Thanking God on Friday!

~  I am thankful for the funny things that my kids say.  This morning Caleb told me that he had fun trick or treating for Halloween and then said "all the ladies liked my costume."  He's a ladies man already :)

~  I am thankful for Little Caesars $5 pizza.  It was so easy to run in, grab a pizza (ok...2), and run home in time to feed the kids before it was time for trick or treat.  I wasn't the only one who was thankful for them...the place was packed!

~  I am thankful for SoapNet because it allows me to catch up on Y&R at times when my DVR fails to record it.

~  I am thankful for my friend Tasha who let us borrow a costume for Caleb at the last minute (you know, the one that all the ladies liked)...and when I say the last minute, I mean like the day of.  It ended up working out much better than what I had planned and he also loved it!

~  I am thankful for the times when you think that you're the only one going through something or experiencing something and God shows you that you're not alone...either by reading a blog post, or a friend telling you a story...sometimes it's just what you need to hear.

To Do Thursday!

I did pretty well this week.  Here's the rundown:

1. Go through pictures, edit, order...No.  My friend Lyndsey did show me some editing tips and a program that I can use so I think I'm ready to really tackle this project.  Does it count that I at least know which pictures I want to edit and order?

2.  Finalize workshop...DONE.  I started getting the items ready and then the workshop was canceled :(  I used some of the items to help create the cards I made for Jamison (here).

3.  Costumes...DONE.  Jamison's costume is all put together...she's a chef.  It's nothing fancy, but Rondell and I were able to find her a chef hat and I think she'll be adorable.  I did finally decide (yesterday) that Caleb's "Thomas" costume will be very simple...blue Thomas shirt, a blue flashlight (for his train light) and a whistle.

4.  Meal plan master list...Semi-done.  I have a lot of it typed out, but I want to add more from recipes I don't try very often and even add recipes that I've printed that I would really like to try. 

This Week's To Do List

1.  Edit the photos that I want to order.  I need to at least try it out and play around with the editing program a little.

2.  Continue to work on meal plan master list and continue typing out recipes so that I can put them all into a binder.

3.  Work on cards for another order that my mom got for me from her job...I'm so excited!!!

4.  Clean out my car and restock necessary items.

5.  Deep clean 1/2 bath and kids' bath.

Kelli's Krafts - A Simple Thank You

Good morning!  I know these posts are supposed to be on Tuesdays but I had some technical difficulties with my computer yesterday.

I made thank you notes for Jamison to fill out for people who gave her gifts for her birthday.  I decided to just do note cards instead of a full card and it worked out really well.  I've shown you where I've made note cards before (here).  Here's how they turned out:

I chose Daffodil Delight and Real Red for my colors.  I used my new stamp set Fox & Friends for my image of the giraffe.  Giraffes are Jamison's favorite animal so this set was perfect.  I stamped the sentiment from my go-to set Short & Sweet...why do I love this set you ask...because it has almost everything I need to say, the sentiments are in a pretty font, plus it comes with cute little images that can be used to create a background or just add a little accent.

  After I finished the card Jamison was able to write a sweet message to each person.

Here's a close up of the image.  I'm really working on taking better pictures of my cards and trying to take good close up/detailed pictures...but that's another post for another day. 

Happy Stamping!

miscellany monday

 

1.  Happy Birthday to me...Two weeks from today, November 8, is my 34th birthday.  My favorite color is yellow, I like sun catchers, dolphins, and Coca Cola...just sayin' :)

2.  We have cable, yet it never fails that there are times when there is nothing on...nothing.  This weekend I was flipping through channels and couldn't find one thing that I wanted to watch...maybe I should have used it as a hint to clean ;)

3.  Speaking of TV...there's a new channel now called The Hub.  It has the best shows...Fraggle Rock, the original Transformers, Wonder Years, Doogie Howser, Laverne & Shirley.  I have enjoyed taking a step back in time and watching shows that I loved when I was a kid.  Jamison and Caleb have been watching Fraggle Rock with me and it has made for some great bonding time.

4.  Funny Jamison...Caleb likes attention and this morning was no exception.  He was on the floor pretending to sulk and when I called his name he didn't respond.  Then Jamison called his name...no response.  Then Jamison said "Thomas" and he hopped up super fast.  Jamison laughed like "gotcha."  It was just the laugh I need to start a Monday morning.

Thanking God on Friday

~  I am thankful that my mom and Rondell really stepped in when I needed them this week.  I needed some emotional support yesterday and they really helped me out...they are truly a blessing to me.  My friends Tasha and Lyndsey were also great and gave me encouraging words.  

~  I am thankful for the BSF notes for this week.  I was SO confused by the last set of questions and the notes really explained the series of verses very well.  I had quite a few ah ha moments.

~  I am thankful that I received a few cards orders from my mom's co-workers...thanks Mom!

~  I am thankful that I won this.  I can't wait to hang it in my window.  I'll be sure to take pictures once it arrives...thanks Kate!

To Do Thursday!

Thank you all for your encouraging words regarding last week's list.  I'm learning to take it all in stride.  I did pretty well this week...here's the rundown:

1.  Tackle the corner in my room...DONE (kind of).  I actually ended up tackling the desk and the corner next to it instead of the original corner (so glad there are only four corners!).  I cleaned everything out and threw away a lot of...well, junk.  Now we just have to figure out how we are going to use the space and where things are going to go (then I will take a few pictures).  Perhaps a trip to The Container Store is in order :)

2.  Order pictures...Nope.  I do really need to just sit down and do it, but I think I'm overwhelmed by the editing.  I've never edited photos before and I think I'm nervous.  I'm going to sit down and at least try it this weekend.  Any good/free editing program suggestions?

3.  Clean out yard...DONE!  It looks so fresh and clean (and a little bare).  Now the front will be ready for Spring.  Our neighbor's daughter even offered to come and rake the back so that will be really nice.

4.  Work on cards and workshop...Semi-done.  I got some stuff done regarding the orders and I have a few ideas for the workshop.  I hope to finish everything up tomorrow.

This Week's To Do List

1.  Go through pictures, edit the ones I want to print, and order them.

2.  Finalize details of the workshop that I'm hosting on Saturday and put all materials together.

3.  Start putting together Jamison's Halloween costume and look around for something for Caleb (he just told me that he wants to be Thomas).

4.  Make a master list of meals to help me with meal planning.

Kelli's Krafts - It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!!!

I have been in a little stamping slump BUT I plan on getting my groove back this week as I prepare for an upcoming workshop.  I have a few ideas swirling around in my head...one of them being Christmas cards and gifts.  It is really about that time to start thinking about cards, especially if you want to make them.  Well Stampin Up! announced this new offer for holiday kits...simple kits to make cards or gifts for loved ones.  We all love simple right?  Check it out here.  If you'd like to order send me an email or go straight to my site (http://kelliskrafts.stampinup.net) to order online.

Happy Stamping.

miscellany monday

1.  Dear person-who-left-his-car-in-front-of-our-neighbors-house:  I'm sorry I had to call the police to finally have your car taken away after being there for three weeks.  Being that you left the windows down should have been our first clue that you probably didn't care too much about your car...since it has rained quite a few times and your car was parked under a tree that has acorns falling left and right.  Then there was the realization that you removed the license tag...hmmm.  So, we had to bring in the authorities and now our street is back to normal.

2.  Dear Josh B:  Thanks for making the best brisket I have ever tasted...it really does bring our Small Group together for one tasty meal.  It is always so tender and smoked to perfection.  Till next year...

3.  Dear students in Jamison's class:  I have read the letters you wrote to her over and over and teared up a little each time.  Thank you for showing Jamison all the things that make her special.  I will be sure to put each letter in a special binder so that we can cherish them for years to come.

4.  Dear sewing machine:  I have been a terrible owner and I am going to make it up to you.  I am determined to make something in the next few weeks.  I will tell you that I've been calling JoAnn weekly to see if there is a sale on it's classes, but not luck yet.  We will make great things together...promise.  Don't give up on me yet.

Thanking God on Friday!

~  I am thankful for this blog...for so many reasons.  As I was getting ready to post this I realized that it is my 700th post...700th!  And you're still here.  I love what I learn from having this blog and reading other blogs.  I love the friendships that I've developed through this blog.  I love the fact that I'm documenting things for my children to read in the future (which reminds me that I need to look at putting this into one of those blog books).

~  I am thankful that an old friend asked me to go to dinner.  We haven't seen each other in a long time and it will be nice to get together.  AND, we're going to my favorite restaurant...Abuelo's.

~  I am thankful for Jamison's teacher's idea of having each child write a special note to Jamison since she was star student of the week.  These children wrote the most beautiful words about my daughter...kind, brave, great writer, best friend, sweet, and on and on.  I can only imagine that Jamison will treasure those notes for a very long time.

~  I am thankful for verses that come to me in His timing (because we all know that His timing is not our timing).  Verses that I would have not otherwise come across, but He knew I needed to hear them...like, Isaiah 43:1-2:

1 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

To Do Thursday!!

I'm really discovering something about myself through this process...My name is Kelli and I'm a procrastinator.  I mean this is something that I've kind of known for a while but now it's really standing out with these posts.  On Wednesday nights I'm always thinking "shoot, I still have xyz to do on my list" and I either scurry around like a mad woman or decide to keep it real and admit failure (well, not really failure...I'm also a little dramatic).  I'm actually excited to see all of these things in myself so that I can make the necessary changes.  Here's the rundown from this week:

1.  Power wash the front porch...DONE!  Rondell did an amazing job and I did a great job of watching :)  It does look so much better...so fresh and cob web free!

2.  Go to our favorite farm store for cider...DONE!  It was a beautiful day Saturday to drive to the farm store and now we are stocked with cider and ready to enjoy.  There might be another trip in our future.

3.  Clean under sink in 1/2 bath...Semi-done!  I removed all of the various holiday towels and moved some other things that I didn't want under there any longer, but I still need to decide what to do with the tart burners that I have under there.  Part of me says "throw them away" but part of me feels like that's throwing away money.  I need to decide soon and then under the sink will be done :)

4.  Tackle the corner in my room...FAIL.

This Week's To Do List

1.  Tackle the corner in my room.

2.  Order pictures that I want that are just sitting on the computer.  I need to have them printed off and either framed, put in a book, or brought to work to hang up.

3.  Clean out the yard.  I have weeds to pull and day lillies to cut down.  I usually cut down my hosta, day lillies and decorative grass and they just grow back in the Spring.  I've already done the hosta, but I need to trim everything else down.

4.  Work on a few cards that people ordered and start preparing for my workshop next week.

Wordless Wednesday - You Know It's Fall When...

For more WW visit Tanya @ Miller Racing Family!

Kelli's Krafts - A Fall Wedding Celebration

One of my co-workers is getting married on Saturday and today we are throwing her a shower.  I made a card for all of us to sign.  Here's the card:

Since her wedding is in the Fall she is going with a Fall color theme...even her dress has red in it (I can't wait to see pictures!), so I made the card using Fall colors...Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie and Wild Wasabi.  I used my favorite Designer Series Paper...Sunny Garden.  I punched out the sentiment (retired) with my Curly Label Punch and also added some hearts with my Heart to Heart Punch.

 I wanted to kind of imitate what her bouquet is going to look like, so I used Bouquet Bunches (retired) and stamped the flowers with Pumpkin Pie and Poppy Parade.


This makes me more and more excited that it's Fall!

miscellany monday

10.1...How cool is it that yesterday was 10-10-10.  Jamison has to document the books that she reads from school and it has to be dated.  She read to me yesterday and when I wrote the date we both giggled...it's the little things. Next year we'll have 11-11-11 and that's my friend Marja's birthday...I think she should do something extra fun because how cool is that!

10.2...Have you been to the check out at Old Navy lately?  I just went the other day to exchange something for Jamison and was amazed at all of the random stuff they have at the check out...coloring books, gum, tissue, etc.  When did Old Navy also become the corner drug store?

10.3...So remember when I told you that we bought Alicia Keys for Jamison for her birthday?  Well now I'm wondering who is enjoying it more, me or Jamison.  We keep it in the car so when I'm driving alone I catch myself jammin' along!

10.4  Rondell and I are a little picky about our apple cider.  Not all cider is created equal you know.  We usually drive to our favorite farm store for cider (which is about a 30 minute drive).  It is SO worth the drive to have our favorite cider.  Do you go to a special place for cider?

10.5...Ohio State is #1 is all 3 polls...GO BUCKS!!!

Thanking God on Friday!

~  I am thankful for the beautiful weather for the next few days...high 70's, low 80's.  It will be a great weekend to clean up the yard, go for a drive to our favorite farm store, and simply enjoy being outside!  My dad, Renee and my sister are coming up too...Jamison and Caleb are excited for Papa D to take them for ice cream.

 

~  I am thankful that a member of my Small Group is going to let me borrow a chronological Bible to help me follow Isaiah a little better.

~  I am thankful for my friend Amber who is letting us borrow her power washer...thanks Amber!!!

 

~  I am thankful that it's a 3-day weekend for me...I'm hoping to make good use of the time.  I have cards I want to make and places to clean and organize.

To Do Thursday!

I'm excited about this week.  I accomplished the big put-off-for-too-long project...yes, the nightstand and side of the bed are C.L.E.A.N.  

1.  Clean around bed and nightstand.  DONE!  I know you're dying to see:

Here's the nightstand.  This is my punishment for taking so long, showing you the before.  I still have a bit of a problem with not taking my cups downstairs in the morning.

Here's the floor...gasp, I know!  As you can see this has really, really been neglected and at the end of the day I end up just leaving stuff here (or the kids leave stuff here) or if I'm cleaning out another area this is where the overflow ends up.

Here's the drawer of the nightstand.  This needed some love too. 

Here's the after...oh JOY!  I keep a towel on my nightstand because of the condensation from my ice water I have every evening.  Soon, I'd love to make a cute coaster like this and lose the towel.  I would also like one of these to put my jewelry in at night.

Here's the floor...I can see the floor!!!!  I kept a basket under the nightstand for books that I'm reading and a Bible.  Now they have a place so they're not scattered.

Here's the drawer all cleaned out.  I might get little bowls (like the ones linked above) or something to keep the smaller items in, but I haven't decided.  I'm just glad that I can find things so much faster now.

2.  Clean under sink in 1/2 bath...FAIL...I know!

3.  Put up Fall decorations...DONE!  I did realize that I don't have as much as I thought.  I might have to catch some after-Fall sales.

4.  Make this dessert recipe...DONE!  It was a hit and now Rondell is inspired to make a full cheesecake out of it.

5.  Have a date with Rondell...DONE!  On Friday we ordered my favorite pizza and watched a few shows we had on DVR.  It wasn't fancy, but we really got to enjoy each other's company and it was well worth the night in...with no kids :)

This Week's To Do List

1.  Power wash the front porch (thanks Amber for letting us borrow the power washer).

2.  Go to our favorite farm store for apple cider.

3.  Clean under sink in 1/2 bath...I know.

4.  Tackle the corner in my room...yes, the room again.  There's a lot of work to be done in there.

Wordless Wednesday - Young Friendship!

Kelli's Krafts

Sadly, I haven't been making cards as much as I would like to lately and when I do I forget to take a picture.  I will plan better this week and have something for you next Tuesday.  In the meantime, stop by stampinup.com to check out its newest products in its Holiday Mini, including Halloween items as well as Christmas stamps (because we all know that Christmas is just around the corner).

Also, SU's clearance rack has over 200 items...some items up to 80% off!!!  I saw some Pumpkin Pie Designer Series Paper that I must grab right away.

Happy Stamping!

miscellany monday

1.  I had a jewelry party this weekend and it was such a fun time.  I'm always nervous to have those kind of parties for fear that no one will come, but it was a great turn out.  I made vegetable pizza, buffalo chicken dip and these (and by me I mean Rondell...he's the baker in the family).  It was nice to have a little get together, chat, eat, and look at cute jewelry.

2.  Do you know that it's October already!  I realize that I need to start working on my Christmas cards...yes, Christmas cards.  Some people have theirs done already, so I'm behind.  Since I made them it takes a little bit of time to get them done.

3.  I am officially the mom of an elementary school student...fundraisers have begun.  Between Girl Scouts and the PTA my family and friends may be tired of seeing me :)  This week we got a packet for wrapping paper.

4.  Rainy Sunday naps really are the best!

Thanking God on Friday!

~  I am thankful for encouraging words from friends.

~  I am so very thankful that BSF is covering Isaiah because let me tell you, it is a difficult book to just read.  I am grateful that the questions really break down the verses and that I have a discussion group where each question can be evaluated.

~  I am thankful for the cooler temps and the sunshine :)

~  I am thankful for the ability to sleep in a little later tomorrow!

~  I am thankful that it is almost time to take a ride to get apple cider.

**  I am not thankful that blogger is doing something strange with my spacing.