Chrissy's Creations

Dyson has gone Pink!

2007-09-21T12:16:00.001-05:00

Head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom and enter to win this adorable Pink Dyson.($400 value)

If you would like to purchase one they are available exclusively at Target and $40 from the sale of each vacuum goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation! Check it out!

Weekly Weigh In!

2007-09-20T22:07:00.000-05:00

Today was my weekly weigh in and I am pleased to announce that I am now down 13.8 lbs.

I only have a "little" to go. For some reason today I have been feeling a little down... wanting to stick my head in a vat of ice cream. Maybe it is time for another planned cheat! Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Nutrisystems

2007-09-10T22:20:00.000-05:00

Update on Weightloss!! I have finally begun to really lose weight I think. I have lost from 217 down to 205 as of this morning in just over a month. And to top it all off... I am NOT hungry at all. If anything sometimes I have a hard time eating everything I am supposed to be eating. I finally have aclimated myself to drinking all that water and I am feeling better than I have in a really long time. I don't feel so sluggish... I don't nap in the middle of the day with my youngest son. It is just blissful! and the best part of it is that once we are on the right path with our weight loss (yes hubby is doing this with me and the sorry sucker has lost 25+ lbs. already!!) I think we will be able to transfer what we are learning through the diet to "real life". I have found this wonderful recipe/weightloss board that has "real life" recipes that are similar in content to the NS foods. Check it out!! Christina Gray is a huge success story who has developed all of these recipes herself! I am very excited to have found her board and can't wait to be able to order one of her cookbooks. I hope this post finds everyone well! I will try to post a pic of my mom's birthday card that I made in the next couple of days. Have a great week!

Bath Time

2007-08-28T09:25:00.000-05:00

If you know me you know I LOVE bath pics. The following are pics of my youngest son Jack! He is so funny. All you have to do is pull out a camera and he breaks into the biggest toothy smile I have ever seen (well except Wilson who shows every tooth in his mouth when he smiles). I guess all my kids are really just hams :).

Yuck what a dirty baby!

Stop in the middle for some sugar...

All clean and ready for some daddy hugs! :)

Who wants an HP Compact Photo Printer.

2007-08-28T09:10:00.000-05:00

The brand new HP Photosmart A626 Compact Photo Printer is being released today and you can enter for a chance to win at 5 Minutes for Mom. The drawing for the winner is Sept. 10th so hurry on over and enter to win!!!

Rainy Day Fun!

2007-08-23T17:55:00.000-05:00

I took these pics of the boys at the beginning of the summer when it rained every day for at least 2-3 hours. I thought now would be a fitting time to post them as it hasn't rained her in oh 6 weeks and we are broiling in the 100+ degree heat! Here's to cooler times wetter times and splashing in puddles.

For more of the Rainy Day Fun! go to our online gallery!

Altered Journal

2007-08-23T17:30:00.000-05:00

This is a journal that I made for my dear friend's daughter. I just took a regular composition book and covered it in patterned paper and embellishments. I used SU! stamp set: Spunky Alphabet, SU! ink: close to cocoa, SU! Cardstock: old olive, very vanilla, and I used patterned paper that I bought at Hobby Lobby (I don't remember who made it) sorry. I think it turned out very cute! I hope she likes it. She and her mom and dad are making quite the transition as they have relocated several hours from home so that Heath can attend med school. I just know they will soon adjust and settle in!!

Wanna Win a TV???

2007-08-16T08:52:00.000-05:00

Do you need a new TV?
Check this out . . . 5 Minutes For Mom is giving away a 37″ Flat-Panel LCD HDTV! The giveaway is sponsored by Best Buy and ends this Friday, so hurry on over to enter!! Have a great day!!

Dirty Boys

2007-07-28T14:24:00.001-05:00

The kids had a great time this afternoon playing in the mud... I wonder how much a treatment like this in a spa would cost?? For a full viewing of the fun go to http://picasaweb.google.com/dchooker99

Weight Loss Website

2007-02-21T21:35:00.000-06:00

I have heard that this site can help you with weight loss. It looks really cool. The site is Sparkpeople, and the biggest way it works is just by making you mindful of what you are doing. It has nutrition and fitness trackers, and it makes it very easy to use. You can keep track of all the dietary info, such as how much calcium or sodium a certain food has. It has meal plans available, and you can search for certain foods- not just something like “soup” but “Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup”. Also, if you don’t have a nutritionist or trainer, it can figure out a meal plan and fitness routine for you. It will also tell you how many calories you need per day, etc.
It’s incredibly useful, and it works well with any diet plan out there that you may already be using. See, their philosophy is not to tell you how to lose the weight, but to help you track everything .

Best part- it’s completely free. No cost at all.

I can't wait to start TOMORROW with tracking what I eat! Hopefully this will help someone else!

Valentines

2007-02-20T22:25:00.000-06:00

OMG where does the time go?? I feel like there is never a free moment ever!! I did, however, make time to make these cutie valentines chocolate boxes for my friends. They are the perfect size to hold 3 Ghirardelli chocolates. I found the inspiration and instructions for making this box here on ChiChi Allen's Blog. She provided great instructions for creating the box which was really simple and fun to make!

Stamps: Polka Dots and Paisley
Ink: Tempting Turquoise (marker), Only Orange (marker), Pixie Pink (marker), & Basic Black
Paper: Kraft & Whisper White
I just used the template from ChiChi's Blog and stuck everything together with Mono Adhesive.

Hopefully I will find the time to post more frequently than once a month! We will see how it goes. Until next time...

Mission Accomplished

2007-01-19T21:53:00.001-06:00

Happy Dance!! I did it. Now to find the digital cam that I know how to operate so I can take some pics of the cards I have done recently!

OK I officially Suck... :)

2007-01-17T20:04:00.000-06:00

I am going to try to change my banner ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

2007-01-01T00:23:00.000-06:00

Happy 2007 everyone!!! Resolutions?? I will get back to you on that!! I may make the resolution not to make anymore resolutions. (that would be an easy one not to fail at) :)

ok yes I am bored!

2006-12-11T22:29:00.000-06:00

You paid attention during 86% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

For Fun!

2006-12-11T22:09:00.000-06:00

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The South
Philadelphia
The Northeast
The Inland North
The West
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Jack Jack crawling!

2006-12-07T19:53:00.000-06:00

I thought this pic of Jack was just too cute!! and I loved the colors in this digi kit by Shabby Princess called Shabby Fall. (I know I am a little late for fall, but I had to do it!) Hope you enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2006-11-23T10:33:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!! Hope everyone's holiday is wonderful!! OH and also Happy Birthday to MALLIE!!

OK so I installed a Map thingie to show where everyone is that stops by the blog, and I find it very interesting the there are people all over the country that have been by! So exciting.
So here's what I want you to do... leave a comment to this entry if you stop by so I can see WHO you all are!! Happy Thanksgiving!

-C

The Front Elevation

2006-11-22T15:14:00.000-06:00

Finally we have the front elevation of our house!! We are going to make a couple of changes: addition of a window to the left of the front door in the stairwell, and we may make some changes to the type style of windows? The central section with the front door and the four main windows will be some type of stacked stone and the rest of it will be "slurry" brick. Our next meeting with the architect will be Jan. 6th. Click the image to make it bigger. All comments are welcomed!

Revised Floor Plan Again!!

2006-11-22T08:42:00.000-06:00

This is pretty much the final first floor. We are going to add a foot back to the Master Bath so the wall will stick out a little, but other that that this is it.

Click on the images to make them larger.

2006-11-18T20:01:00.000-06:00

Wanna play? It's simple. Copy, paste and if you've done it, bold it. Here are just a few of the things I have done in my life -- proof I am actually quite boring:

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins (ok, they were in captivity, but it was cool...)
03. Climbed a mountain (I've hiked a few ...)
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said "I love you" and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children (still raising them)
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol (all three)
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone's life

One Teachers Thoughts on NCLB

2006-11-16T21:43:00.000-06:00

NCLB = No Child Left Behind

http://belleofthebrawl.blogspot.com/2006/11/be-my-guest-quilly.html
Check out one teacher's view on the No Child Left Behind Act.

My life truly...

2006-11-09T22:17:00.000-06:00

Recently, I was diagnosed with C. A. A. D. D. - Child Activated Attention
Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:

I decide to do the laundry. As I start toward the basement, I notice that there are Cheerios all over the floor and my house keys are in the cereal bowl. I decide to pick up the cheerios before I do the laundry. I lay my keys down on the counter, put the cheerios in the trash can under the counter, and notice that the trashcan is full. So, I decide to take out the trash. But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the trash I may as well pay the bills first. I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left, my extra checks are in my desk in the office, so I go to my desk where I find a sippy cup full of juice. I'm going to look for my checks, but first I decide I should put the sippy cup in the refrigerator to keep it cold. As I head toward the kitchen with the sippy cup a plant on the counter catches my eye--it needs to be watered. I set the sippy cup on the counter,
and I discover baby wipes that I've been searching for all morning. I decide I better put them back in the bathroom, but first I'm going to water the plants. I set the wipes back down, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot
the TV remote, left on the kitchen table. I realize that when I go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the plants. I splash some water on the plant, but most of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back down, get some paper towels and wipe up the spill. Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do. At the end of the day: the laundry isn't washed, the bills aren't paid, there is a warm cup of juice sitting on the counter, the plants aren't watered, there is still only one check in my check book, I can't find the remote, I can't find the wipes, and I don't remember what I did with my keys. Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired. Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!

In my email today :)

2006-11-06T19:20:00.001-06:00

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE 1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's !!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes. Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this. We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because...... WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Play stations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever! The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL! And YOU are one of them! CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good.
and while you are at it, share this with your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

Neat Website

2006-11-04T22:40:00.000-06:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are:
29
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

Look what Jack Jack can do!!

2006-11-02T00:06:00.000-06:00

New Bed for Josh and Wilson

2006-11-01T23:35:00.000-06:00

We were out looking at the Unfinished Furniture Store and found the coolest bed! We purchased it on sale and are going to be finishing it ourselves. Check it out!! The top bunk is only 4 feet up and the bottom "drawer" is a trundle bed. This is really going to open up the kids' room so that they have more room to play. Currently there is NO room for anything other than sleeping. We are so excited!!! If anyone has any tips on finishing furniture let us know. That is our next big project!

Cool Optical Illusion

2006-10-14T21:01:00.000-05:00

Cool Optical Illusion click here

New Layout of the Boys

2006-10-11T20:51:00.000-05:00

These pictures came from a fundraiser a friend of mine was doing for her little boy's preschool. I bought a $10 sitting fee which included one "free" 8x10 photo. Needless to say, I bought all of the pictures! How could one resist?? Quite a scam they have going there!

Credits: Kit by Daniella Peuss "Jump into Fall"

New layout for Jack Jack

2006-10-06T23:38:00.000-05:00

Jackson is sitting up pretty well these days; we really wondered if he ever would. In the pictures in the layout, Jack had just gotten out of the tub and was sitting on his changing table. He was very pleased with himself! I used a free kit May 2005 from www.twopeasinabucket.com by Rhonna Farrer.

Magazine Cover

2006-10-06T21:44:00.000-05:00

I saw something like this on the web and thought it was a cute idea... It has been a really long time ago and I can't remember where I saw it to give credit? Anyway Here is a Magazine Cover that I made for Josh.. Thought it turned out really cute!!!

Success!!!!!

2006-10-05T19:55:00.000-05:00

Thanks to DAVID and BARBARA I now have a customized banner!!! (HTML sucks) Thanks for all your help Barbara, but apparently my template is WAY different than yours! LOL We finally figured it out though! What do you think of my banner??

Banner

2006-10-05T18:56:00.000-05:00

ok gonna try a banner that I created using April Bern's "Cupcake" kit.

New pics of the boys...

2006-10-04T23:50:00.000-05:00

MY little soccer CHAMP!! His team "the Strikers" won the Fall Festival Tournament U8 division!!! Congrats Josh!!

Oh My Gosh! They are never this still and cute and not crying all at the same time!!!

SIMPLY IRRESISTABLE!

Look who has finally decided to get up!!

So this weekend I am setting myself up for 2 soccer games, the kids portraits, at least 9 episodes of Days of Our Lives and a little Digital Scrappin!! (don't forget I have to grade the nine weeks test for my kids at school!!)

Have a great week!!!

Our 2nd Floor!!

2006-10-04T23:45:00.000-05:00

Ok so now we are going to begin working on the CUTS!! This house is WAY too big. We are shooting for 4500 sq. ft. and right now are pushing 6000. Not pictured here is the media room which is above the garage.

More posts to come as we talk with our Architect further.

Our First Floor (3662 sq. ft.)

2006-09-22T20:04:00.000-05:00

Probably way too big. We will probably have to cut something... somewhere? There are still 4 bedrooms and a bonus room upstairs... and we are shooting for 4500 sq. ft. We will see what happens with the next meeting.

Decisions, Decisions

2006-09-16T17:30:00.000-05:00

So I am in my friend, Mallie's wedding in July of next year and would like some feedback on dresses. She has given us a couple of options. They are both very pretty, and I am having a hard time coming up with my vote. Here they are:
The back detail on the 2nd one is very pretty with a row of buttons and the collar has a little beading. The first one is also very pretty in person!!! So hard to decide. What do you think?

OUR FIRST FLOOR!!!

2006-09-04T21:56:00.000-05:00

OK so it has been forever since my last post. I am just overwhelmed right now with so much of everything. Hopefully I will find the time to become a little more regular with my posting.

So since my last post... we bought a lot in Olive Branch, MS and have hired an architect to create our houseplan for us. We have just received the first floor of the plan and are thrilled.

To give some perspective, the master bedroom is 16 x 20 and the living room is 27 x 20. Also, the craft room (CR) will be switched with the laundry room (L). SO (drumroll please) Here it is!!!!!

2nd Attempt at New LO

2006-04-21T23:37:00.000-05:00

I was really stuck on this layout. I had a vision in my mind that just wasn't quite making it to the LO. SO I posted and showed it to my friend Barbara and she was able to give me some constructive criticism...Thanks for the helpful advice Barbara.....How is this one??

New Layout of the Boys

2006-04-21T19:23:00.000-05:00

I was playing around with some pictures that were taken on Easter and came up with this Layout. It didn't turn out exactly as imagined, but I think it looks OK.

Cucumber Cool Kit by Kim Crothers

Say Cheese!

2006-04-15T14:53:00.000-05:00

Seems simple to get three kids and a dog to be still for a photo, right?? If you answered yes to the previous question it is apparent that you have no kids and have never had contact with any either! LOL

Rainy Season Kit by Kim Crothers

The Taylors - ONLINE

2006-04-15T13:34:00.000-05:00

There is NO lack of TECHNOLOGY at the Taylor House!!

My Three Sons

2006-04-15T01:29:00.000-05:00

Sloppy borders kit by Kim Crothers

Easter Pics 2

2006-04-15T00:58:00.000-05:00

Note: the Jack's hair is standing on end!!

21 Day Challenge - way behind but here's what I have...

2006-04-15T00:51:00.000-05:00

American Dogwood Kit by Sarah Bardorf

Spring Fever Kit by Kim Crothers

Easter Pics Part 1

2006-04-14T23:22:00.000-05:00

Pastel Crush Kit by Kim Crothers

Easter Egg Kit by Kim Crothers

Font: Courtney Babcock
We had a great time hunting Easter eggs today! The boys were so excited that it was difficult to get them to sit still for this pic, but I think it turned out really well!

21 Day Challenge - Day 12

2006-04-08T10:37:00.000-05:00

I woke up early to get to the gym and do my "baby steps" class. I got there, walked on the treadmill to warm up, set up my step out on the aerobics floor and got ready. Then Lisa, the instructor got up there and announced "POWERSTEP" starting now. ARGH. I immediately said that I couldn't do it. Lisa encouraged me to stay and at least give it a try and surprisingly, I made it through the entire class (except the abs part) And I did at least do crunches while they were doing their complex ball routine. I am so proud of me!! Now I feel like I CAN do the powersteps. I wonder if I would have ever tried it otherwise?

21 Day Challenge - Day 11

2006-04-07T21:16:00.000-05:00

Exhaustion has overtaken me. I stayed up way too late last night and fought dozing off all day long. SO I didn't go to the gym. I did however go walking with the kids to the park. (it is something). There is a baby steps class tomorrow morning at 9 that I would like to make it to. Surely I will be rested by then.

Day 11 Layout: Bubble Gum Machine Kit
by Angie Briggs
Font: Vivaldi Italic

21 Day Challenge - Day 10

2006-04-06T23:54:00.000-05:00

Looked forward to going to the gym today! I did my "baby steps" class and actually made it all the way through without stopping to gasp!

Day 10 Layout: Majestic Night
by Lisa Cohen
Font: Perpetua Tilting MT Bold
Staples: from Smudge Kit
by Kim Crothers

21 Day Challenge - Day 8-9

2006-04-05T22:01:00.000-05:00

didn't get around to post yesterday... things were so busy around here. Did work out and feel great !! I even looked forward to going today!

Day 9 Layout: Camp
by Kim Crothers @ CreativeSnaps.com
Font: Papyrus

Day 8 Layout: Splendid
by Shabbyprincess.com
Font: Papyrus

21 Day Challenge - Day 7

2006-04-03T23:29:00.000-05:00

Ok so I was bad today. I didn't work out, but I missed it. I am looking forward to tomorrow's routine!
Day 7 Layout: Autumn by Ping Designs
Font: Matura MT Script Caps

21 Day Challenge - Day 5-6

2006-04-02T23:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend has been pretty good for the challenge. I did a workout tape last night in lieu of going to the gym, and I took today (Sunday) off. So this week I went to the gym or exercised a total of 6 times! (My goal was 5 times). The only problem I am having right now is my house is an absolute disaster area. When I leave school, then go to the gym, then feed the kids, and do my journal it is LATE. I didn't post yesterday so I could catch up a little. Anyway, maybe I will do better with that this week!

Day 5 Layout: Sunny Side Kit
by Kim Crothers @ CreativeSnaps.com
Font: Papyrus

Day 6 Layout: Rainy Season Kit
by Kim Crothers @ CreativeSnaps.com
Font: Showcard Gothic

21 Day Challenge - Day 4

2006-03-31T22:35:00.000-06:00

RELIEF! It has finally happened. The pain is slowly retreating. The quote for today makes me think about yesterday. I had in my mind that I absolutely could NOT do that class one more time. But with some prodding, I DID the UNDOABLE! And I am stronger for it! I know that I CAN push myself, and I really DO feel better. I didn't have the conversation with myself all day about whether or not to go... I didn't think up one single excuse and I went! And on a Friday afternoon, I was the only one there :).

On another issue... I guess I have a sub goal on this challenge. I have just begun to try digi scrapping. As a matter of fact, the two Lay Outs that are posted on this blog are my first attempts. I Promise to catch up on Saturday or Sunday! I am really enjoying learning PSE4 in the process. It just takes time.

Day 4 Layout: Shabby Mommy @ shabbyprincess.com
Font: Ribbon131 Bd Bt

21 Day Challenge - Day 3

2006-03-30T23:19:00.000-06:00

OUCH! It actually hurts to type... Ok so I am a huge Baby! I again had the whole do I go... do I not go... conversation with myself today. (I am beginning to appear a bit insane). I even went as far as to talk to my trainer and beg her to tell me it couldn't be good to be in this much pain.. She laughed at me and MADE me do babysteps again. It was SOO much harder today. BUT I sweated through it AND put in an addtional 15 on the bike. Right now as I sit here at 11:30pm in PAIN, I have to admit I don't feel a sense of accomplishment. I sorta feel like I am in a downward spiral. Which leads me to the quote for today. I absolutely LOVE it. So I will embrace the pain and have faith that everyone isn't lying to me when they say it will GO AWAY!

I Promise that on Saturday I will catch up with the artwork. For tonight I don't have any more energy to fight with PSE4. Gotta get my sleep so I can kill myself at the gym tomorrow. LOL

Day 3 Layout: Dirt Kit
by Kim Crothers @ CreativeSnaps.com
Font: Tekton Pro

21 Day Challenge - Day 2

2006-03-29T23:59:00.000-06:00

OK... so it was really difficult for my "legs to carry me" out of bed this morning... so much for that BABY steps class I did yesterday. Yet still standing in that scalding shower allowing the ache to flow from my body this morning, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I have been having this conversation in my head all day about whether or not it was worth it to go again today... I mean I KNEW it was, but there were SO many excuses in my mind. In the end, I knew I had to go. I made a commitment. As I was working out this afternoon (30 minutes of treadmill, 15 minutes of bike, and my weights routine) I felt GREAT!! NO MORE EXCUSES!! Now the dreaded ache is back... they say it will dissapate soon - Lets hope so!

Day 2 Layout: Silly Flower Kit
by Kim Crothers @ CreativeSnaps.com
Font: VinerHand ITC

21 Day Challenge - Day 1

2006-03-28T21:23:00.000-06:00

A really good friend, Barbara, sent me the 21 day challenge, and I have been struggling for about a day with what I need to focus on for a goal. I am the type of person who gets all excited and has too many goals all at once which is counter productive for me because my enthusiasm only lasts about a day before I am absolutely worn out. So after much consideration, my *MAIN* goal is weight loss. The two subsets that I narrowed it to are “eliminating snacking between meals” and “going to the gym and doing at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 5 times a week”. Whew that was a mouthful! So do I have to choose??? I think I should. I am going to ponder another day and decide tomorrow. For now I can celebrate! I didn’t snack at all between meals today, AND I went to the gym and did 20 minutes on the treadmill and a baby steps class. (boy am I feelin' it!!)

Cover Layout: CosmicSlush Kit

by Kim Crothers @ CreativeSnaps.com
Font: MarkerFinePoint-Plain

Day 1 Layout: CosmicSlush Kit

by Kim Crothers @ CreativeSnaps.com

Font: Juice ITC