New Blog Up and Running_

Ok, I think I got everything set up for the time being. I am not too sure I like the post dividers.. what do you think? I might have to play around with them a little but they'll do for now. I will miss my old wordpress template though, I really liked it.

All I have left to do is my little add ons in the sidebars, YAY!

Please Excuse The Dust_

I've moved all the previous posts from my wordpress blog but haven't started re-designing the layout and look just yet. So bare with me while I get situated over here :)

A Better Day_

Today was pretty good. I made a goal and stuck to it. I barely had any foods that were not on the Simply Filling food list. Dan and I went out and about after dropping Greyson off at school. First we hit up Starbucks, where I got myself a Skinny Caramel Latte.. which IS on the list btw. Gotta love that! It was Fat free and sugar free. Then we went over to Best Buy to check out some cell phones I had my eye on. I wanted to try them out before I ordered one online. Yeah, I ended up walking out with one instead.

I ended up getting the Samsung Freeform, which is similar in design to the Blackberry Curve. I love the full QWERTY keyboard and since I have teeny tiny hands, it's perfect for me. None of this 9 key texting for me! Seriously, texting that way would take me a year to type out a sentence.

Afterwards, we headed over to the tattoo shop downtown. I wanted to scope out some local artists in hopes of finding someone in town to go to in the future, but they are closed on Mondays. Bummer:(

Dan wanted to grab some lunch, so we went to the deli down the street and I DID NOT GET ANYTHING! Instead I came home and made myself a bowl of fat free cottage cheese with pineapple chunks and a couple slices of ham.

I am sore today lol. Last night I got a bug up my butt while I was watching tv and decided to do some squats & lunges. Then before bed I did this 45 min 'Candlelight Yoga' I found on Netflix.

All in all, I'd say it was a good day!

Upset with myself..._

I have been having a really hard time motivating myself. It seems to be easier to motivate others to do the same thing but when it comes down to it, I don't feel like I have anyone to motivate me. I have not been able to schedule in any exercise time with my new work schedule. And maybe that is my own fault because if I really wanted to.. I probably could make the time. In my head I DO want to, I just need to actually get off my ass and do it.

Eating is a downfall. I want all the stuff I shouldn't have and then when I give in, I feel guilty about it. I AM going back to Simply Filling foods, I just have to make sure that I don't overeat. It is SO easy to overeat. I just bought groceries the other day so I am not lacking for food. I AM going to do this. I AM going to BLOG this... no sense in paying for something I am not using. I WILL Succeed.

Update on the Weight Loss Front_

I am starting to lose the weight I gained during my surgery/recovery. I gained about 8 lbs over the time where the cyst ruptured and just after my surgery.. so it was about a month or so. I was down 2.7 lbs the weigh in before last and this past weigh in I was up a few ounces. But not a big deal, it's just water bloat. Next week will be better.

I am trying to get back into a exercise routine again. I have only really been cleared to walk a little but it's better than nothing! I can also life up to 10 lbs so I have been doing some toning with my 5 lb weight as well. I really need to get my arms toned up so I can get my tattoo and not have flabby arms!

I especially need to drop a few more pounds so I can get into the clothes I just bought LOL! Gosh, I hope my pants fit. I ordered my usual size but when I was out a few wks ago I tried on what I thought would fit at Target and I had to buy the next size up. I forgot that Target's pants run smaller and the Large size from Fashion Bug is still too big on me so I am thinking it will be ok.

A Bunch of Stuff and a Sale!_

First let's tackle the sale.. it's not really what you are thinking- that will be discussed in my next paragraph. It's a clothing sale! Fashion Bug.. it's one of my favorite stores for women's clothing. Not only are they reasonably priced, they carry women's styles in a wide range of sizes, 6–30 to be exact. I love that they are all in the same styles without the cost of extra material if you should need it. I am starting a new full time job next week so I needed new clothes. I don't have to wear anything fancy, jeans & nice top is fine, but I only owned 2 pairs of jeans that fit and not a whole lot of tops either. Right now they are having a 40% off the spring line and 75% off clearance but when I shopped the other day they were doing a Buy One Item, Get Another 50% off. So I got a REALLY good deal. And it's a good thing I bought when I did because some of the stuff I ordered is no longer available. I ended up with 7 tops, 5 pairs of jeans, and 2 new bras. Not a bad deal at all.

Now to address something else- I have closed my SDD shop. The reason being that I thought I would be able to get back to designing a little but now that I am starting this job outside the home, I'm not going to have a lot of time. It sucks, but it's what I have to do. I am however, thinking of making my current stock that I designed for sale at SDD available here through paypal incase anyone wanted anything. And also if I get a bug up my butt and design a little something new, I can put it up for sale here.

On to some fun stuff:) Last night I attended a Purse Party hosted by my sister-in-law, Shala. It was to help her raise funds for Breast Cancer. Her mom, Tammie, was recently diagnosed and some the efforts from this party went towards that. There was a lot of great stuff to choose from. I ended up getting myself a new wallet and a matching wristlet for when I go out and don't want to lug around my big purse. We had a lot of fun.

I just realized that I haven't been posting my ADSR layouts on here, so here are my last few pages- I'm doing thumbnails this time because it's easier lol. Click to enlarge.

Challenge 3:

The Challenge:

This one was to use selective coloring in the photo, dating elements, and at least 20 words in the journaling.

Credits:

Background Paper: Plain & Simple Winter by Blythe Evans (retired)
Wood Frames: Blythe Evans Wood Ya Like A Frame? at SDD (Scrappity-Doo-Dah)
Dating Elements: At This Moment by Blythe Evans at SDD
Heart Element from Micheline Martin's My Blue Valentine Kit(retired), Dirt element from Micheline Martin's All Natural Kit (retired), 'love' word element is Micheline Martin's Perfect Title V.1 (retired).
Corner stitching: Natali design stitching freebie.

The word 'dirt' in journaling and word 'Oh' in title is Blackmail alpha brushes by Blythe Evans at SDD.
Sparkly Craft Foam Alpha is from the Pastel set by Blythe Evans (now retired).

Font: Pea Hannah Vanilla

Challenge 4:

The Challenge:

This challenge was to create 2 ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) per team member and then put them all on ONE layout. The Theme: The One I Love (One card about someone or thing in your life and the other about your partner.)

Blythe's Credits:

(Partner)
Pink BG Paper & Birdie- Kathyrn Balint
Flowers: JannyLynn Silk Flowers
Dotcom Friends WordArt-Tina Chambers @ DSP
Flower Centers: Flergalious 2 Centers
Diva Crown (lol) Happily Ever After Collab by Mary Fran & Kay Miller

(Personal)

Room A Zoom Zoom Collab by Micheline Martin & Melissa Bennett

Bobbie's Credits:

(Partner)
Rubber Band by Kate Hadfield
Frame by CRD
Tattered Tags by Natalie Bird
Flowers No. 3 by ON Designs
Flower Rain by Jeann G
Flower Mania by Jofia Devoe
In The Sandbox by MK Designs
Font: CK Sketch

(Personal)
Spiced Pumpkin by Gina Miller
Fanpire by Tangie
Cherry Blossoms by Jenna Desai
O Brother Collab by OScraps

Extra Credits: Blythe Evans Down & Dirty Paperpack & Teeny Tiny Type Alpha

Challenge 5:

The Challenge:

This one was to incorporate chocolate in the layout in some way. Was also a 'recipe' challenge. We were given a list of items, which we needed to use at least 6 of from the list.

Credits:

2 papers- Blythe Evans Iced Mocha Latte Papers (retired)
1 ribbon- Sheer Skinny Ribbon Wraps by Wendy Page
1 alpha- Atomic Amber Kit by Micheline Martin (retired)
1 staple- Redju's CU staples
1 flower- Silk Flowers by Jannylynn
1 button- Atomic Amber Kit by Micheline Martin (retired)

Challenge 7:

**No Challenge 6 for me because it was to be done by ONE Team member.

The Challenge:

Make a 'bucket' list of 50 things you wanted to accomplish. This was HARD.

Credits:

Micheline Martin- Sunday Morning, All Things Natural Kit, & Ransom Alpha (retired).
Jannylynn's Silk Flowers
Notebook paper: Vicki Stegall's rock On Kit
Flower Stitching: Sweet Genevieve

Stock Photos: Free Digital Photos (.net)

Challenge 8:

The Challenge:

To use 'Someday' as your theme and journaling. Use a 'tone on tone' patterned background paper and at least 10 elements.

Credits:

Miss Priss by Blythe Evans & Micheline Martin (retired)

Well Hello There_

I had my surgery on Friday. Every thing went well except that they ended up needing to take a whole ovary plus about half of the remaining ovary. I am ok with it, it's just spare parts at this point. it would be different if I didn't have or wasn't done having kids but I am. They left enough that it won't send me into menopause at 34 but there is a chance that I will start menopause 2–5 yrs earlier than I would have normally. I was released on Saturday but I went and stayed at my mom's house for a few days. Even though Dan was home to help with the kids, there was no way I was going to get the rest I needed with 4 boys in the house. Dan also took today off of work so I could stay an extra day and I came home earlier this afternoon.

Now, on to more pressing matters.. the ADSR! I really wanted to get my second layout done before I went into the hospital since the deadline for the first week was on Sunday and I wasn't sure how well I was going to be able to function and scrap on heavy duty pain meds. So that left me to get it done by Thursday night. Yeah, that didn't happen. I don't know about everyone else but this was one doozy of a challenge.

The Challenge:

Recipe/Challenge:

Theme: 5 things I LOVE about....(choose a person, topic, idea, etc. Be Creative!)
Title: use a combination of 5 fonts and/or alphas (example: use 2 different fonts and 3 different alphas)
Photos: use 5 photos, one of the photos must have the number 5 in it!
Use 5 different elements of the same type (example: use 5 different flowers or 5 different buttons, etc.)

Season to taste: add ingredients from your digital pantry to make this layout your own!

I had a few different ideas but I just couldn't seem to make them work. Bring on the pressure! If you saw my facebook, you I was freaking out over not having my 'five'. So there I was, laying in the hospital and I still didn't have an idea and then it hit me. Go figure it hits me when I'm on a morphine pump. And believe it or not, it was actually an awesome idea. What's one thing I love? My Tattoos.. and hey what do ya know, I've got 5 of them (for now)!!

So here is my 2nd ADSR Layout- (click to enlarge)

Credits:

Title- Alphas: Micheline Martin's Ransom Alpha, Blythe Evans' Silver Mine Alpha Beads (retired), Blythe Evans Teeny Tiny Type Alpha (Scrappity-Doo-Dah). Fonts (Words 'I' & 'tattoos') Nasty & Blocked Type.

5 Elements: Fabric Flowers from Vicki Stegall's Rock On Kit.

Extra elements: Micheline Martin's Perfect Title word strips, Background paper and Star trail from Vicki Stegall's Rock On Kit. Flower centers- Vonnie's DigiWorld (bows) at Scrappity-Doo-Dah, Micheline Martin's Just the Basics (CU Button Stitching), and Digital Candy's studded brads. Nancy Comelab's Photo Clusters.

Well, That Was Interesting_

Ok, so I haven't blogged in a few days. The last time I did, the site was acting kind of buggy and it went down just after I posted last. I've been kind of busy this week so I thought I would just let it go and check back later. So, I got a few minutes and came on to blog a bit and my site was down. Come to find out somehow my IP addy got blocked and I couldn't access my own site! Never really had a problem with this webhost, I would recommend them to anyone. Just weird. They had me back up and running minutes after I emailed. They really do have top notch customer service even if weird things happen on occasion.

ANYWAY! The ADSR has started up again. Our first challenge was to create a Layout about your race partner. Layout must contain something about your partner and be a scraplift of one of your partner's layouts. So here is mine:



Journaling:

My partner this year is Bobbie.
We were partners last year too.
We originally met when she
applied for my Creative Team.
We hit it off and became very
close friends.

Bobbie is probably one of the
coolest people I know.
Not only is she sweet & funny,
she is also a fabulous mom
and photographer.

I am glad to have her in
my life because I know I can
count on her always.

Credits:

Ocean Breeze Paperpack & Au Natural Alpha by Blythe Evans @ Scrappity-Doo-Dah
Bubble Wrap Stamps, dirt spray, Strings w/ Things, & binder clip by Micheline Martin (retired)
Ribbon cluster: All Dressed Up Ribbons by Jennifer Barrette.

Scraplift of: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php? photo=547974&title=no-hands&cat=all

Getting Back To Normal_

Whatever that is! After about 10 days or so, all the kids are back in school. Liam was out for a little over a week due to a mild case of Chicken Pox. He was already vaccinated so it was very mild. No fever, very little itching, spots all over but not too severe.

On Friday, Greyson stayed home because of a icky cough that he somewhat still has but not as bad. And finally, this rain has stopped! It actually stopped last week but I was hesitant to jump up and down for fear that it would say "Haha Made Ya Look!" and start coming down again.

A few good things coming up, we got our taxes done and filed as of last night (yippee!), Dan has informed me that we are finally going to buy a car- we have been without one for about a year now. It's time. Not sure what we will be getting though. Most likely another minivan, which is fine but I miss my truck. And last but not least, it looks like Dan may be getting somewhat of a promotion (??). Right now, he is the 'Assistant Manager of Inventory Control' and they really want him to take the position of Warehouse Lead, which really sounds like a step down but they are pushing to be able to give him an increase in pay if he takes it. So, I guess we'll see. If he takes it he may also have to work graves.

The kids just walked in-Early Release Monday, so it's homework time. Let the chaos begin!

My Wonderful Husband_

Gotta love him right? He thinks he is SO funny! Tuesday is my birthday, so this weekend he's been all over me asking what I want for my birthday. SO I told him.. I want a new tattoo, cash towards my Reno trip, clothes..  any one of those things would be just fine. He looks at me and says, "How about something practical like stuff for the kitchen..." Um hello, things for me to use to make things for YOU is not a birthday gift. A birthday gift is something that I get to enjoy for me. His other suggestion was new furniture. Yes, we need new furniture but don't use my birthday as an excuse to buy it! Sheesh man..

I also gave him a more reasonable suggestion.. the butterfly ring I have been wanting for like 2 yrs now. But I'd also like for him to come up with something on his own for a change. No one likes to pick out their own gift. All I know is we're going out to dinner, not sure where yet.

Oh And Another Thing..._

I wasn't planning on it but Bobbie asked me to partner up with her again this year for ADSR5. So I'm sure there will be at least 1–2 posts per week on that alone!

My last layout I scrapped, it only took me like 5 months to finally get done..



Credits:

Papers: Karah Fredricks- In My Dreams Mini kit
Frame: Blythe Evans Wood Frames (retired)
Star spray: Vicki Stegall- Rock On Kit
Date Elements: Blythe Evans- At This Moment
Word Art: Taylormade- Fading 3
Stitched border & paint spray by Micheline Martin (currently retired)

Lots of Stuff_

I am still trying to get back into the swing of blogging regularly. Most of the time, it's just because I have nothing worthy of talking about going on lol. Not sure what is wrong with me, I used to blog everyday!

So here is what is new with me. I found out in the last few weeks that I have several large ovarian cysts. So, long story short is that I had a cyst rupture, which landed me in the ER and started a whole slew of testing and doctor appointments. I had an ultrasound last week and my OB/GYN is recommending that I have surgery to remove the cysts. The scheduler is going to call me next week with my surgery date. She did say that I could wait and have the surgery later but #1- I don't want too take the risk of another rupture and more pain. #2 I am supposed to start working full time outside the home and I don't want to start a brand new job and then have to put in for time off for surgery so it makes sense for me to just get it over with now.

I am also trying to get into the habit of entering sweepstakes and winning fun stuff! I created a new Twitter account specifically for contests that have Twitter entries so that I don't spam anyone unnecessarily. If you would like to the chance to enter all the contests I am entering, just follow me @sweeperchick76 on Twitter.

My very good friend, Heather, also has several giveaways posted on her blog. So run and check out her blog too!

Bad Blogger_

Yeah, yeah, I know. What can I say.. life gets in the way sometimes. I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday. Now that they are out of the way, maybe I can get back to business. If anyone was wondering, I am still on the Weight Watchers gravy train. I have lost 34.5 lbs to date and am still going strong.

Here is a topic I have been thinking a lot about lately because of all the ads for weight loss programs that are on TV right now. New Years is probably the most profitable times for these companies.. why? Because who doesn't resolve to eat better and get healthy?? I am a bit biased. I will admit that. But that is only because I know why Weight Watchers works. And no, I am not being paid to say any of this, wish I was but alas I am not. I see all the ads for Nutri-System and Jenny Craig.. and sure they work but they also cost you an arm and a leg in the food you have to buy in order to lose said weight. They don't teach you how to cook for yourself or even how to eat in public. So what happens when you are done losing weight? You either continue to spend a fortune on their foods or you go back to regular food and gain it all back because all you've learned is how to eat THEIR food. Again, personal opinion and observation.

That is where Weight Watchers is different. There is no required food to buy, you are taught to eat real food you get at the grocery store. Taught how to make the proper substitutions in order to continue to eat those family favorites and yummy goodies. Taught about proper proportions and even taught how to eat out in public!

I have been using WW since 2001 after the birth of my 3rd son. I successfully lost 20 lbs on the plan. I was forced to stop because I got pregnant again. I resumed after my 4th son and discovered the WW Nursing Moms program. Here I thought I wouldn't be able to actively do WW until I was done nursing, which could have been at least a year. I lost 37 lbs in 6 months that time and stopped because.. yep, you guessed it. I got pregnant again. Are we seeing a trend here? Trust me.. it ends here lol. After my 5th son, I lost 25 lbs. I was thinner to start and didn't gain a lot of weight during my pregnancy. I had about 35 to lose. The only reason I stopped losing was my own fault.. no fault of the program. I got very depressed and lazy and I went temporarily insane for a minute. I have been back on plan for 10 months now and feeling SO much better. I never ever plan to stray. I am excited to make my long term goal and I have a lot to look forward to when I do.

So there you have it. My 2 cents for whatever it's worth:)