the pictures are conquered...

I am so relieved to have this job finished. I am a bit anal about my photos. Being a scrapbooker, photos are extremely important to me. I take lots and lots of pictures. It's amazing how many more I take each year (for instance, my first year, 2003, with a digital camera, all of my photos fit on one CD. This last year, 2008, it took 6 CD's to hold them all! Anyway, I am also very paranoid about my computer crashing and losing my precious photos. So here's the process to ensure their safekeeping. I upload from my camera fairly regularly. I do not delete them from the memory card at that time. About every 3 or 4 months I upload everything to Shutterfly. They have on -line storage for free, so I know my photos will be safe there. Then at the end of each year, I burn all of my photos onto CD's (2 copies-one to keep at the in-laws in case of fire)and clear them off of my hard drive so that isn't so bogged down. Then I will clear them off of my camera memory card when I am sure they are backed up in at least two spots.Whew! It's a full time job keeping up with this process. But it's worth it! Anyway, all of these CD's were just piling up by the computer and whenever I wanted to find a certain picture, I would have to root through the stack to find the right disk. So here is the final product. I used a pretty binder I already had and bought a packet of CD sleeves to fill it with. I went through all the CD's and labeled what was on each one. Some of the later years have more than one CD per year so I labeled which folders were on each one so I'd know exactly where to go to find the picture I wanted.

I cut out circle labels with my scrapping tool and just inserted them into the sleeve in front of the CD. They are not attached to the CD. Then I put them all in order chronologically. I keep the binder right next to the computer so they are handy and available whenever I need to have access to an old picture. And the fact that the binder is pink with a flower on it just makes me happy. The presentation of it is just as important as the contents, in my opinion!

I am glad to have this project completed. It was something I wanted to get done for quite awhile. I am also trying to do a better job keeping all of my current year's pictures organized on my hard drive. I always put them in folders so that system is figured out. I just need to downsize and delete bad ones on a regular basis so I don't keep multiplying the number of pics I have each year. I think 6 CD's from one year is plenty!

That's enough yacking for now. Kids will be home soon.

Toodles!

Attention folks! There's been a drowning...

This is a very common sight in our home. Bunny- floating lifelessly in the cat water. The culprit you ask?

Maizy Grace- For some reason, she's not satisfied to just play with the bunny (although it is one of her favorite toys). She must place him in her water bowl when finished. Usually this happens in the dead of night as, most often, it is found in the water in the early morning.
Oreo is not amused at this nonsense, to say the least. Sisters are really annoying.

weekend recap

Seems like I haven't posted in awhile. Been lots going on like usual. Let's see if I can recap some of the last week or so. Maybe I better work backwards to remember more easily.

*Today I subbed. Originally I told him I would be willing to go up through 8th grade. I really wasn't comfortable with high school mainly for the fact that I don't want to be inept and completely ignorant in certain classes that I have no knowledge of- such as chemistry, trig, etc. When Dan calls, he always asks first, "Are you available to sub?" So I lock in before I know where I'm going- smart man, he is. Anyway, usually that's not a big deal as there is only one teacher so far that I would consider not going back for. Otherwise, I can deal with anything for a day. Well he tells me I'm going to sub for a teacher that I have heard of at the middle school, where I seem to be going a lot lately. Then he tells me I start my day at the high school- in science, no less. GAG! I really dislike science, especially physical science and chemistry. Beyond that, I never took anymore in high school because I hated them so much! So today I am subbing in two physical science classes and an environmental science class before heading over to the middle school to do 3 sections of life skills. I am not thrilled at the idea of the science bit, but like I said before, I can survive anything for a day. And you know what? It wasn't bad at all! I actually enjoyed the morning. I showed a movie on the worst tornado in history, which was fascinating I must say, and during environmental science the 9 or so students in class worked on timelines while I read my book!! It was quite an easy morning. So maybe high school isn't so bad after all????? (thankfully I didn't have to know anything except how to push play on the VCR).

*Yesterday was busy with church as every Sunday is. Our church is doing a 6 week series on marriages based on the movie Fireproof, so that's been great. I got my Sunday afternoon nap, which is a must for me. I truly believe Sunday should be a day of rest.

*Saturday was Brennan's first baseball practice! I am psyched that baseball is just around the corner- my favorite time of year. Bren's kind of gotten the raw end of the deal concerning coaches in the past, but this year will be different. Dad is his coach! After 6 years of coaching Bradley, Gary is moving down to Rookies to coach Bren's team. They are the Pirates, in honor of Uncle Dan working for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Practice went well, and Gary is excited about the team and the upcoming year. I will be team mom, which I have done for Brad's team the past several years. I love "doing" baseball together as a family. I keep stats and input them in on the team website. I also keep order in the dugout during games, organize concession stand, treats, etc. for the team, and keep things straight behind the scenes. I love it!

*Saturday was also the AWANA Grand Prix. Brennan wanted an Iowa Hawkeye car. Of course, if you've ever done one of these before, you know that the Dad does most (or all) of the work!

Although none of our cars have ever really done well in the speed category (although my poor husband tries so hard!!), Bren's did win one heat and he was thrilled with that. We had talked to him about having a good attitude, no matter how well the car did (sometimes these things can be great lessons in good sportsmanship!), and wanted him just to have fun. After that, we went to McDonalds for lunch- Papa and Dorothy had given the boys gift cards for Valentine's Day, and then we did a little shopping before heading home. It was a wonderfully lazy evening watching the high school wrestling state championships, something I love to do. I was a wrestling cheerleader for three years in high school and LOVED to watch it. Those tournaments were some of my favorite times from high school.
*Bren got the green Diary of a Wimpy Kid book and has been a reading machine for the past couple of days. I am so thankful he has become a reader, and has developed an enjoyment for books. During the first several years of his life, I didn't think that was ever going to happen. He chose any other activity to do besides reading! He loves these Wimpy Kid books- we've got them all now.

*Speaking of books, I have become the latest of the obsessed Twilight readers. I really had no interest in these books AT ALL for a long time. In fact, when people would tell me about them, I thought "that sounds so weird!" But everyone I talked to said how good they were. And one of my tutoring students, who kept trying to encourage me to read them, brought me the first one last Thursday to read. And since I often have time during my subbing days, I began the first book on Friday. And today, a mere 72 hours later, I am 3/4 of the way finished with it. I must say, it is well written. The author knows how to bring the reader in and enrapture her ( I say her because I can't imagine many men reading this series!). I can see the pull for many teenagers- Bella seems to have it all- Anyway, I am impressed with what an easy-read it is, and surprised at the fact that I'm enjoying it! So remember when I posted about reading more classics this year- yeah, so far that's not happening. I was trying to work through The Secret Garden but that's not capturing my attention like Twilight. Go figure!

*Also on Saturday, my niece had a baby! Darci Lynne was born healthy weighing 7 lbs. 5 oz, 20 inches long, and unfortunately lives in Washington! She is absolutely precious, and I wish I could hold her! My sister is a grandma, and my dad is a great grandpa. Unbelievable!

*Friday I scrapbooked. It felt so good! It seems like I haven't spent much time down in my "cat pan suite." I finished Darci's baby gift (just in the nick of time) and began a couple of gift layouts.

*The painting is DONE! I painted all week, and finished it up on the weekend. Once we get the trim up in Bren's room and the rest of the little details, I'll post pics. I put the new Hawkeye comforter on his bed, and he loved it, although Bradley and I don't want to touch it!).

Long post, I know. Gary is putting two bookshelves together for me now, as I write. I am so excited! They will be in the living room, hosting my many scrapbooks as well as some other things. I'll post that when it's done as well!

Well, Bren wants on the computer. It's becoming a challenge sharing one computer between 4 computer users! I would like to get a laptop with some of our tax return money. I would love to be able to take it along when I sub and be able to get some things done when I have down time. Reading is good, but depending on how much time I have, it gets old after awhile.

Toodles for tonight!

Book share

I have been reading The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd recently and thought I'd share some thoughts from it that really spoke to me.

I loved this prayer. Can anyone relate??

Dear Lord, so far today I am doing pretty well. I haven't screamed at the kids or thrown anything in a burst of anger. I have not grumbled or gossiped or whined. I haven't been greedy or self centered. I have not yet charged anything to the credit card, and I haven't pigged out on the chocolate cake in the refrigerator. However, in a few minutes I will be getting out of bed, and I am going to need your help to make it through the rest of the day. Amen.


That is so true for me in my life! I lack self control- plain and simple. I am not a very disciplined person. I want to change. I need to change. But I need God's help to change.

Yesterday at Bible study, we studied about Hannah. She prayed and prayed for a son. She desired a son so he could serve the Lord. And she had self control. She had discipline. She promised the Lord that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord's service for the rest of his life. And she did just that. After she weaned him, she took Samuel to the temple to stay and serve and learn from Eli. How difficult that must have been to leave him there! But she kept true to the promise she had made. We were reminded in Bible study yesterday about prayer warriors. I am positive Hannah was a prayer warrior for her son. I know my mom was a prayer warrior for me and my family. What a precious gift and legacy to leave our children! I want to be that for my boys as well! Anyway, this was discussed at Bible study and then as I was reading my book before bed, this popped out at me reminding me of my duty and responsibility as MOM.

Surely the greatest casualty of our overcommitted warp-speed society is prayer. Fewer mothers these days feel they have time to pray. I can't help but wonder: How different would our homes, our communities, and our churches be if we mothers did less running around and more praying? What would our country be like right now if thousands upon thousands of prayer-warrior mothers were regularly, fervently lifting up the youth of this nation?


I'm off to pray for my kids.

a big organizational job

This was a fun layout I did a while back. Don't think I've shared (you can always click directly on the layout to see the larger version). This was taken at Adventureland- these two (Gary and Brad) both love the same type of rides- Bren and Mom don't get into the wild ones! I love to enlarge my pics and this one is an 8x10.
This is my scrapbooking ribbon-but believe me, it didn't always look this pretty! Dawn, do you remember what it looked like when we had our weekend in September? It was all stuffed in a Walmart sack- no order whatsoever. I knew I wouldn't be able to stand that for long. So as I watched TV in the evenings, I wrapped and wrapped and wrapped around these ribbon holders, and organized based on color, of course. My paper is all organized ROYGBIV, and I love it. Now I can find the ribbon I want, and I seem to use it more as well. Digging through a sack wasn't really appealing. I have other things I'm trying attack down in my scrap hole- my pictures are the next big process. When I make progress there, I'll share the plan!

Well just got the chocolate cake, deviled eggs, and enchilada casserole done for our Valentine supper. And yes, I'm in a better mood today, thank you. The sun is shining, and the snow is melting!!!!!!!!!

I am going to scream...

My patience is running out... and I'll give you one guess as to what has caused this
































No, it's not my kids (although they're not helping- I've told them to stop wrestling I-don't-know-how-many-times and they seem to always do it while I'm trying to watch a tv show or concentrate on something. My real frustration is with the computer of course.


I have been making an effort to really try to keep my pictures more organized. I was trying to edit some shots I recently took, and every time I tried to open up Corel and upload a pic, it shut down. GRRRR..... Then I was trying to use a digital collage template and make a collage with the layers, etc. Couldn't figure that out. GRRRRR...... Then I decided to put a new banner on the blog with a recent favorite picture of my husband and I. You see that line across it? (update- you don't see the line anymore because I downloaded the pic again from my camera and started all over- that was going to drive me crazy if I left it that way!) I get a half ruined picture here and there after I upload onto my computer. It's not there on the camera, but at least 4 of my pictures tonight got ruined, this one being one of those. Of course it never happens to a picture that I don't really care about. It's always a good picture that gets ruined. GRRRR..... So this post was going to be a happy one, but sorry, that ship has sailed. And to top it off we have 7 NEW INCHES OF SNOW. GGGRRRRRRRRR...................................... Just when it had all melted away. Why, oh why, do I live in Iowa? We were supposed to go see the movie Fireproof at our church tonight, a nice little date with my husband, but the weather has once again, gotten in the way of that. He's been out snowblowing all evening.


Ok, enough griping. I'm sure you've heared enough.


Grandma's funeral was yesterday. All went well, and we are so thankful we had a beautiful sunny day in the 40's. I can't imagine if the weather would have been like today's. The service was very touching, I think. There was a small child crying and fussing through much of it which I thought was extremely rude and disrespectful (that he wasn't taken out) so when I could concentrate, I know the gospel message was clearly given. It was wonderful to see family that we hardly ever see, especially several of Gary's cousins from farther away. We shared some wonderful memories of Grandma. She will be dearly missed.


I subbed today in 7th grade math. I really enjoy being at the middle school- a bit less stressful than elementary usually. Tomorrow Bradley was to have a basketball tourney, but it got cancelled so all we have on the agenda is Bren's basketball game at 3. I love Valentine's Day. It probably ranks as favorite holiday #2 (behind 4th of July). I don't feel like I've hardly had time to do some fun little stuff for my family like I usually do, with the week we've had. I remember my mom used to make red cake on V Day and I loved it. I made one once and no one ate it, so I doubt I'll make one again, even though I'd love to. Because I know who would end up eating it all (and I so don't need that!).


Now I'm rambling- I'll leave you with a couple pics, and maybe by tomorrow, my mood will be better!


Toodles!
(Taken at Grandma's funeral)




Gary's whole family- his parents, brother and his wife, and their 3 kids

where did my pretty background go?

When I just got on, I realized my pretty background is gone! Not sure why- ARGH!!!!

Just had to jot down a funny before I forget it. Saturday Gary and Bradley headed out to Durant to attend a turkey banquet with my dad. Bren and I stayed here because I had to teach Children's church on Sunday. Anyway, I decided to take Bren out to use his Book-It pizza gift certificate and then do a little shopping. As we were having a lovely chat at dinner, he informed me that he would like to change his name, and could he do that when he was older? I asked him what he wanted to change his name to, and he told me "Jacob Tyler Garnett." Apparently, he's thought this through. He thinks the initials JTG are much better than BTH.

You learn something new every day...

sad day...

Little did I know as I taught the Children's church lesson this morning on the subject of "death and dying" that I would be experiencing it first hand just hours later. The words and concepts I was teaching those children were a comfort for me this afternoon when Gary's grandma passed away. She was 86 years old and still driving! She never seemed that old to me. In fact, she drove the "old" people to their dr. appointments and out to eat! Grandma fell and broke her hip over a week ago, and couldn't regain strength. Yesterday the doctors called Doyle and Carolyn and said she was having trouble breathing and her stomach began protruding. She was moved to ICU. This morning they decided they needed to do surgery to see what was causing the problem. When they went in, they discovered a blood clot had formed, and the blood supply to her small intestine and colon had stopped. Those two organs were dead. It would only be a matter of time. She died peacefully before 2 PM with several family and friends surrounding her. I am thankful we were there at the hospital. I am thankful she did not have to suffer long. I am thankful she lived a full life, and now joins her husband in heaven! I am thankful how God perfectly timed my children's church lesson knowing what the day's events would be. She is perfectly content now, enjoying the glories of heaven. She's better off than any of the rest of us. We'll miss you Grandma!

some good quotes for today...

I love quotes. I collect them. In the back of my Bible study notebook I have a section just for quotes that I love. I have made a flip book that resides in my tutoring room with some favorites. I have them plastered on the cupboards of my scrapping area. I have signs hanging around my house with them on it. They inspire me, make me think, and make me laugh. I got a daily calendar from a tutoring student a few years ago that had some great ones in it. So today, I thought I'd post a few.


"ADOLESCENCE IS THE TIME OF LIFE WHEN A YOUNGSTER IS WELL INFORMED ABOUT ANYTHING HE DOESN'T HAVE TO STUDY" ANONYMOUS


"GOOD TEACHING IS MORE A GIVING OF RIGHT QUESTIONS THAN A GIVING OF RIGHT ANSWERS" Josef Albers


RUDENESS IS THE WEAK MAN'S IMITATION OF STRENGTH" Eric Hoffer



"ROLE-MODELING IS THE MOST BASIC RESPONSIBLITY OF PARENTS. PARENTS ARE HANDING OUT LIFE'S SCRIPTS THAT, IN ALL LIKLIHOOD, WILL BE ACTED OUT FOR THE REST OF THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES" Stephan Covey



"GREAT MINDS DISCUSS IDEAS-
AVERAGE MINDS DISCUSS EVENTS-
SMALL MINDS DISCUSS PEOPLE" Eleanor Roosevelt


I'll stop there for today. I have come across several great ones from Eleanor Roosevelt. I would love to read more about her life. That needs to be one of the biographies I need to read this year. BTW, I have one book read so far in 2009- good for my goal, however a classic, it was not. Last night I began reading The Secret Garden. Hopefully I can finish a couple of books in February now that I don't have a writing deadline.

Toodles!