hint**hint**hint**

Here's a hint for the February Faithbooking Lesson:

Our next Faithbooking Crop will be on Saturday, February 9 from 9:00 am-4:00 pm at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Lakeville. The crops are FREE and include snacks, beverages, and make-and-take supplies. Feel free to work the crop around your schedule, just let me know if you plan to attend and I'll be sure to have a spot ready for you.

oh, I do so want to go!!

I've been following talk of this conference for several weeks and am happy to report that registration is now open! And guess what ladies? Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries is offering an opportunity to win a scholarship to this fantastic event! If you have a blog and are interested in participating, you'll find the contest details here.

By the way, did I mention that I'd really like to go?

Whether your gig is writing, speaking, or blogging - this event is for you! Not only will there be training in the area of your choosing, you will also have the opportunity to meet publishers AND rub elbows with experienced writers, speakers, and leaders in women's ministry. There is even a track for middle school/high school girls. A little something for everyone.

And as if that weren't enough, there will even be three real-life bloggy celebrities in attendance! The talented ladies of BooMama, Big Mama, and Rocks in My Dryer will be there to offer their blogging expertise and wisdom (possibly even a fashion tip or two). To learn more, head on over to the She Speaks Conference website.

Now, here's the reason I want to go list (I had trouble narrowing it down to just one). Drum roll please...

Top 10 Reasons Why I Want to Win a She Speaks Conference Scholarship:

10. It would almost make my "day job" look like a real job.

9. It would give me the perfect excuse for purchasing three new outfits.

8. I would return from the weekend with warm and fuzzy feelings towards my hubby and children.

7. You, my bloggy friends and faithbooking ladies, would be swimming in the overflow of inspiration.

6. I would have so much fun with my new camera!

5. It would make one awesome scrapbooking layout.

4. My family would appreciate the North Carolina souvenirs so much, they would never again complain about who or what gets posted on the blog.

3. I would finally be able to get my hands on a Deep Fried Dill Pickle... with Ranch Dressing. (Apparently, these are quite the rage.)

2. I would be able to see Lysa and the bloggy celebs in person!

1. I would be able to go for sure!

must....post....something...

My friend Chris shared this well-kept secret on Saturday and I feel it is my job to make it public knowledge. There is a place nearby that serves up its very own Bacon Happy Hour.

Yes, BACON. Baskets of it.

You will find this greasy goodness and more at "The Triple Rock," located on the West Bank in Minneapolis. Free bacon night is on Wednesdays; you'll find details here.

coffee w/the Amys

It has been WAY TOO LONG since I've had the opportunity to be in the presence of both Amys. Yet here we are, catching up over coffee, at Brewberry's in St. Paul. What a fun afternoon! Though I regularly see my sister-in-law Amy, we rarely have a moment to simply visit - in fact, I believe this was our very first coffee date ever!

I'm also thankful to have had the chance to reconnect with our friend Amy; it was almost like the good old days! Our conversation was filled with laughter as we tackled many important subjects: transitions, the necessity of current passports, life without Disney, glammin' in up for coffee, toilet paper counts, electrician referrals, the business of kindergarten, poker ladies, and of course - scrapbooking. How we managed to go this long without checking in with one another on these weighty issues is beyond me!

Inspired, I left feeling ready to tackle the day (granted it was almost 3:00 pm by the time we parted ways). In a caffeinated whirlwind, I buzzed through our much neglected basement - three very large bags, several cardboard boxes and assorted objects later... I feel like a new woman. Just what I needed.

Journaling Ideas: Celebrate special friendships by documenting your common interests - hobbies, places, and projects you share (e.g. the Amys and my first friend connection took place at a Camp Iduhapi scrapbooking retreat seven years ago). Create a page spread that reflects the unique flavor of those friendships.

and the winner is...

I had so much fun reading all of your comments; thank you everyone for participating! Now, the news you've all been waiting for... the winner of the "For Him" Paper Album Kit is Crystal! I'll drop it in the mail to you tomorrow :-)

Voila!

Here it is, the item not yet on the retail scene! This "For Him" Paper Album Kit includes every decorative supply you need to create a beautiful Valentine's Day album or Father's Day gift (there is even an idea booklet). If you'd like to be included in the prize drawing, just add a comment to this post sharing one good thing about your weekend. I'll randomly choose a winner at 9:00 pm tonight!

ooh...aah...ugh...

It was an exciting weekend full of fun new products and business building ideas. So, what's a girl to do when she needs a little break from the action? Ride up and down the elevator (several times in a row) in an effort to capture a unique self-portrait! It would have been a really cool shot had it not been for the dozens of ladies actually trying to use the elevator; I rushed to focus and didn't get the clarity I was longing for.

Oh well. This yummy treat made up for my sad misadventure. The dense and slightly creamy chocolate creation was THE SIZE OF A MUFFIN (no wonder my face is breaking out like a teenager). It was simply divine.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's prize giveaway... it will be one of the scrapbooking treats I received this weekend!

delightful things.

This yummy goodness was given to me by Sharon: jasmine-infused Swiss chocolate. Can you see why she's called my hip & cool friend?

By the way, did you know that you could create your own rub-on transfers? I love using my computer to create all sorts of journaling and title blocks but was clueless as to this money-saving technique. Imagine the possibilities girls... you'd be able to personalize them! Though I have not tried this yet myself, you'll see all sorts of comments on the attached link; it looks like it truly works. The link is here...

Too, I just received a treat that is not yet in stores. Well, actually, it will never be sold in stores but I thought it would make the perfect gift for a giveaway. That will happen on Monday.

Have a great weekend and try not to let the suspense get the best of you ;-)

I've been tagged!

Goodness me, this has never happened before - of course I have to play! Janel at Dandelion Days is the gal who tagged me - we share a mutual fondness for the Go Fish Guys and Trader Joe's. I was told this was a "meme" but was clueless as to what that meant. In case you are wondering as well, I've provided a link here.

Here are the rules: (1) Link to the person that tagged you. (2) Post the rules on your blog. (3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. (4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. (5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

So... here are 6 things I'm not so sure I want you to know about me:

1. I struggle with leaving my blog posts alone. You may notice that words are deleted or rearranged. Constantly. I can't stand it when I find typos or a particular phrase hits me in a weird way.
2. I went to college for five years but never graduated. I had issues. (After re-reading the first item on this list, it looks like I still have issues.)
3. I think "Google" is the best tool ever crafted by human hands. The wheel is a close second.
4. I did not like my husband when we first met. He doesn't even remember the first time we met.
5. I have always had a terrible fear of public speaking (this is partly why I never graduated from college, it was a required course I avoided like the plague). Now, I stand in front of a group of ladies each month and share intimate details about my life... with a microphone.
6. I am only 21 years old. Okay, so that's not really the truth - which brings me to the last item: I used to lie. A LOT. (I had issues, remember?)

Okay, so how I am going to tag these ladies.

• My sister-in-law Amy at A Blessed Life. She always forwards fun emails and surveys that I never participate in. Boy, now I realize why... this stuff takes TIME!
• My nearby-met-through-eBay-blog friend Dana at Just some stuff; a self-professed ADD crafter - she does it all!
• My faraway-met-through-Flickr-blog friend Cathy at Homestretching who does a Grateful Friday post each week. A great scrapbooking idea!
• Kathy at Sumballo who made my cry with this beautiful post.
• You will love Katie the Scrapbook Lady; her blog is full of fun things! Be sure to check out her link on the left entitled, "What's a Roundup?" She has some great ideas for staying on top of your album projects.
• And last but not least, Kara at Mommy Dot Com. She's familiar with my kind of pain.

Bloggy ladies, if you decide to play please leave a comment to let me know! I'd love to stop by to read all about you!

coffee w/sharon

We did things differently this time. Instead of meeting at some trendy coffee shop, our bi-monthly visit took place here - at my humble abode. There was a specific reason for this locale (and it wasn't my coffee). Ladies, she has turned to the dark side scrapbooking!

My wildest dreams have come true.

After stopping by a local bakery for treats, I plugged in THE GIANT. Though it's been several months since the death of my beloved Krups, I have yet to replace my coffee maker. After all, the 42-cup GE and I have been doing just fine.

Anyway, Sharon and I spent an hour or so catching up before breaking out the stash. A lot can happen in two weeks ya know. Apparently, she and and her hubby are proud new furniture owners as well; we had much to celebrate!

Then I introduced her to the tools of the trade.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure she's hooked.

that's my boy!

If I had to choose one word to describe my youngest, it would have to be:

Ren never ceases to entertain us with his clever banter and crazy antics. Just the other day while visiting our new couch and chair, we stopped by the "cookie shop" for a snack. (For all of you HOM never-beens, they offer free cookies, pop, and coffee!) After finishing his cookie, Ren leaned WAY OVER the table and began sucking up crumbs... all the while making a vacuum cleaner noises. The hubby and I just looked at each other and laughed. What Ren said next was even better.

"Can you believe I came from you, Mom?"

Yep, that's my boy.

Here he is in his latest creation... a paper hat labled "Bomb Squad" (apparently, it's protective head gear).

Yep, my silly boy.

Journaling Ideas: Create a scrapbook page using one word to describe yourself or a loved one. Use the Spell with Flickr tool to create a cool page title (after typing in your word, the site will use photographs of various letters to create it - just save each letter as a photo. Print and assemble your title). Share a story (or several) that reflect your title and subject.

i'm a big ole' meany mom.

At least that's how my oldest sees me right now. We had a rough weekend. A very rough weekend. So rough in fact, I almost tossed his Nintendo DS into the garbage.

Now that really would have made me a big ole' meany mom.

Instead, we revoked all computer and gaming privileges until Saturday. The huffing and puffing that followed could have generated enough wind power to fuel a small village.

I'm so glad it's Monday.

I recently revamped my checkbook cover (using Tilly's shot of my little rebels) and thought I'd pass this nifty idea along to you! In addition to showcasing your favorite photos, it could also be used as a clever advertising tool or as a means to share your faith. Using a clear vinyl checkbook cover as your pattern, cut a piece of cardstock or paper to a slightly smaller size. Decorate one or both sides of the cover and carefully slide into place.

By the way, did I mention it was a rough weekend? I've ordered myself a copy of "Parenting with Love and Logic" to help build me some strong mommy muscle. Then I'll be a big ole' STRONG meany mom.

i REALLY want to see this.

I believe it is important to ask questions and dig deeply into things. Why not investigate both sides of a controversial subject? Why simply take someone else at their word? Look. Ask. Question. Explore.

You'll understand why then, after viewing the trailer to this movie, I was hooked.

I would encourage you to examine motives and preconceptions, including your own. In this information age it couldn't be easier.

Or could it?

The movie is called "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" and features Ben Stein.

just HAD TO share this with you!

The Star Tribune featured an article about Pat Grady, a local artist who creates tangible remembrances using fabric and other textiles. Here are a couple of examples of her work:

• A woman hired Pat to create a quilt of all of her daughter's childhood skating outfits; she gave the quilt to her daughter as a gift when she left for college.
• Another woman lost her father, an avid hunter. Pat created tote bags using his hunting gear - hats, clothes, and duck callers. The woman's mother, sisters, and sisters-in-law each received a precious handbag as a tangible remembrance of the man they once loved.

Just beautiful. This touches my heart so.

You'll find a link to the Star Tribune article on Pat's website, as well as several stories regarding her works of heart. You can get to Embellishing Bliss it by clicking here or on the permanent link to the left!

errands can be dangerous.

At least they can be for us! I remember going out for ice cream several years ago and coming home with a new van. (Needless to say, we were sidetracked by the car dealership.)

And then there was today.

The plan was to check out Trader Joe's and maybe pick up a few groceries... we did that but came home with a new couch and chair as well. Let me defend this seemingly-impulsive-large-purchase by sharing a few facts about our current set:

• It is 10 years old.
• It has survived a cat and dog, our bouncing boys, and several years of daycare.
• There is a large, stuffing-exposed tear on the arm of my favorite chair.
• There are "stains" on two cushions from Lorenzo's tooth-pulling spree.
• When we have company, we have to strategically adjust pillows and cushions to hide the various discolorations and tears.

So really, we knew this day was coming - we just didn't know it would be TODAY!

Just as we were being sucked into the shopping vortex, we ran into some old neighborhood friends. Thankfully, I had my camera in tow! The kids were so shy but I was able to convince them to stand next to each other for a blog-worthy shot.

As for Trader Joe's... it was fabulous!! The prices were very low and there was an enormous selection of organic and specialty food items. The store itself isn't very large but I could have spent hours there. I will be going back!

hold onto your light sticks!

Tonight we're going to party like it's 1999 9:00 pm...

Actually, it was LAST NIGHT and my hubby's first experience with the Go Fish Guys. We had a blast - the kids were singin', dancin', and screamin' up a storm. My favorite tune from the new Snazzy CD is "The Mom Song" - well, because... I am a mom, ya know (and have one, too!). The song "Jammies" came in a close second. I love my jammies and believe everybody should have them. Look, they even have matching family sets! My hubby isn't so keen on the idea...

Everyone had an opportunity to meet the band to have their picture taken and something signed. I thought it best not to wreck a pair of their good school pants (see post here) so hubby secured a spot in line while I went out to purchase a CD.

Unfortunately, I only had one shot and Ren had his eyes closed! Ugh. Isn't that just the way it goes?

For those of you reading this post and feeling ultra disappointed you missed out on such a rockin' good time, there is another show TODAY at 1:00 pm. Just contact Hosanna! for more information.

right in line w/my previous post...

Jeremy Riddle - Sweetly Broken

To the cross I look, to the cross I cling

Of its suffering I do drink

Of its work I do sing

For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed

Showed that God is love

And God is just

Chorus:

At the cross You beckon me

You draw me gently to my knees, and I am

Lost for words, so lost in love,

I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

What a priceless gift, undeserved life

Have I been given

Through Christ crucified

You’ve called me out of death

You’ve called me into life

And I was under Your wrath

Now through the cross I’m reconciled

Chorus:

In awe of the cross I must confess

How wondrous Your redeeming love and

How great is Your faithfulness

(2x’s) Chorus:

Too, I just stumbled up this powerful sermon about pride. It would be well worth the link-trip to give it a read.

And one final thing:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACEY!!

a lesson in humility

God knows everything about me. Sometimes I don't know whether to laugh for joy or weep in embarrassment at the truth of this statement! God, the Creator of the universe, knows and still treasures me - defects and all.

Over the weekend someone asked how I was able to "lay it on the line" in my scrapbooks without feeling concerned about what others would think. It was a great question, one I have been pondering most of the week: Why do I feel compelled to share my imperfections in albums and with all of you?

Because I am NOT perfect and it makes it so much easier just to say that up front!

I haven't always felt this way; there was a time in my life I actually believed perfection was attainable. I would have sworn my best friend was perfect. Oh, and the woman who worked at the makeup counter - perfect. And of course, all of the models in the magazines - PERFECT. I devoted a great deal of time and energy on my appearance hoping to camouflage the broken mess inside. But, no matter how hard I tried, I could never seem to get there.

There was one time, for example, when I had on THE most killer outfit, trying to be "all that" as I made my way around campus as a new student. I was pretty puffed up until my four-inch heel got stuck in the footbridge, dropping me flat. To make matters worse, my lovely shoe WAS STUCK TO THE BRIDGE, its heel wedged into a crevice. I was mortified.

It was years before I realized the futility of chasing perfection. And, oh - the brilliance of God! For had it been attainable, I would have never willingly surrendered my broken life for the perfection that is in Christ.

I pray that my children and others will learn from the mistakes I've made (and continue to make!) and am forever grateful for the Lord's mercy, forgiveness, and grace.

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand,
that He may lift you in due time.
1 Peter 5:5b-6 (NIV)

more bloggy goodness

I'm not sure whether or not you've had a chance to check this out but didn't want anyone to miss an opportunity! Lysa Terkeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries has opened up a writing contest - the winner will be published in their monthly magazine. It is open to everyone, even if you don't have a blog; just click on the link above for more details.

How about a few more links from my "favorites" list? Kraft sends out a FREE quarterly magazine with incredible recipes that are easy to pull together. You can sign up to receive it by clicking here. Their home page is here - an equally GREAT RESOURCE!

Here is another spectacular recipe website called, "That's My Home." You'll find a recipe there for almost anything! Do you like Bread Pudding? This breakfast treat tastes just like it and was a hit at my last scrapbooking retreat!

I have a fondness for lap desks and thought this one would make a darling gift.

And, of course, more hair bling. I'm all for unique but this one scares me...

Have fun with the links!!

back to the old grind...

The holiday drinks have long since passed... sniff, sniff. The good news? Girl Scout Cookie season is about to begin! Tilly has been RAVING about the new Lemon Chalet Cremes ("they have a touch of cinnamon-ginger spice") - you can view this year's lineup by clicking HERE. The sell-a-thon begins on Saturday! If you need me to hook you up, I have connections...

it's kinda like answering lots of questions

My name............Tina Vega

childhood ambition............To live in a loft and work in the city. I'd dream of this while paging through the catalog, choosing clothes for my future position.

fondest memory............Decorating cookies at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

soundtrack............Magnolia

retreat............The green chair in my living room.

wildest dream............To write a book.

proudest moment............The day I said "yes" and faced my fear of public speaking.

biggest challenge............Right now, balancing time and tasks.

alarm clock............Set at 5:30 am each morning.

perfect day............Scrapbooking for hours without interruption!

first job............A small pizza joint in my home town.

indulgence............Caribou Coffee

last purchase............A coat on clearance at JCPenney.

favorite movie............Magnolia

inspiration............Photography. Books. Music. Beth Moore.

My life............A work in progress.

Journaling Ideas: Create a scrapbook page about yourself using a survey (examples here and here). Type up the questions and add the entire form to your album along with a photograph of yourself! You can also use this idea when creating an album for someone else - as a birthday gift for example, asking everyone the same questions about the birthday boy or girl. I also used the idea to create an album for a teacher who was facing cancer. You can take a peek at that project by clicking here.

hair bling & other cool things...

I was cleaning out my "Favorites" list and thought I'd share some of them you!

For all of you photography fans, here is a great website featuring a variety of online classes. I have only taken a free class there myself but one of my favorite photographers listed this website as a recommended resource. I've spent a great deal of time on the site and have found it very appealing.

For those of you with a penchant for hair bling, I recently discovered this website. Click around, you are sure to find some fun pieces!

Apparently, we have Trader Joe's now in Minnesota! I will be making a road trip in the near future to check it out... I have heard VERY GOOD THINGS about it. Have any of you ever been there?

Here is a great resource for camera lens reviews (lens rental is available here as well). The link will take you directly to the Canon page.

For all of you media-conscious parents out there, this great website offers in-depth reviews of websites, television shows, movies, music, and books. Do you know what your child is consuming? On a related note, we own this very cool DVD player and LOVE IT. It edits DVDs, allowing us a little more freedom on Family Movie Night. You decide how much you want to edit. Apparently, it is now available at Best Buy; you can find details here and here.

Have fun with all of the new links!

more great music!

HillsongUnited - The Time Has Come

Here's another CD worth checking out! The link I've given will allow you to sample each song. I picked up my copy locally at Northwestern Bookstore but you can also find it here and here.

7 Random Facts

I want the journaling in my scrapbook albums to be more than a restatement of the obvious, to go beyond the "Who, What, Why, When and Where" of my older, redundant style. In addition to using these albums to make statement about my life, I want to celebrate the everyday things we typically take for granted. These albums are teaching tools for my children and a written record of God's amazing activity in my life. Faithbooking is all of this and more!

The lesson this month centered around seven random facts (just click on it to enlarge). The idea was to create a list of facts concerning chocolate, your favorite coffee shop, marriage, motherhood, yourself - anything that strikes your fancy! Page spreads like this one creatively capture your personality and perspective on paper, lending insight into the real "who" of you.

When writing the lesson, I came up with seven random facts for each decade of my life. After working on the list, I realized that no matter how much time I devoted - I would never be able to list every fact about myself. I don't even REMEMBER every fact! On the other hand, God knows and remembers it all - every thought, action, and deed.

The bottom line: I am precious to Him and never out of His sight! Isn't that an awesome thought?

Here are my seven random facts (drum roll, please...):

1. I begin each day with a cup of Pacific Chai Tea.

2. My sister Stacey and I are the same age for one month.

3. I own a pair of jeans that were signed by the members of Judas Priest as I wore them. (I didn't even know the band but received free tickets and a backstage pass; I had nothing for them to autograph until my hip & cool friend suggested I put a leg on the table). Watch out eBay!

4. I don't like the taste of fish.

5. I am a rule-follower after years of being a rule-breaker.

6. I once won a $50 scholarship for a pencil drawing I created in 6th grade.

7. My family nickname is "Crash" - a title earned shortly after receiving my driver's license.

I found this beautiful reflection on Psalm 139, the foundation for this particular lesson. May the truth of these words bless you today!

Father, you know me better than I could ever know myself.
You know in all truth what I have been, what I am, what I will become.

You know me when I am loving and when I am selfish.
You know when I succeed and when I fail.
You know everything about me
And yet, Father, you love me more than I will ever know.
You don’t hold it against me that I fail, or am discouraged.
You try also to show me that I should not hold it against myself,

Because by doing so I will fail to love more.
You are forgiving and loving.
It is beyond my understanding.
I read your word and am inspired,
But then immediately I feel its poverty in my own life.
But Father, if I do try to escape you, really where can I go?
Deep down I never want to escape you, but at times I try.
Help me to realize that at these times you will support me,
You will send the light needed,

You will send your consolation through another,
You will send your strength and courage.
God, my Father, know my thoughts.
Guide me to you.
You know what I desire
Even though I do not always move toward my goal.

~Author Unknown

amazing.

It began just two years ago with 12 ladies... yesterday there were nearly 60!!!! Truly amazing. I snapped the above shot early in the day, just as we were settling in. Though I barely managed to complete two pages, I had a wonderful time listening to stories and connecting with the ladies. The monthly lesson was great fun; I'll be sure to share it with all of you in the next day or so!

On a side note, my friend Tilly had a cool album idea (I might have mentioned it before). The idea is to take 12 pictures on the 12th of each month, using the photos to create an album of monthly page spreads. Here are my photos from the day:

I think I'm really going to like this project!

the spill over, part 2

I was talking about God's purpose for our lives when I last posted... Beth talked about those times in life we experience trials/tribulations; times of great difficulty and suffering. Through Scripture, she showed us how God stays consistent with our purpose... always.

This means that He would only allow such pain if it were critical to me serving His purpose in my generation.

Looking back, I can clearly see the truth of this statement reflected in my own life. As most of you know, I struggled with addiction for many years. During that time (more so than any other in my life) I was PLAGUED by trouble.

Self-induced trouble but trouble nonetheless.

I did everything in my power to sustain the addiction and my life was a mess. The thing I had the most trouble with? My mouth. I was a compulsive liar and extremely manipulative, hurting myself and many around me. And it all stemmed from my mouth... the very same tool God has chosen to use for His purpose!

Interesting, isn't it?

All of that pain? Necessary. Needed. It led me to Him. It refined me. He used it to shape my mouth. He took my ugliness and turned it into something beautiful. Only God...

I was listening to a song this morning that spoke to my heart.

I called
You came to the rescue

Now I want to be where you are...

He wants to come to your rescue as well, no matter where you are. He wants to bring freedom, peace, joy, and contentment into your life. Will you let Him?

the spill over, part 1

My last Bible study lesson was so incredible, it was bound to spill over here! We're nearing the end of "A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place" and it has been a wild ride. A couple of things stood out yesterday.

Beth asked, "What do you really want the statement of your life to be?"

Oh, that's huge. As a faithbooking lady, my intention is to make a statement with my life. What she said next was even more profound. "It's God's intention that I serve His purpose in my generation."

Whoa.

Sometimes I focus so much on the message I'm leaving for future generations that I forget that He created me purposefully and specifically for this generation. He chose the exact time and place for my birth. He created me to have an impact on lives here and now. Like I said, it was a huge message.

Which brings me back to our purpose. He's created each one of us with a specific purpose in mind. Make no bones about it, the plan is very detailed. And, it is very good (Jeremiah 29:11). This lead to a huge revelation that I will wait to get into because the kids have just woken up.

How's that for a cliff hanger?

eek!

The picture to the left will give you an idea of how my week is going...

I'm trying to catch up on paperwork, trying to get the handouts ready for our crop on Saturday, trying to forget about the Christmas tree, and trying not to lose my patience with the boys.

It's been a trying day.

Not really, but it seemed to fit there so well :-) I actually had a very nice today! I went shopping FOR YOU my faithbooking friends. I picked up a couple of books and my-most-favorite-CD-in-the-whole-wide-world to add to the already plump basket of prizes. There will be lots of prizes this month because there will be LOTS OF PEOPLE!

That's what the "eek!" is for.

The rest of the week is likely to be a little crazy, so I apologize in advance for the not-so-deep posts. Have a great evening!

I must share a good deal!

I was looking this book up for someone else when I found it listed for only $3.99!! Now, that's a deal to be shared! It's called "Take Charge of the Change" and someone recommended the book to me a long time ago, when my PMS symptoms began taking a nose dive. You can get to this sweet deal by clicking HERE.

On another note, I have a new toy. Can you guess what it is?

PS: Oh, and BooMama is giving away a $500 Oreck vacuum cleaner... you might want to check it out!