Playtime for Isaac

Sometimes playing cars is the only way I can talk to Isaac about his feelings. Anyone else's cars have feelings?

Post Op Care for Daddy

Daddy had surgery this week and getting ready resulted in a lot of Google searches without any checklists. And since I love my checklists, I thought I would share.

I have found that a care package for post op care is a great gift, and for the most part, it's stuff you already have!

• Tylenol (no aspirin or Ibuprofen),
• Ice Packs with thin towel (put them in the fridge),
• Chapstick,
• Water bottle for ride home,
• Barf bag for ride home,
• Magazines for the waiting room,
• Slippers,
• Heat pad or heat packs,
• Jello,
• Pudding,
• Chicken Noodle Soup,
• Phone List,
• WebMD info on the procedure (may include some other ideas to include)
• Grocery shopping and/or prepped meals for the rest of the family

So whether it is you or someone else, here's my list to being prepared or post op recovery.

Blessings.

The Little Things

I may never be able to remember the day Isaac was born, but I will always remember the day his US Visa was issued! What a great day that was! Yesterday I found his passport when I was sorting scrapbook memorabilia and it made me smile!

Look What I Found Today

In working on our taxes, I found our most recent wills. It's always a good thing to keep your will updated, finishing your taxes, then reviewing & updating it every year is a good way to remember. Thought I would share.

Scrapbooking Checklist

The more years I have been scrapbooking, the more I have realized that it's not about what tools you have as much as it is about the ways you share your memories.  I have one, no make that ten of everything. and my scrapbooks may be fancier today than they were 15 years ago, but I'm pretty sure the memories are archived just the same. Archiving your memories is the important part.  And well, having fun. :)

So I thought I would put together a list of the supplies I find helpful to scrapbook.

• Photos
• Memorabilia - tickets from the play, movie, train, airplane, national park, museum, certificates, awards, if it's part of the memory, save it and bring it along.
• Paper trimmer.  I prefer Fiskars Compact trimmer because it's compact and it cuts 12 x 12 paper.  I can use this in an airport, without a table and probably underwater, though I haven't tried.
• Cardstock
• Patterned Paper
• Black Archival Pen
• Pencil with eraser
• Adhesive - A TON (someday I will post about my adhesive issues)
• Scissors
• Embellishments - Stickers, flowers, ribbon, buttons, glitter, etc.
• Printed Materials (Typed Journaling, notes from internet, tags, freebies, etc.)
• A plan

So as a project manager, the last item is probably my hang up, but I find that if I have an idea on what I want to end up with, then I am much more successful with scrapbooking.

There are some added tools that can be fun to add to the "more than basic" kit.  I would recommend sharing with others for these items specially if you are just starting out.  From there you can pick your favorites and purchase the items you like without guilt.

• Punches
• Stamps and Stamp Pads
• Paints (Sprays, Acryclic, Watercolors, etc)
• Pens
• Die cutters (do not buy these without trying several kinds first.  You want to get the one that will work best for you, not the one you saw on a commercial or show.  Trust me on this one)

 Funny story, I pretty much have it all.  Yes, way too much of everything, so right now I am on a scrapbooking supply diet.  I only buy what I:

1. Have a plan for, and
2. Am currently working on that plan.  

Laugh at me if you will, but if you see my scrapbook hoard, you will know why.


I hope this helps some others to start scrapbooking or maybe just prep for a crop.

Blessings!

Great Kindergarten Reading

Last week I asked on Facebook what some good non-scary books to read to your kids (novels) would be good to read to Dane...I wanted to archive this and share, so here you go!

• Harry Potter
• The Never Ending Story
• Diary of a Whimpy Kid
• Ronald Dahl Books (Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, etc.)
• The Giver
• The Indian and the Cupboard
• The Sideways Stories from the Wayside School
• Mouse in the Motorcycle
• Beverly Cleary Books
• The Narnia Chronicles
• Where the Sidewalk Ends
• Nate the Great
• Flat Stanley
• The Velveteen Rabbit
• Junie B. Jones
• Lafcadio
• Mrs Pigglewiggle
• The Little House on the Prairie Books
• Dick King Smith Books
• Skippy John Jones Book
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

 One person left an awesome link I wanted to share too!
http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2010/04/13/the-top-100-childrens-novels-poll-1-100/

I hope you find this helpful!!! 

Sweet Home Alabama

It's been a while since I posted, sorry friends, it's been a busy time around here. 

I am away on business again and heard a birthday party in the courtyard of my hotel, the cake looked good and well as they say, the rest is history.

I walked by said hello, and was offered some cake.  Of course, I had to, because in the South if you are offered food and say no, it's a big deal, so I HAD to eat the cake, right?

As I enjoyed the tasty morsels I learned that yet again, this hotel is housing people from another set of tornados (1/23/2012).  Large families staying in the hotel until their houses are rebuilt, and others who aren't sure where their next home will be, maybe out of work, or maybe lost their jobs or houses.  But there was a common thread, they were all there for one another.  Watching each others' kids while going to another house inspection, doctors appointment, or job interview, everyone is in it for the common good.

As I have traveled and stayed in many hotels, I have realized that this is the only hotel I have stayed at where family and friends are made.  Where people have come to make the best of what they have (or don't have). They were happy to have another person to tell their stories, to pray with them and to hope for the future with them.  And at the end of the night, I realized, that this is really what is meant by Sweet Home Alabama.

Rolllllll Tide... :)