Resolutions NOT!

I am not one to make resolutions - because I know I won't keep them.  Besides, your suppose to make them on January 1st - and by the 31st you've forgotten what they were.  So, instead I'm going to set some atainable goals for me to meet on a regular basis.  And I'm going to attempt to post my status regularly.  This is my first goal - to set some goals - and then to post them:

Post to Scrappinpsycho regularly - if for no other reason than to post the status of my goals

Track my Weight Watcher's Points - Daily

Stay within my points - Daily

Be active - 30 minutes per day

Scrapbook  (365 pages for 2011)

Practice my piano - 3 times per week

1 load of laundry - per day (wash, dry, fold & put away)

Keep up with the dishes - daily

Pay bills - on time

Work on my DREAM

Make a difference in someone's life - as often as possible

Okay - that should keep me busy for awhile

Off to track my points!

Later,
Kathy

Clue #1

I'm looking for a house to buy!

I've got a SECRET!!!!!!!!!!!

Watch for upcoming details!!!!!

I've Escaped Realitiy...

I am here!

We arrived at 12:45 AM to our favorite retreat site. Check it out here!


Now off to scrap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back to Realtiy

Christine did do the dishes before we left - so this is all new!

This is what happens when you have Christmas company - and then need to leave on an unexpected trip and your exhasted on your return!

This is the remnant of the Christmess!

And to think this was all cleaned up prior to Christmas!

More pictures below!

Christmess Continued

What was suppose to be the dining room
Before Niko brought home all his presents & Jimi turned it into a race track!

What is left of the living room - after dumping everything out of the van

My ONE CLEAN ROOM - ahhh!

Mom met Jesus on Christmas Eve

Mommy met Jesus tonight (Christmas Eve).  ALL so clearly orchestrated by God - as you could see from Christine's perspective HERE.  I'm the sister in Texas that Christine was coming to visit from Wisconsin.  There are sooo many more "coincidences" that I could add, but, if you have read this far in my blog - including Christine's - you don't need my perspective to see God's hand in ALL of this.

I am not usually one to spread news like this - in fact YOU are the first one I've told other than family.  But, this is a story that needs to be told - especially to those who need the reminder and/or assurance that God is sovereign and that he cares about the smallest details of our lives, and that Jesus is preparing a place for those who love him.  My prayer for you, is that you are HIS. 

Leila was with Mom when she went to meet Jesus.  Leila & her husband - just recently left their jobs, son and friends in Wichita, Kansas to be near their 1st grandchild in Michigan.  So Leila was within 3 hours of Mom, instead of 12 hours.  That is a whole nother story of how God orchestrates and guides our lives - far beyond what we understand, if we allow Him to. 

Another important note is that DAD has Alzheimer's - and has been in a nursing home for 5 years - and Mom has visited him everyday, although we sometime questioned WHY - he didn't seem to even know who she was or that she was even there.  If you knew my Mom you'd believe as we all do - that it was just her stubbornness and need to control EVERYTHING :)! 

Here are Leila's comments: 

I've modified the obit some more--Mom didn't die, she went to be with Jesus, because "whoever believes in Me will never die."


I had recited John 14 to Mom when she was on the ventilator, reminding her that Jesus must have her place prepared, because he was coming to get her. I figure she's probably giving Him advice now about Dad's place, and all of ours--to be sure they're done right. (Maybe that's what I'll share at the service.)


I tried to comment on your blog, Christine, but I don't have time to set up an account--don't really understand how, so I'm attaching my "response blog." Once I got started, I didn't know where to stop--like talking. I wanted all of you to know this about my visit with Dad, too.


Just a clarification--because that's one of my "gifts"--Mom was also with us at Thanksgiving. Another gift from God was the fact that Mom recovered on her own from "fatal V-Tach arrhythmia," as the ICU Nurse, Rachel, so aptly explained to us. The ICU Staff were all "mesmerized" by her medical process. I learned later that she had "awakened" on her own after the original episode. Our son-in-law, who is a PA in ICU states that he's never seen anyone with any brain function after that length of V-tach episodes, because during those, there is no blood flowing to the brain.



I could/should write my own blog--or at least journal for my own wellness; I have had the experience of witnessing "end-of-life" episodes with several families over the past 14 years. Never have I witnessed anyone becoming lucid and being able to communicate at the end. It was like a TV Christmas movie--very unrealistic, but ever precious. I thank God that He prepared me for this experience; placed me within reach geographically to be there with Mom, and that I could get her answer, "Yes" when I asked if she was ready to leave this life.


I went to see Dad at noon after Mom had gone to Jesus; I felt it was important that he be informed whether he understood or not. He looked at me when I sat down next to him, and then closed his eyes (I think this is his way of hiding when he doesn’t know how to deal with what’s happening around him.) I told the CNA who was getting people ready for lunch about Mom’s passing. She, of course, was shocked and expressed her condolences—then she evidently ran to pass the word to the rest of the staff. Another staff member who had been in the activity room returned and said across the room, “Rita? You said Rita died?” When Dad heard Mom’s name, his eyes popped open wide and he looked toward the lady who had said this. While he was engaged, I told him, “Mom went to be with Jesus. She won’t be able to come visit you anymore.” He didn’t show any indication of understanding what I had said, which didn’t surprise me. As we sat there, he began to hum, so I reminded him that it was Christmas Eve, and that he used to hold Christmas Eve candlelight services and we always sang Silent Night. I began to sing, as much as my tears would allow, and he hummed with me. I’ve tried singing to him before in an effort to connect, and he has never before responded. As we sat there, a radio was playing Christmas music, and “Rudolph” played. I started singing along, and Dad again engaged and nodded his head in time with the music, smiling. I helped him eat lunch, and then Mike and I took him for a walk down the hall. We “caroled” a little as we went. Dad seemed to enjoy that.


This is what one of the staff members posted for Christine in response to her blog about the whole experience:
Beautiful Blog Christine . I will miss your mother coming up to see Andy everyday . I can tell you all Andy kept saying Rita is gone . My heart ached for him. I told him she will be watching over you in heaven. He said " yes she will." He was fine with that comment. My heart goes out to you and your families. She will be missed at Rock Haven. She was a wonderful lady, she was like 2nd family to most of us at Rock Haven. She would kiss him goodnight and always say "going home see you tomorrow I love you ." Andy would always smile back at her.
Mom knows God's amazing love in a clear way now, whereas, with all the counting of blessings that we're doing, we only "see through a glass, dimly." God is good--ALL THE TIME! Praise His holy Name!


All this to just say! 

God is Good! 

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday?

Wow this week has gone fast.  No scrappin' done in the asylum this week.  Although I did do some cleaning - not that you can tell by the top of my table. 

When I went in there to take the picture - I was barefoot.  I thought I had walked on to the beach.  It looked like sand all over the floor?  Then I realized it was cocoa mix - Niko had used my scrapbooking scissors to open the plastic bag on some cocoa mix.  I guess he had cut it a little deep!  I thought about taking the picture under the desk instead - but by that point I had already swept it into a pile. 

Hope to get some scrapping done over Christmas with my sister!  Will have to do some more cleaning in the asylum before that will happen!

Merry Christmas!

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday

Here it is again!  Still a mess - but I did actually complete some layouts this week:

Finished Let's Go to the Hop - 2 pages
Maddy @ Crowe's Nest 09
The Kids @ Crowe's Nest 08
Blow - Niko in 06
Say Cheese - Embrys at Crowe's Nest 09
Together - Maddy & Mommy & Daddy - Crowe's Nest 09

I'm now at about 20 pages from Crowe's Nest 09.  YIKES!  And of course there's Crowe's Nest 2010 pictures!

White Christmas Cartoon Song

Let's Go to the HOP

My version of the Pagerize This #4 Challenge at Scrap Our Stash .  I really wanted to go with the whole doodling and strip journaling ideas in order to Pagerize Dawn, but instead just went with the Song Title Theme.  I also did the 3 pictures - but that's about as far as the pagerizing goes.  I also made mine a 2 page layout.  
These are pictures of the Sock Hop at Niko's school in March of 2009 - Jonathan & Madeline really got into the whole 50's theme.  More to come later.
It's not too late to get your Pagerize This Challenge entered at SOS.  See all the details in the Pagerize This #4 post at SOS (link above).  You could become our next Pagerizer!

What's on your Workdesk Wednesday!

Here is what the Asylum looks like right now - It would have actually had a 2 page layout laid out - but I packed it up to take to work for scrapbooking at lunch today. Believe it or not it has been better and worse this week.
Since last Wednesday I have completed: Patch Pose, Bubble Fun and started a 2 pager of Jonathan at the Sock Hop (2 years ago).


Note my new addiction - DIET Cherry Limeade = 1 point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Later,
Kathy

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!

And to think I cleaned the kitchen up today for THIS!
Our annual cookie baking! The fact that all three of the kids are a year older made quite a difference this year. They all three stayed on task until the very end! Maddie would still be rolling the play dogh - or frosting and re-frosting her cookies.  The only way we could get her to stop was for her to eat the cookies! 

It was a lot of fun - but what a mess!  I love traditions and this time of year!

Straight No Chaser - Carol of the Bells

Just had to share!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's on your Workdesk Wednesday

A quick picture of my work table - just as it is!  A fun new challenge I found HERE .  I plan to keep up with this.  It will be interesting to see if it changes from week to week.

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas

It's about time for me to update my blog - I don't have any recent layouts photographed so, I decided this one of Niko at 2 would work.  He is soooo into Christmas.  So un-like his daddy.  He went to bed thinking about the candy he's going to get from the Advent Calendar tomorrow morning - now if I can only find it in all the Christmas stuff that is yet to be unpacked...

I'm so excited my baby sister and her family are planning on coming to Texas for Christmas.  It will be so much fun to share Christmas and Austin with them. 

Better get busy unpacking those boxes!

Later,
Kathy

Genuine Sweetie

This is Madeline, my Genuine Sweetie (or as Niko says - well almost).  This was a picture of her at Crowe's Nest farm last year.  I completed it for the Pagerize This Challenge at Scrap Our Stash.  I wanted to keep with the circle and the scallop idea Christy had going on her page - and I just happened to have this scalloped circle paper!  Thanks Christy for the inspiration.

It's not too late for you to take the Pagerize This Challenge.  See how you can submit your page and be eligible to be chosen as the next Pagerizer in the Pagerize This Challenge at Scrap Our Stash (link above).

My weight loss in Watermelon

Not only did I want to share my layout - which I am very proud of... I also wanted to share the story behind it. 

I started dieting on March 21st - and then 10 days later joined Weight Watchers.  On May 2, 2010 I had lost 14 pounds.  Niko and I were at the grocery store - and he wanted to buy a watermelon.  When I picked this one up - I noted how heavy it was.  Niko suggested we weight it.  It weighted 14 pounds.  There was no way I couldn't buy that one at that point.  As a true scrappinpsycho - I was already thinking this would make a great layout. 

Of course when we got the watermelon home - I had to have Niko take a picture of me with the watermelon - and I also had everyone who came in contact with the watermelon - pick it up and see how heavy it was!

My next leighout (get it) - is me with my youngest grandson - I've now lost my weight in Jonathan. 

This was my Show N' Tell Sunday at Scrap our Stash. Check out all the details on how you can share a Show N' Tell at SOS.

My favorite Halloween Joke!

I only have about 2 jokes I can ever remember - and this is one of them.  It still makes me laugh everytime I hear it. 

Why don't warlocks have babies? 


Because they have HALLOWEENIES!

I Always Want 2 Remember

For Scrap Our Stash the October Challenge was to do THAT project.  This was the layout I had in mind when I came up with the challenge.  This had been a page I had been wanting to do, knowing I needed to do, but not really knowing how to do it.  I thought long and hard - made several attempts at the journaling - and then I was finally able to come up with this layout.  It is about a special time my sisters and I spent with my dad before his Alzheimers took him from us (not physically). The pictures are not very good - but the most important part was the journaling. I'm not big into journaling - but knew that this was important to capture my memories of that special time.

Do you have a THAT project that you have been putting off?  Well maybe you need to take the challenge. Hurry over to Scrap Our Stash (link above) and check out the October Challenge.   The challenge ends at 6 PM on October 31st.