Merry Digi-Christmas...

Well...I must have been one good girl this year because Santa really came through...no I don't have a baby or anything...maybe next year...but my Christmas was a digi scrappers dream.

Here's what Santa brought me...(Santa as in my family)

First from my BIL...


I LOVE this book...I have the first one, but this one is even better because you can add your own sketches and ideas at the end. So many of the ideas transfer so well to digi...need a little inspiration...this is the book you need!

Then from my brother...

Isn't this the cutest? Amazingly this bag fits so much stuff! (However, if you have a widescreen laptop it probably won't fit...hopefully they'll make another one that will)

Then...from my loving, wonderful parents...


Seriously people...does it get better than this? You know it doesn't...

Finally, my wonderful husband, who sometimes I wonder why he puts up with me so...

For Christmas---RAM (which brings me to 1 GB) [Sorry no pic...RAM's really not that exciting to look at]

Then for my upcoming birthday...


My previous camera has been on the fritz for over a month now and unfortunatly hit rock bottom over the holidays and I missed out on many photo ops. I originally wanted a dSLR, but there is no way we could swing it now, but I wanted something more advanced than my previous model, which had 3.2 mp and 3x optical zoom. The reviews for this camera were outstanding, plus I can shoot quality video on it. The zoom is spectacular and I can purchase additional lenses and a external flash later.

So my birthday isn't for another three weeks, but since my problems with my other camera...my birthday came a little early this year...who am I to complain?

Of course, this isn't all for digi scrapping...one thing I've learned since looking for a job is that most journalism/writing jobs require graphic design experience also. I'm hoping to start taking classes toward a visual journalism emphasis this fall to add to my current degree. However until then...I can learn as much as I can on my own. I've also been exploring digital art and would like to put some items together and enter the local gallery walk.

I hope everyone reading this had the happiest of holidays...here's to the new year....

Some people are just idiots, Part Deux...

Unfortunately, I think this is going to be the name of my book of all the insensitive things people say or do to someone that is dealing with infertility.

Ok first I must write a disclaimer...*I am not a fan of holiday newsletters...not at all* Now if you send out a holiday newsletter, please know I will not hold it against you...just don't send it to me.

Ok...After my last entry I went to the doctor for a check up then to the store to get my baking supplies. When I got home, I checked the mail, excited to find more Christmas cards. (I love getting Christmas cards and photos!--See I'm not a total Scrooge). One was from my very good friend, or someone I thought was my good friend. We've kinda lost touch over the year because of another insensitive comment. In this letter, a form letter, she announced her pregnancy (well to me anyway...she's been pregnant since summer). My heart was just broken...If you've ever dealt with infertility, you know how hard it is to hear about other's good fortunes...especially their second or in this case...third...good fortunes. It's really hard to explain...we don't get mad at the couple...it's really just a reminder of what we want so bad, but cannot have.

This case though...I was mad. I'm sorry I can't help it. It was just a tad insensitive (a lot of sarcasm here) Yes, I probably would've been upset no matter what, but I really think a little personal note asking about how I'm doing and breaking it gently would've soothed the shock.

Whatever...I should have moved on a long time ago. It's just the last in a long line of insensitive remarks and actions. We really were great friends at one time. The things I know....not things that a Christian mother of three does....that's all I'm going to say...

Anyway...now that that is off my chest...I actually did it...I joined myspace. I've said forever that I wouldn't...however my friend Patty convinced me. If you're interested my site is www.myspace.com/mives121

And I realize I haven't posted a layout here in ages! Believe me I've been busy...I love the creative teams I'm on! I have been so fortunate to play with these awesome designs...here are a couple of my latest...

I used Holiday Peace from the Scrapbook Bytes E-Team (December 06 kit) for this one of Dakota eating my candy cane.

I used Tracy Ann's Midnight kit for this one...I love her new glitter!

This kit is from a new collection by Tracy Ann...this one is Flip...don't ask what I was doing...I'm really not sure.

I LOVE how this one turned out...I used Ange Barton's (Angedawn) 21...the grunge was perfect for the city scape, I also used one of Tracy Ann's Photo Mats on the photo.

This cute layout is done thanks to a template from Teresa Ferguson's Smarties 3 collection. Teresa has such a fresh style...I love using her templates! The kit here is Sweet Blue from Tracy Ann.

Well that's all for now...I can't wait to share what I'm getting for Christmas...I'm so excited! Of course, like always there will be a lot of travel, but it will be really nice to see all the family in one weekend. Besides...I can just sleep in the car. ;)

Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and hopefully I'll post again before the new year.

Travel safe!

If you wait until a few days before Christmas

to order your gifts and have them sent by US mail...don't bitch at me that you have to pay an additional $11.95 to get it there on time!

*whew* Had to get that off my chest. But yesterday was my last day doing customer service! Yea! Most people were really nice, but I had my intelligence questioned one too many times to actually enjoy the job. I can't help it...I'm a nice person and tend to take things personally....it's just what I do.

Can you believe that Christmas is less than a week away?! I'm excited. Ok...this may sound horrible...but I LOVE presents! I love getting them I love giving them! I just love everything about them! Please don't think anything less of me. :D I'm especially excited this year because I *think* I'm going to have the digi-scrapper's dream of a holiday.

Today I'm going to do my baking...I'm making traditional sugar cut-outs and spritz. I'm also going to make Super Easy Fudge, which really is super easy...thanks to the Betty Crocker cookbook. Then I have to do laundry :( (My worst chore)

Well...I'm going to leave you for now...here's a photo of our Christmas tree, which is the most beauiful Christmas tree I've ever seen!

Wha? Ya mean this blog doesn't update itself?

I'm alive! Really I am...I've been a great scrapper (if you've checked my gallery), but just a bad blogger...wanna know why? Really it's a poor excuse. I wanted to redress my blog for Christmas, but have really been too lazy to do so. Told ya...

I've also been a rollercoaster of emotions lately. I really don't know whether to laugh or cry, so I've done a lot of both. This time of year is always emotional for me and has been for the past four years. Every Christmas I always say this will be the last as a childless couple, however, Christmas seems to find its way back and we're still in the same place.

I still don't have a job, but I've been doing customer service for a cheese and sausage company until the 19th...which has it's ups and downs. Mostly it had been good, but someone yesterday said something to me that struck me to the very core of my confidence. I can't even write it here as it's still too fresh. It's amazing how much words really hurt.

I wrote a letter to Santa this year...my first in a while. Actually it was a scrapbook page.

Credits here

Ok...I really don't mean for this to be a depressing post...my first post in such a long while. Actually I have been doing quite well. I feel like my depression is lifting. And that is the most wonderful news. That black blanket is slowly being pulled from my eyes and I'm starting to see color again. And this is what I wanted before we decided what our next step was in creating our family. Now we will be saving money for IVF. Anyone have an extra $20,000 lying around? Unfortunately that means my scrapping budget will have to be greatly decreased (more than usual)...thank goodness for the designers who've asked me to be on their CTs! But don't worry...once we receive that gift we long so much for, I and my Paypal account will be back! :D

And to finish...I've been tagged so if you've made it this far, Shannon is the reason I'm back!

I'm tagging Steph, Julie, Jen, Ange and Teresa

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate with tons and tons of marshmallows, plus an extra couple on the side.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Santa of course, who else would do it?

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? All white...I just love it!

4. Do you hang mistletoe? I don't need it...lol!

5. When do you put your decorations up? The closest weekend to Dec. 1.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Mashed potatoes and gravy!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child. Santa would always stop at my Grandma's house before he started out on his long journey. He always would bring my cousin's an I one gift each, then we would remind him what we wanted him to bring to our house later that night. To keep us busy until he came, my Grandma would hide sticks of spearmint gum and we'd play "hot and cold." Once my little brother who was scared of Santa (well he's 27 now) was looking for his gum by the front door when Santa rang his jingle bells and shouted out a "HO, HO, HO!" The look on his face!!! (only a big sister could appreciate that story!)

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? uh....what do you mean?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes...and I'm always the one who starts this tradition...it's my right and it wouldn't be Christmas if I didn't.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Our tree this year is a pretty balsam with white lights, silver beads, a white and silver star and red and silver bulbs. We also hang our special ornaments like our Hallmark ones that we collect each year.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? If it would snow only from Dec. 22 to Dec. 27...maybe the 28th I would be happy. I like to look at it...from inside with a hot cup of coaco in my hands.


12. Can you ice skate? um...no...I don't do anything in the winter besides what was described in question 11.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? hmmm...this is a hard one...Andy and I usually don't exchange gifts...Oh! I remember the favorite gift I gave! My mom was in love with a particular piece of art that depicted a bride on her wedding day with the ghost of her mother behind her (can't remember the painter). She saw it on vacation and kicked herself later because she didn't buy it. I found a plate with the image on it and purchased it on eBay from a store in Canada, however, a day later was Sept. 11th, 2001. The plate was stuck in Canada, but fortunately it arrived on time. She love it!

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? I love getting together with family. I love that good feeling.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Without a second thought...pumpkin pie!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Getting the dogs in the car and driving around the park with all the lights while listening to Christmas music.

17. What tops your tree? A star.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving, not only because I love seeing peoples faces when they open what I give them, but also because I can shop all I want and not feel guilty for one month. (So is that like giving something to myself and it doesn't count?)

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas sung by Judy Garland (Shannon, I can't change this...I get chills when I hear this!)


20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? I've eaten half a box already....Kelvin and Dakota help me though.

Tag you're it! (Copy, paste and share on your blog) Leave me a comment with a link to your blog so I can check out your answers too!

And in case I don't make it back here for another month...have a Merry, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year!