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, December 23, 2010

A Living Miracle and A True Friend Knows Your Heart

I often wonder how God does it all. I mean, He knows us down the every hair on our head. Every star in heaven has a name. He has a plan for each of us, down to the minutest detail. And so He has set me on a path to Kenya. He has opened the doors for me, and people have reached out in such an amazing way.

Yesterday, while I was working, a man said that he thought the cross on my neck was "cool". I started explaining about my mission trip and that I was making crosses for it. Next thing you know, he had bought the cross of my neck to support me. A complete stranger!

My dear friend, Patsy Lee, is a Christian mentor to me. I often go to her with problems, and she gives me advice from a Christian perspective. She is very wise, and I have yet to have her be wrong! We like to exchange gifts every year. Just a lil sumpn', and this year her gift to me was a donation to my mission trip with a beautiful card. I nearly cried. A true friend knows your heart. She knows my deepest desire is to serve in the mission field in Kenya, and so her gift to me was to help me along on that journey. I was so deeply touched. But she knew this trip was my heart because she is my true friend.

Yesterday, I went over to my dear friend, Beverly Surma's house. We were baptised together at NewSpring. We started in small group together, and now I'm the small group leader. She is a riot! We went and saw Adam Lambert together and rode in her red hot convertible...nearly froze to death on the way home, but that's what you do with good friends! We exchanged a lil sumpn' for each other. And she knows my heart. Back in September, she got me the most gorgeous cross at the Darlington Sweet Potato Festival. This was before she knew I was making them like a fiend, and before she knew I was selected for Kenya. I had put in for it! But a true friend knows your heart.

I have had some issues with an untrue friend here recently. It makes me appreciate that true ones that much more. You don't have to donate to my mission trip. You can pray. I need prayer. Nancy Beach and Anne Caturano Semmler have offered prayer. And Kristin Furfaro. This is huge. Prayer will allow me to receive the most from this journey.

Anyway,
A lying tongue hates those it hurts,

and a flattering mouth works ruin. Proverbs 26:28

If you lie and are deceptive towards someone who is your supposed friend, it is obvious you do not really like them. And if you try to flatter them with false flattery, again, it is obvious you do not like them. Sad, but true.

I don't want to dwell on the negative. Just so happy about the positive and uplifting journey I am on as I raise money for Kenya. Each of you has made this journey possible. Each of you will be in my pocket on a piece of paper and prayed for every day as I am in Kenya.

One of my favorite quotes is, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

I gave that to my mom when she was put on the transplant list. It applies to Kenya, but I'd like to add, begins with a single friend...and grows closer, one at a time!

Monday, December 13, 2010

We made goal number one!

I say God made it. Each of you has been a special blessing. A part of my mission. I will not be in Kenya without each person who has made this a possibility. How do you say thank you to the people who make your dream come true! Two small words, but they carry so much from me!
I'm amazed at how people have responded. So overwhelmed! Small post today. Simple gratitude. I am blessed by each one of you. You are making it possible.

Friday, December 03, 2010

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and Donate through Paypal

Artist: Beth Walsh, AOII
Okay, Beth Walsh AOII sent me her donation in this decorated envelope that I just had to share! With a cute 8x1/2" page inside that will definitely be scrapbooked in my Kenya book, along with all my blog posts. How sweet! The mailman, I HOPE, appreciated the time it took to doodle this up! I sure did.
Yesterday, I taught my scrapbook class at Scrapbook Concepts. There were six lovely ladies in there who I thoroughly enjoyed my time with. It lasted about two hours, and we made two flag books. One basic and one fancier with a 4x6 photo.

4x6 Photo Flag Book
Next, I will be teaching a waterfall class...no, peaking yet! That is Sunday, December 12th. Gotta whip out my samples this weekend in between work!

Steven spoke at NewSpring recently.
Steven Furtick recently spoke at NewSpring. He is a friend of our pastors, from Goose Creek, SC, and currently the pastor of a church in Charlotte, NC. The gist of his message was that WE do not ask God for BIG enough things. He is greater than our dreams. After all, if God could make the sun stand still for 24 hours, what can't he do in our lives? This really stuck with me. (And for a shameless plug for him, click on the book photo, it takes you directly to Amazon.com where you can order his book.)

It is part of the reason I stepped out entirely in FAITH to raise $,3500 to go on a mission trip, as we all know, to Kenya. And I asked God to initially help me raise $52.00 a day for my first deadline looming Dec. 19th. He gave me more each day because my request was small, and He is greater than what I can ask for. I later had to up the ante to $68.00 a day as things had slowed just a bit. I got tired. I slowed down. Not God. Terri Hale Kessler responded and "bought" a day. But God in His greatness said, "I can do more, child." And her mother, Virginia Hale, is sending a donation on top of Terri's. I underestimate what God can do all the time.I"m human. And He is showing me, that He is God.

In the midst of my, "slow" period, Bev Schaeffer, stepped in and said she would get me to Kenya. I've posted about that on an earlier blog. A sun stand still moment for me. A reminder...

Yesterday was quite an amazing day. Beth's adorable letter with her donation came in (featured above in the first photo). It is special to see people rallying around me and supporting me. It is inspiring! Then Karin Raus Vercamer (AOII), realized that paypal was the way to go. Frankly, it was instant gratification for donations, and as she said, the quickest way to do a feel good thing. Lo and behold, that opened a flood gate...literally! I watched Glenn Kipps (TKE), who I have known since 7th grade and showed up at George Mason and said, "I know you," use paypal to help me to Kenya. Cathy Arcieri Morales (Catie to some now), jumped on paypal and sent a payment for four crosses. Then Nancy Woloshin jumped on...my dearest crafting girlfriend and someone I have loved since I met 21 years ago after Lou and I first got married! Anne Duff Chappell is not far behind. I think she is still trying to figure it out...with now help from me because Karin was the one who got it all started and left me going, "duh".

But that's not enough, Cathy sent me an email that I opened on my phone. I love technology with a photo of her donation. So sweet because otherwise I have to call the church Kenya office to see what people have sent in directly to them. Not a big deal for me to call, but I love a girl so organized!

But that's not enough, I taught my class at the lss (local scrapbook store), and that earned me $30 towards my trip. But that's not enough! The sweet ladies in there gave $120 in extra donations! Yes, $120 extra.

What I'm trying to tell you is that God can make the sun stand still. You just have to ask.

And you can donate directly to me through paypal, which I will forward to NewSpring Church at: lbossinger@sc.rr.com. Thanks, Karin! DUH!

One final, irony of the day. I am going on a medical/dental mission. Don't know how I got on that one! But that is where I'm at.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

I need your help and gratitude: Terri Hale Kessler

Today I sent out sixty requests for donations on FB to my TKE friends and scrapbookers I have met through the years at various places and events!
I watch every day as the Spirit moves in the world and amazes me with the generosity of the people I know. I can't do it alone. My motto is, "Getting to Kenya one cross at a time, one donation at a time."
No cross order or no donation is more important than another as quite simply without each one, I cannot get to fulfill my dream to serve in Kenya!
I've told you about some of my amazing sorority sisters. The thing is, over the years, through the joy of FB, we have reconnected, gotten to know each other better, and have even better relationships now! One special girl is Terri Hale Kessler, who I met in 7th grade at Gunston Junior High. Yeah, she scratched out Alice Lee's name on a Valentine card and said, "Oh, I spelled your name wrong."
I can picture it to this day...in the gym locker room. Funny the things we remember. But a simple error took two girls on a ridiculous, and I mean ridiculous journey of friendship, lasting through a move by me to California! Where she called me, as our parents allotted us so many minutes on the phone because back then you had to pay by the minute, to tell me she just cut her finger off by slamming it in the door. She took her mitten off, and the rest of the top of her finger was in the mitten. Gross! HA! But all part of friendship through the years. I moved back to Virginia, and went to George Mason where Terri and I had to pledge the same sorority. She was telling me all about rush and we went in thinking to pledge one cuz of a friend of hers, and wound up in a completely different and fabulous AOII!
Anyway, Terri and I lost touch with each other. Facebook came around and many of us girls reconnected. Everyone who got on here said, "Where is Terri Hale?"
Talk about popular! Everyone wanted to find her. We searched everywhere, and then one day she pops up online! She's Terri Hale Kessler now, but she will always be that funny redheaded girl I met in 7th grade!
Okay, off on a tangent I went. So I posted how I need $68 a day to get to my first goal of $1, 760 by December 19th based on what I have received so far. I only count cash on hand cuz if it's not in my hand, it's not in the church's mission trip fund for me! And lo and behold, lil' Miss Terri Marie Hale Kessler says she will buy me a day!
I nearly cried. I might still. I was humbled. You see, I asked. The Spirit worked. God fulfilled. One day closer! One day, through a beautiful woman I knew at 13 (EGAD scary isn't it!).
Thank you, Terri!

Monday, November 29, 2010

The Sage Writings of Friends and Raising $1,325 by Dec. 19th

Okay, I have a very verbose friend who has exceptional writing skills. Far beyond my capacity to express myself. You read about her in my previous blog post...Beverly Tucker Schaeffer. She wrote the most beautiful FB request to her friends to help support me in my fundraising efforts to Kenya. It told her I was going to post it here because it was so beautifully written. Can I find it? No. FB won't let me go back that far. And why didn't I post it when she wrote it? Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda...I'm finally off today. GACK! I wanted to share it. And it's not on her FB page for me to get. Double GACK! Oh well, I shall request she IM me it and post it later!

I have another helper, too. Her name is Beth Walsh, another Gamma Alpha AOII. Gotta love those girls! I posted about needing to raise another $1,325 by December 19th and she writes, " Well, that's only about 14 friends puchasing about 10 necklaces and/or keychains that they turn around and use as small gifts or stocking stuffers at Christmas with  (a note of who made it and why is what I plan to put on the boxes for mine). And a straight out donation towrads the trip is OK, right? And probably tax deductible."

Then she wrote, "C'mon Greeks -- we don't want Leigh out in front of the supermarket ringing a bell hocking her necklaces.  Let's get her to Kenya before she starts thinkjing of which intersections in Florence have the longest traffic lights."

How I wish I lived near these two! And thank God for FB. They are a delight!

Anyway, you can purchase my necklaces and/or keychains to give as gifts. To keep for yourself. To share with friends. My keychains hang on backpacks! Kids love backpack tags! That is one way to support me.
Another way is to simply make out a check to NewSpring Church and mail it to me at home or you can mail it directly to the church with a post it note on it - Leigh Bossinger March 2011. Please don't put anything in the memo section. The IRS has a fit.

The church address is:
NewSpring Church

Attn: Kenya Trip
PO Box 1407
Anderson, SC 29622
 
No, I do not want to stand infront of Walmart with a bell hocking my wares. Tres embarrassing, but if it would get me to Kenya, I would do it. I do have my necklaces/keychains at two local businesses who have offered to sell them for me: PurseNalize It and Desert Sun Tanning. Please patronize them, and while you are there, pick up several of my crosses for a good cause!!! All proceeds from the sale of my crosses go towards my mission trip! In addition, to selling them myself, putting them in two local businesses, I am teaching at the local scrapbook store: Scrapbook Concepts. $5.00 from each person who takes the classes I am teaching is going towards my mission trip! And yes, I am sending donation letters out. US MAIL has delivered some, and I"m about to start using FB to contact some people whose addresses I don't have. And yes, I am praying ardently...
 
And no, I do not want to stand at Florence's busiest interesection with the longest lights...clearly five points...which is actually six, but who is counting...if you live here, you know exactly where I'm talking about. It's a mess!
 
So as they say, leave no stone unturned. And if I have, please let me know what it is so I can fix it. It is my drive, my desire, my heart to get to Kenya to serve!!! Please help me! I can't do it alone!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Beverly Tucker Schaeffer and Stepping Out In Faith

Back in the fall of 1982, I pledged AOII at George Mason University with my best friend from high school, Terri Hale Kessler. We were initiated into this sorority founded in 1897 by four ladies...who had no idea Facebook would ever exist. Facebook has allowed many of us from Gamma Alpha Chapter to reconnect. The president when I was a pledge, our pledge trainer (poor woman...we were a rebellious class due to our size and strong mindedness), my fellow pledges, sisters from before me, and sisters who followed me, including my little sister, Theresa Lynch Wheeler.

One who followed me was a young lady named Beverly Tucker Schaeffer. (Have to use all those married names and maiden names in case people forget your married name!) I had my crew. She had her crew. We shared the bond of sisterhood.

Now come to 2010, and let me tell you about a conversation we had on Facebook. You see, I have as I have mentioned in previous posts, stepped out in FAITH. I must raise all the money in order to go to Kenya because I don't have it due to some life circumstances.

My FB post: "AOII-Gamme Alpha Chapter... You girls are friggin' awesome! Were, are and continue to be! Thanks to each of you helping me get to Kenya!!!"
(My post was made in response to figuring out I need to bring in $52 a day between now and Dec. 19th to make my goal of $1, 760 by that date. And I just had gotten an order from Terri Hale Kessler for five of my crosses that I have been making like a fiend. $50, plus an order from one of my daughter's friends, making a total of $60 because God is always bigger than my dreams.)
Bev: "How closst to goal are you? I mean, I know you're already going, but how goes it???"
Me: "Oh no! I'm not already going for sure March 2011. If I can't make my $1, 750 by Dec. 19th, they keep the money raised and push me to a later date! That's my first deadline.The Balance is due Jan. 29th! Right now I have raised a whopping $240 on top of my deposit! I have a ways to go! Now, that is cash in hand. I  think I have another $150 in firm orders for crosses. A few more peeps have promised to order...I'm putting along and also will earn $$ for my scrapbook classes...And I've sent out about 40 letters asking for donations... :)
Bev: So, put that in layman's terms for this English major. How much more do you need? Just gimme a number. I'll make it happen.
(My heart was aching from joy; tears were filling my eyes from shear amazement. Frankly, I was embarrassed to tell her how big my goal was.)
Me: $2,960 total... :) if you make it happen, I'm sneaking u in my luggage! It was $3,500 to go plus $150 deposit.
Bev: Lemme see what I can drum up, sweetie. I got on the horn & got two of my coworkers to their goals for their Komen for the Cure walk. God needs you to go, the people there need you to go. Your heart is already there.
Me: You are making me cry! and my heart is already there. Not truer words spoken! The bonds of sisterhood surely are special! <3

1. I could not believe what I was reading! My stepping out in FAITH was being made whole. My friend, Bev, was answering my prayers. Divine intervention at hand. Glorious and beautiful Holy Spirit filled conversation.
2. How could Bev put into words this: "God needs you to go, the people there need you to go. Your heart is already there."?  I felt led by God to go on this mission trip. This mission trip reached out and grabbed me, and said this is the one. The people need me, she said, yet I know, I will learn more from them than anything I can humanly do for them. And, "my heart is already there."
Yes, Bev, my heart is already there. You made the sun stand still for me last night.

I know this mission is meant for me because I kept wavering. Afraid. Afraid to step out in FAITH. It's scary. Stand on a precipice and say, "Lord, I have nothing. You must do it all. I am here willing to serve. Help me." And over the ledge I went because my little sister, Theresa Lynch Wheeler sent me a check to cover my deposit and a piece of my trip.  And I continue, not to fall, but to rise because if you step out in FAITH, God will lift you up. And Beverly Tucker Schaeffer is a living example of the Spirit working through people and of goodness and a true heart.

I can't say thank you. It's is small word for such large gestures. But, I will carry all ofyour names to Kenya in my pocket. And every day, I will say a prayer of THANKSGIVING for God's greatneness in allowing me to serve and each of you for getting me there!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Purse N Alize It (Silver Impressions)!

I used to work at Silver Impressions, now PursNalize it (located next to the Piggly Wiggly on 2nd Loop Road). Yesterday, I went up there and ran in to Jerri, one of the owners. I told her about my mission trip and my crosses, AND THEY AGREED TO CARRY THEM FOR ME! And to make sure even when they have sales that I always get $10 for each one they sell. I'm so excited! That is such a huge blessing and divine intervention! I thought they might do it, but I dared not assume or get my hopes up to far...I must remember the sermon about the day the sun stood still! Quite amazing how God is opening the doors for me to go to Kenya, one cross at a time!
I hope you will go by there and get one of my crosses and while you are in there, browse their amazing personalized gift selection. They have everything! They monogram and engrave!
While at Linn's store, Scrapbook Concepts, I ran into a lady telling me about her Etsy store and how her product has taken off. I have seen some people I know on FB talk about things in their ETSY shops...I got her phone number in case I need help. Next stop Etsy!
Met Laura Broach's mother-in-law today. Lovely woman! She bought a purple cross. While Laura was here with Barbara, she mentioned zipper pulls and back pack tags! Kids love to hang things off their backpacks!
You see, when the door is wide open, you know you are doing the right thing.
Two more goals tomorrow I can't mention...
Now I have to get William Major going...the trend setter that he is! Gotta make his so he can wear it around and show everyone.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Thanks to Desert Sun, The Plaza and Scrapbook Concepts

Thank you to Tammy Chapman at The Plaza...my hairdresser and owner of the salon. She is letting me put my crosses in there to see if they sell! So please go by there and get one...or get your hair cut there! That would be good, too! She is awesome!
I'm going to be teaching some classes at Scrapbook Concepts in December. So I hope that everyone will come because all the proceeds I make will go towards my trip!
Susan Overstreet is going to put my crosses in her Desert Suns. So go get a tan or a spray tan and buy a cross and tell her I sent you!
I"m doing everything I can to raise this money and the rest is up to God. I can push my trip out to another time if I can't come up with the funds. I feel motivated and encouraged to keep moving forward.
I'm sure people are starting to get sick of this...but I gotta keep it on the front burner! Donations are accepted! Checks made payable to NewSpring Church. You can mail them to me, and I will forward them to the church! Then I can add you to my list of fabulous supporters!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Donations and only 32 days left to raise $1,690

Progress is slow in the area of raising money. I know it is going to be hard, but the Lord keeps telling me to step out in FAITH, and so I am. This is completely an act of FAITH. I do not have the money to do this myself.

Now, a bright note in the aspect of fundraising, my cross necklaces and keychains are hits! As soon as the money really starts coming in for them, I will be on fire! Towards my goal of $1,750 I currently have $60. I have paid my deposit already. That means I have $1,690.

I worry that people are going to get sick of hearing about this, but if I don't keep it in the forfront, it won't happen.

If I sell 170 cross pendants and keychains, I got it!!!! Then on for the remainder due in January! If 100 people gave $10 each, I would have $1,000 towards my goal.  If 50 people gave $20 each...and so on. I try to break it down like that. Small steps into the big picture. Thirty two days left to reach my goal....

Monday, November 15, 2010

Horseshoe Nail cross necklaces and keychains

I am so blessed. I am making crosses wrapped in wire, any color, to raise money for my mission trip. They can be necklaces or key chains and all proceeds go to my trip. This idea came from this cute girl I know at work. The Lord has lead the way and opened the doors. I got my first donation for one today from my friend, Laura. My high school bud, Dorsey, is ordering some. Two of my sorority sisters have placed orders! And three of my small group friends have placed orders, too. I desperately need to raise $1750 by December 19th! I would have to sell 175 crosses or get donations.
I will post a picture of my crosses tomorrow and the current colors of wire I have, but I can get more colors! I feel this idea is blessed!
I am also trying to combine with another person I know who is gig to study at Hillsong in Australia. We can split our proceeds by combining our efforts because he knows different people than me. This will also satisfy my desire to help him achieve his goal.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Kenya Post 2

Not too much exciting to say. I really need to do more like get my passport and figure out all these shots. The only thing that freaked me out a little was how the information of the risk of malaria was so alarmingly long. Treatment before trip, treatment during trip, and treatment after you get home. I don't want malaria, and I'm not worried about it, but if I had that kind of personality, the web information would have scared the tar out of me.
I hope that my friends and family will be excited for me to have this experience. Everyone who has gone has said it is life-changing. They went expecting to help and make an impact but came home being helped and being impacted. God will do amazing things, I'm sure.
Please pray for me that I am able to raise the funds for this trip. Even if I can't get it all together for March, I can still use he money I raise for another trip.
Some people ask me why I don't serve in my own community. Why I would go half way around the world to serve when people need help right in our own backyard. Isn't that a bit presumptuous? I do serve actively in my church. And as an extension of that, I would like to reach out in the world. America is a blessed country, and we as Americans enjoy a high standard if living. I feel that as Americans we should be involved in the world. What is a great nation if we only serve ourselves?

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Mission to Kenya Update 1

I am sending out some letters to family and close friends today. Only 10 so far. Not alot, but I was truly blessed with the very first donation (and you know who you are!)

It is hard to ask people for money. It is hard to ask people for money for a mission trip. I am truly stepping out in FAITH on this one, as if I don't raise the cost of the trip: $3,500 through donations, I simply cannot go.

I would love to thank everyone personally on my blog and make a list of donors! I will set that up as I get some in and also a little "meter" to track my progress. December 19th isn't that far off so I really need to get in gear.

Everytime I think of not going, the Lord puts something in my life that says you need to go. I think that a mission trip is a calling. It is not for everyone as we all have different gifts and talents that can be used in various ways and places. Why me? I do not know, but the Spirit has spoken loudly to me, and so, I will follow.

I hope you read and enjoy what I write...and photos eventually. Post a comment. Ask questions if you want.

I do worry a bit that people I ask for donations from will wonder how legitimate is this serving in Africa. I will set u direct links, too, on my sidebars for that. Not today. The 410 Bridge and New Spring are directly linked if you have questions or are curious now about my trip which is again March 17-26, 2011.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Mission to Kenya March 2011

Do you believe that dreams can come true? I do. I'm going on a mission trip to Kenya in March 2011. Bridge 410 and New Spring church where I am a member partner up and send about 30 people four times a year to serve God through mission work in Kenya.

I have to do alot of fundraising to go as it is very expensive, and I'm hoping to get alot of support through friends and family. All donations are tax deductible.
If anyone is so moved during my journey as I share it here, please send a donation to the following address made out to New Spring Church:
NewSpring Church
Attn: Kenya Trip
PO Box 1407
Anderson, SC 29622
Do not write my name on the check (Leigh Bossinger), but put a memo on it or include a note with it and reference me. I can't do this alone my friends! I need to raise $1,700 by December 19th.
I will say that my heart believes this is possible as no one can outgive God, and the first donation I received was very special and paved the way for me to go. You know who you are.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Big Savings and Great Evangelization!

What does big savings and great evangelization mean? Two different things actually.

Savings
I bought a new laser printer to have in my home office, which has paid for itself almost 2x over in savings at the grocery store simply by printing extra coupons and using them! Stores accept printables. CVS and Bi-Lo are fantastic about no limits. Harris Teeter gets a little cranky and has a four max printable, with only two on the same product. Whatever! I just got to CVS and Bi-Lo, and if I need to go to HT, I know I can only use their printable coupon limit. Great deal on a Schick Hydro with extra bucks at CVS and a manufacturers mail in rebate for FREE. This paid for itself! I might be weird, but I love when I end up with something free! And it's just for taking a little extra time to print my rebate form and mail it off.

Evangelization
Pastor Perry is visiting Florence tomorrow night to talk about Evangelization. I'm excited he is coming to Florence, and I'm excited to hear him speak on Evangelization. Don't ask my why I am capitalizaing evangelization. No reason at all!
And this is not the IN YOUR FACE SCARE YOU OFF EVANGELIZATION type of talk. Anyway, it should be good, and I can hardly wait! I'll talk about that on Wednesday or another day. Depends when I get to blog next.

I told you I needed more room than FB had to offer. While nice, FB is limited. And for the talker, who has alot she needs to say, this is just the medium for me!

No pictures today. Didn't take any!

Monday, August 09, 2010

Another Day...not another dollar?

Big excitement...I tried Craigslist for the first time last week after my friend, Nancy E., recommended it. It was a successful venture. I'm going to root around for more things to see if I can't sell something else. I also had a successful week on e-bay. Not that I do it that often. I go in spurts, but I had some things I needed to sell, and so I listed them. We're trying to Dave Ramsey ourselves, and if you don't know who he is, I recommend looking him up. I'm too lazy this morning to URL! lol!

In that vein, I'm trying some new financial software that I seem to be having a good success with...which SUCCESS must be the word of the day! Mainly for budgeting, and that means expense tracking!

And as luck would have it, when doing some research on how to use this new budgeting tool, I found a great article on two headed snakes. What?!!! Not two headed snakes really. It was an article that basically said, pick your two biggest expenses that you think eat your budget...i.e. not your mortgage. Let's call them your budget eaters. Where you go off track...NOT THE LATTE. For me, right now, it is eating out. Not that we do it alot, but you get tired, and then next thing you know, you are getting a sandwhich somewhere. Try a goal of trimming this over the next month. By attacking your two weekest areas...and not eliminating them, but trying to reduce them. You free up the money you were spending there, to go to other areas. It may be a potential savings that if you keep on trying to find your two headed snakes, will help you keep your spending on track.

I think it is kind of like dieting. If you just go cold turkey and cut everything out, your mind is not happy! And you set yourself up for failure. But if you pick a habit, such as not getting fries with that meal, it's a change that when added to another change, becomes a lifestyle change and leads to weight loss on its own.


This is my last scrapbook page, which was sometime in June. I just have no mojo like I said. It doesn't have anything to do with a lack of materials, it's my brain won't cooperate. Maybe it's because life is busy right now. I miss my outlet, but it will come. I just need to give it time.


One thing really fun about my iPhone is the Hipstamatic film app. I bought it, which I don't usually buy apps. It has been worth every penny. This is my favorite combination (you Hipsters know what that means). B&W is my favorite film type. It can be so expressive in its contrast.

Anyway, that may be all I have to say for this day, aside from my glee in my coupon shopping yesterday at Bi-Lo! Save, save, save! Not my usual over 50%, but I bought alot of fresh fruit on sale so I still saved! Just could'nt get double coupons on top of the savings.

Sunday, August 08, 2010

Posting from my iphone

How about it? I'm back to blogging. I've found I have more to say than Facebook can handle. Lol! I need more room to express myself than the limited characters. Not that anything exciting is going on. I have been in a creative dry spell. I'm hoping this will pass. I've tried everything to get the ole mojo back. Nada! Eventually it will come. I guess for now my excitement will come from fixing up my office. Woohoo! Got a new printer for an awesome deal, and now can print my coupons right from my office, clip, and file them. Coupon central! Look out world! More posts tomorrow. I'm going to take my creativity back!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Mend, Layout of the Week at SBG


This layout was the Layout of The Week at Scrapbookgraphics this week and also featured on their blog, Scrap Matters. I was so excited. I couldn't believe it!
Last week, or week 2's, word was Accept. I didn't know what I was going to do at first and then thought of the Serenity Prayer...This page just came together...


Mend was the word for week 3. Not that I always follow the words or the prompts on the Art Journal Caravan, but I'm doing it so far, I guess! I really wasn't sure where that word was going to take me, and I had a hard time putting this page together. It was a "journey" for sure to get this the way I wanted and the journaling was difficult to get out. But I am really trying to be REAL with this art journal and having something at the end of the year that is about me...and life...

I still have not done my FEARLESS page. I'm waiting for some colors to inspire me!

Monday, January 04, 2010

FEARLESS

ONe of the journal prompts for the AJC this week is your word for the year, which is something I have done for the last two years as prompted by Ali Edwards. And as an aside, if you don't follow her blog, you should.

I will be scrapping my word: FEARLESS. HA! I have some ideas rumbling around in my head...I might piddle with a lo tonight...I'm also waiting for Tangie to release the next piece of the AJC and see what is in there! LOL! Of course, being on her CT, we got the two first pieces early, which spoiled me and now it is hard to wait for the next part!

No lo to share today, but sometime this week I am sure I will have something for the AJC.

Some notes about Fearlessness...
“Only with absolute fearlessness can we slay the dragons of mediocrity that invade our gardens.” George Lois
“Fearlessness is the gateway to success. One should therefore shun all kinds of fear. ” Riq Veda
“One can rectify the mistakes made in the past with the help of fearlessness and patience. ” Riq Veda
“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.” Pope John Paul XXIII
Fearlessness is like a muscle. I know from my own life that the more I exercise it the more natural it becomes to not let my fears run me. Arrianna Huffington
Every time you win, it diminishes the fear a little bit. You never really cancel the fear of losing; you keep challenging it. ~ Arthur Ashe

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the mastery of it. Unknown

"Living fearlessly is not the same thing as never being afraid. It's good to be afraid occasionally. Fear is a great teacher. What's not good is living in fear, allowing fear to define who you are. Living fearlessly means standing up to fear, taking its measure, refusing to let it shape and define your life."
-- Michael Ignatieff (1947-), author and critic

"Concentrate on where you want to go, not on what you fear."
-- Anthony Robbins, speaker and author

"The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore."
-- Vincent Van Gogh

Friday, January 01, 2010

Art Journal Caravan Expedition 2010

So Tangie Baxter is taking us on a fabulous journey this year in creating an art journal. I have decided to do 8x8 pages because I can print them out if I do them digitally. If I do hybrid or just paper, I can make them any size I want and fix my page protector to fit what I've created.

First off I made a cover for it last night, which will really end up being a title page as I plan to use a three ring binder style 8x8 album.

I hope you like my cover/title page.

I have also created three pages to go with it. I see someone has suggested that we create ATC's to go with each page, and then at the end of the year we would have 52 cards...just like a deck. Which I could do this as well, a piece part of each page I create and include some baseball card pockets in my art journal to keep this all together. It is also a fab idea if I feel that my creation is ATC size for what I'm feeling. Here are the created pages...and sometimes I will share my journaling and sometimes not.




I hope that some of you will tag along with me as I take this journey throughout the year and also join in. Check out the link: Art Journal Caravan