Exciting News!

I had heard this rumored a few months ago, but last night, I saw for myself. We went over to The Shoppes At River Crossing, and saw that there will be a Joann Fabrics and Crafts Store coming in July! All I can say is IT'S ABOUT TIME. We have a Michael's, which is fine, even though it's kinda in the ghetto. But I have heard Joann is more like Hobby Lobby, and I prefer that. I still don't know why Warner Robins got the Hobby Lobby. :( Anyway, so, yay! I will have a Joann within 10 minutes of my house! That's closer than Michael's, and that's really exciting!

Got these pics with my iPhone last night as we drove by.




I was so excited, I let out a little yelp of glee and then proceeded to make up and sing a song to the new Joann building to the tune of Dolly Parton's "Jolene":

"Joann, Joann, Joann, Joaaaaaaannnn,
I'm gonna buy some scrapbook stuff from you
Joann, Joann, Joann, Joaaaaaaaannnn,
And Brian wants to take a sewing class or two"

:D

They must have known I was coming and put out those protective orange cones.

They open Friday, July 16th! Yay!

Card On The Scrap n' Art Blog

Check out my post today on the Scrap n' Art Blog! I show the card I made for my parents' 45th Anniversary!

45 Years

Today is my parents' 45th Wedding Anniversary. They are such special people, and are an inspiration to everyone around them. Through the years, they have built a life and a family and have given us so much happiness.

Here they are on their wedding day:



And here's a couple pictures from yesterday, when we all went out to eat to celebrate:





Happy Anniversary, Mama and Daddy!! You are my true north, and I love you!

And Then There Was One...

A sad day: Rue McClanahan died today, age 76.
She was a pioneer. Her character, Blanche Devereaux, paved the way for liberated women characters today, such as Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw (of Sex And The City). We have lost another shining light of talent.

Now there is one Golden Girl left. :(

Layouts To Share

Here are some more layouts I got done!

This first one is of our niece, Alita, this past April. For the Cosmo Cricket Challenge on scrapbook.com.




This one is of my Daddy, a few months ago. He loves to try new kinds of barbecue sauce, and he made this happy face when Ginger gave him a bottle she bought for him. I love his face here; so funny! :D



And this last one is of Sleepy, being sleepy. LOL! This is for the Scrap Your Pet Challenge at scrapbook.com.



And yep, I've changed my blog background. Again. I think I really like this one, though. :D
Hope everyone has a great weekend! :D

Wacky Neighbors

Some of you may remember that I used to have a blog on MySpace. On it, I generally complained about my job (which I have since left, yay!) and talked about our crazy neighbors.

Since switching over to Facebook and devoting this blog to most things scrappy/crafty, I have neglected this part of my life. Well, last night, some events unfolded that made me want to document it for your (hopeful) enjoyment.

Here's a little backstory:
We live in a lake community, which is gated, and for the most part, we love living here. Well, recently, there have been some things that have made us think twice about it--burglaries, loud boom cars and just inconsiderate, loud people in general.

Anyway, across the street from our house, there is a rental house. This house has seen many, many odd (and a couple normal) characters through the years. In the seven years we've lived here, that house has had:

* a graffiti artist who used the backyard as his "studio," and plywood as his "canvas". Yeah. It was purty.

* a family with two small children, one of them being a girl of about 3 or 4, who loved to frolic naked all in their yard, and one time, our yard. Wow.

* a quiet family who didn't bother anyone and whom we absolutely LOVED. We didn't even know they were there. The best kind.

* and now, recently (a month ago), an odd couple moved in. They seriously act like they're on meth. I've seen Intervention, y'all. They might need one, for reals. Anyway, they don't seem to work, have cookouts randomly on weekdays in the middle of the day, and the dude tenant LOVES to ride his lawn mower. I mean, LOOOOOOOVES it. Rides it everyday if he can.

Last night, around 7 PM, he was outside moving his car. Oh yeah, they drive their cars all willy-nilly through their yard. Fun, fun. Well, he proceeded to drive his car directly into one of the posts that supports the carport. Yep, he crashed his own car into the house. He got out, looked ever-so-briefly at the damage, and then promptly got on his lawn mower and rode off towards the lake, where he stayed for a good two hours. He got back after 9 PM, and we are assuming went inside to pass out. Because y'all, that whole ordeal was clearly sponsored by Alcohol.

We are keeping an eye on them, because of their entertaining shenanigans, but also because they're just odd (and a little concerning). And we kiiiiiinda want to end up on the local news, being interviewed about living across from them after they're caught cooking meth or caught with their hands in some other form of Illegal Crazy. It's only a matter of time.

Update, With Projects!

I've been kind of lazy about updating lately. Sorry!

Here are some projects I've been working on since my last update.
Click the images to view them larger if needed.

A card I did for the Scrap n' Art blog a few weeks ago:



A card I made for my father-in-law's birthday:



My all-day challenge for NSD at scrapbook.com:



Mother's Day Card for Mama:



Mother's Day Card for Brian's Mama:



A layout for the Week-Long Challenge for NSD on scrapbook.com:

The journaling reads:
I don't ever remember a time that my Mama did not make a homemade birthday cake for me. Her cakes were sought after all over the county--she is a very talented cake decorator. Even to this day, for every birthday, I have a beautiful, delicious handmade cake to look forward to. How Sweet It Is that she started and continues this tradition.



And last, a sweet layout about my parents, who will be married 45 years next month. They are what love looks like:



So, that's what I've been up to! Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everybody!

Fun With GCD Studios

Check out my project using GCD Studios' Homespun Chic and Ava Collections, today on the Scrap n' Art Blog!

Sugar-Free Strawberry Trifle

My Mama asked for a sugar-free strawberry trifle for Mother's Day, so I made her one. I had a couple people ask for the recipe, and it's really easy. Here it is, with pictures! :D (You can click the pictures to view larger if needed.)

You will need:
2 pounds (or 2 cartons) strawberries, rinsed, drained and chopped
1 (1.5 oz.) box Vanilla Instant Sugar-Free Jell-O Pudding Mix, prepared according to package
1 tub (16 oz.) Lite Cool Whip, thawed
1 sugar-free angel food cake (I used storebought), cubed



In a large trifle dish, begin layering as follows:
Half the cubed cake
Half the prepared vanilla pudding
Half the strawberries
Half the Cool Whip

Repeat layers until all ingredients are used. You should have enough to complete all four layers twice. Garnish top layer with sliced or whole strawberries if desired. Cover and refrigerate to chill at least 4 hours or overnight.





Enjoy! Happy Mother's Day!

Wanna Win Some Great Scrappy Prizes?

Come celebrate all weekend with Scrap n' Art! Leave a comment on the Scrap n' Art Blog for your chance to win one of FIVE prize packs!! Happy National Scrapbook Day!!