nEw bloggers...

i am so excited to tell you of two new bloggers. of course one of the reasons i'm so excited is because they are mY stores! i sell scrapbook supplies to all of northern arizona for my sales rep job. please go check them out...scrap-n-etc and route 66 scrappers. they are still new at this but, i can't wait to see all the great things they are doing at their stores. waY to go gaLs, i'm so proud of you!!! i also need to send a shout out to my other stores... 3 scrappin sisters, scrapbook basics, the scrapbook den, j'anns treasure chest, paper and metal scrappers and scrapbooker's corner and more. i am so impressed with these stores. they are all in rural arizona and they are going strong. keep up the good work ladies!

{i've been tagged...again}

i got tagged from my friend, taryn choate and i'm supposed to tell 7 random facts about me. this will be hard because i can never think of things to tell about me, but i'll give it a try just for taryn.

1. i'm addicted to tatoos and want more.
2. if somebody tells me i won't do something, I WILL!
3. i'm not good at taking my own advise. i would much rather give than receive in this department, lol.
4. i'm a good kisser, so i've been told.
5. i don't like to be mistaken or to not get my way.
6. i love to dance! what i mean by that is... i can shake my "behind" 'til the cows come home.
7. i am the "queen" of multi-tasking.


k, now i have to tag 7 other people. after you write your random facts, you must tag 7 others, write a comment on their most recent blog so they know they were tagged, and give them the instructions. i tag: wendy, tammy, brad, christine, ann, dianna, amanda...good luck! do it for the fun of it and because you love mE!

haPpY biRthdaY haleigh nicole......

i can't believe that my baby is 11 today! where has the time gone? i remember bringing her home 11 years ago and feeling so blessed i had a little girL! i wish only the best for her in this life. i scrapbooked this page using the song from rascal flatts... mY wiSh. the words are truly amaZing!! i wish all these things and more for her todaY and everyday of her lifE! thank you God for giving me this little giRl to enjoy. i am honored to be her mother. she is the light of mY lifE and gives me strength like no other. i know that i must continue to live each day to the fullest for her and mY boys. they are mY rocK!!! haPpY birthdaY babY!!! hope you have a grEat daY. love your mommy always *hugs*

overwhelmed of emotions...

how is it that when you are all full of emotion you can't get the words out. i have been dealing with this all week. so much to say and can't find the right words. through out this week i have been happy, sad, giggly, depressed, loved, tiRed, sick, afraid, overwhelmed and soooo much more. i have been thinking way to much lately about lifE...mY lifE. what do i want to accomplish, where do i want to be, what dreams do i want to reach, how do i want to be remembered, am i a good mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter, cousin and niece. am I all i want to be? no, i don't want to join the service (though i am very thankful for my brother and sister who served). i am just mixed up and confused. does any one else out there feel like this? is this just and early mid-life crisis i am experiencing? i have had so much laid on mE this week that i can't seem to take one more thing. i should remember that i CAN'T solve the world's problems. that i CAN'T always be there for everyone (right jo ann)? that again...sometimes... i need to take care of me. i am trying really hard to learn this. i am trying to listen to what i am told by all. this is a true challenge for me. i have never been one to apply what i am being told, to take my own advise. for me, it is easier to give it than take it. how do we do this and not feel selfish? i guess it all comes down to balance and self esteem. i need to work on this. i need and have been told to go back and read what i have written. do i have to? i don't want to? did i really say that? ok, i will try that's all that counts, right? to try? now that i have pretty much made no sense i need to go to bed. i have not gotten enough sleep all week. that's probably my problem. ok, just another excuse. *hugs* boy i could use one right about now. connie

ps. i need to send my prayers and best wishes to angela moore and her family. she just received her new heart! may God continue to bless you and give you strength to heal.

thaNks mom...

today my mom and naoma came over and helped me settle in my new house that i have been in for 4 months now. thaNks gals!! don't think i could thank you enough. it has reallY helped mY mood. wanted to share something that my mom shared with me today. she made me sit down and look at the pictures while she read. i didn't want too, i wasn't in the mood. though i did it and this is what it was...

To a Phenomenal Women!

• i've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

• i've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled christmas tree lights.

• i've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

• i've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life". i've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

• i've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. you need to be able to throw something back.

• i've learned that whenever i decide something with an open heart, i usually make the right decision.

• i've learned that even when i have pains, i don't have to be one.

• i've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.

• people love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. i've learned that i still have a lot to learn.

• i've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

please send this to five phenomenal women today. if you do, something good will happen... you will boost another woman's self esteem!

wow!! i so needed this today. moms aLwaYs know what's best. thaNks again mom. i love you mommy...

so ladies and gentlemen...i hope you have a good weekend. take time to make someone smile!! with your smile... you never know who's day you may have brighten or SAVED! *hugs* connie

{time}...

another day where i have so much to say and not enough {time} to write. i am tiRed and i have a very busy day tomorrow. i think i am just gonna call it a night and try tomorrow. though i know i will be busy, i just can't even think straight right now. too full of emotions and my brain won't shut off so this is it for tonight. sorry to those wanting to read more. i know i said i would tell about my son's band concert and other things that happened today...like getting a nEw scrap table, but i just can't think anymore. {time} will have to wait...

it's all good...

how can i not be in a good mood? i am sitting here doing my blog listening to my michael buble cd!!! haPpY, haPpY music...makes a very haPpY connie! it has been such a good day. got everyone where they needed to be so i could go to work. today was my first official day on my own. in to work i go and i was early... again (patting myself on the back). got everything all set up and ready for the day. i transferred calls with ease, i took messages like a pro and i even think i earned some bonus points. things in my world seem to be slowing down and falling into place. todaY is a daY that i so look forward to. a day that i wish i had more of in my life. a day where you talk to family and friends and all is well with them. when i hear this...it makes me happy. i gotta steal something one of my friends shared with me yesterday...There is a saying that "nice guys finish last." I have learned that this is true. I have also learned that last place is okay when it means you helped someone get to first place. I would rather be last and happy than first and miserable. wow!! this is so true for me. i would rather make sure everyone else is happy than myself. in doing so it makes me haPpY! i do however believe that you do not need to sacrifice your own happiness for others. i have done this... and find myself continually doing so. this should be one of my {21} day challenges i need to work on, lol. why is it that i seem to put everyone else before myself. i don't mind this at all but sometimes...i need to remind myself...i need to come first... just sometimes. anywho... i gotta go. getting my hair done tonight. hey...mE time and i am putting myself first! i'll try and write later.

first daY in the rEaL woRk worLd...

wow!!! can you say everything that could go wrong did this morning. it started with last night being sooo tired and crying myself to sleep right after i set my alarm. i felt like a kid getting readY for their fiRst day of school. remember it has been over 14 years that i had been in the real world work force. alarm went off this morning and i cried again. wondering to myself...did i make the right decision, could i do this, was i gonna be good enough, how was the rest of my day gonna go and what about my other jobs...including being a wife and mother?! my daughter missed the bus, two older boys ran late and i was fReaKing OUT!!! needed to get myself put together, get my daughter to school (without being late), my two boys to high school and me to work by 8:30 and it was 7:45, YIKES! guess what... I DID IT and i was to work by 8:15!!! my day at work i think went well. i had an amaZing trainer and the office manager was very helpful too. we did experience a leak in the bathroom but, overall it was good. tomorrow will be my first day on my own. crossing my fingers now. everything else went ok after i got home. still had all the things to do as though i wasn't working outside of the house but, i seem to manage ok. i think once i get a regular routine going and the kids understanding we need to move a little earlier, we all will do fine. had a good conversation with a friend today that has put a perma grin on my face. can't seem to wipe it off no matter what i am doing, need to be doing, thinking about or multi-tasking! thanks ;0) i better get everyone settled so i can be to bed again by 10:30. it's a new dawn, a new day, a new lifE... in the rEaL woRk worLd in the morning. *hugs*

all they days in between thursday and today...

it has been a very busy few days. i'm gonna try and go back and recap if i can.

fRiday...
i was rushing around all day trying to get everything done before i headed out of town. i was leaving for the weekend to attend the armstrong family fundraiser in phoenix. i was to get there by noon but, all those last minute details made me really late. i ended up getting there a little before 5 p.m. remember i am 3 1/2 hours away so it wasn't like i could just get up and go. it was a great success. kristan did such an amazing job getting everything all organized. she had some great help from a lot of wonderful women and men. for more info on the event you can check out her blog or the armstrong family fundraiser blog. i stayed there until almost 10 p.m. until my eyes were about to close. i knew i still had a 30 minute drive to my in laws were i was to sleep my little self for the evening. with the drive down and not sleeping but 4 1/2 hours thursday night i was pretty tired. i had a hard time even doing my blog that night but, i did it. i was hoping to have a wonderful nights rest and to get to sleep in, ha! forgot to call my in laws so i had to sneak into their house. i felt like i was in high school again. talked with my sister in law while sneaking in for two reasons...needed the light to stay on on my cell phone, and if i couldn't get in i needed directions to her house. two...she was worried about me and wanted to make sure i got in ok. all worked out and i got in and got settled. i was so excited about no kids, a bed to myself and sleeping in! NOT!! their dog needed out so i needed to take care of him. was trying really hard to be quiet not to wake the in laws up. did however enjoy the bed to myself but, the alarm clock was set and woke me up in the middle of the night. then sleeping in, ha...up bright and early by 7 am. guess i could call it sleeping in but, my body had a mind of it's own. woke up with a massive headache and laid there for a bit. texted a few people who i knew would be up and then i fell back to sleep for an hour. finally got up at 9 a.m. on to saturday.

saturday...
i was to spend the entiRe day with my best friend debbie. doing girl things and just hanging out and catching up. we haven't done this in like f-o-r-e-v-e-r! guess what...she had to work ALL day and then needed to spend the evening with her husband. what's up with that, it was girLs day! i slowly got myself moving along. visited with my mother in law and talked with my sister in law to try and make some new plans for saturday. i went and visited a friend from jr high and daughter. it was great! we hung out, caught up and enjoyed watching her play. nothing i think is more awEsome than watching children play. only thing is...no camera. i know, i know what you are thinking... me a scrapbooker and no camera. let me remind you i had to go to plan "b" since i was stood up by my best friend. had i thought about it we could have used our cell phones or got a disposable one, duh. anywho... guess we'll have to keep the memories in our minds. maybe they can write it down so they can remember their day. i know it was very relaxing and enjoyable for me. oh, forgot to mention i had a strawberry creme from starbucks!!! now that was yuMmY! don't have them where i live and have only been there three or four times, EVER. after my plaY i got to enjoy some alone time shopping. i had a birthday gift certificate for months and i was FINALLY getting to use it, thanks jody, allie and doyle! got some gREat buys!! after this was said and done i had realized why i STILL had a headache...hadn't eaten all day. silly me, guess i thought i could drop a few, lol. now i talked with my sister in law who is an hour away from where i was to find out we were going out, just the girls, YEA! it's 7 p.m and i have a drive and i was hungry. got to her house snacked on a slice of pizza that i had to pick mushrooms off of but, i was grateful and it hit the spot! thanks guys. it's now 9 p.m and us three girls got to go out. no kids, no husband, no phones just uS! we had a great time together and have some fuN memories! you girLs know how to rocK!!! another late night/morning. went to sleep at about 4 a.m. but was woken up by a little one who needed fed. then couldn't seem to get comfy on the couch and then finally the last time i checked my phone it was 5:33 a.m. and i don't remember anything until about 7 when i heard 7 little ones come down the stairs. all i remember is hearing my nephew say..."shhh, my aunt connie is sleeping on the couch we need to go outside". thanks "b" for remembering i was there. so again another sleepless night and i was up and ready to go home by 10 a.m. then...

suNday...
forgot that i talked with deb about meeting for lunch. ya, that didn't happen. after i got all ready to go i looked at the time. you guessed it, i was to be there right then. it was 11 a.m and i was over an hour away. she still wanted to get together and try to catch up real quick so i met her at the mall. i ate at the food court while we visited. i missed lunch at... the cheesecake factory. man, won't do that again. they have great food and amaZing cheesecake! i so wish i lived closer to deb. we never have enough time. we still need to do a girl trip so we can hang for more than a day. caLi next yeaR right? i hope so and i am looking forward to it. anywho... left her and made a few pit stops before heading out of town. pit stops were much needed. got my fixes, lol and i was off. had my neW michael buble cd and i was set! my 3 hour drive home was awesomE do to mY days away and my tunes. couldn't ask for a better weekend...sleep or no sleep. it was fabulous and much needed. always the same thing though...never enough time.

i will post about today on a new post. if you hung in there and read this entire entry. THANK YOU!! hope you had some free time to read (as this was a way tooo long entry) and that i didn't warn you ahead of time. (this is why i need to blog dailLy) you are a true trooper, an amaZing friend, a lurker or maybe all of these. maybe you just wanted to see if i mentioned yOu in my blog, lol. you know who you are...the ones that make my day by leaving all the comments. for me it's fun to read the comments and to know that i am looking at the view counter getting eXcited cause people actually do read my nonsense. THANKS again.

yaWn...

i have so much to write about but, again i'm very tired. had a long, rough, sleepless night on a couch at my brother's. i then had a 4 1/2 hour drive home. i will try and catch up tomorrow on my weekend. i start my official woRk week tomorrow. i need to turn in so i can get up eaRly, ugh. this is a new challenge for me and i need to try to make it work. i think once i have my routine down it will be some much easier. have a wondErfuL night. *hugs* connie

what a day....

whew... what a day.... just like the title says. relaxing was so enjoyable.... ever notice how busy you can get when you are relaxing? it was a good kind of busy though. very good. fun memories. very fun. hardly keeping the eyes open... write more tomorrow... *hugs*

to tiRed...

it is still officially fridaY. i have so much i want to write about but, my eyes just won't stay open and my fingers keep hitting the wrong keys. i will write tomorrow when i am awake. mental note to self...write about event, my day and night, what i have to look forward too. falling asleep again. *good night*

as the saying goes...

so much to do and so little time. i have a lot to do before i leave in the morning to head to the armstrong family fundraiser. we still have room so come on by. there will also be a silent auction open to the public from 3-9pm. lots of great items to bid on. even if you can't stay and scrap please, stop in and bid on the the awEsome goodies. can't even think straight right now. am i helping wendy do her blog, writing an order, packing, doing laundry or is this my blog, lol. anywho... i have way to much going on in this brain of mine. i will try to write later or in the morning. *hugs*

headache is still lingering...

anyone know how to get rid of it for me? just got home from my oldest son's choir concert. it was amaZing!!! they had 4 different choirs (mixed, women's, honor and madrigals) and they were all awEsomE. the last one was acappella to an all time favorite...africa by toto. yes, i now had to add it to my play list because it put me in a good mood. again muSic... touching the soul. my night is ending on a grEat note. i truly believe any music...whatever your choice... sings too you.
in other news...i start a JOB tomorrow! this is not the original one i interviewed for, it's a different one. i am going to be a receptionist at re/max traditions. i haven't been in the true work force, working for someone for over 14-15 years. it will be a little strange getting up early, as i am sooo not a morning person. the nice part i can work around my children and i will be home when they are! so i need to turn in early so i can be up oh so bright and early for work. *night*

mY bEd is suRe looKing nicE...

yep, you guessed it...one of those daYs. i am thinking i need to crawl right back into my pj's and get into bed! still recovering from being sick last night and have the headache from %*^@!! lots to do but, don't feel like i am getting anything accomplished. i did get up and shower today!! making this short for now. try and write more later...

sicK...

too sick to write. need to get some much needed sleep as i have been sick all afternoon. hope it is just a quick 24 hours or less. though i think i got a little food poisoning from lunch today. *hugs* oh, not too tight.

monday and bluE skies...

last night i was awaken by a little girl and a bad dream. didn't really get to find out about the bad dream, she just wanted to be next to her mommy. so she crawled into our queen bed and slept with us (until mom was getting squished) then daddy put her back to bed. then about an hour later i heard this beep. not to sure what it was. then i asked galen if it was his phone and he said i don't know (it was 4 something in the morning and we weren't quite with it). i asked him to check, he said yes and said it was a text message. i said it must be christine, she must of had her baby!!! so i checked it and i was right. the text came at 4:23 a.m. letting us know that at 3:15 a.m. little dusty fox {after his dad's grandpa} was born. she was five days late but, that pedicure on saturday must have worked. so excited to have a new little one in the family!! congrats you two, we love you!! this makes 13 grand kids on galen's side (9 boys and 4 girls). ok sister in laws we need more GIRLS! they ain't coming from me or sister sherri so you three need to get a movin'. i was so excited to wake up late this morning. the kids have no school today or tomorrow (fall break) which is weird cause we have never had a fall break before. so it was nice to yet again SLEEP IN! though with it being monday... life is busy. we add all the activities onto the calender and plan out our week as a family. for me i need to catch up on laundry, house work and work. always have loads of e-mails to check after a weekend. i can call the e-mails done at this time. will need to check them again after a bit. i can take a few minutes and write in my blog, which i love to do!! if you have noticed i got the song dianna told me to check out on my blog. thanks to an awesome friend who found it for me. so i have been listening to it and the words. i soooo need this song! i need to listen to it everyday...i need to remember to be thankful. don't know if i am, enough. this songs reminds me so much of my oldest. he was born completely blind. he is 16, blind, autistic and mentally challenged. when i watch him, how can i NOT smiLe. his world of darkness yet, you will always find a smile on his face. he can lift any one's spirits by his smile. to see his world through him...is truly amaZing. i am adding this scrapbook layout i did of him and his dad. as i read what i wrote 4 years ago it put me in a better mood. a thankful, blessed mood. here is what i wrote... {lead me, guide me, walk beside me... imagine...seeing the world through austin's eyes. austin being born totally blind at birth and with other disabilities enjoys the outdoors so much. he may not see the world like you or i but, we know he sees it. with help from his mom and dad, austin gets to see GOD'S creations through touch, smell, taste, sounds and through our eyes.} today...i see clearly that God has blessed me not only with blue skies but, an amaZing son. for that~ i am truly thankful.

a littLe of this and a littLe of that...

i didn't get to write about my saturday and sunday so i thought i would kinda fill ya in real quick. not writing on saturday put me in a major withdrawal mode. didn't realize by making this a habit and not getting to do that habit would put me in such a tizzy. we had a crazy busy weekend. we drove down late on friday and arrived at 1 in the morning. we needed to be at the baptism by 9:30 a.m. i did not know that a 15 year old boy would take so long to get ready. i was able to get ready before him and that is very unusual for this gal. needless to say, hE made us LATE! we did however make it there in time to see the actual baptism take place, whew. after the baptism we had a luncheon with all the family and friends that attended. it was nice to just sit and relax and enjoy everyones company. we were all hoping that galen's 2nd sister would have her third baby (on sat she was 3 days over due) while we were there as well. we have been very lucky with this sister. every time we have been down there she has had a baby. it's great to be there when we get a new niece or nephew in the family. anyways, no luck baby didn't come. we are all so anxiously awaiting as we don't know what she is having. they didn't want to find out this time around. while we were there i was able to meet up with my best friend, deb for lunch at the cheesecake factoryand then off to the mall. haven't been there in like f-o-r-e-v-e-r. got some much need essentials that i only get once a year. after this i went back to my in laws to meet up with galen for our date night with my brother and his wife and her cousin and husband. what a much needed night without kids. had a gReat time. thanks guys and gaLen too!

sunday was wonderful as i got to sleep in. this never happens for me!!! we got up and decided to head home early. so we packed the car and the kids and off we went. stopped off at my aunt and uncle's to drop off some pictures of my kids and to check on my cousin bre. she has been in the hospital for a month and a half trying to keep her little girL inside. when we got there i found out she was released and she was there at her mom's. it was nice getting to chat with her and check on her baby status. she is now 33 weeks and still pregnant, yeah!!! go home and tried to get caught up on work, e-mails and my blog and i was just so tired. so this is why i am writing today, to play blog catch up on a littLe of this and a littLe of that, lol.

{so...}

yesterday was so hectic with all the things that needed to be done and with what i was needing to do, blogging didn't make the list. so sorry to the many of you who read my blogs daily. do you ever realize how many times a day you say the word sorry. i didn't until i thought about it. it's so natural that it slips off our tongues so frequently. so here it is...
sorry: adj 1: feeling sorrow, regret, or penitence 2. mournful sad 3. inspiring sorrow, pity, scorn, or ridicule.
i thought to myself more than half of the time i say the word {sorry} it is for none of these reasons. it is just a word used way to much for not the RIGHT reasons. so when i apologize for not writing yesterday i feel regret. for myself, for not writing and for not sharing my day and thoughts with others. i just read my comments today for the last two days and they brought me to tears. WOW!! of course i am gonna cry when my mom gets on my blog and posts the most beautiful words to me. i am blessed to have the bEst mom in the woRld!!! she is mY woRLd! don't know what i would do without her...she is one of my best friends. i don't know many mothers and daughters who get to share such and amaZing bond as we do. then i read the comment from brad...ok, if he is brought to tears how can i not be brought to tears again. now dianna...what great words of wisdom i needed to read. i now need to look up that song and add it to my play list. thank you to all of you. for not only taking time out of your busy day to read my blog but, to post such much needed comments. i am to overwhelmed right now to really continue. don't think i will be posting about yesterday or today. i think what has been written here is enough. so my title you wondEr?? think about the word sorry...how do you use it? how often do you use it? do you really mean it? i was always told sorry means: you will try to never do it again. this is how i look at sorry. so i am going to try and not let it just slip off the tongue so easily. i want people to know when i say it... i truly mean it! sorry is now so...{so with dot, dot, dot} unless it is truly meant to be said as {sorry}. night and *hugs* to all

sleepless in snowflake...

last night was one of those restless, sleepless nights. i think my mind could never shut off, knee was killing me and it was too cold. so i tried to recover by getting in a nap today. don't know about you but, i can never seem to get them in. always way to much to do. i am typing this as i wait for my family to return from a football game. we are driving 3 hours tonight to go to a family function tomorrow for my husband's sister. i thought i would quickly write a few lines to get my writing in for the day. i will be gone for the weekend but, i am going to try to post. lots on my mind that i would like to write about, just don't have the time. night

one more day...

i am finally posting for today. it's been one of those days where you just wish you could go back to bed and maybe start over. i received some news today from a friend that has me questioning why? why are we given more than we can handle? we have been told we would only be given as much as we can handle. i thought about this today long and hard. wondering why some people just keep getting dished more and more and others seem to not. no, we don't know what goes on behind closed doors but, sometimes it is just more visible than others. again it got me thinking...there will be good days and bad, happy and sad and days you just don't want to get out of bed. so how do we change this? how do we continue to go on? who helps us through these times? family, friends, God, all of them? i know that we are sent here to be tried and tested but, seriously when is enough, enough? today was one of those days for me that i find one of my hardest. one that makes me feel is the test worth it, am i worth it? what got me through it? taking a little time for me and chatting with some great friends. truly realizing that there is someone out there worse off than me and to stop feeling sorry for myself. no, i did not make my own happiness today. will it be better tomorrow? i hope so. so i said a little prayer for me, my friend and a friend of a friend to give us strength. to give us strength for one more day. i hope being in "sync" with myself and my thoughts will give us all strength. to live one more day. *hugs* connie

uncertain...

wow, it's already wednesday. where is the week going? i feel like i have been running around with my head cut off. i have a questions for all the moms (and dads) out there. how do you balance motherhood and a job outside of the home? i went for a job interview today. can i just tell you...i have not worked outside of the home since i can't tell you when. my oldest is 16 and my baby will be 11 this month. i feel it's time to help out the family but, i don't want to sacrifice it either. i know there is a balance, i have seen it done in both mothers and fathers. i can remember growing up and my mom having to work. she was a single parent of two for 9 1/2 years. she at many times worked 3 jobs at once just to support us. she also put herself through school. can i just tell you how much i am impressed by her...she is truly amaZing!!! she is my hereo! she graduated with honors and received a bronzed diploma. i know these are things she doesn't mention to everyone but, she should be proud of what she has accomplished in her life. i always remember wishing my mom could be there for all my special events but, i understood she had to work. now as a mother myself i don't want my children thinking those thoughts of me. i know she HAD to work. she wanted a better life for herself and her children. we knew that she had only one choice. i on the other hand have a little more choice than she did. i just don't want to make the wrong choice. so today... i think of the question and i am hoping to get some suggestions on it. i want to know and feel i am making the right decision for all parties involved. today i am so so uncertain...this world i live in...so unwritten. though i feel like it's me~against the world...

your support helps...

i am passing this along for my friend kristan and the armstrong family. we would love to raise as much money as possible for the armstrong's. if you can't make it any form of donation is greatly appreciated. if you have any questions please let me know. thank you! *hugs* connie

Many of you have heard about Lynn and Tracy Armstrong and the tragedy that has struck her family. Please share this story with your friends, neighbors and family and help us raise money to help this family.

“Tracy Armstrong left his home two months ago in a helicopter, bleeding from four gunshot wounds and fighting for his life. He returned home Thursday paralyzed, but alive.
On Aug. 3, Armstrong, 45, a father of nine, was checking in a customer to his Blue Springs Lodge when the customer's son came into the office and began shooting. The 24-year-old man shot Armstrong four times at point-blank range, piercing his shoulder, vertebrae and lungs. The shots paralyzed Armstrong from the chest down. Tracy Armstrong, was the sole provider for a family of 11. Now he lies in a hospital bed at home. It is now time for the Armstrong’s to readjust to their new life back home with their nine children. Join us in helping them.”

Register today for this one of a kind fundraiser. 100% of the proceeds go directly to the Armstrong Family. The suggested donation is $50 per participant. At the fundraising event you will make two amazing Rusty Pickle Albums taught by the one and only Lance Anderson. All product is being donated by RUSTY PICKLE and remember 100% of all funds collected will go to the ARMSTRONG family.

Plus enjoy a fabulous Mexican Dinner catered by the Amazing Manuel’s restaurant.

To register go to www.armstrongfamilyfundraiser.blogspot.com

Here are images of the albums we are making. They will be something you will treasure forever and you will always remember you contributed to a very wonderful cause. You don’t have to be a scrapbooker to come. All you really need is scissors and a glue stick to join in on the fun. There will be lot’s of help there for you so please join us.



If you know of anyone that might be interested in attending please forward this onto them. This is our chance to really make a difference for the Armstrong Family.

Thanks for all your help and support,
Kristan

heading out...

i'm out the door running today. going to visit route 66 scrappers in winslow, arizona. it is one of my scrapbook stores that i rep. might even get my picture taken on the the famous "standing on the corner of winslow arizona". if i do i will post it later. i have lived in arizona for over 27 years and have never stood there. anywho... gotta go.

so here is my picture, nothing fancy. just standing on a corner posing. now i can cross it off my list of things to do before i die, lol. can you say w-i-n-d-y.

can i get a WOO HOO...

{21} days and counting!!! i completed rhonna's challenge. can i just tell you how good this feels. i know that every participant (and rhonna) that has completed this challenge is a nEw person. in one way or another their life has changed. i can not tell you how grEat it is to be discovering mE. the rEaL mE!! am i liking her? you better believe it. she has been gone for so long and it is amaZing what {21} days will do. i know i will be continuing on with my habit. YES, it is now a habit! thank you so much rhonna for the strength you gave all of us. without your daily inspiration it would have been a little tougher. THANK YOU!!! thank you to all of the participants that have encouraged me along my journey. your words and comments did not go unnoticed. they were uplifting and very inspiring. i don't know about all of you but, when do we start again? i'm game!! we aRe the chaMpions!!!

daYs 1-8...

don't think i will be able to complete my aRt journaL by tomorrow. i am just so thRiLLed that as of tomorrow, i will have completed mY {21} day challenge of blogging everyday!!! i will post more pages as i finish them. *night* connie

{amaZing}...

as i have been visiting all of the participants blogs this weekend i found angela moore. can i just say she has made mY day today. she posted this yesterday..."take a moment to watch, listen and reflect. Your heart will be stirred and you will be blessed. It's only 4 minutes of your day....your to do list will be waiting when you're finished...just take a moment for yourself...it might even change your priorities and what fills your to do list. Be Blessed!" (hope she won't mind i quoted her) this is where she sent you. so i took those 4 minutes and i am now filled with all sorts of emotions. it is so good. you need to take the 4 minutes and 42 seconds and be blessed todaY and everyday of your liFe! i just want to thank angela for shaRing this. i needed this and how wondeRfuL that i found this todaY. my blog has been such a gReat challenge for me. i am proud to say tomorrow will be {21} days for me starting this additional challenge and posting EVERYDAY! i have been so inspired with this challenge of rhonna's. she has truly touched all of ouR livEs. we are all blessed just by knowing her. she has helped all of us change our lives in one way or another through these {21} days. thaNk yOu from the bottom of mY heart rhonna. thank you angela for your thoughts yesterday. for the beautiful song and those wonderful words they sang that hit home. how i live IS up to me and i choose to livE it {haPpY}!! have a wondeRfuL sunday. i am going to continue my challenge i made for myself to visit all the participant's blogs. *hugs* connie

mY aRt jouRnaL...

haPpY saTuRdaY! i am trying to figure out how to display mY aRt jourNaL. i have it on the right side of mY blog. trying to figure out how to get it into my post. it's nothing fancy, just trying to get it done. i'm learning new things everyday and today it was learning how to make a slide show. yaY for mE!! i think i am gonna be loving this featuRe. anywho...i best get back to work. sick little girL (with a 101 temp), laundry, housework, finish laying her floor and getting her bed up and of course scRapbOoKing when i can. check back later if i can.

WOW...60+ participants

i can not believe how many participants have joined in this challenge. today as i realized it was coming to an end i wanted to go to everyone's blog. i thought i had checked them all out, but nope. so as it is the final day i am trying to stop by every single one and lurk and leave a comment. i have appreciated all the wondErful comments i have received. they have been so inspirational to me. looking at your journals...WOW, just amaZing!! i hope, i know i WILL keep up my challenge. it has become a part of mY life now. i hope to see many of you on the next {21} day journey. CONGRATS again. *hugs* connie

day {21}...yippee!!!

it's day 21 how did you do? CONGRATULATIONS to all on achieving your {21} day challenge!!!! did you make it a habit? are you going to stick with it? i sure know i am. i have gained so much from this amaZing journeY that i don't want to loose. if you started late, keep on going. i'm here still rooting you on. i can't wait to start a new 21 days with a new goal!! thanks sooo much rhonna for our new lives!! our lives will never be the same because of YOU!
*hugs* connie

to liSt or not to lisT...

that is the question? remember how i said i livE by a list. a "to do" list. for me i write down everything. i mean EVERYTHING!! i need to visually see my progress and check off my list. i know for some of you, you may not need these list. that you can plan and organize your day with ease. for me (and i hope many others out there) we need our lists. whatever we don't accomplish rolls over for tomorrow. so here is mine in no particular order that i thought i would share with you.

to do list: thursday 10.4.07

• wake up
• shower
• get dressed (you can get a lot accomplished in your pj's)
• write my to do list
• get kids up
• take "d" to school 8
• get "a" dressed and breakfast
• sign "h" planner and sent a note to teacher
• help "d" finish homework
• write blog
• check rhonna's blog for my daily inspiration
• check participant's blogs and leave comments
• blog lurking & post comments (all the ones on my blog)
• check voice mail
• return calls
• check e-mails
• return e-mails
• write orders
• send/fax orders to customers
• fax/e-mail orders to vendors
• sync computer
• laundry
• dishes
• figure out dinner
• cook dinner
• clean up dinner
• call stores about orders/questions
• spread sheet for weekly sales (3 months behind)
• organize orders
• print out orders for the last 3 months
• file orders in store files
• check off 3 months of commission statements
• help "h" with homework
• preview "h" planner
• help "a" with homework
• download pictures onto computer
• arrange and put into correct files
• balance check book
• get kids ready and into bed
• wish brenda a happy belated birthday
• work on art journal
• call laurel at we r memory keepers
• call heidi swapp/advantus
• call adornit/carolee's creation
• unpack 2 boxes (moved into a new home in july)
• clean out catalogs in work room
• open boxes from rep companies and put away

then there are the unexpected things that come up that aren't on your list that you can count as accomplished.

• take "t" to school early for band
• text my boss back
• IM my sister in law
• take "t" his band gear (as he forgot about competition today)
• upload some new music
• sing & dance around my house
• talk with brad, debbie and my mom (while multi tasking)
• place 2 more orders

so what did i get accomplished todaY? everything highlighted in RED!! i would call today a GREAT day for me. i feel so accomplished, so good and really haPpY!!!! this is also a great way to let your husband know that you didn't sit on the couch and eat bon bons all day. sometimes your tasks aren't always visual for them to see, lol. with mY to do list, no questions asked. i may not always have great days like this. though seeing even a little of them marked off, i can feel good about what i have accomplished. whether you list or not list, the choice is yours. how ever you accomplish your day feel good about it. feel accomplished in your day. know that you did your best with the 24 hours you have been given. there will never be enough time to do it all but, to do what is important... is what truly counts!! have a great evening. *hugs* connie

just what i needed...

ok, so i needed this when we first started this {21} day challenge, how about all of you? "we are made to persist. that's how we find out who we are." when i received this today it just made me smile. i am happy today and all is well in mY world!!! i'm glad to have read this, it is just what i needed in mY lifE right now. right at this very mOMeNt!! again...thanks rhonna.

waCky wEdnEsdaY...

i slept from 7 p.m. last night to 7 a.m. this morning i should be refreshed, right? NOT. woke up with a huge headache and a list that keeps growing. trying to play catch up on my work and staying caught up is gonna be craZy today with a soccer game at 1. breathe, just breathe. i can do this. i can get everything done if i stay on target. i will survive.

the night is growing near and i am excited the day is over. i survived another day. i was able to cross off a lot on my to do list and it was so grEat as i felt accomplished. tomorrow will be a new day with a less busy list. wasn't able to make the soccer game. i just had way to much to do. there will be other games i keep telling myself. that it is ok when mom is so busy and that the kids will have to forgive us for our one game not attended. i still feel guilty for not being there though. with all my busyness i even cooked dinner, which is a huge task for me on days like this. yes, i know dinner should be cooked every night. see at my house... my goal is to cook at least 3 times a week (mon-fri). it's not that i don't like to cook but, there are days i just don't feel like it. those are the days that the children usually like cause they get to have breakfast for dinner. eggs, cereal, waffles, you name it they LOVE it!! then there are the days that they really urn for some of mom's homemade cooking. i love these days. makes me feel like they really do appreciate it when i cook. i hope i am not the only mom out there that doesn't cook every night of the week. if you are one of those moms or dads...i solute you! that's all for today. going to try and catch up my art journal. i want to post some more pictures. have a great evening. *hugs* connie

FooTbaLL is over, wrestLing begins and finishing soCcEr, ugh...

tuesday, october 2nd:
i drove home yesterday knowing i was truly being watched over. i really don't know how i got home in one piece or should i say aLive!!! just glad to be home safe. walked into he door and got right back in a car (which my husband drove and i slept) to see my youngest son play in his last football game. it was an amazing game they won 56-20!!! then every parent and child asked if "d" was wrestling? this is the first i had heard about it but, they want him to wrestle. i don't care, i guess i was just thinking of myself when i thought i could get a break. don't know why i would think that with four kid, a husband and 3 jobs. so i guess we will be starting wrestling next monday. i also have my high school son still playing jv soccer. i think we have 3 weeks left of that. he is so good at soccer. i am so glad he found his niche in sports. he just informed me yesterday he wants to try out for the golf team. i said as any mother should (and mean it), go for it you are great at it! no, a mother's work is never done! i also have my two youngest playing city soccer on saturdays. my week stays pretty busy, that i am surprised i can get anything done at all. i am learning fairly quickly that i need to use my time wisely. decide what is important and what needs to come first and make mY list. i live by list!!!! it's great to cross off things i have accomplished, to see my progress and LOVE it.


ps. today is day {21} of my {21} day challenge journey. my first goal was walking every day. that i did not accomplished. so on day 6 i moved onto another challenge i had in mind, which was starting a blog. on october 8th i hope to say that i finished my {21} day challenge and will be sticking to it!!! here is another fabulous quote from rhonna... "The secret of greatness is simple: do better work...and keep on doing it." Wilfred A. Peterson
I WILL KEEP ON DOING IT!! thanks so much rhonna for all your inspiration. for helping all of us participants and the world start new good habits in our lives. ones that will change us forever, for the better!

caTchiNg up...

today is wednesday but, i feel i need to back up and finish writing for monday and now tuesday.
monday, october 1st:
i drove to the valley today to attend a crEative EscapE volunteer dinner. it was so nice of bazzill and heidi swapp to do this. we were fed a wondErful mexican dinner with a fabulous dessert (that i sooo need to get the recipe for). then it was christmas....they informed us that the little goodies we saw as we were getting our dinner was for us. it was a pack of ce 12 x 12 paper, a little journal, a visor that says crEativE escapE on it (wore mine yesterday) and a water bottle. so i thought to myself how wondErful is this. they have already been so good to us and i was already very appreciative. nope, wasn't done! we got a ce shirt then..... drum roll....many of you know how bazzill does their warehouse sale. well, lets just say we got to enjoy it as well. 2 boxes full...FREE!!! now this was truly amaZing. thAnK yOu bazzill!!! i am so blessed to work in such an industry of talented, friendly and amazing people. i was blessed to not have to drive home after this dinner. i would of had a 3 1/2 hour drive home and as you read yesterday didn't go to bed until REALLY late. lets just say i slept maybe 45 minutes to an hour. mY wonderful friend called me up and told me i had a hotel if i wanted it. the thought of not driving home that late or sleeping in a comfy marriott bed, hmmmmm let me think... the hotel!!!!! my night there was so amaZing can't really put it all in words. i was touch first at the thought of getting to stay and rest (that i did not do) but, the time there was much needed and was so great!! can't really put them into words. just thaNks for evErYthiNg!!!!! i also saw where a new restaurant will be coming to downtown mesa in about 5 months or so called "the black sheep". it will be an awEsome place for family and friends to relax, watch some live music or listen to poetry and enjoy some grEat irish food!! can't wait for it open, just so excitEd!!! so mY monday was incredible, it will be a night to not be forgotten.

yEs....I fell off the bandwagon...

as i lay hear with all this guilt at 3:oo a.m. i feel like a failure. i did not do a blog for monday. i know this is not something that should really bother me but, it does. see on this {21} day challenge i feel like i was doing so gReat!!! then yEs, it happened i fell off the bandwagon. not really on purpose. lets just say time slipped by and i didn't make it important enough to do. had way to many things going on that were a little more important to me. :0) i keep posting on everyone else's blog that it's ok. pick yourself up, dust yourself off and jump back on. so here i am at 3:15 a.m. writing my blog. so does this count for monday or tuesday? i know i will be writing again soon as it is my son's last football game today or is that tomorrow. *hugs* connie


ps. so need to tell you about mY CE dinner for all the volunteers and teachers. it was so amaZing!!!