Feelin' a little maudelin today...

Just one of those days when it hits you how much you seem to run and run, and yet never reach your destination. Ever feel like if you could just turn the dial back to "this" [insert your date] year to change those one or two decisions maybe everything would be different?

I consider us a "normal" middle-class family for our area. Things ARE tight, but then they are tight for most people. The bankruptcy last year didn't help as much as it seems it should have - especially with all my extra medical bills which we didn't have before. I mean jeez - just my meds cost $110 a month without any acetimenifin (sp?) or dr appt copays added. I used to see my dr 4 times a YEAR... I have had no less than 3 dr appts a MONTH for 4.5 months now...

We got a letter last night informing us that Micaila was nominated as a recipient for a charity program for xmas... It kind of offends me in that I was planning to try to have the kids participate in one of those programs by buying a needy child a gift, and now I'm being told they ARE the needy ones. And yet, we don't qualify for any monitary assistance for heating bills over the winter because we make too much money according to NYS. Does that make sense in a logical, everyday-life-kind-of-way? Nope, but I'm sure there is some politician somewhere making 10 times what I do in a year and getting tax breaks who can explain EXACTLY how it does to the government.

The thing is, I know realistically we should have more because Mike and I should have saved more when it was just the two of us making really good money before the move back upstate, before 8 months of no jobs, before kids... But, hell, we were young, and we bought what we wanted, when we wanted it 'cause the future with family and big bills was an abstract idea. It's been six years since the move, and it feels like I'm still spinning my wheels on black ice 'cause I don't SEE where the issue is...

Anyway, enough of the whining... just needed to get that off my chest.

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LO Extravaganza and a sale!

Title: You Color My World

Credits:
Papers and elements from the Color My World - Rev Me Up Red Kit by Connie Prince. (word art layered and set to 53% opacity.)
Staple from the Birds of a Feather Kit by Connie Prince.
Template from the 12x12 Stitched Templates 2 by Connie Prince.
Script run on b&w photo - In The News by Heather Manning of Digiscrapping.net.
Photos by me dad.
Fonts: Lesli Thick Not Fat
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Title: Art is Freedom

Credits:
Papers, doodle, and border by Princess Lala from the Art is Freedom Collab Kit with Royanna Fritschmann of Divine Digital.
Glitter doodle, glue spots, and overlay by Royanna Fritschmann from the same kit.
Photo by my dad.
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Title: Once upon a kindergarten...

Credits:
Paper and elements from the Enchanted Kit by Kristine of WenchdGrafix.
Photo by my dad.
Fonts: Loki Cola; Lori Ann
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Title: 2008 Xmas Card

Credits:
Paper, ribbon, word art, & trees from the Winter Wonderland Mega Collab by Carjazi Scraps & Kristine of Wenchd Grafix. (Glass tree is laid over felt tree.)
Photos by me & my dad.
Fonts: CK Tea Party, Coaster
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Title: Winter Wonderland

Credits:
Papers and elements from the O Holy Night Kit by Connie Prince.
Word Art from the Christmas Word Art Set by Connie Prince.
Photo by me.
Fonts: CK Typist
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Title: Krysti - Best Friends

Credits:
Papers, word art, and elements from the Jordan Kit by Heather Manning Designs of Digiscrapping.net.
Photo by me.
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I do have 1 more LO, but I'm waiting on some info from my brother to complete it...

Guess what?!?! WenchdGrafix Shoppe and Digital Scrap Garden are both having a Black Friday sale!! 50% off the entire store! Don't forget to mark your calendars! :)

Gotta' run for work! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)

Update and a LO...

Title: What Dreams are made of...

Credits:
Papers, alpha, and elements from the Belle Kit by April Staker of DigiApe Designs.
Script run on photo - Soft Sepia by Heather Manning Designs of Digiscrapping.net.
Photo by me.
Fonts: Jane Austen
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I'm feeling better for the most part. I still have an aching pain in my ear, and if I don't take my Vicodin (sp?) before eating breakfast and dinner I get shooting pains in my ear and jaw. Otherwise it's mostly just self-conciousness. I realize my mouth goes crooked if I grin/laugh so I try tohide it behind my hand, etc. I do sometimes find myself drooling a bit from the left side of my mouth and can't pull my lip down like you normally would when eating so that if I'm eating a sandwich I have to use my finger to pull my lip out of the way so that I'm not biting it...

I've been back at work full time this week, and am pretty much exhausted when I get home. Not to mention that thanks to a friend of the family who sent me $20 "mad money" I spurged on Royanna's Emergency Moving Sale, and got $1014-worth of her commercial & personal use products for $29. I finished downloading last night, and am currently trying to finish unzipping everything to ensure the downloads were all good before the links expire tomorrow. I've almost finished the commercial products.

My CT designers have all been busy working while I've been off, and I've got tons to download, unzip and use from them as well! LOL It never ends, huh?!?!

Gotta' run for work! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)

A LO...

Title: My Brother... My Friend

Credits:
Papers and elements from the Lamar Kit by Andrea Cox of TLC Designs available at Sunshine Studios.
Photos by ?.
Fonts: Horse Puke; Note This

:)

For anyone who needs a laugh...

you have GOT to check out the YouTube link on Fantacy's blog this morning...

http://scrappinhillbilly.blogspot.com/

:)

Stitches...

are out. No more jaw bra - unless I want/need it. I'm thinking at night to remind me not to roll over. Have to keep the scar out of the sun and slathered with Mederma until further notice. Re-check at 1pm on Dec 2nd.

Actually ate a FULL breakfast for the first time in a week.

At work so going now...

:)

I am lurking...

Not that I'm trying to ignore anyone or anything, but I just don't feel up to conversations or extended pc sessions. Things are getting better, but dumbass me decided to go to work yesterday as there wasn't any VALID reason to stay home (and I've used all my paid days off for the year) and apparently TALKING can be a strenuous activity when not done much for a few days... I was in pretty bad pain all evening/night and this morning felt like I'd been run over.

It's been a little better during the day, but I've had moments of dizzyness, and think I may have bottomed out my sugars at about 11am - I didn't bother to test my blood as I felt woozy/shaky enough I really didn't want to attempt a lancet. LOL I need to go take a dose of pain meds and get my jaw bra - yes, that is really the medical term for it - back on.

I have my follow-up to remove stitches at 8am Friday in Syracuse. Thanks for all the well-wishes, etc. :)
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Title: Sometimes the best dreams...

Credits:
Papers and elements from the I've Got Sunshine Kit by Connie Prince.
Template from the 12x12 Singles Template Pack by Connie Prince.
Photo by me.
Fonts: Witched
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Title: Micaila - 1st Birthday

Credits:
Papers and elements from the Let's Celebrate Kit by Connie Prince.
Template from the Gracie Album Template Pack by Connie Prince.
Photo by Sears Portraits.
Fonts: DJ Spiffy

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Update on Cate...

Hi Folks,
Cate came through surgery in good stead. They managed to avoid damaging the nerve that controls muscle movement for that side of her face, so that was a relief. The surgeon verified that she still had muscle control about an hour or so after the surgery. She has no feeling in her left hand and arm up to her elbow due to the way they had positioned her arm during surgery, but it is supposed to return over the next few days. She says it isn't as bad today, so I guess they are right.
She's quite sore as is to be expected, and the support spandex band she has to wear (encircles her head from top to chin) restricts her ability to talk, eat, and truly be comfortable (without even considering the rest of her disconforts!). She has to wear it for the first week until she has an appointment to have the sutures removed. The bandage on the surgery site is to be changed 3 times a day. She can manage the removal of the spandex strap, but reapplying it takes some help as it's a bit much to reach and stretch to complete the process trying use her left arm.
She was deemed doing well enough yesterday morning to be released for discharge by her surgeon. Kolby and I helped her escape about 10 am.
Her first stop on the way home was to get a chocolate milk shake. The hospital had provided one of their 'deluxe' breakfasts which included a hockey puck English muffin minus the jelly they had checked as provided. Her mom finally managed to wrestle the middle out of the muffin to try to help fill the void from lack of digestible food. Also provided was a lovely dish of Cream of Wheat, which Cate can't fathom consuming on one of her best days of existance. Ah, the ecstatic memories that are being created....!
Not sure how long it will be before she's capable of resuming her conversations online with all of her friends, but be assured the faster it happens, the happier she'll be!
Thanks to all for your concern and good thoughts/wishes. We all appreciate the support!!
Warmest regards,
Cate's Dad, Herb

Happy Halloween and DSD sales!

I'm having a 30% off sale at WenchdGrafix now through Sunday at midnight!

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You want an even bigger deal??
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How about this... 50% off a BRAND SPANKIN' NEW 20 page paperpack?!



I also have the paperpack on sale at Digital Scrap Garden! :)

I think I have my October "stuff" taken care of. I have to leave by 6:30am tomorrow to be sure I make it to the hospital before my 9:30am check-in. Not sure exactly when surgery will be, but I should be back around by Sunday. Thanks to all who've been sending me messages, good thoughts/prayers etc. It REALLY does help! :)

**Update- the hopspital called at 4pm to let me know my check-in time had been moved up to 8am as my surgery is now scheduled for 9:45. I managed to move the check-in to 8:30 as I have a 1.5 hr drive to get there...

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)

A LO and I'm off to the dr...

Title: Spi-dey man

Credits:
Paper and elements by Princess Lala of Divine Digital from the Spookalicious Collab with Royanna Fritschmann.
Photos by me.
Fonts: Furioso
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Gotta' run... I have my dr appt and pre-op screening in Syracuse today. Micaila's field trip got moved to next Tuesday because we've got cold, rainy, cruddy weather goin' on today. Kol's here so Brenden's stuck up his rear.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)

Post 301...

I did it again... meant to celebrate the 300th post, and forgot 'til I hit 301! LOL

Oy! What a weekend. I have 5 new templates and 1 QP at WenchdGrafix Shoppe. I have 5 new templates and 2 paperpacks that should be up shortly at Digital Scrap Garden. I uploaded my part of the November Collab for DSG to the ftp. I finished 2 LOs for Connie, 1 LO for Michelle, and 2 for She's Full of Scrap. I also made some beef roast in the crockpot for tonight or tomorrow, made lunch & dinner yesterday, cleaned & chopped veggies for 1.5 hours, made 16 treat bags for Micaila's class (including 1 for Brenden), got all the garbage together, watched You Don't Mess with the Zohan (not a great as I had hoped), and cleaned the litter box.

Title: Not So Mini Me

Credits:
Papers, alpha, and elements from the Feeling Fresh Kit by Connie Prince of DigiDiva Designs - available soon!
Photo by me.
Fonts: Hammerkeys; Jane Austen

LO completes Digi Dare #106.
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Title: Mother's Day 2008

Credits:
Papers and elements from the Feeling Fresh Kit by Connie Prince of DigiDiva Designs - available soon!
Template from the 12x12 Template Collection 1 by Connie Prince of DigiDiva Designs - available soon!
Photo by me and my dad.
Fonts: BernhardTango BT
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Title: The Little Prince in Training

Credits:
Papers from the Oceans Scenic Beauty Paper Pack by Michelle Pieters.
Word art from the Quirky Quote Kids Collection by Michelle Pieters. (Crown erased on both ends.)
Engraved plaque from the Sports Plaques Pack by Michelle Pieters.
Photo by me.
Fonts: BernhardTango BT; HorsePuke
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Title: Grampy Sandwich

Credits:
Papers and elements from the Sweet Forbidden Collection by She's Full of Scrap.
Photo by my dad.
Fonts: Hypewriter
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Title: Playful Jack

Credits:
Papers and elements from the Sweet Forbidden Collection by She's Full of Scrap.
Photos by my brother, Kolby.
Fonts: CK New Years Eve

Gotta' run! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)

Some LOs, a CTM PSA, and general ramblings...

Calling all CT Members!!!

For those who haven't seen it yet, Alice Koh is trying to compile a list of CTMs who might like to be highlighted in The Daily Scrapper. You can add your name to the list by simply responding here.
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Title: I'm One?!?!

Credits:
Papers and elements from the Peneope Kit by Sara Ellis.
Photo by my dad.
Fonts: hubbubhumfont; FG Dulce's Font
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Title: My heart belongs to you...

Credits:
Papers and elements from the Peneope Kit by Sara Ellis.
Photos by my dad.
Fonts: Hotel Coral Essex
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Yesterday was my brother, Blayne's 31st birthday. I only got to leave him a voicemail, but hope he had a great day! [[hugs]]

My sister called last night to let me know she'd totaled her van trying to avoid two deer. She's fine, but the van's a loss.

Not a whole lot else to report this morning. I (obviously) got the LOs for Sara Ellis done, and am working on the ones for Connie & Michelle. Actually, atm I am trying to get all the goodies for the LOs unzipped! LOL That's a project in and of itself! :)

Got to run to get Micaila ready for school, me ready for work, and Brenden ready to go for a ride with Grampy... I'm thinkin' KFC for dinner while watching Happily N'Ever After...

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)

Quick note...

I'm still here - just swamped trying to get everything wrapped up before my brother gets here next week for my surgery. I've completed my part of the Nov Collab for Digital Scrap Garden and my 2 San Francisco paper packs - just need to do previews for all. Then get my templates packaged up and uploaded for Kris and Dawne, finish 1 more LO for Sara Ellis for a special project, finish at least 2 each for Michelle and Connie, and I feel like I should get at least 1 more LO done for 2-3 other CTs, but am not sure Iwill find the time/energy.

I also have to make approx 32 celery race cars tonight for Micaila's snack day tomorrow, and want to get Halloween treat bags put together for her class as I obviously won't be able to have a party as I had hoped at the beginning of the school year. Today's picture day at school... hope that goes well. I'm waiting for the super-cheesy smile that comes when someone says smile...

Oh! If you haven't heard 3Scrapateers is closing as of Oct 31st. I found out through Facebook.

Gotta' run! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)

3 LOs...

Title: Farmington Canyon Day Trip

Credits:
Papers and elements from the Play Laugh Grow Kit by Connie Prince of DigiDiva Designs.
Template from the Commercial Use Bracket Album Template Set by Connie Prince of DigiDiva Designs. (additional paper placed behind template.)
Photos by my dad and brother, Blayne.
Fonts: Flair
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Title: you give my heart wings

Credits:
Tan paper from Back To Basics - Rainbow Dots 1 Paper Pack by Princess Lala of Divine Digital.
White and green papers from the Back to Basics - Rainbow Solids Paper Pack by Princess Lala of Divine Digital.
Doodle frame from Doodle Frame Minis by Princess Lala of Divine Digital. (color added)
Doodle from Fancy Mini by Princess Lala of Divine Digital.
Photos by me.
Fonts: Fletch
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Title: Shutterbug

Credits:
Papers from One For The Boys Paper Pack by Robyn Gough of Clickchic Creations.
Star element (behind photo) from Poetry In Motion by Robyn Gough of Clickchic Creations.
Decorative edge by Robyn Gough of Clickchic Creations from the Strawberry Mint Collab Kit with Heather Manning.
Template #32 by me.
Photos by me.
Fonts: Type-Ra; Times New Roman

Don't have time for more this morning! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)