Don't faint ... I designed something!

This summer took its toll on me for sure. Having 4 kids at home for 13 weeks and trying to work can make you a little nutty. I even tried to resign from designing. But, luckily, my store owner (Nancie Rowe-Janitz) is the sweetest lady and let me stay even though I wasn't putting out any product. Well, I got the desire to design something this week after the kids were all off to school on Monday. And I have so many ideas floating around for new stuff. So look for several new products coming soon. The first two hit my Scrap Artist Shoppe today. They are called Just Wingin' It and Damp Stamp Alpha.

That's all I have for now. I'll try to write a real blog post again sometime this century. This whole back-to-school thing has been hard because not only did I have to get my kids ready, but it was also the start of a new semester at the gym so it's always hectic for a few weeks.

I didn't know what music to play today so I did a search for a song about wings and I came across this song called Broken Wings by Alter Bridge. I have never heard of this band but the song is great. I did a little research on Alter Bridge and three of the members of the band are former members of Creed. Marty is going to love them! (He's out of town tonight.) Here's the video.

I got Lucky!

Holy cow! Has it really been 2 weeks since I have blogged? I knew I had been busy but I didn't realize it was that long. With school starting on Monday and Fall baseball practices already underway, time has just flown by!

Now about getting Lucky ... My mom lost her dog George last week. So, I went with her to a couple of dog pounds earlier this week. Well, we didn't find her George, but there was a dog there named George that was just adorable. It was a sign, right? We went in search of George and there was a different George! LOL! Anyway, I thought about it for a couple of days and decided that we really needed to go get George from the pound. So yesterday morning, I called to make sure that he was still there and he was. So I fed all of the kids and then we all headed to the pound. When we got there, George was nowhere in sight. I finally asked and was told that he had been adopted about an hour before. So there I was with 4 very upset kiddos. We looked all around and could not find a dog we all liked. So we went to a different pound and there she was ... this little black sweetie. The kids played with her for a while and we all agreed that she was perfect.

The kids decided that she should be called Lucky because it went well with our other dog, Happy. We took Lucky straight from the pound to the vet to have her checked out. I knew she was small but didn't realize just how small until they weighed her. She's 6½ pounds of pure Ratatouille-ness! Marty was less-than-thrilled when he saw her and said she looked like a rat and was "not very manly!' But I can already tell she is growing on him. But it's Lauren who is in love with Lucky! They are 2 peas in a pod. Lauren has already "trained" Lucky to go up and down the stairs. They are really cute together.

Here is a picture I took this morning. Lucky is a Toy Fox Terrier mix and will probably only get up to about 9 or 10 pounds. Hopefully Happy won't hurt her when they are playing.

In scrapbooking news ... I have been designing again! I just did not feel like it this summer. But I have several things ready to go and I will be adding them to the Scrap Artist Shoppe in a few weeks (we are in the process of upgrading the store so that's why the delay).

And now for some music. I searched YouTube for a song about Lucky and the best I could come up with is this one by Britney Spears. Poor girl ... she's really not very lucky these days!

Lauren's a rock star!

Lauren cracks us up on a daily basis with the things she comes up with. Mom gave her this pink guitar for her birthday in May. Yesterday, she came downstairs dressed in her halloween costume (a jail girl ... so perfect!) with the guitar. She even had the chains around her ankles! I told her to show me a cool rock star face and this is what I got. She's so crazy! We're a little worried what she is going to be like when she's a teenager.

Background paper is by Lisa Cohen at Scrap Artist (recolored). The city doodle is by Two Sisters Designs: Beauty Marks Volume 4 at Scrap Artist. Grunge edges by Michelle Coleman. Word art and skull by Lori Barnhurst: Garage Band kit (Little Dreamer Designs). Font is dearJoe. Created in Photoshop CS2.

The song choice was easy today: Nickelback: Rockstar. This is one of Lauren's current favorite songs.

Nick got glasses!

We knew it was coming. Both Marty and I got glasses when we were still in elementary school. About a month ago, Nick went to Shreveport with Marty and he noticed that Nick couldn't read some of the road signs. So we took him to the eye doctor and sure enough, he needed them. It took him a long time to pick out the perfect pair but he ended up with dark blue metal frames. I think he looks great and he loves them. Now Austin wants some, too. And I may take him to get tested because he squints sometimes. Here's a layout I did with a picture I took yesterday. Doesn't Nick look all grown up? (See credits here.)

I let Nick pick out the blog music today. Rob Thomas: Little Wonders

Speed Scrapping & New Challenges

Marty went to the Ranger's baseball game last night so I had a few hours to myself. A friend sent me a bunch of her heritage pictures earlier this summer and I have been wanting to scrap them but I have been too busy. So last night, I did these three layouts for her in the span of only an hour and a half! I couldn't believe it. Usually it takes me at least that long to complete one layout. Actually, I've been known to drag a single element around a page for over an hour before I decide on the perfect placement ... LOL! Anyway, here are the pages I made for my friend. (See credits: FBI, Arch, Love)

I also posted the Heritage and Altered/Collage Challenges at Scrap Artist yesterday. Go to the Twofer Tuesday post at the Scrap Artist blog for all of the details. And be sure to check out the Altered Challenge because Christine and I teamed up with Jackie Eckles and there is a freebie for all participants and a chance to win a $15 gift certificate from the Scrap Artist Shoppe. Here are my sample layouts. (see credits: Pietro, My Destiny)

The Pietro layout was actually one of the first heritage layouts I ever created. I just looked at my Scrapbook-Bytes gallery and I posted it on 9/12/04! That was less than a month after I began digiscrapping. And I still like the layout. But if you compare it to the layout next to it, I would say that my scrapping style has evolved just a little.

Not too much else going on. Nick has baseball practice tonight. This is his second practice for Fall ball. I can't believe it's starting already. But I'm excited to see how he does because he got glasses two days ago and I'm hoping he'll be able to see the ball better. I'll have to do a post about his glasses. I think he looks great in them!

And now for some music. No theme today. This is just a song I've been liking on the radio. It's Little Big Town: A Little More You.

England Brothers Band

The kids started watching the Naked Brothers Band (a TV show) last year and they have decided that they want to make a band. Nick is going to be the lead singer and play keyboard. Austin is electric guitar, Mackenzie is drums and Lauren is acoustic guitar. Nick has started to learn the piano, Grandma bought Lauren a pink guitar and we bought Mackie a little drum set for his birthday. So ... who knows!

Last night, I took the kids to Six Flags and right before we left, they all hopped up on the stage and took a picture. So I decided to make them a CD cover. Aren't they cute (even though they are all sopping wet!)?

For those of you who don't know the Naked Brothers Band ... here's a real treat for you! Crazy Car ... their most famous song. Couldn't you just listen to it over and over? ROFL!!

Happy Anniversary Marty!

Warning! Sappy letter to my husband. Proceed with caution...

Dear Marty,

In some ways, it seems like just yesterday and in others, August 5, 1995 was so long ago. In the last 12 years, we have done so much together and created a pretty perfect life. There are not too many things I would do differently if I could. Thank you for being such a wonderful husband and father. I can't wait to see what we can accomplish in the next 12 years! I love you! Just take a look at these pictures. I think we look better now!!!

Here's a scrapbook page I made for you. The 'dot, dot, dot' are symbolic of 'I Love You' (three taps). I hope you like it. Layout credits here.

And finally, here is a song for you. The lyrics are perfect. Incubus: Dig

So when sickness turns my ego up I know you'll act as a clever medicine. If I turn into another, dig me up from under what is covering the better part of me. Sing this song! Remind me that we'll always have each other when everything else is gone. Oh! Each other when everything else is gone.

And the winners are...

This decision was a hard one. But I am going to crown kille_enna as the winner of my shop. She posted this gorgeous layout at SBB. Congratulations Kille! I will send you a link to all of my goodies later today.

And if you think the decision was easy, you would be WRONG! Just look at all of the awesome entries. Too cool! Thank you to everyone who entered. You made my birthday extra special.

And now for the winners of the joke competition! First, let me say that you guys had me cracking up! But I could only give a prize to three. So here they are ... my favorite jokes.

Winner #1 is Ramona! She was the very first to enter and for those of you who don't know Ramona ... she has this terrific ... COLORFUL ... personality. I was fortunate to get to know her while I was on the SGB Crew. Anyway, here is Ramona's joke. It's a bit x-rated so I'll bleep out some of it so as not to upset anyone!

Little Red Riding Hood happens to read the story with her in it, so before she leaves for Grandma's house, she puts a gun in her basket. As she is walking along in the forest, the Big Bad Wolf comes up to her and says, "I'm going to take you and fu** the sh** out of you!"

Little Red pulls out the gun and points it at him and say, "No you aren't, you're gonna eat me, just like the story says."

Winner #2 is anniep! This is a really long joke but it had me just about crying by the time I got to the end! Be sure to read it all.

The Chili Contest

*Note: Please take time to read this slowly. If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better! For those of you who have lived in Texas, you know how true this is. They actually have a Chili Cook-off about the time the Rodeo comes to town. It takes up a major portion of the parking lot at the Astrodome.

The notes are from an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank, who was visiting Texas from the East Coast:

Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The Judge #3 called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to the Budweiser truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted."

Here are the scorecards from the event:

Chili #1 (Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili)

Judge #1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick. Judge #2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild. Judge #3 -- (Frank) Holy shit, what the hell is in this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

Chili #2 (Arthur's Afterburner Chili)

Judge #1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang. Judge #2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously. Judge #3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

Chili #3 (Fred's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili)

Judge #1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans. Judge #2 -- A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers. Judge #3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting shit-faced from all of the beer!

Chili #4 (Bubba's Black Magic)

Judge #1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing. Judge #2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili. Judge #3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-lb. bitch is starting to look HOT... just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?

Chili # 5 (Linda's Legal Lip Remover)

Judge #1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive. Judge #2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement. Judge #3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks.

Chili #6 (Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety)

Judge #1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers. Judge #2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb. Judge #3-- I shit myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that slut Sally. She must be kinkier than I thought. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone.

Chili #7 (Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili)

Judge #1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers. Judge #2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should take note that I am worried about Judge #3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably. Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava-like shit to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing, it's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

Chili #8 (Tommy's Toe-Nail Curling Chili)

Judge #1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence. Judge #2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge # 3 passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor dude, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?

Winner #3 is anonymous engineer man (reveal yourself please)! He said this joke was voted world's funniest joke a while back. I can see why. Too funny!

Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other man pulls out his cell phone and calls emergency services.

He gasps to the operator: "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator in a calm, soothing voice replies: "Take it easy. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, then a shot is heard.

Back on the phone, the hunter says, "OK, now what?"

Winners ... if you will please email me at Robyn at RobynEngland dot com, I will email you a link to your prize.

That's all I have time for today. I'll get some pictures of my vacation up in the next few days. We had a great time in Houston and Galveston.

I'll leave you with a little music from "my boyfriend" (as Marty calls him). I've always been one for older guys but there's something about Teddy Geiger that I just love. It's ok though because he turned 18 last year and he's legal now. LOL! I know he looks really young in the video but it was made when he was only 16. We listened to this song quite a few times on our trip. It's called These Walls.