Just Find Your Joy

My buddy Leo!

2008-10-21T09:57:00.001-05:00

I love this dog and he loves me back!

Enough said.

My little Mama!

2008-10-21T09:55:00.000-05:00

This is my sweet Ainsley....and my peeps newest family member Carter. Ainsley adores sweet Carter.....this picture was taken this weekend at the park and she just couldnt get enough of him. What a great picture!

Remember the days????? Westphalia Baseball

2008-10-08T15:56:00.004-05:00

This is one that brought back fond memories for my dad.....i dont really remember a lot from these games....maybe because i am a girl and wasnt very interested....but when we came across this dad grabbed it and reviewed it and said that it was blog worthy. So....hope that this brings you family members good memories. :-)

LET IT BE KNOWN TO ALL!!!!

2008-10-07T14:07:00.002-05:00

Mom would like it to be known to all who are wondering aloud and then those that are just being sweet and keeping it to themselves.....

HER HAIR WAS REAL!

This was NOT a wig.

p.s. Mom...i hope that makes you feel better about being blogged.....cause this hairstyle is cool and totally back in style!

Old pics.....

2008-10-06T12:48:00.002-05:00

Yesterday i helped mom & dad clean a few boxes from the attic....i didnt know how lucky i would get!! I honestly didnt know that these things were up there.....we found BOXES of old pictures...and when i say old...i mean from my grandfathers WWII days! Anywho....you will see a few hit to blog....maybe more than a few....but today...this was the one that made it to the blog world. Keep checking the blog for more.

juls

You say scarecrow....i say SNOWMAN!

2008-10-01T15:40:00.003-05:00

I dare you to tell me that this isnt the cutest stinking (yes...stinkin) Snowman you have seen.....Love it!

This was the latest Quickutz purchase....don't be surprised if this ends up as a Xmas card from the Bowen gang....

toodles to you.... :-)

juls

Camden has earned his wings.........

2008-09-29T12:09:00.003-05:00

Just thought that i would let you all know that Camden Marshky earned his angel wings today at 10:15am.

http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewJournal.do?method=executeInit

Please take a minute to pray for his family as they mourn this loss. I cannot to begin to imagine as a mother how i would feel if i were Jenny Bates. Kiss your babies & pray for this family.

Finally!

2008-09-29T09:37:00.003-05:00

So...at the ripe ole age of 6 she finally lost a tooth....and folks...she worked on this one long and hard!

Saturday she went fishing with Shannon & Kelsey and apparently during a boring part of the day she started working on the tooth (which just grosses me out because her hands could NOT have been clean! ARGH!). I was scrapbooking with my girlfriends and they called and told me about the days events...fish catching, tooth losing & 4-wheel riding...they had a great time! It wasnt until i got home and confiscated Kelsey's cell phone that i see this picture (stinking cute!) and then the one below ..which i am still trying to recover from....just looking at it right now is making me sick.

i know that i have taught them not to put their hands in their mouths....no matter how excited the moment is....the fish, worm, dirt and whatever else fingers in this mouth right now....yuckie!

i know what you are saying....is this for real?

2008-09-29T09:05:00.002-05:00

i love old pictures! This has got to be the most funny picture that i have ever seen of my family. This was taken December 21, 1980. These are my relatives and the one standing is my dad! I remember this event...it was my grandpa's (he is in the right corner puckering to Grandma who is pointing at Mom who is taking the picture!) farm sale....what a hoot this picture is. What was going on? I have know idea what was so funny....but look at the table...the beer (Old Milwakee)...the whiskey.... the chocolate/vanilla marble cake (i bet my mom made that!) the sweet rolls left over from the morning, the macarama plant hanger...My Aunt Annie is holding a bottle of whiskey and i dont even remember her ever drinking....the silly hats.... what a great picture! Good times these were....Good times!

Note: Mom & Dad....i am scrapbooking these and i will make a copy for you guys....this is one for the wall!

TAGGED....Not really sure what that means but i am honored!

2008-09-25T11:00:00.004-05:00

So...Kathie D is a Rusty Pickle Chef (instructor) that i met at the Convention this past weekend...what a fun gal! Anywho...i found her blog and learned a little more about her and realized that, man!...i wished i woulda spent more time getting to know her while she was here as i think that we have a lot of things in common. Well...yesterday she TAGGED me...how fun! (i think) I tend to be a lurker on a lot of blogs...never really one to leave a comment...but i am coming out gals....i guess that Clay Aiken has inspired me....wait...i am not coming out like "that"...not that there is anything wrong with that....but i am coming out of the lurker closet....i profess to you all that i will start leaving comments....anywho...part of the TAGGED duties are:

1. If you've been tagged, you can put the LOGO on your blog!

2. Link the person from whom you received the award.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs you love.

4. Put the links to those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs you've nominated.

Drum Roll Please.....i would like to NOMINATE the following...

Melanie - Jake's Aunt

Tamara - Rusty Pickle Chef

This is what TWO traveling scrapbookers pack!

2008-09-25T10:58:00.001-05:00

This is what TWO scrapbookers packed to go to The Great American Scrapbooking Convention that was recently held in Chattanooga! OMG! Who are these two people? I mean...what did they think? Was the world going to end and they needed every last bit of crap they could ever bring? Hello...they were going to a crop with other croppers....could they not BORROW something? Did they need all of this? O crap...wait....that is my van.....oh...and my Quickutz bag there - barely fitting? Geezie Pete's.

Let me tell you though...we did NOT bring duplicate tools....we did NOT use all the crap that we brought.....and yes....it was as packed in on the way TO Chattanooga as it was on the way back.

Stop to PRAY...He needs PRAYER!

2008-09-25T09:44:00.002-05:00

I have blogged about Camden before....I pray today that the Lord brings this little boy comfort. He is scared....things are happening to him right now that his four year old body just doesnt understand and rightfully he is scared! Please stop what you are doing right now and pray that the Lord will bring him comfort, stop whatever his causing him to be scared....instead of him seeing darkness Lord...let him see the glow of You...the warmth of You....let him seek comfort in Your arms...please Lord hold him tightly for he is so scared.

Friends...i know that you are in tears just as i am...i can hardly see the screen to type this....imagine his momma....Pray for her too!

Here is Camden's CaringBridge link. http://caringbridge.org/cb/viewJournal.do?method=executeInit

Allah Peanut Butter and Fluff Sandwiches!

2008-09-24T13:18:00.001-05:00

huh? yeah...i said it too...you are not alone. Peanut butter & Fluff...hmmphf. Sounds good separately....but mixing it? Is that legal? Yes my good friends..it is...and it is wonderful! I mean...YUM to the TUM! I am SURE however it is not good for those on Weight Watchers....but...i was on a mini vacation! This was my half of the sandwich and it was good. (It was on wheat bread....does that subtract points?)

Try the Peanut butter & Fluff on wheat (of course) and let me know how ya like it!

lub ya!
juls

Are we having fun?

2008-09-24T13:14:00.000-05:00

Look at us.....we are crazy croppers....i guess you could say that....one thing for sure....these are 4 fabulous ladies that are smiling with me! I really enjoyed this past weekend....what a great time i had...(can ya tell?). One thing i know for sure....i am so glad that God showed me the way to meet wonderful people who were just like me! Thank the Lord for my scrapbooking friends. I lub them all!

Needle Felting

2008-09-24T13:10:00.000-05:00

This is my needle felted pink ribbon.

I will post more as i make more....

what the heck?

2008-09-24T09:03:00.003-05:00

I am trying to upload pics of the latest stuff that i want to blog to you about and it is not working...i dont know what the deal is! I have tried to upload my pics to shutterfly ... not working....tried to upload to costco...not working....and now this.....

Last night i got excited about NEEDLE FELTING....OMG ladies...let me just tell you that i have found ANOTHER hobby! It is wonderful. And if you are one of my loved ones you will soon reap the benefits of my latest hobby! Ann Peace has already snagged my very first creation...i didnt even take a picture of it...it was an owl...and it was quite a hoot....(hahahahha). I will try and post pics later....maybe!

Busy week last week with the Great American Scrapbook Convention in Chattanooga...what a blast it was...i have stomach aches from the amount of laughing that i did! I am always amazed at what great friends that i have made with just a simple common hobby! This trip i was able to gain a few more scrappers who i am blessed to add to my friend list...they are good gurls and i am happy to have had the chance to get to know them better! Love to them....Pam, Dana & ANita...you gurls are the best!

This weekend i am cropping at Eclectica from 10am - 10pm .... it is SCRAP PINK. I am hoping to get my chattanooga weekend mini album done...i will post. I think that i will use Rusty Pickle products! I met the Rusty Pickle ladies at the convention and really liked them too! Kathie, Libby & Tamara.....they are good ladies....talented and fun! Hope to see them again and maybe even crop with them...i like to be surrounded by talent! :-)

take care all....sing praises!
juli

Another name change.....possibly.....

2008-08-28T13:34:00.003-05:00

After a few people have seen the new pup....everyone says that he has a striking resemblance to Stewart Little. So....tell me.....should we name him Stewart Little or Leo?

Please help....i do not know how much longer we can go on like this.

Leo or Finnegan?...that is the question.

2008-08-27T13:58:00.000-05:00

Hey all....i would love to introduce the newest member of our family. I would share his name but i dont really know what it is yet. I thought that Leo would be perfect......but now...the more that i look at him...the more that i think that he could be a Finnegan and calling him Finny......

He is asleep in a box right now...but seems to be doing good. He is tired.....He rode well in the car and everything...still a little skiddish.....but for the most part he is good.

It's all about the name! HELP ME!!!

2008-08-26T10:17:00.003-05:00

Sorry it has been so long between posts....yes i am still losing weight....9.8 pounds so far...i weigh in again on Thursday and hope to get past that 10 pd mark.....anywho....in the meantime i have acquired another dog. It is a small dog and he needs a name. Please let me know what you think about the following names for this new beau of mine. He came with the name Tater Tot and i just cannot see yelling that out the door. He is however 8 pounds and i can hardly believe that he will ever be so far away that i have to yell his name....but just in case.

Finnegan OR Ollie OR Wally OR Wilson OR Cinco

WEIGH DAY!

2008-08-14T15:22:00.000-05:00

I WILL WRITE IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT I FEEL LIKE.......AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA......I AM SO STINKING WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THAT DARNED SCALE IS GOING TO READ! BEFORE TWO WEEKS AGO...I DIDNT GIVE A HOOT ABOUT WHAT THAT SCALE READ.....NOW...I DO....SO CONCERNED ABOUT THAT SCALE THAT I HAVE A WEIGHING OUTFIT...YES...YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY...I HAVE AN OUTFIT THAT WEIGHS NOTHING....AND THAT MY FRIENDS IS WHAT I WILL WEAR TO BE WEIGHED IN.....AND THE LIGHTEST SHOES THAT I HAVE ALSO....IT ALL ADDS UP!

I WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW IT GOES....UP OR DOWN.

LOVE TO YOU.

i weighed today!

2008-08-06T12:12:00.002-05:00

i Lost 6.5 pounds!
OMJ (which per my oldest means...Oh My Jonas Brothers) All of this hard work starving myself really worked! No...i am not starving myself mamma peep! I am starving....24 points is hard to do when you are used to so much more. So...this week...i managed to shed 6.5 pounds and i didnt even exercise....this week...i will....i have faith that i can get my booty up out of the bed early and walk a dog every morning.

have faith.....
juls

Day 6.....Still going strong.....

2008-08-04T08:46:00.002-05:00

So...Day 6 on the Weight Watchers....i am making it. It is not bad but it is certainly tough...i woke up hungry Saturday night and Sunday night....both nights i just got a drink of water and went back to bed. I guess the really hard part is denying the stuff that you cannot have but want... like yesterday was birthday cupcakes... i really want a cupcake but it is not worth it. I just know that it will get easier...and that is the day that i look forward to. I can do this. I have faith.

Matthew 17:20

2008-08-01T10:34:00.002-05:00

Matthew 17:20 says, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Friends....nothing is impossible with God on your side. No matter what....he has seen it and he was with you when all the stuff in your life has happened. He planned it...he knows it....and above all...he loves you through it all....the good & the bad....he is and forever will be right there ... next to you the whole way. How good does that feel? To me....it feels great. I just wonder...does he get 24 points on his weight watcher plan like me?

love you all....day 3 starts and we are still going strong...i have faith!

i survived....

2008-07-31T08:16:00.002-05:00

i survived my first day of WW. It was good....the day was simple....just drank some water when that hunger urge started coming on and i was fine after that....the really tough part was dinner at Hope. Wednesday nights our church HOPE has dinner...and last night was my favorite dinner! Lima beans....blackeyed peas....corn casserole....OMG....just mentioning now has my belly growling. But i did it...and it wasnt bad....i am feelin' good. I have faith!

I have started Weight Watchers!!

2008-07-30T10:13:00.002-05:00

Hello friends....i can say that we are friends as i am not sure all of who reads this except those who i tell....so...because you are my friends...i feel that i can let you in on my journey to weight loss. Ok...here it goes. My Weight Watchers starting weight is 198. Holy Crap....i just never expected those numbers to come out on the scale. So today July 30, 2008 i begin my journey to a skinny me....really i dont care so much about being skinny as i do about looking better in my clothes. The size of the clothes that i wear has never really mattered to me....i just want to look nice in a pair of Gap Jeans. I will keep you all updated ..... i hope that you can celebrate the loss of weight with me and support me on those weeks where the loss isnt what the scale reads. I am wearing a necklace that says Have Faith....i think that means so much to me right now. I Have Faith that i can do this.
toodles....juls

Stampin' Up! Stamps For Sale! Get' em while ya can!

2008-07-28T12:56:00.000-05:00

Ran into a girl who is a former SU! demonstrator and she is sellin’ her stash…..she is giving me the list of things before she puts them on ebay. Anyone interested? If you are…email me quick and I will mark the set as SOLD. If the set is something you want but the price isn’t right….let me know….she said that she is ready to negotiate a good price.

To view these sets….go to ebay and type the set name in the search…. You should be able to find a picture….i did on all of these…..

All Natural $6 SOLD
A Tree for all Seasons $10
Simple Somethings $10
Weather or Not $6
Background Basics $7 SOLD
Fun Filled $10
Paint Prints $10
Mom’s Messages $12
Fabulous Four $5
Sweet of You $10
Memory of the Heart $8
Perfect Plaids $8
Love Ya Bunches $16
Simple Wishes $8
All I Have Seen $10
Nice and Narrow $5
The Art of Life $13
Long Stemmed $15
Garden Collage $14
Bitty Bouquets $15
The Fine Print $12
Spring Garden $15
Never Ending Joy $5
Teeny Tinies $5
Good Times $13

i promise....

2008-07-24T10:18:00.000-05:00

Look at this face.....this is the face of a GUILTY dog!

2008-06-30T11:09:00.006-05:00

Zoe....my sweet Zoe.....what could a dog this sweet do to make a face like she did in this picture? I mean...could she do any wrong? YES! She could and she did! I could take some blame for the thing that she did wrong however not all the blame....you could say...oh...she is still a puppy...NOPE...she is almost 4 years old...that wont fly with me.

Well....sweet Zoe chewed up my owl stamp! My favorite owl stamp....BUT never fail.....dear sweet hubby replaced it with a new one. And Zoe is still my sweetest pooch! So....all is forgiven in the rubber stamp world!

Love to my zoe!

LOADS OF FUN!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-17T21:22:00.000-05:00

we are having a great time! we have been to worlds of fun monday & tuesday and really enjoyed ourselves....the girls rode ride after ride and if it were not for the fact that ainsley is only 42 inches tall and cannot ride a lot of the thrill rides she would have been on them ALL!!! no fear! we are stayin in downtown KC and the hotel is nice.....tomorrow & thursday we are headed to oceans of fun and then friday the zoo. i will share pics when i can. love to all

2008-06-17T21:17:00.001-05:00

Let me introduce Carter Fischer Patterson!

2008-06-06T14:45:00.000-05:00

Hello FOLKS...dont get all teary eyed because i have blogged so much lately....i have been taking some great pics (although i didnt take the one above). One of my special peeps had this sweet baby on Wednesday, June 4th. He weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long...how exciting....anywho....he is home today and i just had to post in honor of this sweet little brother! Dont you just wanna kiss him! I do! Send me a message if you want me to give him suggah for ya....i will have no problems with that!

Who you lookin' at?

2008-06-06T14:38:00.000-05:00

Meet Shiloh.....Shiloh is my peeps pup that we are puppysitting while they are on vacation. She is a golden retreiver and sweet as all get out....she doesnt have friends at home to play with so we are sure that this is HER vacation for sure. This morning...Zoe (our Belgian Malinois on the left) decided that she would challenge the pup for a wrestle match. I quickly grabbed my camera and about 60 shots later i was getting ready for work.....what a hoot these two were.....rolling around...running around...growling...never really hurting each other and their tails were wagging so hard that you could feel the breeze! They really are going to be buds and if her momma is checking my blog....your baby is just fine....and sends a big slobbery lick!

He is here!

2008-06-05T09:08:00.000-05:00

Let me introduce you to Carter Fischer Patterson. He came into the world on June 4, 2008 at about 2:05pm. He weighed 6 pounds and 7 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. How sweet....i mean just look at this sweet baby's face. Nolan (his big brother) is so proud and is filling his position as big brother very well. I went to the hospital yesterday to see him with another one of his Aunt Peeps and I will just tell you that he loved his Aunt Peeps something crazy...he was tellin us secrets already and sharing smiles with us. His other Aunt Peep is going to see him today and i know that this post will just get her more excited to see him.

Anywho....more later....

Go Check out Unity Stamps!!!!!

2008-05-27T14:51:00.002-05:00

Ok gals...it has been a long time...i know...forgive me.....please? I have to just tell you though i have been so busy....with nothing....i mean...i really can begin to name all the things that i have been doing.....but this is not an excuse to being a bad blogger...i will get better...i promise.
Now...business....check out http://www.unitystampco.com/home. What a great stamp company! I must beg that you check out the selection of wonderful rubber that they have for us to make beautiful things with....grab a pen to take notes...you will want too! I ordered a set called "Owl Always Love You" and i am IN LOVE! i tried to upload the picture but it wouldnt work....go to http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9956237#post9956237 to check it out!

go...check them out! Tell me what you order...we can share.....i am a good sharer! :-)

God has already planned my life he has watched my movie!

2008-05-07T11:30:00.002-05:00

God planned me to be a bad blogger...seriously though....i am sitting here at work today and i am thinking about God's plan for me. All the stuff that i live has already been planned....all the happy times and the pain is planned out. The happy is the easy...its the pain that is tough. Why would He plan pain for me? I am trying to be so good....i read from the Bible regularly....i stay away from toxic people....i do good for others.....but still God's plan leads me through some pretty painful times. What kind of message is He giving me during the painful times....this is what i have to open up my heart to and listen....
Proverbs 16 from The Message
Everything with a Place and a Purpose
Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word. Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good. Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place. God made everything with a place and purpose;even the wicked are included—but for judgment. God can't stomach arrogance or pretense;believe me, he'll put those upstarts in their place. Guilt is banished through love and truth;Fear-of-God deflects evil. When God approves of your life, even your enemies will end up shaking your hand. Far better to be right and poor than to be wrong and rich. We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.

What I did....

2008-04-14T09:51:00.000-05:00

So this weekend was a whirlwind however on a whim.....i painted this tree and cut out leaves with my Cricut using my scrap patterned paper. It was fun! My neice and youngest daughter helped out. It was great! My hubby nearly died because the paint is SOOO brown....like chocolate from the fondue! Anywho....i just used repositionable adhesive to stick the leaves up there....white glue for the birds..and then i cut out the words with brown vinyl and my cricut. It was fun! I still have leaves to add however my cricut blade needs to be changed.
Love to all!
juls

Stop to PRAY!

2008-04-11T11:17:00.002-05:00

I have mentioned before about a little boy named Camden Marshky....you can re-read or just catch up on his story here http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/camdenmarshky. Please take a minute or two in your day to pray for him....his family...his momma is having a tough time as any of us mommas would.

Also...take a minute to tell those you love...that you love them...open the door for a stranger....be spontaneous.

love to you all~juls

Camping in the cabin!

2008-04-04T09:37:00.004-05:00

So...fine....i am posting here...which means that i must have internet access at the awesome cabin that we are staying in to crop! Check out the picture there of the cabin....well let me just tell you this is not where i am....nope...right now i am at home in the comforts of my home with my computer here in front of me. The cabins were way to rustic for me....nothing like the picture above. Not even close. The cabins consisted of 4 bunk beds with a couple shelfs and a 40-watt light bulb to light the room. YIKES! This was good hike down a stone path from the lodge and the a 1/2 a good hike to the bathrooms which were lit with a 20-watt light bulb i think! The cement floor of the lodge was taking on water because of the moisture i the ground...so we couldnt put anything on the floor...the lodge was also billowing with smoke because the fireplace flue (spelling) wouldnt open....the humidity was making our paper crinkly and moist...and all in all...i was not about to "camp" here .... about 1/2 hour after our arrival....we were departing....5 of us decided that we are just not that rustic. So...back to memphis and all the comforts of our home. Nice.....however...in honor of all those who stayed at the campgrounds....today i took a cold shower with the lights off.

I am off to scrapbook at the local scrapbook store. Later taters!

Thank you for this time!

2008-04-03T13:47:00.002-05:00

Hugs & kisses to my hubby. He never complains about me going to my scrapbook events...or even my scrapbooking...he just lets me go and have a great time. I need that time and he knows it so he never blinks an eye about it.

This weekend is no different. I leave today after work to go camping (fancy camping with a cabin and stuff) and i will not return until Sunday afternoon. Loaded the van up with everything including the kitchen sink and i am off. I am just waiting for that stock exchange bell to ring!

Thanks honey...i know you are hating this picture posted....but....deep down....you love it!

Love you!

Mom's favorite bird died....Jake.

2008-04-01T13:55:00.002-05:00

This morning my dad called me to that my moms bird...Jake...died. I knew that she musta been tore up about it too....he said that she was crying and on her way to work. Man i felt so bad for her...there was even a little guilt because while they were away in Iowa i sent Shannon to take care of the birds knowing that he wouldnt stand there and whistle or talk to them...he just went in there...fed them...checked the water and left. Anywho...i told dad that i would call mom....so...as soon as i got off the phone i dialed mom....it rang like 4 times...and i knew that she was not going to answer because she was crying...and probably driving on the darned interstate at that....finally she answered...i said...how are you doing? .. .she was fine she said...she was upset because her birds always die...i told her that Sunny was my bird and she died last....and then...she had the nerve to tell me April Fools. What? Did my sweet mom just tell me that her animal died and then April fool me? I am shocked...seriously...she quickly rebutted and said that Dad put her up to it...and then....in a very childlike fashion...he blamed it on my brother Jay. The nerve.....his is going to get it...not Jay...but Dad.....he is going to get it and get it good....because....they all laughed....it probably took him a couple practice runs to call me without laughing.....he played the sad husband card well with me....so.....for that....game on gary.....game on!

Meet Shiloh!

2008-04-01T13:21:00.004-05:00

This is one of my peeps new puppy.....actually they had her for a month now however this is the first time that i will have introduced you to her....she is a golden retriever....so sweet.....her coat is so blonde and sooooo very soft. They have another dog...a rat terrier named Cricket...she is the sweetest thing too....she doesnt like this new dog around...but ...the fact that cricket is all of 5 pounds and shiloh is always romping around may have something to do with that. I will update with more pics of shiloh as his momma is way proud of her and will always share pics.

love, defined

2008-03-31T14:52:00.002-05:00

At church our sermon series is on Love, Defined. I am excited....i will post about it i am sure... and if you dont live in the area and you would like...each sunday they record the sermon and i would be more than happy to pick it up for you. The bible has tons to say about love...."In this life we have three lasting qualities: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love!" 1 corinthians 13:13. In 2 John God commands us to love. In 1 Corinthians 14:1 he says "Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it - because it does!"

You say you love but do you show you love? Are your actions showing your love? Love is giving without never getting or wanting back. God wants you to love...not to just say you love but love....so do you? I am a bad lover just as many of you who are reading this are....I am guilty of loving to get something in return....but as the sermon on Easter sunday said....i am walking through the door to live like God commands me to...taking the key and unlocking whatever is keeping me from living like He wants....Pastor Craig said these words that have just stuck in my head...."better things have happened on this day..." he was talking about walking through the door to a new life...unlocking the door with the key that will let free whatever burdens you....whatever is keeping you from living the life that God has planned for you. Basically saying....compared to what Jesus did on Easter Sunday...whatever it is he is true....it doesnt compare. So in your reflections today...i would ask you to do what i am doing...are the things that are weighing heavy on your shoulders keeping you from loving, and living....are they worth it? Cast all your cares....upon the Lord....for He cares for you and He knows what your going through...why dont you...cast all your cares...upon the Lord.

Love you~juls

i am back...

2008-03-26T14:09:00.003-05:00

Hey all...i am back....not at 100% but i am back...the girls were so excited to see me last night....even the 4 legged ones! I was missing them too....(even the 4-legged ones). They both filled me in on all the details of the time spent without me....it was fun....then bedtime came...tucked them both in to bed and then i went to bed soon after.....i was tired! Traveling wears you out....

The weather was a little chilly in Omaha and Iowa.....the time spent with all my relatives was great but we all said that we'd wished it were under different circumstances. The town of Westphalia lost a great man....I am so glad that i was able to make this trip to be with my family to celebrate his life.

THIS is who i am TRAVELING with!?!?! YIKES

2008-03-20T16:49:00.002-05:00

This is my silly youngest brother....he works for MPD also....he is who i am traveling with ... i am thankful that it is not both because sometimes with they get together....save me! Anywho...here he is climbing on a rock wall WITHOUT being strapped on....let me tell you that it was about 10 inches from the ground...it is a kiddy wall at a playground in his neighborhood. Anywho...this is the last post for awhile....i will shout with you all later.

a rare moment....i promise.....

2008-03-20T16:44:00.003-05:00

I promise that this is a rare moment in our home....when all four dogs are in one room.....but usually when hubby is in the kitchen...they all come around once just to see if he will give them a sliver of turkey bacon....that is their treat....anywho. Macie is the Yorkie-she is dog #1 she is the oldest at 12 and is the boss over everyone of the dogs in the picture! Pixie is a Maltese/Shitzuh mix...mostly shit so we call her a Shitese. She is 8 and dog #2...she is more like a fly by the seat of your pants kind of dog...she wears her feelings on her shoulders and loves her mama. The other two are jake & zoe and you have met them. Now...the only other creatures in the house is the bird...who we have named Rita...she was rescued by me 3 years ago during a tropical storm called Rita...hence the name. I will post pics of her later.

Zoe needs some lovin too!

2008-03-20T16:34:00.003-05:00

I felt bad for posting a picture of Jake and not of Zoe. This is the 3rd dog....Zoe....she is a Belgium Malinois. She is a great dog too. (i say this about all our dogs though...sorry). She is 3 years old and is just the most loving and protective dog. At night...she will get up on the bed and almost spoon you....honestly in the winter she is my electric blanket....with her on one side and Pixie (#2 dog) on one side.....i am as warm as ever.

A death in the family....

2008-03-19T22:30:00.001-05:00

My Uncle Delbert died yesterday...that is him 2 years ago...next to him is his daughter...across from him is his wife (dark hair) and then my Aunt (his sister) across from my cousin....sad thing his death is......our family has got great genes we live a LONG time....he was 73....he was ill...several things were wrong however death is tough to accept....i can hear his laugh....he was funny the way he laughed...i think that my cousins (his sons) laugh the same way....my cousin (his daughter) was the caretaker of the family....why is it that us daughters feel compelled to become our parents..well...parents...?...my mom will be the first to tell you that i am ALWAYS calling them to check on them...and they are totally capable adults....i dont know what that is....but my cousin (his daughter) i am sure is taking this hard....i know that in her shoes that i would be too....i am leaving to go to Iowa on Saturday....i will return on Tuesday for any of you who are out there wondering where i am....but...in order to prepare myself to make sure that i am able to be the best support that i can be for my cousins...and aunts & uncles...i googled (yeah..i see all of you rolling your eyes about my googling....but hey....it is better than an encyclopedia!...) how to give meaningful support after a death. Here i go with what i learned...you can x out of my blog if you dont want to know this ... i will post something interesting tomorrow... Who knows the right thing to say to someone mourning the loss of a loved one? No one does. That's because there aren't any words that can change or improve the situation. It is a delicate situation and many people either overreach or go to the other extreme and disconnect. There's nothing you can do to eliminate the grieving process, but there are a few things you can do to help them get through it.

Extraordinary compassion

Intuition to know when to be present and when to back off

Sense of humor

Understanding of the grieving process

Need a little wooing? Here is a list to print off and leave for him!

2008-03-19T11:29:00.000-05:00

Call your partner from work for no other reason than to say, "I love you."
Hold Hands
Slow-dance at a restaurant -- when there's no music playing
Say "I love you" at least three times a day.
Pick flowers for your partner from the side of the road.
Every once in a while, kiss her hand with a flourish. Note: The proper way to kiss a woman's hand is to lower your lips to her hand. You don't raise her hand to your lips.
Place a little love note or poem under the driver's-side windshield wiper of her car.
Write "I love you" on the bathroom mirror with a piece of soap.

Jake Ryan? You know Jake? Jake's my boy!

2008-03-18T22:25:00.001-05:00

This is Jake...man i love this dog! This is our 4th dog...he is the working dog. He works with my husband for the Memphis Police Department. This is a great picture of this dog! I mean he really looks this good in person too! Shannon & Jake won Officer of the Year for 2007. This is the first time for Jake however Shannon has had this honor once before in 2005. We are so proud of them both.

PS....i am on post overload i think!

Keeping the peeps working......

2008-03-18T22:20:00.000-05:00

Check out those peeps...working hard.....yeah....they are crafting their little hearts away. Kudos to the one peep who was able to finish her project....she knows who she is....she is such an overachiever! I am proud of you peep! I wasnt able to spend as much time with my peeps this weekend as i would have liked as i was tending to my Stampin' Up! booth....which by the way did great! Thanks so much you peeps for understanding....you know what the saying is......if all peeps ain't happy....no peep is happy! Love you girls! Muwah!

Me and that Ann lady!

2008-03-18T22:16:00.000-05:00

i was searching for a great picture of me....i think that i am just going to post a picture of my hand! Geezie Petes! Anywho....here is a picture from last weekend when my good buddy Ann & I attended a crop at Eclectica. We had fun....just giddy we were....i think that we were on crop overload as we had attended the Youth Villages crop that day......What great times!

me....taken with Samsung BlackJack II....YIKES

2008-03-18T12:50:00.000-05:00

So...i am at work....and the word is...because i change my hair color so much that i am hard to recognize.....i went to a crop this weekend and that was the first thing that people who know me but havent seen me in awhile said...."your glasses....your hair.....you are darker....." then they always do what mom said...and say..."it looks good...i like it"....only special friends love you enough to tell you to get it fixed.....so far...nobody has said anything....i hope that means that they like it....OMG....i am not worrying about it...you all know me....next week i could change it....it could be brown with blonde & pink highlights....hmmmm...thinking about it.

OK...you have heard all the hype about how awesome the Samsung BlackJack II is...right...i love it...it plays great music....i can get emails....i send emails...i google....i do it all with this little phone...but today..i checked out the picture quality....yeah....i am not getting rid of the Kodak! I guess in a pinch....it will do....but....please know that this picture does not show you the real me....i really look more like Cindy Crawford....i dont know who the girl above is....darn that camera phone!

Toodles & deedles to you all!
juls

Where have i been?

2008-03-17T14:49:00.001-05:00

i have no excuse....i mean...i am busy....i work full time....i clean the house full time...i do laundry full time....then there is the kids......the fun stuff...the scrapbooking, watercoloring ... and stamping...that is my sanity.....but i honestly have lost the month of February and most of March....where did it go?

I am posting a picture of the outside of the album that the group of gals from the Youth Village crop and myself put together for Camden Marshky. Please pray hard for this sweet little boy... http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/camdenmarshky .

later taters...thanks for reading

Six killed, including 2 children, in Memphis home

2008-03-04T08:32:00.000-06:00

Who wants to hear news like this around our city? How horrible! You all know my husband is a police officer and he has told me from what he has heard about the scene he was glad that he couldnt make it to the location of this horrific event. This is his area and his stomping ground so he is ready to go to work today and find out something! Somebody in this neighborhood knows something.
Take a minute or better yet...take more time to pray for all the victims of this tragedy. Pray for the children, the parents, the brothers & sisters.....pray for those that lost their loved ones and those that are standing near hospital beds begging for God to let their baby's pull through this....pray for the response team....what they saw was something that is only seen in horror movies! Please friends....pray for them and pray hard.

Taking Members right now!!!

2008-03-03T14:12:00.000-06:00

Do you "stage" pictures so you can scrapbook them? Do you dress your kids to match patterned paper? Do you call glue "adhesive"? Do the names Ali, Heidi, Becky and Lisa mean anything to you? Have you considered naming a pet after either of them? Do you spend your spare time visiting blogs of total strangers? Have you ever scraplifted? Would you starve to get your favorite scrapbook tool? Do you own a scrapbooking tshirt? Does crop mean one thing to you? Well...then you have come to the right place. We are starting a group and we need you.

Hello....my name is Juli....j...u...l...i.....and I my friends and a scrapaholic.

Email me if you would like to be a member of the club and if you would like to meet to crop.

Pot Roast for dinner tonight!

2008-02-27T14:13:00.001-06:00

Every Wednesday night we have dinner at church. We eat at Hope and then attend our Bible Study classes. The kids just love it.....it is amazing because some of the things that Hope has made for dinner i think the kids will NEVER eat....and it always ends up that they do! And they look so forward to it.....it is a treat to them i think.....anywho... a treat for me too because i dont have to worry about feeding them......and i get some great worship in. Holler at me if you ever wanna go with.....it is a great time!

Click to Give! - DO IT EVERYDAY!

2008-02-26T10:35:00.000-06:00

The Breast Cancer site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their site daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on 'donating a mammogram' for free (pink window in the middle).This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors /advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate mammogram in exchange for advertising.Here's the web site! Pass it along to people you know.http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/

28 Spots Left! Camp Crop A Lot!

2008-02-25T09:53:00.000-06:00

CAMP CROP-A-LOT!
When: April 3 to 6
Where: Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park (Piersol Group Camp)

Time: Check in time begins Thursday, April 3 at 3 p.m.
Check out time is noon on Sunday, April 6
Cost: $50 per person
This cost covers: your bunk to sleep in, all your meals from dinner on Thursday evening thru breakfast on Sunday morning a designated place to crop for your entire stay. (Holy Cow...what a deal!)

Hosted by Stephanie Jackson and Debbie Flowers

Bring a snack (chips, dips, candy, cookies, cakes etc.) to share on the giant snack table.There will be a yard sale table for you to bring your unused, gently used, no longer-needed scrapbooking tools, embellishments, paper, etc. to sell.

Our menu for the weekend will consist of:

Breakfast: your choice of cold cereals, sweet rolls and instant oatmeal along with coffee and juice
>
Lunches: sandwiches with your choice of 3 different lunch meats, 3 types of sandwich rolls, assorted cheeses, along with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles to dress your sammies with. You will also have your choice of chips.

Dinners: Thursday taco salads
Friday chicken spaghetti with salad & garlic bread
Saturday soup, salad and baked potatoes

On Friday evening there will also be make-your-own sundaes and on Saturday evening we will have a bonfire where we will be toasting marshmallows and making smores! YUM!!!!!

Coffee, tea and bottled water will be provided all weekend. If you want any other drinks (i.e. cokes, etc.), please bring your own marked with your name and store them in the camp fridge.

All you need to bring is your cropping stuff, your bedding (a sleeping bag or sheets, pillow & blankie!) along with a towel or 2 and your clothes.

Hosted by Stephanie Jackson and Debbie Flowers

Send your deposits along with your email address and mailing address to:
Stephanie Jackson
4313 Renners Road
Memphis, TN 38128

Questions: Email Stephanie at luv2scrap55@bellsouth.net
Email Debbie at happiscrapper@xipline.com

Screen Cleaner....who knew you needed this???

2008-02-21T15:50:00.000-06:00

Well...i am semi-computer savvy.....and i never knew that you needed a screencleaner for your monitor. Check out this tutorial on You Tube. Get yours today! I got mine...it really made a HUGE difference on my screen....people commented all day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfl6wJsjDy4

have a great one!

Cropping for Camden!

2008-02-21T09:23:00.000-06:00

If you are at all interested in scrapbooking a Disney vacation for Camden Marshky please let me know as soon as possible. Please visit his website http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/camdenmarshky for the whole story. He was granted a trip to Disney World last week from Make-A-Wish and I have contacted his mother and offered to scrapbook their trip for them.

How I was introduced to this little fighter was definately a God thing. I was simply driving to work and they were in the minivan next to me. They have magnets on the side of their van with Camden's website on it and i was curious about his story and the fight that they are going through. After reading the website and knowing all that i knew i felt i needed to do something for this family. I scrapbook...that was all i knew to do to help them....and i talked about this at a Scrapbooking Bible Study Group that i attend. Shortly after agreeing that we could all help them by scrapbooking for them....they were granted this wish.

I have emailed the local scrapbook stores and Eclectica was gracious enough to already respond with donations....i am waiting on Archivers to respond. I also called Michaels & Hobby Lobby who directed me to their corporate offices who said that they didnt do invidual donations like that. (oh well). I you know of anyone who would like to make a personal donation of money or scrapbooking supplies please give them my email imblessed2bme@gmail.com and i will advise them what to do. We are looking for Disney paper...embellishments...ribbon....cardstock....things like that. My plan is to give those who are interested in scrapbooking for this family a "kit"...basically the paper & pictures and embellishments to use...the design is all your own.

If you are interested in scrapbooking for the Marshky family please let me know so that i can put your name on the already growing list.

This is just a beginning gals.....this is a God thing....when we are done with the Marshky family...there will be another...that is the saddest fact about St. Jude patients.

Thanks so much for joining me on this journey. It is worth it!

Love to you all!

You need to CROP? Here is a chance!!

2008-02-21T09:21:00.000-06:00

Hope you can join us! March 8, 2008 Second Annual Crop for the Village Youth Villages Paul W. Barret JR. Gym 7410 Memphis Arlington Rd Bartlett, TN 38135 8am to 5 pm Come Scrap your past for their future *Registration check-in will open at 8:00am the morning of the event! To reserve your seat, please email Debbie Flowers at happiscrapper@xipline.com (Include your name, address, phone number and t-shirt size) Or contact by phone at 901-461-8156 Deadline for registration is March 1, 2008 Your registration fee of $50.00 will be donated to the Youth Villages Food with Class program. This donation includes a "Crop at the Village" T-shirt, goodie bag, drinks, breakfast and lunch for you. There will be 2 Ellison die machines and all the dies you can imagine available for your use. There will be door prizes, bingo and many other drawings through out the day. Bingo is $1 a card. Limited Seating Available and Pre-Registration required. Please make checks payable to Youth Villages and mail checks to: Debbie Flowers156 Duncan DriveAtoka, TN 38004 This event is open to all scrapbookers age 14 and older. This policy also refers to infants). All scrapbookers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older. Thank you for understanding. Hosted by:Lisa Paine, Debbie Flowers, and Michelle Cavallo

Now is the time to place an order!!!!

2008-02-20T14:35:00.001-06:00

Now is the time to place an order with Stampin' Up! it is SALE-A-BRATION time. The perks are awesome! Our Sale-A-Bration promotion gives everyone a reason to celebrate!

Promotion Details

Customers: For every $50 purchase they make, customers will receive a free Sale-A-Bration product.

Hostesses: In addition to our regular hostess benefits, hostesses will receive a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set for workshops that reach $300 or more.

Recruits: Anyone who joins as a demonstrator during Sale-A-Bration can choose any stamp set--a value of up to $47.95--from the current catalog.

If you want to place an order OR if you know anyone who would be interested....please send them to my website.

Also...i have a stampers club that needs only a few more members. So if you are interested in that please please let me know soon so that we can get that started!

Ann Peace Love Joy and me!

2008-02-19T14:15:00.001-06:00

Ann Peace.....what a great person! I met Ann during Archivers employee training. We just clicked! We really hit it off.....we are about the same age and we have the same interests...beliefs.....she is just fun to be around. This picture was taken at a crop that we attending in the Cook Convention Center in December. We had a good time.

At this crop one of her layouts won best of show! I need to get a picture of it and post it!

Ann U ROCK! Thanks Ann for sending me this picture. Love to you!

Bible Verse - Week 1 - Join me!

2008-02-19T11:41:00.000-06:00

Join me and my family as we learn a Bible verse a week.
This week is Philippians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

The Lioness

2008-02-18T16:36:00.000-06:00

Today was spent enjoying a day off with the kids....we went to the zoo....we picked up one of my peeps kids and off to the zoo. What a great day....the animals were kind of slim pickens because of the weather...it was a bit cold. Here is a picture of the lioness. Enjoy!

Awaiting our visitation!!!

2008-02-16T19:30:00.000-06:00

Some of you know already about this dog...affectionately called Mattie Kay at our home. Mattie Kay was a dog that was rescued from Tipton County Animal Shelter...her previous owner poured motor oil all over her and she was a SAD sight when she came from there....but now....she is a princess living high on the hog in east Memphis....a co-worker of mine adopted her and we have visitation rights to Mattie Kay...one weekend here or there we get her....if her owners go on vacation...we get her....and let me just tell you...we love this dog to death....yeah...we have 4 dogs and we love them too....but what is that saying about absence makes the heart grow fonder...it works both ways with this darned pug! She is the snoringist and silliest dog....but we just love her....anywho....we are missing her something fierce and hoping soon we can convince her custodial parents to let us have some darned visitation!!!

My Scrap Room....

2008-02-16T19:17:00.000-06:00

Here it is....my K&Company wallpapered closet....my husband said that we are SURELY not going to be able to ever sell the house with this room...and now...this closet. Oh well...i am happy right here where we are planted! Let me know if you have questions about what all this crap is....the bottom of the closet has bins...each bin is filled with something...and has a purpose...the first shelf is tools & clear stamps...mostly...then the second shelf is buckets of binder clips, pens...my The Angel Company stamps in CD cases...my piggy bank of course...and then the top shelf is mostly pretty stuff and then some albums...Anywho....send me some shouts if you love the room....i am tickled pink about it myself!

Take a minute to pray for Camden

2008-02-12T10:08:00.000-06:00

Hey folks...quick post....please take a minute to pray for this little boy and his family as they take a trip that Make-a-wish granted him to Disney World. They left last night.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/camdenmarshky

Cleaning the toilet is fun!

2008-02-11T15:02:00.000-06:00

so....yesterday....i gave the girls a list of chores and told them that they had to do the chores together and when the chore was done they could cross it off and ring a bell. It was going great...i watched them mostly to see who was really doing the work....of course i knew...but i watched....when they rang the bell i told them that they were moving along quickly and that i was proud and to keep working. Soon...there was a fight....as usual.....i was on the phone so they knew that i wasnt paying attention however I WAS and just in time to see the little one spit on the big one! OMG! I ended the call and immediately headed over to their location. I asked the little one why she spit at her ... she said that she spit at the door....i told her that i saw the whole thing and that i would take her to church this very minute so she could tell that lie there....she changed her story. ...i gave her two choices....she could clean the toilet (which both of them are afraid to do....) or spend the day in her room. She whined and cried about it but eventually went to her room.....quickly bored of that she came to me and told me that she would clean the toilet. I made her gather the cleaning supplies....put the gloves on and get to work...i sat there managing the whole thing....telling her where to scrub around the back...in the bowl....she was afraid of it flushing on her....duh....you have to pull that to make it flush i told her.....anywho....after she was done....she put the cleaning supplies away and then came to me and said..."Mom....i will spit on (BIG ONE) again....i think cleaning the toilet was fun". I didnt respond.

Temptation

2008-02-11T10:45:00.000-06:00

Funny thing isnt it? There is actually a game for Gameboy Advance called LarryBoy and the Bad Apple...here is the game description: The world needs a hero and LarryBoy is that hero! When trouble appears, the citizens of Bumblyburg call world-famous crime fighter LarryBoy! Aided only by his trusted butler Alfred (played with zest by Archibald Asparagus), plunger-headed LarryBoy is everything that his alter-ego Larry the Cucumber is not: bold… confident… relentlessly driven… brazenly heroic. Well, actually, that's not entirely true. While he tries to create this impression, inside, LarryBoy is still plain-old Larry. LarryBoy attempts to save the day with clever use of his super-suction ears and the many features of the Larry-Mobile. Call him a kinder, gentler, slightly slower superhero! Wow...huh? I am getting this game.

This weekend at church (Hope Presbyterian Church www.hopepres.com) we had a sermon on "Defeating Temptations". I want to share with you the 5 things you can do right now to help resist your temptations.
1. Determine in advance what causes your temptation.
2. Guard your heart.
3. Ask for God's help.
4. Redirect your attention.
5. Get some support.

Also....check out the other site Hope sponsors called www.hope2change.com .

And...if you ever wanna go to church with me .... holler....it is fun!

A whole new roll~!

2008-02-11T10:03:00.000-06:00

And...it is not the food kind!

The fondue party was amazing. Let me just tell you....white chocolate covered marshmellows are out of this world!

The party started at about 6pm where we gathered around the table with the delicious center piece of a fondue pot full of hot swiss cheese (gourmet and tasty kinds) .....each of us armed with a fondue poker...(mine was pink) and we dipped things like apples, white bread, brown bread (pumpernickle i think is what she said), celery, brocoli, califlower and maybe more stuff....it was all amazing....i think that ANYTHING dipped in meltin hot cheese runs the chance of being ... um...to die for!

The next event on our schedule was card making....we each designed 2 cards....of course....my peeps are extremely talented and we ended up about 2 hours later with 6 fabulous cards. One peep shared the cracked glass technique....i will take a picture of it....it was so cool!

Now it is time for the main course....i guess mainer than the cheese....we had a fondue pot of oil and one of boullioun & spices....we had beer batter & a non beer batter for the one having our little Caprioni (baby boy name for Capri).....then the plates consisted of...steak, chicken, lobster & shrimp and then a bowl full of BIG mushroom caps. IT was amazing...i am trying not to keep using that word but ladies....it just didnt get any better than this...i swear.....i am thinking when i have had a meal this good and nothing is beating this....sorry mom.....i mean....i love your fried chicken and you know that....but this was great. Maybe you should make me some fried chicken this week so that i can be sure that the fondue was the best......anywho....it was great...steak & chicken was all i really partook in.....and i was happy...

Then..the finale....ladies....there are no words.....white chocolate....real whipping cream....and BUTTAH....OMG! my mouth is watering. oh...and since we had two pots to fondue in...we had to have another chocolate.....it was the Tolberone chocolate....milk chocolate...it was good....really good....but the white chocolate marshmellow....holy cow....who would have thought? I even loved the taste of my pink poker in the white chocolate.

I swear that i left that place with a whole new roll escaping from my once loose jeans. I slept so good!

Peep.....i am telling you....you are amazing. You really know what you are doing....thanks for all your hard work! U my fellow peep...rock!

more later...gotta work~

This is what i am doing this weekend....

2008-02-08T14:56:00.000-06:00

So...one of my peeps forwarded me this picture from a blog she checks out....she knew i would fall in love...i did...immediately in love.....so...off with the doors in my scrapbook room and the closet will be "wallpapered' with the latest K&Co line....i am so excited...i will post pictures.

Later taters.....pictures of the finished project on Monday....(cross you fingers....)

Fondue with my peeps....doesnt get much better!

2008-02-08T11:57:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow is a special day! I am so excited...i have been waiting and waiting for this day. I am having FONDUE with my peeps! I guess it was close to a year ago....maybe....i think....that myself and 3 of my "peeps" (this is a term of endearment that is used to describe this set of 3 friends - we all use this term for each other)....we all gather at a different home each month and have dinner. We also design cards and gather the supplies for these cards and put it in a plastic shoe box thingy then we pass around the boxes and create cards designed by our fellow peeps while we chat about funny things in our lives. It is a great time and we all look forward to this day each month. We leave with a bunch of new cards....and a date for the next gathering. I value this time with my peeps so much....they are such great gals and to me gifts from God.....before we started our little club we knew "of" each other and shared ideas on occasion....but now.... we are part of each others lives....seriously....these girls are the ones i called to check on after the storm...i cry with them....laugh with them...and at them.....go to church with them....i have even broke out into a couple of my old Catholic hymns with them....these are my best buds and i love them. So if one of you are reading this.... "i got somethin for you" - love ya!

My Parents......

2008-02-07T13:08:00.000-06:00

My Mom & Dad.....silly folks they are.....i guess better know as Grandma & PawPaw....funny how your parent become your best friends when you get older. Mom...if you are reading this....i am not asking for anything...i am simply stating the truth! As you get older your parents grow on you...is it just me? I mean...i have GOT to know where they are all the time....not because i am nosey....i mean i just want to be sure they are ok.....and they are not disabled or anything...they get along pretty good....they are not old...they both work fulltime....but i just wanna make sure they are ok....They travel a lot and i swear....it just kills me....they joke about it to me but i worry about them until i hear from them...and then...i worry until i hear from them again......i guess i will stop doing this when my daughter becomes a teenager....then i will have her to worry about. oh well...will post more later!
toodles...

OMG!

2008-02-07T09:43:00.000-06:00

Ok....so....i was lurking on my list of many blogs this morning and when i clicked on this one http://www.momsleap.blogspot.com/ i was scared! My mugshot.... (note to self....get a new picture on Stampin' Up! website TODAY!)....bless her heart...Carol must think that this is a great picture of me.....yikes....it only was a temporary picture that worked in a pinch. I am working on a new picture right now and will post it right away! YIKES....

This was up the street last night!?!?

2008-02-06T13:29:00.001-06:00

So today as i look at pictures of what went on in our town yesterday i was shocked to find this picture that was taken only a couple miles from our house! YIKES! I mean...when the sirens are on...dont think that i lollygag to the safe place...i am there....with a supply of water and food...but never could i believe that this was just a couple miles from us. I wont show this to the girls. They will freak out....it was just us, the bird and the dogs....daddy was at work. I was however on the phone with my dad pretty often....he kept telling me what was going on. He cracked me up...at one point he said that he had to go bury his butt in the tub! :-) He is funny like that. I hate the visual it gave me but love the giggle that it still gives me. I think that he was and is a great source of joy in my life.

I am joining the blog world!

2008-02-06T09:33:00.000-06:00

I am going to join the world of bloggers. My name is Juli.... J - U - L - I and i am a blogger. (If you ever watch the show Intervention...you "got" that). So....what will this blog contain? Who knows....i will start out with an introduction of me....so if you dont know me...you will...and if you know me ... you really will know me...or you can just skip the first few blogs....i will then include my thoughts...funny things my kids do...pictures of my latest craft projects....pictures of my craft room that i am in the process of remodeling...i am also reading the Bible regularly this year so i will add some great storys from the Bible also....so...this should be something rather interesting ... and if it isnt...i am sorry...i will try....i will just be proud of myself for doing it.

Just Find Your Joy.....Fine Joy is my statement for 2008. If you just focus daily on finding joy...what a day it will be.....

I hope you find a little joy in reading my blog.