The Decluttering is Contagious!

I have lots of friends who are really into decluttering right now! This is fine, but I wasn't having any part of it, hating housework the way I do. And living in an apartment (after living in a 2,000 sq ft house on 6 acres), I just thought clutter was unavoidable.

Yesterday I had a little time to kill and did this:

This is the top of our dresser BEFORE:













And this is the top of the dresser AFTER:














And these are my scrapbook magazines, BEFORE:
















And these are the Magazines, AFTER:




















Okay, I fully realize that this is no big deal to most people, but I have enjoyed seeing other people's before and after pictures, so why not take and post some of my own?

Because, truly, I am waiting for some HOT WATER TO SHOWER IN!
And I'm not likely to get it, and I really have to go shower anyway. So wish me luck!
Life with two teenage daughters = cold showers.

A New Challenge is Up!

This week's challenge is posted here at A Scrappin' Friendsy.
It's posted by Kendria, and it is a real challenge. Are you up to it?
I'm not sure I am - LOL. She has some beautiful examples to go with it, though.
Can't wait to see who rises to this challenge and what they create.

On a sad note, Sarah didn't make the Lion's Band. She is one disappointed young lady. But I'm one proud momma: Lion's band or not......she's a great kid - smart, talented, and beautiful. I don't worry about what she's doing, or who she's hanging around with, or where she's going. I love her dearly. And there's always next year.

On another sad note, I have to head over to the school for curtain calls practice in just a little while. Sigh.

I have added a poll to my blog, to see if more people LIKE math, HATE it, or are just INTIMIDATED BY it. If you'll take the poll, and leave a comment here, I'll send this cute Artist Trading Card to somebody!

My Snow Pictures

A Snowy Saturday!

I can hardly believe it snowed! In Mississippi, that is a pretty big deal! We have gotten a kick out of watching it fall, and been outside in it to see if we could get any good pictures. Mighty Hunter has thrown open the windows and doors and embraced the cold! (Nothing new there, according to my blue nose and frozen toes!)

So, in the snow, Sarah and Marge headed off to Lion's Band tryouts....the Final Call. They are both done, and trying to figure out whether or not Sarah has to learn a second routine for the color guard portion. They did last year, but it is unclear whether they do this year. So.....no news there, except that she says she
did better this time than last time. Mary Beth and Mighty Hunter made her a good
luck sign this morning:


Here she is when we arrived for the first round tryouts, two short weeks ago. Yes, it was cold that day, but at least it wasn't wet and snowing!

And then, also two short weeks ago, Mary Beth got her braces off! If you've ever had braces for two-and-a-half years, you KNOW how she was feeling!

And, so, here I am, in the freezing cold (INSIDE my apartment, mind you) finally updating my blog. We, of course, have a Curtain Calls practice this afternoon. And tomorrow afternoon, and Monday afternoon (even though Monday is a holiday). This is going to be one of those events in my life that, while horrifically painful in its process, is worth all the hard work in the end. A little like having a baby,no?

And for a preview of weeks to come: Sarah has tryouts for Grease in early February, Beauty and Beau pageant in mid-February, and winter Fashion Show in late February. Mary Beth has a field trip to go on, and a band clinic to attend in mid- to late-February. This will be her first clinic, and I'm soooo glad she's going.

So, now that Mighty Hunter and Mary Beth have gone off to Bass Pro Shop, I can turn the heat up a bit and thaw my toes. Think I will go do that now, and leave my four readers to ponder why I let my husband turn me into an icicle every winter. When you figure it out, let me know, okay? Thanks.

Exciting News at A Scrappin' Friendsy!

We have FOUR new design team members! Yay! Congratulations to these wonderful and talented ladies:

Sara Allison
Dawn Hopkins
Carolyn McAfee
Julie Bonner

Go HERE to see their entries, and all of the other wonderful entries, in our Design Team Call for 2008.

Later, when I have some more time, I will work on this blog a little. I want to have more links, and I still want to start posting a math problem every day, or at least every few days. For now, though, I have been at work 12 hours, and I am ready to eat supper and go to sleep!

Why would a teacher work 12 hours, you ask? Well, it's called Curtain Calls. Each class (sophomores, juniors, and seniors) write, direct and perform their own play/musical production. Now, it is student led, but teachers have to be at the practices to supervise, and guess who's going to be at all the practices this week? Me. Yep...the performances are next week, and it is crunch time. So, it will be a busy week.

Send good vibes to Sarah on Saturday as she goes back for the final auditions for the Lion's All-State Band. We're really excited about it.

She's Sixteen Today!

Yes, my oldest daughter is Sweet 16 today. I can't really believe it. Where does the time go?

We have a busy day today, with Sarah trying out for the all-state band, and needing to take Aunt Mary Ann's Christmas presents to her, drop off a package at the post office, shop for a school project, and take Megan back to Clinton. Whew! Lot's to do and I haven't even had my first cup of coffee!

Slowly my mind is turning back towards school, and Algebra, and related things! Last night I dreamed about school, something I always do when I'm returning to work after a break of any significant length. So it is time to make some plans, which means that Algebra-related posts are sure to follow! (with my apologies to those who hate math....shame on you, anyway! wink wink)

Here is a Recent Favorite Layout

I did it late last night and it turned out better than I planned (yeah, that hardly EVER happens)! I used this week's lyrics from Scrapping The Music, a very cool blog with weekly challenges. (uh huh....like we need more challenges, right? But these are song lyric challenges, and they are very inspirational.)

The First Post of 2008 is Gonna Be a Fun One!

Yes, because we have winners! Yes, TWO of them!

One of them is from the Winner Takes All game at TallyScrapper.
That winner is: kmazy (Kris)




And the second winner, the winner of this unique and very cool package of ephemera I have put together, is Vannasmom (Dawn)




So, Dawn, tallymail me with your mailing address so I can send you your stuff! Congratulations!