a little bit of BINGO, a little bit of ScrapStreet

Okay, so I know the BINGO thing has been out a while, but last night I finally did one of my own! I had a blast doing it! Over at ScrapStreet, Spink challenged me to do a page about scrapbooking BINGO-style. Well, it took me 6 hours and 15 minutes but here's the finished product: Besides the fact that I'm (winner by default, y'all) getting some really cool prizes for this ("SEI memory album and new line paper samples, alterable purse, ellison t-shirt, and anything else i can fit in the box!"), doing this page was a whole other experience; I can't remember the last time I a) scrapped ABOUT myself, b) scrapped FOR myself, and c) looked at all - and I do mean ALL - my old layouts! And ya know what? I learned that I've been scrapbooking AC/LF a whole year less than I thought!
BTW, I was also a Saturday Night Scrap guest hostess there at ScrapStreet last night and put up a sketch challenge and a challenge called Opposites Attract - this fulfilled the Opposites challenge (Large dots, small flowers; paper salon vs. SEI; bunch of flowers vs. line of flowers.) Every Saturday we're there playing around and working for blinkies, which is one of the unique characteristics of ScrapStreet - hope to see you there!
A little note about ScrapStreet: I am just loving this place! You've heard by now of the amazing e-zine, but have you really looked through all the streets? Did you know that have both digi and paper KITS? (one of which I won and one of which I ordered!) Have you visited the message board? It's a board where people are there JUST having fun. I'd imagine it's hell on dial-up users, but the blinkies are a big, fun part of the game. It's not all about competitive scrapbooking and who has the most toots and the most design teams and publishings. Although there are some incredibly talented people there, mostly, it's just FUN. Light. Full of inspiration and fun. The challenges are one of a kind (just experienced my first ROAD TRIP - guess the url (location), complete the challenges and move on!) I didn't get far, but I had fun doing what I did. I tell ya, that place makes scrapbooking, particularly online scrapbooking just plain fun - did you forget it's supposed to be fun?
(for whatever reason I can't add any more images, but I have pics of the prize and the blinkie for the night...why does blogger do this to me?)

about that little hip thing...

We're all better! Some of you know that my now 4 1/2 month-old daughter, McKenna has been battling hip dysplasia, which we found out at 2 weeks old. She hasn't had any dislocation, and her case seemed minor at first, but it took two braces and about 3 months to get to where we are now; we just found out Wednesday: healed! Her 3rd sonogram reveals a wonderfully shaped and realigned left hip! We were supposed to have 10 weeks to wean off the brace when we got to this point, starting with taking it off 4 hours a day for 2 weeks, but we even get to START the wean with 8 hours a day! I can't tell you how much happier she was today, with her first 8-hour break. We finally have our baby back! It's just that... she's so mushy now, I almost don't remember how to hold her!!!
BTW, on a side note: I thought that being braced would hinder milestones, but we took it off of her Sunday, put her on her belly, and she flipped to her back like a pro! She was so proud of herself, it was amazing! Of course I have the pics to scrap...just haven't gotten there yet!

surprised myself a little today...

When asked "What is your profession" among other questions at the forum at From Here to Scrapternity, this was my answer:

What is your current profession? First and foremost, I'm a SAHM. And I love it. I found out only after I had Matthew that this is what I was built to do. I worried so much in and after college about what career I was meant for, but all that was answered with my kids. I much prefer sitting on the floor with them than anything else in this world - yes, even scrapbooking. They temporarily relieve the world of greed, competition, temptation and the other complex issues of the world outside. (And whenever you haven't heard from me in a while, don't doubt that I'm near the computer, just that the little ones are much more important.) There are some times, mostly the evenings, when all I do is sit and just look at my kids. Matthew is a treasure and so full of energy and personality, that he's enough comedy and entertainment for an entire auditorium. McKenna and I seem to have conversations just with our eyes and after Matthew goes to bed, we just sit and look at each other, sometimes for hours. There just is nothing like it.

What else have you done recently? Well, I'm also a gymnastics coach to about 45 little competitors. It's an amazing job. I get wonderfully overpaid to do something I completely love with people and staff I completely love. I have to work very little (3-5 days a week for 3-4 hours) and I have co-workers who are very understanding that my family comes first. I also choreograph floor and beam routines for our gym, as well as publish the team website; I'm also currently working on webpages for each gymnast. I've also become somewhat the secretary for our team - but this is all on MY time and on MY paycheck! Did I mention that we were State Champions this year? In two levels and one individual all-around, as well as several event champions? Just a little gymnastics toot!

What is your dream job, or what have you been thinking about pursuing?I think I'm doing it. I really do! I came out of college and worked in a preschool daycare. I don't care for the daycare, necessarily, but I definately see preschool teacher in my future, after my kids are well into school themselves. We have a remarkable 9 month Masters program nearby that will provide me with all credentials to teach. I've always known that kids would be involved with my career. And that's exactly what I've been doing :)

Quick Little Note...

Gosh, it's been so long that I've posted that my browser didn't even have Blogspot in its history... I'm just here quickly to let you know I've been choosing more of the sitting around on the floor with my kids than at the computer scrapping. I have TONS of ideas and lots of work to do, but it just seems a good time to spend with family. I have a few weeks left of work for the summer and then I hope to get more time to scrap - naptime is always a good time and that's when I've been working.
So, just in case you're getting a little worried, just look DOWN (on the floor) and you'll see me!

My Little Starz

Happy July!!
First of all, ScrapStreet released their July magazine and it is just amaZing, once again!! Here is that layout I've been dying to show!

One of the most fun parts about this page is that it is Junkitz Athletes - wish I could say that this is the reason for the "Z", but the reality is, I just didn't have any more "S"s!!

Go see the magazine here at ScrapStreet July and the fun All American page, too!

Other business... I received my WUBE stuff from the ScrappersAnonymous Father's Day contest and wowie, do I love this stuff!! The magnetic papers are really fun - but I didn't realized that regular 12x12s would come, too! WUBE seems just my style: distressed, bold and oversized. Can't wait to get started on the pages!