It's BRISTOL baby.......

....and one of my favorite tracks on the whole NASCAR circuit. I love Bristol. I love the atmosphere. I love how loud Bristol is. I love how fast it is. I love the Chicken Strips (insert giggle) I just plain and simply love Bristol. Gotta love a place where you can actually feel the speed of the cars through your whole body. It's....BRISTOL BABY!!!

Look how color coordinated the Bowyer Stock's are ready to cheer on our driver. I never really planned us to match this good, but we did. 

There is my favorite driver on the big ole screen. Smiling before the race and after the race. That's a good thing. I love how they introduced the drivers and they came out to their favorite song playing. Wish I could remember what Clint's was. I was so excited that I forgot to listen to his song :) 

The pre-race festivites were fantastic! Lots of American pride and fireworks and flyovers. 

This was a particularly important race for Clint because the beginning of the chase for the cup was just a mear  three races away. He didn't let me down bringing home an impressive 4th place finish after starting 24th. That made my whole night, week, day......

Excessive....

Heat warnings, excessive heat advisories, heat advisories....UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH......enough already. I want temperatures that I can live in. This is just too much. This is the ONLY thing I could think of that would cool me off............

Yeah I am the one at an auction with no coat on, sitting there in my sweatshirt, but it is soooooooo much easier for me to get warm then cool off............

My sweet goddaughter.....

turned 20! WOW really my dear sweet girl has left her teenage years and is now a 20 something. It is hard to believe.

What can I say about this one. She is genuine. She is beautiful. She is fun. She is caring. She is smart. She is creative.....she is my goddaughter and I love her so much. There are sooooo many things about Jessica that remind me of myself. I adore her. She loves so many of things I do. She's my sweet girl and always will be.  If I had a daughter........she would be just like Jessica. I love her kind soul. I love her heart.......I love everything about this girl. My brother and sister-in-law created a special one here.

I love you a million times Jessica..............always and forever and ever......

Cheerio and the Pillow

For months I have been struggling with wether or not to allow Cheerio to ride on the seat next to me, out of his carrier.  So a week ago I bought him a pillow to ride on in the car. I thought we would give it a whirl and see if he would take to the pillow riding. At first he would NOT stay down. Then eventually and after about 100 "down Cheerio" he finally figured it out......

Here are the series of photos it took me to get one to send to Ron to show him that I got Cheerio to lay down on his ladybug pillow. I guess I should have bought him something more manly, but ladybugs are lucky. Yes, it is against the law to text while driving down the highway but no one has banned photography..........YET :) 

No please do not take my picture Mom

Really seriously I said NO PICTURES

Whatever....just take the darn picture

OK TAKE THE PICTURE......but I refuse to look at you...one because I am tired of getting my photo taken and two because Iam TIRED

OK I MIGHT look at you....just maybe

OK I looked......your the one the dropped the phone :) 

This is your last chance Mother.......best you got

....and there is my boy learning to ride out of his carrier. It really makes me nervous. But I can't get to him. Sometimes, he likes a little water, or an ice cube or just a pat on his head.....I really need to find him one of those seat beat restraints for dogs.............

Cause this prince is.............................SPOILED!!!!

Molly, Molly, Molly.........

I am going to miss you! I am going to miss everything about you. You have been a great friend and today is your day....HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear girl. I love ya. There is just something about you that I adore. I should have spent more days with you. I wish you weren't moving, but now I can come visit my niece at Morningside and visit you too!!! You are a gem my dear and a good friend....who I will miss...but there is always Facebook, phones and email...........................here's to my Ms Molly.........

Texas Scrapfest I-Crop Take 3

If you haven't figured it out by now I am having an absolute blast scrapbooking via the 2010 Texas Scrapfest. www.texasscrapfest.com

Here was the challenge that inspired this layout:  Un-clutter your page. Employ a good bit of white space, while at the same time helping your photo stand out with circles, a pennant banner and a whimsical title.

Journaling: IT is hard for me to understand where the time has gone with you. What happen to that little pudgy nephew of mine who loved playing with his dog and hunting with Grandpa?
It really hit me when we were all at Alicia’s wedding. The beautiful bride Alicia, your sister Jess all dolled up in her bridesmaid dress and Seth all handsome in his Tux.....and then there was you. I am use to seeing you in a wrestling singlet, bluejeans and a Newman Grove Sweatshirt with Boschen on the back.
Here you were all dressed up. You have always been kind of my little boy.
You have a heart of gold and you are a wonderful nephew. i am so proud of you Sheldon. I know you will be a terrific man but for now to me you are still that little boy who for some reason stole his Aunt Kristin’s heart........

July 2010 

Texas Scrapfest I-Crop Take 2

Let me repeat........If you really want some fun Challenges....come play along with the 2010 I-Crop at www.texasscrapfest.com 

This one was super super fun for me. MY beautiful new baby :) 

Here is my second layout.

Here is the challenge that Lesle posted: "Let color inspire you. Scrapbook a photo where color is the most dominant component. Your only other requirement is that you use at least six complementary colors or pattern papers"

Texas Scrapfest I Crop

If you really want some fun Challenges....come play along with the 2010 I-Crop at www.texasscrapfest.com

I have been busy working on mine and am soooooooooooooo happy have gotten my Scrapping groove back.

Here is my first layout.

Here is the challenge that Lesle posted: It's all about you! Your page must showcase a recent photo of you. You should also share some of your favorite things with us: book/magazine, color, website dessert, etc.


I went a little away from the Norm on the requirements.......but I do love this layout...and I do love my scrapbooking pals. 

I decided to include my journaling: Lately I have been struggling with a bit of an identiy crisis if you want to call it that. I feel as though I just don’t measure up with many of the woman my age or older. They all seem so polished and together and I feel dazed and confused. It is kind of a challenge for me and something I can’t completely identify. Almost four months have passed and all the things that I use to enjoy are no longer as enjoyable to me.  The thing I missed the most was scrapbooking. I kind of got out of sorts and stayed that way. However, all it took was a small reconnection with a group of people who I admire and respect and my broken give a darn just might be on the mend. I am also getting some of my long lost mojo back which makes me happy. I miss being  creative. I miss creating something that makes me feel happy. I miss  the me that I felt measured up.....but she just might be on her way back. 

July 2010

Thanks for small miracles.....

I am soooooooooooooooooo happy to be participating in the 2010 Texas Scrapfest I-Crop. I would rather me with my scrappin girls in person but I am having a blast! I am finally scrapbooking which I so love, I have missed it very very much. I love being creative. Most of all I love putting my thoughts into words. My desire to blog is coming back, my desire to scrap in coming back, my desire to create is coming back!!!!!! Things are definately looking up for me! WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Just wanted to share some of my layouts that I have been doing for the I-Crop:

www.gonescrapcrazy.blogspot.com  has the complete info...including journaling. I will continue to update this week.

The first challenge I did:  It's all about you! Your page must showcase a recent photo of you. You should also share some of your favorite things with us: book/magazine, color, website dessert, etc.

The second challenge I did: Let color inspire you. Scrapbook a photo where color is the most dominant component. Your only other requirement is that you use at least six complementary colors or pattern papers.

The third Challenge: Un-clutter your page. Employ a good bit of white space, while at the same time helping your photo stand out with circles, a pennant banner and a whimsical title.

That's it for now....more to come later.....

Monday musings.....

I am really beginning to dislike Mondays. I use to like Monday's. A fresh start to the week of all the things I needed to catch up on. A day to do all those things I didn't manage to accomplish on the weekend because I was too busy playing on the boat. Now Monday's and I are just not seeing eye to eye. Monday means Ron is in meetings all day and I don't hear much from him from Sun up till sun down. Typically I get a ton done on Monday, but this particular one my list is so long that I have lost interest in it. I would rather play ball with Cheerio, but I know that no one is going to do that list for me so I better get at it. But I am still bitter about it being Monday again.......

HAPPY BIRTDHAY

to my Wonderful Sister-in-law Barb. I am so lucky I have my SIL Barb, she's really special to me and I love her! She is a great Mom and just a all around good person. I hope you have a wonderful day Barb! Hugs and smoochies........

AND HAPPY ONE WEEK ANNIVERSARY to my niece Alicia and her new Husband Andrew! Before you know it....it will be One Month, then one year.....then 20!!!! Love you both.

Shocking!!!

A few shots of the first few new pieces of furniture I have ever owned. Sad......but true. This is our 20 year wedding Anniversary gift to each other one year early :) I knew when I found the perfect set I would know it and I did. I was so happy and excited to have it here and set up. It came so much quicker than I thought which made me very happy! YEAH to Deets for getting it here and set up so nice for us. We LOVE IT!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

IT simply amazes me.....

This morning I have decided to spend a couple of hours catching up online. Particularly with the news and happenings of the weekend around the world, our great country and our fine state. I have NO idea why I bother. I ran across several things that frustrate me.

First and foremost, the continual posting of negative Facebook status updates. I know Facebook is a SOCIAL networking tool, and life isn't always sunshine and roses, but it seems that there is just too many negative nellie's on board. I have decided to take a break from Facebook cause it brings me down.

Second, why would anyone post a negative comment on a article about a teenager's death! I swear if I owned a newspapers I would NOT allowing comments on obituaries or articles of accidents. Some people are just so incensitive to the feelings of others it is simply unbelievable. Some people just post comments without engaging their brains.

Third, I realize we had a nice long holiday weekend here in the States and many are frustrated that today is actually a "Monday" but we have to start the work week sometime. I actually read a post online that went on for two pages about extending the holiday weekend to five days. Well then Tuesday would be Monday or Wednesday would be Monday or well.....you get the picture. I look at it this way....we are already on Tuesday!!!

So on to my day..........they way I look at today. I am just one more day closer to my new carpet :) So I am off to clean up the Fourth of July aftermath and pack my goodies away till next year.

A tribute to Dave....

this past week we lost a dear member of our extended family. Cousin Michelle Pfeifer's husband Dave was taken from us way to early at the young age of 43. Like the priest mentioned at Dave's services today "God doesn't have age specifications" but 43 just seems way to young to leave behind a wonderful wife and four lovely children; Lakin, Colton, Allison & Dillon. (I hope it is ok if I borrowed the following photos off facebook). Sometimes blogging helps me to feel better......

Dave was so full of life. He had this sparkle about him that I personally enjoyed. I loved that we shared a common interest in wrestling. Dave was so proud of his work he had done on the lake property and I enjoyed every minute of visting with him about it.

It was such a shock to hear about Dave passing because all I could think about was him playing in the water and just enjoying life.  This was one of the photos that was used at his visitation and funeral. It is my favorite. I hardly ever remember seeing Michelle without Dave or Dave without Michelle. Two peas in a pod........

I am blessed to have known Dave we will miss him. I truly hope his beautiful Children will always love, remember and appreciate their father because he was a wonderful man.

Ron wanted to help me with this cause he was very fond of Dave. So from Ron: Ron enjoyed visiting with Dave about so many things, they had alot of interests that were the same. He would ask Ron about tractors, they would talk about Auctions, construction equipment would come up and they would even chat about lake life.  Ron said that Dave was a man's man. He loves hunting, fishing and being outside. He was truly a lover of life.

I am so grateful for our wonderful summer day we all spent splashing in the lake last summer and just enjoying our extended family. RIP Dave. We will miss you and we love you.

 My only regret is that we didn't just take one more day and spend it with Dave and Michelle...........

Flooding continues.....

......this time downstream in Norfolk, Nebraska. I spent most of my childhood going to Norfolk and still love to take a day and drive to the ole Norfolk and doing a little shoppin. However, the last few days have been very difficult on Norfolk. Flooding. We have seen so much flooding in Northeast Nebraska the last five days, this is the cumulation of the Elkhorn River Flooding that start upstream near Oneill and reached Norfolk and within 2 inches of going over the dike the protected the majority of the community.

The old Riverside where Ron and I use to go and Dance when we were very very first married. Now it is surrounded by water. Oh the good ole days. I use to always want to go there and it took Ron to get me there........

Sure wish I would have bought my bedroom set a year ago I wanted plus my couch I loved.......CRAP. Maybe I can get it all on a water sale deal!!!!!!

And finally a Norfolk landmark....Tahazouka Park. Totally underwater....so sad........

Reflecting on the only photos.....

that I can find comparing the Opryland Hotel flood during and after. I think this really says something for me. I have been to the Hotel several times and it truly breaks my heart. It was one of the places over the years I actually recognize and knew what was flooding.  It has been nearly a month since the floods but I still think about one of my favorite places....Nashville. The Nashville Opryland Resort was a truly beautiful place and I hope to go back soon and take part in helping them recover......

Wallpaper s****!

Right now I am so mad at the crappy, ugly pain in the butt wallpaper in our lakehouse that I could scream. I mean seriously WHAT did these people use! I have taken off wallpaper before but I swear they used Super Glue................I vow NEVER again to put ANYKIND of wallpaper on any wall. I am so frustrated right now I am one step away from either A. setting the wall on fire or B. putting up wainscoating and forgetting about it.  So today I say......forget this! I am going to buy plants............

35 years.....

....since a devasting tornado hit Omaha Nebraska.

I am not sure if I "remember" this or if was just one of those moments that everyone talked about and I "remember".  It is hard for me to believe that 35 years ago it was humid and so stormy. Tonight is is COLD. Raining and very cold very cold 47 degree rain.