Morning Photos

more photos from today at

www.dljack75photos.blogspot.com

More Random Stuff

So this morning I experienced a sneak attack of sorts. I was taking Evan to his last day of his preschool career... ever... and I got a little emotional. I was talking to him on the way there about remembering to thank his teachers for being so wonderful and to give them hugs. I thought I was doing okay with this growing up and starting kindergarten business (and I still think I am) which I guess is why I was surprised by how I felt this morning. I am unmeasurably thankful for the amazing preschool experience Evan had the past two years. The idea of preschool for Evan began mostly out of my need to have my own time (doctor appointments, rest, etc.). However, Evan got so much out of his time there and I couldn't be more thrilled for that. Luckily I had my camera in the car with me because after I dropped him at school I was holding back tears and decided to go take some photos to refocus myself. Photography is so therapeutic in that way. I will post some photos later today.

On the subject of blogging... I saw part of a show last time that presented both sides of blogging - for and against. I have to say for the record that I have no grandiose hopes that my random musings will change the world for the better. I started blogging as a way to share the 'going-ons' of our little nuclear family with our loved ones around the globe. Of course it has morphed into an outlet to share more about myself and my creative 'going-ons'. I will add that this show was on Comedy Central so was actually quite humorous. One guy said blogging causes brain leakage! And no one cares about pictures of your cat dressed as Harry Potter! Maybe their is truth to this, but luckily I don't even own a cat so no worries there ; )

okay, off to do something productive...

Monday's Mix

Just a mix of various happenings to share with everyone on this Monday...

Their Own Story - a layout by me

check out more of my recent layouts by going to my SIStv page (click SIS link on the left)

Here's a (very) random happening... yesterday I slept until 11AM! No joking! I haven't done that since I was pregnant with Evan. It was rather alarming when I woke up and looked at the clock and saw the numbers 1101. Evan was with the grandparents and Markas left early for his motorcycle class... But still I usually get up no later than 8AM even if no one else is home. It was nice to sleep however I did feel disoriented for the rest of the day. I guess I don't like 'wasting' a good chunk of the day anymore. Evidently my body needed the ZZZs so who am I to complain ; )

Can we talk about spreadsheets for a minute? I was never any good at using them. Yet I feel as if I need one now to organize the proper administering of all of my medications : / It has gotten seriously complicated because each med has its own set of rules and none of the rules mesh well with each other. Can't they all play nice together? At this rate I will need to get up during the night and take drugs just to stay on schedule. And sleeping until 11AM blew yesterday's schedule to pieces. Oh, the trials and tribulations of us medically challenged people... ; )

I can't wait to get my boy back today. Sounds like he had another awesome time with my parents though. My mom informed me that he saw part of The Wizard of Oz yesterday... the scariest part with the flying monkeys and the wicked witch of the west. So how many of us were permanent traumatized by this movie as a child? ME, ME, ME! (hand raised high). Now it is on the list of all time favorite movies, but it did a number on me in my youth LOL. I'm sure Evan will want to talk about it at bedtime tonight... We will have to see the entire movie someday soon so he can understand that it isn't just about monkeys and witches... because their are many other questionable features of this classic movie. Hello? munchkins? drug filled flowers? singing at every turn? some of it is black and white and some of it is color? We're off to see the Wizard?... I mean really! LOL

okay, enough of my crazy rambling...

TGIF

I'm back! I have to say that my self-imposed exile from the online world didn't last very long. I already knew that I enjoyed being online, but I didn't realize the full extent of how much of my life is now connected to the internet. Socially, creatively, household organization (bills, etc.), news and info, prescriptions, my etsy shop, shopping... Anyway, I recorded some of my thoughts, observations, and yes even my withdrawl symptoms. I will share that stuff soon when I decide on what creative format to use for said sharing ; )

On another note, I decided to document my latest trip to the doctor's office (yesterday). I smuggled in my camera and took shots while I was waiting for the doctor to come into the exam room. I kinda felt like a secret agent ; ) I have spent hours too numerous to count waiting to learn my medical fate. This time my fate was... here's some nice new (and very expensive) medications to try... come back in 6 weeks so we can test you all over again. I want to say 'hey why don't you try those meds first and let me know what you think'. That seems only fair... right???

vacation!

Okay, not really a vacation. I am taking a short blog vaca. I guess a computer vacation in general really.

Signing off until Friday!

Sew Cool

check out my sewing machine photos...

www.dljack75photos.blogspot.com

DOOR

12 x 12 layout using lots of scrappin' goodness from my SIStv inspiration swap with Lydia

DOOR - threshold, opening, closing, movable barrier, portal of possibility

I love photographing old doors. I think it is a combination of the architecture and what doors can represent. This is the door from an old Girls Club building (Feb. 2008).

three more little things that make me happy for no apparent reason

1. polka dots (have I mentioned this one already?) - Well I really have a thing for them. They are so fun and fresh.
2. Charlie and Lola (yes the British kids show) - I love the design of it. Lots of patterns and colors, but still very simple. I also enjoy how Lola talks about things. If I were still a kid, I think I would have a Charlie & Lola birthday party ; )
3. reading funny greeting cards - I can spend a 1/2 hour (maybe more) at the store looking and laughing at cards (even if I don't have a reason to purchase a card). The cards with music or sayings crack me up!

Popsicle Paradise... and Kisses?

What is better on a July evening than a nice breeze, friends to play with, and lots of popsicles!?

Ella & Sammie

Finally got them to stop moving long enough to snap a few shots of sticky popsicle faces! Amidst the popsicle goodness and furry of play today, Evan received his first 'real' kiss from a girl... on the lips. Sweet Ella, who will be 5 next month (pictured on the left in yellow), gave Evan a good smooch. Of course Evan reacted like any normal 5 year old boy would... he ran into his bedroom and tried to hide. Ella was persistant though and managed another kiss or two. Poor Evan... he doesn't know how irresistable he is ; ) He told Markas that he likes kissing his mommy, but not other girls.

Oh, how soon that will change.

G is for...

gallbladder - my spotlight organ of the month ; ) Not really sure what a gallbladder is all about. It has to be on the all-time short list of most underappreciated, overlooked organs around. Anyway, mine will be getting the third degree tomorrow morning. Maybe my gallbladder has issues because I never talk to it (reference to past blog post). Some of my past spotlight organs get way more 'me time'. Well my jilted gallbladder, tomorrow it's all about you! Here's your big chance to say 'cheese' for the cameras. Make a statement for all of gallbladder kind. Stick it to the pancreas, liver, heart...

An interesting fact came to me while in the doctors office today. This week is the one year anniversary of my trip to The Mayo Clinic. (My how time flies.) Not sure what significance (if any) there is in this fact though. Do they make Hallmark cards for such things?

check this out... ; )

liver & gallbladder pouch

http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnomatopoeia/1469229023/

You Make My Whole Face Smile

I had time for a little scrappin' action this afternoon. Came up with this 12 x 12 layout It just shows you what happens when you put a 5 year old in a photo booth ; )

Quote of the Day

"Because my rules are better."

-Evan age 5

I love that at 5 it really is just that simple ; )

(pic from TX trip - June '08)

Just for Me!!!

I am soooooooooooooooooo lucky!

My dear friend and fellow scrap-o-holic, Linda made me a very special mini album (which I LOVE). Click on the link below to check it out.

http://www.scrapinstyletv.com/portfolio/view_layout.php?layout_id=113621&user_id=1706

Treasury Tidbit

I got a nice surprise this morning. One of my Etsy.com items (Luna the Owl) has been selected to be in a Treasury of Arkansas artists and crafters. It should be featured on Etsy.com in a few days. Not a huge deal, but still very cool in my book.

A Slice of Love

Can't have summer without fresh strawberries! Yumm-O!

While slicing strawberries to go with my lunch today, I noticed something neat taking shape ; )

And yes, I had to photograph it.

scrapblog layout

(click on image to enlarge)

I'm with the band

scrapblog layout

(click image to enlarge)

This photo is classic Evan. He loves music and he loves to rock the air guitar. The faces he makes crack me up!

More Random Musings...

This was a Demerol fueled weekend for me. Gotta love the good stuff. My back is out of whack... well more specifically my right hip went haywire. Happens from time to time, but this time my usual tricks and remedies didn't help much. So on the hunt I went for something with a little more kick. Luckily (yes, now I see a bright side to oral surgery) I had a few stray Demerol leftover and off to happyland I went.... ummm, maybe not happy land...more like now I care a little less about the extreme pain radiating from my backside land.

On a much more joyful note, I witnessed what I call enchanted play this evening. A five year old boy, a red Radio Flyer wagon, and a big hill. Can there be a more brilliant combination of things in this world? I beamed with pure happiness watching my son squeal with joy as he raced down the hill in a little red wagon. If you ask me, moments like this are what childhood is all about!

My friend Janet is in town this week. She made the Southern migration from Missouri. I'm looking forward to all of the Flamingos being together for the first time in a long time! Hope to paint the town Pink ; )

Off to apply ice to my aching swollen body... it's tough getting old : /

Stars & Stripes Forever

Happy Birthday, America!

You are still pretty rockin' at 232 years young!

(2 scrapblog layouts)

Last year we started the tradition of having a birthday celebration for America every Fourth of July. This year when I told Evan our country was 232 years old, he was excited to have that many candles on the cake. I told him were only putting a few candles on it. His response... "Yep, that might burn the house down with all those 10 by 10 by 10's of candles. Good thinking, Mom."

Okay, so here's my deal...

I have had too many thoughts running around in my head lately. I can't possibly catch them all... they are too fast and I am too worn out ; ) I don't mean this in a bad, stressed out way. I mean this in a my-mind-won't-shut-off kinda way... too many ideas on the loose. Scary, huh? Yes, some of the ideas that come out of my brain are whacky and not normal. But what is normal really? See I can't even stay on one brain wave as I type this posting. Uuughh!

So for know, I am just checking to say 'hi'... so hi!