POTD

It's his UNBIRTHDAY or should I say his HALF BIRTHDAY???? As I reflect on the fact that he is FIVE and a HALF, all in the continuing spirit of gratitude, I am so thankful for "this" child...he struggles everyday with developmental delays and with apraxia of speech and trust me, those are some pretty difficult challenges!  He does it with a kind heart and a sweet spirit and I love him more and more each day. I look back at how much he WASN"T able to do this time last year and how far he has come and I smile..AND...for those of you with kids who have "different abilities" I applaud and salute you!

In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength (Isaiah 30:15)

I pray that he never doubts his abilities for they are many-He has a determination and a "can do" attitude that amaze me.  Everyday. {heart}

Festival of Lights blog hop!

Its a Cuttlebug Festival of Lights and i never woulda thunk........

The fun part is…you have to start HERE

Two selected Designers will draw a random winner from the comments left on their blogs, and one winner will receive a $30 Gift Certificate to Peachy Keen Stamps and the other winner will receive a One Year Subscription to Technique Junkies.

They're not telling you who it is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post this weekend so you have a lot of chances to win!! Don't forget to add their blinkie to your blog :)

or to follow the blog, we are our Journey of 2500!

Somebody's one year older !

that would be the HUZBAND! No celebration...just cupcakes and a song sang by The Two Peas (our 2 peas that is!)

gcd Studios awarded me these lovelies**

Heidi & gcd picked me for one of  the fab tags giveaway -these are from the new Artsy Urban Collection from Melody Ross!  For those of you who live in Maryland, this collection CAN be found at Michaels, but only at the SuperMichaels in Bowie so don't do like I did and drive to all the different Michaels for a whole month asking their sorry salespeople (who know nothing about nor care about anything to do with scrapbooking) if they carried this line.

Or, if you'd rather order it, you can order is from Laura @ A Kiss on the Chic-she's the first to carry it in a kit... this has so many uses for it and I can't wait to get to creating what I have in mind.  Hopefully by the time I do that, I'll have figured out my camera situation too.  Had the 2nd junky camera as backup and when we were at dinner last night, I jiggled the secret switch too hard and that one broke too!  Am hoping a deal with a friend will come through so I can just snap something inexpensive on Black Friday.

Stephanie's giving away BLOG CANDY!

http://withagrin.blogspot.com/ is doing a Thanksgiving giveaway-a mini albumkit (not this one) BUT if it looks anything like this cute book she gave away in Aug, you gotta check it out ASAP! Gorgeous isn't it??? She also has YouTube vidoes posted and her minibooks are awesome (the one for aj ballet slippers mini was very nice!)

Friday Scrapgals!!!

Rather than picking ONE gal today, I was inspired by "THIS"

from Anne over at the BASB site-can ya'll not see the birdee one in my bathroom??  It's a perfect match so...I see a scraplift of this maybe in December...join in this week's challenge (there is a prize involved); I know many of you are working on Christmas gifts as we speak and who doesn't want some Tim Holtz goodies as a prize????

I'm Playing Along with My Mind's Eye

this week for their Blog Challenge # 5...strange though, I already had this layout almost done and then I was reading their blog and thought, HEY, I can enter the challenge since it was pretty close! So, here is their sketch from their blog:

and then here's my take-again I struggle with adding titles but...hidden journaling with MME tag about Thing 2 taking all the ornaments off the tree-even momma's favorite glass ones!  Scary! Since he couldn't talk, I had no idea what he was thinking, so I just snapped the picture and hoped he was thinking happy thoughts!

Supplies:  3 different MME patterned papers -Snowed in Christmas, Wild Ride "Only Smiles," Barefoot "So Sweet" Turq Stripe, (I hoard their paper since I like to mix collections so I mixed Christmas with summer collections), MME Festive Signature Christmas accessories,

Thickers letters, sewing trims (felt and lace) and a teeny bit of Snow-Tek

Wacky Wednesday Winner Winner!!!!

thank you to all who joined me and Adornit for the holiday blog hop...loved the love that was left for the holiday canvas and it was a lot of fun...but on to the winner.....CARRIE !!!!!!!!  Contact me with your mailing address all the way up in Canada! Congrats!!

OLDER LOTD

You know how sometimes you work on a LO and for whatever reason it just doesn't get finished?  Well, I really need to relook at some of them that have piled up and either finish them or toss them out...so, here's one I had sitting around for a bit of my sister and her daughter from her daughter's high school graduation...finally finished it (not totally happy with it BUT...) ...never scrapped the rest of the graduation pics but...one down, 10 more to go....tfl!!

Prima giveaway ends today

and the winner is picked tomorrow!  Aren't these lovelies lovely?  I just got some Prima RAK goodies from Jamie in Cali today -thank you!  It's not this collection but all of their stuff is gorgeous and romantic so I'm using what she sent me right now so I can post a creation tonight since homework is officially completed for Thing 1 & Thing 2 and dinner is on it's way...here's the link to their blog so you can add this pic to your blog for the giveaway! Good Luck!

***updated since kids are in bed and asleep****sorry for the bad scans, momma needs a new camera!
Still doing Halloween 2009 layouts :D

SENSORY FRIENDLY MOVIE EVENT-AMC Columbia

SENSORY FRIENDLY MOVIE EVENT


Saturday, November 21st 10:00 a.m.

AMC Theaters Columbia Mall

Come out and help celebrate the second anniversary of sensory friendly films with a showing of “Planet 51.” This film follows a human astronaut who lands on Planet 51 thinking he's the first to set foot on it. However, he gets the shock of his life when he discovers that it's inhabited by little green people who live in a white picket-fenced world reminiscent of 1950s America. During the showing the lights will be kept up and the volume will be kept down. Sensory breaks are encouraged.

Doors open at 9:30 and the movie starts at 10:00 with no trailers.

Sponsored by The Howard County Autism Society and AMC Theatres Columbia Mall

Twilight/New Moon layout**but first let me explain

I have never read the books or seen the movie "TWILIGHT" so if this Twilight/New Moon layout (as my daughter says) has nothing to do with the books & movie, that's cause it's all based on my imagination and what I "thought" this story was about...all the talk of Team Edward vs. Team Jacob...I truly don't know who represents what (good or evil or both evil maybe?) so that's why I did this layout....and in order to support by bff and my daughter's HUGE fascination (or perhaps the word is obsession) with both the books and the movies, I will be there on Friday checking out New Moon hoping that it's not cheesy...I'm going in with an open mind.


Ya'll know I read a totally different genre of books; I like homicides, true crime, fictional crime, you know stuff with the CSI and clandestine kinda stuff like Mr. David Baldacci, who just put out TRUE BLUE- did I say I just won my own personal copy of it, courtesy of Ben Martin @ The Father Life so....

back to the Twilight/New Moon thing....again, come Friday, I'll just be able to say I saw it and did something "different."  I'm doing a double layout, this is the BEFORE since I know nothing....and next week will be the AFTER since I'll be popping in the Twilight movie sometime before Friday to get the back story and be ready to continue the New Moon, get a perspective as to what team I'm on.

This was also done for  TWO challenges (just happened to work out that way-normally I would do 2 separate pages but I've been pressed for time lately)

 Scrapping Out Loud November Challenge-the recipe was: 3 circles (the "O" and the 2 cool silver brads with the moon and the dream), 1 picture, 5 buttons, scallops (my ribbon) and 1 heart.  All cool patterned papers courtesy of gcd studios!!!!!!!!!

and also for Candy Shoppe Designs Team Edward vs. Team Jacob idea-I couldn't pick!

And for all you Twilight scrapbooking fans, no comments from the peanut gallery for me not jumping on the bandwagon before this!  I reserve the right to jump on it LATE if I decide it was cool...Vampires ain't usually my thang, not even contemporary, good looking  ones!  I'm  sooorryy!!!!!

MM Gratitude project..........

yes, Making Memories  picked little old me!   I'm so thankful...blush blush...but today, they are featuring a Gratitude box I put together with tons of their product, using my stash and even recycling their packaging too in the process!  These are just some closeups from the shots that didn't make the blog but you should go to the  MM blog for the completed project. 

I enjoyed working on the projects and can now truly appreciate the other scrapbooking designers who create for websites on a daily basis...it was challenging yet fun!  Enjoy and thanks for looking!!

POTD

I know, it's bad when you host a crop and get 1 thing done...I found these cute little unfinished wood sleds for $ 1 at Michaels and thought they'd be an easy peasey door decor for kids doorknobs @ Christmas...made 2 of them yesterday, one for BB (here) and one for my little friend Delaney (hope she liked it!-I forgot to take a pic of hers)...all you need is acylic paint, glitter ( I used the Martha Stewart glitter which is phenomenal since it's very fine and not overdone), Snow-tex, theme embellishemnts and a little piece of scrapbook paper.  Paint, attach pp, embellishments, as much glitter and snow as you like and VOILA, easy project-dries in about 2 hours.  For the embellishments, I used some cute gift tags from the $ 1 aisle in Michaels and covered up the "to" and "from" areas with bling; they were already glittered so it was quite simple.

ps-Wendi & Kim , look at how the curls are still holding!

I am so blessed in so many ways....

FIRST, I gotta give mad props to my girl JENNY aka Chez for bringing back "The Queen" and the royalty back to my blog! Sheer genius baby!  I love love love it!!!!!!!!

SECOND:  A special friend left this (stamp & lovely card) for me yesterday;

I found "it" last night (she hid it in open view haha) but it was late so...but isn't the new stamp "fittin'?"  Click on the image for a good close look-couldn't do it myself since I have a very very crappy camera that won't take closeups....I love love love it too!  Me thinks me needs to use it today in a layout along with the card! And it WILL be used in the Teresa Collins BOM that I'm doing so...I'm very grateful for the new friendships that keep coming my way everyday...

Adornit Make-it-merry blog party DAY 4

I can't bake but may have to try these super cute ideas for the holidays and get BB to bake for me...great teacher or neighbors gifts...I found this one especially cute! There are some others so go check them out!

Friday Scrapgal**Late post

sorry about that, I was hosting a crop today and hadn't posted my Friday pick of the week...I was waiting for permission to post this BIG bit of loveliness..

but to see what it really is about, you'll have to hop over to Vicki's blog Texas Scrap Addict  to see what this is all about...and also check out some of her creations (go to her resume link) like this:

Adornit Merry Blog Hop ****Starts NOV 13th*****cool beans Friday the 13th!

THE  ADORNIT "MAKE IT MERRY" blog hop OFFICIALLY BEGINS!

IT’S ALMOST MID-NOVEMBER AND THE HOLIDAYS ARE SWIFTLY APPROACHING- 40 + DAYS AND COUNTING!!  TO GET US EVEN MORE IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT, OUR FRIENDLY FRIENDS AT ADORNIT ARE HAVING A FIVE DAY “MAKE IT MERRY” BLOG HOP…IF YOU ARE JUST STARTING HERE, PLEASE GO BACK AND START HERE @ http://www.adornitscrapbook.com/bloghop/ -  IT’S MORE FUN TO START AT THE BEGINNING!  YOU’LL EVENTUALLY COME BACK HERE  (I’M TOWARDS THE END-JUST DON’T FORGET ME !!)

THE BEST PART OF A MERRY BLOG HOP IS THAT IN ADDITION TO ALWAYS GAINING HOLIDAY INSPIRATION, YOU GET TO MEET NEW DIVAS WHO CAN “WORK IT” IN THE SCRAPPING, CARD AND PROJECTS DEPARTMENTS….AND THERE’S TONS OF INSPIRATION HERE CAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT THE HANDMADE HOLIDAY GOODIES!

OH YEAH, AND DID I MENTION THAT ADORNIT IS GONNA THROW IN SOME GOODIES AND PRIZES??!! I too am gonna put together a little goody xmas themed RAK for a lucky commenter too..comments will close at midnight EST on Sunday and the winner will be chosen on wacky Wednesday !

BUT FIRST, MY MERRY BLOG PROJECT:

DURING THE HOLIDAYS, I TRY TO DECORATE DIFFERENT PLACES IN THE HOUSE AND IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT, I EVEN PLACE XMAS TREES (DIFFERENT SIZES AND COLORS, BIG AND SMALL-SAW THE CONCEPT ON HGTV YEARS AGO) AND DECORATIONS IN ALL THE ROOMS AND I EVEN PUT A MINI CHRISTMAS TREE IN MY BATHROOM…SO I THOUGHT THAT A HOLIDAY CANVAS WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA FOR THE BATH SPACE TOO.

I SIMPLY TOOK A SIMPLE WHITE CANVAS FROM MY LSS AND SPRAY PAINTED IT HAPHAZARDLY WITH SILVER KRYLON PAINT…QUICK DRYING BTW. I THEN PICKED OUT THE PATTERNED PAPER I WANTED TO USE-I CHOSE THE MAKING MEMORIES MISTLETOE PAPER , ADDED SOME MAKING MEMORIES RED PAINT TO THE EDGES, THEN GLUED IT TO THE CANVAS; LEAVING ABOUT A  ¼” BORDER GLUE FREE.

I THEN CUT OUT THE “25” (REGULAR CUT AND THEN SHADOW CUT) FROM MY HANDY DANDY CRICUT USING 2 OTHER COORDINATING PATTERNED PAPERS (I USED THE STREET SIIGNS CARTRIDGE.)  TOPPED THE “25” OFF WITH A THIN COAT OF GLOSSY ACCENTS AND LET IT DRY BEFORE ADHERING TO THE BIRDEE PP. THE REST OF THE CANVAS DÉCOR WAS SIMPLY DECORATING IT LIKE A SIMPLE SCRAPBOOK PAGE AGAIN USING THE MM MISTLETOE EMBELLISHMENTS IN ONE CORNER AND  KEEPING A LOT OF WHITE SPACE. YOU COULD ADD A FAMILY PHOTOGRAPH NEXT TO THE “25”, BUT I CHOSE TO KEEP MINE BLANK.

ADDED SOME GIRLY DIMENSION BY GLUING SOME TULLE BEHIND THE PAPER AND RANDOMLY ADDING TRIM AND THE VERY COOL MM MISTLETOW PINS. DANGLED AN OLD CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT THAT I FOUND LYING AROUND MY HOUSE AND DECORATED THE TOP OF THE CANVAS WITH TRIMS THAT CAME FROM STASH IN MY STUDIO. I FINISHED UP BY USING SOME COLORBOX INKS AROUND THE CANVAS EDGES TO SOFTEN IT A BIT.

A CANVAS IS A QUICK, INEXPENSIVE, AND QUICK WAY TO DRESS UP ANY ROOM, ESPECIALLY DURING THE HOLIDAYS WHEN WE ARE PUSHED FOR TIME!

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY AND ALLOWING ME TO SHARE…AND SPEAKING OF STOPPING, I MUST STOP AND GUIDE YOU ON TO THE THE NEXT DIVA'S BLOG.....OFF YOU GO TO THE ULTRA FABULOUS  WILNA FURSTENBURG---- HAPPY HOPPING!

LOTD

:)

November 12 Gratitude

today and everyday, we're grateful to this man....Charles C. Della Santina, M.D., P.H. D. Associate Professor, Division of Otology, Neurotology & Skull Base Surgery, Department of Biomedical Engineering

and no, he's not a relative..he was my son's surgeon and he truly was a gift from GOD...he amazes me cause he's such a TRUE BRAINIAC but is so charming and personable and gentle...everything we want surgeons who are near the brain area to be!

Charley...we love you and are grateful for what you have done for Brandon!

Howard County Office of Special Education Events

just an FYI for my local readers **

FUNCTIONAL SIGN LANGUAGE


Tuesday, December 1st 7:00-9:00p.m.
Thursday, December 3rd 7:00 -9:00p.m.

Faulkner Ridge Center
10598 Marble Faun Court
Columbia, MD 21044

This course teaches basic sign language with modifications and adaptations as needed for individuals with special needs. Learn how to use signs to help your child communicate, handle social situations and reduce tantrums. The class is perfect for families, healthcare providers and educators working with children with cognitive delays, motor difficulties or medical issues that impede speech. This is a two part series; please plan to attend both sessions. Participants will be given a DVD to take home to practice what they have learned. Sponsored by Abilities Network and the Howard County Family Support and Resource Center. Please call 410 313-7161 for more information or to register.


UNDERSTANDING SPECIAL EDUCATION


Wednesday, November 18, 2009 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Faulkner Ridge Center
10598 Marble Faun Court
Columbia, MD 21044

This workshop will discuss assessment and parts of the IEP. You are your child's best advocate, come learn how to participate effectively in developing and impacting his or her IEP. This free workshop is sponsored by Parents Place of Maryland and the Family Support and Resource Center. For more information or to register please call 410 313-7161.

Make It Merry-Adornit blog Day One and my attempt @

cardmaking...oh sure, THEY say it's easy...I'm part of the blog hop with the merry ladies of "Adornit" and today is CHRISTMAS CARD DAY !  And, as per the merry instructions, it is a 30-minute card project.  So, since there are 32 minutes left till Glee is over; I'm starting the timer....tick tock tick tock tic.........be back soon!

....its 10:04 and I DID IT!  Got 2 cards made AND photographed in well, 32 minutes!  I tried...ya'll know I'm not that good with the whole card making thing but Enjoy and don't forget to keep checking the Adornit blog every day this week for more challenges and fun and ME !

Howard County Association for the Deaf

has a new website  and just in time for the holidays, has a family fundraiser for the night you don't feel like cooking!


Family Pizza Night Fundraiser **EVERYONE IS WELCOME!


Thursday, November 19, 2009  5 to 9 PM @
New York J&P Pizza


8305 Ice Crystal Drive
Scaggsville, MD 20723


(From Rt. 216, short distance East of Rt. 29)




HCAD will get a percentage of the sales AND NO coupon needed to print!! Great way to meet new friends and to practice your ASL!

BASB Gratitude challenge

One of my fall projects for the BASB Simple Thanks Challenge was a Gratitude box...we have so much to be thankful for not just in November but all year long.  Sometimes we forget to write down the small stuff and our favorite photographs get stuck in boxes; waiting for someone to just look at them...so I have created some tags with more of the evergrowing scrapbook stash for us to use...Our way of paying it forward is that family and friends get to add to our box too-I've created extra tags and we'll even take pictures when they visit to add on the tags too!  That way, my family knows that everyone who walks in our door is a blessing to US.

Here's a BIG tag  (used one of the bigger Jenni Bowlin Bingo cards as my tag base) I created today and I decided to put a picture on it too...will add pictures of the box and some of the other tags later since right now, they are being used by a manufacturer and I can't post just yet...but soon!

Make It Merry Blog Party: Day One

Today is the FIRST DAY  of Adornit’s Christmas Blog Party! We’re excited to “Make it Merry” for the next five days. Look forward to holiday inspiration, projects, challenges, and, of course, PRIZES!

Let’s get this party started! We’re jumping right in – today is CHRISTMAS CARD day. We have some great samples, and, of course, something fun for you to do – our 30-Minute CARD Challenge.

Go to their blog and join in the fun!  I'm part of the blog hop so hope you'll come back for more!

Veterans Day

While most know that Veterans Day honors those who have served in the military, the meaning behind its exact date (November 11) may not be so familiar. Here's the backstory:


Back in 1918, in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a stop to hostilities was declared, ending World War I. An armistice to cease the fighting on the Western Front was signed by the Allied powers and Germany.  President Woodrow Wilson immediately proclaimed the day "Armistice Day," kicking off the annual commemoration on November 11. But over the years, with veterans returning from World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day — a day reserved to honor veterans returning from all wars. But 11/11 still represented the end of the Great War in the public's mind, and the date stuck. The tradition to honor those killed in the war but never identified continues every year in the U.S.

On this day, I honor those who have fallen, those who have served and those who are  currently serving this great country we call the United States of America.....enjoy the pictures of my father who served his country/military tirelessly for more than 25 years; I think my dad being a serviceman and a Vietnam vet shaped my personality and gave me invaluable life experiences that can't be duplicated anywhere else. 

Scraplift of the day....

courtesy of Heidi Sonbul a/k/a QueenofPaper)..you can find her at  her gallery at scrapbook.com, gcd studios or at her personal blog here ( queenofpaper )...I just adored this Who I AM layout that she did so...

I was inpired to "lift" it ! My version:

Enjoy!

Category Stories November challenge

is BAD BEHAVIOR...trust me, I had tons of pictures for this one but decided to use these ones from 2006-since my F & F all know where the snack drawer is in my house; I keep telling the "other two" to put stuff in ziplock bags when they open snacks but do they listen??  THIS is what happens when HE decides he needs to get his own snacks...at first I started to get mad but then, as we scrappers often do, I had to find the humor in the "sitchyation" and go grab the camera !  He's my funny guy and I love him so !

and then we have THING 1

who always cooperates for photo shoots....and yes, I actually did a double layout!  I surpised myself....and if you'll notice closely, I've even been trying to keep adding hidden tags with hidden journaling so my kids can read my private thoughts later on. Loved these cute birthday papers from Creative Imaginations.  Birthday accents courtesy of K & Co, other cutouts from OA paper, SL flower....gotta mix the stash.

other Layouts THING 1:

loved mixing all my Pink Paislee and BG paper stash on this one-dark YET romantic-isn't she still gorgeous!?

Fabric and most of the vintage trims courtesy of my October kit from What is Old is New

and last but not least...Halloween 2008...yeah, I can't scrap in order :)

Happy Monday !

Wow, this weather is just so strange....got home yesterday and it was almost 70 degrees, supposed to be the same today! But last week Thursday or so, we had darn near frost warnings....oh well...promised some layouts didn't I ???? Mostly had birthdays and Halloween on the brain due to some fantastically cute papers that I had, won or bought...loved using the stash and mixing old and new.

up FIRST:  Thing 2: 

Ya'lll already know Thing 2 was not digging  the green makeup so...he wasn't happy at all and did not go Trick or Treating; he just doesn't understand the concept of it and even the costume was sending him into a tailspin so I gave up.  He did pass out treats for a little while with Aunt E; then he gave that up too. We'll try again next year !

Patterned papers were a mix of Making Memories (older line from last year), Basic Grey and some from when Recollections went out of business.  Embellishments are all kinds of stuff from the stash including plastic spider finger rings that I cut up and some cool Scrabble tiles ( you can easily find Scrabble games at your local thrift shops for like $ 1 or two.)  Cute stickers are the Recollections collection from Michaels.

Hope everybody had a great weekend....

like I did...what could be better than scrapping, meeting new friends, eating good food and drinking good wine??? But, am back to the real world so...have gotten some ques's about the new blog look and yes, I know, the new blog look is different and not quite my personality and yeah, I miss the Evil Queen too but I was having some display issues that I couldn't figure out so I just decided to try a new TEMP look...I know it's boring but until I have time to play around, que sera sera....Chez is working on something for me as we speak so hopefully she'll have some ideas when I see her ..we shall see what new look I'm gonna have for the holidays :)

I did get LOTS of stuff done at the Cozy Crop House but since the good camera is broken and I haven't figured out the old camera settings, I'll have to wait until tomorrow to post ..but for now...fall flashbacks from previous autumns..yes the difference in clothing is autumn in the DMV (DC, MD and VA areas) and then the autumn/pumpkin patch in New York-Big differences in temperatures as we go further north...enjoy!

Friday Scrapgal ***

can somebody say...Red Rover, Red Rover, send J. Chesnick on over!! My Friday Scrapgal this week is none other than the ulta fabulous, ultra talented and oh so personable Jenny Chesnick a/k/a Mrs. Chez!

I never did get my hat (sorry Heather) to look like this so I just gave up...btw, Chez & I share the same birthday so that means she's my DIVA !!! CHeck out her newly remodeled blog  ( I love it) and leave her some real love telling her Queen Kat sent ya!!

Happy Friday!

well almost...am finally packed & ready for a GWO (Girls Weekend Out)...am off for a long weekend with about 10 ladies to scrap/ craft all weekend at the CCH!  But before I leave, I thought I'd leave you with a sneak peek of something I'm working on for a Guest Designer spot (my first-YIPEE!) at a site we all know and love....until I get ALL my goodies together, it's a secret FOR NOW...I'll give you another hint next week...think FALL....AUTUMN...GIVING THANKS... and yes, I tore up the scrapstudio and found an old old Olympus camera that only works for me since I know that secret way to jiggle the button. :)

Enjoy!  Have a great weekend!

POTD

hey Karla,  cute shirt and great curls courtesy of  Mixed Chicks

FUNCTIONAL SIGN LANGUAGECLASS**FYI

People are always asking me about ASL events so that they can help kids that they babysit or who may need help while at school so I thought I'd pass on events as I get them....

This course teaches basic sign language with modifications and adaptations as needed for individuals with special needs. Learn how to use signs to help your child communicate, handle social situations and reduce tantrums. The class is perfect for families, healthcare providers and educators working with children with cognitive delays, motor difficulties or medical issues that impede speech. This is a two part series; please plan to attend both sessions. Participants will be given a DVD to take home to practice what they have learned. Sponsored by Abilities Network and the Howard County Family Support and Resource Center. Please call 410 313-7161 for more information or to register.


Tuesday, December 1st 7:00-9:00p.m.

Thursday, December 3rd 7:00 -9:00p.m.

Faulkner Ridge Center, 10598 Marble Faun Court, Columbia MD  21044

Halloween update

Well, how the heck was I supposed to know the boy would be afraid of the green makeup?? It started off ok, but drastically turned to disasterous really darn quick....he refused the makeup, refused to wear the costume for more than 5 minutes and didn't go Trick or Treatin' at all.... I sigh sometimes since it is difficult having a child with different abilities; one moment all is good and then just one little thing changes everything.But I couldn't explain Halloween or make him understand so what can ya do???...so no pics of Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein together as I originally planned...The Bride looked great but then again, the boy who looked like Eddie Munster instead of Frankenstein, had the meltdown, dropped my camera accidentally on the ceramic tile in the kitchen (it was actually on the counter and it got knocked off the counter somehow by you know who-you know how you see stuff in motion and don't really know what happened??) and so NOW-hold your ears coz I am gonna scream this-I DON'T HAVE A CAMERA  AT ALL !!!!!!! I'm going to a weekend crop next week without a camera...the only reason I got pictures at all is coz the bff always carries a small Sony digital in her purse...Relief...  I feel lost without a camera and unfortunately, another camera is not in the budget at all so I'll just have to go crazy; Truthfully-I will be crazy.

Anyway-here's what we managed to capture-and yes, I have been very tired this week, dealing with insomnia and other issues so I know I look like a crazy momma-no comments from the peanut gallery please.  I plan on getting myself together this week with a little help from my friends.

Happy Halloween!

Well, Mother Nature decided to hold off on the projected rain, so it looks like they will get to trick-or-treat after all...spooky pics to follow...hope I can get him to make a scary face once he's transformed later-he's not sure how to do it since he's happy all the time!

I've been HONORED :)

I rec' this fabulous blog award from my great pal Charity (a/k/a CharyGirl)

The rules are I have to pass this along to 5 other friends and answer a list of questions in ONE word!
Here are the questions:

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse?
2. Your hair? streaked
3. Your mother? stylish
4. Your father? strong
5. Your favorite food? italian

6. Your dream last night? chaotic
7. Your favorite drink? alcoholic? vodka  non alcoh? coffee
8. Your dream/goal? speech (Brandon)
9. What room are you in? scrapstudio
10. Your hobby? scrapping
11. Your fear? fire
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? working
13. Where were you last night? home
14. Something that you aren't? relaxed
15. Muffins? cranberry

16. Wish list item? $$
17. Where did you grow up? everywhere (military brat)
18. Last thing you did? movie
19. What are you wearing? shorts
20. Your TV? on (DIY)

21. Your Pets? none
22. Friends? asleep
23. Your life? improving
24. Your mood? tense
25. Missing Someone? nope

26. vehicle? suv
27. Something you're not wearing? acrylics (nails)
28. Your favorite store? tie : Homegoods or Target
29. Your favorite color? teal
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? recently (watched GHOST tonite)
32. Your best friend? asleep
33. One place that I go to over and over? library
34. Facebook? yes
35. Favorite place to eat? chipotle

So now I have to pick five people whose blogs I love and award them:

1.  Jody
2.  MandyK (a/k/a MandyKay)
3.  Jen (a/k/a Chez)
4. Christina
5.  Jenny (a/k/a Candy Apple Red or JennyB)

I love reading their blogs (call it scrapstalking if that's the term you wanna use)....They are so talented and funny and continue to inspire me...stop by and check them out if you don't already- you won't be disappointed! Tell them Queen Kat sent ya !!!!

Friday Scrapgal***

you may know her from EsteeLynn's Place  at Scrapbook.com, GCD Studios team or from Mosh Posh...give it up for Estee Lynn ya'll !!!!

Due to some personal issues, she's been away from blog land for the last 2 weeks, but I'm sure she would love it if you jumped over to her scrapbook.com personal page (click on the red link above), check out all her creativity, get inspired and leave her some love!  And as always, tell her Queen Kat sent ya!

Just released yesterday***

Ever since I read The Christmas Train, I've been a big DB *David Baldacci (Mr. Cuteness) (I love the  Camel Club) *** His new novel, True Blue hit the stores yesterday BUT there is a chance to win a free copy!!!!

The Fatherlife is so generously giving away a few copies tomorrow; read their synopsis and check out the giveaway at their blog...great magazine for guys and dad's...we can still go there too though :)