Fall backwards

and enjoy an extra hour today!!!! Just gotta love fall for that. Snuggled in bed this morning with nice warm blankets around me and had fun looking at the alarm clock knowing that I got an extra hour!!!!!
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The kitchen is still a work in progress... but
we ORDERED the granite and hopefully will have it installed sometime next week. Moving along.... rather slow ... If I learned something out of this experience it's patience and gosh, I am truly not the most patient person! But I am getting better (lol), - not much of a choice, huh? I will post updated photos shortly.
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Monday is Halloween, and I so feel like sneaking a little kid from somewhere to take her/him trick or treating. Times like this I wish my nieces were living closer. I would love to dress them up and wander from house to house and take pics in between (and NO, I will not sneak a kid, just wishing I had one to enjoy the fun of trick or treating with).
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Enjoy the rest of the weekend and have fun trick or treating!

There is a first for everything...

I got my Scrapsahoy assignments done before the last day of the month. Gasping for air, LOL! Usually I am procrastinating until the last minute, but this month I finally planned ahead. Go check out the new destination and uploads on the FIRST of November!!!! I can't wait to see all the eyecandy everyone has created!!! ... I will share my layouts here or post a link once they are revealed. Be on the look out ;)

Guess what I am looking at...

Yes, I have had my eyes on an ipod for almost a year now. Originally I "hearted" the ipod photo but than apple just came out with the new ipod video 30 gb. And dh surprised me with it last weekend {what a KEEPER}. And yes, Assi, the picture on the bottom really shows what I am seeing on my ipod right now!!!! BONO {just had to download "it's a beautiful day" video by U2} and you can betcha that little baby is playing non stop ;)
After the initial problems, I finally figured out how to get my music on there. Now I just need to figure out a way to get some videos (other than music videos) on this little baby.
It's so slim and light... just loving everything about it. Luckily I read a lot of reviews on the apple site before taking it out of the box... was warned that it scretches really easily, so I left the clear sticker on and have it in a little case for protection.
And yes, it serves as external hard drive too... so I can purchase a photo adapter and have my photos transfered on the ipod when travelling. No more spending $$$ on extra disks. I am in heaven with my little baby. And best of all... after lurking at it for nearly a year, I am feeling as much joy as a kid in a candy store. Now I just need to get a few more songs on there... my little baby only shows about 70 songs... Shhhhh....

I am back

... here I am again! It's been a while! I have been in a funky mood lately and my back is bothering me really bad that I just didn't feel I had anything to say other than blabla, blabla....
I have real problems writing down how I feel sometimes. Not the fun stuff, that comes easily, but the ugly truth, feelings, being bumped about something and just sharing what we all experience every so often! Right now I think I am in a funk because

1.)it's getting closer to the holidays and Jer and I had planned on going back home to Germany to spend xmas and New Years with my mom/dad and my sister and her family. Well things didn't work out. We are not going, and I am just sad, homesick, and feel this big empty feeling inside me!

2.) I did a layout about my little niece a few weeks ago and while I was working on it, the title suddenly read "It's been 2 years"... What the heck! It's so weird to put it in writing! I think for the first time I realized how long it's been that I have seen them and I am afraid they grow up and I am missing the whole thing. I know it's my fault, that I am not there, but here... I choose to relocated to be with Jer and although there were times we were thinking of moving back to Germany we ended up deciding that it was best to stay here. After we purchased our home 2 1/2 years ago it is pretty clear that we will be living here. Nevertheless, this doesn't make things easier. I have huge, huge feelings of guilt to the point that I feel that they might think I abandonned them. I am afraid that they don't know me, their aunt, and that one day I will have major regrets that I missed out on so many firsts for them.

3.) I am feeling like my body is falling apart. My back is bothering me so much and I am literally afraid to lift the lightest thing. Our home is pretty much a mess, as I don't want to do a powerclean and than be on the floor for another week. I can't wait for the "haunted" kitchen to finally be done, so we can start getting a cleaning service in here every two weeks. Jer and I agreed that we just need to stick to our budget and make this work. It's important, as he is working full time, is going back to school full time, I am working full time and my back is more important to heal than to continuously getting aggrevated again by bending, and moving things. So definitely looking forward to starting this once the kitchen is finally done. Sounds like such a pure heaven to me right now, and I am so willing to save on other stuff to make this happen.

4.) Getting a little stressed out about the upcoming holidays. It's a season that I love the most of the year, but with it comes the stress of getting everything done. Getting gifts, mailing them off, making cards, putting up decoration, etc. I think I just need to step back this year and enjoy the process... instead of rushing to getting it all done, I need to relax and take a step a day and if things don't get done, I just need to breath and let it go. Not sure what happened... in prior years I always loved the rush, the craziness, the prepping... to be honest I was in my best element when under stress, but lately I am not. I am dreading it. I am dreading stress, I am enjoying calmness, relaxation, spending quality time with family and friends and all the other stuff seems to be just stuff that needs to be done... and bottom line just stuff...

5.) I am sick to my stomach when I look at all the scrapping stuff I have accumulated over the years. I finally made a decision last week when I got together with some friends... to purchase less and to use more. Here we are ... 2 of my friends and I sleeping all our inventory over to each other houses to scrap, most of the stuff never even touched that evening but nevertheless it all had to come, while one of my friends came with this one ArtBin and one little bag. My idol, I swear. Thats the way I want to pack, the way I think is much more efficient. All the things are just draining... and it seems like a never ending story. You want something, you get it and than you file it away and you need something else. I have stamps and stickers and paper that I have only touched once - to move it from the bag they were in after I purchased them into my crop'n style furniture. Some things are still in packages... Why, oh why am I so addicted to purchase new stuff when the old is just as good? So my resolution is to use what I have rather than to accumulate even more. I am allowed to purchase adhesive, but will need to stick with all the other stuff I have at home. I think I could scrapbook for a few years to come without ever having to buy another piece of cardstock, pattern paper or embellishment. [How insane and sick is that??]

OK, feeling much better to finally have put in words what has bothered me those last few days/weeks. Now that I have it in black/white, I can start to work towards finding solutions and getting myself out of this funk. I think I will start a gratitude list... a list of things that I am grateful for each day, something that shows me that my little black moments are nothing compared to what other people are struggling with and going through.

So for today:
***** I am grateful to have a loving and supportive husband and friends who are loyal and whom I can count on - I feel truly blessed for these people in my life who make me smile, who are there for me to lean on when I need to, who have an open ear, and who are giving me strenght and support, no matter what. THANK YOU - you know who you are and I just wanted to say that you bring color and happiness in my life! Love you!!!! ******************

New layouts

.... wow, now this is a first LOL! I actually uploaded layouts to my gallery that I just recently did! I am so bad with uploading stuff.... usually I just make it to upload my destination layouts but lag behind in between months... so take a peak
My layouts

Sorry no updates...

With all the rain lately I am "really" lazy! I just rather snuggle up in front of the TV with a blanket and be a coach potatoe!!! I had to force myself to go to photoclass yesterday evening! Much rather would have driven home and enjoyed the rain from inside the house! Sorry, updates to follow once I am getting out of this "rainy" weather funk ;)

Finally Friday!!

Finally, finally Friday!!!!!!!!!! I have been looking forward to this days two weeks now. How pathetic, huh? To live from one Friday off to the next... counting days in 2 week increments! Yes, that's me! To be honest I couldn't even imagine working 5 day work weeks every day. The short weekends that I have ever other week don't even seem like "real" weekends anymore! Only the 3 day weekends! Yes, I know I am spoiled!!! That's why we are working 9 hour days every day to have that extra day off and between you and me, I would go for 10 hour days to have every Friday off! ... even better... I would like to have every day off, but don't see that happening anytime soon {or ever}.
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Today is a day to celebrate:
INKEN is finally coming back from vacation!!!! While she is probably in the airplane dreading the end of her vacation, I am sitting here excited to finally having her back! I missed you girlie!!!! You have no idea how many withdrawals I went through LOL!
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Getting together with some of my friends to do "girlie stuff" - probably shopping, scrapping, dinner,...
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Off to play... have a great Friday and a happy weekend!!!

Talk about getting slapped...

OK, so I survived the dermatologist! Now I clearly remember why I didn't go for 2 1/2 years!!! I can imagine a million things that sound more thrilling than standing half naked in front of a doctor who examines your skin inch for inch! YIKES!!!... and of course, first question of his mouth was
Doc:"So are we wearing sunscrean every day?" You know you are in the high category of developing skin cancer... just look at that red hair and those green eyes! Fair complexion...
Me:....hustle, hustle, hmmmm, not really, sometimes, but not every day!!!!
Doc:Well I suggest you slap that sunscrean on every day my dear!
Me:thinking to myself "didn't know I was his dear, but whatever"
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Definitely major embarrassment.... and as I thought..they always find something to cut out. What is it with dentist and dermatologists??? I never seem to leave their office without having some sort of "work" done!
Anyways, he removed a mole the size of a pencil eraser from the back of my leg. He said it's probably nothing... {just wondering why it had to go than??}
...and now I am basically waiting for a nice little postcard telling me in 10 days that it's nothing. If I get a call from their office it's back for more cutting!!!! So the way to go is definitely getting that postcard!!!

.... and being a "responsible" redhead, got my 50 sunscrean from the pharmacy to slap it on baby!!!! {{so much for getting into the fall spirit, huh}}

Off to see the dermatologist

YEAP, I officially scheduled an appointment and I took today off to go see him to have all my moles and freakles checked... the full nine yards so to say. The appointment is in the middle of the day, so I figured it was better to take a vacation day than wait another month until I get another appointment. I have let this one go for way too long.. Being a redhead with tons of freakles just puts me in the top class for possible skin cancer down the road... After my boss just got diagnosed with melagnoma, I knew I had to go and take care of something I had been pushing away for 2 1 /2 years now. I hope everything is fine {not worried at this time, but than again, you never know and its important to get checked out every so often}. Not thrilled of having my body examined, but what can you do, huh? I hope they don't have to take something out. Just not good with needles and all that stuff.
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Thinking back...
My mom has always been really good with protecting her little redheaded daughter with SPF 50 sunscrean. I didn't launch in the sun as other people did in the 80, simple because I knew I would look like a fried chicken at the end of the day and my skin would turn dark red rather than the desired effect of brown. Looking back, I am grateful that I was careful in those earlier days, although I still had my fair share of excruciating painful sunburns. I fell asleep on the beach one day back in the 90 and the pain I felt when I woke up was about the worst I have ever felt in my life. My back felt like it had major burn marks and ever move and skin stretching brought tears to my eyes. I remember I barely was able to sit for 2 weeks... Lesson learned!
Nowadays I avoid the sun as much as I can. However, there are still plenty of times when you can't hid from it! So that's why I am going to get checked out! As a precaution, to make sure that my milk like complection is not damaged in a harmful way. I also noticed a mole/freakle that is darker than all the other ones right over my eye. It's hard to see and to be honest I have no idea how long it has been there. You can only see when I close that eye! YEAH, that's my problem! Not knowing what the heck is a freakle and what is a mole! Wish me luck!!!

Pumpkin Patch

After we were stuck in the house all day waiting for our appliances to be delivered, Jer and I were in desperate need to get out for a little bit. We decided to go to the pumpkin patch near Pierce College. It was a blast! Unfortunately, it was after 7 and right after we got there, it started getting really dark... yikes! So much for taking pics! Nevertheless, got this cute shoot of dh!!! Played a little bit in photoshop elements and tried to take the colors out but leave the color of the pumpkins...Not really happy yet, ... need to play a little more, but wanted to upload it anyways.

I love fall... it's one of my favorite seasons (although it's still dang hot here in California). Below is a little list of why I love fall:
* love that it finally gets a little bit colder (gradually, but we will get there :)
* love to get out the sweaters - just thinking of it give me a feeling of relaxation
* love to cuddle underneath a blanket and watch a good movie
* love the smell of candles - not sure why I don't get in the mood to burn candles during the summer, but can't get enought during fall and winter
* love sipping a good cup of tea in the evening
* anticipating Thanksgiving and Christmas!

I think my favorite months of the year are November and December. I love the holidays.
* getting together with friends, family... for the holidays
* working on handmade xmas cards
* all the wonderful smells from the kitchen
* baking homemade cookies
* cider and hot cocoa
* taking a tour to look at xmas lights
* listening to xmas music
* gift wrapping presents
* rain

Things I don't care that much for during that season:
* packed department stores
* the rush to purchase presents
* my workload at works starts picking up at the beginning of November and stays crazy until April
* and last but definitely NOT LEAST... I am getting insanely homesick during these two months! I miss my family so much, miss the xmas atmosphere in Germany and all the little traditions and odds and ends... I am trying to recreate as much as I can, but it's still not the same.

Jer and I had originally planned on going HOME to Germany for xmas. Things are not looking good at this time... Mostly because Jer did not get off work during xmas and even if someone who has more senority than he does changes his mind at this point, we probably won't get a flight anymore or it's way too expensive.

A little time to play

... while waiting for the appliances we are stranded at home.. time to play with some of my scrapbooking goodies :)
* 2 Thank you cards
* playing with my Rusty Pickle papers
* 1 layout with Scenic Route papers and 1 with my new KI papers
... will post more later!

Catching up...

Haven't posted since Tuesday. This week has been flying by without me even noticing:
* Physical Therapy on Wednesday. My very first group session. Weird, to have 5 - 7 people in the same room and doing exercises, but hey, if it helps, I really don't mind. The therapist was hilarious! He kept telling us one joke after another and made us laught and not focus on our pain! What a true jewel!
* Had a wonderful laugh therapy that evening while chatting with my friend Tasha! So love these weekly phone calls girlie! Love ya!!!... and you know I am cheering for the D2X LOL!!!!
* Photoclass on Thursday evening! Our teacher is the proud new owner of the 5D - wowzer. The display area in the back is huge compared to the 20D and the good thing has 12 megapixels. He had us all hold and play with the camera for a little bit!
* Date night with dh yesterday. We haven't been to the movies in ages it seems, so we decided to go yesterday evening. I so wanted to see "In your shoes" and although I knew it was a girlie flick, dh agreed to watch it. The first 30 min. were bad and I felt horrible for slepping him in that movie. But after the first 30 min. the story got really interesting and at the end half of the theatre started clapping. I think I sniffed and had tears running down my cheeks a few times in between! A great story about family, relationships and what can go wrong and what it takes to get it right. Very touching!!!
* Waiting for our appliances to be delivered... yeap, today is the day! All we are waiting for after that is the granite countertop and the installation of sinks and faucets. So close... yet so far away :)

MRI update

... I know it's been a while since I had my MRI done - to be exact a little over a month. ... but I did not get the results until today:
Per MRI I have a SLIPPED DISK! To be honest, I am still in shock. I know the pain was bad, but I never thought it was that serious! ... so continuing to do physical therapy.. and hoping that I won't do the wrong body movement and hurt myself. Based on what the doctor told me, I don't have to have surgery for now, unless the pain comes back and stays persistently. So keeping my fingers crossed that I NEVER have to go through that! I have heard so much bad stuff about back surgery that I will do my hardest to prevent that... off to doing a little research and trying to find out what else I can do to prevent future pain and making wrong movements! If anyone has any suggestions, please leave me a post or send me an email.
Thanks so much in advance for any recommendations!!!

I am doing the Happy Dance :)

YES I AM!!!!! You probably wonder what the "heck" has happened to me... to be honest NOTHING LOL!!! But I am still so excited and so proud of my dh Jer! He got a call today from the University of Phoenix where he recently started his 3 year adventure to obtain a bachelor's degree in IT. Well, his guidance counselor called him today and told him that he got so many transfer credits (due to work experience, army, etc.) that his 3 years will be cut in HALF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, in H*A*L*F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am soooooooo flipping excited that I nearly jumped up to the ceiling!
How cool is it to know that my dh is going to have a bachelor's degree in 1 1/2 years. And since there will be some VA money left NOW since he is only drawing for 1 1/2 instead of 3 years he is thinking of doing the masters program right afterwards!
{and what am I thinking?? LOL, cranking out babies and staying home LOL}. YEAP, ME!!! Well, let's rephrase this a little, - don't want to go overboard... I think baby in singular is totally and completely fine for now. We will see what life will hold in stock for us, but for now I am just too excited and happy for my HUBBY! Knowing that he can get that diploma in 1 1/2 years sounds so sweet and he was so excited when he told me on the phone!!!! So congrats darling! So PROUD of you!!!! ... you are going to hold the paper in your hands before you know it, but until than I am right here to support you every step of it!!!!

RAK from Rusty Pickle and Margo

Oh my words... I am still so VERY TOUCHED!!!!I got a really sweet, special, and unexpected surprise today. I opened our front door and found a stack of papers and goodies from Rusty Pickle. At first, I thought there was some sort of error that these ended up on my doorstep, but my name was clearly identified on the package. Hmmmm, picking my brain... I hadn't ordered anything and hadn't participated in any contests that could warrant these supplies, and the company that sent the goodies was clearly marked as Rusty Pickle. I emailed Jen to see if this was Scraps Ahoy related, but learned that that was not the case. I finally eamiled Margo who is on the Rusty Pickle Design Team and asked her if she knew if there was some sort of error or if she knew what these goodies were for. ... AND I learned that Rusty Pickle had just started a RAK program and that Margo had picked me as her first recipient. Margo darling - THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!!! I feel so honored and I am completely in love with all the goodies!!!! A GIGANTIC THANK YOU TO YOU my dear and to Tasha and Lance from Rusty Pickle. YOU SO MADE MY DAY!!!!! I can't wait to start playing and I will be uploading my creations to Scraps Ahoy soon.
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH AGAIN... I "heart" YOU!!!!

SA October - MEXICO

This month we headed to Mexico with Scrapsahoy
Below are my destination layouts. Check out the site to view all the amazing layouts from the rest of the crew! Truly amazing and rocking the "ship".











Thanks for looking!