Honestly, what was I thinking

Blog prompt: Today is National Honesty Day. How do you feel about honesty? Do you feel like there are times that it is okay to be dishonest? If so, when?

For the most part, I really believe you should be honest. Tax returns, filling out applications, how you feel about someone.

But there are times when being "brutally" honest just isn't appropriate, i.e.: "That dress doesn't look good on you," "What in the world did you do to your hair, it looks awful." I don't advocate being dishonest, but a better way to handle them would be to search for a compliment in whatever you are staring at with revulsion.

And I agree with the guys on the questions that have to do with weight. If you ask if you look fat or if you have gained weight, I will answer with I hadn't noticed. Because, to be honest, I haven't.

Poppy kit (c)Tracy Collins; Stitching (c)Lisa Carter; Alpha (c)Lauren Bavin; Template by Denise Beatty Originals; Fonts: Broken 15, Carlifornian FB

Dance Your Heart Out

Blog prompt: Today is National Dance Day. Do you like to dance? Why or why not?

Love to dance. From ballet to jazz and everything in between and beyond. But sadly Pan does not; well, he might like to dance but if you have ever watched Forrest Gump you will know what he looks like when he dances. So we have not been dancing in years.

In high school one of the classes we were required to take as seniors was called "recreation". And one of the things we had to learn was how to dance. Ballroom, polka, Charleston, jitterbug.... I loved it. The jitterbug was my all time favorite.

Maybe one day I can convince Pan that it would be fun if we took dance lessons together. :)

Template by Wendyzine; Summer Garden (c)A Work in Progress; Fonts: Trashed, Californian FB

Volunteers Needed

Blog prompt: This week is National Volunteer Week. Do you volunteer for anything? If so, what do you do?

Not at this time, I don't. Unless you count volunteering to watch the grands. I didn't think so. But I have done volunteer work throughout my life.

In elementary school, I volunteered to participate in the TOT program (teachers of tomorrow). I was in 6th grade and worked with a third grade class. I think that is when I decided I was not cut out to be a teacher.

During the Vietnam conflict, while we lived in Guam, I volunteered to sing to the guys who had been injured and were being shipped back home. I also helped them write letters and just spent time talking with them. Where there I also volunteered to work with the church's summer programs.

Before marrying Pan and moving, I use to volunteer my Friday nights to the Rape Crisis Council. I worked with them for three years. Wow, I just figured that out. I also volunteered at my kids school to help out when I wasn't working. I still do that for the Princess. Taking pictures, bringing in food and supplies. All the things you are expected to do for your kids and their schools :)

Template (c)Simply Yin; On Safari kit (c)Colie's Corner; Fonts: Trashed, Californian FB

Eh, What is that you say?

Blog prompt: Today is Morse Code Day. Do you know another language? If so, how long have you known it? If not, tell one that you would like to learn and why.

At one time I knew two other languages, German and Latin. But like other things, if you don't use them you lose them. I can still ask if speak German in German and sing Jingle Bells in Latin (that's my kids favorite).

But whether I or not I speak the language today, knowing them has helped tremendously in comprehending the English language. Latin has been especially helpful in that regard as so much of the English language is derived from it.

Dinosaur Daze (c)Kristin Aagard; Template (c)Simply Yin; Fonts: Trashed, Arial Unicode MS

Traditionally Speaking

Past Blog Prompt: Family traditions

Like most people, one of the traditions that has carried on throughout the years in our household has been the purchase of new ornaments every year at Christmas time. for the past 20 years we have bought a Star Wars or Star Trek ornament. Once the Princess was born we started purchasing Peter Pan & Tinkerbell ornaments. When the boys went into the military, military and American pride ornaments began to adorn the tree as well. Pickles and spiders to round out old Christmas traditions. Each year brings new excitement to see what new decorations we will have hanging from our tree.

Michelle Filo for the Pencil Lines (Template 115); Mistletoe Magic (c)Snap & Scrap Designers; Font: Franklin Gothic Book

Working Mom

Past Blog Prompt: Reasons I’m a stay at home mom or Reasons I’m a working mom

Once upon a time I was a working mom, juggling work and home life, trying to make ends meet. Now I work parttime and get the best of both worlds. Time with my peers and time with my grandchildren and Pan.

Sketch by Sara Noendeng; Beachhouse Impressions (c)Tabrizia; Fonts: Franklin Gothic Book, Disgusting

Arbor Trees to the rescue

Blog prompt: Today is Arbor Day. Tell about your favorite tree and why it is your favorite.

The Mimosa is my favorite tree, but as to why I can't really say. I love the colors of the blooms and the fragrance it produces.

There was one just a couple of houses away from me when the kids were little that was nearly a foot in diameter. There was nothing like walking out in the mornings and smelling the wonderful fragrance.

Rustic Fields (c)Doreen Stolz; Word art (c)One Memory At A Time; Font: Californian FB

You're a poet & didn't know it

Blog prompt: This month is National Poetry Month. What is your favorite poem? How does it make you feel?

I don't know that I can say I have one favorite poem. But I have a favorite type. I love ballads, especially those having to do with the sea. I realize most are not very happy poems, but there is just something that touches the soul. Maybe it has something to do with the way they are written.

Ballad Writing Tips

often have verses of four lines
usually have a rhyming pattern: either abac or aabb or acbc (usually the easiest to rhyme)
repetition often found in ballads
entire stanzas can be repeated like a song's chorus
lines can be repeated but each time a certain word is changed
a question and answer format can be built into a ballad: one stanza asks a questions and the next stanza answers the question
Ballads contain a lot of dialogue.
Action is often described in the first person
Two characters in the ballad can speak to each other on alternating lines
Sequences of "threes" often occur: three kisses, three tasks, three events, for example
~Studyguide

It could also have to do with the fact that since contains a dialogue, it seems to be more personal.

Last of Winter (c)Christy Skaggs; Font: Californian FB

Dictatorially Speaking

You Are a Black Panther

You see through people. You understand others' motives and plans. You have a knack for predicting the future. You just know what people are going to do. People are attracted to you. You are naturally able to influence other people's thoughts. You have the charisma to be a beloved guru or dictator. It's all about how you handle it.

What Big Cat Are You?

Earth Day 2009

Blog prompt: Today is Earth Day. Do you do anything to help conserve energy? Share some tips that you do.

We pretty much do the basic things around here. Use the more efficient light bulbs. Make sure we have a full load of laundry before doing it. Set the temperature around 74 in summer and 62 in winter. Use one glass for my drinking water throughout the day.

And speaking of earth day, the Princess is going to see the movie "Earth" by Disney. Can't wait to hear what she has to say about. It's all she has been talking about for the past month.

Dream in Color & Template (c)Andrea Gold; Font: Californian FB

Kindergarten Korner

Blog prompt: Today is Kindergarten Day. If you could act like a child in kindergarten, what would you like to do today?

I would be tucked up in bed right next to Indy playing either Star Wars, Indiana Jones or Batman Legos on the 360. We originally bought them for Indy to play (and he does all the time), but soon I was hooked. They are funny and relatively easy (until you get to the hard parts that is, LOL).

Though when actually playing with Indy, I guess it is better than I am not a 4 or 5 year old. Can you imagine two of them trying to go in two different directions? Yeah, I wouldn't want to deal with it either.

Bomb is back now, so hopefully after work today, I can get caught up reading. Especially Loonyhiker whose Travel Notes are a highlight of the day. I love seeing and reading about all the places she is visiting right.

Template by No Reimer Reason; Guga's Brother kit (c)Dani Alencar; Font: Arial Unicode MS

The Competitive Edge

Blog prompt: Today is the Boston Marathon. Tell about a competition that you participated in and how it turned out for you.

I know there must be numerous competitions that I have done but the one that I remember is from high school days.

I had taken archery during a summer break while we were living in Guam. After grueling weeks of practice, we had an archery competition. Most of the people in the class had some prior experience, not me. Most of the people in the class had their own bows, not me.

I did not expect to place in the competition. Too many were better, had better bows and had their strength already built up. So imagine my surprise when I placed third. I was ecstatic.

Rustic Fields (c)Doreen Stolz; Spring word art (c)Julie Burnett (recolored flowers)

Marriage Brings

Past Blog Prompt: Marriage Brings

The union of two people who have agreed to share their lives, their thoughts, their hopes and dreams. To be a companion through good times and adversity. I am lucky my marriage to Pan has brought me that a whole lot more.

Stitches (c)Vendula Sediva; Dusty Wind (c)Trish H. Designs; Meine Freebies (template); Fonts: Glider Girls, Selfish

Just once more

Past Blog Prompt: If I only had one more day

If I had just one more day, I would spend it with my family having a picnic lunch by the bayou taking pictures with my mind. I would watch every movement that my grandchildren made. I would hug them as much as I could. I would hold on to Pan for strength and comfort. I would make sure they knew I loved them.

Autumn Dance (c)Aneta Branch; Fryske (template); Fonts: Holyrose Sale, Milk & Cereal

Ancesterally speaking

Blog prompt: Today is Ellis Island Family History Day. Tell about your ancestors and where did they start out from before it led to where you are today.

My sister, the bug, has done a remarkable amount of research on this subject. We do know that our maternal grandfather and his family immigrated from Germany. Our father's maternal side is from North Carolina and moved to Georgia, Florida and Mississippi. We believe, but have not been able to ascertain their whereabouts before then, yet! She has managed to get documentation far enough back though where we can join the DAR. That is quite an accomplishment.

I do have to say that a lot of this research is due to the hard work of Sticks. She has looked up and photocopied most of what was required. Thanks Sticks :)

My father's paternal grandmother came over from Sweden and married my the man my dad was named after. We have pictures of Lily, but I only know of one picture of her husband. Would be cool to find them.

Remember You by Doreen Stolz; Because You Loved Me alpha (c) Christy Skaggs; Font: Arial

To Lose It or Not

Blog prompt: Today National High Five Day. Tell about something you did this month that you feel proud of.

While I am not going to go into details here, I am proud of the fact that I did not blow my stack with some information that was given me earlier. Especially since it went through another party then to me, instead of facing me with it. But it's over and I'm trying to be happy for the decisions made. Still it reminds me of another time when someone went behind my back with the same thing.

I am going to go with the flow, be happy for the other party and continue with Curves. :)


Cora's Best Friend (c)Snowflake Beach Designs

You thought I forgot

But I didn't... Really. Yesterday was just extremely busy. Very, very busy. Then last night we took the kids to a local restaurant since the Princess had a coupon for a free meal for making the A/B honor roll. We didn't get to use it. LOL.

Pan and I use to eat at this restaurant quite frequently when we were first married. We had bought their cards which entitled us to 10% off all food, drinks and merchandise or 50% off all food and drinks before 6 p.m., per cardholder. They gave us the 50% off the entire dinner. Not going to complain and the Princess still has a chance to use her coupon as long as she does it before the end of the month.

Back when the Princess was around Indy's age and younger we use to go every Wednesday night for dinner and to play trivia. I think we must have bought everything in the store during that period of time. Then life intruded and we stopped going, they stopped the trivia and other restaurant vied for our attention.

The cards last a lifetime and needless to say, they no longer offer them. Haven't for years, in fact. So we get funny looks when we go in now.

Color My World Rev Me Up Red (c)Connie Prince; Clipping Mask 3 (c)Kathryn Estry; Font: Sue Ellen Francisco

Constructive Vacation

On our annual jaunt to Orlando we had a wonderful view from our balcony of the construction being done next door to the new Marriott villas. Fortunately being on the 15th floor meant that the noise level was not that great and I could keep the balcony door open throughout the day when I was in the room. So even with a view of the construction we had a very nice time.

Along the Shore (c)Kimberly Cameron; template by Kaledain; lift of "all you need" by petit-lips; Font: Windsong

Courageous steps?

Past Blog Prompt: A day when I had courage

What actually constitutes courage? Is it running headlong into danger or just facing an unknown with trepidation but a willingness to face it anyhow? For me, courage was finally taking the step to walk away from a marriage that was and would continue to be harmful to all parties involved.

Carre Rouge (c)Imagine by Fran; Being Mrs. Wresh (template); Fonts: Franklin Gothic Book, Nasty

Learning is Fun

Past Blog Prompt: What I learned from mother/father

If I had to pick just one thing I learned from my parents, it was that you create your own fun. Whether it was sticking notes to your head or teaching a toddler how to sneak whipped cream from a bowl, they always seemed to be enjoying themselves. Maybe it was because of this, that I began sending my father anonymous cards each year for his birthday. They would come from all over the United States and he could never figure out who was sending them. In fact, when one of his neighbors suggested they were coming from me, he said, in no uncertain terms, that I would never do anything like that. This little prank went on for over 20 years. Too many people knew I was doing it, so I can never use it again on someone else, but it was priceless while it lasted.

Those were the Daisies (c)Linda Walton; Snap & Scrap (sketch); Stitches (c)Vendula Sediva; Fonts: Franklin Gothic Book, Broken 15

How much is that sibling

in the window? The one with the long, straight hair.

Blog prompt: Today is National Sibling Day. If you have a sibling, describe your relationship. If you don’t, write about someone else’s relationship with a sibling.

I have a sibling, actually two. ddpuppies and the bug are my younger sisters. I, personally, think both are pretty great and I will kick the back side of anyone who happens to disagree, LOL. Back in our younger days (like living at home together), I had been known to do that a time or two.

The bug and I commune just about every day. We have something in common, children. Her boys are 5 and 6, while my grands are 4 and 9. Her youngest and mine are only 6 months apart, in fact. So there is always discussions regarding schools, play and dieting. That is something else we have in common, but don’t tell her I said that. Hehehe

I love spending time with ddpuppies and talking to her. She suffers from migraines and cannot take any kind of narcotic so I try not to disturb her too much. She handles it a lot better than I ever would and I have a great deal of respect for her. She got me into scrapbooking and I have never looked back. She and I also enjoy photography and when we are together our conversations will often run to techniques.

So for my sisters, Happy Siblings Day and I love ya.

This is one of two desktops I did for April and the one I ultimately

choice to use. The other is for the Princess and you will see it a

few days hence

Black Beauty (c)Armina Designs; Clipping mask (c)Kathryn Estry; Perpetual Calendar (c)Kristmess

Antique Showcase

Blog prompt: Today is National Cherish an Antique Day. What is something you own that you think will someday be considered a valuable antique? Describe it.

I have an orange juicer that belonged to my grandfather. He used at his bar for making drinks. It stands about 1 1/2 feet tall and is made of metal. Unlike today's juicers where you have to apply pressure with your hand or the electric ones, this has a handle that you pulled down. Easy to clean as the parts where the orange or grapefruit half are put comes out. I'll have to remember where I hid it from the kids and dig it back out to get a picture.

Shy Guy (c)Colie's Corner; Template by Connie Prince; Font: BlackJack, Chicago House_trial

No Housework Day... Yeah

Blog prompt: Today is No Housework Day. What is one household chore would you love never having to do again and why?

Oh wait a minute that was yesterday. Once again, a day late and a dollar short. But oh well. One household chore, huh? That's a toughie since I hate all housework. But if I had to chose one it would be floors. Mopping, vacuuming, picking up. There always seems to be something you have to do to floors.

Star Struck (c)Connie Prince & Lisa West; Font: BlackJack

More Photo Study

The kids finally discovered the tons of fabric donated by my darling sister, ddpuppies and mom, which I finally got to pick up this past weekend. So we had fun last evening.


The Princess is really into Twilight and when Indy decided he wanted his picture taken last night, she thought it would be the perfect time to get those "Twilight" like photos. She was really thrilled with this one.

And was ecstatic when she discovered that her eyes were the same colors as the fully fed Edward. She oohed and awwed over this photo for some time.

There was also some time for just pure entertainment and a little movement.

Or someone wanting to build a portfolio for GQ

In the end I got to get a little practice in with lighting and focus.

For family and friends the full size, unaltered photos are on my facebook.

Where oh where has my karma gone?

Blog prompt: (April 4 was Tangible Karma Day) Giving of your time, of your love, of your talents, of your “extras”… Tangible Karma™ Day celebrates when giving feels as good as receiving. What will you do today to increase your karma?

I will start my first session at Curves in just about an hour and a half. As much as Pan and I love having our daughter and grandkids here, we have found it to be extremely stressful. Hopefully with an exercise regiment in place and I blow of steam and just enjoy what we have. :)

Cool Like That (c)Colie's Corner; Fonts: Aristotle Punk, BlackJack

Lone Wolf or just an Alpha Wolf?

You Are a Lone Wolf

You are resilient, and no doubt your resilience has already been tested. You've had some difficult experiences in your life, but you are wise from them. Having had to grow up quickly, you tend to discount the advice of others. You tend to be a loner, having learned that the only person you can depend on is yourself. Your strength: Well developed stability and confidence Your weakness: Suspicion of others Your power color: Eggplant Your power symbol: Spade Your power month: October

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

City Boy (c)Colie's Corner

E-groups, What is that?

Another old prompt I never got around to doing. e-groups I belong to:

The very first group I joined was RAKScrap. I have never participated in their forum nor have I ever uploaded a layout to their gallery, but I still enjoy getting their newsletter. I still check out their site for tutorials to make my digital scrapbooking more enjoyable.

Then I found Digital Scrapbook Place. And for several years I actively participated in the challenges, uploading layouts, attending chats, etc. I still actively partipate in the blog prompts (being that I get to chose them every 3rd month, LOL). I think my participation started slowing when it got difficult to figure out when challenges were being held and when they ended.

Next came Gotta Pixel. I was ecstatic when I saw their forum and they had a challenge for each of the month. It was so well laid out and you always knew when and where to look. They aren't doing that this year. I liked it better before. Still I will do what I can.

The last is goDigitalScrapbooking. I'm still trying to figure out the way they set up their challenges. And I know I'm probably making it harder than it should be.

All of the challenges are pretty similar, but each group has their own special touch. I know they all offer something for joining in the challenges, but you know what, I just enjoy doing them, regardless if their is a prize or not. As long as I know the p's & q's. :)

Valarie Ostrom Designs (template); October Give-Away Kit (c)Corina Nielsen Designs; Font: Franklin Gothic Book

Lost Letters

Blog prompt: Today is Pony Express Day. If the post office decided to increase the cost to mail a letter, what would you have to say about this?

I don't know what I would say about it. Probably not much, since it has been years since I actually wrote a letter. Today we pay out bills online and communicate via email or cellphone. Though I would like for the Princess and Indy to learn how to write Thank You letters. And those would need to be mailed and that could become costly.

But then again, I guess I could complain to Pan's brother who does work for the post office. LOL.

City Boy (c)Colie's Corner; Font: Burst My Bubble

A Reading Possibility

Blog prompt: Today is International Children’s Book Day. What book would you recommend a child to read?

I'm sure I'll think of more later, LOL.

1. A Wrinkle in Time
2. The Harry Potter series
3. Any American Girl book
4. Just about any book a child is willing to pick up and read.

Now I'm late for work, so will try to update this evening.

Charlie (c)Colie's Corner; Clipping mask (c)Kathryn Estry; Font: Arial Unicode MS

April Fools Prank

Blog prompt: Happy April Fool’s Day – what is the funniest prank someone has played on you or you have played on someone else?

The longest lasting prank was one that I pulled on my father. As you read further hopefully would will think I should be given credit for having one of the longest lasting.

It started sometime around 1977-78. I found a birthday card that I felt was perfect for my dad, but there was no way I was going to be able to give it to him. I can't remember now if it was one that made fun of his age or his sex appeal and probably doesn't matter at this point since both were poked fun at for the next 20+ years.

I actually mailed it from his hometown that year. When he got his birthday card from his anonymous admirer, he just about hit the roof. Since I used a typewriter for the address, he made everyone he knew that had a typewriter, type out his address. Now I was using one of those IBM's with the daisy wheels so they could be replaced easily. Which was what I did when I typed it out for him. Not that he really thought I would be the one to think of such a dastardly thing anyway. In fact, his neighbor suggested it was me. He just shook his head "no."

After that I would mail it from different cities within the United States. This was before 9/11 and sending an opened card to a postmaster, asking them to send it on was a whole lot easier. My family and I would scour zip code books for cities with interesting names or implications to mail them from or even from places where he had been stationed while he was in the Air Force. And I would like you to know that every postmaster up to 9/11 seemed to really like participating in the prank and on several occasions I got notes back that the "mission was accomplished."

After a couple of years my dad started anticipating them and if they were late, lord help us all. He would get just as mad about that. It was daring and it was fun throughout the years. Though I have to admit I was rather irked when I found out he thought it was my cousin sending them.

Miracles (c)Conny B; Sketch by Andrea Cox; Fonts: Burst My Bubble, Oh {Photo}Shoot!