here a blog, there a blog everywhere a blog blog

Full Circle Moments

2009-02-25T21:38:00.000-08:00

My life has been full of "full- circle" moments lately, and it's kinda wierd. I mean sometimes you think your life is just supposed to always move forward, but lately, its been jumping all back and forth. Sometimes feel like a 10 year old shy little girl meeting someone for the first time, totally insecure and nervous, then im that 17 year old wild child, that gave my parents such grief, then im that 23 year old single mom sleeping on an air mattress in my parents basement feeling hopeless and helpless, and then the 28 year old work-a-aholic, responsible, budgeting fanatic.
What's different is that I've felt this way before, rather then feeling it for the first time. And its that experience that helps...
I get to restart my life...I get to take all the things I dont want and throw them away. I get to keep all the things most important.

I get to do it right this time...

Don't feel sorry for me...

2009-01-20T10:05:00.000-08:00

I didn't send out Christmas letters this year- Because so much is going on, and we were dealing with some issues personally, and professionally. First and formost we are all healthy!

As you all know with the state of our economy, everyone seems to know someone directly effected....we have really been hit. Our household was directly effected by Dax getting laid off as his company decided to rid the Sacramento position he held. Luckily he has been able to freelance from home so the boys can did not notice a real change and could continue with their activities.

Next my store, as sales continued to decline, rent increased, and credit tapped we decided to close our doors, and are currently in the liquidation process. I have really been struggling with this as this is also my hobby, and it was my dream, so I have to deal with this loss. It's been emotional and I am so thankful I have a business partner along side with me to get through it.

On top of this Dax and I are legally seperating. I did not want to make this public until a firm decision has been made. I was able to move in with a friend just 2 miles from the house. We have made a schedule so that the boys are not disrupted in their schooling, and activities, and we can both be as equally involved as we always have been . I chose to move, because then Dax can continue to freelance from home without being interuppted as he needs a constant Internet connection. Had he had to move, the boys would have suffered with the loss of that income, as I do not have any.

I do not want to go into the reasons behind this decision, but please know the boys are safe, and we are dealing with their feelings the best way we know how.
Also Honey and Holly (the dogs) are doing well!

We will be losing the house by the end of the year, but at least we know that the boys can finish their school year - and I will be looking for full time employment (I have already had an interview! Fingers are crossed!) and then its on to an apartment. The boys really want to stay at their school, so that will be my goal first and foremost.

We are getting through this. We are ok, its a daily struggle, but we are hanging in there. Life is going on, the boys are still in scouting, and DJ even started wrestling.

I hope you can all understand why I have been more distant, the last several months, as I have been consumed with these changes. I have many close friends surrounding me here with their support, and getting me through this time. I just feel its time to tell all of our close friends and family- And we have really tried in every way to make everything work out, but it just didnt. This is a real freedom for me to tell everyone I love. And its just time for change.

I'm looking forward to a better year!

The best Christmas Gift of 2008

2008-12-26T10:22:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, Christmas Eve, I checked the mail at the shop- There was an envelope addressed to Helen and myself. Not odd, this time of year as sometimes customers and vendors send us good tidings in the form of Christmas Cards.
The return address was from Missouri, I dont know anyone there, nor did Helen. I opened it up ,and inside was a Tag from a Camoflage Jacket, Cardboard Santa Face, a Football Trader card of some kid, and a church handout, that clearly had been carried around in someones pocket.
Truly odd...and no note, or indication from who this was from.
As Helen and I racked our brains, and giggled at the contents, I thought I would google the address online to see what came up.
A nursing home facility came up--Again we both didnt know anyone who would be in a nursing home, so I called.
I explained to the gal who answered the phone what we had received in the mail, and there was no letter, only the name Christian at the return address.
The lady said that there was a resident there by the name Ed Christian, and she asked him if he sent us a letter.
I could hear him in the background answering her questions. Then the lady said, Ed has your business card here.
Then Ed wanted to talk to me. I got on the phone with him.
He asked me if I liked the letter, and I said yes, but we were confused because there was no note.
He asked if I remembered him. And I told him, I didnt remember and Im sorry I didnt remember. ( I truly cannot remember, how I met this person)
I thanked him for the things, and asked him if he would like us to send him some stickers, and what kind did he like. He asked for military stickers, because he had been in Korea in the military. He then asked if I was still as good -looking as when he met me. (I had to giggle at that!) I told him he was a sweetheart.
Then I told him we would mail him stickers, and Merry Christmas.

So Helen and I mailed him a bunch of stickers, a Christmas card, and a picture of us!

I have been thinking, about this man in a nursing home in Missouri, who somehow has our business card, and decided to mail us his treasures. And while we are on the brink of devistation in losing our business...next our homes- and our marriages. Ed made us laugh. And for the next while, all we could do is think of Ed and getting him some stickers.

Merry Christmas Ed!

ARRESTED!!!

2008-11-17T08:42:00.001-08:00

*** Note she got out on a 50,000 bail. Meaning her 10% to get out was 5000, hmmm where did she get that money??? This will probably go to trial, because she is not confessing.

I got a call last night from the Detective, that she was arrested! Finally! After 6 months of this investigation, they got her! I dont have any more details than that. I don't know at this point if it will go to trial, if she denies it- I guess. I'm also hoping the local media and paper will pick the story up so we can get the mug shot!
And now that the arrest was made- I can finally tell people the facts. I was advised to not discuss the specifics of the evidence- until the arrest was made.
This woman stole from Kids. This Mother of 5,
She paid her personal utility bills with league money, wrote over 9000$ in checks to herself, took thousands in cash withdraws, proven by her signature at the bank (one specicific transaction was 9-100 billas and 5-2o's)and wrote checks to the league from her bank that bounced totalling about 4k.
As the whistleblower in this- I got some harassment from her, as well as her "friends" But at least now...The Law is on our side, and even if we never see a penny back from her, just to know she now has a criminal felony on her , is justice enough.

Am I a Super Mom?

2008-11-04T12:48:00.000-08:00

Don't feel like it sometimes but....

According to this video I am!

SuperMOM!

PS..If you want to feel "Super" try it!

Yee Haw Cowboy...

2008-10-26T20:08:00.000-07:00

DJ Castro- "The Fastest Draw in the West"

Wanted:

"Lil" Kennedy

For Stealing all the Choclolate Loot!

Halloween 2008--- On a Budget!

Would you believe these 2 cowboys, are ready for the Halloween festivities and I spent only about $30 bucks total! We had our Scout Halloween Party last night, and on Halloween this year, we will go to a Free event at "The Bounce Spot"

Mason decided he's too old to dress up (at 12) so sadly, it will only be the 2 boys with our annual theme.

Catch up Time....

2008-10-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

So I feel like my life is officially a Soap Opera..Ill have to come up with a catchy title---
So Ill update my fan club as best as I can...

Update on Football embezzlement case...
We are still in an investigation status...apparently I cant discuss the details until an "arrest" has been made, but I have been made aware that its getting close..the Drama was twisted when 2 ignorant parents who have nothing to do with the case, (unless they are friends with the former treasurer, decided to get all political and protest outside my store)
The reason being was I allowed open registration nights at my shop, so they accused me of putting the money into my store.
On top of that, they felt their child didnt have a complete uniform (socks were backordered) on top of that she bounced a check to us!
Due to thier ignorance and thinking our entire board is at fault, it made the local media FOX 40, as well as "someone" posted slanderous material on Craigslist...

All we could do is bite tongues! They finally went away from my shop, but we banned them from all League events, and there was even a restraining order taken on this parent...

http://www.imascrapbookaddict.com/
The Store... The economy is not helping us at all, We have been racking our brains to figure out ways to stay in business, instead of developing classes, and ordering new product..We are researching bankrupcy, and slashing prices.
We have some ideas and an ounce of hope left for November and have officially announced to our loyals our suffering. We dont want a "pity-party" but we want to be fair. It is the public that is the driving force behind small business. You can only work so hard, and then it has to be faith and fate that will keep you in business. Believe me we are not lazy, we launched 2 additional businesses (divisions) within the shop , one being a non-profit and a promotions apparel company hoping that we could diversify and make additional revenue...but Helen and I are looking for jobs too.

Can it get worse? Oh yes...Dax got laid off! A week ago Friday, just as he was signing in for a conference call, his Office Manager told him the bad news. Apparently his company JACOBS, wants all Marketing and Creative Services positions at the So. Cal building. Since Dax was the only one who did what he did in Sacramento, he was let go. What's even more disappointing was he had just had his annual review- all good. Then BAM! But it was so nice we got 2 weeks severance (sarcastic) Ok, Glass half full moment...Dax's Freelance work has been great. He's been busy with that, and making connections right and left. Many of my close friends want to know why he dosnt Freelance full time. Well, no benefits, and no assured paycheck, thats why.

I was in the paper today!!!!

2008-09-10T23:21:00.001-07:00

As I called our Football President today to check in , the first think out of his mouth was "Did you hear?" Hear what????

Apparently the police report I filed last Friday made todays West Sacramento newspaper front page...

let me backtrack---

I am the league treasurer, last year I was on the board as volunteer...fundrasing coordinator-I was in charge of a cookie do fundraiser, as well as a Monte Carlo night... during these events league checks started bouncing, it was strange as I had turned in all monies I collected...

The treasurer stopped showing up to meetings and just made a small appearance at the end of the monte carlo night..(so we could give her the money!)

Fast forward to May 08, as we started the new board meetings, I was asked to step in as new treasurer, and was voted in, our President suggested I call to get the laptop, and all the documents from the old treasurer, he thought that perhaps since his attemps failed, and I didn not directly work with her, that she would comply-- this is where the wierdness starts...she said on the first conversation in June that she would bring me the stuff- then no show, I even invited her to the first meeting. Then I had a legnty conversation with her, and she said she needed invoices and what nots from the President. This seemed wierd becasue these were items she as treasurer should have had in her possession. I left her a final message to drop off all the things at my store, so that she would have to deal with "me".

Also about this time, we vote her off the board, and with a paper provided by the bank we were able to boot her off the account and then access all the bank records. Unfortuanly the board made the mistake of not looking at what she was doing...after all she is a mother with 2 children in the program....trustworthy right????

Wrong...There were over 11K in cash withdraws, I would say most of that is unauthorized and unknown, 2 payments to Direct TV, and over 400 in NSF fees...

As a board we keep this quiet, and start the bank looking into these withdraws (still pending) we make 2 certified letter attempts to get our property back( laptop and paperworks)

heres where the really wierd stuff happens, or where her stupidity shows its face...

Oh yeah, I forgot, she enrolled her kid in football, the nerve!!!

So our demand letter for the property, as well as her last $25 payment must have hit her nerve, becase she shows up to the field as practice is ending, with some form she found online from the attorney general-- saying she reported us as an illegal 5013c, and emebzzlement etc...we ask her again where the property is, and she says she turned it in to the attorney generals office...(wierd!)

Now isnt that calling the kettle black!

This last Saturday she shows up to the game, and based on the fact she did not return property, she was not in good standing and we decided to not let her in...

she raised a ruckus and the police were called to escort her out...

she barged into my store Monday and threw a paper at me, telling me I could make a copy.. it was a porperty receipt from the Police Dept... dated that day and 1 hour previos..

so she in fact lied, that she turned in the stuff previos to that wed, she had just turned it in!!!!!!

sooo I tell her to step outside my store, and I make the copy...

she goes on to tell me her laywer will be contacting us...yada yada...

Helen actually has to tell her to leave, becasue she is causing a disturbance at the store...

I file an incident report for documentation...just incase she decides to come back to the shop I can call the cops on her ...

so today, apparently the press can take the police/fire logs and choose to make articles out fo them, so they choose to write about my report filed about the ALLEGED 11k embezzlled!

I attened the High School Booster meeting, so I missed her appearance tonight as she accused our president of embezzling from the vendor they got the shirts from--she is trying to accuse him if getting a 'kick back' --but I have all the records!!! I have outstanding debt to resovle becasue she didnt pay bills!

I am confiident justice will catch up with her, and what we are now doing on the board is well documented and justified to run this program.

I do this becasue I enjoy it, I want to participate in my childrens programs while giving them their space....

I like to volunteer, it takes my mind off my troubles..and gets me out of the house so I dont have to clean it....(Heheehhe)

So, I was in the paper today, not for something fantabulous,...but rather something, that some moron did, and I am a witness to it.

Ill post more as it unravels.....

The "Scrappiest" Gift Ever...

2008-08-25T13:12:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago, our Friday night Crop, was transformed into a Bday party for Helen, Cora, and I, who have Aug bdays. Our darling scrappy friends coordinated this Scrapbook Addict Album, and presented it to us at the Party!
All I have to say is...MASTERPIECE....although I dont think it will be getting Pub'ed in a SCrapbook Magazine...LOL!!! (Faces have been hidden to protect the innocent...or should I say, the "Scrap-Guilty"????)
Clarifications...
Layout 1- Your a cut above..using scissors
Layout 2- We're so trippin...Adhesive squared to mock acid
Layout 3-What's your pleasure..mocks undercover blackmarket products
Layout 4- I dont know karate, but I do know crazy...Mocks diagnosis...Rediculitis
Layout 5- Friends dont let friends drink primas...Mocks drinking, and being passed out
Layout 6- Scrapbook Junkie...mocks the bo-bunny flex ruler, and coluzzle blade
Layout 7- One you pop, you cant stop..mocks embellishment hoarders!
Layout 8- Stuck on adhesives..mocks huffin...
Layout 9- Crop Heads...mocks embellishment tool as pot head complete with muchines
Layout 10- Scrap Candy... "when you want to scrap all night" Mocks embossing powder and glitter as well as an acrylic stamp holder and vellum title.

100.5 Day in the Zone

2008-08-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

A Day In The Zone: Daughtry, Lifehouse, Tristan Prettyman, Ace Young, Method Echo and guest host, Nick Lachey

What a fabulous day! I captured some great shots, and video of the concert!

Tristan Prettyman, I had heard a few of her tunes
she was very good, Im definatly getting her CD

Nick Lachey- Im not a huge fan, but he has very nice ARMS!

LifeHouse was very good! I have to get their CD now! Here are some of their songs...

Then on to Daughtry....We decided to move our way up to the front stage...we had too... And we were close! At the end of the show I caught/fought for a "DRUMSTICK" the threw out---Some lady tried grabbing it from me, and when i won, she threw water at me...hehehehe it was funny!!!

Some Video I took....

"What about now"

Ahhh and this one..... "Over you"

Forgotton Birthday=VIP

2008-08-18T09:36:00.000-07:00

Dax forgot my birthday....need I say more...
To make up for it, he knew Helen had gotten me "Day in the ZOne 100.5" Tickets so he arranged for her and I to take the VIP experience. This is where you can go backstage, meet the band, and get a pic taken or "meet and greet". I do have to say that it was more then a greet..then a meet...HOWEVER.....it was an experience.

To Prepare for this, we decided to make Chris a Scrapbook (of course!) Although I couldnt personally hand it to him, as his manager/bodyguard/ person took it, before my turn- He said he would give it...and I let it go... Here are the pics of the pages...

This dosn't happen in our family....

2008-06-30T20:23:00.000-07:00

I never thought this would happen in our family...
these things happen to bad people....
Why did this happen???

Shock...... Thats the only word I can use that describes my state of mind....
because when you are in shock, you dont know what to say, or do, or perhaps you get really busy to avoid actually thinking about what happened....

Yesterday, (on my sons birthday) i got a call, that my Cousin Glenda and her family were hit by a drunk driver while they were out riding their bikes...
Her 2 year old daughter was killed upon impact. Her 1 year old son, injured with a fractured skull.

Glenda

Driver plows into Rialto family riding bikes; girl killed
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, June 29, 2008
By JOE VARGOThe Press-Enterprise
A 1-year-old Rialto girl was killed and her brother and parents seriously injured Sunday when an out-of-control vehicle apparently operated by a drunken driver slammed into them while they were on their bicycles during a family ride, authorities said.
"This is a tragedy for the entire community," said Rialto police Lt. Joe Cirilo during an interview from the crash site. "They were trying to enjoy themselves on a Sunday afternoon and were struck down. In an instant their lives were changed forever. It is a devastating tragedy."
A pair of crumpled bicycles indicated the impact of the collision.
Story continues below
Ramon Mena Owens / The Press-Enterprise
Police say Josslyn Dinoso-Brooks, 1, was killed when Jesse Rolando Astorga struck her and her family with his car Sunday. The family had been riding their bicycles on Willow Avenue in Rialto.
The seat was ripped off one, a tire from the other. Mixed in among the bike parts were a couple of shoes and pieces of the vehicle that broke apart on impact. Cirilo said the family had no chance to escape the speeding sport utility vehicle, which apparently struck them head-on.
Authorities continued working late Sunday to determine the exact speed of the 2008 Honda Pilot when it struck the family but witness statements put the vehicle's speed far above the posted 35 mph limit.
The dead child was identified by the San Bernardino County coroner's office as Josslyn Dinoso-Brooks. She was pronounced dead of her injuries at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center at 12:46 p.m. Sunday.
Cirilo identified the parents as William Dean Dinoso, 28, and Glenda Brooks, 26. He did not identify their other child but said the boy appeared to be about a year old.
Brooks and the boy were being treated at Loma Linda University Medical Center . Dinoso was undergoing treatment at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center . All had broken bones and internal injuries, Cirilo said.
The fatal accident was reported at 12:05 p.m. on Willow Avenue just south of Rialto Avenue . Cirilo said the chain of events leading up to it began several minutes earlier about three miles away.
Story continues below
Driver Jesse Rolando Astorga was held on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated and causing injuries
The suspect rear-ended a Chevrolet Impala at Foothill Boulevard and Cedar Avenue and fled the scene, with the driver of the Chevy chasing him while telephoning 911 and reporting the minor collision.
The man sped away and eventually made his way onto Willow Avenue in an area of light industrial and commercial buildings.
His vehicle, which was traveling north, slammed into a concrete median and skidded about 300 feet before striking the family.
Authorities said the mother and father were riding bicycles and the father was pulling the two youngsters in a carrier behind his bicycle. The impact threw Brooks into the vehicle's windshield before she landed on the pavement.
After striking the victims, the suspect attempted to flee the scene, but the Honda stalled and he was taken into custody.
Authorities identified him as Jesse Rolando Astorga, 27, of Phelan.
Astorga was booked into the West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated and causing injuries.
Reach Joe Vargo at 951-368-9289 or jvargo@PE

We dont know much else at this point....
this shouldnt have happened to her or her children!

More articles as of 7/5/08
http://www.pe.com/localnews/sbcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_N_ncrash03.4a4561b.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25456498/

New Website --
www.josslyndinosobrooks.com

CKC Fort Lauderdale!

2008-06-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

Im back from an awesome and probably the longest vacation taken- Helen and I went to CKC (Creating Keepsakes Convention) in Fort Lauderdale. It was a 2-fer trip I like to call it, maybe a 3-fer...meaning...1. To get away, get refreshed, and take classes 2. Really get away 3. Take my son on vacation to visit his relatives.

When the opportunity came up for Helen and I to take a trip, I picked the other side of the country!!! But it was great- It was Helens 1st time in Florida- Becasue of the long flight, and lack of choices for flights, we actually got to be Florida tourists, before and after the convention---Heres how it went...

Luckily we had Joan, Masons Grandma (My EX's Mother) take us to Hollywood beach the 1st day! (ignore dates on pics- my camera wasnt set!)

The next day we hit Everglades Air Boat Tours... to see alligators..yes real ones...I had done this tour 7 years ago, but it was just as thrilling to have an alligator swim up to your boat...mason wasnt too thrilled, his Cousin Christian was with him and did enjoy it ....ohhh also-- my camera WASNT on zoom....thats how close you are to the gator!

Then, as Florida weather is, it started to rain...not a sprinkle here or a sprinkle there, but think about how much water comes out of a shower head...yes! it was pouring, but it was warm rain, and beautiful....well the boat started dripping- Helen was on the edge and got SOAKED!

We got off the boat and made a run for the gift shop- we were drenched...mason really liked the rain..not the THUNDER..Never in my life have i heard such loud thunder! Did you notice the before and after pics, no rain vs. rain..thats how fast it comes!

Later that night, we went to a restaurant called the Rustic Inn, Mason and Helen wanted to try Gator and Frogs Legs... I had a kids meal burger!!! (ok i tried tha Gator!) Mason also had Crab, and they give you mallots and bibs!

We stayed at Shirleys Condo, (masons Great-Gram) and there were these HUGE slugs that come out at night!!!!

On to the convention, We took 13 classes and 3 crops-

Thursday Night Crop- We made and entire 6x6 album

Friday Classes-(reviews to come)

One, Two, Three..4x6:

Fun and Fast Tips for Journaling:

Always and Forever

Playful Pages

Not Your everyday Clipboard

Scheming Around

Stretch your Supplies

Focus on Family and Friends

Saturday Classes

Home Tour

One Day at a Time

Clearly Visable

Pushing Limits

4 Album enhancing Techniques

Our Favorite teachers by far were Megan Hoeppner from Simple Scrapbooks

And Emily Of Creating Keepsakes

The last night after the last crop, we got the giggles...we had been plotting for the days that we were at the convention center, to take some fun photos with the carpet..... Ill let the pictures tell the story....

Oh and then Helen Felt like she might want to leave her family and move to Florida and get a job at the Convention Center...here is her audition....(See, we had the giggles!)

It was back to the Dania Beach the next day...I played in the sand with the boys, feeling like a kid again, just enjoying! When it the last time I did that???? I dont know! Here was my favorite view lying on the beach...

And here was Helens favorite view when we went swimming at Shirleys Condo (Hahaha - Ill explain this pic more later!!!)

Back to the airport , on the plane, did i mention i HATE FLYING!!! And back home !!!

Stepping outside my Scrapbook Box

2008-05-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

Today We had an AWESOME class by Prima Instructor/ Prima Donna Tricia Ladouceur from Canada. We used Glimmer mist, watercolor pencils, Prima Paintables, and prima...of course I dont get to use my flowers on layouts much becasue of all my boy pages, so it was real fun. It was a blast to be a student for once....I cant wait to take tons of classes at CKC- Ft Lauderdale in June !!!! Ill post my project here later...but want it to be a surprise as it is a gift for mom....

Mothers Day..Irony

2008-05-11T22:09:00.001-07:00

Happy Mothers Day to me!...Just when I dreamed of lounging in bed all day, being served by my family, and having the day off..reality hit...have the day off? HA!!! Let me tell you about my day!

It did start out quite devine, I was served M(pancake) O (heart egg) M (pancake) with a latte, topped with a foam heart.

Not too bad eh???? So then it was lets decide what to do..go to the beach? the snow....ahhhh just lounge??

Well, I decided it would be fun to do a home project together as a family..we had about 1000 bricks in the backyard...lets make a fire pit!!!! Summer is coming, and we can have fun times out int he backyard...

As the boys started working....I went to wipe the dirt of Masons head..but it wasnt dirt....

IT WAS...... HEADLICE...EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!! (Photo taken from the internet)

I was horrified!!!! I have never had lice myself, nor have the boys ever had it...I ran to Target.... and talked to the pharmacist about my little Mothers Day presents...

I came home with....

Im horrified!!! So I spend the next 2 hours cutting the boys hair and treating them...

dax finished the inside of the firepit, and we clean up and head to a mothers day dinner at my FAVORITE pizza place.. PIZZA BELL!!!! YUMMMMMYYYY

After dinner, we hit the Walmart...and get the boys new Pillows....

so now here I sit, after feeling quite itchy, with Rid X on my hair...just in case my darling boys decided to give me the critters for Mothers day.... and Im finishing up the loads of bed linens, and sheets which all had to be washed out...

AHHHHH..Happy Mothers Day 2008!!!!

NSD 2008

2008-04-30T20:49:00.000-07:00

What is NSD? NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING DAY!!

I have been planning 4 crops in the store, as well as co-coordinating a Cyber-Crop online at http://www.faithsisters.com/

My former Leaving Prints uplines Karma and Sunny, with Michelle are co-coordinating with me!

But most excitingly (is that a word?) The Good Day Sacramento Girls will be out at our shop this FRiday!!!

Helen teases me that I am "star-struck" but it's not that..yes I am a loyal Good Day Sacramento Fan. For the last 5 years I have sent in a Christmas ornament (handmade) to their Good Day Tree, they always want people to send them in...It was cool to hear my name on air as they showed my craft... Then when I got the shop, I added the Scrapbook Addict name, and they would read that too...then...we moved the shop to West Sac and I met Kelly Chapman last year, who called us, and came into the shop....and was just so down to earth, and sweet, and I felt like she could easily become a part of our circle of friends ( and she was a former Miss UTAH)

Kelly came out and did a segment on us last year, and she came out for a Cub Scout event we were running too...

This last year I made another ornament for the tree..I usually add pics of all the anchors, and this year I forgot one. Chris Burrous is the 'spicy' anchor. You either love him or hate him, his personality is a lot like Dax's. So since I forgot Chris, they made a fuss in a fun way about our shop. To make up for it we made Chris his very own ornament, and filled a Scrapbook Addict mug with candy. Again getting recognition from them on the air.....(AKA Free Plugs)

So recently, another anchor Lisa Gonzalas came into the shop...now I didnt know it was her, as she was in sweats and a ponytail...I helped her out, but in the back of my mind kept thinking"Where do I know her from???" I finally realized who it was after talking to Sharon our tenant neighbor at Blue Paradise tanning.

I sent in an email to the station (they like to read emails on air) asking if the anchors liked to be recognized in public places...or perhaps they like their privacy..later that day Marianne and Julissa strolled in to the shop...

Ok, maybe I was "star-struck" but I think more it was just the realization, that I know who they are, and now they know who I am...And I appreciated their recognition and support...

The 3 gals are coming out Friday to scrapbook! We all have scrapbooking in common and it dosnt hurt to have local celebrities patronize your place of business.

So Happy National Scrapbooking Day!!!

Impact...

2008-03-16T19:23:00.001-07:00

Sometimes you don't realize the impact you have on someone. Unless they tell you. This week, that happened. Suzie is the sister of not only a friend of mine, a customer, and a volunteer of the Scrapbook Addict Store. When Suzie comes to town, she stops in to say hi and give hugs, and on special event days ... scrapbooks with us. I guess we have made an impact on her... it makes me aware just a bit more of the impact you can have on someone....Keep Scrappin Suzie!

Enjoy- (letter and photo used with permission)

hi - kim and dave destiny tyler

when are you spend the whole night with me

kim and destiny tyler , how is robynn doing fun

let me know are you comeing up two my house

and please call us let us know a bout comeing up

or e mail mom two let me know i willy miss you

kim and dave destiny tyler . i love you guys

let me know comeing up pick A date i love two

spend the whole night with you kim on thursday

may 1 st 2008, i welly misst sarah castro helen porter

i am ready two go scrapbooking addict. i am ready

two going your house, i am ready two go two the

party we are goa haveing so much fune.

will you please write two me again???

will you e mail me back okay

love A hugs and kisses

susieann

Family Favorite....Brian Regan

2008-03-03T08:29:00.000-08:00

My mom and dad got us hooked on this comedian a couple years ago, and you can often hear his jokes being passed back and forth in converstaion. Last year Mason and I caught his show on the Comedy Channel, and he was hooked. Brians comedy is very clean, and his comedy focuses mostly about real world situations, and wonders...

Our family favorite is "The Clock"

Anyway- I heard a commercial on the radio, that we was coming to Sacramento - This being on a Friday, and the show on Sunday...I thought , It would be a fun outing for me and Mason but I'd only go if we had reasonable seats, the venue it was held at was LARGE! I have to admit, my luck, got me Row B seats! This is techically 5th row from the Stage...

Mason and I had a BLAST, and I would go AGAIN!

Grandma, Salt Lake, Snow...

2008-02-28T09:39:00.000-08:00

My Grandma passed away at the end of january, she actually passed the day before her birthday. So I had to fly to Salt Lake (I HATE FLYING) and attended her funeral. It was bitter-sweet. I know Grandma is free now, and it was wonderful to see my Clan of People, We actually had all the cousins there (-1 ) for the first time since we were little kids. Grandma was buried next to Grandad in Riverton, Utah. I put a can of Spaghetti-O's and the game of "Sorry" in her coffin. (we all place something symbolic )

I remember visiting my Grandma, and she would give us Spaghetti-o's and she would play "Sorry" with us. I just figured out, that she never won a game.

The Funeral on Saturday was cold, but clear. But Sunday...DOWN CAME THE SNOW!!

I had a rental car, and dropped my sister at the airport for her flight Sunday at 6am, as I headed back through Salt Lake to Riverton, the snow got harder, and thicker, and by about 9600 south, there were spin outs on the freeway, and I could hardly see. My exit was 106th South, so I white knuckled it all the way to "Jim's" Restaurant where the family was meeting.

After breakfast (which Grandma had paid for as part of her last wishes) I followed my cousin Tania and her husband Bryan to Aunt Sharons. (We were all hanging there Sunday, until our flights that evening) Sharon lives on 126th South..so needless to say it was a blizzard by they time we got to her street. Bryan drove right into a 4 foot snow drift in his rental... we were laughing, at the fact that we would remember this!!!

By 4pm that day, the roads were clear, the sun was out, and all flights were on time.

What an eventful weekend!!!!!

2008-02-28T09:02:00.001-08:00

I was tagged....

2007-10-21T19:08:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Robyn at http://happyhouseofhaas.blogspot.com/

Geesh!! This was HARD!!!!!!!!

Seven FactsShare 7 facts about yourself: some random/some weird!
1.) I come from a family where there has only been 1 divorce in at least 3 generations or more back (both sides)
2) I was a Navy Brat
3) I used to be a red-head until about the age of 3
4) I am petrified of flying, and high bridges
5) Was better at being "one of the guys" in grade school-high school
6) Ive lost 115 lbs since 2005
7) Wanted to play volleyball in the Olympics....darn im too short!

Name GameList one fact relevant to your life for each letter of your name.
S= Sassy and Silly
A= Adore my 3 sons..Mason, DJ, Kennedy
R= Resourseful
A= Adore my St. Bernards Holly and Honey
H= Hardworker

2007-09-20T19:40:00.000-07:00

This is from Karmas Blog---How Fun!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car), Tipper Windstar
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie), Mocha Chocolate Chip (Sorry Karma - were gangsta twins!)
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name), S-Cas
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal), Red Giraffe
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born), Julie Ruth Port Hueneme
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first), Cassa
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink), The Venti Mocha Frapachino - LOL!
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers),Donald Ray
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy), Pear Berry Laffy Taffy
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ), Diane Ray
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter), Mansfield Manhattan
12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower). Fall Jasmine
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Strawberry Jeanie
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree), Oatmeal Pine
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”), The Scrapbooking Crisp Tour

Hot off the Press....

2007-09-20T18:35:00.001-07:00

My Store was just featured in Scrapbook Business Magazine- This is a national pubication sent to all scrapbook retailers... Written by yours truly....enjoy!

This is just a moment, when you work so hard, that you can just say AHHHH ....

Page One

Page Two

Go Raiders....

2007-09-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

Mason has been asking to play football for a while

now, so this year he joined the West Sac Jr. Raiders! He had been playing tag football at lunch recess, and I told him, tackle was a whole lot different. He had his 1st game Saturday, and they won 40-somthing to zip. They ended up calling the game, running the clock, and scrimmaging for practice the rest of the time. He got his first hard hit, and now has a 5 inch bruise to show off..I was so proud to see him shake it off, take a breath, and stand back up with his team. I dont know how long he will want to play football, he is defanitly finding himself in who he is, he plays chess, the saxaphone, and now football.

So proud...this mom is......

I DID IT!!!!!

2007-08-11T21:22:00.000-07:00

let me back track...aug 10 2004-- the day before my 30th bday- I was all set to go and do this thing, oh sure I had been told "your body is a temple", "you'll regret it", "it hurts" oh yea...did i mention "it hurts". I just wanted to have it be the last dumb thing i did in my 20's ...since I had many dumb things on my list...
SO im all set to go, and the babysitter cancels----
fast forward....today Aug 11th, Im 33 today, and I just did it!! The design in my mind for years, something to represent me, what I am most proud of. After all, it will be with me forever.
So with Dax's design, he transformed my boys into my favorite flower,star jasmine, and with a celtic twist ( i just love spirals for some reason) and whala we head down to http://www.forevertattoo.com/ on 16th and Broadway...
So here it is, still puffy and red, but I did it, and Brent my artist was just awesome...he was silly, steady, and swift!!!!
Did it hurt? Yes! But I have endured worse pain in my life, and this was just a visual sacrifice to have a permanent tribute to my sons.

I finally did it!!!

2007-08-11T21:11:00.001-07:00

How old are you???

2007-08-06T21:25:00.000-07:00

My friend Linda sent this to me today, its pretty cool... turns out it says Im 30 and will live to be 80...hmmmmm 50 more years of scrappin!

http://www.peterrussell.dreamhosters.com/Odds/RealAge.php

Yes, I am addicted to Scrapbooking.

2007-07-24T22:41:00.001-07:00

I found this online....funny.....

Warning Signs That You May Be Addicted to Scrapbooking
1.If you write to the friendly folks at Cropper Hopper to suggest a 2000 square foot tote transportable only by tractor trailer... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
2.If you tried to bribe the school principal to let your unborn child have a graduation diploma early because you found the best page embellishments on sale this week...you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
3.If you use 40 rolls of film to capture those special moments at home during a 24-hour period... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
4.If you keep over half your supplies hidden in the trunk of the car while simultaneously hiding the keys from your husband... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
5.If you force all 45 members of your extended family to sit on Santa's lap at the mall because it would be a great scrapbook page... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
6.If you refuse to take your child to the emergency room without grabbing your camera first... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
7.If have tried to explain the benefits of skipping meals to save more money for scrapbook supplies... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
8.If you carry one camera for black and white photos, one for panoramic, one for 3-D photos, and one for color close-ups with you to the grocery store... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
9.If you're now wondering why you don't have a 3-D camera... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
10.If your idea of a dream date is a man who loves to hammer your eyelets and refill your Hermafix ... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
11.If you try to glue your child's tooth back into his mouth because you want a better "before and after" page ... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
12.If you refuse to take any more pictures, even at your daughter's wedding, because you need to catch up on the ones you have first... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
13.If you are considering hiring professional writers to do your journaling... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
14.If you think that you must take your scrapbook supplies with you for a romantic weekend away... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
15.If the only recipes you collect any more are crop snacks... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
16.If own 8 different tools that cut a perfect circle... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
17.If you have figured out how to scrapbook while driving your car... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
18.If your kids know the only way they can participate in anything is to agree to have Mom there taking pictures... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
19.If you believe Becky Higgins should have her own cable channel... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
20.If your career aspirations include selling punchies and paper piecings on eBay... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.
21.If you think it makes sense to leave tags on new clothes because you are going to return them right after you take the pictures of your kids wearing them... you may be addicted to scrapbooking.

Tiger Scouts..over..

2007-06-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

Well we made it through the 1st year of Cub SCouts as Tigers...My boys in my Den were so darling! Im glad they will stay with the program, ad we advance to wolves!!!!

Holy crap its March!

2007-03-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

How did that happen? Was it becase I am so totally consumed in work, and family drama, that its March?

Family Photo 2006

2006-12-06T09:12:00.000-08:00

Havent posted in awhile---

2006-12-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

Got this from a friend: a great way to start my blog again,....

Merry Christmas y’all

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
egg nog

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Santa wraps presents, and what santa learned is as the kids get older they recognize wrapping paper, so santa uses a 'different' wrapping paper......hmmmmmm

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Tree-- white lights (green cord hee hee) and house---would love lights on, but alas---no time, no ladder...

4. Do you hang mistletoe? no---

5. When do you put your decorations up? Day after Thanksviging. (except this year, i was a day or two late)

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert?) I try to make any dishes that I didnt get to make at thanksgiving-
watergate salad, pretzel salad, grandmas green salad...

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: my mom always unrapped the ornaments and called our names to hang them on the tree, since she dated them, she would remind uf of the date...

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? My cousin Shannon, ( a teen-ager) told me when we were all at grandma and grandads, After she told me (i think i was 7-8) i proudly announced at dinner time who Santa was--and who told me...
Shannon got in big trouble that night....

9. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve?
We go to Dax's family for christmas eve, and the kids tear through those gifts...

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? We get a new ornament every year, for each child, and try to get a family one too...then i have my old time ornaments my mom passed to me...I let the boys decorate when i do what my mom did.. (see question #7)

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I would love a weekend of it, but I lived in enough places to know the issues of snow...many a sidewalk and driveway Did I have to clear--- BUT, on theother hand, i remember the hours of fun, with snow forts, and snow ball fights....I wish we had snow, so I could teach my chiildren to watch out for yellow snow....(Bark, Bark)12. Can you ice skate? Never tried....

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I think the favorive gifts I had, some I still have, my pink purse, my diary, my little pony, small jewelry box, (I guess for a tom boy, i kept my girly stuff)

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Relaxing...

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Listed above...#6- (the salads are actually desserts)

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Other then getting a new ornament every year, setting out cookies for Santa, I buy all of us matching shirts to wear on Christmas eve......I dont know why.....I started this tradition with mason when he was a baby...

17. What tops your tree? Light up star...

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? GIVING!!! I really dont like receiving...well unless someone handed me a big check with lots of 0000000000's!!!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Right now? I like the "rocking around the christmas tree", Ava Maria, O holy night...
I love the childrens choirs....

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yummy? Some to taste the season.....

Well, that's my story.

Wells Fargo Bank- Rich People Welcome..

2006-08-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

I figured it out...Wells Fargo only wants to service rich people...if you are paycheck to paycheck you can get screwed! But first they want to squeeze out as much money from you as they can....

I just wouldnt feel right if I can prevent others from opening a Wells Fargo banking account...theres an old saying...
FOOL ME ONCE, SHAME ON YOU! FOOL ME TWICE, SHAME ON ME!
I allowed to be convinced to re-open an account in wells fargo bank.
1st , I had opened one on 1997 as a savings account for my son, through several moves, i let the account go dormant, and when i found an old account card, went to check to see about that account, and it was "gone" hmmmm i dont ever remember closing it...anyway-
i reopened one about 2 years ago, savings, checkings, CC ---
The fees were sooooo high, they will take 10$ service fee, and then ding you 33$ if your acct goes into negative because of a service fee....you get charged if you talk to a teller, or call too many times in a month to talk to someone...
So i close the acct like a month ago....
So today i go in to get copies of statments for the last year...because i never received paper copies- ( i think you would have to pay for that)
and not only do i have to wait in the lobby with my 3 kids for like 30 min, before someone can even help me, when i tell the lady, i need copies of statements, my acct is closed, she clicks into snail mode.
I tell her the customer service said it cost 2$ a statment (another fee) she tells me she thinks its $5, and must call the manager to get the fees
(see we all know that paper and ink toner cost so much)
she does confirm that it is $2 a statement. When she asks me how Ill pay, since i have no account, I told her I have an ATM/debit card or check from my other bank...she tells me that she cant take a check because its not from her bank..and she cant take my card either.
I was livid at this point, clearly a bank can take my check, run it through tele-check, or what ever large computer system is connected to my account to verify funds...
anyway- i go outside to the wells fargo ATM (another $2 fee) to pull out cash to pay for my paper statements.
she walks up to the counter and assists more people and chit chats for another 15 min before bringing me back my change-

See Wells Fargo is for rich people, people who would have enough money to not worry about their fees, and people who would hire other people to handle their banking, so they dont have to wait in line, in lobbys, or in cubicles for rude bankers to bring your change. Those rich people would have their children with their nannys instead of occupying them in a bank.

Average Citizens...you shouldnt bank at Wells Fargo.

2006-08-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

Family Picture 2006

2006-08-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

My last memory of my Grandma

been a while-scattered thoughts

2006-08-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

ive been feeling anti-social --thats stress related. I hate feeling this way! Kids are home on summer break, grandma dies, hubby changes jobs, work is not doing what i want it to do....planning for the future...AHHHHHH
My birthday is in 10 days, when do you go from wanting a birthday to wanting to avoid a birthday? Ive been feeling that way I think since I turned 29.
I played the lotto the other day...im always saying Ill do this or that, or do great humanitarian things when I win the lotto, but I never play---but i didnt win.
I for sure thought the numbers from the fortune cookie would win...then i realize those fortune cookies dont give you the date you should PLAY those numbers.
So back to my grandma...she was a tough cookie. Never sick, injured, very witty- we have know for about 7-8 years her memory has been off--- we suspected early stages of Alzehimers, and did our part to keep that in mind when we talked to her.
Right after Mothers Day she fell down- and 4 weeks later she died. its wierd but in just those few weeks she was diagnosed as having multiple myloma ( it think thats how its spelled) and its a blood cancer. Becasue she could trick all of the family that she was "just fine" - it was a real shock as she basically withered away.
My Mom was able to be there when she died. They think she was talking with her deceased brother Glenn in the last hours she was alive. They even set up an empty chair next to her for Glenn to sit as she passed. And all this from a non- spiritual family. Her last word was "Don", my grandfathers name.
The funeral was nice. Brings the family closer...isnt that sad? I think thats why I hate funerals. I can actaully deal with the fact that the person is gone, but I dont like the fact that we are only able to meet up as a whole family until someone dies.
My grandfather gave all the grandaughters one of her rings. I'll need to get mine sized, she had small fingers.
Well , i guess thats all for now- on to another day-

So Im at my goal

2006-04-02T17:22:00.000-07:00

Through Starting with Weight Watchers last Feb 05- and working with my Doctor- I hit my goal this April 1 2006 and lost 100 lbs!
this aint no April Fools joke!!!

Companies I Love/Hate...

2006-03-20T19:13:00.000-08:00

I decided I would post my reviews about companies I Love or hate..these are my opinions based on my personal experiences..I will update this often- If you ever want to know more reasons why...email me!

Hate:
Manhattan West Mortgage- Well, it came down to having our entire house contents sitting on the front yard of a rental house, and they still didnt finish the paperwork! There's way more to that!
Wells Fargo Bank- They kiss your butt to get you as an account, then your just a face in the crowd.
Phoenix Schools- Horrible to staff!
Cingular- It dosnt matter if your a great customer for several years, get behind on one payment even for hardhip and your screwed!
SBC- Won't work with you with mix ups either!
Costume Hut- Out of Canada- Beware!

Love:
JC Penney's- Gave me my 1st Credit Card!
Target- Gave me a credit card when I was dirt broke, this was how I was able to diaper my child back then...CREDIT
Chevys- Wonderful quality and service each time, even if they mess up!
Claim Jumper- Besides the awesome food and service, they even gave me free dinner for 4 once, becasue they felt their service was too slow!
Pizza Bell- My favorite Pizza place in the whole world!
Metro PCS- Finally someone makes sense with the cell phone!
WINCO- Even though I can't shop there as much as I would like- the prices are excellent!
Mongolian BBQ- West Sac-Not the prettiest restaurant, but they remember us and treat us well!

Its been a long hard year...

2006-02-09T21:39:00.000-08:00

But I'm officially down 85 lbs-- Ive hesitated at journaling all the details of my weight loss but I wanted to post at my 1 year mark since I started this journey.

Sarah

Blog Challenge- 10 things that bug me..

2006-02-07T19:43:00.000-08:00

I thought I would participate in this blog challenge, that was posted here:
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/mb.asp?cmd=display&thread_id=1598040

So here goes....

10 THINGS THAT BUG ME... (not in any particuliar order)

1. Mean and stupid people: the ones who wont let you merge over on the freeway, or the ones that dont look before merging

2. Seeing peoples earwax---GROSS!

3. Long Hair on little boys, now a cute bowl cut or surfer cut is all right- but come on moms, when you cant see your boys' eyebrows, or ears, give it a little cut!

4. ATM Fees-- Come on dont banks make enough money???

5. Door to Door Salesman who ignore my NO Soliciting sign, and try to just hand me a business card- and tell me they arent selling anything just showing a product.

6. Dust- it gets in the worst places to clean!!! Plus it turns to mud when you do try to clean it!

7. Bills- especially in December

8. The neighbors cats poopin in my flower boxes and front yard landscaping--- OOYYYYEEEEE
that one really bugs me!

9. Not having a babysitter, I sure would like to know what its like to go out on a date!

10. Property taxes! Geesh! I especially hate it when then increase it due to "community enhancements" that wasnt my decision!!!

oh and one more that makes 11-- the Jerry Springer Show...not that I watch it, but the commercials are horrible enough!!!!

im sure i could think of more, but these were the ones that came to mind...

Sarah

Its official!

2006-01-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

Im a store owner! I was able to go in partners with my friend Helen, and we bought the Scrapbook Addict in Elk Grove. It has a very good reputition- and well known in the area- we bought it from a wonderful lady who not only showed us the ropes, but set us up for a path of success! (thanks monique)
the new website is www.imascrapbookaddict.com - our online store will be up shortly!
I am enjoying working, i will work 9-2pm, M-F and some nights and weekends for classes and crops.
so that is all for now! check out the site, and look at the pics!!!!

2005-12-24T08:28:00.000-08:00

getting used to mason

2005-12-24T08:26:00.001-08:00

i think she likes DJ!

2005-12-24T08:25:00.000-08:00

kennedy likes her!

2005-12-24T08:20:00.000-08:00

getting used to me-

2005-12-24T08:18:00.000-08:00

Coming Home!

2005-12-24T08:17:00.000-08:00

she flew in to sac with her 1st friend!

shes here!!!!!!

2005-12-24T08:09:00.000-08:00

Last night about 10pm we got in our new little girl pup! she is ardorable! it was funny there was another girl waiting for a puppy there too, and it was a chiwahwah- we took a pic of the two pups together, her pup will get to be all of 4 lbs as a adult- ours over 100!
the boys want to keep holding her, so far they havent complained about picking up puddles of you know what.
she woke me up 4 times last night- but i dont mind-
we still cant decide on a name!

2005-12-16T20:03:00.000-08:00

Krop 4 Katrina Event

from tragedy- great things do happen

2005-12-16T19:44:00.000-08:00

so do you ever look at the chain -of-events when something happens in your life--and wonder if you had done something different would it still turn out the same?
ive been thinking about this a lot, because of how fast my life has changed from an awful hurricane that hit our country-
well being in california- and far away from the destruction what can you do but donate money to a charity- well we wanted to something more, so my scrapbooking friends and I put together a fundraiser "KROP 4 KATRINA"
We partnered with the salvation army and were able to raise over $4100-
Now the first wonderful thing that happened was a friend of mine who actually attended the event was hired by the Salvation Army a few months later-
now my chain of events started with a Thank you Card to A LSS owner who had given several items for the rafflle-
I had mailed all the Thank you cards out but decided to hand deliver this one to the owner, as she was an aquantaince of mine, and I did patronize the store often-(hey i needed an excuse to go shopping!)
it was at this delivery she told me she was selling the store- This was the ultimate job I wanted to be a LSS owner, as I had researched it about 6 months previously- but decided against a start up store- After discussing the options with my husband and talking with the SBA there was no way I would be able to manage a store and my family- let alone afford a store-
as a joke i asked helen my co-chair in the krop 4 katrina fundraiser if she wanted to buy a store with me- Helen and I met over scrapbooking- and never have I met someone as so much alike as me in my scrapbooking hobby that we just seem to make a perfect match-As she seriouly thought about partnering up with me to buy this store- we talked on the phone for at least 5 hours a day for 3 days straight determining if this would really work- after all helen a SAHM of 4 and me a SAHM of 3- jumping back to the workforce let alone owning a STORE! wow-
well- a month has passed since my little joke email- and january 1st- Helen and I become the official owners of the 'Scrapbook Addict' in Elk Grove-
All this from a hurricane!

2005-11-30T12:26:00.000-08:00

puppy 5 weeks old

puppy is 5 weeks old

2005-11-30T12:23:00.000-08:00

I got an update from jamie, who has our puppy- she is 5 weeks old tommorow- so puppy will come live with us in 3 weeks! isnt she cute--- still dont have a name...any suggestions?
sarah

ahhhhh--quiet

2005-11-27T12:35:00.000-08:00

i have the house to myself for 3.5 hours! wow! first- im enjoying all the delicious quiet- i even just heard an airplane fly by!
i love getting time to myself- of course i debate being a bum and just laying around watching movies- or being produductive clean the whole house, etc-
i havent decided yet what i will do-
for now i will listen to no one punching anyone, there are no spills, there are no video games playing, there are no tattle tails, ahhhh quiet!
dax took the kids on a nature hike to get some scout goals done for mason, he even took kennedy-
i hope they do ok- ok here I go turning my quiet time into being a worrysome mom---YIKES!
3.20 left......

jimboys tacos remind me of high school

2005-11-18T19:54:00.000-08:00

so being to lazy tonight to cook the boys dinner, we went to jimboys tacos-
the boys love quesidillas, and i get my usual #7
its funny how a taste of something can transport you back to another time, and i remember going to jimboys tacos when we had open campus in 9th grade-
we also went to jimboys when we had home volleyball games in 10-12 grade sometimes for dinner -
if you have never heard or been to a jimboys tacos, they make the best corn tortilla grilled in parmesean cheese! yumm--
from the jimboys website www.jimboys.com
"OUR FAMOUS TACO-A grilled corn tortilla with cheese, lettuce and choice of meat and parmesan sprinkled on the side;the same way it's been made for over 50 years!"
anyway- so tonight i remembered sitting in the booths at jimboys, eating tacos with my friends-
yumm!

2005-11-14T20:44:00.000-08:00

DJ the Doodler-- I wonder who BOB is?

when your kids do stuff like you...

2005-11-14T20:25:00.000-08:00

for those of you with kids you will know that over time they do little things like you- either because they saw and learned it from you, or they got it genetically-
it always amazes me when the genetic things pop out- because its interesting how your traits can be passed down--

so I crack up because my middle child DJ has become my doodler- drawing here and there, on scraps of paper, the calendar, the white board, or even my business notes- sometimes he writes his name, sometimes he doesn't, just marks his territory with his pen or crayon or whatever he can get to write with- and leaves his drawing for me to find-

just like his mom, doodling, all over papers, phone books, notes, anything...

OH NO we cant draw, but we do master the art of stick people- its not a nervous habit, not a need or desire- just a doodle-

so for now DJ the doodler, doodles like his mom, it will be interesting to see what other traits will be like me as he gets older---

hopefully he wont sass like his mom did- or try to stuff all his friends in a VW bug, or all the other things his mom did but cant write becasuse her mom will read this! Ah yes, her mom, is used to reading diaries---remember that one MOM!!!!

Sarah

2005-11-06T17:40:00.000-08:00

mason soccer game

are there pervs in the park...

2005-11-06T17:18:00.000-08:00

so yesterday we go to a soccer game - the game took place in a park we had never been too- it was quite nice, and had a great playground-
unfortunatly, the soccer field was a little too far away so I couldnt let the younger boys play alone- so i decided that while masons team was warming up i would let the boys play - and i sat on the bench to watch them-
as i was sitting there, i realized that parks are not relaxing! I couldnt read my magazine i brought because there might be pervs that would snatch up my kids!
i realize that im glad i put kennedy in a bright red shirt, this way i could see him if a perv grabbed him and ran-
so as the soccer game began i lured kennedy to the sidelines with a bogus lie that i have candy becasue i cant let him play at the park- there might even be a kid perv that would do something to my child when i wasnt looking--
and then Dj had to use the restroom, and of course, he had to go with me in the womens side- which he hated- beasuse there might be a perv in the mens room that i wouldnt know about-
while he is doing his business, all i can think about is this is just like the bathroom george michael got arrested in for "that thing he did".
anyhoo- i hate pervs, they have ruined the fact that i cannot relax, in a park, have to bribe my children with candy to stay closer to me, and take my sons into a womens restroom--
Sarah

It's a Girl-

2005-11-02T19:35:00.000-08:00

Look at our new little girl born oct 30th! She is a St Bernard- can you believe this pup will grow to be over 100lbs?
We currently have 'Honey' who is a 5 year old st bernard that we rescued from the SPCA- and I want to introduce a companion to her-
our pup lives in Nebraska right now, we will get her in December- we are actually trading her for a website- hubby will make a st bernard website for the couple who is trading us the pup-
we are so excited!
we havent named her yet- i was thinking biscuit- to go along with 'honey'-
any suggestions?
now there will be 3 bit***s in da' house!!!

2005-11-02T19:34:00.000-08:00

It's a Girl!

2005-11-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

OMG!! my son looks like a pumpkin!

2005-11-01T14:07:00.000-08:00

Anakin, Obi-won, Yoda

May the force be with you...

2005-11-01T13:57:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was halloween, we actually stayed home this year and passed out candy- and i took the boys around the neighborhood-
you know some people really put some thought into what they hand out, we got a couple party bags with goodies- the boys' favorite was the hot chocolate packets, and mini microwave popcorn.
we were definatly generous with our candy giving 4-5 pieces per trick-o-treater. Except the 14 year olds dressed in hooded sweatshirts claiming to be a human beings for halloween--
dum-du-dum-dum-dummmmmm

and what is the internatiol symbol for - "we- are- done- with -halloween -and -we -have -no -candy -unless- we- take- some -from- our -childrens loot?"
would that be to turn the front porch light off, the inside lights off, and pretend your not home?
then why do people still ring the doorbell??? I just dont get it- one lady sent her 5 or6 year old kid aka skeleton boy to our pitch dark doorstep, as she sat in her car on the road-- i wanted to throw a pumpkin at her-

i didnt dress up this year, becasue my hips were just too big to pull off being princess leia- the boys went with a star wars theme- every year they MUST match in some way- and NO MASKS! i hate those on kids! So we found some star wars costumes- I found DJs at target- in september, masons i got off ebay- and kennedy- i was tossing back and forth between yoda and chewbacca, but i couldt find a chewbacca for toddler-- the yoda was cute, so we went with that, i ordered a costume oct 3rd- from a place called costume hut out of canada- luckily they never charged my card, and did let me cancel, becasue the week before halloween, it still hadnt arrived, there were some ebayers who wanted up to $70 for this yoda costume- and many online places were sold out, i tried one last internet search and got a link for Party America, ordered the costume, and it was in my hands 2 days later! i was very impressed!
guess what- there will be a yoda costume on ebay next year----
Anyhoo-
maybe ill be a bit more creative next year... now to make my halloween pages for my scrapbook!

Sarah

2005-11-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

who am i

im finally blogging...

2005-11-01T13:31:00.000-08:00

go ahead and forgo reading this if you cant stand people who dont use punctuation or grammar correctly- becasue I aint worried about that!
OK so i finally decided to blog- why- i dont know, just to see if i can!
it might be fun, after all i could use this time to do laundry or clean some windows--nahhhhhh!
anyhoo- im going to tinker around and see how this thing works-
off to blog land!
sarah