It's Almost Winter

I know, I know... Been ignoring this thing. But seriously, is anybody listening? I have been working my butt off, scrapping like there is no tomorrow. My lappy is slowly dying, I know its going but its been warning me for a while, so I finally had to get a new one. I am working on teaching myself Vista and setting everything up on this thing now. I couldn't get my transcripts done anymore, which meant no extra work coming in! So, had no real choice here. Hey, I got to meet two really great ladies that I met through my scrapbooking website ACOT. They came from MD to NJ and we went to a crop together and met in person for the first time. It was one of the best days ever! Well, Christmas is coming soon, but first is Matt's 20th birthday on Sunday. Can't believe my little baby is going to be 20! We are going to have both sets of grandparents with us and a few friends, watch football with my famous chili and wings. Then it will be time to get the cookie recipes out. I have to find a few new ones to try each year, but I have not run across anything this year that appeals to me. If anyone has any good cookie recipes, give em' up please!

September Has Started

September has started. Took vacation again this week. Of course I scrapped, finished up a bunch of challenges at the end of August. Guess what? Just found out one of my challenges won!!! I will get a GC to ACOT, the best scrapbooking store ever!!!! Thank goodness too because, I need more stuff! Went to the beach today before the effects of Hurricane Hannah hits. Left Cape May just as it was starting to cloud this afternoon and in the opposite direction of all the traffic! Tomorrow I am making my first batch of chili for the fall season, Matt got some deer meat out of the freezer. If my 'connection' is able to come through, I will also be making a batch of zucchini bread this weekend because we are due for thunderstorms tomorrow. I figure its a good day for cooking.

I Know, I Know

Okay, so I never got back here and posted any of the great pictures I took during vacation and July 4th, but then I don't hear anyone complaining, so maybe its not that big a deal. Had a couple great day with two of my nieces, and Matt's fire company was in a parade on the 4th. Got lots of great pictures of that, and he got to drive one of the trucks. The week ended with me breaking my pinkie finger and really bruising up my whole hand. Don't ask! The rest of the month went by quickly, ending with two days of Jury Duty this week. I even wanted to get picked, but no one wanted me this time (lol). Right now I am packing up so Bella and I can go spend the weekend house sitting for my sister and lounging at the pool.

If You Can't Beat The Heat....

I love the heat, I love summer. As of 4:01 EST, I am officially on vacation. That means all shoes and long pants or anything considered "work attire" goes in the hamper and OUT OF MY SIGHT! I don't want to think about anyone or anything for a week. I want to be selfish and be a bum, although I know that won't really happen. I can dream, can't I? Well, at least I made it to the beach for my first 2008 visit last Saturday. The day could not have been more perfect, maybe just a little less crowded at Sunset Beach. But, I won't complain. My pictures did not turn out that hot, but I have all summer to take more. To be continued later....

Time Goes By

I think I already used that title, but... Screw it! Can't sleep, so I tried to download the layouts I finished tonight and the server at ACOT seems to be down. Argh! I have to have these challenges downloaded by midnight. Gotta get up early, hit the bank, then run out to AC Moore for a few things to complete a few more LO's. Might as well get a cup of coffee while I am out, then its home to get a little sun and work on my scrapping until its time to meet up with Barbara for loaded nachos (extra guacamole, please) and drinks. Not sure if it will be beer or margaritas this time. Oh, and I finally downloaded prom pictures, so here are a few.

Well, that is about all I have to say for now....

Happy Mother's Day

I love Mother's Day. It is in spring, near my birthday and the weather is always nice. I love plants and flowers and this year is no different. Yesterday I went with my dad to get some flowers for my mom. Although they were a gift from him, I picked them out. I took lots of pictures, will attach them later. Matt and Jen gave me a beautiful card and a miniature rose bush, which I love. Matt had to work, so I am alone till dinner and decided to spend the day reading, watching movies and getting a little scrapping done. Don't forget to check out my layouts and let e know what you think!

The Crap In My Life

Well, I have not posted in a while, but I have been keeping busy. Have more transcripts I have been slowly working on and been scrapping, just not as much as I'd like. I just finished one of the best books i have ever read, so I immediately started the next book by the same author. For the most part, I have been keeping to myself, and been very depressed. Work took a very ugly turn a few weeks ago and my former friend/supervisor suddenly decided to get me in trouble with the bosses for things that she had previously approved, and now denies knowing anything about. For instance, I did not have uniforms two days because our dryer broke. But, I had told her the day before that i would not be in uniform the following two days because i was unable to wash/dry them, and a repairman was already scheduled. She said that was fine. Also, much of my work requires me to assist the detectives, and I am to assist the computer guys when they come for repairs and updates, everything is supposed to go through me. Some of that work I am able to do myself even. So, when they schedule to come in and do some work, I am busy. I can't just tell them we have to stop work so I can go to lunch for an hour. Right, at $125 an hour they would love to sit around and do nothing, while charging us. So, I keep working till we have completed the job. So, I miss lunch sometimes. I had always been told to leave an hour early to make up for that lost lunch hour. Well... Suddenly I find myself in a little room being yelled at for making up my own hours, leaving when I feel like it and not wearing the uniforms as mandated. The bitch just sat there. When I tried to stand up for myself, they got even angrier and wouldn't hear of it. She soooo screwed me over. If she no longer wanted me to leave early when I missed lunch, she should have told me, and it I would just accept that they screwed me yet again. No. She just wanted to get me in trouble because I am a better worker than her and never cause problems. So, then when I didn't talk to her for the rest of the day, she blew up at me, started calling me a bitch, a baby and saying she had no idea I was going to get in trouble, and I shouldn't blame her when I screwed up. She then told me she was in charge of the office and if I didn't straighten up I'd be sorry. Those were her exact words. Doesn't that sound more like a threat? This is all from the same person who once told me she didn't want me working there and wished she'd never met me. How do you defend yourself when you are dealing with someone who is just plain evil and jealous and stoops to lies to get her way? She will do or say anything to make me look bad just for her own pleasure or to make herself look better than me. I am not a vindictive, hateful person, and do not want to stoop to her level. I walk on eggshells every day there, never knowing what will happen next, knowing that I could be accused of something I haven't done and it won't make a difference because she always gets her way. I just don't get it. Years ago when we started working together, I used to walk in and find files I had been working on suddenly missing, black ink stamp marks all over a white sweater on my desk, notes calling me a whore, a dark sticky liquid was poured into my radio/cd player. I could go on all night. The whole time, I have kept my mouth shut, knowing it was all because she was jealous. I am thin and petite, she has always had an obsession with food. There was a guy she had a crush on, and he liked me. So, she went out and started spreading terrible rumors about me, trying to make me look bad in his eyes. Not that it mattered in that case, I had no interest in that guy and told her that over and over again. It made no difference. Through it all, I have remained kind to her, acted as a friend, in hopes that she would finally begin to see that I am not a threat to her. After 15 years, I don't see much change, other than she pretends even harder to be my friend, but I see now that it is just her attempts to find some other way to hurt me. I am just so miserable and sick. The thought of having to go to work each day makes me ill, and I start getting nauseous and a headache begins. I start shaking. The bosses know what she is like and have let her get away with it all this time, there is no help there. I see no end to this other than quitting, but that is what she wants. Then I am out of a job. And jobs are scarce right now. I feel so trapped. Every Friday night I start feeling better, can actually get some food down. Saturdays, as the day wears on, the dread starts to build again, and by Sunday morning, I a sick again and staring at the clock, thinking about the week ahead. How can I live like this?

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

I may have just gone over the edge now. Went over to Rosie's (SIL) last night and brought home a TON of her pictures to copy/scan. And, she has boxes and boxes I haven't even touched yet. She takes lots and lots of pictures and I needed more pictures of the kids for 'Grandpa's Brag Book'. Going to a crop Friday night, so I need to get this done this week, as well as work all week. I am thinking of taking Friday off from work so I can prepare for the evening's events. It's going to be a long week, got up at 4 today and finished a transcript.

Did two LO's yesterday, one that I am absolutely crazy about. For anyone who isn't scrap savvy, LO means Layout, another word for a scrapbook page, just like you see below. I still have to post them to ACOT. I am toying with the idea of setting up my own website also... We'll see. Don't know if I am ready for another project right now. I have a pile of library books as well as books from Jen's grandmom that I am trying to read as well as scrapping. I am committed to ACOT's Layout A Day Challenge. Last month I only completed 28 LO's, so I have to do better this month. So far, I only have 2 for the month and today is the 7th. I don't see any LO's getting done before Friday, I will be quite busy getting my pictures ready. Then I need to pack my supplies and make sure I have everything I need, fit it all in one bag. Then, I have another crop on the 19th of this month. Then, in May, ACOT has a weekend long crop, that will take lots of caffeine as well as lots of prep time. I can't wait! ttul!!!

My Scrapping Progress

Want to see more of my finished layouts?

To see more of my work, log on to http://www.acherryontop.com/

I use the screenname beachlover - don't forget to let me know what you think!

Easter

The Easter Bunny came to my house, and he did not forget his favorite pups Isabella and Mack. These spoiled kids got lots of Beggin Strips, rawhides and Pupperonis as well as jelly beans. As usual, mack snuck into his basket early and ate most of it.

Been Keeping Busy

I have been keeping busy, and doing my best to stay out of trouble. I completed a lot of scrapbooking projects this weekend and reorganized my stuff, all while completing an online crop. I posted some of my work on their website for the first time. I am very proud of myself. Did I ever post a picture of Matt in his gear? Well, here it is; my baby, my hero. He's so handsome!

I Want A Snow Day Too!

Well, NJ is actually getting snow, all the schools are closed, but as we speak I am getting ready for work (*pity party starts now*). Serving the public SUCKS! No one needs MY help, it should be the other way around! Oh, wait... I did get a day off work in 1996 when we had a blizzard!

I am just a little whiny this morning because I want to scrap. I finally decided to join an online crop this weekend, and it starts at 3pm today. I have no idea what to do to prepare, just that I need to be ready to crop, glue, and embellish it all! I am as excited about this as if it wee Christmas morning. If this works out, you may see some of my pages here. Yeah, I know I have promised that in the past, but this time I mean it.

My Achievements?

Okay, January is almost over. I started the month out strong with my goals in mind, but this past week I began fading. I need a good kick in the pants or something. I did finish another scrapbook, but then sort of put that stuff aside. I cannot get in the mood right now. It took me two months to finish a book, and it was one that would normally take a day or two for me, it is one of those good stores that is hard to put down, but I sure put it down often! I don't know where my time is going, but I am definitely not sleeping the days away. Just the opposite. Here it is, 2am, and I already am on my second cup of coffee and put in an hour's worth of time on a transcript. I want to scrapbook so bad, but the ideas just aren't flowing. I am working on a 4 page layout that will be a gift. I have all the pictures ready and in order, I have the cardstock I will be using on each page. I even have my journaling done for each page. Its just a matter of tacking it all down and adding embellishments, which are all sitting right there on the table. Why can't I get going? I had even decided to try to get my knee stronger on my own and started riding the exercise bike every night, or almost. I got myself up to 3 miles a night, and I did it abut 5 nights a week, until last week. I had gotten really busy at work, and even got out of there late a few nights. It really stinks coming home in the dark. All I want to do is crawl right into bed. And, that is pretty much what happened last week. So, I screwed that up. Well, since its Friday, maybe I can get back on track with things this weekend. Great, another goal to attempt. This will be a very busy weekend though. Dad just had double hip replacement surgery yesterday and will now be in the hospital/rehab for about10 days, so I want to get over to see him. Tomorrow morning Mack and Isabella are getting their rabies shots and tomorrow night we are having friends over for my world famous chili. I am trying it with deer meat this time. Wish me luck! All I have left to say is TGIF!

A New Beginning?

Today is the last day of 2007. Its a little scary, and exciting at the same time. This is the day we should all say 'I'm gonna do it better next year', 'I want to change this' or 'Let's make the new year as good as this one was'. Today, I decide what I want out of the new year - and make it happen. Yes, I am working on a positive attitude, so that will be new for me. I am going to get out there and make things happen instead of crumpling into a heap in the corner because things are bad. There will not be bad days for me, its sunny days ahead! Every day will be a day at the beach for me this year. I have many goals to accomplish this year.

I DID IT!

I worked all day, but I finally finished an album. It's such a great feeling. Now I have to put things away. Tomorrow, I will gather up my supplies for the next book.

What To Expect In '08?

Well, Christmas is over. I am a little bummed today because I am trying to download all the pictures from the past week and start putting things away. The tree is drying out badly and a dear friend just lost her father. Who would not be down. And, there is no sunshine today. Anyone who knows me is aware of the fact that I need sunshine and warmth!

So, what am I doing with my weekend and what is the big plan for the new year? Well, number one is to get in better shape and eat healthier. I have ingested way too much sugar over the holidays. Also very important, to get a whole lot more scrapbooking done. I have boxes and boxes of photos to scan and save. Then, I need to organize them and get them into albums! That Christmas gift I was making - not even started! How terrible is that? At least someone will have something to look forward to in the near future. I may just do the first page and then give the gift, then I can finish it later. I need to find another online scrapping group to chat with and get ideas/info from. The last one was a bunch of cliquish snobs. The Stepford Wives. All they did is drop their kids at daycare, and spend their days spending money and scrapping while their housekeepers took care of the cleaning and cooking for them. Those of us who work for a living did not stand a chance in that group, and those women made sure us working girls knew we didn't belong!

Okay, I just worked out, downloaded all the Christmas pictures and got the scrapbook supplies out that I am working with. Dinner is in the oven, so I have an hour to work. Someone, motivate me, please! I promise the Christmas pictures will soon follow...

9 Days Til Christmas

Are we ready for Christmas? NOOO... I just baked my first batch of cookies today. Nothing has been wrapped. Saving the wrapping for next weekend. I try to get that done all in one day because it kills my back. Now I am getting ready to scrapbook a bit. I will be happy if I can get two layouts done. I still have to make my grocery list of baking items before I can do any more cookies. Trying a new recipe for Chocolate Truffles this year as well as my Black Russian Brownies (yes, they contain Kahlua and vodka) and a few more of my specialties that are well loved by family and friends. I planned to make a big pot of my world famous chili today, but was not in the mood for a trip to the grocery store for ground beef and beans, and Matt was too busy under the hood of the Bronco to make a run for me. So, I cleaned, finished a transcript, and read a few pages of a book, The Godfather's Revenge. Its a great book, but I just don't have enough time to read more than 2 or 3 pages a day. That is very unlike me. Normally, I could finish a good book in a weekend, this one has taken me about 6 weeks so far. Its not like I have nothing else to do. I have been up and working since 4am. Don't think I will be going out tonight, I am ready to crash now. How sad. Okay, better get those layouts going. Wish me luck!

Countdown

Well, less than two week till Christmas. I have been very busy with both jobs, and trying to keep up at home. That part isn't working. Friday was my baby boy's 19th birthday so we went out to celebrate. As expected, I took lots of pictures. At least I got three pages scrappped Saturday morning. I did finally start my baking last night. Its officially Christmas now! Well, time to get back to work. Enjoy the pictures.

Keeping Busy

Thanksgiving was great. I made two new dishes, altering the directions on both somewhat. They were both awesome! I tried a sausage stuffing, it was Emeril's stuffing contest winner (Down Home Italian Dressing), but I did not follow the instructions completely, instead doing the Irish girl version, and it was to die for. I also tried a new recipe that was in a magazine for fresh green beans with sweet red peppers, mushrooms, and caramelized onions. It was oh, so sweet! I took lots of pictures of everyone, and will download some to add to this post. Spent all day Friday scrapbooking, as well as Saturday until it was time to go out ~ Mexican food and margaritas, baby! Sunday was Christmas shopping, watching one of my favorite movies 'Godfather II' and reading a good mystery. Today is the last day of my vacation, and since it is raining, I plan on watching some good movies and scrapbooking. I am halfway through one album, then I need to start an album that I want to make for my father for Christmas (a 'Grandpa' book) and another gift idea I have been toying with.

Christmas Preparations

Thanksgiving is over, now its time to think about Christmas, which will be here before we know it. I have so much to do. How will I ever get ready? I have spent the last two days scrapbooking, that is where my mind is.

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