The tale of the semi-absentee blogger...

Sorry. I haven't been very regular lately. We're adjusting to yet another change in schedules and duties at home... Mike is now working 11am-9pm M-F which means I'm dealing with the home "stuff" after work. Dad made dinner last night, and is planning to tonight so that helps 'cause to be honest I have NEVER been a homebody - dishes, cleaning, cooking - NOT my fortes. Now that's not to say I can't handle them, and in some cases handle them well - I just HATE them with a passion! LOL If I have a choice between spending an hour on my pc/laptop creating or an hour cleaning the house the creating will normally win.

I have managed to get 11 - 45 gal trash bags of clothing out of the house and donated to the local mission in the last month. I have another 1/2 a bag currently sorted and am hoping to get at least 5 done more this weekend. I'm kind of on a purging binge. Hello, my name is Cate, and I'm a packrat. Yes, truly. My grandparents kept many things, my parents kept many more things, and I have a difficult time getting rid of stuff myself. I look at those homes in magazines, and laugh - nice, but no kids there! There are things I keep in the hopes that I will one day fit into them again because I loved the way they looked when I could wear them... There are things I keep because the kid(s) looked so darn cute and I hate the thought of never seeing them in it again... There are things I keep because it is perfectly usable so why should I throw it out?... There are things I keep because I know they are worth money if I could find the right place to try to sell them... And, that's not including the collections... movies, books by certain authors, my seriously diminished salt & pepper collection (most of it was stolen), my paper scrapping supplies (which I use about 3 times a year), etc... Do you get the picture??

I also need to sort through the kids books and toys - again... Please tell me other people have the seemingly never ending cycle of purge and get more in that department. We gave their Little People sets to their Aunt Cindy for when she has kid(s), and donated their mega blocks to Micaila's classroom because they decided they were too old for mega blocks and wanted Legos. I think we have enough stuffed animals to populate an entire zoo. But, in that area I hate to think of giving up any of their Care Bears or Popples - yes, I said Popples. Grampy got a bunch for Micaila's 1st birthday or 2nd Xmas off eBay 'cause at the time she was enthralled with them, and we're talking original 1980's not newer ones.

Anyway, between the change in schedule, the purging, the end-of-the-month CT and designer duties, and the fact that my co-worker is ooto for this week and next I'm a little tired, and haven't really had the energy to try to post before leaving home in the morning. I'm so tired I completely forgot my sister's anniversary last week...

I did manage to remember my baby brother's birthday yesterday, and have Micaila call before she left for school which completely made his day 'cause she actually TALKED to him! LOL She normally gets on the phone, and then refuses to say more than a word or two. He'd gotten some bs news from his boos a few days earlier, and was understandably upset so I'm glad something brightened his day. He works in an office much like mine - boss, receptionist, and him - that's it. He's been salaried both times he's worked for this guy, and STILL puts in 60-80 hrs most weeks. He was just informed that very shortly he will be on wages AND cut to no more than 30 hrs per week. His roommate (and our cousin) Tam was let go a few weeks ago so things are getting pretty tight. They're looking at moving out west - UT, AZ, or TX maybe...

------------

On to scrapping items... I have 5 LOs to share. I also created 2 more QPs for Connie, and finished my part of the collab for WenchdGrafix since my last post so it's not like I'm not doing anything - just nothing I feel like blogging about without other context! LOL

Title: Bowl Like There's No Tomorrow


Credits:
Paper and elements from the Extraordinary Day Kit by JanaM Designs available at The DigiChick.
Photos by me & Micaila.
Fonts: Typewriter from hell; Note This
____________________

Title: What a pretty Spring blossom


Credits:
Papers and elements from the Hippity Hoppity Kit by Connie Prince; DigiDiva Designs.
Photo mask from Photo Masks 1 by Connie Prince; DigiDiva Designs.
Photo by my sil, Marcy.
Fonts: Hypewriter
____________________

Title: as tall as a...

Credits:
Papers and elements from the Jungle Fever Collab by JanaM Designs and Dawn Inskip available at The DigiChick.
Photos by my dad.
Fonts: Heavy Heap
____________________

Title: Peacocks at Hogle Zoo

Credits:
Papers and elements from the Jungle Fever Collab by JanaM Designs and Dawn Inskip available at The DigiChick.
Photos by my dad.
Fonts: Good Foot
____________________

Title: Evening Magic

Credits:
Papers, mask, and elements from the Extraordinary Day Kit by JanaM Designs available at The DigiChick.
Template #57 by me.
Photo by me.
Fonts: Pea Jamie*B*
____________________

That's a lot of Jana's stuff - like I said wrapping up CT work. I've been lucky enough to Guest for her for two months. :) Today just happens to be her birthday as well, and if you like her stuff don't miss stopping by her store at TDC 'cause she's got a little something for you! :D

Gotta' run 'cause I'm at work which is why it's been 2 hrs since I started this post... Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)