Scraptober Challenge....

Since Wednesday is the first day of October I feel it's a great time to start a new challenge. Yes, I know it's mid-week but YOU can do it and so can I. So instead of calling the month October, I'm referring to is as Scraptober and challenging all you scrappers to get your scrap on and do something scrappy every day. It can be a page, a card, even scrap organizing...but you need to do something scrap related every day and take a picture of what you've done. Post your pics on your blogs or send them to me to post on my blog. Just to make it more fun and challenging I'll pick my favorites at the end of the month and send you a surprise!

Latest Pics...

now I can share the cute card I made for Leann

Not enough....

There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in a day to get things done! How is it that at one time I managed to work full time, go to grad school full time, study and take mom across town for weekly doctor appointments/treatments and still managed to schedule in fun? I don't think there was more structure.

I spent the bulk of my day sleeping--which I needed. Here it is nearing 9pm and I need to iron something to wear to work tomorrow and yet all I can do is yawn. It seems I get home and become so totally lazy. I have all these grand ideas of things I want and need to do but never seem to get around to them. Maybe it's time I put myself of some sort of schedule....

This is a weird week for me in a way. I think back to what I was doing at this time five years ago (today specifically I was getting ready to leave for vacation--my birthday trip/mom's last trip). And then just a year ago I was in Missouri on vacation. It seems almost odd that I can almost remember every detail of this week both five years ago and one year ago and yet I doubt I could tell you what I wore last week.

Feeling like CRAP...

Not sure if it's revenge of Pappasitos (dinner last night) or some stomach bug but since last night I've felt like crap and as if I want to hurl. Think I'll stay home and sleep today....at least part of it anyway. Maybe if I feel better in the afternoon I'll try to venture into work but for now, it's back to bed for me. Have a good Tuesday all.

Yeah Me....

I sat down last night just before bed and made some cards that I've been wanting to make. Today at lunch I sat down and made the other half and finished them up tonight. The first batch went in the mail today and the others will hit the mail tomorrow. There are still a couple other cards I would like to get made--maybe tomorrow. For now I think I'm off to bed. It's just a little after 9p and I'm beat.

I have been suffering from Fall Fever all day. The mornings are cooler and the hustle and bustle of the fall is just about to begin. I love this time of year!

....Looking forward to the CTMH party and scrapping with the girls on Saturday!!!!

Just a few pics from Asleep at the Wheel....

Cool Mornings....

Ahhhh, the mornings are getting cooler and that is wonderful. This morning it energizes me and I actually feel as though I could accomplish something! Hopefully I will--especially since I didn't get a thing done around here yesterday. But that's okay. I had a great day hanging out with Robin-doing a little scrap shopping, eating good food and just visiting. Unfortunately I had to cut it short due to needing to get home to head to the Gala. Though I would have loved to have stayed in town messing around a bit longer, I did manage to time it so that I arrived just as the entertainment portion was starting--which is the only reason I wanted to attend. Asleep at the Wheel was wonderful and I did manage to get a few shots.

With luck I'll actually accomplish a few things on my list before needing to jump in the shower to head in for dinner with friends.

To Do List:

CLEAN PIT (apartment)
Do laundry
clear dining table
bake cookies
print pictures
scrap
read

............Update regarding list..........
laundry done with the exception of towels
dining table half way clean
ZERO cookies baked (maybe later in the week)
very little scrapping done but there's still some time before I go to bed...
no reading so far but again, I haven't gone to bed yet so there's still hope

The Weekend...

ahhhhhh, weekend, sweet weekend. It's Friday morning and at the moment it seems that 5pm will never arrive---but it will. I found out the Houston walk is being rescheduled so I've decided to skip the Katy walk this weekend--I can use the extra sleep. There are still things I'd like to get done at home though thoughts of a run to By Design keep creeping in!

I still want to scrap and hope that I'll actually accomplish some this weekend. The weather is a bit milder and the fall weather always makes things seem better to me. Fall's my favorite time of year--could you guess that? Book club is cancelled for this month as stupid Pinecone Press has once again not come through--no kit or book this time. I'm thinking this will be my last go of book club--tired of the disappointment and the crappy kits. Maybe we can talk Phyllis into another club kit..hmmmmmm....something to work toward.

Saturday night is the Rotary Gala with Asleep at the Wheel. Though no Oak Ridge Boys, I'm looking forward to that. Just gotta figure out what to wear!

Why??

Why do I keep thinking today is Thursday??? Wishful thinking maybe? I have several things I need and want to do but just don't seem to have the energy by the time I get home.

This Saturday is shaping up to be a busy day. I'm planning to attend the MS Walk at Katy Mills Saturday morning since the Houston walk was cancelled. After that I want to hit the Lane Bryant outlet at Katy Mills and make a stop at Archivers. I need to head home to rest a bit after because I got my hands on a ticket to the Rotary Gala for that night (thanks Joey!!)---Asleep at the Wheel is this year's entertainment. It'll be fun to see them but I still wish they'd bring the Boys in.

Sunday I think I can rest and my guess is that I'll need it after Saturday. I'll hit book club on Tuesday night--maybe I'll even have a layout or two...

Coincidence?

So I'm watching the House marathon on USA yesterday afternoon and it seems on just about every case they ordered a lumbar puncture--and all were done 'blind' with multiple sticks which appeared to result in excruciating pain (like the doc had told me)--so I was very thankful mine was needle-guided. MS came up in at least three episodes (to later be ruled out). One thing I did note is how many different things share symptoms.

New Colors

Going for the fall/halloween look----what do you think???

Bummer.....

So many still without power. So many trying to rebuild their lives. So many things forever changed.

Got an email today that the MS Walk has been cancelled due to Hurricane Ike :( I have an awesome group of friends who signed up to walk or donated, or both. It means so much that each would give their time and money to help with this cause and I know I am incredibly blessed to have such great, fantastic, wonderful friends. Thanks to you all.

Back to Work...

...so the college was open today but one campus was down as was our Student Information System so basically we could do no real work. Would have been better to have had the day off. I did manage to get the annual online HR training on sexual harrassment and workplace discrimination done so at least now I won't have to worry with that and meeting that deadline. I guess in that aspect I did get at least a little something productive done today. Oh and I cleaned my desk off a bit. At last word it was questionable if we're going to have the computer system tomorrow or not. If not I guess I'll actually clean my office. A good part of the morning was spent catching up with everyone and how they fared through Ike--only minor, short power outages with the exception of one person but we all have power now.

It all still feels almost surreal--all the devastion in Houston and Galveston and the things that will never be the same.

In the words of Scarlet, 'Tomorrow is another day'....

Phrase for the day....

ancedotal reports...

Evidence in the form of an anecdote or hearsay is called anecdotal if there is doubt about its veracity: the evidence itself is considered untrustworthy or untrue.

The phrase was used quite liberally today in regards to the reported distribution of supplies by FEMA....

Before the Destruction of Ike...

GLUED to the television.....

I have been glued to my television pretty much since Thursday--we're talking 24 hours a day! I have been fortunate to not lose power and have watched in awe all the coverage of Ike and the destruction being carried by all the stations. I cannot fathom the loss and especially the total destruction to Galveston such as the Balinese Room and Murdochs, among other things. I wonder just how long it will take for the island to return to a somewhat normal existance for no matter what, it will never be the same. And I am thankful for the safety of all my friends. Being inconvenienced by lack of power (and I've been there having been without power for two weeks in 83 after Alicia) is a small price to pay for your health and safety. If there's anything I can do help you guys, let me know.

Much love,
M

All Appears to Be Well in Wharton

Though I've not stuck my head out, all appears to be well here. Once I get up and moving good and know the storm has passed I may try to get out and take a look around...

Dumb things said by reporters....

...the street signs are out of power....

Word for the day Boys and Girls...

Projectile....

How did we survive before the internet???

Before internet we had to rely on the television and radio to keep us informed of storms and such. Now we can check any website for up to the second info and pictures. Not to mention being able to keep up with friends via their blogs. In 83, Alicia scared me spitless. Today I'm just taking it all in stride and wondering at what point I should shut down my computer...

Current conditions....

5:35-ish...

And all is well. Not so much as one drop of water here. The sun is even out. According to television accounts, Galveston is getting pounded as Ike begins to move ashore.

Batton Down the Hatches....

Galveston is getting slammed--and so far it's just the water coming in, nothing directly from the storm. Parts of the island are already flooded and several piers have been destroyed. The lastest news says the entire island may very well be completely covered when this thing hits and in that aspect it's comparable to the Great Storm of 1900. Whoa Nelly.

So far I am staying home. The wind appears to have picked up a bit and it's overcast but that's about it. I've relocated most things from the patio to the storage closet and moved the (cast iron) patio chair up against the building. I think I'm good. Now to get off my keister and go cook....

So....

...according to the latest update it looks like Ike is more closely going to follow the path that Alicia did in 83. That would be good news for Matagorda and Wharton. We'll still possibly get some wind and rain but not to the extreme we would had it hit at Matagorda. Now if I could just know for certain I wouldn't lose power I really would be a happy camper.

I do have a contingency plan to leave if necessary but I'm still hoping it's not. I've set my alarm to check the 4am update to see if it's still turning/moving toward Galveston.

I did manage to get some things done around here today and would like to finish up tomorrow and then spend the rest of the weekend in scrapping mode....

Storm Prep.....

Yes, this is Willy's idea of preparing...

Ike's a'comin....

...or so the predictions are. Maybe I'm nuts, but for now I plan to stay put. The college is closed the rest of the week so my grand plans (and we know about those) are to spend today getting things done around here--cleaning, laundry, cooking, etc--and then to spend the rest of the weekend reading and scrapping....

Cropping with the girls

Pictures....finally...

Austin:

Like my momma....

Seems I am becoming more and more like my mother. Right now everyone is in a panic about Ike and suddenly I don't feel all that concerned. I remember being a kid and being concerned, fearful, anytime there was a storm in the Gulf or headed my way. I remember going through Alicia and swearing I'd never do that again--but mom never seemed to be concerned. At the moment I'm not feeling overly concerned. I have a case of water, some extra cat litter (probably wouldn't hurt to pick up some more cat food) and a few other things and I'm feeling okay about that. Not to say that won't change if the reports change...

Ike....YIKES....

...current prediction models have us taking a hit from Ike. Yeah, I would like an extra day or two off work but not at the expense of being slammed by a major storm. Going tonight to pick up a few supplies because if at all possible I am staying put...........who wants to take care of the kitties???

I tried....

I tried, I really tried to upload some pictures. Not sure if it's the computer or the card reader but....nothing. I tried about four times before calling it quits--it's nearly 10:30p and I'm tired. I need to get to bed. I had to bake a cake for the office and finish up a birthday card and do my shot and now I'm ready to crash. Maybe in the next day or so I can things working as they should and load some pictures. Afterall, it's time again for the 'page a day album'.....

I'm Gonna......

I'm gonna catch up....I promise. Really, I am. I have pictures from Austin and the weekend of scrapping with the girls (yes, you) to post. I just need to get my kiester in gear and do a few things....

Blogger Issues....

....so I had a post all ready to go the other morning...and Blogger decided to not cooperate. Therefore, please forgive me for not having posted sooner. I will catch up soon--with pics--promise.

Catching Up...

So I am a few days behind....spent the weekend in Austin but now back to reality. I was going to post a few pics last night but was too tired since I got back a bit later than intended but it's okay. I guess it could be referred to as prolonging the weekend.



Here we are at another work week--but at least it's a short one. The comment was made over the weekend that yesterday was our last day off till Thanksgiving--UGH. At least things are a bit quieter at the office which makes a major difference. Maybe I can get a little rest this week!



Later...