Letters, Daughters & Tribulations

Wed 6/18 Blog Prompt: How about writing a letter to your daughter/son/sister/brother etc., on the birth of their first child.

Since my daughter had the first child in the family I made this one for her. I may go back and write a letter to Scamp on the birth of the Ballerina, too.

Has time every flown since the day I held you in my arms as you are holding your little one today. There are some differences as you are in a comfortable room with the television going while I was in a operating room so to speak.

I do wish I had the letter my mother wrote me upon your brother's birth so that I could pass along her wisdom to you as she passed it along to me. But the one thing I remember above all was her explaining that at some point I was really going to hate my child. Is that ever an eye opener. She went on to say, that the feeling itself is not wrong, but how we act upon it can be. When the emotion is upon us we need to step back and take stock of our options and our responsibilities. And to always remember that it was our choice to have children, not theirs.

You are about to embark on a great adventure and I wish you the best of everything.
Love, Mom

Pink Parfait ©Doro; Sketch by Fei-Fei's Stuff; Font: Worstveld Sling Extra

A Child, A Dream, A Tribulation

Tue 6/17 Blog Prompt: Write a dream page for a/your child(ren)

My dearest children and grandchildren, My only wishes and dreams for each of you is that you find peace within yourself; that your life work be something that inspires you; that you find your soul mate, if that is what you think your future will need. I hope that the values and virtues I have tried to instill will continue to nurture you and help you find your way. Although I do hope you have happiness, I do not include it in my dream for you, as strength & character are built from adversity & we all know adversity does not usually inspire happiness. Dream on my loved ones and reach for the stars.

Aidan Again (c)retrodiva {designs}™; template by Tabrizia; font: MamaeQueNosFaz

A Room by Room Tribulation

What it is suppose to say if there were no errors :)

So many years, so many houses. Where does one start or yet, should it be where does one end? The end is most familiar. It is where I spend my days now as I have for the past.. has it been nearly 20 years now? I guess it has.

But what of those other houses, those transient homes from which we flitted from year to year. Some I think I can recall clearly, others almost nothing at all.

My childish sketch of a long ago house is far from accurate, but I do think the placement of the rooms is. I can recall that my sister and I shared the bedroom next to the living room. And I remember the closet by the front door, especially since we were caught reading magazines we shouldn’t have been.

It seems the kitchen was sparse, but that could a result of my being small. The living/dining room(?) I remember as having a picture window. And I recall laying upon a giant stuffed bear watching Batman and the Flintstones or sitting at the table playing games with mom and dad. Usually mom.

This was the home of most of my childhood illnesses. Maybe that is why I like to think I got it mostly right.

Other memories of the house include what seems to be the biggest backyard ever. It was a duplex and had a carport. My baby sister’s room was the front bedroom with a bathroom. At least for a while. I don’t remember my parents’ room at all. I do remember almost setting a shirt on fire when I laid it over a lamp and then left the room forgetting all about it. I remember most clearly the trouble I was in after mom called the fire department.

Timeless (c)Cafe Digi; Fonts: AvantGarde Bk BT, Summertime

A Desktop of Tribulations

I missed getting this challenge done before the first of the month so opted to leave the calendar off the desktop and with the calendar off, it will be more versatile. The real challenge in creating our desktops this month was to use an extraction. Lucky me! I had several photos of the Princess in various ballet poses which just seemed appropriate. I love how she looks like she is dancing across the ribbon. She loves it too, by the way.

April Mega Kit ©Gotta Pixel Designers

A' Huntin' a Tribulation

This past month's camera hunt included such things as a gazebo, balloons, a barn, a circle, the color teal or blue, a garden, someone cleaning and the monthly picture of my house (which now has real grass, green at that, LOL). I was gone for the first two weeks of the hunt and was pleasantly surprised that I could find a great deal of the items from my pictures of Universal, the way home and of Indy's birthday when we returned.

May Mega Designer Kit ©Gotta Pixel Designers; template by Paula Yagisawa; Font: Script MT Bold

Handy Tribulations

Fri 6/13 Blog Prompt: Your mother’s hands

What strength lies in the hands of my mother. Having given birth to three daughters, holding each with the delicacy of a flower. Raising them to be responsible adults while never raising her hand in anger.

Over the years those hands have held me, nursed me back to health, pointed the way I should follow. They were held out to me as a safety line in which to return to the comfort of her arms.

Those hands may have aged and wrinkled, much the same way my own hands have done, but I will forever see the strength they hold.

I will Remember ©Cinzia Loosemore; sketch by Snap & Scrap; Font: P22 Corinthia

An Announcement of Births or Tribulations

Thu 6/12 Blog Prompt: Did you have a birth announcement? What did it say, or if you didn't have one, what should it have said.

Guess I should have posed this question to my mother while asking for stories, but didn't think about it. I don't know when it became popular to send out notices of births. I haven't seen one for me, but that doesn't mean it didn't exist at one time. And even if I didn't, I made my own, LOL

Such a Girl ©Veronica Hurly Designs; template by Theresa Borntreger; Font: DSP Shelly E ©Suzanne Walker, AvantGarde Bk BT

Stories of Your Tribulations

Wed 6/11 Blog Prompt: Let's hear those stories others have told you about yourself.

I emailed my mom on this one (just so I could say I really did hear it from someone else, LOL). The reply I got back was "How far back?" Boy did that make me feel old. Okay, I am old, but that is beside the point.

First she reminded me of my first grade experience with the "playground." I hated that playground. All dust and dirt. I would do anything to keep from going out. Which meant, I usually did not finish my classwork. Now my teacher liked me and knew I was smart enough to get it done, but apparently was reluctant to call my parents. Eventually she did, though and a solution was worked out (I probably got spanked, ). Thinking on it though, probably not. But I would like to know what the solution was.

Then she reminded me of the time that I leaned up against a hot motorcycle muffler and burnt the back of my leg. Knowing full well I shouldn't have been near it, I didn't want to tell her what I had done. That became a moot point after it got infected and I had to have it scraped clean with, I swear, steel wool. Ouch.....

Chillin ©Lisa Carter; Word Art ©Anna Aspnes; Font: DSP Byrd Scratches ©Suzanne Walker

Vacations of a Child's Tribulations

Tue 6/9 Blog Prompt: Last week we focused on recent vacations. So this week take a walk down memory lane for a childhood vacation you hold dear.

As a military brat, I was afforded the opportunity to visit a lot of places most people never get to see. Plymouth, MA; the meteor crater; Grand Canyon; Petrified Forest; the Redwood Forest; San Fransisco; St. Louis; Disneyland and the list goes on. But I think the most memorable vacation was when we went to Hong Kong and Kowloon. The Tiger Balm Gardens, the restaurants, the junks, the Chinese Dinner Theatre, the streets the Walled City and the people... Well you get the picture.

I have been in large cities, but I don't think I have ever been in one that combines such old culture with new. It was interesting to walk down the streets and see all the street vendors that look as if they could have been transported from a 100 years or more ago while right above their heads neon signs were flashing amidst the clothes lines strung from one building the other across from it.

The gorgeous and colorful temples where the people still come to pray. The junks which dot the water around Hong Kong and Kowloon. Several had been made into restaurants with lobster traps hung from the side.

I wonder if it is still the same now that it is under Chinese rule. I would like to think so. It was a beautiful and exotic place.

Discover (c)Andrea Gold; alpha (c) Veronica Hurly Designs; sketch by Jana Eubank; font: Journal

The Office of Tribulations

Mon 6/8 Blog Prompt: Wow, it's Monday already, so what do you say that we journal about "the office." Be it away from home or at home (and for those of you who say I don't have an office, I'm a sahm, well, you surely do. Where do you sit to pay the bills, plan the schedules, make the calls?)

I wonder what you would call a stay at home grandmother, sahg just doesn't seem right. But that is basically what I am now. For most of the week. Two days I go into the "office" to do the accounting. It's for a small hometown newspaper, of which I use to be the office manager and graphic artist. It was enjoyable, but very stressful. Even more stressful than when I was a legal secretary/assistant. And even though I am not suppose to be the office manager any longer, I still am.

It was amusing when I came back (part-time) after nearly a year hiatus, all the equipment still had notes on them to check with me before changing parts, adding toner, ribbon, or calling for repairs. I was still getting mail that should have been divied up between the 4-6 people who took my place. Instead it was being saved in a box for me. (That should have told me something right there, LOL).

I really like working just two days. It breaks up the week from the kids and gives me just a little spending money. And in case you are wondering, that is NOT me in the picture below. And the plant on the right hand side is to hide me from people coming in. The plant has since been replaced with another computer, but I'm still out of the public eye.

Rustic Fields (c) Doreen Stolz; Sketch by Sarah van Wijck; Fonts: Brush Script MT; Arial Unicode MS

Relaxing Tribulations of a Vacation

For all that is said and done it was always a thrill to see this sight of the hotel on my return from the parks each day. It was like being transported to a different time and place ... Hawaii circa 1930. At least that is is the illusion they created, very successfully. Eating dinner on the veranda of Jake's Bar and Grill, listening to the background music of generations past was relaxing and enjoyable.

I didn't always take the boat as there was a meandering path, about 1/2 mile in length passing local foliage and birds, that ended in City Walk and the two theme parks.

It was a nice stay and I look forward to another trip to Orlando again next year. In the meantime, I'll periodically post more pictures/layouts of our trip this year (and maybe trips of the past).

Scraplift of "She Was" by MmeFifi; Oriental Touch (c)Ina's ScrapArt; Journaling Mat (c)Connie Prince; Font: KissMeKissMeKissMe

Kaleidoscopes and Tribulations

Last weekend was the Princess' Ballet recital "Kaleidoscope." There will be plenty of layouts in the forthcoming weeks/months (I took enough) but what really stood out, was just before the recital how she took time with her little brother, Indy, pointing out various things at the Arts Center.

The two of them may argue as siblings always do, but there is no doubt about the bond the two of them share.

Amaryllis (c)Kathryn Estry; Cardboard bits (c)Lynne Simmons; Sketch by Becky Fleck; Fonts: SF Orson Casual, the King & Queen font

A Long Time of Tribulations

Fri 6/6 Blog Prompt: Today we will work on - Til we meet again.

There are many ways to go on this path, but I think I will chose the path that leads me to Ballerina. In April, she and her mother went back to Japan so the Ballerina could attend kindergarten there.

I know it is always going to be a couple of years between visits, but somehow with her being in Japan it seems a lot longer. Perspective, I guess. Maybe next year when they get back to Hawaii we can all get together again.

Golden Moments (c)Ina's Scraps; Scraplift of 5241 by Kriztella; Fonts: 28, Times New Roman

A Tag of Tribulations

I have been tagged ... Twice. Once by my lovely friend in Singapore, Simply Yin and also by the Southern Queen, ArtCTrish.

We'll start with ArtC because she tagged me first.

4 things I was doing 10 years ago: (1998)
1. Making a wedding dress
2. Worrying about my boys
3. Wondering what the future
was going to be like with
all the kids gone
4. Enjoying the boat

4 things I was doing 5 years ago: (2003)
1. Spending a lot of time at
the local Aquarium
2. Awaiting the arrival of
Ballerina
3. Worrying about the boys
4. Enjoying the boat

4 things I did yesterday:
1. Did payroll
2. Wrote checks
3. Talked to my daughter
4. Went to dinner with Pan

4 shows I love to watch:
1. Eureka
2. Smallville
3. Boston Legal
4. NCIS

4 things I love to do:
1. Cross stitch
2. Read
3. Scrapbooking
4. Take pictures

Now take a minute. go by and see what the world of the ArtCTrish is like while working with children on school productions such as "Laura Ingalls Wilder".

And on to Yin

First here are the rules:
A. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
B. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
C. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
D. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. The bones in the tip of my left hand pinkie are crushed.
2. I let my mom highlight my hair once and I came out looking like a calico cat.
3. By the time I was 17 I had lived in 7 states and on Guam.
4. While I started life with blonde hair, it is now nearly black
5. My hair and nails grow much faster than a normal person's.
6. When I dove off the high-dive once, I lost my bathing suit top.
7. I didn't learn to drive until I was a senior in high school.

Well now, seems I am the last person in blogdom to get these meme's as everyone I checked out has done them recently. If you haven't now is your chance. :)

Also take a moment to visit with Yin, look at her pages from her family's visit to the U.S. and read the remarkable posts. Also check out her new scrapbook store.

Template by Paula Yagisawa & Lorraine W.; May Mega Designer kit (c)Gotta Pixel Designers; Font: Script MT Bold

An Experienced Tribulation

Thu 6/5 Blog Prompt: Today let's focus on an experience. Good, bad, indifferent. From the present or from the past.

This can encompass a million things can't it? But there are quite a few experiences that stand out. Really stand out. Some of which I'm just not going to share here; some of which are really embarrassing; and some of which could have ended in disaster had I taken a different course of action.

But one from my teen years that memory recalls is the night the television caught on fire. I had not been feeling well and was dozing on the couch when I should have been keeping a better eye on my two sisters. Suddenly one of them shakes me and tells me the television is on fire. Considering my age and inexperience at such things, I handled it okay, I think. I sent my sisters over to a neighbors to get the tv out (that was a good thing); but I stayed to keep watch (that was a stupid thing). Withing a short period of time, the neighbor showed up and took control to my relief.

Much like poor Indy discovered when crawling out of the pool from the side instead of using the steps. Scratched side and underarm pretty good. But he was back in the water in no time at all.


Kaleidoscope (c)Kathryn Estry; Template by Trish H. Designs; Quote, Unknown; Fonts: Enchanted Prairie Dog, Selfish, Times New Roman

Relaxation or Tribulations

Wed 6/4 Blog Prompt: Let's go current on this one, preferrably in the last 2 years. Your most memorable vacation or relaxation spots.

I really didn't think of this one just because I came back from vacation. It really did just fall here in the list I have. But can't ask for any better time though. We just got back from Universal Studios in Orlando and it was enjoyable. I took loads of pictures. Rode just about everyone of their rides and just spend days lounging around. I actually prefer DisneyWorld as there is more to do, should I want to indulge in doing anything, but Universal holds a nice 2nd spot.

My African Dream (c)Snap and Scrap designers; Cluster frames (c)Lindsay Jane Designs; Font: Journal

A Hit of Movie Tribulations

Tue 6/3 Blog Prompt: Hit movies of yesterday or today.

This is kind of a tricky prompt if you ask me. What I may constitute a "hit" movie may not be what the "critics" consider a hit movie. But I think all can agree that the "Harry Potter" movies have been more than a minor success. I guess when I watch movies I want to be entertained. I don't want to be preached to or have someone else's opinions shoved down my throat. That is why I really like the "Harry Potter" movies. I can just sit back and enjoy them.

When doing the scrap page for this journey, the Princess and I had a grand time watching the movies and snapping pictures as we did so. It was a great together moment. :)

Papers (c)Corina Nielsen Designs; Template by Theresa Borntreger; Font: His Name is Honey, Harry P

The Sweet Smell of Tribulations

Mon 6/2 Blog Prompt: Well it's my turn again and boy have I have been lax this last month,what with 2 weeks away and trying to get caught up at work.... I'll try to do better about my own blog this month, promise.

I would still like to continue on our journey of self journaling and to start that off, this month how about Sights and/or Smells. Maybe something from the past or something from the present or maybe even something from the present that sparks a memory of something in the past....

Oh the smell of honeysuckle will take me back to my childhood and memories of it growing along fences. Did you ever suck on the stamins after pulling them out of the flowers? The sweet drop of nectar would tease you to get more. I guess it would hard to do that today, what with all the chemicals they use to control weeds and insects. Still there is nothing like the smell of honeysuckle on a crisp morning.

Easy Breezy (c)DigiDiva; template by Monica McGill; Font: Times New Roman

Hats off to Memorial Day

Mon 5/26 Blog Prompt: Today we celebrate Memorial Day in the US. Did you have any family members who served our country in the Armed Forces. Let us know so we can remember them.

We have a long line of military personal in our family. All of which are now retired or discharged:

Scamp, US Marine Corp
Nuke, US Navy
My cousin, US Army
Pan's brother, US Marine Corp
Bear, US Marine Corp
My uncle, US Marine Corp
My dad, US Air Force
Pan's dad, US Navy
A great uncle, the German mounted Calvary
A great-great grandfather, the Florida Mounted Volunteers
A great-great great grandfather, the Florida Mounted Volunteers
The possibly
A gggg grandfather in the war of 1812
A ggggg grandfather who may have been a Soldier in the North Carolina Militia during the Revolutionary War
Same for a gggggg grandfather

Can you tell I have been doing some genealogy research of late? If any of you few readers out there know anything of the Registers who moved from North Carolina, to Georgia and finally settled in Florida, I would love to hear from you. :) More to the point I am looking for proof of a father/son relationship between David Register (1813-1885) and Samuel Register (1786-1869). My email is on my sidebar if you know of anything :)

Shabby Sugar (c)Sherry Ferguson; Scraplift of "You are so Beautiful to Me" by Fortissimo; Font: Times New Roman

Belated Birthday Tribulations

Okay, okay, actually we have been back all week. (guess you already figured that one out huh?). We got back last Saturday and with just enough time to relax before the festivities began the next day with a celebration of Indy's birthday. As you should well know it fell in the middle of the week, while we were gone. Luckily for us the Daughter decided to hold the party when we got back.

He made out... with the Terminator 2 movie from his mom and a skeletal terminator from Pan and I. Along with nerf gun and a marshmallow gun. He was in heaven trying to shoot all the balloons and anyone who got in his way. After the presents and cake we all headed over to the pool to round out the day. He still has NO fear and acts just like a fish in the water.

Everything Zen (c)Ziggle Designs & Kami Leonard; Word art (c)Jennifer Maceyunas; Template by Monica McGill

Jurassic Park & BTTF Tribulations

Did you miss me? Didn't think so... LOL. We had a wonderful week of lazing around. Okay... I Had a wonderful week of lazing around. It was one conference after another for Pan. Universal is fun, but really, after the first day, there isn't much to do. And, get this, they close the parks at 7 p.m. By the time Pan got out of his meetings there was no time for him to go over and enjoy them. At least he got to spend the first day there and a couple of hours on a day he got out early. For me it was a time of walking and walking and walking and taking pictures (you thought I was going to say walking again didn't you?)

My favorite ride is still Men in Black. Though it helps when the other people in the car are just as dedicated as you in eliminating those nasty aliens. Which in our case, just wasn't the case. They have changed to the Back to the Future ride to Krustyland with the Simpsons. Cute but I like BTTF better. You have to hunt around but the train engine and the de Loren are still about. Nope not going to tell you... you go find them.

Easy Breezy (c)Connie Prince/DigiDiva Design

A Loaf, a Bread, a Tribulation

Fri 5/23 Blog Prompt: week is National Bread Week. Describe your favorite bread.

We are home. And boy is next week going to be a dozy. What with catching up with two weeks of work at the end of the month. I'll be at the office every day, I guaruntee (I know it's not spelled right, lol). But now it is about bread.... Give them bread, oh that's give them cake. Still same premise wouldn't you say?

I'm not a big bread eater. The loaves I buy usually end up moldy and in the trash just about the time I really want a sandwich. But if I have to pick a favorite it would either be rye with thin slices of turkey and mayo or pumpernickel with loads of sweet/salty butter. That rye with turkey is sounding really good right now. Wish it wasn't so late, I'd go to the store and get some.

So Everything (c)Connie Prince/DigiDiva Design; Font: Windsong

Squirrely Tribulations

Sometimes things just work out. Like having the camera with me at just the right time. Seems this month's challenges have been a little different, but for just about each one, I had the perfect picture. Like this one which had to be a picture of an animal. Some may not really consider the squirrel an animal but for the purposes of this page it is.

If you will notice the danged thing is running straight for us. My first thought was "Oh no rabies," but he did change directions and sat upon a stump chattering away with that acorn in his mouth. Well, maybe, he was eating it and it just sounded like chattering.

May Mega kit, Paper (c)Sarah Meyer, Doodle (c)Silvia Romeo, Paper (c)Paula Yagisawa, Paper (c)Rose.Li, Template by Trish H. Designs; Fonts: Ameze'font, Arial, Milk Run

Black & White & Leafy Tribulations

Color to Black and White Photography. Your challenge this month is to convert a photo you have taken within 2 weeks to black and white. The photo needs to contain the image of a plant; a tree, flower, grass, etc. The plant does not need to be the main focus, but it does need to be included.

I, of course, chose Indy as the main subject with the sun shining through the leaves of the bushes onto his face. In addition, I chose to convert it to black and white using the channel selections. I really like how it turned out.

A Catchlight of Tribulations

The trip to mom's was a treasure trove of photos indeed. In this challenge our aim was the catchlights in the eyes.

Tribulation of Photographing Children

Next in line at the photography challenges was to photograph children. Still at mom's, Indy condensended to be photographed.

An Animal Challenge Tribulation

Gotta Pixel had several photography challenges this month. One of which is the animal photography and more specifically .... Birds. It was just luck that we had gone to see mom the weekend before the challenge and I was taking pictures of the birds and feeders in her backyard.

Childhood Tribulations

At times practical jokes just seem to spring forth unaided from my brain. And when I play them, they are very detailed. :)

Since this is the month of my sister's birth, a story of our childhood together seems to be appropriate (or maybe several). Being military brats, oft-times we had to play together or with no one at all. Fortunately we liked one another. But even then my practical joke side would win through as in one evening when I told my darling sister about the tiny folk that lived underground in our back yard. Oh it was full of detail on how I would shrink to their size on special nights and dance at a beautiful ballroom. The next day I showed her the "entrance" to this magical land. Within you could see the tiny tables and chairs set about. She so wanted to attend one of the balls with me, and I had to deliver the bad news that she wasn't yet old enough. The entrance was a hole I had dug in the yard, the tables and chairs the shiny white rocks which had fallen from the roof. But power of a child's imagination transcends the obvious.

So Everything by DigiDiva; Template by Trish H. Designs; Font: Park Avenue BT

Happy Birthday Ballerina

Today, my little Ballerina turns five years old. How I wish she was here so we could celebrate together. Maybe next year.... She is growing up so fast. We love you Sweetie, Pan & Tink

Blue Fairy (c)Elke Romero; Template by Carena's Template; Font: A Yummy Apology, The King & Queen font

Such are the Tribulations of a Kindergarten Princess

I do so look forward to getting the annual photos from Scamp and Honey. Each year is something a little different and every year includes some very special pictures of Ballerina. This year she wanted to dress up as a princess and she most certainly did.

Timeless (recolored) (c)Brenda Miller; Stitching from Spring Blossom kit (c)Krissmess; Template by Lilia Mendonca Graphs; Font: The King & Queen font

Unexpected Pictorial Tribulations

There's something to be said about getting bored while traveling. During our latest jaunt from Nuke's place, I pulled out my camera and just started playing. Any other time, I probably would not have noticed this demolished house with just the chimney standing. I wonder if it was destroyed by one of the hurricanes, a tornado or even a fire? Guess I will never know, huh?

Considering we pacing ourselves at around 70 miles per hour, I was very pleased to see that the picture came out.

My Discovery (c)alexa b.; Template by Tracy Drane; Fonts: Arial, Times New Roman

Happy Birthday Indy

Hard to believe that you are already 4 years old. Hope you are having a wonderful day. We love you, Pan and Tink

Discover by Andrea Gold; Template by Simply Yin; Fonts: JaneAusten, SF TransRobotics

A Masculine Birthday Tribulation

The card challenge at Gotta Pixel this month was to make an adult male birthday card using an alpha and at least 2 brads. I think this would qualify for an adult male, but I'll let you be the judge, :).

Still I would not be adverse to give it to say, my grandson who turns 4 tomorrow nor my sister, ddpup, who turned 50 on the first. I had lost my voice that day so was unable to call and wish her a very happy half-century birthday. But I thought about her all day and it was rather depressing to know I couldn't needle her about growing old. At least she is doing it more gracefully than I am. So Sis, Happy Belated Birthday from your "older" sister. Love you.

Ara kit (c)Imagine by Fran; Template by Becky Fleck; Alpha & brads (c)CompooperTeacher, SNL #25

Happy Mother's Day

Template by Cheri Shields; Flights of Fanci (c)Cheri Shields; Calendar (c)Kristmess

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. You are an extraordinary woman and I have been blessed that you are a part of my life. You are the kind of person everyone should strive to become. Kind, considerate, loving and loyal with just a smidge of orneriness thrown in. Where others would become discouraged when things go wrong, you hold your head high and proceed forward aiming for that spot where it is better. You are a true inspiration and there really are no words for how deep my feelings and respect for you go.

To all mothers you should take a moment to head over to Derek's for a very special read. :) I know it has been passed around the web via email and blogs, but take time to read it again today.

A Running Tribulation

One of the things that kept me pretty busy the last couple of weeks was attending various functions at the Princess' school, such as Field Day.

Cute Stuff with Daisies (c)Kathryn Estry; RicRac (c)Kathryn Estry; Template by Trish H. Designs; Font: Astigma Regular

Oh, Mother of My Tribulations

Fri 5/9 Blog Prompt: May 11 is Mother’s Day. Tell about your mother or a mother figure in your life.

Interestingly enough my layout for today is of my mom. At her graduation. With her uncle and her dad. There is so much you can say about my mother. She's a strong person who is very capable of keeping her emotions in check. Wish I had gotten that from her. I always tended to fly off the handle about any little thing, but not her. She always seems to analyze before making a decision or comment. What a great world this would be if more people acted like her.

Flights of Fancy (c)Cheri Shields; Scraplift of "My Love" by heb1976; Font: Arial

Dog Days of Tribulations

Thurs 5/8 Blog Prompt: On May 8, 1877, the first Westminster Dog Show was held. What is your favorite kind of dog?

I must admit that I am rather partial to Great Danes. I had one named Rocky when I was married to the ex and it was always so reassuring to have him around when I was home alone. Although we ended up replacing a number of windows since every time we would leave then come back he would get so excited and start wagging his tail. We tried chaining him up to his dog house since it was spiked into the ground rather firmly, but as we were driving away we kept hearing this kerlump, kerlump and as I looked back Rocky was galloping to catch up dragging his doghouse behind him. But he was so gentle.

We had a kitten at the time too. Dust would curl up by Rocky's ear and snooze away. Even if he was wide awake, Rock would just lie there until the cat woke up. What a great parent he was to Dust too. Whenever Dust would do something bad (like pee on the floor), Rock would very carefully pick him up in his mouth and put him on the bookshelf. Then stare at him. After about 10 minutes he would take him down and they would play together. I sure miss him.

Scraplift of Impossible is Nothing by zakirahzakaria; Rustic Fields (c)Doro; Fonts: Sue Ellen Francisco, Xoxo

Stuck a Feather in His Cap and Called it Tribulations

Wed 5/7 Blog Prompt: On May 7, 1660, Isaack B. Fubine of Savoy, in The Hague, patents macaroni. What is your favorite macaroni dish?

If we are speaking just of "macaroni," then I would have to say my favorite would be, of course, mac and cheese. Homemade is the best of the best made with provolone, cheddar, jack and mozzarella. Oh yum. But sometimes I am to lazy to grind up all that cheese and will resort to just using the prepackaged Velvetta mac and cheese.

Now if we are speaking of pasta in general, spaghetti would head my list (although I do use macaroni a lot of times as it is not as messy when eating as trying to twine spaghetti noodles around a fork.)

Golden Moments by Ina's Scraps; template by Trish H. Designs; Quote by Margaret Atwood; Fonts: Da Vinci Forward, Docteur Atomic, Primer Print

Tribulations or ... A Horse, Of Course

Tues 5/6 Blog Prompt: May 3 was the running of the Kentucky Derby. Would you want to be a horse? Why or why not?

Not me, no how, no way. I think I would just rather stand back and enjoy their beauty. I use to have a Tennessee Walker and I just loved that horse. Of course, he was much, much taller than me and I normally ended up riding the appaloosa, but I really preferred the Walker. He was so gentle and good nature. But I still wouldn't want to be a horse and dine on oats and grass.

Template by Michelle Swadling based on layout by twrightgirl; May Mega kit (c)Gotta Pixel designers; font: Tiranti Solid

Cinco de Mayo Tribulations

Mon 5/5 Blog Prompt: May 5 is Cinco de Mayo. How would you celebrate Independence Day if it was today?

First by thanking all the military personal I could find. Then I would sit and reflect on how lucky I am to live in the United States, to have the freedoms I have and the luxuries.

Word art (c)Jen Maceyunas; Easy Breezy (c)Digidiva; template by Monika Martinson

GQ doesn't know what Tribulations are

Last weekend was beautiful and we had Indy. Pan wanted to pull some weeds and Indy insisted on helping out, though he pulled up more grass than weeds, LOL. Normally aiming a camera towards him will give you more pictures of hands than anything else, since he really hates to have his picture taken. He did condescend to let me take some of his really buff 3 year old bod. :)

October 07 Mega kit (c)Gotta Pixel Designers; Sketch by Nancy van den Berg; Font: Sylfaen

A Week of Scrapbook Tribulations

Since my week has been so hectic (a stringed concert one evening, a field day another, and three days of work) I have neglected my blog. Bad me. But I thought I would at least post those scrapbook pages which should have been posted throughout the week. :)

Timeless kit (c)Brenda Miller; Wedding kit (c)Michelle Swadling; Word art by Katie Pertiet; Template by Neverland Scraps

Template by Andrea Gold; Mom's Diner kit (c)Helen Ehrenhofer

Template by Monica McGill; Strawberry Kiwi (c)Sherry Ferguson; Font: Palatino Linotype

Flights of Fancy by Cherie Shields; Template by Simply Yin; Fonts: the King & Queen, Journal

Flights of Fancy by Cherie Shields; Template by Simply Yin; Fonts: the King & Queen, Journal

Silent Tribulations

You Belong in the Silent Generation

You fit in best with people born between 1925 and 1942. You are a person of high values and character. Family, your country, loyalty, and hard work all important to you. You are willing to do what's right, even when it's difficult.

What Generation Do You Belong In?

h/t to Mrs. Who

A Multitude of Tribulations

Tues 4/29 Blog Prompt: What did you memorize when you were younger that you still remember?

Oh, oh, this is easy. Jingle Bells in Latin. The kids loved that I could sing it in Latin and it became a Christmas favorite around our house. They will still sing it and hopefully will pass it on to their children.

Wed 4/30 Blog Prompt: Today is National Honesty Day. How do you feel about honesty? Essential or overrated in relationships?

Honestly? I am a big supporter of honesty in most situations. Although there are times when honesty can be detrimental. Total honesty that is. I believe there times when tact and discretion would be a favorable replacement. But on the whole I think it is better to be honest than to try and maintain a lie.

Thanks Glynis for a wonderful month of prompts. Today starts the round of prompts from Loonyhiker...

Thurs 5/1 Blog Prompt: April Showers brings May Flowers. What is your favorite flower and why?

Once upon a time I would have just spouted "Wisteria." I love the delicate lavender color, the way the flowers are arranged in a grape like cluster and the wonderful fragrance which it exudes. And they are still on my list of favorites.

But once upon a time, several years ago, while sitting at my desk at work, a floral van pulled up and out came the most beautiful orchids I had ever seen. Imagine my surprise when they were delivered to me. My birthday was coming up and Pan was out of town. So he called our florist (one of the best on the coast) and asked him to deliver something special. M chose the orchids. I was the envy of the office.

Fri 5/2 Blog Prompt: May 2 is No Pants Day! Would this be a good day for you? Why or why not?

Depends on what I would have to wear. I could get by in a dress or skirt, but not to sure about shorts, LOL.

Now take a moment to check out my layout. I really love this one. I love how the lyrics from the song "Hero" by Mariah Carey work so well with the picture of Scamp as a lad (that is a professional blended photo I had bought when he was about three) looking forward and then looking up to the photo of himself as a Marine stationed in Iraq.

Inspiration kit (c)Kathryn Estry; Template by Neverland Scraps; Lyrics from the song "Hero" by Mariah Carey; Fonts: Palatino Linotype; Nemo Nightmares

A Letter of Tribulations to the Future

Mon 4/28 Blog Prompt: Write a message for a time capsule to be opened in 100 years.

I was going to combine this week's prompts into one post, but after I got started on this I realized this one really deserved a post of it's own. :)

April 28, 2008

To Whom it May Concern:

As you are reading this 100 years have elapsed. I stare out my computer room window and see the bright green of our front lawn and an overcast day. I am wondering who might be reading this and what would be of interest to that person. Are you a distant relative, a great-great-great granddaughter/son? If so, hopefully the genealogy that is encased with this letter will still be intact. Your aunt and I have worked on it for many a year together. She has done the most work but I am glad to say that I have been a contributor.

If you are not a distant relative but an archaeologists of sorts (will they still be around in 100 years? I like to think so), I think you will find the enclosed material to be just as profound in your work. But I am sure you would also like to know a little more about our age and era.

Living here in this place and time, our biggest worries on the coast always seem to be the hurricanes that crop up between May and November each year. This year I haven't yet heard the predictions, but the past couple of years they have been off quite a bit. Still the years preceding had been devastating to the Gulf Coast and South Florida regions. Blue roofs can still be found throughout the area.

The war in Iraq rages on. And I am grateful that my sons are now out of the military, although I was quite proud of them in their service to our great nation. There are contenders on both sides. Those who think we need to pull out and those who think we need to finish what we started. I guess there will always be two sides of thinking in every war.

There are more reality shows on than I care to think about. And if our television signals are stretching the far reaches of space; and there is other intelligent life among the stars, I dread to think what they must think of us. Personally, I prefer the more "mundane" science and history shows. Computer generated movies are being a big fad and are appearing more and more often. Within the next decade or so, I well image that we will be able to eliminate "real" actors all together, if we desire. And we will be able to bring back some of the greats.

I wonder if the day to day activities will be pretty much the same for you as for me. Sleep, get up, eat, then either go to work or play on the computer for a while before starting housework, time for relaxing in the evening and them back to bed. Will the town I live in still exist, surrounded by a military installation and the ocean? Will it still be as pristine and beautiful then as it is now? Will the mayor of our neighboring city have won his bid to have the training facilities moved? If so, will our town even exist at all except in memory?

In closing, I am glad I had to the time to write to you and I hope this finds you well.

Tink

So Everything kit (c)DigiDiva; Template by Fei-fei's Stuff; Font: Arial

Major Tribulations

What is your Perfect Major? (PLEASE RATE ME!!<3) created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Chemistry You should be a Chemistry major! As if that isnt clear enough, you are deeply passionate about Chemistry, and every single chemical reaction and concept fascinates you. Pursue that! Chemistry 100% Biology 100% Engineering 100% Philosophy 100% Dance 100% Psychology 100% Linguistics 92% Sociology 92% Anthropology 83% Mathematics 83% English 83% Theater 75% Journalism 50% Art 50%