No Ordinary Scrapper

New Year, new blog

2008-01-01T13:37:00.001-08:00

I've moved.... come and check out...
Altered States, Deranged Whimsy, and Creative Outbursts...

Getting towards the end of the year....

2007-12-23T01:28:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve... I have to work a part day.... it's going to be dead at work, anyhow... this year has been full of ups and downs..... Next year I have hope for a better and brighter year...

Also, I will be changing 'No Ordinary Scrapper'.... haven't found a new title yet for the coming year... stay tuned.

Harley Pics with the new camera...

2007-12-14T21:47:00.000-08:00

My Harley man.... sigh.

Signs of Advent....

2007-12-12T02:06:00.000-08:00

The Advent wreath at church

David singing at Wassail on Sunday night.... "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

David and the Men's Barbershop 'Octet'

The future Rev. David Cole presiding as co-emcee of Wassail... complete with Santa hat...

I scrapped Van Halen....

2007-12-10T22:40:00.000-08:00

I just love Marah Johnson's papers.... fun stuff. I bought this months ago, having no idea that I would be having this kind of adventure...

Scrapbooking Mi Bebe....

2007-12-09T02:15:00.000-08:00

Earlier this year my grandmother surprised me by packing up a box of my most cherished toys as a little girl, in it was Mi Bebe... a French doll given to me by my grandfather. This simple act of sending me this was worth a million. Tonight I created a scrap book page about her, my very special mi be'be ...

Here is the journaling from the page

Whitney Rae…

Whitney Rae is what I named her,

one very special doll brought back

from a business trip by my Poppy

when I was 11. Even though I was

starting to get too big to play with

dolls I adored her anyway. I was

very much the little mommy. She

now sits perched on top of my scrap

cabinet along with my other beloved

toys, still in almost perfect condition.

Someday I hope to pass her on to my

little girl….

Finally scrapped something....

2007-12-09T00:38:00.001-08:00

It's been a little sad in the scrap room, haven't scrapped much lately. Mainly because I've been busy as all get out with work and once I get home all I want to do is crash. Between that and all the holiday stuff... Haven't scrapped. I promised myself I wouldn't get wrapped up in the hoohah this year, that I would focus more on the real reason of this season, the birth of our Lord.

I finally started scrapping tonight, I made some ornaments for my neighbors, and then I did a scrapbook page. Just one. I've got pictures for some more pages, not sure whether I'm going to make some more or not or just start working on some cards.

Early Christmas gift...

2007-12-04T23:27:00.000-08:00

You can't really see them well, but we put lights around the stair railings...

Outside our home... I need to learn to adjust the flash in order for the twinkle lights in the bushes to show up.

Our Christmas Wreath

David and Trinket

Once again David totally surprises me... I had been hinting at an SLR camera that I can really start taking photographs... not just pointing and clicking at random. I've always had the eye for photography, just not the right tools.... now I have it; a Nikon D80. I'm embarrassed to even show the pictures I took. They don't do justice to what this camera is capable of. I did get pictures of the house at Christmastime... although right now it's a little messy.

The decorations are up.... no pictures yet...

2007-12-02T23:49:00.000-08:00

Just found this picture of my niece Natalie, she was about three at the time.

Let me rephrase that, half the decorations are up, the ones on the inside. We've got the tree up, and the stair case is lit and decorated. David's getting ready to super glue Santa (we have a Lego Santa that we found in our box of stuff from the old apartment). I'm just sitting here thinking about all of my blessings now. It's been a long, hard, sad, and bittersweet year. This Christmas for David and I is going to be about healing our marriage, strengthening our faith, and going forward into the new year with a sense of hope. That's what our pastor's message was today, about hope. For the first time in a long time I feel hope. Hope for mine and David's future, hope for healing in our family, and hope for my spiritual life.

As for scrapbooking, I haven't done much of that lately. That is going to change. Going to try to do something creative.... I need to get those chipboard pieces out and do my ornaments for my neighbors.

Oh, Tuesday is Pirate Day.... (gleefully giggling to oneself).

A Dream 18 years in the making...

2007-11-28T13:21:00.001-08:00

David Lee Roth, Van Halen Tour 2007.... Don't ya just love his jacket, and his pants were wild!

My first big rock concert with my first big rock and roll crush.... Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth... (he was blonde, he was wild, what more could a party girl like me want?).... Anyhow, David surprised me Monday after work with them, just a day after we went and saw Trans Siberian Orchestra (which is also beyond amazing, I highly recommend it). David and I were just 8 rows back behind the pit and the second stage and got some up close and personal time with David Lee Roth (I got winked at...).... here's Dave's phone picture from last night. Eddie Van Halen looked awesome (cut his hair, just didn't look like him) and he rocked hard, his solo piece towards the end was mesmerizing. Lest we not forget the boy wonder, Wolfgang Van Halen... the boy can rock. Sigh... It's been a tremendous few days, and the holiday season is just getting started.

After the hullabaloo

2007-11-22T21:49:00.000-08:00

Table Set and ready...

Jay and Natalie... she was looking totally bored...

The full spread, that's Florence at the head of the table...

That's Dave passed out on the couch.... LOL.... he worked hard today. Trinket Kitty hid all day in my studio.

It was an awesome day; I got to talk to my mom in Germany even if it was for a brief moment, I got to talk to my sister and one of my brothers and family in FL. We had David's family here, and it was great. The house was perfect, dinner came out on time, nothing burned (even though we did forget to put the carrots on the table... oh well, we didn't miss them, we had plenty to eat.) Nancy made this fab dressing, and Florence brought the yummy cranberry sweet potatoes.... ok, I need an Alka Seltzer just reading this. I was grateful for a lot of things today...

for my wonderful husband,
for my family, both here and in FL
for my Church family (Brother Bud came over after dinner)
for my friends,
and for my new home....

Prayers for my grandfather, my brother Matthew (I think he's feeling a little lost in the world), my sister Mary and my niece Kristyn....

House Pictures....

2007-11-21T23:24:00.001-08:00

The new TV and bookcases...

Turkey in the honey brine...

Thanksgiving command central... the kitchen. Notice there aren't flames spewing from the oven... I'm quite proud if I don't say so myself.

Happy Thanksgiving....

2007-11-21T15:32:00.000-08:00

This year is going to be rather off kilter, again. Although last year was amazing in so many ways. Even though we didn't have Thanksgiving at Mom C's like we traditionally do, due to Florence's accident, we took Thanksgiving to Manor Care where we had the use of a dining room and a place to set up our dinner. It was such an amazing memory because that day me, Mom C. and David all worked in the kitchen to get dinner ready and packed to go.

This Thanksgiving we're minus one... Mom C. and I'm trying not to think about it. Thinking about our new home, making pumpkin pie, and our turkey, now bathing in a brine of honey and other good stuff. David's making apple pie, and it's beeping at him....

Thought I had finished coughing today... nahhh. I got most of the living room cleared out, all I have to do are the floors tomorrow morning. Sigh. Macy's parade is at 9 AM and I'll be up watching that on our new TV.

My body's timing just is terrible...

2007-11-16T15:55:00.001-08:00

At home with pneumonia, stuck in bed. I'm so darn frustrated! I just got back to work.

I just joined "Scrap Fasters"

2007-11-03T02:21:00.001-07:00

This means, don't fall over in your chair please, that I cannot buy anymore 'frivolous' or impulse scrapbook buys. In other words, I have to justify what I'm spending money on. Scary thought. Another scary thought is I have to be up in about 5 hours... so I'd better get to bed...

Fierce kitty looking out for innocent Trick or Treaters.... we only had one this Halloween. Sniff.

The Inspiration quiz from the Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker...

2007-11-02T21:04:00.000-07:00

I just love this book... it's turned my chaotic 'bat cave' of the past into my 'Scraptopia' This quiz was in the workbook...

1. Why did you start scrapbooking? For me it was a creative and emotional outlet. Creative in putting together the pages, and emotional with the journaling. This is definitely not my grandmother's way of scrapbooking (pasting pictures and paper artifacts in albums). I like how Ali Edwards puts it now, we are 'life artists'. That's what I think of myself now as. I'm officially the family historian; and I like that.

2. What do you love most about scrapbooking today? The artistic side to it, it's UNLIMITED! I can go from fun and froufy, to very linear.... it's my page! I can do whatever I want!

3. What of the following elements is most important to you?
Stories
Photographs
Scrapbook supplies
A means for creative expression *

4. When reading a scrapbooking magazine or idea book, which is most interesting to you? Seeing new techniques and new products demonstrated.

5. Which parts of scrapbooking are easiest and most fun for you?
Designing and creating my scrapbook pages.

6. List five things or people that inspire you...
Creatively, Emotionally or Spiritually, visually, to scrapbook...
1. Music, mainly Cirque Du Soleil soundtracks...
2. Nature, mainly the beach
3. Creating Keepsakes magazines... they are my favorite
4. Cropping with my friends
5. My spirituality

On a roll...

2007-11-01T21:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween....

2007-10-31T13:58:00.000-07:00

and.... Happy Anniversary Gramma and Poppy English! 50 Years!

New scrap room stuff....

2007-10-30T21:01:00.000-07:00

Christmas in October

2007-10-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

Some more....

2007-10-24T22:43:00.000-07:00

I'm on a roll......Starting to feel like myself again.

Some more stuff...

2007-10-24T21:07:00.001-07:00

The reality of it all...

2007-10-20T22:46:00.000-07:00

Scrapbooking isn't all about baby pictures and family photos, it's also about the reality of it all. I did this page as a reminder of my latest, and hopefully my last hospitalization for bipolar....

The journaling read:
Up close life isn't perfect...
it's a prayer or two
or three short;
it sometimes hangs on the fringe;
especially when out of meds,
out of balance,
out of God.
Up close I was terrified,
sad,
running 1000 mph on empty...
From a distance, I was ok.
I little on the skittish, flakey side.
Up close, it was the means to an end...
I no longer had control.
Time to give it to God, and the staff
@ Sierra Vista.

Let's see if this works...

2007-10-20T21:29:00.000-07:00

Kimberly's scraprooms, past and present...

I'm back...!

2007-10-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

48 hours of lockdown in Unit B..... Yeah, I know that's a little more information that you need, but it gives a good picture of what needs to be done when bipolar gets out of control. I'm feeling much better now, amazing what the right amount and kind of meds will do. Thanks to all who prayed for me.

2007-10-17T13:04:00.001-07:00

Seriously though, I'll be out of the blog world for a while to get better. Bipolar's been acting up, and I need to take care of myself.

Some more layouts and other stuff...

2007-10-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

This is the start of the pre-made Christmas album that I made for the UMW....

Another layout for the Cole/Harmor Family album...

Check out Scraptopia

2007-10-15T01:22:00.000-07:00

Thank you Kristin for such a cool idea.... go to the right and click on Scraptopia, that will take you to pictures of my scrap room. As soon as I get my camera fixed I'll have live video, but for now... pictures will just have to do, 'kay?

My brief stint with Type Pad

2007-10-14T21:58:00.000-07:00

Either I was completely impatient, or my instincts were correct, but type pad for me did not work. Very hard to navigate and design your own blog..... I love my blogger!!!

Kristin you ROCK!!!

2007-10-11T12:24:00.001-07:00

I love it, Scraptopia......

A name for the new space...

2007-10-10T22:15:00.000-07:00

I have had the table for scrapping, then my little corner out in the garage, then I had the delightful "Bat Cave" in the old darkroom.... now I've got the motherload (at least it is for me), of scrap rooms... I don't normally brag, but it's huge and I just adore it! Any ideas on names? Here it is.....

I'm just kinda in a creative slump.... going to head up to the room and try to find it.... ugh! I hate this.

Cards

2007-10-08T16:43:00.000-07:00

Milestones....

2007-10-07T02:57:00.000-07:00

Mom, David, and me... December 2006, CSU Sacramento Commencement. David received his BA in Religious Studies and Humanities.

I've had over 1000 visitors to this blog and over 100 posts.... wow! Here's another milestone, David' s graduation from California State University last year. Jay just e-mailed me the photo.

Luminaries and Cards

2007-10-06T00:30:00.000-07:00

When one can't sleep, one creates....... I created these luminaries for the Relay for Life that David and I are participating in and then created this card that I'm going to send to a special friend...

Blackbird Card: paper used, Scarlet's Letter by Basic Grey, Tim Holtz ink, and a felt bird made by Mom C. Found that in her sewing stash.

Luminaries for Mom and Dad Cole

Where did September go?

2007-10-03T00:59:00.001-07:00

I swear, and I think I only did one layout that month.... is that sad or what? We've been to Disneyland and back and no layouts.... I must be sick or something because normally I'd be all set and ready to go.... sigh.

What is your favorite Halloween memory and or costume?

2007-10-01T01:20:00.000-07:00

Let me know what your favorite Halloween memory and or costume is....just leave a message and link to your blog entry.

The Disney Vacation Blog and photos....

2007-09-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

Instead of posting all the photos here I did a blog of the So. Cal adventure here....

Disneyland Vacation

Enjoy!!!

We're back!!!!

2007-09-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

Pictures soon to follow!

Midweek update....

2007-09-13T13:20:00.000-07:00

Hi all, just taking some much needed rest. Did two days of Disneyland and we're tired... just chilling today.... All is good.

1st Layout of the Month....

2007-09-09T00:53:00.000-07:00

Well, the only one that I want to show... the one I did the one night I was scrapping with Holly.... didn't like that one. I've learned that I scrap and create my best alone.... it is my therapy. Do I bring other people to my therapy sessions? No, I think not. It's not that I don't love ya'll... I do. Wow, it's one in the morning so I guess I'd better just shut up and post...

A blog entry stole from Moonflower.... on Scrapbook.com.....

2007-09-08T21:25:00.001-07:00

1. Do you like cheese... depends on what kind.

2.Have you ever been to the Rockies? Nope...

3.Do you own a gun? Does hot glue count?

4.Your favorite song? "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves.... and "Amazing Grace"

5.Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Nah.

6.What do you think of when you eat hot dogs? I usually don't think when eating hot dogs.... corn dogs remind me of the State Fair though, and strawberry lemonade.

7.What's your favorite Christmas song? Silent Night.... and Melekemekemaka.... the Hawaiian Christmas song, just not sure I spelled it right...

8.What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Orange juice, or a Jamba Juice Strawberry Surf Rider.....

9.Can you do push-ups? About 25 now.... I know I can do better, I did three times more than that when I was in the Navy....

10.Is your bathroom clean? For the time being, yes.... the downstairs bathroom does need some decorating and towels....

11.What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring and anniversary ring set, along with my pearls David got me for Valentine's last year.

12.Favorite Hobby? scrapbooking...

13.What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? Ooooh, hooh that's funny. After ten years of marriage I've learned that the only weapon I need is the remote control....

14.Do you have A.D.D.? Where's my hair brush? Why can you drive on a parkway and park in a drive way?

15.What one trait do you hate about yourself? I'm fat...

16. Middle Name? Rae

17.Name a thought at this exact moment? Boy are these chips are spicy.... perhaps some milk would do the trick..

18. Name the last 3 things you have bought? Capris, a t-shirt and a jacket to take to Disneyland...

20. Current worry right now? David and I not getting better by the time we leave.... I hate being sick...

21. Favorite movie? the Pirate's movies.... The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.... anything Harry Potter...
22. Favorite place to be? With my husband in San Francisco, and after next week it will probably be with my husband at Disneyland.

23.How did you ring in the NEW YEAR? With my family at David's Aunt's house..... this was the last New Years with Mom, and we had the best time.... I miss those days...

24.Where would you like to go? To visit my family in FL for a few days... then to Italy with my husband... first to Rome, then to Venice.... then to Ireland we'll fly... then to the shores of Sydney we'll sail.

27.Do you own slippers? Yes, just bought some.... Dearfoams...

28.What shirt are you wearing? My OP shirt.....

29.What shampoo do you use? right now I can't remember... it's a volume booster though....

30.Favorite color? Pink and green.

31.Would you like to be a pirate? The ocean, sexy sailors, beaches..... I'm not gonna complain.

32.Favorite girls' names? Lily, Madeline,

34.Favorite boys' names? Michael, David (I'm kinda partial to that name, but there will be no Jr.'s....)

35.What's in your pocket? No pockets, jammie pants...

36. Last thing that made you laugh? Buffy the Vampire Slayer...

37.Best bed sheets as a Kid? My 'duck duck goose sheets', you've got to see to believe....

38.Worst injury you've ever had? When I almost broke my neck downhill bicycling....(had a fleeting moment that I thought I was Missy Giove....NOT).. then the two weeks flat on my back recovering.... not fun.

39.Are you addicted to anything? In recovery for alcohol.... right now.... I would say Sonic.... had the forbidden Sonic Burger yesterday while I was up in Roseville.... and a Cherry Limeade.... yum!

40.How many TVs do you have in your house? Two, and no DISH right now because they are idiots...

41.Who is your loudest friend? growing up, it would have to be Jen....

42.Who is your most silent friend? Delia.... stealthy...

43.Does someone have a crush on you? Hopefully my husband..... right now I think he's in love with his Harley.

44.Do you wish on shooting stars? All the time....

45. Whats your favorite book? the Bible.... and after that... my Harry Potter books, then my Celia Rivenbark series.... "Bless your hear tramp".... it's hilarious!

46 What is your favorite candy? Sees Candy's Truffles...

47.What song was played at your wedding? Canon in D by Pachabel...

48.What song do you want played at your funeral? What funeral.... not going to have one... I want a celebration of life...

49.What were you doing 12am this morning? Sleeping

50.What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Damn, it's 7 AM.....and I'm on vacation

Thanks for the great insight...

2007-09-07T12:21:00.000-07:00

Holey Moley it's Friday!!!! What is moley anyway, and why is it holey? Is it Holy, as in divine? Ok, yeah, I'm bored, I've got thirty minutes to go and I'm out of here.... my brain is fried and I'm having a horrendously bad hair day... Ready to go.....

Yikes....

Searching for scrap mojo....

2007-09-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

Ugh, this is frustrating.... can't breathe, I've got way too much to do and not enough time, and I still have to finish Dave's birthday gift and card.... Oye.....

Good news.... Captain Jack is on the horizon... December 4th DVD release!

Art by Nancy Trunzo....

Milestones....

2007-09-05T15:33:00.000-07:00

Almost to my 100th post, and almost to my 1000th visitor! WOW.... I've been working this blog for 9 months now... since New Year's day.... so I thought I'd do a list of events for this year.... so far....

January....

New Years Party at Florence's

Trip to Idaho to see Stephen and the kids

April...

We lost Mom C....

May...

10 years for Kimberly and David, awesome trip to San Francisco

June...

Happy 35th Kimberly

We put the house on the market

August...

New house in Rancho, moved in mid month...

David bought a Harley

September...

Happy 50th David

Disneyland Trip

New Harley...

Well......

2007-09-01T22:28:00.000-07:00

Ended up watching two movies tonight after I got back from getting my hair done (Thank you Jenn at Choppers for the most awesome haircut!!! YOU ROCK!)... didn't end up scrapbooking... funny how that happens. Watched "Little Miss Sunshine", absurd whineyness at it's best. It was supposed to be hilarious, or at least that's what my SIL, but then again, consider the source. Then we watched a movie that brought forth two very powerful emotions; rage and extreme sadness. "Hotel Rawanda", I had rented it before with Netflix, but never watched it.... I don't know why I didn't. Tonight, we did; and my eyes were opened. Tonight, I am sitting here very ashamed of what our world did, they turned their backs on human lives only because there wasn't a reward or money or something for them involved. Tonight, I pray for them, for peace, for our troops abroad. I should do that more often... Yeah, this is a bit sad, but then again, so am I tonight.

Labor Day Scrapping....

2007-09-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

After going through almost a month of no scrapping, I started scrapping again last night. Between the packing and the moving and getting everything situated, it's been a rather chaotic few weeks, heck, it's been a chaotic month! September is here and it feels like a new era.... new and good and... well, I won't ramble on. This weekend, I'll be definitely scrapping....

Thursday Night....

2007-08-30T23:11:00.000-07:00

I didn't think I would like it, it was kind of like watching a train wreck... but David and I watched 'Blades of Glory' with Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) and Will Ferrell.... OMG, what a snortfest riot. Rude, silly, and just plain fun. You knew what was going to happen, and you just didn't care, and it was o.k. Alright, so my movie review stinks, but hey, so did the movie, in some parts... LOL...

Earlier we went skating.... roller.

Going to scrap this week...

2007-08-29T12:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm going to scrap this week.... no more excuses, I've got enough ink in my printer for pictures, I've got plenty of projects to do (i.e. cards for Frank and Margie B.) Holly's coming over on Friday, I hope, and we're going to scrap. I'm going to see if Claudia wants to come over as well.

Ok, I'm so stoked about my new header.... and it's three in the morning...

2007-08-26T02:47:00.001-07:00

I wonder if I could change my work hours to late night, seeing as I do my best stuff late at night? Yeah, like that's going to happen. I've always been a night person. Tonight I couldn't sleep because David was snoring right into my ear. Anyhow, the creative mojo was once again spinning my brain and I couldn't sleep so I thought I might as well get up and do something.... and WOW. Yeah, I'm feeling rather impressed with myself right now. I suppose I should go get back into bed, but I've got some great music going.... Tapis Rouge by Cirque Du Soleil and it's amazing....

Can't sleep so I might as well post or scrap...

2007-08-26T01:43:00.000-07:00

Once again it's two in the morning and my head is going 100 mph, good thing is, my blood pressure is down. Finally found my scrap mojo.... actually had to sit down and relax and there it was.... kapow! (Having a 'Tank Girl" moment....)

This is the doorhanger I did for Dave's office/'man cave'....

This is the one for my room.... pretty darn froofy isn't it?

Another moving announcement....

2007-08-23T16:05:00.001-07:00

I made something....

2007-08-20T23:51:00.001-07:00

Did these this weekend while trying to 'relax'.... about 6 of them.... Isn't my little kitty cute? Gotta love Cricut.

The First Draft... can be the final draft...

2007-08-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

My desk.... complete with Cricut... to the right, my TV complete with 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'... my desk is a drafting table top. Still debating on the Ikea stuff... now that I've got this put together I kind of like it.

My computer desk, and new chair... it is soooo comfortable! Beside that, my cabinet with scrapbooks and other assorted stuff. I keep all of my photos, the family slides and other precious stuff....

The cabinet, with my bears, Mom C's bear, the Baby, and Pooh... on my quilt that my grandmother and great grandmother made me....

My ribbon board with stuff....

My desk.... where the creativity just flows...

First Look..... at the Creativity Room...

2007-08-17T00:33:00.000-07:00

Online, finally....

2007-08-16T16:10:00.000-07:00

The DSL is up and running and life is good! Tonight I'm going to attempt to finish putting together the room, although now I think there are going to be a couple of new additions like some Ikea furniture.... so I'm not totally going to decorate until everything is in place. For now I'm going to just set up all my functional stuff that I need to have and wait patiently for the rest.... I'm just revelling in all this new and fun space.

ooooooooooooohhhhh

2007-08-14T16:15:00.001-07:00

"A twisted sense of whimsy"...... I like it.

We're all moved in.... well, kinda

2007-08-14T09:56:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we spent our first night in our new place.... I was exhausted to say the least, glad this whole thing is finally winding down. Hopefully by the end of this week our house will start looking like a house rather than a warehouse full of boxes....

Crikey, it's almost one in the morning....

2007-08-11T00:42:00.000-07:00

I'm going through serious scrapbooking withdrawals and the mind is wandering... (hence the cupcake cravings)... the house is in a state of discomboobilation and it's hot. I know, I'm whining.... I need to just put the ipod in Cirque Du Soleil mode and just crash.... dream of well.... it's time for bed.... Must have sleep or I'll end up looking like this...

What the 'bat cave' used to look like...

2007-08-10T22:24:00.000-07:00

I've been SCROBBED!!!!

2007-08-10T21:58:00.002-07:00

The room formerly known as the 'bat cave'..... awefully bare now. Stay tuned for pics of the new creative sanctuary....

All packed up.... well, almost....

Th dinner of movers.... pizza.... and Henry Weinhard's root beer....

Scrap robbed.... well, not really. The 'Bat Cave' is officially packed and I'm getting ready to tuck myself in. I'm exhausted. Here are some pictures....

Disassembled....

2007-08-06T23:34:00.001-07:00

What took almost a year of re-doing and flopping and twitching is now being torn down... some remnants left behind. I'm still in awe of the idea of a whole 'real room' to scrap in and make my own.... just blows me away. David has been so sweet, talking about getting me real scrap furniture/organizer stuff to replace what I have. All seems so surreal. A little bittersweet, and deep down I'm missing Mom. Wishing she were here for me to share all this new adventure with, to ask her advice. I know she's smiling down from Heaven, knowing that her 'kids' are happy and thriving.

Moving on the 13th....

2007-08-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

We'll be packing all weekend.... and then the movers will move us on the 13th and I'll go home to my new home that Monday.... no more commute!!!

New home, new room.....

2007-07-28T12:40:00.000-07:00

It's an end of an era and in a few days I will be packing up the 'bat cave' and preparing to move my sanctuary of inspiration across town and upstairs to be the Sanctuary of Creativity....... I like that... Here's a picture of the blank slate I will be working with.

This is just a picture of the side wall and the ceiling fan.

This is the large window with shelf, not quite sure how I'm going to utilize it, bit it's gonna get utilized.

New header....

2007-07-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

This has been a quiet weekend for scrapping, haven't gotten anything done since I've been sick. Ugh, I hate this. I did do some updates on the blog, added some familiar faces, and even updated my header... do ya like it?

The House book.... some scrap therapy

2007-07-07T21:07:00.000-07:00

I've been having a hard time lately, with the loss of Mom C. and now putting the house on the market. This house holds a lot of memories for me, most of them good. It also feels like we're letting go of a piece of Mom and Dad C.... and for me that's hard, and it's hard on David. So I made this book, so that one day our children will be able to know a part of our history that was at this house... our home.

Happy Birthday Great Aunt Lucy...

2007-07-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

Nan, Gramma and Cousin Jimmy

Nanoosie, Nan, one of the best Aunties in the world! I love you, miss you, and hope you have a wonderful birthday!

There's hubby cooties in my scrap room! I've been invaded!!!

2007-07-05T15:26:00.000-07:00

Ugh! I feel so violated. Seriously. We're getting ready to sell the house and the access to the basement/crawlspace is in my scraproom. Hubby was supposed to let me know when this was going to happen so I could move stuff around to make things easier for them to get into... but noooooo.... now my rooms a disaster and guess what I'm doing tonight when I get back home. Not to mention it's 111 already at my house. As Adrian Cronour would say "It's not hot, it's AAAAAAAfrica hot!". Maybe I'll get in there and re-arrange again. Hardly, I just want it back to the normal configuration. Sigh....

Some Thursday funny.....

Doorhangers, pizza and scrap buddies

2007-06-30T23:51:00.001-07:00

Connecting with old friends...

2007-06-26T23:00:00.000-07:00

Been feeling a bit nostalgic tonight. Becka e-mailed me this great website, kind of like Classmates for the Navy. Found some old friends, even Cobb from NTC Orlando. She was a riot, had the best sense of humor. Sigh... those were the days.....

Kathryn's Cube.... and other scrap stuff....

2007-06-21T00:15:00.001-07:00

Well, it's after midnight, I still have the yucks (belly and diabetes have not been friends lately) yet I did finish a project gift for a dear friend. Kathryn is receiving her Elders Orders for the United Methodist Church this Saturday. I have known Kathryn through her journey of becoming an elder... she was at my Walk to Emmaus and she gave a talk on the Priesthood of All Believers that touched my heart and we've been friends ever since. In honor of her special day I decided to make her something to commemorate her faith journey as well as our special friendship....

Saturday morning.... and illin'

2007-06-16T01:10:00.000-07:00

Me and Poppy at USO Night at NTC Orlando, December 30th, 1993.

Once again it's after midnight and I can't sleep worth a darn.... I want to go scrap, but we've got the in-laws here and they're in the bedroom right next to my scrap room... hmmmmm. Well, they'll be gone Monday and that room is ours. I still have to send off my Father's Day gift and it just hasn't happened. I am so bummed about that. I can't call him either at the nursing home.... sigh. I miss my Poppy.

A page by Rachel Gainer (from Scrapbooks Etc.)

2007-06-15T23:52:00.000-07:00

I've been continuously working on pages of family members.... some here, some not. Anyhow, I came across this article in Scrapbooks Etc. by Rachel Gainer, and it was just the simplicity of the questions that caught my eye, something easy to answer.... Here are my answers to her questions, what are yours?

What age would you like to be for the rest of your life?
Hmmmmm 22 was a pretty epic age for me.

If you could own the world's largest collection of anything what would it be? Purses...totebags....handbags....

What three wishes would you ask of a genie in a bottle....?
Financial security....(if I'm already 22 I won't ask for my body back when I was that age) ...a cure for Parkinson's, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Lupus and Diabetes.... to have a happy healthy baby.

What are the secrets to a longer, healthier life...?
Don't drink, smoke, or abuse drugs.... Love with your whole heart and expect nothing in return, respect your body, exercise, and indulge your creative urges on a regular basis....Seek a spiritual guide of your choosing, and surround yourself with positive people.

What is something you feel too young to do?
Right now, it's taking about 10 medications a day....

If you had an extra day each month that no one else had what would you do with it?
In the summer I would hop in the car and go to the beach... spend the day swimming, building sand castles, and lazing in the cool ocean breeze. In the fall I would hop on the train and head to my favorite city... San Francisco... and spend the day shopping, going to museums, and taking in all the beautiful scenery... In the winter, I would hop on the train and go in the other direction... to the beautiful mountains of Lake Tahoe to a cabin and ski for the day, and end the day by a fireplace drinking hot chocolate...

What is something that you'd like to do but not allowed to do?
Have a huge piece of chocolate fudge cake.... being diabetic... it's not a good idea.

What super hero powers would you like to have?
That's a tough question? The power to heal....

What is the one thing you wish you never had to worry about again?
Money. I hope one day to be a stay at home mom that can spend the day scrapbooking, taking care of my home and family, be able to easily visit my Florida family.... that would be nice. Eventually I want to finish my degree... and not have to worry about work and just concentrate on getting good grades.

I tag Barb, Holly, Kristyn, and my mom on this one.... send me your answers....

Friday morning.... really...

2007-06-15T01:13:00.000-07:00

It's almost one in the morning and I can't sleep. The estate sale is tomorrow and there's part of me that feels like Mom is dying all over again. I wanted to cry as I drove up to the house this afternoon, all of her stuff in the front driveway. I know I can't hold on to everything, and I know that there were days when she was alive that she drove me nuts.... but I love her, and respect her, and I just feel like I'm dishonoring her by doing this. My heart is heavy, and no matter how much I talk it out (three times today, once with the therapist) it still doesn't feel any better. I feel all sorts of things, mostly sadness and regret. I miss her. Yet there's also this part of me that's looking forward to this new part of mine and David's life together and I feel guilty. I know she would want us to go on. Sigh....

I'm going to miss this house, yeah, it was Mom and Dad C's, but it was also where David and I have spent the majority of our marriage. I'm going to miss our 4th of July BBQ's and Thanksgiving.... with the house smelling like David's apple pie and the sound of the Macy's parade.... Yeah, I am a horrible sentimental slob... deal with it, it's me.

I'm 35...... sigh.....

2007-06-08T01:35:00.000-07:00

no fanfare, no toll of bells... 35. Still have a couple of things on that list that I haven't done yet... waiting for that baby thing to happen, along with the long hair... sigh...

Dream vacation....

2007-06-07T14:44:00.001-07:00

All the time in the Navy, and well, I've never been on a cruise..... After seeing Pirates of the Caribbean At World's End twice already, I'm missing the beach and the ocean like crazy. I was raised on the Gulf Shores of Florida, forever suntanned and with streaks on blonde running through my strawberry hair... I miss it. I miss the smell of coconut oil, the sea air, of pineapple chicken on the BBQ, the sound of the waves lapping the shore and the cool breeze kissing my neck, only a native Floridian can give you that kind of description...

Gulfport Beach, FL 2005

St. Augustine Beach, FL 2005 photo by Christopher Franklin (my brother)

There's something wrong with my blog....

2007-06-07T10:06:00.001-07:00

My header that I worked so hard on, is GONE! Ok, I'm a little perturbed now.... had weird dreams last night, involving babies, work, and being chased by a very large and hungry polar bear... I'm up now, David's still sleeping and I decided to make muffins. Yet the question remains for the day, why was I dreaming about polar bears?

Oye....

2007-05-29T15:11:00.001-07:00

Sitting here at work thinking of nothing about work... thinking about scrapping, being creative, missing David, being completely tired... I feel fried. Yesterday I got absolutely NOTHING accomplished. Today was no better, scratch that, I got most of the updates done for the cube updates, it's just that I haven't found the energy to go out and do them. I'm sitting here thinking about turning 35, and the assorted epiphanies I've had these past three days when I realized that 35 was creeping up ever so slowly... kind of like acid reflux.

This is me and the girls... Lisa, Holly, and Delia. Delia's last day is Friday... gonna miss her. She's still working with EDS, but won't be with Systems anymore....

I actually did a page....

2007-05-28T00:12:00.000-07:00

Up all night....

2007-05-27T21:10:00.000-07:00

Up til two last night, between organizing, obsessing over my lack of scrap mojo, and doing this update of the scrap room tour.

Photo storage obsession....

2007-05-25T23:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm scanning all of my old print photos, then I'm going to sort them, by name, category, person... yes, I'm obsessed.

Scrapbooking this weekend? I hope to

2007-05-25T14:36:00.001-07:00

Bad mojo, no mojo, and just plain life in general has put a halt to scrapping plans... NO MORE! Scrap shopping tomorrow with Claudia....

Video tour of my scrap room...

2007-05-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

For those of you who haven't been able to make it out to the 'bat cave' to hang out and scrap, I thought I might bring it here to you.... live from Wilton, CA! Honestly, I need to improve the sound on this video, but hey, it's a work in progress... enjoy...

My family....

2007-05-06T03:00:00.000-07:00

My family... the Cole's, Kimberly, David, and Trinket... that's Trinket on the couch with David. She is the sweetest kitty, our little grey furball...

National Scrapbook Day

2007-05-06T00:18:00.000-07:00

Scrap shopping....

2007-04-29T01:33:00.000-07:00

I got some new of the Rhonna Farrar Gypsy stamps, some Basic Grey Phoebe 6x6 pad, a notch and die cutter for 1/2 off.... I've been just a little spoiled.

My new little Ikea chair....

2007-04-22T20:12:00.000-07:00

Hot pink... it is so cool. My old scrap chair was about ready to bite the dust and this one is just perfect. And pink. Been updating the scrap room. I think I'm in denial about when we move, and where all of this is going to go in the new place; wherever it is.

Pictures....

2007-04-20T23:39:00.000-07:00

I have this sinking feeling I'm going to have to go through and re-sort all my photos again... I've acquired so many new ones this past week going through all of Mom's old photos... it's amazing... whew... found this one of me that I sent the family, when I was just a mere YNSN. I've been busy, gasp, re-organizing the studio again... go figure. Well, Mom left me this awesome scrap cabinet that is just perfect. I still have yet to go through the cabinets above my scrap stuff... whoohee.. that's a whole day unto itself.

In Memory of Gail Cole

2007-04-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

This week there will be no blogging, there will be no posting of scrapbook pages.... in honor of the most couragous, brave, beautiful, strong woman I know... Gail. She was not only my mother in law, she was my teacher, my friend, a confidante, and I will miss her beyond words.

Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers during the end of her battle.

Love,
Kimberly

Didn't sleep, scrap.....

2007-04-09T04:42:00.000-07:00

It's almost 5 in the morning, didn't sleep, didn't scrapbook tonight. I'll scrap tomorrow.

Happy Easter...

2007-04-07T23:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!
Blessings to all my friends and family...

Please keep my family, on both coasts, in your prayers
during this difficult time.

The baby that ate Jack Sparrow...

2007-04-06T02:41:00.000-07:00

Ok, it's almost three AM, I'm totally manic, and it's just been one of those nights... I can't sleep, and I've made biscuits and sausage gravy and have drank about eight glasses of raspberry crystal light.... Please don't call the people with the nice white jackets... I promise I'll get some sleep tomorrow... or later today. ok... now you can laugh....

#1 on list for this weekend...

2007-03-30T01:03:00.000-07:00

Scrapbook.... work on Mom C's project and mail out cards...

The list revised...

2007-03-28T00:30:00.001-07:00

1. scrap
2. finish and mail cards
3. totally re-do Mom's project....

The list....

2007-03-27T12:37:00.001-07:00

What to do today

1. make cards....
2. organize ribbon
3. work on Mom's project
4. scrap

On hiatus for four days....

2007-03-22T10:03:00.000-07:00

I will be retreating to the south for some spiritual nourishment until Sunday. I will most likely be back with some awesome pictures and heartwarming stories. This retreat is rather bittersweet as we honor our sister in Christ, Connie, who died suddenly last week. See you all on Sunday!

The Gardnerville Walk 2003....

The E in Elk Grove Scrappers....

2007-03-19T23:46:00.000-07:00

Since Barb has made me a moderator again, I have put out a challenge to all of the EGS to help build a logo.... here is my part...

Made with Basic Grey "Scarlet's Letter" paper, Base Camp Cricut font and stamp cutout from Base Camp.

Scrappy St. Patrick's Day....

2007-03-18T02:09:00.000-07:00

Went to the crop with Barb and the gang on Friday night at Heart 2 Heart. A little disconcerted at the whole attitude we got from the store... I thought I graduated from H.S. to get away from drama.... anyhow. S'all good, and we're going to find non-store scrap areas. Getting together to crop isn't all about who buys the most stuff at the store, it's all about the friendship and fellowship. Anyhow, I did this kick butt page of me in my Ireland sweatshirt.

I did scrap today...

2007-03-14T23:08:00.000-07:00

Finally got started on a few projects, did a couple of cards and finished a two page layout... I haven't done one of those in a long time...

No scrap today...

2007-03-14T00:09:00.000-07:00

No scrapbooking today, had to take care of myself, went to Dr. He told me things I didn't want to hear, or do, and now I've got to face facts and take care of myself. Scrap tomorrow, there's always tomorrow. A lil' Southern Belle used to say that.

Scrapping and Thinking of Mom....

2007-03-12T23:52:00.000-07:00

I managed, with everything going on today to sit down and scrap a page... I used Lynette's vintage sketch from STM, and this is what I came up with... Papers are Phoebe from the new Basic Grey Collection, Prima Flowers, and George font on my Cricut...

These are pictures of Mom C. and her sister Florence.