What a week! I have been having a bit of computer problems and need to get it to the shop to find out what is wrong with it. I was going to take it first thing in the morning but instead of locating my backup discs I helped my friend get some things sorted and packed since she has sold her home. So that is definitely on my agenda today. I am hoping they are not to be needed but I want to be prepared just in case.

I had also gotton me a new phone a couple of weeks ago (Blackberry Torch) that I traded in for an iPhone 4 last Wednesday. I loved the Blackberry and I gotton it instead of the iPhone because I thought my data plan would stay the same....sooo wrong....I guess I got confused but the salesman also told me it would stay the same....so anyhow...since I ended up with the same plan as I would have gotton with the iPhone, I traded for the iPhone. I ♥ it! My DS splurged for me and when in halves with me on a case for me (Otter Box) and I ♥ it too! We had both had a steak for lunch at Logan's Steakhouse and I fed him the cupcakes that I had decorated that morning in my decorating class I am taking at Hobby Lobby.

I am still going strong on my P365 and will post some photos of that tomorrow or the next day. I did create another art journal page. It seems I might have found what that mojo really was looking for. Art Journaling ROCKS!!!!!

This is the page I did over the weekend. Credits and explanation of the symbology of the piece will be below it.


Impressionist Garden by Beth Rimmer at Deviant Scrap

I was having a really emotional day when I opened this kit. I am not the crying type of gal but losing my Grandfather has broke my heart something fierce. He lived with me for some time and I was his care giver before the alzhiemers took over so much that I could not do it alone. So in doing the little things around my home, I am constantly seeing him. I see his chair, his coffee cup, his slippers...well you get the picture. I also realize that I had not truly grieved the passing of my grandmother (his wife nor my uncle - their son/my dad's brother) because both times I was pregnant and everyone worked really hard to keep me from "being stressed".

The butterflies represent them flying free and in a different form (from catapillar to butterfly/the same but different). The balloons represent each of them on a new adventure also and free from their earthly bodies. The day lillies are there because my grandparents loved them and had some in their yard. The cherry blossom trees are because there is always a spring after the winter (circle of life). The little house thingy on the ribbon represents that this world is small and our time here on earth is fleeting, so live it to the fullest. The lady represents me I am "stuck" in the window because it's just easier to just "be" instead of going forward. I am standing on a winding path (hard to see) because that's how life is and because I turn to God for comfort I added the scripture reference of Psalm 34:18
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (NIV)

Addicted to Love by Beth Rimmer
On the Edge 7x5 Jumbo ATC Overlays Vol 2 by TotallyWild Dezinez
Font is Quid Pro Quo from dafont.com and Typewriter New Roman

I have always liked the quote I used in this ATC. These images lent themselves perfectly for it. I chose the eiffel tower to represent the world and almost everyone in love wants to go to Paris, right? When you are truly in love you feel like your feet hardly touch the ground (the wings) and your beau will treat you like a queen (the crown). And let's not forget the univeral symbol of Love~the red rose.

Thursday was day 2 of the flu....my DD could barely squeak out a sound Wednesday and it got worse through the night. After sitting all night with her and keeping her fever down, I thought it safe to get some rest in the wee hours of morning. This is what she woke me up with. Poor thing couldn't talk and had gotton sick all over her bed. Nothing you really wanna see first thing in the morning but things happen.

I was able to get my coupons all clipped last night but that's only because I am such a horrid insomniac which in turns makes it where I just wanna sleep till noon when I finally do get to sleep. It's not helping either that my DD has been spending time over at her Dad's and I get a free pass on getting up early and taking her to school each morning. Today's adventure though had Shaina's Dad taking her to the local clinic....the irony is that her Mama Nett (Grandmother) was walking in at the same time with her cousin Amber. They ended up sharing room cuz it was so busy which was no problem because it got them seen faster. Official diagnosis for both of them was the flu. They each got handed a mask, a doctor's excuse for school and a prescrition for some meds. It's been an afternoon of homemade chicken soup, 7-Up, tylenol and sherbert ice-cream and lotsa snuggly time in the bed.

Despite things being a bit stressed with my Grandfather's passing, I did keep up with my P365 photos. I was mostly determined to do this because I know he would have wanted me to not forget about myself and continue to live my life. Was it easy...well no. But I am glad I did. I want those days documented. I want the photos to go back and scrap the memories because in the end that's all we have.

Day 12~The charm that hangs on my Bible tote.

The hubby made it home about 5ish this morning. I don't really sleep when I know he is on the road traveling~so I was up sorting out the expired coupons from my coupon binder. Seems like hundreds of them expired all at once. I haven't really done any coupon shopping since before Christmas. That sorta wiped out the bank account but there are some things I wanna pick up in the am when I go to Shreveport.

Good-bye Uncle Richard. I did not know you as well as my Mama but it's still saddens my heart that you have gone to be with the Lord. I attended your Memorial service today and it was evident that you had a great impact on the assistant pastor at your church. He spoke of all the things that I did know about you. Your love of growing things and not letting anyone leave your home empty-handed were just a couple. Your son is almost a spittin' image of you and I am glad that we have connected and have a chance to bring our families closer. God gave you the gift of gardening so I am pretty positive you are up in heaven tending to one of God's gardens.

I am excited that I am getting to post my first 4 photos for P365 of 2011! Do I have all mine from last year scrapped and printed...no where close...I missed a big chunk of days due to illness and being plain out lazy...but I did pick it back up at the end of last year. I learned that I need a project like this to keep me taking photos...I get in the mindset that nothing exciting happens to me so why lug the camera along? I looked back thru my photos from last year that I did take and realized that it truly is the everyday moments that keep ya going. If everyday was "excitement central"...I don't know about you but I would be pretty worn out and not enjoy those "down times". Since this is my project I thought I would start out with a photo of me. I lost 30 lbs last year and hope to lose at least that much this year. Heart disease runs in my family and I don't want this belly fat that has snuck up on me to be my downfall.

It might be messy here for a few days until I find the new blog wear that I wanna