Uganda... I am still in awe over her dedication and faith to make this amazing faith journey... So Happy Birthday Meg... you continue to be amazing and I love you lots~! mom =)
Happy 23rd Birthday Jim~!! It's hard to believe he is 23 today ...I of course am remaining the same age =) He came home a few weeks ago to celebrate his birthday with us... and his roller coaster friends... but for his official birthday today he is back in Arizona...I miss you buddy =( tho it is spring break time there ...so fun times are planned =) I made this page after he participated in the yearly civil engineering college Concrete Canoe competition... have to say it was quite impressive to see all the different designs... even more impressive was the fact that these things stayed afloat~! =) so Happy Birthday Jim... may you be floating on the special wishes for a special day.. love ya~! mom =) 
Happy 80th Birthday mom~! I sure hope I look this good at 80 years old... wait... I just hope I'm around at 80 years old =) how is this scrapbook related?? mom was the main inspiration for this layout I made for the HOF. So Happy 80th mom... thanks for being an inspiration for scrapbooking but more importantly... thanks for being an inspiration for living life to it's fullest~!
Strange day today... I made an album for Michael's mom about his dad's funeral... not my idea to take pictures at all... but it was something his mom wanted so I figured it was the least I could do... once I finished that... I made an album for a friend of Jim's who is having a baby soon... a kind of ~fill in the blank~ album with spots for her to put pictures and add her own journaling.... truly strange to go from dark... somber colors to ones that are bright and happy... but I suppose that is the circle of life~ 
I just HAD to show off this adorable little guy that my sweetie gave me today for Valentine's Day...this is Benny and the BonBons and they are the cutest things ever~!! when Benny sings ~Sugar Sugar~ his mouth moves and the BonBons are his back up chorus..which also includes some giggling... and when listening to them you just can't help but smile =) As for scrapbooking... I am working my way thru all of Jim's summer roller coaster adventures... I created a page for the HOF about this funny face he always seems to make when he rides them...which also makes me laugh...so apparently today's theme is Love & Laughter and the need for more of it =) 
I am making major scrapbooking progress...woohoo~!!! The other day I finished all of 2007...so far =) and today I finished Christmas 2006 for the family Christmas album...it was quite quick and easy as I had a Christmas scrapbook kit with papers and embellishments all ready to use...fast and fun~!! Now it's time to pick up where I left off in 2006...which is around Halloween...kinda fun to go from one holiday to another...with any luck I should be through with 2006 over the weekend! Maybe I should keep a running track of just how many pages I finish this year...could be fun =)
