Reorganized the Scrap Room

Hello again!  I reorganized my scrapbook while I was out of work in January.  It's cleaner, somewhat, but feels more spacious.  Probably because I moved the table.  I haven't done much scrapping though because the basement is so darn cold this time of year.  And, because I started a new full time job, I feel as though I'm working all the time and not doing anything I really love, like writing and scrapping.

But, I wanted to write a quick post to tell you I'm still around.  Oh, I think I'm going to start making You Tube videos again!  I want to showcase one layout a week or maybe every two weeks.  My life is so darn busy.

Well, that's it for now.  Do come back and visit.

Where Have I Been?!!!

That's a great question.  I haven't posted a thing in two years.  Wow, two years!!!  That's awful to be honest.  I've tried to keep up with posts, but in the last two years, life has thrown me some pretty bad curve balls.  My grandson and his girlfriend moved in when she was pregnant then lived with us for a year (until August of 2019) when we had to throw them out due to some serious issues on my grandson's end.  Since then, there have still been struggles with him, and the girlfriend and baby, in our lives that will probably always be there, so I have to find a way to deal with the issues and move on.  I also lost my job back in August of 2019--coincidence?  Hmmm, I don't think so.  Hubby is now retired but has health issues and trying to do anything in the house with my husband home is difficult, to say the least.  I then went back to work in October but now I'm out of work...again and now looking.

So, why haven't I been posting on this blog?  Well, I started back up with writing and that's been my focus for the last 3 years in between all the BS that's been going on.   I really want to get published and I have to FOCUS on that.  Yes, that is my new word for the year:  FOCUS.  I have to focus on my writing, focus on organizing my house; focus on family and most importantly, focus on me.

I haven't been in my scrap room in a long time.  I would just bring stuff down and clutter up the area until my husband recently told me that it was time to clean up the room or give it up.  What?!  Give it up?  I can't do that.  I use that room.  Whoa!  Wait a minute.  I had to stop and think about what I had just said.  I don't use that room.  It's just an area for me to dump my craft and scrapping supplies and that's it.  Then I realized I didn't like my room anymore.  It was. . . uninspiring.  My husband wanted to take down the old-fashioned plywood the previous owner had put up because we found mice behind the 'makeshift' walls.  Ewwww.  So, after solving that problem, my husband took down the walls and painted the concrete walls.  Oh, did I tell you my scrap room is in the basement?

It's a good sized room with plenty of shelves (created by hubby) for lots of storage.  I used to hang out down there when we first bought the house 8 years ago, but then 3 years ago, the writing muse came back to me and I couldn't let go.  I had to write again.  So, scrapbooking went on the back burner.  I have been attending a couple of crops a year with my daughter which keeps me motivated, but I don't do near as much scrapping as I used to.

With that said, I decided that I was going to reorganize my scrapbook room and see if it helped.  For two days--seven hours each day, I rearranged, reorganized and re-imagined my room.  And now I like it!  It feels inspiring to me now.  I've also decided to do my writing down there as well.  I can now use this room for both of my loves---writing and scrapping.

I'll have to post pics in another blog posts.  Somehow I can't get the pictures off my phone to my computer.  That's the next problem to tackle.

Thanks for stopping by!

I've Got the Planner Bug!

I started a bullet planner last year and loved it.  I bought a journal, gathered pens of all colors and size; bought stickers; printed off stickers and set up my bullet journal from pictures on Pinterest.  Gotta love Pinterest!  Then late winter of this year, I bought The Happy Planner by Me and MyBigIdeas.  Loved that one as well.

 I'm using The Happy Planner as part planner and part scrapbook.  It's a great way to jot down memories and then add photos to some photo sleeves that the company makes to go with the Planner.  My planner is already getting pretty thick and not sure if the plastic rings will hold anymore.  I'll have to see if Michael's carries the bigger rings.  I have a board devoted to The Happy Planner where I get tons of inspiration.

Here are some pics:

It has been FOREVER!

since I've written anything on this blog.  I've been so busy with my job, my grandchildren, and just the everyday things that Life throws at us on a daily basis.

Plus, I've gone back to another passion of mine besides scrapbooking and that is. . .writing.  I took a long hiatus and did nothing by concentrate on the hobby of scrapbooking.  So, last August of 2016, I decided that I was going to become a member of RWA National and join the New England Chapter Romance Writers.  It was the right decision and I'm happy to say that I met with an agent last April who requested a partial--first 3 chapters, a synopsis, and a query letter.  I've been working hard on getting this together so I can finally mail it out to Courtney at Handspun Literary Agency.

Oh, I also couldn't get into eBlogger for days now!  It wasn't recognizing me as the admin of my blogs. Finally, tonight, it worked and I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

So, I just wanted to catch up a little bit and will do my best to share any of the creations I may make in the future.  My daughter Jackie and I will be attending a scrapbook event in October for an entire weekend in Saco.  Can't wait for that one!  We also attended a one day scrapbooking event back in March with Cindy Paradis--the same lady who is doing the one in October called Croptoberfest.

Well, it's late and I want to get back to working on my writing blog.  

Thanks for understanding and visiting.

Gender Reveal. . . and It's A . . .

We had the Gender Reveal party on September 11th at Anna and Ron's house.   So, without further adieu, I'm happy to announce that Valerie and James will be the proud parents of a

                     Baby GIRL!!
We are so excited!!!   It's been 28 years since a girl has been born into our family.  Jackie was the last one.  My mom came up with Sherri and Kayla met us there as well with her two boys.   So exciting!  I'm already looking at little girl outfits.   Val is due on January 24th.

Enjoy the photos of this wonderful news:

Gender Reveal. . . and It's A . . .

We had the Gender Reveal party on September 11th at Anna and Ron's house.   So, without further adieu, I'm happy to announce that Valerie and James will be the proud parents of a

                     Baby GIRL!!
We are so excited!!!   It's been 28 years since a girl has been born into our family.  Jackie was the last one.  My mom came up with Sherri and Kayla met us there as well with her two boys.   So exciting!  I'm already looking at little girl outfits.   Val is due on January 24th.

Enjoy the photos of this wonderful news:

It's Been A Busy Summer!

The Last Two Months. . .

have been very busy!  I take care of my grandson, Cameron, every Wednesday.  He's such a joy and I love my day with him.  We've been celebrating birthdays, attending CKC, gardening, going to Cameron's swim lessons, working (of course!), trying to spend some quality family time together and enjoying what little bit of summer we get here in Maine.  I'll try to write another post soon, but feel free to go through my photos---they pretty tell the story of what I've been doing for the last two months. . .