My View From The Bleachers

Senior Photo Shoot

2010-10-06T22:02:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of fun tonight taking this round of senior photos of Jasey. She's such a pretty girl and the evening light was wonderful!

Facing Challenges Straight on.

2010-10-05T21:43:00.000-07:00

The last couple of weeks have been full of challenges to be met. But this post isn't about that, it's about a challenge issued by a dear friend of mine. She told me I needed to update my blog, well, that's what I'm doing. So here's to you Susan!

This photo was taken about 3 years ago when Susan and I attended a "Crop of a Lifetime" sponsored by Jackie and the gang from Lifetime Moments, a great little scrapbooking community. In the picture with us is Beverly. She was my secret pal at the crop - a way cool gal! Thru scrapbooking and events like this I've had the fortune to meet ladies from all across the country as well as Europe and Japan. How lucky I am to call these ladies my friends.

So now I've risen to the challenge of updating my blog. I may keep it up, I may not, who knows what tomorrow holds. As far as other challenges in my life, well, I'll rise up to meet them too. I've got great friends and a great family by my side to help me along the way.

2010-08-05T21:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T08:11:00.001-08:00

Today is going to be a quiet day around here. It's snowing..... again. Will it ever stop? Let me be the first to tell you that when I do a layout about things I love most, snow will not be included.

Since it is Valentine's Day, I would like to share a scrapbook page I recently completed. It does show the 2 people I love most in this world....

SS&M, New Lines, New Layouts

2010-02-08T19:31:00.001-08:00

Yeah, I know.... this "keeping up with the blog" thing just isn't going so well. But, I did want to pop in to express my excitment about the new lines SS&M are coming out with (debuted them at CHA in January). A new sports lines, "Sports on the Edge", and an aminal line, "Down On The Farm". I've been creating with those lines over the last couple of weeks - these are fun papers!

The first layout uses the basketball "On The Edge" paper. Our basketball teams sold Madrid Hoops t-shirts to raise money for the Coaches vs. Cancer organization. It hit home with so many of the kids having watched as Mr. Cosens fought this dreaded disease.

The second layout is of Michael and Toby. It uses the dog paper and cardstock stickers from the "Down On The Farm" line. I had a tough time coming up with a title for this one..... does a boy need a dog or does the dog need the boy????

Thanks for looking! Hope you like the new papers.

Shuttercal

2010-01-02T10:21:00.001-08:00

Whatever was I thinking? I signed up on Shuttercal for 2010. It's a calendar-picture-a-day-thing. It encourages users to take a picture a day to document your life over the course of the year. The concept is good, but c'mon..... I go months without updating this blog. HOW am I ever going to keep up with the photo a day???? It's a challenge. I need more challenge in my life, right?

Actually, I think it's a reaction to the fact that my "home away from home" on the web for the last 7 years closed. Lifetime Moments is no more. It's so sad. I can't even tell you how many people I've met and become good friends with thru the site - from California, to Virginia, to Texas and Minnesota... man, I've met some of the most wonderful people in the world thru LM. I got to go to the first Crop of a Lifetime in San Diego as well as attend a LM crop in Detroit. While some may laugh when I tell people I scrapbook. To me, not only has it allowed our family's life to be documented, but it's brought me true friendship. That's hard to find these days. So here's to LM.... I'm going to miss you!

Since we are talking about scrappin', here's another little lo I finished up last night. It's for a Pagemaps sketch contest. Addi & Tierney... can they be any cuter???

The pinks of greens of the Scrappin' Sports and more dance papers were perfect for this layout along with a bit of red from the family line and some green from the Name of the game line. Love this lo.

Here's to 2010

2010-01-01T09:08:00.000-08:00

Today we usher in a new year. So long 2009, welcome 2010! Today Micah and I have plans to go shopping for a while. A little retail therapy is a good way to start the year, don'tcha think? So while I wait for her to get home so we can head out, I'm going to take the time to update this long, ignored blog and then I'm going to try to get a layout scrapped too.

Here's one I finished last night - papers used are all from Scrappin' Sports and More football papers along with some Prism cardstock. We were all pleased when Michael was able to get that ol' #61 back for his sophomore year at BVU.

Well, time to get off the computer. The Rose Bowl Parade is on and I want to see the floats and scrap a while.

Blog Revival Bombing

2009-09-04T18:54:00.001-07:00

So I made it 2 days in a row posting to my blog... yes TWO. Then I forgot for few days. I'm happy to say that I'M BACK!!!! I know, I know, you've missed me. So once again I'll try to be a little more consistant in posting.

The last couple of days have had some interesting twists and turns. Michael sent me a text Wednesday night..... "I have to have my forearm x-rayed." Yep, that's all. No explanation, no nothin'. So I call him.

Me: "What's going on?"
Michael: "My arm's been hit a few times. It's been swollen for over a week and hasn't gone down. They want me to have it checked out."
Me: "Does it hurt?" (yeah, yeah, I know Captain Obvious, but had to ask)
Michael: "A little."
Me: "When are getting the x-ray?"
Michael: "Tomorrow."
Yada, yada, yada......

Thursday I was on pins and needles waiting to hear from him. Finally around 4:00 I text him. Finally hear back from him a little after 6:00.

Me: "What'd you find out?"
Michael: "Having it x-rayed on Monday instead."
Me: "Why?"
Michael: "If they x-ray it today and it's broke, they'll have to cast it. If they cast it I won't be able to suit for Saturday's game."
Oh the priorities......

As much as I wanted to reach thru the phone and take him to get it checked out right now, the football mom in me understands why he choose to wait. Let's just hope it's not broken. I'll keep you posted. I'll probably post pictures.

The BVU Beavers play Wisc., Platteville tomorrow. Go Beavers Go!

Day 2 of the Revivial

2009-09-01T21:38:00.000-07:00

Here I am again. Posting. To my blog. For the 2nd day in a row. What do they say? It takes 6 weeks to develop a habit. Let's hope I can develop a habit of posting to this blog in less than that.

Thought I should share with you all a couple of cards that I last night using Scrappin' Sports and More paper and a couple of rubber stamps from my rarely used stamp collection - I was challenged to make a few stamped cards to submit to a publication, StampIt! Cards. So, without further ado, here they are:

This first one obviously is for a graduation. The stamp used for the title is by Wordsworth by Rubber Soul. All paper is from SS&M. The tags are made by Making Memores. I used our local school colors on this one, so I'll put it in my card stash so it's ready to be used next May. I'm getting a head start already!

I'll post my other card tomorrow (gotta save up something to post on day 3 of the new revival, now don't I?).

Playing Catch-Up

2009-08-31T18:32:00.000-07:00

Long time, no post..... it's time to rejuvenate this blog. May just have to make an early New Year's resolution to make a better effort posting on this blog. It's probably been lonely since I haven't updated in ummmmm.... yeah, 6 months.

So, Let's Get This Party Started, as one of my favorite singers would say.... anyone else like Pink? I was listening to my itunes the other day and some of her songs came on. Made me realize just how much I like her music so, I went out and bought one of her CD's. I've been jamming out to her ever since.

And.... while I've been jamming out, I've also been scrappin'. I know, imagine that. Here's my latest creation. Micah will hate me for posting this picture on line because she doesn't like it, but I do. And, since it's my blog, I get to post whatever I want to. Anywhoooo... love this picture of the kids. I just think it epitomizes the relationship they have with one another..... well, that was until I say a post on one of their facebook photo albums - name calling! One called the other a WIERDO and the other replied back with Loser. Can you feel the love?

This layout is based on a sketch by Becky Fleck. She's running a contest this month using the sketch so I think I'll enter.

Doin' the CHA, CHA, CHA...

2009-02-10T20:41:00.000-08:00

The Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) held their winter show in Anaheim the end of January. As a scrapbooker, I've always heard that this is the coolest place to go, you get to see the new products being introduced to the craft industry, meet some scrappy celebs, and just have fun. And, it's where Scrappin' Sports and More debuted their newest paper lines this winter! I've never had the chance to attend the convention, but this year I at least got to be a part of it. Yep, SS&M took a few of my layouts with them to display in their booth.

The Jump. It all started after our first round win over Don Bosco in the state tournament in 2006. It's now become a tradition with these girls. After every win, you see the jump. They did it 32 times this season, more victories in a single season than ever before. These girls are special to me, special to their team, and special to the Madrid Softball program. They've raised the bar and brought a level of excellence to Tiger Softball.

SS&M papers are at the heart of this layout. Do you see where it says "Madrid Tiger Softball, Dream Big Tour 2008"? That's because the papers were custom printed just for me. They will do the same for you. Do you have a special birthday celebration coming up? A favorite vacation spot or would you like to have your family name printed across the paper? Just jump on the SS&M website and order your won custom paper. You won't regret it!

This lo uses their Sports on Fire - Softball paper. How perfert for a layout titled "Bringing the Heat". Micah had such a great senior season, being named 1st team all conference (unanimous pick), 1st team all district and 1st team all state (the only girl from Madrid to have ever been named to a team at that level). I can't even begin to tell you how very proud I am of her, the years of hardwork to reach this level of excellence, and that she is continuing to work and strive to become an even better performer on the field.

Here's a 2nd lo using the Sports on Fire paper, only this one is the volleyball paper. My favorite part of this is the title that Micah came up with... "If you can't take the HEAT, get off my COURT"

I sure did miss watching Micah, Cassie, Heather, Kelsey and Madison all playing together this past fall. Madrid volleyball just wasn't the same without them.

And another volleyball lo. This one uses the new Game Day line of papers from SS&M. I used both the front and back sides of the paper and added in some accents of red from the baseball Game Day papers. The Game Day line is one that can lend itself to some mixing and matching making it a pretty versatile paper line. I liked how the red varsity letters were a perfect compliment to the lay out too. I just can't get enough of these volleyball girls.

Thanks for taking a peak at my lo's that got me at least in spirit to CHA. Maybe someday I'll get to attend in person!

If you are the praying type

2009-01-04T20:19:00.001-08:00

Some good friends and our community could use your prayers right now. Mark Cosens, our high school principal, high school baseball coach, good friend is fighting for his life right now. A fun-loving, vivacious guy, he was diagnosed in May of 2007 with a malignant brain tumor. It's getting the best of him right now. His family, our community, could use the power of prayer and well wishes. Please keep Mark, Darcy, Cory, Chad and Bo in your thoughts.

You can read his story and read about his journey here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/markcosens

His strength and determination have been such an inspiration, especially to the kids on our community.

Break OVER......

2009-01-04T19:48:00.000-08:00

Yes, winter break has come to an end. Tomorrow it's back to school, back to the routine of the working life..... no more bumming around in my frumpies all day long. So, what have I been doing for the last few weeks (note absence of blog postings)

The kids have been home. That's been the best part of the holidays for me. I just really like having them home and knowing when I lay my head down on my pillow at night to go to sleep they too are under my roof and I know they are safe and sound. Maybe someday I'll start believing they are growing up, but not today. See, they are still my babies, they can't be old enough to be in college can they?

I took this picture of the kids today. It's been kind of a bittersweet day and I've been a bit teary-eyed all day. Michael left to go back to school today. He starts classes tomorrow. I really hate that he is gone. I miss our nightly conversations. Hopefully we'll see him in a few weeks.

My mom spent the last couple of weeks on quite an adventure. One of her older sisters passed away the week before Christmas. Mom & Uncle Frank left for Utah that same day since Fritzie was a widow and needing to take care of her estate. It was one thing after another while they were gone from sorting thru her belongings to the hassle of getting the death certificate. The trip originally planned to last just a few days ended up taking 2 wks! I could tell the time away was wearing on Mom so it was a relief when she finally got home Friday afternoon. We got to spend Friday night with her, celebrating Christmas, albiet a few days late, but together none the less.

Celebrating and getting together with family proved to be a little difficult this year. We shook up the Nardini Family gathering this year by planning to go to church as a family followed by going out for brunch on the Sunday before Christmas instead of hosting the gathering here at the house - the family is just getting too large and Toby too grumpy for little kids. Mother Nature intervened in our initial plans blasting us with temps and wind chills of -25 that morning! Needless to say we postponed. We were able to reschedule the gathering for the following week. I was able to get these most adorable shots of the kids (if you'll notice, Michael has since gotten a haircut but that scruffy stuff on his chin still remains...)

Other than that, I've been bumming around the house, enjoying the time with the kids and doing some scrapbooking (I know, no big surprise there). Scrappin' Sports and More will be debuting a couple of new lines of paper along with their samples of their custom papers at CHA in February. I can't wait to show you the projects I've been working on with that stuff - fun!fun!fun! I've been working on lo's and submitting them to a few magazines so keep your fingers crossed and help me hope for a publication this year!

Football and a few other things

2008-12-08T20:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Leo and I traveled to Storm Lake for the player/parent football banquet at BV. What a nice experience. Of course, the highlight of the trip for me was seeing Michael. Let me tell you though, what a class act Coach Anderson and his staff are. As part of the scout team he was given one of this mini-replica helmets - isn't it cute? Does he look like an offensive lineman (Michael is in the orange shirt, his room mate Jason is in the blue)?

I'm really looking forward to Thursday of this week. The kids come home that day. I get to go get Micah and I can't tell you how happy I am to have that opportunity. We've been talking the last few days about a gift for her room mate for Christmas. We decided on a picture frame, so I've been busy creating the last couple of nights. This is what I came up with. Sure hope Jesse likes it. I thought it came out pretty cute.

I've also been working on an accordian fold album using some of the custom papers from Scrappin' Sports and More. I'm telling you, this paper is awesome - GET SOME!!! You can pick the colors, you can pick the text, it's great. (Here's the link to the custom catalog http://www.scrappinsports.biz/) Truely, this is fun stuff. I've been having a lot of fun with it. So far I've done this little prom album and I've done a graduation layout. Where else could I get something with Micah's name spelling right????

Prom Accordian Album:

Cover for Prom Album:

Graduation layout:

As you can tell, I'm not so great at this adding picture thing to my blog. Still don't know really how to format it all. Maybe that should be my project for 2009?

Thanks for stopping by.

MIA

2008-12-04T16:16:00.001-08:00

Have I been missing in action or what? It's been a while since I last updated this baby. So, what's been happening?

Call Me Grace ... Yeah, my new name. Seems I had a little up close and personal visit with the curb outside the administration building. The one day I get to work early and BAM! I decide to run a quick errand and on the way back to my office I trip on the curb and fall on my face. As I was quickly (or not so quickly in my case) tried to pick myself up off the ground, my shoes flying, the mail I was carrying strewn all over the ground, I realize it wasn't my face I landed on, but my knee - OUCH! It's now been a couple of weeks, a couple of visits to the dr. and a couple of visits with physical therapy and I'm almost back to normal. The knee is still sore, but hey, at least I can walk without a limp.

The kids came home! ... As you know, I'm not wild about this "empty nest" thing. So, I'm sure you can imagine my joy at having the kids home over the Thanksgiving weekend. Micah came home on Tuesday, Michael on Wednesday. I was in heaven for 5 whole days. We spent Thanksgiving Day at Mom's with G'pa John and Nora and Toad all joining us. Micah and I ventured to Jordan Creek Mall for some Black Friday shopping (leaving home a little after midnight and getting back home around 4:00 AM). Didn't buy much, it was more for the experience. Michael spent a lot of time relaxing and playing Xbox. I learned more about Xbox and his little potty mouth on that thing than I care to know! Leo and I both enjoyed having the kids back under our roof for a few days. Needless to say, Sunday was kind of a rough day around here when they left. The good news is that they will be home a week from today. They both finish up their 1st semester finals on Thursday of next week and will be headed home right after. YEAH!!!

A new tree ... Auntie called last week asking if I wanted a new Christmas tree. The one we've been using the last few years came from her as well and it's a gorgeous tree, looks absolutely beautiful all decorated up. But, since she offered up a new one, I took her up on the offer. The best thing is the new tree is a pre-lit one! OMG. Talk about a time saver. In less than a half hour that baby was up and shining bright. Heck, if I were still using the other tree, I'd probably still be putting the lights on it. Whoever came up with the pre-lit concept was a genius.

See, isn't it pretty. Now, if only I was motivated enough to get the rest of the Christmas decorations put up.

Favorite Layout Of The Week

2008-11-19T18:46:00.001-08:00

Ok, so maybe this is the only layout I've done this week but it's still my favorite! These are the first pictures I've done of Michael playing football this season. As much as I love the vividness of the blues and golds of the color pictures I shot this fall, when I grabbed the papers from Scrappin' Sports and More my first thought was to try sepia tones in the pictures. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the results! I hope you do too.

One Scrappy Weekend

2008-11-16T18:30:00.000-08:00

Talk about scrappin' the weekend away... that's exactly what I did and boy did I have fun! From 5:00 Friday night until 11:00 this morning I was pampered and treated like a queen (like that ever happens at home)at a great little B&B that caters to scrappers called P.J.'s and Pigtails! It was heavenly. I got so much accomplished.... got all of my Christmas Cards made, I put 3 calendars together (all Christmas gifts, also the extent of my Christmas shopping thus far) and started work on a football lo of Michael, and I met many new friends, we laughed and giggled all weekend long. Some of us (Darla) are still waiting for the scrapbook fairy to come finish our pages for us!

Talking about all this fun leads me back to why I started this post in the first place .... I'm here to brag on Tammy, her mom, Marie, and her sister Debbie. They are P.J.s and Pigtails. By the time you leave on Sunday, let me tell you, they are family! They are the best hostesses a scrapper could ever hope for. From that oh so yummy breakfast braid and fruit cup Saturday morning to the candlelight dinner Saturday night - but you can only come to this lovely, peaceful, elegant dinner wearing your p.j.s! Here's what the place looks like http://www.pjsnpigtails.com/ We stayed in Mary's room, it was so comfortable and homey.

I know I'll be seeing those girls in late January at a crop Tammy is hosting, always a good time! and in February 14 of the scrappiest chicks I know (and will get to know) are gathering together for another fun weekend at a local church camp. It's all good.

A Front Row Seat

2008-11-12T20:55:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog. I appreciate your stopping by check it out. I don't really know what I'm doing here, but what the heck. Time's a wasting so lets get started:

Let's start with a few things about me - it's my blog, I can talk about me if I want to (it doesn't sound so selfish if you say it really snappy-like to the tune of "It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To"!)

Can I really get used to being an empty nester?

The kids left for college in August. They handled it really well and have made the adjustment to college life quite nicely. Me, not so much. I just can't quite seem to get the hang of this empty-nester thing. It's so quiet around here. I have a lot more free time, so this is what I'm doing now.

My latest obsession:

I'm a night person. Really, I am. When my kids were babies, I learned to stay up late, or maybe it's a result of all the caffeine I consumed but anyway.... I think William J. Bell and the programmers over at Soapnet must know this too because not only do they re-show the daily episode of The Young and The Restless (forever now know as Y&R) at 6:00 PM, but for us night owls they re-play it at 11:00 PM too! How cool is that? So, for all you Y&R lovers out there, is Kay really dead? Ashley and Victor - really, again? Nick, Sharon, Phyllis, Jack - how will that one all play out?

A new gig:

Some of you may know I'm a scrapbooker. Alright, I admit, anyone that knows me knows that I'm a scrapbooker. It's who I am, it's what I do. Hey, I had to do something with the hundreds and hundreds of pictures I took while sitting in the bleachers cheering the kids on didn't I? Thanks to my dear friend Michelle, who introduced me to the craft, paper and embellishments can be found in every nook and cranny.

A few weeks ago I ran across a call for new DT members for Scrappin' Sports and More. I scrap, I scrap sports, I even scrap more..... I submitted. My first submission in 4 years! Guess what (I'm sure you guessed, why else would I be mentioning it) Yes, I was invited to join the team! I'm so excited to be a part of this team. They have a wide selection of papers and embellishments, perfect for a scrapper like me. So, if you become a faithful reader of my blog, you are sure to see lots and lots of layouts using the SS&M product lines all highlighting my kids - my favorite scrappin' subjects.

I've rambled on long enough for a first time poster. Thanks for joining me!

And Micah, you won the bet ... I didn't have the courage to name my blog "Queen of the Bleacher Butts" For some reason, Sammy Kershaw's double wide trailer song kept popping in my head.... But hey, thanks for your input.