Toilet Paper Roll or World Peace?

I do know that there are more serious things in the world today to be very concerned over; to stress about; to strive to solve - but I HAD to vent about my toilet paper roll predicament. It’s not that I’m a narcissist – it’s just that the solutions to this problem won’t take a bajillion dollars and the wisest of politicians & negotiators to solve. This one has a simple solution; it’s a real no-brainer!

So this is what I came home to one day after work:



No biggie, you say. Just put the new roll where it belongs. I agree. If the last person would have done that when the old roll ran out I wouldn’t be angry!! But no – for as long as we’ve been married, my husband rarely has done that. I’ve been keeping track of this behavior since this August and he has not once changed the roll of toilet paper! I’ll see variations of the toilet paper roll in a similar position – but never in the right place! This is really not the end of the world, and not the thing to make an argument over, just small behavior that indicates a person who won’t take the time to make things right. What else does this say?



For the record, this is how it’s supposed to look when one roll of toilet paper runs out and a new one is required! No excuses now. There’s a great visual, just in-case you had no idea …



So, like I said, the wisest politicians & negotiators weren’t called in and I didn’t spend a bajillion dollars either. Don’t you wish every problem was this easy to solve? Who wants to bet that the next time the toilet paper roll needs changed I’ll be the one doing it?

Jack Daniels Bread Pudding & other stuff ...

You are in for a treat! Today I’m gonna share some secrets with you about an award winning dessert … Jack Daniels Bread Pudding. My husband’s, brother-in-law’s, nephew’s, and others’ favorite! Beware though – it’s not low fat, low sugar, or low cholesterol – at least not the way they like it. Another note before I reveal – it takes a long time to make. The original idea of bread pudding was to use stale or day-old bread, in the day before preservatives and commercial processing.

The 1st step is to rip your loaf of bread into bite sized pieces and let that sit out for 1 day. If you’re rushed for time though, you can cover the bread with foil loosely (we want the air to flow – but no germies or bugs to get in) and let it sit out at room temperature for 1 hour or more.

The 2nd step is to add milk (I used 2%, but whole taste better, skim tastes not so great), eggs (I have used Egg Beaters), sugar (sugar substitutes doesn’t taste so great – believe me they know!!), cinnamon & vanilla (I like the whole beans, but will settle for using imitation). Then cover loosely with your foil and let it sit out for another hour. If you’re worried about food safety, remember – you’re gonna cook this.



The 3rd step is to add the bread mixture to a casserole dish (I use a big dish so I double the amount of bread I use – not the other stuff) that is covered with melted butter.

Cook at 375 degrees for 1 hour – approximately. I wish there was “smell-o-internet”, because the smell of the bread pudding baking is HEAVENLY!

When you have 20 minutes left on your baking time, you can be making the sauce; that’s where the Jack Daniels comes in!! So the sauce is simple: Jack, butter (yes, real butter), and sugar. (Sorry Scott, no matter how you measure it, 100ML is not ¼ cup!) Mix those ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat until melted & bubbly, then turn it on low.


When the bread pudding is ready, drizzle the JD sauce over it slowly (no splashing that way – the buttery sauce is hot & you don’t waste JD!)

I promise you, if you make this & bring it to a dinner, pot-luck, event, etc… Everyone will love you forever & ask you to bring it all the time! (BTW - my 13 yo dd took most of these pix!)

On another note – I have been lucky to be invited to be part of Amy Stoffel’s permanent CT!! I was only guesting for September. Pure luck. I am grateful & excited to be able to show off Amy’s designs – which can be found exclusively at Scrap Orchard! Here are a few of the LOs I made with her kits:

Reunion Time!

I just found a friend of mine on Face Book from the USAF! She was at my first and second assignments ... and then we lost touch. But she told me about a reunion for people we were stationed with/hung out with. It happened in Branson. I guess I missed it. I wonder what all went on?? Hummmmmm ... I guess what happened in Branson stays in Branson? Good thing for the most part I guess.


(Me, Jen, and Steph at RAF Croughton on New Years Eve - welcoming in 1993!)

But Stephanie told me not to fret because the next reunion is in 2011 in LAS VEGAS!!! Wooo hoooo! THAT is one that I will be going to!! So spread the word - all USAF ppl who were stationed at RAF Upper Heyford are invited to one crazy reunion in 2011!


Hey, it's a year and 3 months away. Plan now. I have time to loose this weight by then. I better warm up my elliptical now!

What can you get done in 6 hours?

Yesterday started out as usual. I woke up about 10 times after my alarm & finally got out of bed around 10:45 am (yeah – I know I need to get myself back in church – even had a friend from church tell me she was saving me a seat!) I stumbled outside to our extra fridge with the cold caffeinated bev-er-a-ges (imagine Frank Caliendo’s impression of George Bush saying that). As soon as I made it into the carport I heard the door click & I knew immediately what I’d done … I pulled the door closed a bit harder than I meant to! I knew I was LOCKED OUT!!


(Back Door - notice the brick steps? Only Chuck Norris could kick that door from down there!)

I did not have a cell phone to call Scott to come rescue me (as he does so often – he’s the family “rescuer”). I checked our hidey hole for the spare key, knowing there was a spare up on my computer desk that Jessica brought me last weekend (found when cleaning out my car). It was empty. Then I went to the front door to see if I pushed hard enough, if it would “give”, it did not. I checked all the ground level window screens, but even if I could get them off, the windows were latched.


(Front Doors)

I didn’t want to break the glass or kick at the door – not only could I envision the wrath of Scott at the damage he’d most likely have to repair (and the expense), but also the blood and injury I would have to endure just trying to get in the house! So I perched myself in my car – it was not locked.


(My van in the carport. Both Cole & Jessica were at their dads fo the weekend - I was supposed to pick them up at 4pm!)

For six hours I concentrated on the specifics of this grant I am writing for work. I read through the project material and two activity books related to this sewing project/grant opportunity. I planned out the activities for the entire year, got a supply list together, sketched the exhibit for the Chester County BBQ Festival – all while drinking my cold caffeinated bev-er-a-ge in the six hours I was locked out!

I didn’t go to our neighbors (through the woods a little bit away from our place) to call Scott because I was still in my PJs, had no bra on, and had not even brushed my teeth! Lucky there were face wipes still in the car from my recent overnight stay for an Energizing Tennessee workshop!

My nephew, Caleb, came barreling up the driveway at about 5pm. He was close by & rushed over here when Scott told him to come check on me – since no one was answering the house phone or my cell! Caleb had two of his friends in the truck – how embarrassing!!! I’m sure they all got a huge laugh out of the circumstances of me being locked out!


(My nephew! TY Caleb!)

While I was stuck outside, the few loads of laundry I planned to do did not get done. My dishwasher did not unload itself. The cleaning fairies did not sneak in for a visit! I wish they had. I would have asked them to let me in & then they could go on with their work! ;)

Get Monica's Store for 20$

Can you believe it? Monica has lost her mind!! You can download everything in her store at Scrapbookgraphics for only 20$, until August 10th!! That's incredible because her things are mighty gorgeous.

10 things I'm Thankful for!

I'm participating in the Scrappin' Survivor over at Ginger Scraps and I made a LO for the immunity challenge. I scrapped 10 things I can't live without (as of today). When I looked through the gallery, I was reminded of lots of things I left off my list!!! One person put sunglasses on her list - how could I forget those? I've been without my sunglass clip-ons (I have glasses already) since Winter, when they got destroyed in my coat pocket which was thrown in the truck & heavy stuff piled on top of my coat!



One of the things I did not forget on my list is AC!! Thank God for that! Very appropriate for today. I took a little nap after I got back from work & woke up to a 76 degrees F, stuffy house. My 13 yo daughter then informed me that there was something wrong with the water in her bathroom. We have a water pump cooling system so when the water is not working, neither is our AC! :(

Scott diagnosed the problem right away but his feet were hurting badly & he works outside all day long, so he asked me to run to Lowes (3 miles away!!) to buy a new pressure switch for our pump. He even gave me the box from the last one so I would get the correct switch!! This time, I was more than happy to get out & run his errand - I turned up the car AC full blast & was very cool on my way to Lowes!

My Layout Style?

IDK if I have a style per say. I just do what I feel. It really depends on the photos I'm scrapping, then I pick a kit I think would compliment those photos. If I'm documenting memories then I'll include a bit of explanation journaling (who, what, when, why, and where) the date, etc... Because when I'm no longer around, I want people to look back at those pages and read the specifics on the layouts. Not go, "Huh? That's a pretty page, but what's going on?"



However - sometimes I'm in a playful mood & will create a layout just for the sake of creating. Like any design endeavor - I've noticed a trend lately of "More is Less". I think the result is very beautiful & there are so many pictures that really go with that look. IMHO - these layouts leave out crucial details - like the who, what, when, why, and how. Someday people will be admiring the page's beauty, marveling at how young the subject looks, and reminisce to the "good ole days", but they will have questions ...

Long Overdue Post!

I've been gone the first part of June to wonderful, 4-H camp - we had so much fun!! I can't wait to scrap some of those pictures!!! I get to go again in 2 more weeks - I don't know if I can stand all this fun. Ha ha - I just hope we have great weather like last time!

I've been home almost 2 weeks now & am finally caught up in YoVille, Vampire Wars, and in my restaurant in Restaurant City (Sweet Potato Joe's). I even managed to get a few layouts completed!!

This is with the June Mega Collab kit at Sunshine Studios, Dear Daddy.


Here's one for my friend, Brian, with Moon Scrap's Born To Be Wild. (Aren't Brian's photos perfect?)


And I used Mimi's digi-Scrap's new kit, Tickle Me Blue. for this one. It's a RAK for my friend and co-worker Priscilla. She just had a baby last week (and did not have to go to camp)!


Sniff, sniff ... I'm a little sad because this is my last layout for the Scrap Orchard CT as I know it. It's a kit called Natural Charm by Matahati Designs.


I am planning on entering their CT contest - but there is NO guarantee that I'll make it 'till the end. There are a lot of fantastic digi scrappers out there who are also entering the contest!

Polka Dot Plum will be opening soon & i am sooooo very excited!!! I can't wait to get my hands on their goodies!

I am quite behind on making layouts with Monica's goodies too ... she has a beautiful new kit out that I have to get my hands on. I better get busy!

All Hail the High Priestess!

I took this quiz today ... the results do seem pretty accurate. I do need to laugh and relax a bit more - I'm too serious & tend to keep my sense of humor to myself (I am sparing you all - believe me)! I do know a little about everything ... but just enough to get me in trouble, I'm by no means claiming to be an expert in ANYTHING!! (I had to include my disclaimer there.)

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Long Weekend = New Look for My Blog!

Good evening everyone! I've been working on my blog & have it mostly how I envisioned! ;) I'm still used Polka Dot Plum's "We Give Thanks" kit and the knowledge I gained in the Digital Scrapbooking Class: Creating a Customized Blog! TY Christy, I'm sure your lesson print-outs will become a dog-eared as my Photoshop book! ;)

I managed to get some SB LOs done this weekend & since Cole is on laundry duty until he's 15, it made sitting here in front of the computer seem productive! :P

Other than that, it's been pretty quiet around here: off & on tornado, flood, and thunderstorm warnings. Scott had to run out & deal with his Xbox issues (I heard him remark to one of his on-line pals that he got the "red ring of death" on his actual Xbox)! Jessica has been surfing the internet in search of all things related to Twilight, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner. Cole weed-eated the yard in between thunderstorms & has been glued to Spike TV otherwise. I even managed to condense our 12 page 4-H camp schedule to a 1 page tri-fold brochure! Nevermind that the font is only 8 pts! The kids still have good eyesight!!

Oh yeah - Happy Memorial Day! I am very grateful to the men & women in our armed forces and their families who make a huge sacrifice everyday, to make sure we get to maintain our way of life. And for peanuts I might add! I love all the branches of the military but have to say: Go Air Force!

A Busy Scrapping Weekend!

Whew! In between loads of laundry and one round of the dishwasher I was able to scrap 7 pages! Wow! Scott even brought back Chinese food last night - I guess he figured that was the only way he was going to get to eat! Ha!









I've started to RAK my family & friends with digi LOs because #1 I love them, #2 I love digi scrappin', and #3 I'm running out of mojo with my photos! This has got me thinking about doing S4H. Just thinking. I'm afraid it would take the fun out of digi scrapping though, what do you think? I'm not that great with deadlines & if I started doing S4H then I'm afraid I'd be stressed out and this wouldn't be fun for me anymore. Plus - I have NO IDEA what to charge! Would I print the pages or get them printed out? I could offer to make photo books for people - then what would I charge? A friend of mine paid upward of $200.00 for a photobook of their wedding!

Ug - I tend to get carried away, thinking of the details. What about all the legalities? That in itself is enough to make me unthink this endeavor!

Doctor, Lawyer, and Guns joke

My baby brother Nick sent me this joke. He is a passionate gun owner & we have a blast (literally) when he comes down to visit. I swear I think my husband loves Nick more than me because every time Nick comes for a visit he brings Scott ammo, hunting equipment, and twice he brought us gun safes (5' by 3', solid, heavy kind)!







Doctors vs. Gun owners
(A) The number of physicians in the U.S.is: 700,000.
(B) Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are: 120,000.
(C) Accidental deaths per physician is: 0.171.
Statistics courtesy of U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services

Now think about this:
(A) The number of gun owners in the U.S. is: 80,000,000
(Yes, that's 80 million)
(B) The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is: 1,500.
(C) The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is: .000188.
Statistics courtesy of the FBI

So, statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners.

Remember, 'Guns don't kill people, doctors do.' ;) JK, lol!!

FACT: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN, BUT ALMOST EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST ONE DOCTOR.

Please alert your friends to this alarming threat.
We must ban doctors before this gets completely out of hand!!!!!

Out of concern for the public at large, I withheld the statistics on lawyers for fear the shock would cause people to panic and seek medical attention!

I wonder what’s the number of gun crimes committed by doctors as opposed to the average legal gun owner? ;) JK, lol!!
Seriously though, IMHO – no matter what laws and restrictions you make on the legal ownership of a firearm, the criminals will still get their hands on them & continue to commit crimes.

And while I have your attention - let's teach our kids to handle guns properly and safely. IMHO - there is not enough emphasis on the legitimate use of guns for hunting and shooting sports. Thank goodness for 4-H and TWRA for their wonderful shooting sports programs!

Learning To Blog, (i)NSD Free"bee" Template Winner, and a Designer Call

I actually have a few things to blog about tonight! I am taking a class through Digital Scrapbooking Classes on blogging basics. So, hopefully I'll be able to update the look of my blog & it'll look cool like some of my favorites! (I will not be posting a pic of Robert Pattinson\Edward Cullen tho - Flergs has way better pix than me & has a corner on that market!) I just have to work on interesting posts for my blog! ;)

I was more interested in human interaction here vs. getting a "Blogging for Dummies" book or wading through hours of help forums!

I was fortunate to host a chat at Scrap Orchard this past Saturday. I gave away some template free"bees" - that you can still pick up in the forum (you do have to join, but that's free too)! We were playing for points & I let everyone know I was going to post the winner on my blog - so here's the winner:



I looked for a few things in choosing the winner:
1. Definite color scheme
2. Journaling that included info such as date, places, etc ...
3. Design "flow" of the page
4. Personal touches on the template - your addition of shadows & other styles

Congrats to carriesmom! Thank you all for playing & I hope you use & re-use the templates. If you flip them you can create more LOs that don't look so much alike! I'll be posting more LOs in the digi world that I used variations of the templates.

I would like to announce that soon Polka Dot Plum will have their own store & Amy & Lauren are looking for designers!



I'm sure there will be a GRAND opening & great freebies, prizes, deals, etc. very soon. Doesn't the color scheme look great?!