I am so proud of the 12 girls that took my four-week after school scrapbook class. I had acrylic books cut for them at Lowes. My son drilled the holes for us. I never could have done it on my own! Each and every girl progressed and dazzled me with their creativity. I contacted Hambly and told them about my project. They generously donated a ton of transparencies for the girls to us. Thanks Hambly! You rock!
I supplied the books, lots of bling, background paper, glue dots, sharpies, tulle, ribbons, rub ons, stickers and the use of my tools. I hauled in four totes every week making quite the spectacle of myself.
Didn't their books turn out adorable?

Thankful. I am thankful for all of my many blessings. It's been a week of reflection for me counting my blessings. What's been coming to the front of my mind this week is my husband's hospitalization in March and the positive outcome from it. I am so thankful that he is healthy and strong. I made my centerpiece by embossing the letters into the candle wax. We are expecting 12 today.
My husband surprised me with these beautiful flowers last night. Taylor came home with her "Tina" turkey flower pot and a "thankful" letter that she wrote to us. I can't wait to read it. She is making us wait until dinner time
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My sweet friend, Tina, sent me this darling vintage looking Thanksgiving card. Wishing you all a wonderful day to count your blessings.

Two Lasts. The last soccer game of the season for my son Friday night and my daughter Saturday morning. I love watching them and cheering them on. It's so intense now that they're older. Last week I peeled all of my nail polish off during my son's game. After four months of practices three nights in a row and games two days in a row, I'm finished with being a soccer mom. Until winter ball that is. Then spring ball. Then fall ball. But I'll take it. Five days in a row of not having to drive someone to the soccer field!

I love my new rubbed white shelf. My daughter and I were out browsing around the annual "Granny's Attic" sale in a local retirement community this past Saturday before her birthday party. We go every year to pick out a new American Girl doll dress. Several women from their church volunteer their services by sewing these adorable doll dresses for this event. On the way out, we noticed that it was also their community garage sale. We stopped in at a few and I found this wonderful solid-wood narrow shelf, complete with crown molding for $2.00. Wasn't I lucky? I love it. It measures four feet tall by 18 inches wide. It is really heavy. We hung it with Hercules Hooks. I remembered that Jeanette had mentioned using them on her wonderful site. She is always finding the greatest sources. They were really easy to use. Both my husband and daughter asked me what color I was going to paint it. Are you kidding me? Crown molding and chippy white paint. It's perfect!

Here's my girl getting her updo at her "Justice" birthday party. The girls were "Rock Stars". They had a great time getting their hair and nails done and getting all glittered up. They have glitter on their hair and nails. Yikes! They look way too grown up. Justice is my daughter's favorite clothing store. Their birthday parties are similar to Club Libby Lu's. I can only imagine how much fun that must be for tweens. There was certainly nothing like this around when I was growing up. There was lots of giggles, laughter and fun. Not to mention dreaming of all the yummy clothing items, purses and accessories that they all wanted. Justice is the sister store to Limited Too. They are a little less expensive and a lot more modest.

This is my sample of the clear scrapbooks class that I am teaching 12 5th graders at our school. We have after school clubs twice a year sponsored by the PTO. I've been having so much fun preparing for this class. I hope the girls like the concept. You really have to think it through because what you do on the front shows through on the back. You can see on my inside front cover that I used the same frame with a different photo. What was really cool is the crown that I stamped on the front (with staz on of course) looks like I stamped it on the inside front cover as well. I used different colored bling on the top of the crown. Wish me luck! I'm subbing Kindergarten today and then the after school class, then golf and soccer, ya da, ya da, ya da!

A girl can never have too many purses. These are the darling birthday party invitations that my sister made for my daughter. My sister is in very poor health so it was very sweet of her to make her invitations again this year. They have sweet little pearl handles. Off to deliver them. The party's never stop around here. I think we stay busy from the last week in September through January.

They are ready for some tricks and treats. Happy Halloween from my little "Geisha" and my big "Jason". Oooh - scary!

My friend Jenny came by with her baby mermaid. So adorable.

We stopped by some neighborhood gatherings and went to the school carnival. They came home with so much loot. I heard them talking about getting all of the candy ready for trading and negotiations. I asked them if they did this every year and they said yes. So funny!