There's no getting around it...women cost money!

2009-03-17T19:24:00.005-06:00

Stamps for sale:
These "A sized" sets are $5.00: (Some used, some never used) -

A1065 - NATURE'S BRUSHSTROKE - Retired 2007 - Can be seen in the Spring 2006 CTMH Idea Book, page 64

A1042 - LIVE LIFE WELL - Retired 2007 - Can be seen in the Summer 2006 CTMH Idea Book, page 82

A1053 - LOVE BUG - Can be seen in the Autumn/Winter 2005 CTMH Idea Book, page 78

A1093 - GENUINE FUN - Retired 2008 - Can be seen in the Summer 2008 CTMH Idea Book, page 42

A1068 DISTRESSED NUMBERS - Retired 2006 - Can be seen in the 2004-2005 CTMH Idea Book, page 44

A1054 - VROOM NUMBERS - Retired 2007 - Can be seen in the Autumn/Winter 2006 CTMH Idea Book page, 87

A1055 - FUN SHAPES - Retired 2006 - Can be seen in the 2004-2005 CTMH Idea Book, page 109

2009-03-17T15:49:00.004-06:00

Stamps for sale:
These "B sized" sets are $6.50: (Some used, some never used) -

B1207 - YOU'RE INVITED - Can be seen in the Spring 2006 CTMH Idea Book, page 43

B1204 - LIFE IS SO GOOD - Can be seen in the Spring 2007 CTMH Idea Book, page 62

B1203 - DAINTY - Can be seen in the Spring 2007 CTMH Idea Book, page 63

B1190 - SOCCER FIELD - Can be seen in the Spring 2007 CTMH Idea Book, page 75

B1082 - SPRING LEAVES - Can be seen in the Spring 2006 CTMH Idea Book, page 65

B1081 - GUILDED FRAMES - Retired 2005 - Can be seen in the 2004-2005 CTMH Idea Book, page 111

B1080 - LOVELY LEAVES BORDERS - Retired 2006 - Can be seen in the 2004-2005 CTMH Idea Book, page 111

B1054 - WHAT A GREAT DAY - Can be seen in the Spring 2007 Idea Book, page 64

B1037 - VALENTINE CHERUBS - Retired 2005 - Can be seen in the 2004-2005 CTMH Idea Book, page 116

B1033 - BLOSSOM BLOCKS - Can be seen in the Spring 2007 CTMH Idea Book, page 66

B1030 - BUGS - Can be seen in the Spring 2007 CTMH Idea Book, page 68

2009-03-17T11:24:00.007-06:00

Stamps for sale:
These "C sized" sets are $8.00: (Some used, some never used) -

Spoken ForC1211 - BIRTHDAY INVITATION - Retired 2007 - Can be seen in the CTMH Summer 2006 Idea Book, page 81

C1140 - BOOKPLATES - Retired 2006 - Can be seen in the CTMH 2004-2005 Idea Book, page 109

C1094 - HAVING A BALL - Retired 2006 - Can be seen in the CTMH Autumn/Winter 2005 Idea Book, page 74

C1036 - CONTEMPO BLOCKS - Can be seen in the 2004-2005 CTMH Idea Book, page 68

C1004 - DRAGONFLY AND FRIENDS - Retired 2008 - Can be seen in the Spring 2007 CTMH Idea Book, page 67

C1252 - ABUNDANCE BORDERS - Retired 2008 - Can be seen in the CTMH Spring 2007 Idea Book, page 52

C1247 - SIMPLE BLOSSOMS - Can be seen in the Spring 2007 CTMH Idea Book, page 54

C1230 - SPECKLED EGGS - Can be seen in the Spirng 2007 CTMH Idea Book, page 68

C1226 - FLORAL CHARMS - Retired 2008 - Can be seen in the Spring 2008 CTMH Idea Book, page 64

C1224 - FLUTTERING FRAMES - Retired 2008 - Can be been in the Spring 2007 CTMH Idea Book, page 49

For Patricia...

2009-03-17T09:57:00.003-06:00

SNIPS AND SNAILS - One complete package of the Stickease, 4-12x12" pre-printed layouts, B&T in the following...2 sheets of the block patterns with childhood nursery rhyme lithos, 3 sheets of the multi colored checked pattern, 2 sheets of the multi stripe, 3 sheets of the Crystal Blue texture pattern, 2 sheets of the plaid on yellow, and 2 sheets of the yellow paper with words and lithos...($10.00)

LAZY DAYS - 10-6x12" Stickease sheets, 12 different 12x12" pre-printed layouts, 4 sheets of the swirled polka dot pattern, 2 sheets of the multi stripe pattern, 3 sheets of the large polka dot, 3 sheets of the monochrome Olive stripe, 3 sheets multi plaid, and 4 sheets of the Olive and Garden Green stripe patterned papers...($18.50)

LAID BACK - Just B&T in the following patterns...20 sheets of the random words pattern, 1 sheet each of the Vineyard Berry floral, Polka dot on Sunflower, and distressed Dutch Blue...($5.00)

GRADUATION - I only have 4- pre-printed 12x12" layouts a chunk or two of the diamond pattern paper and some of the non-sticky embellishments ($1.00)

EASTER - 1 sheet plus a chunk or two of the stripe, 1 sheet plus a chunk or two of the floral, the instruction booklet, and a little bit of fiber and a couple of the window charms that came in the kit..not much...sorry ($1.00)

BIRTHDAY BASH - 2 each of the candle pattern on Clover Meadow, and the Holiday Red Polka Dot, and 1 each of the Confetti pattern on Dutch Blue, Polka dot on Sunflower, and Dutch Blue star patterns. ($1.50)

ABUNDANCE - This package I have and "abundance of!!" (hee-hee) - 1 package of complete Stickease, two sheets of 12x6" Stickease sheets, 4-12x12" pre-printed layouts, 1 sheet of the New England Ivy "sponged" pattern, 2 sheets each of the Pumpkin on N.E. Ivy, the acorns on Autumn Terracotta, and the random words patterns, 3 sheets of the plaid, and 26 sheets of multi stripe. ($12.50)

So that's what I have set aside for you...keep me posted if there's something you see that you'd like sent your way...Thanks!!

2009-03-16T12:44:00.009-06:00

Stamps for sale:
These "D sized" sets are $11.50: (Some used, some never used) -

Spoken ForD1086 - BIRTHDAY BASH - Retired 2008 - Can be seen in the Spring 2008 Idea Book, page 71

D1085 - HAPPY EASTER - Can be seen in the Spring 2007 Idea Book, page 68

D1084 - LOVE TAGS - Can be seen in the Spring 2007 Idea Book, page 77

D1080 - LARGE TAGS - Retired 2005 - Can be seen in the 2004-2005 Idea Book, page 108

D1031 - GIFT TAGS - Can be seen in the Spring 2006 Idea Book, page 74

D1182 - IT'S A PARTY - Can be seen in the Autumn/Winter 2008 Idea Book, page 74

D1156 - A LITTLE BEE - Retired 2008 - Can be seen in the Spring 2008 Idea Book, page 65

D1119 - EASTER GARDEN - Can be seen in the Spring 2006 Idea Book, page 71

D1090 - RETRO FLOWERS - Can be seen in the Spring 2007 Idea Book, page 67

D1087 - ELEGANT FLORAL - Can be seen in the Spring 2007 Idea Book, page 51

D1260 - ENDLESS LOVE - Can be seen in the Spring 2009 Idea Book, page 62

D1245 - IN MY HEART - Can be seen in the Autumn/Winter 2007 Idea Book, page 109

D1210 - MOMENTS - Can be seent in the Summer 2007 Idea Book, page 108

D1189 - FLORAL DELIGHTS - Can be seen in the Spring 2007 Idea Book, page 27

D1186 - RUSTIC FLOWERS - Can be seen in the Spring 2007 Idea Book, page 109

2009-03-15T19:25:00.002-06:00

"Spring" - Here's another "oldie but goodie" paper kit...this can be seen in the CTMH 2004-2005 Idea Book on page 75. I have the following left of this set: 6 Key Lime floral pattern, 6 checkered Key Lime and Lilac Mist pattern, and 4 pre-printed 12x12" layouts and 1 and a partial sheet of the non-sticky cardstock weight embellishments. I'm asking $6.00...I have cardstock that can be added!! Just ask!!

2009-03-14T22:20:00.002-06:00

"Denim Days" - another oldie but goodie...if seeing this set in it's entirety for inspiration is necessary...you can see it in the Autumn/Winter 2005 Idea Book on page 32. I only have three of the patterns in this kit left but LOTS of one of them!! There's 2 sheets of the red "locker door" paper, 1 sheet of the "denim-up close" paper and are you readyu for this?? TWENTY-SIX (26!) sheets of the "jean pockets" paper - you read that right...this kit coordinates well with Sunflower, Outdoor Denim, and Holiday Red. As for making these B&T yours...just asking $5.00 - that's a steal 29 sheets for .17 cents a sheet!! WOWSERS!!

2009-03-14T21:54:00.003-06:00

"Best Friends Forever" - yummy stuff but I don't have much of it...this kit in it's entirety can be seen in the Summer 2007 CTMH Idea Book on page 50. On hand, I have 3 sheets of the green polka dot (darling!!), 3 sheets of the Hollyhock stripe, 4 sheets of the word art paper, 2 sheets of the small floral pattern and 3 sheets of the larger floral pattern.
The colors of this kit are fabulous together - Garden Green, Goldrush, Hollyhock and Twilight...
For the B&T papers - I'm asking $5.00

2009-03-14T21:37:00.003-06:00

"Between Friends" - here's an antique!! There's a sampling of inspiration in the '04-'05 CTMH Idea Book on page 74. This kit contains the following: 6 sheets of stripe, 4 sheets flowered paper, 12 sheets of "the shoes", and 6 sheets of the plaid. Also, 2 of the cardstock weight preprinted 12x12" layouts along with a page (plus a few more) of the non sticky cardstock weight embellishments. Need cardstock in these colors - Cherub Pink, Baby Pink, Bamboo?? They would coordinate nicely and "YES" I have these colors if you need to add them!!

I'd like $10.00...

2009-03-14T21:25:00.003-06:00

"Expedition" - so there are only two B&T paper varieties in this pack but there are 12 of each one so this would make a great pack of paper for a class or set of invites...perhaps...view the whole kit in the CTMH Idea Book on page 28 for inspiration!!

Feel free to make an offer on the whole pack - as always, I've got some cardstock to match if needed - can be added!! I'd like $5.00 for the 24 sheets.

2009-03-14T20:54:00.003-06:00

"Rustic Trail" - As seen in theSummer 2007 CTMH Idea Book - page 43...I have four patterns of B&T papers left. There's one sheet of the "spatter", two each of the Word paper and the fish and then there are 20 sheets of the blue checkered paper. Lots of B&T but not much of a variety - excellent value of 25 sheets for $6.00 - that's less than .24 cents a sheet...(negotiable as I'm in an excellent mood!!)
I do have cardstock that can be added "A La Carte" if you wish - just ask!!

2009-03-13T13:06:00.005-06:00

"Paper Garden" - complete level one kit - including two page protectors. There's four 12x12" preprinted layouts, two sheets B&T papers, two sheets cardstock - Petal and Buttercup. And, two 6x12" Stickease sheets.
$6.00 and it's yours!!

2009-03-13T11:10:00.004-06:00

SORRY - Spoken for!! Thanks, Tiffany...
"Giddy Up" - Yeehaw!! This is a partial package of B&T Giddy Up papers and there's also a complete package of Stickease and a few sheets of parital stickease. Plus three of the preprinted cardstock weight 12x12" base pages for quick layouts. As for the B&T papers...there are two sheets each of the blue, the stripe, the cowboy hat, and the horse papers. There are three sheets of the checked print and unfortunately, not quite a full sheet of the red hankerchief print.

2009-03-13T10:29:00.004-06:00

"Floral Tapestry" featured in the Summer 2007 CTMH Idea Book - this is a complete level two kit that includes 10 - 12x12" sheets cardstock: 2 each, Garden Green, Twilight, and Orchid Bouquet and 4 sheets Vanilla Cream. Also, 12 - 12x12" B&T papers - 2 each of the six different patterns.

Asking $10.00

2009-03-13T09:46:00.003-06:00

"Base Page BONANZA" If you need base pages - I've got them!! Pictured here are the SLEW of them that have been living unused in my craft space and it's time that they see light and are put to use. For more detail - they were listed in the Summer 2007 CTMH Idea Book on page 16. The colors and sizes that I have are: in the 12x12" size - Two packages of 12 pages in Bamboo, and One package of 12 pages each in Garden Green, New England Ivy, Outdoor Denim, Black, and Amethyst. I also have 3 packages of 12 pages each of the Traditional Holiday base pages. In the 9x9" size I have one package of 12 pages in Indian Corn Blue and Cranberry, and two packages of 12 pages in Black. Finally in the 6x6" size, I have THREE packages of 12 pages of Cranberry and one package of 12 pages in Black.
Originally these packages sold for $9.95 in the 12x12" size - I'm asking $5.00!! In the 9x9" size orig. price $8.50 - I'm asking $4.00!! And, the 6x6" size was $6.95 - I'd like $2.75!! - However...no reasonable offer is refused...don't hesitate to ask!!

2009-03-13T08:11:00.003-06:00

"Vintage Travel" I've got tons of this stuff!! There's Stickease - two and a half packages of it...or best described as 10 full 6x12" sheets of it!!
Then I have 6 pages of each of the 6 different designs of B&T papers...that's 36 pages of this gorgeous vintage themed paper. Once again, I have cardstock that indeed coordinates with this B&T paper that can be added "A La Carte" - don't hesitate to ask!! For this collection I'm asking $18.00...

2009-03-12T18:12:00.004-06:00

"COCOA CAFE" - Yep, I've got more of this stuff, than I have room for!! I'm going to show photos of it all but first, the details...

There are 36 pages of each variety - each "series" contains three patterns with a "flip side" - I've got 12 pages of each pattern -

Carnation Pink, Baby Pink and Sweet Leaf WITH COCOA - the "flip side" of this paper is a distressed Carnation Pink

Star Spangled Blue, Dutch Blue, Buttercup and Bamboo WITH COCOA - the "flip side" of this paper is a distressed Cocoa

Ocean, Breeze, Bamboo and Amethyst WITH COCOA - the "flip side" of this is a distressed Breeze

Cranberry, Bamboo, and Sweet Leaf WITH COCOA - the "flip side" of this is a distressed Sweet Leaf

This stuff is too yummy - I'm accepting REASONABLE offers on qty. or the bundle...trust me I'm quivering as I type this stuff as this is my all time favorite paper...but just need to share a little!!

Blast from the past - CTMH Paper kits for sale!!

2009-03-12T14:01:00.007-06:00

Here's some antiques - I thought I'd see if I had any takers...email me for shipping rates as buying several items makes me determine the amount I'll ask for shipping.

"School Days" (can be found in the CTMH catalog - 2004-2005 pg. 72)
B&T - 3 multi stripe, 4 "crayon" pattern, 1 Star Spangled Blue stripe
Cardstock weight items - NON-Sticky embellishments, 4 preprinted 12x12 layouts
*BONUS - not pictured: I have cardstock in the colors of this kit - White, Star Spangled Blue, Sunny Yellow, and Holiday Red. Will add 2 ea. to the kit!!
Asking $10.00

How about this gem?? This is a complete "Teammate Kit"...little packet of goodies included!! As well as two page protectors!! This kit was only opened to show all the inclusions...Asking $10.00

MEGA KIT!! This one is "Fun-tastic" (can be found in the CTMH catalog - 2004-2005 pg. 73) I have a lot of this stuff!! Included here B&T papers - 10 each of the patterned papers except the lightest one I only have 6 sheets - so that's 36 sheets of B&T!! Then there are 3 each of the four designs of preprinted cardstock weight 12x12 layouts. Also included are the cardstock weight embellishment sheets - two full pages plus, 75% of the third. (*see photo). The colors of this kit are Bark, Key Lime, Lilac Mist, and a hint of Holiday Red. I do have sheets of these colors that can be added "A La Carte" - just ask!!
Asking $20.00

"Serendipity" - this isn't a complete kit but it does contain the majority of kit as was sold by CTMH. As pictured there are 6 different B&T papers 2 each of the designs plus three sheets of textured cardstock punchouts... Asking $6.00

2009-03-11T00:18:00.003-06:00

So There!!

I'm not joking...I'm working on my blog...NO REALLY...

I have some stamps for sale and photos seem to be the way to go...I'll be adding more and more everyday!! I gotta get my space cleaned up!! I'm sooo overwhelmed it's hard to be creative!!

OK OK OK - I'm listening...finally!!

2009-02-18T13:23:00.002-07:00

So...if you still visit - after I pulled my disappearing trick...I'll be back!!

I'm working on several things at the moment but my blog is on my list of things to do...

I'm needing a new picture...that one just doesn't look like ME!

Please check back...I'm due for a makeover!!

I'm working on it...

2008-04-02T23:38:00.002-06:00

I just noticed that by suggestion, Terri mentioned the "signature" on the bottom of each post...

In all honesty, I didn't pay much attention to HER siggy when I created mine but, WOW, they sure do look identical!!!

This is pretty strange to me as there are MANY steps that you go through to reach the final outcome and I guess we both made, pretty much, the same choices!!

WEIRD, HUH?

So, on to the good stuff...I'm working daily on my computer on a great big project...

I'm not too far from completion so I'll post more very soon!!

Nick's 9th Birthday Invite

2008-03-19T10:32:00.004-06:00

Plus...matching envelope!!

November and December...

2008-03-10T17:24:00.004-06:00

And finally...

The rest of 'em...

2008-03-10T14:29:00.007-06:00

July - - -

August - - -

September - - -

October - - -

...November and December are to be posted soon...

April - May - June...

2008-03-07T22:10:00.005-07:00

Three more months - - ->>

Three more months - - ->>

January - Febraury - March...

2008-03-04T21:44:00.005-07:00

...these are the "current" pages to my calendar... YEP - - for 2008!! Hope that the family doesn't mind a trip to the past to enjoy what's happened to enjoy those...grrrrrrr. Oh well...the future is what's important, right??

EDITED: p.s. these are NEW digital layouts, too!! Feel free to comment!!

Hey...How's it going??

2008-03-04T13:40:00.006-07:00

So here's ANOTHER digi layout...this is sooo fun!!

I just completed this layout this morning for a challenge and WOW, it came together very fast!!

I need to print out this year's calendar so that family will have a current one in their homes...as I JUST got it finished...I know - - - it's MARCH!! Trust me, I know!! So, I'm going to be printing it and then binding it - - I'll post it as soon as I've completed assembly!!

Hope you like this layout!!

Speaking of new...

2008-02-12T07:39:00.001-07:00

The boys' have "new" helmets...sortof. Our friend Scotty Backman -

has generously made our boys look TOP NOTCH!! He has turned all four of our cars into head turning pieces of art and now for the helmets...

I can't wait to see their little heads in their cars with the latest melon protectors!! Thank you, Scotty, for making the boys look FANtastic!!
Here's a recent photo of all four cars...

Tour of my new room!!

2008-02-11T10:50:00.001-07:00

We have completed a few home improvement projects and my new bedroom is nothing less than a "retreat" - - - I LOVE IT!! We weren't certain if the flooring and furniture and closet organizer pieces would all match or clash...it couldn't be more perfect. I've taken a few photos but if anyone's tried to photograph a closet, it's not an easy task to get the whole thing in. I am very willing to host a tour as the photos do it no justice!!

Isn't it wonderful?? I almost feel like climbing in bed right now it's so peaceful and relaxing in my new room!! Aaaaaaah...

Digital Dabbling...

2008-02-05T20:52:00.001-07:00

So, I get some razzin' from my buds about digital scrapbooking...but I keep on with it...and I think I'm doing pretty well for being "self-taught".

Here's a few items I've recently completed and I'm looking for feedback...

...this layout, I created for my phone...yes...you heard me right, it's for my phone. Whenever, Terri calls, this cute face pops onto my screen - - - see the original photo on her blog...HERE

This next layout showcases a photo I took of my beloved baby, Petey...

I'm not a girl that does a layout of just one single photo but this one speaks volumes and I'm just so pleased at the turn out.

So...feel free to post...

I'm working on the layout of my new bedroom - don't think I forgot!!

XOXOXO ~ Susan

Newest Card Creation...

2008-01-17T13:20:00.001-07:00

This little creation came from a little playdate I had with my buddy Kathy last night...

Isn't it adorable?? Kathy's patiently awaiting to see it finished 'cuz we had to cut our fun short - she was getting sleepy and her mornings start very early!! So without further ah-dooooooooo...

Where do the days go??

2008-01-15T02:05:00.000-07:00

O.K. - I've been told that I seem to be missing in action... The truth of the matter is this - my whole house is torn up. We're installing wood floors, closet organizers, floor trim, ceiling trim...etc., etc., etc. My bed has been (and still is) in the middle of the dining room, for what feel like forever. But we're starting to see what it's going to be like completely finished. This past Christmas we removed the boys' from their rooms and moved them to a mattress on the front room floor and we completely gutted their playroom, too. We went to Arizona for a race for a few days in late December and came home to brand new hickory floors in those rooms and the hallway that leads to them. Man, are those new floors GORGEOUS!! The boys' rooms were completely put back in order in time for them to head back to school after their holiday break. WHEW! The flooring in our master bedroom is South African teak and is naturally dark without stain. It looks so yummy I can't wait to actually "hole up" in my room and ignore the world...I may just hibernate in there for a month just enjoying it. The closet organizer is literally indescribable!! I've never had ANYTHING like it and I can't wait to put all of our things in the neat little cubbies and hang up the clothes - I have things piled up everywhere!! The laundry room looks like a Goodwill donation station full of clothes and bedding and towels. UGH!!
This is what my bedroom floor looks like - only it's finished and clean...need to take a few more current photos -

This is the hickory flooring before it was installed. It filled up the kitchen eating area for a few weeks so that the wood would acclimate to our home...

Well, enough about all of that...I have photos of the boys' race in Arizona and Nevada and Christmas still on the camera. I'll download and edit and post a few of them tomorrow. Also, I've been tagged and I need to go and figure out what needs to be done for that.

I have to call you, Erin...but it is currently 2:30 a.m. so I won't do it right now.

Now in response to Pammie the Great...

The rules...
The game includes ten questions for me to answer and an eleventh question, which I will add, before tagging two more bloggers. Here goes:

1. Name your two favorite scrapbooking topics: My family stuff (kids, dogs, Mike, etc. and the second one would have to be about my friends and the many retreats I've gotten to go to - this reminds me how far behind I truly am...YIKES!!

2. Where are the two best places you've been to? London, England and Washington D.C. - I've absolutely NO photos of either trip so I will be returning with my camera to take photos and to remember the sites that I visited. (SOMEDAY!!)

3. Name two things you do every day: laundry and dishes

4. Tell us two things that pretty much everyone knows about you: I love the color green and my family spends a lot of time traveling from place to place to race.

5. Tell us two things that everyone DOESN'T know about you: I'm extremely afraid of my boys' not "turning out right", and I am sooooooo tired right now that I can't think of a second thing!

6. Tell us two things that got you into the hobby of scrapping: We moved to this small town of Bennett and I had asked a MOPS group what the ladies did for fun... the rest is history!! I attended a crop at a CM consultant's house and spent too much money on the things I needed to get started.

7. Tell us two things that you want to accomplish in the next six months: Organize my room and just get back to feeling creative and comfortable in my own skin.

8. Name your two favorite scrapping tools: Crop-A-Dile and all the various papers and textures.

9. Name your two favorite sources of scrapping inspiration: My friends' creations and all the internet sites that I frequent.

10. Pam's addition - What two paper companys are your favorites: CTMH and DCWV and CherryArte and Cosmo Cricket and Luxe...O.K. I'm addicted to paper and can't just pick two!! SHEESH!!

11. My additional question - Have you looked back on your first scrapbook pages and felt the absolute URGE to redo them or can you leave them alone and keep going forward and accept those "early" creations as learning the craft and appreciate how far you've come??: I must be truthful - if I were caught up with all of my photos, there are a few pages that I would take apart and "redo" but I really enjoy all the NEW products available to us and can appreciate the "vintage" look and feel of the original supplies I used "back in the day".

O.K. so that took an HOUR!! I'll be tagging Terri (surprise!!) and Jeanne - I look forward to seeing your responses!!

By the way...has anyone SEEN Terri's latest "masterpiece" on her blog - WOW!

Well, I should get some sleep. I have a lot on my "to do" list for later today.

I'll be back!!

2007-12-05T20:28:00.000-07:00

Dang it Erin!! You got me again... I LOVE the stuff you find and can't help
myself!!

You guys gotta watch these clips... THEY ARE HILARIOUS!!!

Elf Yourself

and...

Scrooge Yourself

I think that the Scrooge is most fitting...

I'm currently working on a slide show of Primm, Nevada. I didn't take a ton of photos this time but the ones I took are pretty special. Will post VERY soon!

Hang in...

Mike's made it to Primm...

2007-11-27T20:34:00.000-07:00

So, the cars are there...now it's up to me to get the drivers to their cars!! I have a few last minute items to pack and then one last set of eight measley hours (while Nick and A.J. are at school tomorrow) of real PEACE and QUIET - time to myself, doing last minute stuff before we get on a plane tomorrow afternoon.
I took a little time today to finish up on a few items that I've started. I received a package of stamps from Stamping Bella and I have to confess that I immediately thought of Terri when I saw the Cosmobella...had to do a little gift set for her. Wanna see?

Then...I needed a little Thank You for our vet for all the things that she does for us... Wanna see?

So...I finished these a little while ago but did I get any of them mailed - NOPE!! But they're DONE for next year!! AH-HA!!

AND lastly...but my least favorite - - not sure why, but the card in my brain didn't translate so well in reality!! Oh dear!!

(I didn't realize how BLURRY that photo was...it looks a little better that way!!)
Well...the two FINAL pairs of dancers are on the Dancing With The Stars. I'm looking forward to the end of this show - I have a "love/hate" relationship with it...I love the last few shows but the getting up to that point seems to take FOREVER and I don't invest that kind of time into a t.v. show - unless it's ER!! Will post from Nevada! Keep those fingers crossed for the boys to have a great weekend!!
~ Susan

I'm finally getting around to sharing on my blog today!!

2007-11-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

I've been shampooing carpets and getting back into creating things for friends and family - call it a hiatus, took some time off, just plain busy, busy. Mike's been out of town for over a week now...he's in Arizona working - (or so he wants us to believe!!) He worked for a couple of hours on Saturday before calling it a day and going to a big boat race!! Man, heavy intensive labor!! He's expected home for Thanksgiving and then it's off to Primm, Nevada for the boys' final race of the year. I'm supposed to be getting a bunch of stuff done for that but I uh...just can't find the motivation today!!

We've attended a couple of birthday parties in the past two weekends and I have a few photos to share... November 10th - Justin Francis' birthday party:

Then on the 17th - Keaton Westhoff's birthday party at the Family Fun Plex in Longmont.

Nothing like a day of swimming in the middle of NOVEMBER!!
So on to Thanksgiving!! Mike finally comes home only to share that he has to go back and finish the job! UGH!
We leave for Primm, Nevada in just a few days for the boys final race of the season.
AND - - - we get to hang out with the Stanley's again!! The Stanley's make our boys' race cars. Wish us luck!!

More to come!! We'll keep you posted!!

OOPS...I forgot to post the "INSPIRATION" boots - sorry!!

2007-11-10T22:19:00.000-07:00

Pammie - Yes!! We made those boot from Sculpey - but the "base" was a product called Rigid Wrap - way cool stuff. It's basically gauze with dry plaster and you dip pre-cut strips into warm water and layer it - allow to dry and you end up with a cast!! I decided that this is going to be HUGE for me in the future...lots of craft ideas ran through my brain when I was working with it. I need to add, in reading the instructions for the Rigid Wrap I gotta tell you...they've totally covered any possible law suit - their directions for making a mask for someone's face is so HILARIOUS!! SO...here's the "original" boots I replicated for the costume - - >>

LOTS!! To share...

2007-11-09T21:27:00.000-07:00

I've got a few requests so let's see if we can cover them ALL!! First, I've had a request to share just how I made the "Dragon" boots for Nick's Gene Simmons' costume - I just gotta add here that I. HAVE. NO. IDEA. HOW. I'LL. TOP. THIS. COSTUME. EVER!! But we have these photos for the memories and well...who knows what "our" imagination will come up with...
Step-by-step boots in the making:

Secondly, my calendar for this year - it's time to get on the next one - - hope this inspires someone!!

...the photos on the December page are totally blowing my mind!! We're going back to that exact same place in just a few weeks for the Primm, Nevada race!! I can hardly believe that since the photos posted in last year's calendar...these two spoiled boys are in not just TWO brand new cars BUT FOUR!! OYE!! I need sleep. I'm overwhelmed from looking at this little blast from our past...we've had one heckuva great year!!

November has arrived!!

2007-11-01T08:36:00.000-06:00

I'm soooo happy to have Halloween DONE!! I get all excited but the lack of sleep in working late into the night on two costumes for the boys to wear only a couple of times...it's enough to kill a girl!! I have to start by saying that with the two boys - one is a festive, "really get into it" kinda kid and the other (A.J.) he's just in it for the candy and would probably be happy wearing an orange t-shirt that says "This Is My Costume - Fork Over The Candy" - hmmmmmmm...next year, maybe??

So, I went all out and bought A.J. the works for a Pirate Captain costume. I stayed up late and sewed him a really nice Captain's jacket with trim and pleats in a fancy velveteen fabric and we got the eye patch, beard, mustache, spirit gum to put the facial hair on his face, etc., etc., etc. He refused to have anything on his face including the eye patch and well...I got him to wear the costume. Don't get me wrong - he made a fabulous looking kid in a pirate's costume. Nick, on the other hand, WAS GENE SIMMONS!! He really enjoyed the make-up, black nail polish, fancy boots, leather vest, spiked collar and bracelet, and he really worked the hair! Everywhere we went - school, trick-or-treating in the Antelope Hills subdivision, at the racetrack in Pueblo...Nick gained FANS!! At school, all of the kids flocked him when he walked in and he ate up all the attention. He made the rounds by shouting out his friends' names, the moms and dads, past and present teachers...he wanted for everyone to see!! When we took them out for trick-or-treating...both boys filled their treat bags (Mike and I ride along in the Expedition and let them go from house to house) and Nick came up to the truck and said, "I need to empty out some of this candy...there's a few houses I still need to go." A.J. (to my utter SHOCK) said, "Mom, I have enough candy. Can I wait in the car?" Nick continued on to a few more houses and we had them bathed and in bed by 8:15. Nick had a school assignment where he had to calculate the number of different types of candy he'd collected for a math project. So, you wanna see photos???

Question: "Where've ya' been?" Answer: - - >>

2007-10-19T15:08:00.000-06:00

EDITED INFORMATION!!! --->>> This slide show was put together with a SIX Second interval between photos - this will prevent the VERTIGO in watching it... HOWEVER>>> When you first start watching it...that very first page appears FROZEN in time!! UGH!!

Just BE PATIENT...count to six and enjoy the show...

P.S. There's a jukebox further down on the page - start that up!! It'll give you something to do while you wait between photos!!

If anyone's been looking for a "new" post...a return email...a telephone call where we talk about absolutely nothing in particular...

I've been creating a digital "yearbook" for all of the members in my sons' Quarter Midget club...

Why didn't someone tell me that this would be a HUGE project and save me from myself that day when the idea entered into my brain and I was in a fog in believing that I COULD put this together in a few weeks spending a few hours a night on it??? FIRED!! Whomever chose not to warn me... YOU'RE FIRED...

...now that I feel better... I gotta get back to the other stuff I put off to work on that project...

I have movies to edit...

Halloween costumes to create...

Cards to stamp...

Goodie bags to make for two classrooms...THANK GOD FOR THE CRICUT EXPRESSIONS and my BAGS, TAGS, BOXES and MORE cartridge!!...Hey...I just had an idea - - so, what if I pre-random stamped and decorated my paper...then cut my little boxes and put them together - wouldn't that save time???? WOW!! An epiphany!! Feel free to use my most recent "DUH, moment!!"...share what you make!!

Have a great rest of your Friday!!

~ Susan

Whatcha think??

2007-10-11T22:47:00.000-06:00

I'm in this swap group, see?? AND, these girls are pros!!! SERIOUSLY!! Our lateset challenge was one of my very favorites!! We were asked to create a set of cards that we created using our own creation of random stamped cardstock...

I chose to go very neutral to hopefully receive an UBER amount of ideas - - I darned near went with a tone on tone choice but opted for a black and white on "kraft" brown (CTMH's Desert Sand) background paper. The second part of the swap is to include a chunk of our random stamped paper to each swapper and see what they come up with...

Well...

Hopefully...

My fellow swappers...

won't mind...

if I share a little bit...

and show a couple of the cards I've done...

so far...

but if you've happened upon the blog here...

and are now worried that you're...

just not quite ready...

to spoil the surprise...

here's your chance to log out...

and close the window...

before your suprise is SPOILED - ready??

On a count of three...

One...

Two...

Three...

Pam Klassen's card and the one I made for her...

Tiffany Cheney's - - >>

and the last one to share for tonight... (cuz I just KNOW that the others would be too much of a temptation for the weak...Hee-Hee!! Sorry, Terri!! I LOVE YOU!!!)
Here's Erin Grotegut's...

In case you need to see the details...please click on the photos and it will increase in size (I HOPE!!)

That's it for tonight...I'm VERY SLEEPY... tomorrow's Friday and we'll go for the rest...

Sweet dreams...

Who knew???

2007-10-09T07:28:00.000-06:00

I guess it's been a while since I've posted anything of real content...I've been swamped with great big projects!!

Nick has an assignment on the solar system due Friday and his science grade isn't "the best it can be" - until Ms. Cunningham sees Nick's diorama we created!! We followed the criteria to the T and did a little extra just to be certain - -

This photo shows the box with the sculpey clay planets that Nick and I made...mostly Nick, though...I was teased by Mike that I was the one who did this assignment!! I guess he didn't want to accept the fact that Nick is pretty "crafty"!! I had Nick paint the box black - then we took a stiff bristle brush and spattered stars inside.

We made each planet as true to a photo in our encyclopedia as we could - I added the pigment powder to the sun so that it really glows bright. I showed nick how to make the Earth look realistic with the tiny pieces of green clay on the blue!! We cut a circle out of a piece of stiff clear plastic, cut the Saturn planet in half and then once it was baked we glued each half on the plastic. Nick used a brown Sharpie to draw the rings onto the plastic. He really had fun combining clays to make each one "just right". He wrote out some interesting facts about each planet...ie., diameter, distance from the sun, coldest, hottest, largest, etc.
The last requirement was to show the orbit of each planet around the sun - we added the diagram to the back of the box...Nick used a drafting template to create the planets and I lightly penciled the ovals and then he made them darker and colored in each planet. He used a ruler to draw lines and add the names of each one.

We had a lot of fun together thinking up ideas but A.J. felt a little left out. We ended up playing a MARATHON game of Monopoly after Nick and I finished the project. As usual, A.J. won that game by a long shot!! He's got the best luck!!

I've only got a few more days to complete my other elephant of a project - I've been creating a yearbook for the all of the kids at our racetrack. Here's a little sneak peek of one of the pages - -

These are some of our youngest little drivers...aren't they too cute??
I have to complete this project in just a matter of a few more days so I haven't been doing much else. I did receive my new Cricut Expressions machine and I've had the chance to play with it for a few minutes but not to the extent that I wanted to...I want to make great goodie boxes for both boys' classes for Halloween...

So, on that...I'd better get back to work!! Have a great day!!

WHAT HAPPENED?!?!?

2007-10-01T08:42:00.000-06:00

Today I woke up and realized - IT'S OCTOBER!?!?!?

I walked through the kitchen and discovered that our family calendar reads AUGUST!!!
"WHAT??? No one enjoyed my handmade calendar the entire month of September??!!"

Terrific.

This week we had our very last "Club Race" at our home track - RMQMA in Erie, CO

The boys did well - only sustained a few bent axles, rods, feelings...etc. Nick and A.J. both finished very well in their divisions - I was very proud of them!!

On the other hand...two weeks ago a little guy (he's almost as tall as me so - not so little but HEY) named Johnny Boos flipped his quarter midget THREE times in a single weekend!! Let's just say - this is not common!! My boys KNOW that if they flip their car - THEY ARE GROUNDED!! I do not want to see them roll over and it's a very uneasy feeling to watch a boy (or girl for that matter) playing football with my boys one minute (between races) and then the next minute they're on the track - doing what we're all there for - - - watching them competing as friends for the chance to cross the finish line first and in a split second going over and possibly facing severe injury!! I cannot describe the stomach turning!! I felt SO bad for Michelle Boos last weekend - her little boy flipped his car THREE TIMES!! Well...this weekend, I was so happy to see the whole Boos family back at the track to give it go, once again. Johnny was doing GREAT - up front - racing his heart out. He made it to the A Main event and was going for a FABULOUS finish...rounding turn three and then...

Let me just explain here, what it is that this photo captured - - this is Johnny after barrel rolling a couple of times and then his entire gas tank proceeded to empty on the poor kids' helmet - for all I could see - there had to be gas pouring all over him and his little face and into his eyes and - I can't even begin to describe the horror!! It was a serious nightmare happening before our very eyes - - I should add that we were up in the tower looking down onto the track and if we could've jumped out the window to get to him, we would have! You can see the sheer terror on all of the parents faces as they worked to determine first, if Johnny had any injuries that would only worsen if they moved him as well as determine if he was in danger of possibly suffering burns from a sudden explosion from the gas dumping on him...UGH!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! In talking with his mom shortly after, he only had gasoline pouring from the tank, over his helmet and onto the track - it smelled bad but none of it saturated his clothing, went onto his skin or worse, into his eyes and as soon as he was put upright - - - HE - - - WANTED - - - to continue racing!!! WHAT?!?!? O.K. - proof that he was fine but perhaps a little NUTS. Unfortunately, because of the gas spill there are rules that prevented him from continuing...not sure of the details but, hey, maybe the car would have surely, exploded from the spark plugs igniting or whatever...I was sad for him but also relieved to know that such safety measures and such were adhered to. Well, so if anyone potentially interested in signing your child up for quarter midget racing...it's a great sport!! BUT, also note, it's an EXTREME sport and there are possible dangers. I know that there are dangers in crossing the street - but putting your child in a vehicle every weekend and expecting them to manuver a gas powered vehicle around an oval track, weaving in and out of traffic - rooting for them to go faster - "pass that kid" - GO - GO - GO!! Ummmmmmm...yeah...

Well. I need to get back to a very important project. I'm creating an end-of-year keepsake for all of the kids in our club. I've potentially got ten days to complete it and I'm hoping for the best!!

Wish me LUCK!! ~ Susan

Weeeeeee're Baaaaaaack!!

2007-09-25T14:23:00.000-06:00

We enjoyed our little mini vacation in Las Vegas - met some great people and were treated to a Nascar Truck race at The Las Vegas Motor Speedway. My dad and his wife flew in to see the boys race and extended their stay for their own vacation. They are staying at the MGM in one of the fabulous towers in a very nice suite and we were invited back to their "place" to swim once the races ended on Sunday afternoon. A little background on the pool we went to...it definitely WAS NOT kid friendly...there were private cabanas all around the perimeter of the pool area...more lounge chairs than people...wait staff...towel/cabana boys that offered you a fresh towel the minute yours got a little damp!!...a full bar that offered drinks with skewers of fresh fruit and umbrellas and such - I could go on and on but let me just get to the good stuff. There were quite a few people bopping around the pool, sipping champagne cocktails, talking about the best place for sushi...blah-blah-blah and then there were my boys - fresh from the race track. Pretty grubby and very wound up!! They were doing cannonballs off of the side of the pool and were the only little humans under 25 years of age. Oh, and did I mention the topless ladies who were sunbathing?? I couldn't help but tell A.J. that if he wanted for them to sit up and flash him, he just had to "accidently" spill ice cubes on her back and I'm pretty sure she'd sit right up - no problem!! My dad laughed, Nick thought about it...and A.J., well, he came really close to doing it!! My dad's wife on the other hand...she couldn't believe that I even suggested such a thing - hee-hee... BUT SHE was the one who invited us to her hotel for swimming...and those ladies could've covered up when they saw the kids...why was it my bad??

***Click on the photo to see it larger...***
So... here's a group photo of the kids at the track - I've labeled my boys and Adam from our track in Colorado... Mindy McCord from Montana was there also, She's standing right next to Adam... I'm glad to be home - but I'm still waiting for one piece of luggage to return from a trip to WASHINGTON?!?!? Oh well... At least we didn't have any trouble... Have a great evening!!

Warning - - we will be in Las Vegas in a matter of days!!

2007-09-18T13:29:00.000-06:00

Just thought I'd give that little warning before the Hankins' family decends on Las Vegas on Thursday night!! We are going to participate in a promotional race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. By participating, our whole family receives tickets to the Nascar Truck race at the BIG BOY TRACK on Saturday night!! We're soooooo excited!!

BUT - there's a matter of this past weekend at our "home" track - to see more visit here... So, we were having our last Monza race for the year and it was VERY eventful!! One of our favorite older boys, Johnny Boos, flipped his car - NOT ONCE, NOT TWICE, Buuuuuuuttt... THREE TIMES!! Let me just say...this is not something NATURAL that a mother wants to see her nine year old boy (or girl) do!! To see how traumatized Michelle was...I could seriously just bawl on her behalf!! Johnny's the sweetest kid and just watching him race is a load of fun. This little guy loves what he does. He hangs in there and passes when it's appropriate but truly seems to be enjoying the heck outta what he's doing! I just don't think that flipping over and NOT being in control of your vehicle has got to be unsettling, for anyone! However the story doesn't end here...my boys did a very good job this weekend participating in the events they raced in. A.J. is doing very well and it's just like we saw last year. It takes him a half of a racing season to "come around" and race his best. He's really starting to enjoy himself. FINALLY!! Let's just see what we can make of ourselves in Vegas, baby!!

SO - you have a great day, O.K.?? XOXOXO ~ Susan

...one more thing...

2007-09-14T11:50:00.000-06:00

Hee-Hee-Hee...I just had to share!!

2007-09-14T11:11:00.000-06:00

I was surfing and noticed that I'd been tagged - this little list was quite fun to do - THANKS, Pam!!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Anastasia Mustang .... errr…or Anastasia Expedition (I had a cat named Anastasia) and Mike’s working on putting a motor in my mustang – can that count?? It sounds cooler than “Expedition” - - would Anastasia Ford sound better??
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Mint Chocolate Peanut Butter (hmmm, weird!!)
3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) S HAN
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Blue Basset
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Renee Denver
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Han Su – this one kinda works, ey??
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put "The")
The Green Merlot
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
Carl Martin – this one works well, also!!
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy)
Happy Snickers - ::giggle-giggle::
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names )
Ann E – (I totally swear, my dad’s middle name is “E” that’s it!!)

So, to tag a few others to keep up with the fun... Kathy Mitts, Alicia Trussell, and Jeanne Tomshack - - let's see who notices...???

Mid-September - ALREADY?!?!?

2007-09-14T09:55:00.000-06:00

When you hear, "My, how time flies" - I smirk because there are times that I feel like "sheeeesh, time is crawling!!"

Not this month...it's weird to think that the boys have been back in school for nearly a month and we have got to start thinking about halloween costumes

- - Nick has made his decision - -

he wants to be...

Nick's current favorite tunes: "Crazy, Crazy Nights" and "I Wanna Rock and Roll All Night" - OH DEAR!!

:::Hey, Kathy...remember when we sat in your room singing those tunes??:::

A.J. has decided to be a pirate...YEP - Nick was a pirate last year so that's an easy one!! A.J. wants a Captain's trench coat and a "better hat than Nick wore" - looks like a trip to the fabric store is in order!!

Now, how the heck am I gonna make platform boots for the Gene Simmons costume?? ANYONE??

We are racing this weekend and it's a two-day event - at least it's local. I've got so much to pack and a fruit/veggie tray to cut up plus a cold cuts tray to put together - - - last weekend the boys didn't eat very well. They ate Oreo cookies, fruit snacks, and Gatorade. YUM!! Well-rounded nurishment...no wonder they acted "so well" toward the end of the day!! I find that working up in the tower for the entire day isn't so good when I need to "police" some of the boys' choices.

Have a great weekend!!

2007-09-11T08:54:00.000-06:00

...a moment of silence...

WHOA...

2007-09-07T19:26:00.000-06:00

I just noticed that I haven't posted a thing since last weekend - - - I meant to... I just didn't get to it... sheeesh. Where did this week go?? Oh yeah, Monday was a holiday and Tuesday I spent catching up on stuff around the house after travelling to Montana. Wednesday...more laundry and catching up on returning phone calls. Thursday, yesterday, I had a hair appointment and so I ran other errands as well. We just had a HUGE grand opening of a really large chain grocery store in our little town of Bennett. I think I've had to find a reason to go there EVERYDAY since it opened...and I HATE shopping - but the fact that we now have a decent place to shop is just beyond AWESOME!! We had a little local place and it was fine but it was sorta grungy and the produce was not the best - it's kinda sad to drive by and see zero patrons. You can just guess that the little old gals inside are just sorta standing around and bitchin' about the new store opening... maybe if they HAD a personality and didn't make it so miserable to go there. In fact, Mike came home on a couple of occasions and had stopped by there for an item or two and he'd say - "geez, are those gals EVER happy at Bennett Supers?? It just sucks to have to go there." So, after a quick haircut and getting caught up on the "salon gossip" I went to the new grocery store and walked the place filling the cart with a few things. It took me over an hour to get through the whole place - AND I forgot to mention that our new store HAS A STARBUCKS!! I took my new Starbucks cup in there - - Terri Howard brought it to me from California - - THANKS!! I had coffee and wandered through the whole place "learning" where to locate stuff. I back-tracked a couple of times but it wasn't bad. Our produce department there is so big that we could hold a scrapbooking function there and not really be in anyone's way.

Enough about my excitement about the new store - - - today I went to my boys' school and helped both of their teachers grade papers and hang out and see what kind of class rooms the boys are in. YIKES!! Nick's class is handful for his teacher and what's worse - it's her first year as a teacher. I REALLY felt sorry for her. She's got a really rowdy bunch. A.J. class is pretty good - you could tell it was Friday!! Then the boys and I went - TO THE NEW STORE!! and bought ice cream!! Well, I got a Starbucks, they got little pints of ice cream. Well, I guess I'd better get back in gear and finish my cards for a swap that I'm in...I can't wait to mail them off. I look forward to seeing the results of this VERY creative swap. We swapped cards in round one and then made enough of our own design so that each participant makes a card with the paper and returns a card to the creator of the paper - I'll post when we get them all swapped out and have received the green light that it's okay to share my fellow swapper's work.

Enjoy the weekend!!

Lime Time (A.J.'s #2 car) Got BLINGED OUT!!

2007-08-29T22:39:00.000-06:00

I'm going to try my hand at sounding REALLY COOL... It's the only way I can think of to describe this car!!

This is totally "SICK", man - the photos DO NOT do this justice!!

Soooooooo...what do you think??? Pretty schweeeeet, huh???

A.J. was "out of his mind" excited when he saw it and then I asked Nick what HE thought and he says, "how come A.J.'s car is cooler than mine??"

Hee-hee... we cannot wait to get this on the track this weekend. We're off to Billings, Montana as soon as the boys get off of the bus tomorrow, for a two day event!! Yippeeeee...

I will post more racing photos soon!! Have a great Labor Day weekend!!

2007-08-29T11:54:00.000-06:00

Is there a soul on this planet who's truly caught up on laundry??? I feel like the moment I get everything I can find washed...there's a hidden pile SOMEWHERE - lurking and waiting to say, "hi!! You missed looking here!! Ha-Ha-haaaaaaaaaa..."

I stripped beds and pulled towels and then found a new batch of stuff that I needed to wash!! AND it's minutes to noon - what the heck?!?!?

Tonight I get to go meet up with Abby for dinner and then we're going to "Dream Dinners" to make a month's worth of dinners...I love that place - it takes the "what to make for dinner??" so much easier!! And you can't beat a night out with a great friend!!

I've cleaned the fish tanks - not a small task - it only took two hours!! We have a 50 gallon tank with Oscars, Blood Parrots, and Jack Dempsys, oh, and a Plecostemus... I was worried about having my arm nibbled on because these fish are finally at the size that the boys feed them live fish! Turns out they were more afraid of the blue sponge. The other tank is my Beta, Newman. His tank only took a few minutes.

So, what did you do today??

2007-08-28T10:14:00.001-06:00

If you're offended by underage, smart-mouthed boys please skip this...

Otherwise...just know that this was brought to my attention by Barb - nuff said...

Thanks for the laugh, Barb - you know how to give my day a lift!!

Shock!! We were racing yesterday!!

2007-08-27T08:33:00.000-06:00

I know - I'm starting to take on "broken record" tendencies... SORRY...

If you're not into racing - - I may just be a bore to you. Ahhhh well... They way I look at it, our family has a total kick going to the track and the adrenaline of being really freaked out watching the boys race other little guys for the finish line without injury to themselves or damage to their cars - it's VERY hard to describe. I love it!!!

SO - this particular past day at the track...wellllll...

...had to throw that in - I know I can be random at times...SOOOOOOOOOOO anyway...

Now that I have your attention...

We arrived at the track and I found out that "Amy" (quick point of reference - Amy, hubby Phillip, step-daughter Keishah - 12??, son Tayler - 6??, GREAT family!! Love them!! Amy is the head facet in the tower and I would be her ummm - sidekick?!? I better ask Amy what I'd be considered.) ...wouldn't be there to run things but that I was the chosen one to make it all happen!!!

WHAT!?!?!

I wasn't all alone but I was locked up in the tower for 90% of the day - RAPUNZEL, RAPUNZEL!! I was allowed potty breaks and I watched Nick and A.J. race a few laps but never an entire race!! I don't know how Amy does it!!

Tayler came down with chicken pox on Friday and so she was stuck at home in Wyoming while Keishah, Phillip and Phillip's mom were at the track - Keisha drives two cars in two divisions and she's an absolute HOOT to watch - - -

So, I'm up in the tower and I've got my very specific notes that I've been taking - there's so many aspects of the computer - some kids drive more than one car and in different divisions and you have to enter their "pill draw" to determine where they start and where they finish affects the end of the year points. I was scared - I don't want to screw up because there's a lot to it!! Anyway, we managed with very few incidences... we get through "sign-in", printing the line-ups, getting volunteers for the various duties, etc. I feel that WE ALL did a pretty good job even though we missed Amy and her wit terribly!! Well, down below on the track and in OUR trailer...Mike was the BIG CHIEF!! He had to get four cars ready for racing. He had to keep track of two very energetic boys. AND, his mom and my dad and his wife came out - Mike did a fab job at keeping them in loop with various requests of how they could jump in and be of assistance. We were certainly busy as a family but we mangaged. Now, for the problem...I take my camera to EVERY race and take AT LEAST 20 photos - YESTERDAY?? NONE!! Nick won his first Junior Honda event in a really long time and I don't have a photo of it!! UGH!! A.J. had his very best day this year and again, no photos!! A.J. was in front of Nick in his Jr. Stock, A-Main event for the entire race...believe me - THAT'S HUGE!! It is just something that never happens.

I know that there will be other days and, no, it won't be Nick's last win...or A.J.'s last great day - BUT right now...I'm bummed that I don't have photos to download of the weekend and relive it. I have only memories...

I hope you had a great weekend!!

pssst...one more thing...

2007-08-25T10:55:00.000-06:00

I've been stalking Erin's blog - she finds the COOLEST stuff!! I really like her guestbook and I created one, too...

Thing is...either I don't have many guests or the fact that it's on the bottom of the page is somehow not obvious...

At any rate...I'd like to see more of my friends "sign in" - it'll make creating the darn thing more worth the while!! Thanks for playing!!

It's the weekend!!

2007-08-25T10:28:00.001-06:00

So...tomorrow's racing and today I get to entertain Nick and A.J. today while Mike gets to lend his help to Scotty at Colorado Nat'l Speedway - Mike sure misses racing himself - - there's always next year...

I feel like scrapbooking today but I have to do some serious cleaning first...vacuuming - the whole house needs it ,the entire kitchen has gone to h*ll, from the floors to the countertops and the refrigerator is a disaster.

Kathy came by with MORE zucchini and I need to whoop up a batch of oatmeal raisin zucchini cookies for the track tomorrow. Here I am dinking around on the computer...

There's some crazy stuff going on with the scrapbook world and I spent too much time "researching" a bunch of hooey about Heidi Swapp moving to China and Stacy Julian not having the customer's best interest at heart in regards to a Big Picture Scrapbooking class. The lynch mob is out in full force - did anyone else notice that a full moon is expected in the next day or two??

I did a lot of BLOG surfing yesterday and came across some really fun things - - mainly on YouTube... I'll share these sparingly - - - it'll give you something to look forward to every few days... Yesterday, I thought this little blog needed some "cowbell" - - I really wanted to "explore the space".

Today, I'm thinking about a REAL GOOD laugh is in order...

Enjoy...

2007-08-24T12:45:00.000-06:00

Just keep swimming...just keep swimming...

2007-08-22T10:52:00.000-06:00

I haven't posted in a while so I thought I'd get something said before I "hear" about it!! Last weekend we enjoyed a pleasant day fishing - until the torrential downpour!! I get bragging rights - as I caught the first fish...the photo is on our friend's camera but at least there is a picture of my BIG trout in existance!!

I took pictures of the cute fish that the boys caught and they even talked Jeff into taking them out on the boat. Jeff and Shannon rented a really nice cabin and we were lucky to have been invited up to spend the day with them.

A.J. and his catch -

Nick's little fish that we had to give back to the lake...

Mike's helping to cast - he had to keep the line out of the trees!!

Jeff takes the boys out on the boat...

RAIN - and lots of it!! Boy did it get dark, too!

This week has been - well... AWESOME!! The boys started school on Monday and I've got the laundry caught up and even spent some time being creative!! I combined three Idea Books and decorated a cover - I'm very pleased with the result. I'm making lots of cards and getting some other projects wrapped up!! I'm very happy that school's back in session!! I just have LOTS of cleaning to do to get the house back in shape from the whirlwind summer!!

First day back to school!! YIPPPPPEEEEEE!!

So - time to get back to creating as well as a NICE LONG relaxing shower...

Have a great day!!

New AVATAR...

2007-08-13T20:30:00.000-06:00

O.K. so is this little "Avatar" CHEESY??? I made it today and I was wondering if it represented me well enough OR is it just plain silly?!?! I value your opinion - so just be honest - O.K.?

I had a really busy weekend - taking video and such of the Monza event. I am determined to figure out this new video editing software that I had Mike buy for the racing and events that we attend but I find myself reading LOTS of material learning it all - I promise to spend some time on the blog tomorrow - as I spent all my FREE time today doing laundry and "hovering" over the guys that were here drywalling and finishing our master bedroom. I failed to mention that there are no visitors allowed at my house right now because I feel really silly with my bed in the dining room along with the rest of my bedroom furniture - - maybe I'll post photos - - perhaps, I won't...

Well, again... post your opinion... on the AVATAR - and I'm going to get back to reading instruction manuals!!

More to come!!

2007-08-13T19:29:00.001-06:00

The LIME TIME car will make its debut!!

2007-08-07T08:01:00.000-06:00

A.J.'s motor arrived safely and is currently undergoing installation for it's first run this upcoming weekend in Colorado Springs!! It'll be ready in time for the Monza event and our whole family couldn't be more excited. For those of you who need a comparison - just imagine ordering a really fabulous scrapbooking product - like the Cricut Expressions or the Click-n-Cut - on the internet and having to wait for the warehouse to package and send it to you...that wait would seem like an eternity, right?? Well, that's what A.J.'s been feeling...only he's seven years old so it feels three times as long to him. Yesterday was his "Christmas morning"!! We took a wagon down our driveway and hauled the 46 pound box back up the hill. Mike came home early and got right to work at carefully unpacking the box's contents and putting it together. A.J. even helped with the numerous bolts and such. Now we just have to get through this week and get some practice time in before the big event...

You want a sneak peek, too?

We appreciate all the crossed fingers...well wishes...and "good luck"s!! Thanks so much!!

Another BUSY weekend...

2007-08-06T13:28:00.000-06:00

We spent this past weekend RACING - as usual...
This past weekend was a club race in Colorado Springs. Nick raced both of his cars - the Blue Honda in the Jr. Honda division and the brand new Yellow Jr. Stock - - - A.J.'s new Jr. Stock motor has not arrived just yet so he only drove his Jr. Honda car. I feel that having to watch his brother run two cars left him a little bit disinterested. He finished well but not overly ecstatic about the events.

All in all, though, it was a very good weekend, as we had NO major incidences. We watched a few but were not involved in any. There were a few little guys that flipped - trust me, watching a little boy playing with matchbox cars or riding his bike one minute and then tumbling down a track the next isn't something that "feels natural"- it really sucks, to be honest. I'm knocking on wood because I have yet to see my boys get hit hard enough to be on their side.

So back to the fun stuff... Nick and A.J. both finished fair in their divisions and we had a fabulous time with the Westhoff's (Garvin, Sherri and Keaton) after arriving on Saturday and during the races on Sunday. The Colorado Springs tower was short-handed and I had assumed that I'd get the weekend off but spent some time in their tower helping out. As usual, my plans to do something creative in between races was postponed. No biggie!! I managed to take 280 pictures now I have the burden of deciding what to throw out. My new camera makes it difficult to determine a bad photo from a good one as they all look really good!! I have so much to accomplish!! The boys go back to school in exactly two weeks and we have school supplies to buy as well as tennis shoes and clothes - UGH!! Not my favorite type of shopping.

Here's some photos of the weekend... I have to go and see what the fed ex man just dropped off at the gate - could be a new motor for A.J.'s car??

There's more to the story...

2007-07-25T15:27:00.000-06:00

So...if the weekend wasn't busy enough...Mike was asked to represent his race track as one of eight drivers promoting the LAUNCH of a brand new ride at Water World called the Turbo Racer.

Close-up of the eight drivers and the check presentation...

These are the eight drivers that represented the track - they all race different divisions so this was a fabulous way to allow these drivers the opportunity to race together in one event. Well, in looking at the group picture - you might notice that Mike is the biggest guy to race down the water slide so he had gravity on his side. Scotty was the second largest guy and well...he placed second. The water park donated $1,000. to Mike's chosen charity - The Children's Hospital Burn Center, and Scotty chose the Missing Children's Task Force and his charity was given $500. They catered the event and provided us with as many free passes to the park as we needed to bring family members and friends. The drivers spent some time signing autographs and then we enjoyed the remainder of the day enjoying all of the rides. This event received news coverage from four of our major news channels. Our boys were so proud of their dad for taking first place and Nick even asked if he could race for charity events. I'm looking forward to spending the next few days unwinding from all of the day long activities and getting caught up on laundry!! I still need to finish cleaning my room - I appreciate the various advice on how to get it accomplished!! Until next time...

"...what's up?" - - - CONTINUED...

2007-07-25T14:58:00.000-06:00

Let's get back to the last couple of days - shall we??

Above is a slide show of our day at the track - Sunday, July 22nd. We had a horribly HOT day at the track and it wasn't without problems. First, A.J. was swept up before the green flag flew to signal the start of his first heat race and had to have a rod repaired and get himself back out on the track before the re-start! That's the best way to stress out a little guy - especially A.J. After that little tangle his car wasn't the same and he struggled the remainder of the day. There's always next week for him. Let's move on a talk about Nick's BAD DAY. It started out fabulous... it was his very first official race in his new Jr. Stock car. He raced so well that he took first place in the heat race and went on to the A-Main event - YEY!! Then in the A-Main...the judges made a REALLY BAD call and said that Nick caused another driver to spin... That little guy had already starting spinning around when Nick was coming around the corner and Nick just happened to be going by as he was spinning and then he was charged with "racing room" and sent to the rear of the re-start. UGH!! Then, Nick did in fact, get tangled up with the same driver - this time it was an accident but a valid call. When a driver gets 2 calls in one race, he's disqualified - so you got it - he got a DQ after finishing first. He was so disappointed but showed great sportsmanship and congratulated the winner and apologized to the other driver that he ran into. Still, he was a wreck - emotionally. He wanted to win that race soooooo bad as it was his first time in the car and had wanted to show that he could do it. All of this drama and it was over 100 degrees out - HOT!!

BUSY...BUSY...BUSY...

2007-07-25T14:05:00.000-06:00

So, if anyone's been lurking on the blog to stay tuned to the days of our lives - here's the latest from the past several days...

Friday, July 20th - we loaded up the Quarter Midget trailer and headed out to the track so that Nick could practice driving his brand new car!! WHOA!! That new Jr. Stock is FAST! A.J.'s isn't finished yet but it is painted and he's a kid after my heart - IT'S VERY BRIGHT GREEN!! I'll post it when it's complete. But for now, back to the itenerary... so we get to the track and pull the cars out of the trailer and Mike makes a few adjustments. He then tells the boys to suit up so they can get out on the track - and...that's...when...we...discover...that...the...firesuits...are...at...HOME!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!

We had to go from trailer to trailer and beg to borrow suits for the boys to practice. UGH!! It's even worse that Nick and A.J. both were in tank tops and shorts. Thankfully, the Westhoff's had a spare fire proof jacket. The Hass's had a set of pants. And the lovely little Sid Ross (dynamite girl racer!!) loaned us a pair of jeans and a fire proof jacket, as well!! A.J. wore the first borrowed set of items and that saved his day. But the best part - Nick was lucky enough to get to wear Sid's rhinestone studded jeans and fire proof jacket - AND OF COURSE I GOT PHOTOS!! He was sooooo embarrassed that he's walk around hiding the "bling" on the back pockets!! Hee-Hee!! I have the BEST black mail photos!!

Despite the fact that my son can now say that he got into Sid's pants...YIKES!! - he drove the new car like a champ!!

YUM!!

2007-07-25T14:02:00.000-06:00

I just gotta tell ya'!! The bread was a HUGE HIT!! My kids loved it, my dad and his wife loved it, Mike's mom said it was the most MOIST bread she's had in a while!! Mike loved it and, believe it or not...I'm polishing off the last little piece right now as I'm typing about it!! You girls don't know a good thing!!

I like zucchini in my spaghetti sauce, sauteed as a side dish, and I'm planning on making chocolate chip zucchini cookies tonight when the weather isn't so darn HOT!!

I'll let you know how they turn out...

Testing, testing...one, two, three...

2007-07-19T08:29:00.000-06:00

I'd like to find out that if I post enough, whether it be ramblings or something of interest...can I send the slide show with music to page two?? Then, will that feature still scare some of my visitors?? For example - I know that Kathy surfs from work and doesn't always want to get "discovered" that that is what she's doing and she's also mentioned that she gets confused in trying to read my ramblings with music playing, too...shoot, we need to get you some gum and see if you fall apart altogether!! (I love you) I hope that you're still stopping by with zucchini - I need to try out this recipe...

Lemon Zucchini Bread

Adding lemon to traditional zucchini bread is a great way to bring out the vegetable's unique flavor.
Prep Time: 15m
Cook Time: 45m
Ready in: 1h
Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini
3/4 cup white sugar (I might try brown, here)
1 egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons lemon zest (what about the juice?? I may have to throw that in here)

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan.
In a bowl, beat together the zucchini, sugar, egg, and oil. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder; stir in the cinnamon and lemon zest. Stir the flour mixture into the zucchini mixture just until blended. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from heat, and cool about 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely

So...doesn't that just make your mouth water?? I need a slab of warm bread and a great big glass of milk!! YUM!! O.K. then...back to the messy room - I'm seeing progress!!

Man...can somebody help me????

2007-07-18T12:43:00.000-06:00

I'm looking for an online resource or a local store that sells motivation at a great price! I HAVE to get my craftroom completely cleaned!! It's making me crazy!! I tried the "spend an hour a day" that lasted a DAY! I tried..."I'm not leaving this room until it's done!" approach...I left the room for a beer and to check on what Mike was doing in the garage and never re-entered the room that day!! I was too happy to watch him re-organize his garage!! And now - I'm happy just tinkering away at the blog - in a completely different room...and ignoring the fact that I NEED TO GET IT DONE!! I'm starting to feel a twinge of motivation by sitting here typing about it - you know the little pangs of guilt are creeping up on me but I just wish that I had an idea of what I hope it to look like finished. We suffered a bad rain/wind storm not too long ago and it caused a leak to travel along the ceiling and of course it's at a joint so there's this annoying strip of drywall tape that's sorta pulled itself away from the ceiling and it's just so annoying. There's some water damage along the top of the window sill - there are curtains in front of that but again - I KNOW IT'S THERE...I can clean the place but repairs are needed and the little pristeen craft room of mine that I used to know and love sits - just like a forgotten toy - abandoned in the corner...I prefer to travel away from my home to create when once I LOVED to HOLE away for hours and play. It was MY playroom...sigh!! That's it - I'm logging out and I'm going to go and spend some time in there...it needs me! I'll post some real life progress later - I PROMISE!! Have a great day!!

2007-07-16T15:00:00.000-06:00

I Got Tagged....

I got tagged yesterday by Erin - See post from May 9, 2007 at

http://inkysmiles.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2007-07-02T20%3A42%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7

I have bugged poor Erin all day via email as to where to find the details about this "Tagged" thing and low and behold - I feel like a really big NERMAL!! I finally found it - so after all that - - if I don't play along I'd look even GOOFIER than usual...

Here Are The Rules:

1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Ok, here are some random facts/habits about me:

1. I truly thought I'd NEVER have children, I felt that I wouldn't do a decent job and this guy, Michael convinced me otherwise - and now I have two boys!!
2. I once drove a BMW - I lost control on a patch of ice and totalled it - but I had it for about a year. I ended up completely O.K. - I have a small scar on my elbow...the car, well, it probably went to the crusher. It had severe damage on three of it's four sides (the driver side being the least damaged.)
3. I shared a cigar with my mom on her 50th birthday - we lit them using the candles on her cake. I think cigars are gross - but I can say I did it.
4. I have remained friends with a girl (Kathy Mitts) that I used to play barbies with...we knew each other in grade school. I have another friend, Lynette, that was my good bud in Jr. High school. I guess you could say that these ladies haven't been able to shake me!! OR, I must be a "lifelong type of a friend".
5. I once toured London with a guy I dated in my twenties...My whole box of memorabilia was lost in a move but I'll get back there someday to revisit places I enjoyed back then.
6. My grandfather researched our heritage and actually put a big book together about our family. It turns out that we are decendants of Lord Stanley and he had an affair with a slave girl and then was cut off of his family's fortune because of it. This explains why I have a bubble butt, in my opinion.
7. I CRAVED the Big Montana sandwiches from Arby's when I was pregnant with my son A.J. and I could eat a whole one BY MYSELF, no problem. After I had A.J. I couldn't finish one - the darn thing is REALLY HUGE!! I still think that Arby's is my favorite fast food place.
8. I have a great fear that my kids will one day out smart me...it won't matter if its them "tricking" me or just learning something that I don't know...the whole idea kinda bugs me. My dad was once tested - I.Q. - and he was told that he is a genius (officially). Well, I was given some of the same types of tests as I was growing up and was told that I have some smarts, too. I kinda hope that the little guys are smart but they're not allowed to "outsmart" me. I know it's crazy - but as some of you already know - I suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and can't help it!! Hee-Hee!!

I have NOT tagged anyone for the following reasons:

YOU ALL HAVE BEEN TAGGED BY ERIN AND WOULD PROBABLY KILL ME IF I DID IT AGAIN - am I right?? Feel free, however to post a little something unique about yourselves if you feel like sharing...

Thanks for stopping by!!

~ Susan

O.K. So, now that I've been to this little site...

2007-07-16T11:48:00.000-06:00

Erin @ http://www.inkysmiles.blogspot.com/ has this link to a place called BLOGTHINGS...there's a cute little quiz that tells you what kind of Ice Cream you are and the questions are really unrelated but I ended up being my most favorite flavor on the planet so I decided to look around on this site and this other little QUIZ caught my attention - "Are You Like Your Mom?" Anyone who knows me will tell you that I DREAD being compared to the woman I once called MOM - now I just ignore her - SAD BUT TRUE!! She truly BUGS the heck outta me!! Anyway...I got the results I was hoping for! See how it turns out for you...

If anything...the little picture is kinda humorous and I find myself picturing my mom's face in place of the lovely lady pictured below!!

You and Your Mom Are Completely Different

At times, it seems like you and your mom aren't even related.

You often wonder how two people from the same family can be so different.

As the saying goes... you can pick your friends, but not your relatives.

Are You Like Your Mom?

Erin - WOW!! I can't believe that my MOST FAVORITE flavor came up!

2007-07-16T11:14:00.001-06:00

...you know what this means - I must've answered those questions "truthfully" and with some "thought"!! Mint Chocolate Chip is my absolute FAVORITE!! YUM!! Great...now I'm craving ice cream!!

You Are A Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Girl

Creative. Expressive. Unique.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatflavoricecreamgirlareyouquiz

What flavor ice cream girl are you?

Thanks for the cute link!! I had a little problem in posting a direct link here so if curiousity gets you...copy the link in your browser and give it a whirl...hopefully, you find it cute like I did!!

2007-07-15T22:38:00.000-06:00

New PHOTO!! Yep! That's my buddy - Petey!! He just had his vaccinations and he had a reaction - not a good day!! Well, the swelling is finally going down!! Did you know that FAT dogs PUFF up like a marshmallow in a microwave when they respond NEGATIVELY to RABIES vaccinations?? I had NO IDEA!! Well, YEP... If you have a dog that's allergic to his meds this is the craziness that you deal with. At least my boy's face now matches his body!! I've been told that he looks OVERWEIGHT - YIKES!!! Who wants to hear that??
Certainly, not ME!!! UGH!!!

Well, here's my little guy - puffy - but NOT OVERWEIGHT!!

I'm LOSING!!

2007-07-15T20:08:00.000-06:00

I have too many friends getting Blog Happy and I can't keep up!! There are so many FEATURES out there!! Can you tell? I'm so trying to stay in the "LOOP" persay, if the latest and greatest features!! *MUSIC - check...*SLIDESHOWS - check...*RECENT ARTWORK - errrr, ummm - check...

So, I'm trying... REALLY, REALLY trying to keep up, K?

Now, here's a BIGGIE...I gotta sign out - go and comb my hair - and ask Michael to snap a photo... I need to post an updated shot... HANG TIGHT!! I'll be back!!

~ Susan

I'm getting good at this!!

2007-07-15T09:24:00.000-06:00

Can you believe this new feature I found?? WOW!!

Enjoy!!

So, I said I'd post SOME ARTWORK - in fact...I PROMISED...

2007-07-14T19:26:00.000-06:00

Well, I created a card... I've showed it to a few friends and I received some positives. Why not share it here? I have a group of FABULOUS friends ALL OVER that I swap with and this is what I created for them...shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - don't tell them that I've posted it here, O.K.??

I just gotta share one more shot of the races - sorry, I REALLY had a great time!!

It's not EXTREMELY obvious but this is Ashley Force on our local track - WOW!! Yet, another true celebrity - I KNOW that this girl and I both appreciate the same driver from several years back - - the reason I LOVE racing - - Shirley Muldowney.

So - for my next trick... I GOTTA learn how to share MUSIC on this blog!! I KNOW it can be done...

There are so many of you that scrapbook - I want to share MY latest favorite music to scrap to. Maybe, it's because when I visualize a mythical Muse creature...this is what I would imagine her voice to sound like?? Sound crazy??

I know I mentioned earlier I'd explain an issue we're having today - - here it is...

I have two boys - very close in age. They are seven and eight (15 months apart). Nick is older and a serious "social butterfly" and A.J., well, he's not a shy kid by any means but he EXPECTS to be accepted without putting that foot forward. Nick was asked to spend the night at his friend's house and A.J. wasn't really sure why the invite didn't include him...I know this will be an issue I deal with more than just this weekend. It kills me - but the logical part of my brain tells me that this is totally normal. I don't favor one kid over the other but I KNOW that each of them deserves a break from each other. REALLY. So far, we've enoyed a FABULOUS evening alone with just A.J. - I know that he's enjoying it, too. And I don't worry about Nick, he's at his good friend's house. At the time of separation, though, DRAMA!! Wyatt's mom felt horrible and all I could say is, "they need this little break...Please, understand". UGH!! So, on that note I've gotta go play UNO or Sorry or whatever A.J. picks!! Have a great night!!

Please don't get all spoiled that I've posted twice in one day - I'll try harder to keep my blog current, deal??

~ Susan

OKAY, OKAY...I hear ya!!

2007-07-14T10:36:00.000-06:00

So, in light of recent requests - I'm posting some new stuff on my blog!! WOW!! I had no idea that so many people visited my little spot on the web!! Hee-Hee...you guys need something to DO!

As many of you know...we're into racing!! I should back up a little and say that "we" consists of myself, my hubby Michael, and the two lights of my life (HA!!) Nick and A.J. So, last night we went to Bandimere Speedway for the 28th annual Mile High Nationals...best way I can think of to spend a Friday the 13th!! We met and aquired autographs from Tony Pedgregon. Nice guy!! Nick got him to sign his hat and A.J. had his shirt signed. We also met Robert Hight - he is first in his division and not mention John Force's son-in-law!! Both of these guys took the time to allow me to pose them with my kids while there was a mob scene waiting behind us for their turn in that short window alloted for their "meet and greet".

Here's the boys and Tony Pedregon -

...and Robert Hight

I can't tell you how anxious I am to scrapbook these photos I took yesterday!! We had soooo much fun!! They finished last night's show with a terrific fireworks display - to describe it wouldn't do it justice. They set off these EXPLOSIONS...one every four to five feet and they went off consecutively down the length of the track - BOOM, BOOM, BOOM - they were these big huge fire balls and you could feel the heat from them where we were sitting (roughly twenty rows up from "front row". They lit off the large showers of sparks and the colorful bursting ones, too. Again, we were so close to all of this that there was debris from these fireworks right in our faces - very scary, but a rush all the same!! I just looked at the photos I took of the fireworks but I only had a few that came out - I was awestruck in watching the show instead of snapping photos. Nick had a good laugh. We thought the fireworks were finished and more of the fire ball explosions went off - I was so taken by surprise that I nearly peed myself!!

So, on to other things... I SWEAR I'll post some of my latest stuff before the end of today... (July 14th, 2007) I have a little guy who's needing some attention... I'll explain later, K?

Have a great day!!

XOXOXO ~ Susan

P.S. Thanks for the gentle nudge to keep my blog going...you guys are my inspiration!!

Why... HELLO!!! Welcome!!

2007-02-06T10:51:00.001-07:00

I'm officially a BLOGGER - what a crazy name for this new internet feature. It makes me giggle!!

I have noticed that at least once a day, I'm browsing websites and then when I come across a person with a "blog" - I'm curious enough...I'll go and poke around. I was an only child so this must be my way of getting "the reading of someone else's diary" out of my system... I didn't get to as a kid!!

I should mention a little more about myself. Hi, my name is Susan and I'm an addict. I can't fathom going a whole day without looking at, buying or at least using something scrapbook related...in fact, there's a QVC show on right now showing all the latest tools and papers...ideas GALORE!! I just returned from CHA in Anaheim! Overwhelming - is the only word I can think of to describe it. (No. It wasn't my first time, either!! I go whenever I can!!) I was recently asked to name my very favorite scrapbook product and I couldn't narrow it down...I like it all!!

I'm super curious to see who actually visits here - can what I have to blab about be all that interesting?? REALLY?? To quote a band I listened to back in highschool (ASIA) 'only time will tell'...

Well, my tape gun is staring at me wondering when we'll be creating again...I have some creativity to get out of my system. I'll have to post what today makes!!

Thanks for stopping by - - - hey, wake up and get outta here...will ya'?? (*grin*)

Have a GREAT day!

~ Susan

P.S. Can I just take a quick moment to brag a little?? I'm a published creator!! A card I made is in this month's Paper Crafts magazine (March 2007)!! Page #64 - check it out. Tell me what you think...