Hi! Come on in and look around!

Welcome to my window on the world. A snapshot of my life and experiences. I'm a photography junkie and a scrapbook addict. I capture it all here, and share my journey down this amazing road called LIFE with you!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

New Blog Header

I made a new blog header! YAY! Finally! Mostly using stuff from Tangie Baxter and 3 frames from Christina Renee Designs. I hope everyone likes it!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

General Chat


Don't you just love camellias? I do. I have five bushes in my yard, and that is still not enough. This photo was from earlier in 2009 when we got a rare snowfall. I grabbed my camera and ran out to photograph my yard and spotted my camellias all delightfully covered with snow!

Just a little silly atc I made. Both kits are from Tangie Baxter at Scrapbookgraphics. I'm too lazy to post credits right now.

No, I am not General Chat. I am chatting, generally! LOL! I am downloading a new kit from Christina Renee Designs. She is moving from her own spot in the world over to OScraps. I'm going to play with her delightful designs later today as a reward for hard work...moving my scrap crap to Matt's room and moving Matt over the garage. Yesterday was massive cleaning for that grand adventure. Today may involve some actual moving! HOOORAY! oh and then more cleaning as I put it all away, but it really is pared down from what I used to have so I feel it will be manageable!

Thanksgiving involves me working for Black Friday, which I don't really mind. I expected it as I'm working retail. I think it will be an adventure. Will post about that. Turkey is thawing. Paula and I can't be together as I have to work and Jake and an appendectomy. Boo!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Monday, October 05, 2009

Project 365 Layouts






I'm somewhat remiss on keeping up with my Project 365 photos, but I do have some photos for every month. I have been somewhat hampered by the idiot who stole my camera leaving my with my iPhone. That is better than nothing, but the picture quality is so low! GEEZ I'm spoiled!

Here are some project 365 layouts I did recently. I am through April, which is kind of neat I have to admit.

I've had some lo's pubbed, too. I guess I need to post about that as well. Later, though. Let's focus on the Project 365. After all, it doesn't do any good to take all those pictures and not do the layouts to record them. Please excuse my laziness about crediting each and every designer to each and every lo. I merely ask that you visit those credited in my labels as those are the ultimately talented ladies whose products I used!

Friday, August 28, 2009

How to Save Big on Meat and a few other tidbits...

I mentioned in a previous post that I have a friend that has two full size freezers full of meat. Her husband told me he was thinking of getting a third freezer. (I use the term meat to describe all things such as chicken, burger, steaks, etc...and yes I know chicken is not meat...ok!)

I am not as good at Tally as snooping out the deals, however, I do quite well. You have to cruise the meat area whenever you hit the grocery store and look for the marked down meat. Stores have various policies as to when they mark their meat down. Where I live, Harris Teeter marks before others. Anyway, it is marked down before or on the expiration date. Well, so what. I'm going to take it home and put it in the freezer. It will be fine!

I have found seasoned meat for fajitas, italian sausage, pork chops, ribs, hamburger, chicken, steaks...the list goes on. I try to look for things that are marked down to $5.00 or less in a package that I would consider one meal minimum. Often times, I can get things for as low as $2.00. It just depends. Sometimes I have a coupon, if it is a name brand item, too. Anyway, the point is, I'm able to buy at a great savings and stock my freezer.

Yes, it is good to buy your meat on sale, too. You will save doing this as well. I always buy ground chuck when it is on special. I like to get pork butt, too, because who doesn't like some good home-made bbq!!!

The whole point is to keep your eyes open. You never know what you will find. And that goes throughout the grocery store...discontinued items that have been marked down...and then if you have a coupon... you get the point!

One magazine I have subscribed to is "All You". It is only available from Walmart. I don't read it. I clip all the coupons out of it. There are a ton, and it more than pays for itself. I even got a fabulous deal on my subscription rate. It took some searching and waiting, but now it's really worth it! You will see this magazine referenced alot on the sites that I told you to check out. It's just another coupon tool in your arsenal.

Speaking of coupons, do not forget catalinas/blinkie/tearpads and such. I had to wait for something at Piggly Wiggly yesterday. While I was waiting, I took a cruise around the store for coupons that are in the aisle. I'm not greedy. I take two per visit. Some people do take the whole thing, but I prefer to be nice and leave some for others as well. However, if people have left a stack of them out, I take all of those. I found three different things of coupons that I was able to add to my stash.

And that, my friends, is a week in my coupon world. I have not made it to the store yet this week. So much going on. But you know for sure when I go that I am going to save a ton. I always save over half on my bill. Some weeks are better than others, but it all boils down to money I can use on other things.

I hope you have found this helpful. I may have left some things out, but it is all available for you on the internet. Cruise. Expand your knowledge. I'm sure you will be a pro in no time.

Personally, my son is very excited. He says we have alot of food...and he likes that. He has a hollow leg!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Have a List and Be Wise to the Store's Policy

Here are some tips for getting to the grocery store with your coupons that you need!

This fabulous tips is a real time saver: cut and paste the grocery specials from your favorite site into a word document. Simple, eh!

That is exactly what I do. Personally, I trot over to Southern Savers and copy her list for Bi-Lo or Harris Teeter, where I usually shop. Then I go through and delete all the items I know that I do not buy or am not going to buy. I also remove all the notes about pricing and such and fix the spacing and margins to try and get it all on one page! While the site is still open, I can go through the list of items I want and print out my internet coupons. After the internet coupons, I match my coupons from my stash. Next to the item on the list, if I have a coupon for it, I mark a "c". That way, when I get to the store I have two ways to make sure I got what I came for...my list...and the coupons in my hand. If I think I am done, and there is a coupon in my hand, I know I missed it. Also, as I go through my list, I mark off what I have in my cart.

Now, my whole goal is to get what I can as cheaply as I can. If the items on sale do not fill my grocery needs for the week, I can get the rest at Aldi or Walmart, the two cheapest stores in my town. Aldi always has the lowest price milk, unless there is a special at the store.

Let's talk about Walmart for a moment. Why are we not shopping at Walmart for everything? (I'm talking about a Supercenter or say a Target Supercenter...) Because, although Walmart claims to have the lowest prices, they do not put their items on SALE AND more importantly, they do not double or triple coupons.

My Bi-Lo doubles coupons up to sixty cents every week. That means if I have a sale item and a sixty cent coupon, I will save an extra $1.20 off the sale price! Harris Teeter doubles up to ninety nine cents, but they don't have the best prices always. Now, for triples...I hit them and for super doubles like I explained in yesterdays post.

Your strategy is to find the store in your area that is giving you more for your coupons. These extra savings are going in your pocket!!!

Also, sometimes Bi-Lo will give you additional savings off of items on top of the sale and coupons- a total off your grocery bill if you buy a certain dollar amount of a product. This dollar amount is pre-coupon price people! It's easy to hit and results in a nice little treat!

For example last week I bought some Suave products. I had the sale price...I had my coupons...and at the end, I got another coupon for $2.00 off...Yes, I'll take it.

Anyway, all this stuff is always spelled out on the sites I visit. Remember, the hardest work I am doing is matching. Someone else is out at the stores finding all the deals and posting all this information for me to take advantage of!

Also, you need to be a smart shopper. Know your stores coupon policies and don't violate them. Cashiers often do not know the policy as well as you do. If you need to, keep a little copy of it in your purse. Obnoxious? Not really. Knowledge is power. Anway, I could have lost $17.88 in coupons last week if I was not able to explain some things to the cashier. She had to get help, but the head cashier took my coupons. I know they would because I haunt all these websites and know their policy better than they do. I'm never rude, but I am firm that they will take my coupons and they need to figure out a solution to their problem.

Some cashiers are difficult and feel it is their job to not let you use coupons. People, stores are reimbursed for all these coupons. You are not stealing. The coupon police cashier needs to be avoided. Or you better be well informed. I had to read the coupon policy back to a cashier once that was posted at the store. She tried to tell me I couldn't use four internet coupons. I had two for the same product and two for two different ones. She told me I could only use two internet coupons and pointed to the stores sign. The sign said I could not use more than two internet coupons for the SAME product and a maximum of four for my order. I knew that already, and that was why I had what I had. But it was ok,she took my coupons, begrudgingly...hey, it's their store policy. I followed it!

Know the store policy on BOGO's, too. CVS and Bilo let you use two coupons...one for the Buy-One and one for the FREE one! Harris Teeter does not. Also, you don't have to do the BOGO. Do the math...is it cheaper to just get one and use one coupon? Because both Bi-lo and HT will ring up the one item as 1/2 price. Half price and a double coupon...see what I'm getting at!!!

And, at CVS and Bi-Lo if you buy a store listed BOGO item and you have a BOGO coupon, your items are FREE! Last week I had a BOGO for some Sobe Life Water and it was BOGO at the store...heheheheh! I love it!

There are some weeks that I am not able to do all my preparation before I leave for the store. I just wanted to throw this out there. I have to hit the store on the run and match my coupons to the sales while I am there. I usually have an idea of what is on sale from my sites. It's all a matter of time. Yes, I'd rather have more time to prepare, but if I don't, I'm still going to get my savings!

I do believe that is all I have to share for today. Hope you have a great day and have been enjoying the Week In My Coupon World!!!!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

WHY We Save Our Coupons and Grocery Day!

I have had two people mention to me about expired coupons recently, which led me to realize that I forgot to mention the most important reason we are saving all these coupons and keeping them together so we can find them: grocery stores rotate their sales. You want to get about a six week supply of things when you shop because that is how long it will take for these items to be at their lowest price again.

What? What did I say. Okay, your goal is to purchase your groceries and sundries when they are ON SALE. This is their lowest price. You match your coupons to the sales. Since it takes six weeks for the particular items to rotate back on sale, you ideally would have six coupons and stock up if you used that item every week.

This necessitates keeping your coupons together. The only time you care if your coupon is expiring is if you have 8 coupons and only want to buy six of the item. Then you would use the ones expiring first. However, I simply would buy 8, which gives me the choice of having extra on hand and donating my surplus.

I'm not saying that how people are handling their coupons is wrong. One person told me that they file their coupons by expiration date. The other said they store the ones expiring for that month in a separate file. FAB! IF you are shopping weekly, buying things and not following the sales. If you are doing the coupons this way, you are not taking advantage of the lowest price and maximizing your savings every week. It isn't wrong, it is simply a different approach.

The matching your shopping to the sales approach allows you to fill your pantry/shelves/cupboards/what-have-you with a ton of grocery items at the lowest price.

Let me give a specific example from this week:
dixie ultra plates / napkins are on sale and you save $2.65/2. There are .55/1 blinkies in Foodlion right now. 2.65-2.20(.55x 2 doubled)=.45 for 2 packs of plates.

You save $4.85 on two packs of plates by stocking up at this price. If you bought them because you shop using just the coupons you have, matched up to your weekly grocery list, you would only save $1.10 off the original price on two in a non-sale week. You miss out on $3.75 in additional savings if they are not on sale. Now say you have three of these blinkies, which for you is a six week supply, you will save $14.55 and pay $1.35 for six packs of plates.

I think you can see very quickly the value of matching your shopping and coupons to the sales. This is a process. It takes a while to get your stash of coupons going and to get your pantry full.

All this is illustrated using the ideal scenario of the extreme couponer who has several of each weeks coupons or buys extras at the various sites that offer those. I once heard of a lady that bought thirty two bottles of bbq sauce at one time. Yes, you read that right. I have no idea what she did with the thirty two bottles, but she had thirty two coupons, and it was a sale item!!!

How this works in my world is that if the item is on sale, I buy it with the coupons I have. So if I have six, GREAT, I buy six. If I only have four, I buy four.

Many of the coupon/money saving sites will tell you that even without a coupon, this is the time to stock up because you are still getting the items you need at the lowest price. Remember that if you need three packages of lunch meat that week and only have two coupons for the sale brand. You can still buy that third package, and you are still saving. It's just not as much fun because you are not getting the DEAL you got on the other two!

Mind you, the sites I've told you are my favorites: Hot Coupon World, Southern Savers, and Chattanooga Cheapskate will also tell you if something is on sale and it is not that great of a price meaning that it will be on sale later at a better price!

I hope in my long winded narrative that I have explained the reason for keeping all your coupons together regardless of the expiration date. Your goal is to stock up on the particular item at the lowest sale price with your coupons. Keeping them all in one place means that you have them all together to use at the right time.

If the coupon expires, so what. You'll get more. The idea is not to shop by coupon. The idea is to maximize your savings and match your coupons to the lowest sales price.

Does that mean if I need butter this week and it is not on sale, I don't buy it. NO! If I need it, I have to get it, but it would be better if when butter had been on sale, I had stocked up...right!!!

I'm hoping my favorite stores have laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dog food on sale here soon. I need to fill up again!

This week in my area, Harris Teeter is doubling coupons with a face value up to $1.98meaning: coupon value = double value

0.75 = 1.50
1.00 = 2.00
1.50 = 3.00
1.98 = 3.96

So for example: Velveeta 1 lb. $2.99. Use $1 coupon from the 8/9RP = $.99 your final price!

Unfortunately, I have alot to do today and will not be grocery shopping. Probably Friday will be my day. It depends right now.

Breathe deep, my followers. It gets easier as you do it and do what works for you. I tell you all the ins and outs and then you fit it to your lifestyle. Remember that the sites that are my favorites are NOT the only sites out there to help you and you can and will find ones that you like better. These work for me. However, you need to read the extreme way to do things to maximize your savings so you get all the ins and outs.

And just to address this issue: I do buy fresh produce and feed my family whole grain pasta and whole grain bread.

I think tomorrow I will share my meat savings plan with you...Oh yes, I have a friend who has 2 full size freezers FULL and is considering getting a third because they are even better (have more time) than me at this. But my husband is always amazed at the meat deals I bring home!!! And aside from killing your own pig like my brother, this is the best way I know to get meat at a great savings.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Tuesday in my coupon world...

Okay, I am going to be clipping my coupons today. I happen to be off, and I have an appointment this afternoon so I have some free time while squeezing in laundry.

My coupon system is two cancelled check holders like you get at walmart. I have one for CVS type things and one for grocery items. I keep them in a bag that I can grab on the run. I also throw all my uncut coupons in there. I mean why have a pile of messy coupons all over the place when I can keep it neatly in this bag? My four CVS envelopes are in there (refer to yesterday's post), and sometimes I keep scissors in there.

Scissors, yes. Scissors. Why? Because you can clip and sort your coupons anywhere. The busy mom is always on the go and needs a system that works. I have clipped in the doctor's office. Why not! You can clip in car line. Clip while watching tv at night. Clip while having a brief morning snack break. Clip. Clip. Clip. It's not that it takes that long either. It's just another THING TO DO on our LIST OF THINGS TO DO, but if you need to break it down into small tasks, it can be done or you can just sit and clip if that fits in your schedule.

While I am sorting my coupons, I try to take out any that I noticed have expired. This is also another task you can do on the go while on the run and waiting somewhere. I had to hit the laundromat to wash something that wouldn't fit in my washer, and I got rid of all the expired coupons. You do not want to be giving cashiers expired coupons or get all excited about a deal, only to realize your coupon is expired. This purging also makes room for all the new coupons you are getting from magazines, internet, and the newspaper.

The rant, "I don't have time," is wasted on me because you can make time. It's just about time management. Are your kids old enough to use scissors, get them clipping. Make a game of it. I'm just saying that where there is a will, there is a way!

Once everything is clipped and sorted into your storage method, you are ready for BIG WEDNESDAY...that's when all the shopping ads come out. OH YES! The new grocery ads for the week. You can get previews at the sites I listed yesterday, and prepare a day ahead. This is essential for Harris Teeter triple coupons because if you don't get in there early, alot of the killer deals will be gone!!!

Personally, I have to shop on my day off or a day I don't work in the morning. I may not be able to go on Wednesday, but I usually make it by Friday at the latest. Not that it matters. I may go twice if I can't squeeze it all in or I have forty coupons and it is Harris Teeter triples. They limit you to 20 coupons per day to be tripled. Not per card either. Per person. But I digress...

I will go into great grocery detail later this week. Perhaps tomorrow...we'll see what thought tomorrow brings! LOL!

There are many ways to sort your coupons. All of these sites that I reference describe various ways to sort. You have to do what works for you. I tried a 3 ring binder with baseball card holders, but it was too cumbersome for me and annoying. Some people use recipe card boxes with dividers. You have to decide how best to store and sort. Because if the system you are using doesn't work, you will not use it.

Also, if CVS or the Walgreen or Rite-aid thing is too much for you, don't do it. You can get good deals on alot of personal care items at the grocery stores with your coupons. It's not about torturing yourself, it's about saving money without adding additional stress. More stress is not going to help. But a few extra dollars is going to be a motivator in a system that works for you.

Today's post may not be that exciting, but coupon storage and maintenance is essential to the whole process. I urge you to take the time to read the various storage methods offered and give one a try.

Monday, August 24, 2009

A week in my coupon world...

Some people have asked me how I get my savings each week. I mean last week I got a buggy full, and I mean full, of groceries from Bi-Lo for $55, and I saved $95 off my total in coupons.

So I will take you through a week with me, and then hopefully you can go from there and adapt a system that works for you.

1. I always get the Sunday paper unless there are no manufacturer's coupons that week. My husband brings me the coupons from the one delivered to his work. So each week, I have two sets of coupons to clip. Important on BOGOs because Bi-Lo and CVS let you use two coupons with a BOGO...meaning you save even more!!! You could also buy two newspapers. The savings in coupons will more than pay for your papers. So don't be stingy here.

Now, I will say that there are some serious, hard-core couponers that will get their neighbors coupons from their recycling bins. They will buy extra coupons off of e-bay. Then when a good deal comes out, they have like 10 or 12 coupons and can stock up and save a a bundle. My dh would DIE if I was caught sneaking through people's recycling bins in my neighborhood. And I don't have time to hunt around e-bay for that.

The point I am trying to make, is you have to take everything I tell you, and pick the pieces that work for your with your allotted time. That's what I have done.

2. Okay, I have my coupons, and I look through and give an initial scan. I also pull the CVS ad from the paper to check for anything interesting. Normally, I try to hit the CVS ad the night before or Friday night to prepare for the upcoming week. I try to keep what I have seen in my brain, but I'm telling you, by the time you are done your CVS run and your grocery run, your brain is going to feel like you just took a final exam. No lie! But your wallet will be fat, and your pantry will be full.

I have shelves in my laundry room full of canned goods and cleaning products. My bathroom closet is stocked with personal care items. I have more in my house now for less than I ever did when I was NOT an avid couponer. And I'm paying pennies on the dollar for alot of it. I'm buying things I don't need if the price is awesome because I can donate it. DONATE...a thought for another day. Another topic in itself!!!

3. First stop with CVS ad and coupons is Southern Savers. I click on the tab for CVS, and Jenny, the host of the site lists all the upcoming deals for the current CVS ad. I can use this ad to match my coupons from my stash, my ECB's (extra care bucks), and CVS coupons. If I try to explain all this your head will explode.

I'm not exagerating. I'm telling you to take your time. Tread lightly the first two or three trips until you get into the swing of things and understand. READ, READ, READ. Copy the deals exactly if you must. Don't worry if you don't have the ECBs listed, just do the deal to get your ECB's.

It is essential that you do have the CVS Extra Care card, so if you don't, get one when you go in BEFORE YOU CHECK OUT! And yes, you can use more than one card. I have four going at once. That means on a deal that says limit 1, I use four different cards, pay four different times! So if the item is FREE after ECBs, I have 4 FREE items. GET IT!

4. Another site I visit is HOT COUPON WORLD. You can learn alot initially from this site as it probably explains everything the best. You have to take your time to READ IT. READ. RESEARCH. Nothing in life is FREE and doing this is like a little extra job, but if you do it, you will reap the rewards and be amazed. And yes, both my sites listed do other stores, but I'm starting you on my trip and I start with CVS.

Frankly, I normally hit CVS after church on Sunday's because alot of the deals will be out of stock until they restock if I don't. I also have 4 CVS in town so I can hit them all if I want and need a certain thing and one doesn't have it. No I am not wasting gas as it's not the big here and I can drive in an efficient circle that is about a five mile radius.

5. Another site that I have found very useful is Chattanooga Cheapskate. I just discovered her recently and she is awesome! She also does CVS.

6. The reason I cruise all these sites is to find deals and which coupons are out there that I should have in my stash. All of them match up the Sunday coupons. I do not store my coupons by ad date, so for me this is a reference that I should have that coupon. Some hard core couponers store their coupons uncut and pull them out and cut to match the ad. They have a zillion copies, remember.... These sites assist with coupon matching. Very important. Very important. Very imporant. Apparently this is very important. So remember it!

7. The other reason I cruise these sites is they also list the printables. Oh yes, my people, you can print internet coupons! Now different stores have different rules about these but for CVS, have at it! Let her rip, print them all, use them all! It is just the same as a manufacturer's coupon. So you can add these to your pile for the week and save even more than you would have saved if you hadn't known about these fabulous sites.

8. And these sites will give you tips about hidden deals...which go fast so if you see one, you better move quickly. When I say a hidden deal, something that may be on clearance, or a super fab deal with a coupon you have that is a "money maker" or ends up being free. You'll see as you cruise the sites and get comfortable with the lingo.

9. And yes, there is a lingo associated with all this mess. ECB, coupon, catalina, MM and such. You will see. I had to learn and so will you, but you will pick it up fast. And for heaven's sake ask. People will help you on these sites. They don't mind newbies!

10. After I have visited my sites and stacked my coupons...I sort my coupons into my four envelopes so I know which card I am using with which deal, and which ECBs go with which card. Now when I get to the store, some of this I do in my head. Some people print out their deals. You have to be flexible and be able to think on the fly though if they are out of something you wanted and your "deal" doesn't quite materialize. This is where the brain part comes in...and it may take you a bit in the store to get it all sorted. I have it sorted by card in my basket

Now when I get to the checkout, I do act courteously. Hard for some of you to believe, I am sure, but I DO! I always move out of the way if someone is in line behind me. Why? Because I may have 10 transactions to do. And those people do not want to wait for me to tear off my ECB and load up my next deal and get my coupons. Plus if I've had to think on the fly, I may need a moment to regroup and make sure I am matching the right card to the right coupons to the right ECB's to the right product. You see... I also ALWAYS check my printout at the end to make sure I get the ECB's I'm due. Otherwise, you have to hold the line up further by making them force print them. And yes I do that.

This can be alot of fun and a great game. You will try to beat your best "score" each week. Some weeks are better than others, but the main thing is instead of paying $5.50 for a stinkin' bottle of shampoo or more, you are getting a brand you want for as little as FREE or $1.50 or $2.00. Do the math. The savings add up fast!

And that my dear coupon proteges is my take on the CVS in my world. Yes, there are others who do it better, faster, and probably save alot more than me. But, I'm saving more than I ever have, and that is the desired end result, right?

Please give it a try. Even if you only do one deal. You will be amazed. I will either share with you my last week's bounty from CVS or this weeks later on.

I think that is enough for today. Pace yourself. This is not a quick fix. You have to learn. You have to read. Explore the sites. Figure it out. Make it your system. That is the most important. If you don't adapt it to your lifestyle, it will never work for you!

Sunday, July 05, 2009

Savings of 92% at CVS today

You may not know, but Lou and I are on the Dave Ramsey plan. If you don't know who he is, it's defintely worth a google. We took his class at our church. Our plan is to be debt free and live that way for the rest of our lives.

It's almost like taking on another job to be a couponer, but let me tell you, it is worth it. I have more in my pantry and in toiletries than we can ever use. Such abundance will allow me to donate our excess to worthy charities or missions and it was either free or pennies on the dollar! I'm not exagerating.

Two of my favorite sites are www.hotcouponworld.com and www.southernsavers.com. I learn alot from ladies who are much more shrewd than me and save a ton allowing us to pay down our debt and allow me to continue to work part-time, at least until my daughter graduates.

I hope to get some scrapping in later. I got some great photos at the fireworks last night at our friend's house. They are posted on my facebook page.

I'm about to hit my two favorite websites with my grocery list and coupons. I usually save at least over 1/2 my bill with coupons. Now mind you, these items are already on sale so I'm saving even more on top of that.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Some recent layouts






Shame on me for not blogging since February 11th! OMG! Blogging is my favorite. I can say whatever I want and people have to listen...well, read it!

I went through a long dry spell of scrapping. The creativity was sapped. It was really weird. I think it was related to getting my son to graduation! OH YES! And he did, so WOOHOOOOOO! Stress both good and bad!

I miss checking out my blogging friends and stuff. I've been facebooking. Not the same as blogging. I really need to do both.

I do have pics to share for project 365 as well. Later I guess!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Project 365 February

So far I have managed to get a picture everyday. Some of them are not so great, but it's all the in the process. Here is a preview of some of my fav's for the month: Snow sky on our 2nd snow day of the year. Hard to believe we got 2 snow days as it hasn't snowed in seven years before that!
My Carolina Moon photo! Carolina is famous for it's moon! I had to take this photo last night. It was so beautiful.


I'm kind of burned out on scrapping now. I guess my marathon scrap weekend stole all my creative juices. Boohoo!

Work has been working me to death lately. But that is not a complaint as I am not bored. Just tired when I come home. But I'll take that any day over boredom.

Our weather has been fantastic recently. Low 70's and no humidity. Perfect for this time of year. I know it is just a teaser, but I love having the fresh air with the windows open and the doors open!

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

January Photos






Here are some of my January photos for Project 365. Now I just need to do their scrapbook page. Some are taken with my camera and some are simply taken with my iPhone. My goal for February is to take one photo every day. I think I can handle that for 28 days. Let's hope so!
By the way, a little excitment in my running career. I've hit 3 miles outside! WOOHOO! Running outside is completely different from the treadmill. I'm very excited!

Sunday, February 01, 2009

The lo I made today

Again, too lazy to post digi credits, but pop on over to CottageArts if you like these goodies! LOL!
I have taken my picture for project 365 today, but it's on my camera.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Update





Where have I been? Over on FB! Not ignoring blogger, just hooking up with friends I have not heard from in ages. That is alot of fun.
Right now I am at a yearly crop scrapping my brains out.
I am posting a few of my lo's here today. I am not posting credits. They are all from designers I scrap for so please just click on their clickable links if you see something you like. It is sheer laziness. OK!
And, my friend, Missy, has me convinced to do Project 365 - taking a photo a day for a year. We'll see how successful that is. So far I do have two! HAHAHA! Actually three, but I'm going to try and do better.

Monday, January 05, 2009

Angels on the Moon and Balance

Ali Edwards got me thinking last year about a word for the year, which I did for 2008. My word for 2009 is: BALANCE. That is my goal, my new year's resolution, my mantra. GOD, family, health, work.

For some reason the song "Angels on the Moon" speaks to me about this. I'm not sure why. It's by Thriving Ivory and was a featured FREE video at iTunes. I'm so glad it was because I am in love with this song.

Thriving Ivory
Angels On The Moon


Do you dream, that the world will know your name
So tell me your name
Do you care, about all the little things or anything at all?
I wanna feel, all the chemicals inside said I wanna feel
I wanna sunburn, just to know that I'm alive
Just To know I'm alive

I wanna live, just to see the day when we all get along
I wanna scream, scream my song out loud for everyone to hear
Do you believe, in the day that you were born tell me do you believe
And Do you know, that everydays the first for the rest of your life

And oh Don't tell me if I'm dying, cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun, maybe I should go
Don't wake me cause I'm dreaming, of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know, never leaves too soon

And you know the pain, that brought you here today so what can you do
And you know the tears, for loosing those you love when yesterdays gone
So please remember, not to waste another day not to worry your mind
And please frogive me, for taking so much time to get back on my feet

And oh yeah Don't tell me if I'm dying, cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun, maybe I should go
Don't wake me cause I'm dreaming, of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know, never leaves too soon

And I'll fight it out cause I know I can
I won't sleep tight cause I know your here no no
I won't surrender

This is to one last day in the shadows
And to know a brother's love
This is to New York City angels
And the rivers of our blood
This is to all of us, is to all of us

Don't tell me if I'm dying, cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun, maybe I should go
Don't wake me cause I'm dreaming, of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know, never leaves too soon

Don't tell me if I'm dying, cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun, maybe I should go
Don't wake me cause I'm dreaming, of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know, never leaves too soon

And don't tell me if I'm dying no
Don't tell me if I'm dying
And Don't tell me cause I'm dying