Thursday, September 14, 2006

It's been awhile...

Since I have posted...it is harder than I thought to keep up. I could keep up but then other things around me would get neglected more so now. I could blog late at night but we have some unwanted company in my house right now that I am having a hard time with. Who?...no, it is What? We have mice and I am having a hard time with it. I have a true phobia of mice. We have already caught one and there is one more that I know of. They are not cute, they make me feel nasty and they are just...UGH!
Rick set some glue boards down, out of the way of the kids, and set some poison down. When I was younger, we use to get them around this time of year...in the beginning of fall. We did not have any last year...we did when the twins were going on one...anyway, knowing that they are in the house has stopped me dead in my tracks. I can not stay up late on the computer like I use to because that is when I saw it...especially last night.
Okay...enough of that. Since I have not done the 2peas challenge in almost a week I thought I would go back to Monday's , September 11th.
We all know that this is a day in America's history that we will not forget...9/11. This year marks the 5th year anniversary of the unfaithful event. I can remember driving home from work that morning, listening to the radio and just being in shock as I heard about the attack in New York. I was on the Kennedy expressway and I could see the Sears Tower and the John Hancock buildings from there...as I drove, I just kept wondering if Chicago was going to be attacked as well. Once I got home, I woke Rick up (I worked 3rd shift 11pm-7am) and told him that we were under attack. We spent the whole day watching the television in awe and he did not go to work that day and neither did I that night. We were not directly affected with the lost of loved ones but my heart went out to each and everyone that day and still does. I will never forget.


Here is Monday's Blog Challenge from 2peas-
Join us today/Monday if you blog. Challenge: Answer this question.... What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were younger? Elaborate

Let me see...

* Always make time for yourself
* Make sure to travel to places before kids, alone and with your significant other.
* Do not be afraid to say NO
* Never burn bridges with others
* Make sure to pay your debts off
* Don't believe everything you hear or see
* It is okay not to be with the "IN" crowd
* It is okay to be alone (not always in a relationship)
* Follow your dreams
* Wishes do come true

Wow...I came up with more than I expected too. I will post Tuesday's next...gotta get the twins in bed for their nap.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Still playing catch up and trying to find the time!!!


Sunday night, 7:04pm and I am still playing catch up. That seems to be the story of my life. I never got back to posting Friday's blog challenge like I promised but I did learn how to finally post on 2peas...so I did post my first layout over there...let me see if I can get it over here too.
Here it is. I did this layout for the design team at the store. It was my first one that I did for the design team. I do enjoy being on the design team at Windy City Scrapbooking. We get to try various products and have them up in the store for display, and then we get to keep our creations for our own personal use. I enjoy the team because it is helping me with my creative process and also it is helping me with time and commitment issues that I have. We have our first design team crop on the 24th and I am looking forward to it.

I went back to 2peas and found the challenge that I missed on Friday night. Now I am in the middle of cooking dinner so I plan on doing all 3 challenges tonight before I go to bed...Here is the first one:


Join us today/Friday if you blog. Challenge: What do you do when you are feeling down... to get your spirits lifted? exercise? music? friends? tv? reading?? what works for you??


When I am feeling down, I like to read others blogs...I have just started doing this. I read the scrapping "Celebs" blogs and also a few fellow peas blogs. I like to read what is going on in others lives and I like to see others creations, which is why I also like going to 2peas and looking at the gallery for inspiration.
If that does not work, I like to take a hot bubble bath, by candlelight, with a glass of wine. I do this all the time to lift my spirits and also to mellow out and wind down. I have music playing sometimes or I just have it quite...of course I have to do this when the twins are asleep.
The other thing that I like to do is SHOP. Ever since I have been scrapbooking, I love going shopping for scrap supplies and anything related to scrapbooking...I tell you, it is a obsession. Scrapbooking also lifts my spirit...along with shopping, I enjoy the creative outlet and the friendships that I have formed from scrapping both online and irl.
There are so many things that I do to uplift my spirits...the main thing is just to keep a positive mind.

Okay...one down, two more challenges to go; here is Saturday's Challenge from 2peas:


Blog about your top 5 fave songs right now.. and your top 5 latest movies you've seen....


Okay...so I am a true HOUSE HEAD when it comes to music...I am from Chicago and this is the birth place of house music...I also like R&B, and true old school Hip Hop...alittle jazz too.
My favorite top 5 songs right now are:

1. Beyonce...De Ja Vu
2. Corina Bailey Rae...Her whole CD
3. Kem...His whole CD
4. Kindred and the Family Soul....Their whole CD
5. Christina Aguillera...No Man (This girl has alot of soul)

My 5 latest movies I've seen:

1. When the Levees Broke...This was a movie that Spike Lee did and might I say, it was riveting. All that I could do was cry and just imagine what I would have done.
2. Snakes on the Plane...courtesy of my DH. I just had to watch it to see how stupid it was.
3. Miami Vice...Loved this movie...lots of action and it looked good...so did Jamie Foxx
4. Superman Returns...This was one that I did not like, but my Dh wanted to see...it was a date night
5. Getting Played...this was one of those African American made for DVD movies with Vivica Fox, Bill Belamey and a few more AA actors...cute.

I decided not to list the children's movies that I have seen, which is alot. One thing that Rick and I have always done was go to the movies. Before the twins, we were at the movies every weekend. That is one thing that I really miss. Maybe we can resume once they are alittle older.


Oh...I have caught up...Here is today's blog challenge:


Join us today/Sunday if you blog. Challenge: A challenge about what you believe in. What things in life, do you know.. FOR SURE?? As Oprah would say.... talk about the things you KNOW FOR SURE, on your blog... go in any direction you choose.. have fun!

This I know for sure:

1. I am a Child of God, with Him in my life, all things are possible.
2. I am unconditionally loved by my husband of 5 years Richard...only he has truly put up with me.
3. My mother will always be there for me.
4. Before my father's death, he and had had a wonderful relationship...I really miss him.
5. Alexandre' & Allegra are truly my blessings from God...I do not know what I would do without them.

That is all that I can think of for now...

I am off to bed now
Until tomorrow...
Hugs & Kisses
Me





Saturday, September 09, 2006

A relaxing Saturday


So I did not get back as promised...it is already hard to keep up. I did not go back to 2peas to get the challenge...when I got home from working the crop, I went straight to bed.
I have been up thinking about how to upload photos and let me see if I have this right....
This is a test...

Oh my goodness...I was able to post Alex and Allegra's photo. This was taken August 12th at the Mocha Moms Annual Picnic...my babies are getting so big, I wish I could stop time. I have to keep playing with this so I can start posting more photos to share with everyone and of course start posting my layouts. I did work at Windy City Scrapbooking today and I did spend money...as always, I really need to stop spending all of my money on scrap supplies and use my stash that I have. I have enough scrap supplies to last me for a long time. I am going to go to 2peas and look for Friday's challenge and today's challenge...little by little I am going to get this blogging thing down. Be right back.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Friday, September 08, 2006

Thank God It's Friday...I guess

So today was so busy for me and my "Dynamic Duo"...we started out the morning by going to Music Together class...there was a free demo and we went. I love this class as Alex and Allegra went for an entire year and they had so much fun and learned so much. I almost hate to see it come to an end but they did learn alot and know that they are singing "Lean with It, Rock with It" and "Shoulder Lean" I can safely assume that they have gotten the carry a tune concept. It was good to see Ms. Irene again (their music instructor) and she was even commenting on how good it was to see how confident they have become. Of course I took photos as it will be their last time going to Music Together...I may have them visit for free demos though...I almost wish that they could still go but I almost feel as though they have grown out of it.
Afterwards, I took them to Walgreens with me so that I could empty out my camera...before going in I told them do not touch or ask for anything...of course that concept went out of the door. I tend to not take them into stores with me that much because they can be alot to handle but I realize that I have to start taking them so that they can learn and they are a part of me so I need to take them with me. We then went to Burger King for lunch and then headed home. I did not have them take a nap for we had a playdate at "The Little Gym" and they had a blast there. It is amazing to see them jump up and down and act like little acrobats. I would love for them to go to classes there, but I also want them to do soccer, I have to see what Rick wants them to do and of course it has to be reasonable in price. I so want them to be able to do and take anything that I want them to or that they want to but I know that living onone income, we have to make sure that it is reasonable...especially we are paying for two. "The Little Gym" was a good experience for them and it was attended by Mocha Moms. Mocha Moms has been a Godsend for me. I will have to write later about this awesome group of women who have touched my life.
I will have to come back with the 2peas challenge for today...the site is down for now
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Thursday, September 07, 2006

And yet, another day behind...but not for long

Okay...so blogging is not as easy as I thought it would be...another thing added to my plate. I will get it together. So I did Tuesday's challenge on Wednesday and I am determined to do Wednesday's and today's challenge (Thursday) today.
I had to work at Windy City Scrapbooking again last night...only the second day of closing at 9pm and NOT ONE SOUL came in from 7pm-9pm. It was a bummer, and I am thinking that it is going to take some time for people to realize that the store is now open past 7pm.
We did not go to my mother's yesterday...she just wanted to rest and that is what I let her do, but I did call her often thru out the day. I did talk to her today and she was well enough to go and get her hair done. That means she is feeling better.
Okay...here is yesterday's challenge from 2peas

Join us today/Wed if you blog. Challenge: What handmade items are you making for Christmas this year? Anything? Any ideas??

Okay, so the only handmade items that I am going to make this year will probably be Christmas cards. I ended up making New Year's cards last year since we got our Chrismas family photos after the holidays, so I will be sure to take them earlier this year so that I may get them out. Also, I plan on sending out Alex & Allegra's birthday invitations. I did this for their 1st birthday and I did not do it for their 2nd birthday...thanks to evite, but I want to use up some of my stash and do invitations and cards...not sure of what gifts I may think about making...maybe a few mini books for grandparents of the year in review or frames or something like that. I am looking forward to seeing what others do and post about on 2peas

Okay...so now that I did yesterday's Blog Challenge...I am going to attempt to do today's...here we go...

Join us today/Thursday if you blog. Challenge: You love to scrapbook. You love to create something with paper. With all the cool papers out there, or the ones you already have, what is something on your heart you really wanna start... an album, a layout, a project -- anything...!!
Share on your blog what your scrapping plans are.. what things are just in your head, itching to get done???

The main thing that I really want to start and complete is my twins' first year book. I have mostly scrapped what ever and I have not formulated a true first year book with milestones and moments. I had wanted to scrap a first year book for Alexandre', one for Allegra, and then a first year book for the both of them together. I will still set this as a goal for myself as they will turn 3 this year (December 17) I also would like to start on my wedding album...believe it or not, the only album that I have completed is my honeymoon album and my style has changed so much in the past couple of years.
I also would like to stay caught up on my design team projects at Windy City Scrapbooking and also catch up with my circle journals...hopefully I can do that this month...and I have also joined a rolodex swap on the African American yahoo board.
I am also itching to get my scrap space in order...our basement is so cluttered right now that I can not even get to my area...I NEED to do this so that I may CREATE.

Now to shift gears...
My day was normal...the twins and I had a WIC appointment today...I am so glad that I am able to have them on this program...it is very helpful to us. We had an uneventful day, but tomorrow we are going to do alot
I am planning on taking them to Music Together's demo class...they went to this for a year but we stopped going so they could go to Kenicott Park this past spring. I really enjoyed taking them to Music Together class and they did learn alot from it, but I think it is time for them to move on...they are able to sing songs and carry a tune very well now and they even remember some of the songs from Music Together. I am taking them since it is a FREE demo class and hopefully they can see Ms. Irene again. I also want to get some more photos of them doing this so I can scrapbook their experience at Music Together. We are also suppose to go to Mocha Moms outing at My Little Gym...that should be fun.
I am also working the crop tomorrow night at Windy City and that is always fun...I will be sure to report back.
I am going to bed now...I enjoy going to bed with Rick and not staying up til the wee hours of the morning...he and I bond so well and I enjoy every minute that I get to spend with him. ( HUBBA HUBBA)

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Have to go back one day

I did not get to blog yesterday...I had a busy day.
I took the twins to go see my mother. I ended up having to write her montly bills out for her...she is not doing to well. It made her day to see the twins, Alex and Allegra are her world. I just want her to get stronger...I think that she forgets that she is 81 years old, not 41. We stayed at her house for the majority of the morning then we came home, had lunch, and took naps. I did not nap though, I cleaned our bedroom and did a few loads of laundry....Laundry rules my world.
I did get to go to Windy City last night. I work on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and starting yesterday, we are closing at 9pm. This is great for me (more hours, more $) and for the customers. I hope that we do well. There was new, cute, merchandise and I want it ALL!!! I will be working with Melissa on Tuesday nights. Melissa is so talented when it comes to scrapbooking and classes to teach...we also have the same ideas when it comes to what to bring in new to the store...I love working with her, along with the rest of the Windy City Crew...we have alot of fun and we all share the same passion of scrapping and shopping for scrap supplies. I call Windy City my HAVEN away from home...it is not work, it is play and I am so glad that Rick has allowed me to work there to support my habit.
So now...I have to blog the challenge from yesterday 9/5/06...Here it goes:

2 Peas Tuesday Blogger Challenge - Best Friends
Join us today/Tue if you blog. Challenge: Think of one of your best friends,: what is the first thing most people would notice about that person?


Okay, I do not have a " best friend", that I can think of...hard to believe? But I do have ALOT of friends and I appreciate each one of my relationships with them. I have often said that my mother is my best friend and so is my husband, Rick.
That being written, when I think of my mother as my best friend, the first thing that people will notice about her is that she is warm and inviting. She greets everyone with a hug and a smile. She always says that sometimes she hugs others because she is in need of a good hug and hugs brighten others day. People say that I have adapted that from her because I always hug people when I see them, whether we are meeting for the first time or are old pals.
When I think of my husband Rick, the first thing that people notice about him is his humor. He always has something smart and comical to say to make you smile and to lighten any given situation and I love that about him. People say that I have adapted that from him because I try to do the same...always joking and trying to make others smile.

I will have to return to do today's challenge...I promise I will get it done today, actually later on tonight when I get home from Windy City Scrapbooking
The twins are napping right now and I need to go get a load out of the dryer and start the next, finish a layout for WCS design team, wash dishes, start a circle journal layout, do somethng for dinner, and get myself together all before Rick gets home at 4pm so I can go to Windy City tonight.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Monday, September 04, 2006

My First Blog Challenge!!!

I saw this challenge on 2peas today and so I thought I would try MY FIRST BLOG CHALLENGE!!!!...Here we go!!!

Let's all make a wish on a shooting star.. what is your wish?


My wish on a shooting star would be for my father, Albert McCray to still be alive. I lost my father on August 26th, 1999 and so many wonderful things has happened to me since then where I wish he was physically here to witness them. My husband, Richard, did get the chance to ask for my hand in marriage in June of 1999 and my father did bless him. I wish that my father would have been alive to walk me down the aisle when I finally got married September 30, 2001. I also wish that my father would have been alive to see my "Dynamic Duo" being born, December 17th, 2003. He would have been so crazy about Alexandre' and Allegra whereas I know that there is nothing that he would not have done for them or for me. I do have my father's urn on my mantle and I am always reminded of him in some kind of way. A day does not go by where I am not thinking about him and I do talk to him daily, if not out loud, in my mind. My childern are aware of him, even though he is not here because I show them his pictures and I make reference to him...I am going to be sure that they know about their grandfather. I still have not scrapped anything about him yet...I guess I am not ready to...it has been 7 years and I still get very emotionally when I think of him. I truly believe that he is my guardian angel and he is looking down on all of us.
I love you and miss you Daddy
Your Puddin'

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Time with family...Except one special person, my Momma

Yes, it was a good day today for the most part. My stepson Adonis spent the night at my MIL's home last night and she brought him home early this morning to go to his football game. Rick took Adonis and Alex to the football game while my MIL, Dot, took Allegra. This was the first true time that they have been separated. They have been apart 2x before but both times were for emergency room trips taken both by Alex, where he left his twin sister behind. Them being away allowed me to have some quiet time at home to myself and that is when I took the time to set up this blogger account, I also cleaned up the front room and vacuumed two rooms. I am glad that I finally set up my blogger account, I will have to learn how to post photos and such.

So, while the family was away, I also called my mother to see if she wanted to go out with us later. My mother is all that I have on my side of the family (long story) and she is 81 years old. She gets around well for the most part but she has to play "Florence nightingale" to everyone and she puts her health at risk. When I called her, she did not sound good at all and I ended up getting upset at her. I love my mother so much and I do not know what I will do without her. She is always helping others...I have not even asked her to help me with the twins because I do not want her to run herself down. Well, she did not go with us out to Dot's house. I had a okay time, even though I spent most of the day worried about my mother. She lives alone in a 1 bedroom apartment in a 18 story building (she is on the 17th floor). She does not want to live with me for a couple of reasons. One, is because she can still do for herself and two, she thinks that I married a clone of my father. She does adore Rick, but she says that we need our own space and since the twins, we need to be together and she feels I have a lot on my plate. I do not want to let my mother down when it comes to taking care of her when I need to. I want her to know that I am going to be there for her always. I am truly afraid when the day comes when she can not do for herself. I am use to seeing my mother up and about and doing everything for herself and everyone.

So we went to my MIL's house and had dinner. Alex and Allegra had a great time spending time with Grandma and PaPa. I am glad to have Erskine (PaPa) in my children's life. Erskine is my MIL's husband and he has been like a father to me and I am proud that my children call him PaPa. I hope that their relationship will continue to grow. My MIL made a good dinner, as always, and we had good conversations, as always. Alex and Allegra played Candyland for the first time and NO, I did not get it on camera as I should have but they only played with me for 5 minutes and then their attention was on to something else. I love playing with my children.

I did go and see my mother once we got home for I stopped to get her a paper. She did not look well at all and I had a tear in my eye when I left her place. I ask for strength as I prepare myself for whatever may happen...I ask to be strong and to make the right decisions when it comes to my mother, her health and her well being. I lost my father 7 years ago and I still cry when I think of him...I do not know what will happen if I lose my mother. I will go by and see her tomorrow to check on her. Maybe I will take the twins so that they can cheer her up.

I have to do some serious scrapping too. I have a Design team layout due for the LSS store I work at part time
Windy City Scrapbooking (www.windycityscrapbooking.com ) in Chicago, on the 7th and I have to finish up a couple of circle journal layouts plus finish 2 more that I am starting...I have become a circle journal junkie.
I also need to clean up my scrap area...which is a neverending process. I am going to stay up a little longer as I will visit my favorite website 2peas (www.twopeasinabucket.com ) and see what is going on...I love this website as it is full of information. I mostly lurk but I have been posting too. I really would like to start posting my layouts but I need to take the time to learn...Many people have showed me but I need to learn how to do it on my computer. That will be one of my many goals this month.
Hugs and Kisses
Me

Okay...I finally did it!

Okay, I finally did it. After months of reading others blogs and loving all the information that has been shared by others, I finally created "MY OWN BLOG"...I am not sure where this will lead me...but I am surely looking forward to doing this. I want to do the challenges, I want to post photos, I want to make new friends out in cyberspace, I want to be tagged, I want to share...all of that and most important, I want to document me, my thoughts and my feelings...thus the title of my blog...Inspiring 2 Be...
I guess I will just sit back and enjoy the ride as I discover more about myself and my surroundings by blogging.