Learn to Swerve.

Hooray for....

1. 2 miles in 15 minutes at the gym (with little to no puking involved!)

2. My first photo cover toot for SBA. (This has me SOOO stoked, and my son too since its his photo)

3. A few secret toots. (still excited)

4. Chairty took 12 steps before she realized that was what she was doing and sat down and cried.

5. I woke up at 8 (that's AM)  and I feel GOOD!

6. Payday.

7. Winning low bid ebay auctions (not the  Land crusier, although my husband has informed me he's created a completely for profit Charity he so rightly named, "the SAve the Cruiser foundation", which allows under privledged, completely deserving Army men of little income to get the Land Crusiers they dream about but are unable to buy, due to the meddling of frugal, (or not) wives.  He's kidding. I think?

8. Good friends

9. A new ipod. Thanks to the people at Apple, my replacement ipod for my brother was sent with another one (which my mom was billed for), but after careful consideration, I decided, I do need one! So, despite the engraving of AyRon, (a family nickname for my brother from another mother, or so he thinks, ) My new ipod is much goodness, and I cannot wait to load it up! Thanks Apple!

10. Mostly hooray for the fact that I bought my sisters tickets to Tennesse on the same day I fly back so I don't have to do it alone!!!!! This means she really is coming to live with me!! Resulting in a live in nanny and stylist. I could get used to this!

Suffice it to say its been a good day, (and its only 1:26;)

I.

I found this on some awesome blogs this week, and in the Ruth form of borrowing ideas, I decided to try it. I want to make a page about it, (and just might) but for those of you wanting to get to know me better, here you go.

I AM:  A child of God. A mother, A daughter, imperfect, Fat, determined, satisfied, loved, overwhelmed, but content.

I WANT:  My family together again. A large house in which to dwell. A lifetime supply of diet coke, a 27 inch waist, my kids to flourish and do well, a wishblade, and a new H2.

I HAVE:  So much to be thankful for. Amazing opportunities, a family that cares, a paycheck, my health, a purpose, friends, beautiful children, the desire to be more.

I WISH:  My arms weren't so flabby, I had white teeth and could throw these wretched white stripes out with the garbage. I had enough money to pay for the chemo for all those in need, That I was better at organizing, that I could hang with scrapbook celebs and not feel like a loser, that my legs would be tan.

I HATE: Smoking in the car with kids. People who refuse to clean up their messes, the smell of eggs, dirty floors. Vacuums that don't suck. (which actually do because they don't=). that my Dh has missed so much of Cherry's life.

I MISS:  My bed. A house for my kids, the high school days when my biggest problem was what to wear to a football game, my baby love, being pregnant. (did I just say that)?

I HEAR:   Aubree eating pancakes, and smacking, the mowgli crawl of my little girl who refuses to stand and walk. My mom's visiting teachers. A great sound. She needs to know someone cares.

I WONDER:  What would have happened if I had not married Mike. What the Lord has planned for us in the future. If I'm worthy to do the things I've been asked to do, both scrap related and not, If Mike will be able to tell I've lost weight. If I will remember him after a year.

I REGRET:  Not giving Mikey all I could have, talking about others and not being able to say I'm sorry. not saying I loved you more to my grandma, being mean to those who did not fit my idea of cool, and learning too late, that's not what matters. Spending my savings on clothes that no longer fit. (gosh, was I ever a loser!)

I AM NOT: As good as I could be, too proud to say I need help, my mother, but I wish I was.

I DANCE:  in the shower, with my kids to loud music, in the car to teeny bop music, and with my husband when he's home.

I SING:  horribly off key, as loud as possible when I think noone is listening, to my kids the nursery songs they love, (britney spears songs shhhhh.)

I CRY: When I hear hanging by a moment, when I see my kids sad due to the behavior of others when I watch love stories, when I cannot do it alone.

I AM NOT ALWAYS:  happy, positive, or a good person. But I'm trying.

I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: Dinner, laundry piles, scrapbook pages, photos, that are getting better ( i think)

I WRITE:  tO tell others what I feel, to leave my children something to read, to release the frustrations I feel sometimes.

I CONFUSE:  The things I try to say with the things my brain comes up with. I'm a bad write of thoughts.

I NEED: To try harder to be a better mom, to tell my DH I love him daily. To stop drinking diet coke. To say something nice everyday about the people that frustrate me. To read my scriptures and pray more, to go to the temple and take advantage of the blessings, to give of myslef more freely, to be positive.

I Should: Get off my butt and go do something. run 4 miles a day. Send more thank you cards to the people in my life.

I START: To get stuff done and easily get distracted. to have bad thoughts and try to get positive.

I finish: Very little.

Thanks to Heather Preckle for the words. Hope everyone has a good day. Thanks for reading!

Goodness...

So. We had a winner with my girl Shannon (who I might mention is a kick butt scrapper and a fellow Dt member at Scraphype.

Ahnald. The one and only governator, is my DH's all time hero. The man ADORES him some arnold. I cannot tell you how far this love goes. Speaking of his hotness, (my DH, not Arnold), he is home in less than 90 days!!! And I have to mention that he called me yesterday from his little secret mission, here I am thinking he's going to tell me how all this confidential stuff went down and he's now a certified war hero.

Nope, he calls me to tell me he's bidding on a LandCruiser on EBAY, and do we have $16,000 in case he wins!! UM hello. I thought you were doing secret missions, turns out he's surfing ebay for cars we can't afford, and making arrangements for the purchase and delivery of said vehicles. So much for playing GI joe.

Needless to say I burst his bubble with one little word. NO. Maybe once we have a house, and some furniture to call our own, I'll reconsider.

Good day today. I got out of a little slump just in time to finish some stuff I needed to do, and got a fun new box of Paper Salon goodies, and 3 bugs stuff is on its way. This stuff is SO nice. SPeaking of 3 bugs. Scraphype will be featuring the  FIRST release of the new papers in a special kit, and these papers are so pretty. I cannot WAIt to show you.

I went to the store today and purchased a few things for CHA and put a bid on my first ever pair f SEven jeans. I hope I win=) Aside from ebay its been a fun filled day, my mom did awesome on her first chemo, and even mowed the lawn when she got home. (2 acres of wildreness is what we call a lawn). yeah mom. So glad she's doing well.

Nothing really great to share. I have to get my largeness to the gym, so I better go. Thanks for reading, and I'll post some projects later this week when I get the ok. you're gonna LOVE them=) (the papers, not my projects. I do have some humility;)

The price is wrong...

You know the price is right? Love that show. Has nothing to do with my post, but what the hey. Go with it. Those of you still awaiting goodies from me, They will go out monday. (those in AUstralia are already on the way!) I have to apologize this weekend has been AWFUL. My mother, strong inspiring that she is, started doing her Chemo and not only did she have to drive all over Alaska to get the medicine necessary for the treatment (turns out Chemo comes in pill form now? who knew?) She was told her total. Get this. $14,000 for 2 prescriptions. BEFORE insurance mind you. she has to pay $50. I cannot imagine what people without insurance have to go through.

Thats more than my car cost. And that is not even the treatments. I hate to see her struggling, and she is with all this. I have been trying to help her when I can, but the sad truth is, I'm selfish, and I tend to think of myself more than others, so I took the last few days and tried to help with stuff, and didn't do anything scrapbook related. I am now behind, but I feel like my heart was in the right place, and it will all come together.

While on the subject of outrageous amounts of money. Wanna know how to blow 299 in less than 5 seconds? Put your brothers Ipod in the washing machine, and try to turn it on. Yeeee. That was not the goodness. $269 later. It has been replaced. Like I said. A weekend of goodness. SO. Free goody friday was a bust once again. I do apologize. I have so much to get done, and I need to start focusing on things that matter for a bit, so I will do a question at the end of this post, and then close up shop on FGF until after the move.

I totally forgot. I have a birthday party to plan, my daughter is almost 3!! She wants a Chuck E cheese party with swim suits. I told her one or the other. 15 kids at chuck's with swimsuits, not gonna cut it.  I found a new addiction in a little place called myspace. Turns out you can find long lost friends there! I found like 5 in a matter of 20 minutes today and I'm not done searching. In case you  haven't figured it out, I thrive on friends, and seeing where some of my fellow classmates are was funny to say the least.  Turns out I'm not doing so bad?

Well girls. sorry to disappoint. But one last FGF question. Who is my husbands long time idol? I'll give you a hint. Body building. First one with the right answer gets the last FGF box before I move!

I'm out!

Evolution.

The evolution of a scrapbooker. It hit me today. Where I started where I am.

At age 19. I had a child.

I purchased a camera to photograph said child.

I took really bad photos of cute child and wanted to scrap them.

I bought really ugly supplies to scrap really bad photos of really cute child.

I scrapped a total of 50 cutting them into little shapes.

I went to Michaels to find more ugly scrapbook stuff and discovered CK.

I realized I knew nothing about scrapbooking, and sold all the ugly stuff in order to replace it with new stuff.

I found a website called 2 peas, from a font, called, think small in the magazine that I bought at Michaels..

I was assured my scrapbooking was poo, and set out to own everything 2peas sold.

1500, and a near divorce later, I owned most of.

I heard you could get money and free stuff by getting on a DT.

I spent another small fortune aquiring the items necessary to get on small DT.

I started my first DT.

I got the hang of DT's and wanted more.

I started entering MF contests.

I lost.

Several times.

I couldn't help but notice getting published was becoming more popular.

I needed more products to get published.

I bought them.

I needed a new camera to start taking good photos to scrap becuase the old ones as we already discussed were ugly.

I spent 1200 on a camera to make better photos, to make better pages to get more DT's to get free stuff.

Photos were still ugly. Turns out owning a camera does not make you a photographer any more than owning a taebo workout video makes you billy blanks.

I spent money on photo books.

I still sucked.

I took time away from my kids so that I could learn to take better photos, be a better scrapbooker, and have the skill needed to go somewhere... (did you see what happened there?) I took time AWAY from the kids I so wanted to capture life FOR, so that I could be better at something I started FOR them.

I cried about losing DT's contests, wallowed in self pity, and went shopping.

I heard about digital scrapbooking.

I bought a tablet. Same scenario with the camera. No skill. No matter what you own.

I spent more time and money to get more stuff to get more DT's to get more free stuff.

I sit here with 150 boxes of crap, 50 idea books, and more stuff to do than I can shake a stick at, and I realize.

I still haven't scrapped those baby photos. ;)

I refuse to be a quitter.

I'm 5 days into these crest white strips, and while the pain is telling me perhaps I should stop now, I can't help but wonder if one day I will regret being a Crest whitestrip dropout. I will go the 2 weeks. Even if I have no teeth left to show for it. I will not quit. (If anything my teeth will fall out and then eating as I know it will change considerably making it easier to stay skinny. ) Yes. I see this plan working.

Mom comes home tonight which means time to clean. Seriously. I never realized how much harder it was taking care of teenagers than my own kids. I've decided the teen years will be spent with my in laws. They deserve it. ;).

Ah. the countdown begins. Papers from a few DT's are on the way, and I must start allowing myself to DO the stuff, and not get caught up in the normal Ruth brain jumping which allows me to start out working on an assignment and end up at 4 in the morning eating a bagel sandwich watching the oldie but goodies such as CONGO.

Free movie day lured me in like a bass to a spinner, and I went for some scary yet quality flicks. Did I mention I found 6 sets of those scrapworks things I wanted on ebay? On sale! Free shipping!!! Holy good day in the morning. I am thrilled.

Can you see the pattern here. I have a hard time staying focused. Focus factor is on my list. Of things to purchase, but I keep forgetting my list.

Nothing new to show you. Hoping for a few calls this week. Wish me luck on those white strips. only 30 days til CHA!! Woo hoo!!

Happy Fathers day.

I just realized at 2:35 I neglected to give my father the card I went out and bought at midnight lat night with the angel food cake and berries for his special day.

He's the type of father that one can count on when you really need him for something. Not always meaning he does it himself, but the sort of dad that if you needed your house cleaned, he'd get you a maid.

Its so funny to think of him today as the same dad seen here. Care to guess who the cutie in the sunglasses is? Yeah. Thought so.

Thanks to all of you who answered the call for scrapworks. Still wishing I would have made the SW team this past call, but there is always next year. Feeling a little sad for my friend Amy, who has talent out the booty when it comes to adorable, meaningful pages. (something I still struggle with.) I was rooting for her to make the MME team. I know they always pick awesome girls, and its hard to not be sad, and happy for those who make it.

Reminds me of something we talked about today in church. I always miss the good stuff as my little turdball sees to it she screams through the best part, but today she slept, and I took in alot.

We were talking about comparing, successes, life lessons, and how hard it is for us as humans to deal with other peoples successes. (ringing any bells,) mine was going off like the morning alarm. And half way though the discussion he said something that totally rocked my little world. He said " We have to realize, as hard as it may seem, that other peoples success, does NOT mean failure on our part. Trying to look at from the, "they succeed, I must be a bad person point of view" ( I saw him staring at me, really. This was so meant for me), will do nothing but make us miserable.

And well, I have been. I've been thinking that them accomplishing things, makes me a loser, when in fact, their success, does not turn directly into failure on my part.

Hello. Did you catch that? so you mean, Just because so and so has this, does not necessarily mean I am not trying hard enough?

It really hit home for me. I have been struggling with this lately, just between living in an area where success tends to be measured in the car you drive, and the house you live in, and seeing things in a whole new way. But in one half hour lesson, I really was able to start thinking clearly. Sure, I still want things, Sure, I still have to try, and do my best, but my best, does not have to be yoked with large income, and LArge MFDT. I can be a success in what I do everyday.

Bet your glad Cherry was quiet today so I could share that nugget with you.

It was really refreshing. I spent the day away from projects, the computer, the stress that has turned me into a rather harried character, and just hung with the kids, took a few photos.

(thats me with curly hair.) Contrary to the 15 inquisitioners at church today, I did not get a perm. Its natural. I choose to straighten in usually, but went with the curl for time sake today. (notice the $9 GAP jean jacket purchased on clearance during the woe is me shopping trip from 2 posts ago? What'd ya think? tried to get the kids to take a nice family photo which ended up resembling the cattle drive. I had 2 by the knickers, and one on a bribe. Not exactly a Kodak moment.

I love this urban looking thing in photoshop, not sure what its called, but its been my new favorite thing to do when I take a photo. I don't know that I will scrap with it, but its fun to look at. My girl in her awe, at the sky. Love her. No need to tell you she still isn't walking. A few steps here and there when food is involved, but remember, the success not being my failure? She will learn. and until then I will carry her. For thats what mothers do. (and fathers. Love you dad.)

In search of...

Ok girls. I have a problem. I have recently become "addicted" or in my case, strongly attached to the scrapworks hugs and conchos   made sevearl years ago. My stash is EMPTY and I need some. FAST If any of you know where I can get this badboys. PLEASE let me know. Crucuial. REally. I need them.

In other news. Tomorrow is Sunday. My break day. I need this time to unwind and just breath. I have been going like a freight train on some stuff, and was so winded. My mom is gone (good for her, bad for me) and I have been trying to "Balance" if you will and that's something I am not so good at. I weighed myself today and have officially lost 21 pounds since my DH left. I am really happy about that.  It makes me smile.  (and crave large amounts of coldstone which I felt I deserve no worries. I settled for a small scoop with raspberries. Yum.

GOsh. Loser post day. nothing to say. I shaved my legs. Thats good. Took some cute pictures of the girls...

totally love the cheeseball faces and stringy hair, but it was fun. I still can't do photos well, but I tried.

Well. Other than those hugs... (which if you find in mass quantities, ,I will forever be indebted to you). I have nothing o say. SO. night girls.!

You're killiin me girls!

Ok RObyn and Anna. Seriously. Cracking me up with the guessing. You both guessed it right and you BOTH get some fun goodies!!!

Email me your addresses. That was some killer detective work. Law and order would be proud to call you their own ;)

Kirby was in fact the name!

(I am related to the man who built the vacuum cleaners if you can believe that!!)

I can see clearly now...

FEar not girls. All is well. Yesterday was horrid, but I just found out that Rahim JAdub ALbooey is going to give me $5000 just for allowing him to use my bank accoun in an illegal transaction.All I have to do is relenquish my  account number and risk identity theft. Where do I sign up?  NO need to worry. I will be just fine =)

SOrry for that glum interlude to yesterdays midnight trivia reveal. SOmetimes I need to smack myself in order to get that negativity out of my system. I am ok. And it really had nothing to do with much of anything.

I went for retail therapy today and bought several CUTE gap shirts and pants for (get this) 9.99 a piece! Sales. Gotta love em. Not to mention. a size 16. No need to cheer. Just happy is all ;)

I'm sorry to say nobody guessed midnight trivia. but Today is Friday. Which means. Free goodies... Muah ha ha. TOday's question to answer...

what is my maiden name?

Answer that and the box of "no poo crap" is yours.

I have nothing good to offer you in the way of intelligent conversation.

So. I leave you. A piper is down. I repeat. A PIPER is DOWN. (anyone care to take a guess at what I just watched?)

Night night.