Learn to Swerve.

Happy new years!!!

I have resolutions but after hearing the talk in church today about turning "resolutions" into REAL solutions, I have decided to revamp them. I do have something fun to share. I got to be the guest designer at my local friend Wendy's online store www.scrapsupply.com if you don't get the newsletter here is a link  newsletter I did a few of my most favorite layouts and will post a close up of my favorite one. I call it bliss boots. The journaling reads, "quite possibly the best $12 I ever spent." She adores these boots. Hence the title. Bliss boots. tons of pink stuff that I adore! and the green is a must. A few other favorites in the newsletter, so check it out! Thanks for reading, have a great new years =)

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

going to be at CHA. WOO HOO!!! I'm so excited. I just found out I'll be going with Paper Salon to Anaheim CHA and will be working the booth in all my 5 months pregnant glory. Its going to be so fun. If I can find cute fat lady clothes, it'll totally be worth the trip. Hecks yeah!

Other than that bit of fun news, I've been keeping the shark community scared away down in Florida. Went to the beach today. I opted for NO swimsuit, meaning I went in shorts, not that I went sans cloth. as the belly is apokin, and frankly I've never been a bikini kind of girl, and south beach SCREAMS tan hotness, which lets face it, I am SO not.  The kids had a blast, and I managed to get a few more freckles. The florida kin-folk might be residng in Florida, but round these parts we're all a bunch of rednecks, so 4-wheeling, and mudding are par for the course...Do I not look like I'm some kind of fat manequin sitting on that thing? Don't ask me how that happened. Mike tends to get me in my best poses. (don't mind the belly or the fat arms either, pregnancy is starting to do its thing!) The more I look at this photo the more stuff I see. Do I appear to have boob wrinkles? what the heck is that? And why do I have a 97 prom hair do? MAn alive. I should just delete the thing.

We're having so much fun taking a break from the every day hum drum stuff, and the kids are just enjoying the time with family... (remember her!!) My little niece, total cuteness in a friggin bucket.    I love it. Few more days of fun planned. Disney next week with the kids, and family, and a new years eve party the way only us west virginian turned Alaskan/Floridian people know how. Bonfires, and root beer. We are after all, LDS rednecks. So I'm loving this few weeks off, but have plenty to do when I get back home, and can't wait to start scrapbooking full time again. Its going to be great. I'll leave you with my adorable girls doing what they do best, ignoring/posing for the camera, Have a great new years. See some of you soon!!

Candy Girl....

I'm only on for a minute but I had to share... I'm so excited to announce, I am a Candy Girl!!  I've been wanting to add a kit club to my mix as I've gotten settled and find that I do my best pages (and get published the most) from my kit designs. I think it has to do with not having to be bothered with picking out what to use, I can just dive in. Whatever it might be, I love the kits, and the people are so fun. I have tons to share, secrets to reveal and fun events to report, I'll be back soon =)

In that moment...

You've all been there.

48 hours to Christmas.
Puke. All the days.
Suitcases to pack.
Assignments to turn in.
People to email.
Floors to mop.
Dishes to wash.
---->Food to eat.
Presents to wrap. '
Toilets to clean.
Money to find.
Christmas Cards to send. 
Photos to take.
Children to raise.
Beds to make.
Cars to clean out.
Hair to get done.
Scriptures to read.
Lessons to teach.
Photos to take.
Memories to capture.
Husbands to argue with.
Rooms to get ready.
Oil to change.
Prayers to say.
People counting on you.
and with that.
Tears that fall...

And a little girl. My little girl. With her pink princess PJ's, and her sensitive little spirit. Coming down the stairs. Much later than she should be. Sensing my need. My need for a hug. For something.

"Mama don't cry. I think you're beautiful."

Where that came from. I may never know. But I do know.
They are my greatest gift. Puke and all. The floors can wait.
The money will be temporary. The husbands will be forgiven. Christmas will come. And go. The stress will subside. FOr a bit. The floors will get dirty. And THEY will still be mine.  How easy I forget what matters. What my life's purpose really is. But in that moment. I am reminded.

So with that. I wish you all, a Merry Christmas, from the 5.5 Akers, to all of you. May it find you Happy and with those that you love. I'll be back with stories to tell, and things to share =)

ITs squirrel mating season...

Oh yes. It is. I'll spare you the photos, and the details for that matter. All I know is watching squirrels chasing squirrel tail has got to the number one biggest waster of ones time that I can think of. That or watching the Britney spears divorce on the TV guide channel because apparently its a big enough deal to make a show about, but not a big enough deal to put it into a real channel time slot. Yet, I found myself being lured in by the chick chick chick of what I can only assume is the mating call, because who wouldn't be swooned by that? I mean, hello, if Mike were to serenade me by the light of the setting sun with a shake of his tail and a chick chick chick, I might just be carrying baby number 5.

  How easy one loses ones sense of duty when one is forced to scrap during squirrel mating season.
And scrap I have. I cannot show you what I have created. BUt I can say I'm back to myself. I've thrown off the cloak of peer pressure, and decided to do what makes me happy. I did have to tone it down at the stop light because while dancing and singing might make ME happy, "it scares people mom."  So glad to be brought back to my senses all the time by a 5 year old who just knows sponge bob boxers and a game boy advance make him the king of all that is cool.

Today was busy. TO say the least.  I am happy to report that I have my first order of my felted head baubles, ( I was totally shocked, and its not a small order either!!) and I've been creating up a storm. After a quick trip to hobby lobby for some necessities,( A little too quick according to officer "lets settle for a warning"). Mikey wanted me to hit my NAS when we heard the sirens, ( no more need for speed, methinks), and I didn't know what to do, so I puked out my window as he ran my license, and he handed it back and said to slow down. Score one for the pregnant lady with morning sickness.

I've got to get back to the kitchen. Me and Betty have dinner to make, and the felt still calls me. I have some fun stuff to share as soon as I get the OK. Thanks for your love and comments =) Merry Christmas, and SLOW down... ( a valuable lesson at the hand of a really nice officer of the law.)

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Busy Busy Busy...

SO. I didn't really just fall off the face of the earth. Although a 5 day break with no blog post is cause for alarm. I've been busy being... A MOM. If you can believe that. My kids decided that we didn't get enough "craft" time, and Hello, if there is anything I can do, Its crafts. SOOOO. We busted out one of my favorite hoarded items, and something that is making a comeback (the felt, for those of you not in the know). And we made creatures. I've seen these little things on a few peoples blogs and was totally inspired to make our own, so, if I may present Mrs. Peepers and Stuffy Stuffington the kids named them themselves. I was a proud mother, but couldn't let them have all the fun, so I made some cuteness to add to my etsy  shop. The bracelets me and my sister have been making since june, and finally took the plunge to putting them on the web. I also took some of my favorite color combos and things that matched my girls wardrobes, and made these: I call them interchangeable goodness. You can take each flower off the matching headband and wear them with each matching outfit. I did some with the headbands, some without. Charity, our lovely model demonstrates the blue and brown combo. I love them, I've made them in just about every color you can think of and have some other fun ideas with them. I never realized how versatile this felt stuff was. Tis a good thing I've hoarded it since I was 16.
Its been a busy few days getting stuff ready to go to Florida and trying to keep myself away from the scrapscene. I didn't tell too many people, but I tried out for some things kit clubs, and the like,  over the past few months, and everytime I don't get picked I sort of have to realize I've had my time and its ok. I don't want to define myself by the things I do. Its what my kids think of me and my family that matters. (OK Dr. Phyllis). I know I've accomplished alot in my scrapbooking "career" and its not anything to be ashamed of. Styles change and I think I see now where I fit, and where I don't. Ok, whine over. I'm totally excited to see what this year has in store not only for me as a mother, but as a crafter and a person.
Its so easy to get caught up in what the world thinks of you, other scrapbookers, your family, that you forget that YOU have a say in what you think of you. I'm not exactly sure where this new found go ruth attitude is coming from, but its got me thinking I can keep a smile on my face because it's looking good. I've also taken some time to put a few links up of things and people that really inspire me to tell them thank you and to show some of you who may be missing out... check out these fellow crafters, and talented people.

SHE makes the most adorable little monsters.
THIS  lady still takes the most amazing photos, and now has her own ACTIONS. I'm so wishing I owned CS2.
Fabulous in a bottle here, and she's making her OWN paper line? Congrats girl!
Idolize the quilts that this girl can make, not to mention the things she creates with fabric. I swear If she offers I'm going to take lessons.
Total eye candy and a sweetheart can be found here. I love her dedication to her kids and her pages just well, ROCK.

I'm sure there are plenty of people I am forgetting but these are just a few of the ones who have made me wish my talents were theirs the past few weeks. In case I get too busy to post, have a Merry Christmas, and I'll report live from Florida with all the redneck games my family is bound to be playing =) Adios amigos. 

Overheard....

So me, my totally self -esteemless daughter, and my son, had the following conversation today...

Aubree: Mom. How did I get so cute? (see, its so hard having a child like her. No self confidence. Poor thing.)

Me: (trying to keep her head a little below cloud level) Well honey, everyone is cute.  I guess its just because you have good genes.

Mikey:  Yeah Aubree, like me, My jeans are from The Gap.

Must be tough, having genes from The Gap.

In none large headed children news. I just found out some majorly EXCITING stuff. CAn't share yet, but isn't that always how it is?

I'm getting a few things done for some fun stuff later this month, and trying to find something to get my son that he DOESN'T know about. Keeping santa alive at least one more year. Whats that? DId he find the bike you ask?

   No, but his father, unaware that spelling is no longer a confidential way of keeping secrets anymore, told me today in front of our son that, "The B-I-K-E is going to be too big for him." Mikey's ears perked right up. What bike dad? Dad. What bike, did I get a new bike? Where is it... Thanks again Babe. Love ya.

Got our leak fixed, and can now eat in a sewer free kitchen. The scrapbook room is all KINDS of messy, but I'm thinking its going to be that way for awhile because I want to get new shelves, and when the iMac arrives I want all the gadgets in the same spot so I'll end up redoing it all again. Why waste good organizing just to redo it again in a few weeks? Just leave it there Ruth. Its only been like that 3 months, whats another one?

We got our Christmas photos back from Wal-mart today and I am SO glad I only paid $3.87 or whatever it is they charge for like 2000 photos. They were AWFUL. I mean sure the kids look as cute as ever, but I have a severe case of pimples that I SWEAR were not there when I took the photo, not to mention it was raining cats and dogs  on the night of the infamous photo, and my straight hair was a nogo, so its a one way ticket to fro city for Ruth. The kids were all lopsided, Charity appears to be poking out her own eyes, Mikey looks like he just got away with relieving himself on the photo table and Aubree seems to have finally gotten a non painful smile down, but to no avail as the photographer had her looking at the ceiling. I really wish I had a photographer here that I loved, I just don't see too many artistic types around. So Wal-mart mugshots it was. I'm going to send them out with warning labels. "Subjects may appear uglier than they really are, especially the large heeded mother in the center." Who cares. Its Christmas.

I'd scan them in and show you but SOMEONE neglected to send me the memo that states plugging the cord to the keyboard, into the scanner will not result in a functioning scanner, but rather sparks, and a scanner that no longer serves its purpose. I guess we know what Santa's buying Ruth.

Mmmk. I think I'm going to convince Mike the baby wants Olive Garden. Maybe he'll give in. You guys have a good Wednesday =)

WHen it rains... Its like water from heaven...

Actually. Its water from the toilet upstairs. DIRTY toilet water from upstairs, coming through my ceiling, into my kitchen and my scraproom. Its nothing like water from heaven, its more like a sewer line doing its thing all over my eating and crafting areas.

Oh and the best part is?? The post Maintenance man has informed us," Ma'am THIS isn't an emergency". We might be able to get someone there tomorrow he tells me... Um I must have missed the part where DIRTY TOILET water raining into my kitchen light and bathing us all in a light rain isn't considered an emergency. Its not like we called 911. You are the maintenance men. And if we call someone on our own, (not like we have the money) but IF we do, we are in violation of our housing agreement. Am I so super excited? You betcha. What part of all this doesn't get me singing Christmas songs.

Needless to say, I'm not doing much of the "scrapbooking" that I need to do, and trying to keep Charity out of the "water collection bucket", has been no spring picnic. Nothing like a Sunday sewer serenade to keep my spirits high. UGh.

I had good fun things to share but somehow, something has "rained" on my parade. Hope you enjoy your sabbath =) I'll be back tomorrow. Hopefully without this problem.

Payback.

This is a bit odd...  I think it might be wasting the time of certain officials to arrest a 12 year old for opening a gift, but hey to each their own. I however have my own methods of keeping Children out of gifts before the big day.

Not buying them anything.

Works wonders. IF its not around to be spotted, its not going to be a temptation. Yes. I realize its not the best plan.But next year I fully intend on taking drastic measures. I tell you. Its punishment. For being the girl who would unwrap with a wet rag, and a roll of tape all her gifts before the big day. I thought my plan was full proof until I allowed my sister in on the action. HA. She was acting as a spy, not an accomplice. I still remember the day I convinced her to help me open our gifts while my mother was out. She seemed totally willing to help. Even brought me some scissors. No sooner had I spied what I came for, and greedily re-wrapped the goodness that was my gift, did my mother pull up. I gave her the secret, let's keep this between us look and she smiled.

My mom walked in and you'd think she were being held hostage, and telling on me was the only way out.. " Mom when you were gone Ruth made us open all the gifts and put them back under the tree  I didn't want to but she made me I'm so sorry please don't hate me I love you mom."

Biggest run on sentance EVER. Didn't even take a breath. I gave her my I'll get you for this look and tried not to look at my mom.

My mom took all my gifts out from under the tree and replaced them with empty random boxes on Christmas morning. I eventually got my gifts, but the damage had been done. No more were the gifts so easy to find, and never again were they under the tree for my early perusal.

My kids, are punishment. I kid you not. at the tender age of 2, I was sleeping soundly one night dreaming the dreams of a once again pregnant mother, when I heard it. A noise that could only be that of a burglar. I grabbed my trusty wiffle bat and put on some pants, although me without pants would be alot more likely to scare away offenders, and headed into the hall. I saw nothing, and my attempts to awake my husband went unanswered. So I turned on the light. I snuck past the hall closet, and heard something inside. Perhaps the burglar was interested in shoes and a slightly used vacuum? I turned the handle and thats when I found him. SOund asleep on the floor hands greedily wrapped around his electric guitar and remote control car set. The noise had been the shoes hitting the ground when he tried to roll over. I removed the toys and put him back in his bed. that was only the beginning.

Every year I try to think of places small children would never DREAM of looking, and every year they not only dream of it, but they sleep walk to it, and usually open it. This year I decided only a lock and key would keep them out. However. My husband neglected to tell me that instead of placing the gifts into the locked closet as previously discussed, he hurridly shoved them into the hall closet when Mikey was coming home.

I only know this because Mikey tells me as I put him to bed last night, that " You might want to move that race car set and that remote control car in the closet. Its not hidden very good Mom." RIght. I'll get on that. "

Even Aubree is in on the action. I told her that praying for gifts wasn't really what we should do, but that we could ask santa for them. So rather than Pray to get them, she prays to bless them. Please bless the talking kitchen, please watch over the rescue pet. Keep the dress up clothes, safe, and help the Barbie laptop computer. UM excuse me? That last one just happened to be the ONE thing I had gotten that she DIDN'T ask for. Never even mentioned it. I entrusted Mikey with the secret when he saw it come from Target I told him it was for a gift, and not to tell. Lo and behold. Aubree's praying to bless it. Must have my sisters secret keeping skills.

They haven't found the locked closet yet. I give them a week. Mikey's burgulary skills and Aubree's ability to sneak into small spaces makes them the perfect duo for the job. And this is why NEXT year. We'll be shopping December 24th. THey may just end up with Meat trays and stale popcorn tins. Serves them right ;)

Good news, and Bad news...

Hootinanny. We have good news. The baby is wonderful and fine, heartbeat is there just further down. We got the baby on the screen and he is doing just fine. I say HE because well I know its a boy. I can feel it. If not, she'll be awfully cute in the blue outfits I just bought her. The bad news is. Ruth is only 11 weeks. Not the 13 I was told. WHICH is almost like being 2 weeks overdue because I've just added 2 weeks. No worries though.

I figured something must be up because my pants still fit and I can see my feet which is usually not the case at 13 weeks. I'm one of those positive line = 15 pounds of weight gain overnight. Oh well. Baby is good. That's all that matters. Thanks for the prayers and thoughts.

I can now turn my thoughts to CHRISTMAS!! And driving 16 hours to FLorida!! I know what you're thinking. Its not 16 hours away Ruth. UM yeah. Have ya done it with 3 kids and a motion sickness mama behind the wheel? We're doing good to make it in 16

But with Christmas comes my top 10 favorite Christmas SOngs...  I love the music of the season. We are hardcore Christmas MUSIC people. I'm that lady you pull up next to at the stoplight belting out Jingle Bell rock are the top of her lungs with 3 kids in the back filling in the spots they know. Which usually goes something like... Da duh duh da da duh da dah. That's the jingle bell rock.

SO My Cd this year is filled with the following songs. In this Order.

1. Little Drummer Boy. CAn't go wrong with a little boy and a drum. You have no gifts, play your drum.  This has been my favorite since I was a babe. Not sure what it is, the beat, the meaning. It just means Christmas is here.

2. Feliz Navidad. I still remember playing the finger symbols in my 4th year Spanish Class, Senora Ho,( we called her that but her real name fails me) behind the desk playing it as loud as her tape recorder would go, and us singing along in our best spanish accents. Ah. Just the memory has me wishing I owned a sombrero. I might not have the hat but I have a photo !! Yep Christmas in Mississippi. Tank tops all around.

3. Britney SPears version of Santa that's my only wish this year. ASide from her severe lack of parenting skills, and husband choosing skills, and well just her poor judgement period, I am still a huge fan of this song. The beat, the music. ITs all there.

4. O Holy night. No matter who sings it. Acapello is my favorite and Kelly Clarkson has a FANTASTIC version. I love it.

5. ANYTHING by the Trans-siberian orchestra. CArol of the bells and Wizards in winter are 2 that I play all day and night even my kids shake their tail feathers to the beat. I just conduct. I've learned to not shake my tail feathers in the car. Its only a pathfinder, chances are we'd need to rotate the tires if I did.

6. Grandma got ran over by a reindeer. Whats Christmas without drunk Granny and a hit and run from Santa himself. Reminds me of Christmas as a child. Well, not really, we managed to keep Grandma safe and sober, but we always listened to it in the car.

7. 12 days of Christmas JEff Foxworthy style. This could be my mom's side of the family, all the way down to the 9 years probation. Totally cracks me up. My grandpa does the flannel shirts, my Uncle has the parts to a mustang GT, and my brother, hillbilly that he is, fills the rest.

8. Frosty the snowman. This one never did anything for me until My kids came along. They listen to this in MArch, April, we take a break in May and start back up in June. I think my kids could sing this in their sleep. We had to buy ANOTHER frosty soundtrack just to accomodate their obsession. I guess the HAppy birthday at the beginning when frosty comes to life leaves it open for an all year song.

9. You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch. What's Christmas without old Grinch himself. I was first in line to see the Jim CArrey Version, and am SO glad I did. Best one liners in a Christmas movie, not to mention all the meaning of Christmas one needs.  My husband has this John Wayne Baratone voice he does to you're  a mean one Mr. Grinch. Kills me. Need to tape that and do a podcast.

10. Last but not least, Santa Clause is coming to town. This one still creeps my kids out. WE were singing it last night and I got to the "He sees you when you're sleeping, and both thier eyebrows did the botox injection gone wrong thing. I guess the thought of Santa watching you in your bed at night does not have the same appeal as it did when I was kid. Before the song was over we had to close the windows and turn on the nightlight. So much for bribery on the part of Santa. I think they are secretly glad we don't have a Chimney something tells me we'd have to cover it and lock the gate just to get them to sleep come Christmas eve.

Well there you have it. Christmas Ruth Style. I love the season, the people, the songs. I hate that we have no snow, but I'll throw some cotton balls up in the air Christmas eve and take a few photos if I have to. Ok. I have gifts to wrap. Have a good Wednesday!