Dude. Lost. DUDE!

This show utterly amazes me. What an episode.....sorry to those that missed it!

Also, American Idol- so hard to be those that are let go already. A couple people didn't go that really should have gone...

Completed FOUR scrapbooking pages. Very excited. Will share tomorrow.

Children are kinda sick again. Brought Ella home early from school, she had a fever and her stomach hurt.

Philip then later spiked a small temp., and then before bed again...

Sigh...

This season is a tough one as far as illnesses...

the russells are sick

i had the flu friday, just awful.

today tried to recover. Just weak and light headed from not eating and all that went on yesterday still.

Philip has a touch of it and,

Ella just threw up massively. Nice to say in a blog, huh? Well, we'd sure appreciate your prayers. I hate to think we're passing it around too, as my grandparents watched the kids yesterday while I had my great bout and then my dad came and watched them later....

I don't wish this on my worst enemy, that's for sure.

To find new stamps..

is a great thing! Someone on Studio Calico mentioned this "new" company (it was new to me) and how original and unique these stamp sets are. This is my fav.

Next! Little boy..

got some catchlights. Yeah! You are handsome....fun...entertaining...and definitely a boy!

I stopped in my tracks

when I opened this photo up in my software. Little girl-----your beauty INSIDE SURPASSES this of the outside...that's for sure...

This woman amazes me...

Karin, please don't be embarrassed...I am so blessed by your posts and writing...I need to share them. A day with Karin...if you read more of her blog, expect to feel happy, humbled, blessed...and tearful. She needs to write a book. A complete book of her thoughts and life...and wonderful precious family.

Click here and vote for my pic #8

http://www.thepolkadotdaisy.blogspot.com/

The prize is sooo sweet....I appreciate everyone's vote that visits here..and more! LOL! Thanks!

It's 7:30 pm

and all is well.

Richie went to the Dulcimore music practice here in town...so he took his NEW mandolin he got. He sold his other one and in turn, bought this JBovier, or something like that! LOL! It's quite nice. He says it plays like a $1200 mandolin. And it was NOT that much! NO way.

So, he is having some good times. My kids are bathed, had their snack, and are enjoying Tom and Jerry cartoons- their new fav. I never was into these cartoons growing up, but I actually laugh at them NOW. Maybe because my own children laugh at them! We just watched Tom play the piano, and Jerry annoy him. Makes me want to go play the piano, as long as there is no mouse around....

Anyways, a big HUGE difference in the timeline of going to bed and in bed from last night...whew....that was for sure talked about. Let's just say mommy was not that happy about what time the kids were in bed. Which was NOT when I got home at around 10 from seeing my friend Beth at THE ENCORE cafe!!!!! And that brings me to my NEXT subject...

I love chai tea, and their chai tea latte was the very best. I am in love....

Can't wait to go back and have strictly that and dessert. I splurged a bit last night and had a great salad, turnover (this was darn sinful), and my latte. Yummy. Rich and I are due for a date, so maybe this weekend...hmmm...

I watched Gone With The Wind last night when I got home, well, 2 hours of it, which was a lot. I was literally glued to my seat. I love that movie, and for some reason, it just took my mind somewhere that I needed to go...and remember, and dream. I really enjoyed that two hours.

I have to go downstairs and dig out my Scarlett sequel. I know it's somewhere....I got that book at one of Columbiana's Libray Book Sales a LOOONNGGGG time ago, when it was held in a small church downtown.

Oh, forgot to say I can't wait until the The Encore's neighboring theater reopens. The cafe is to be open LATE, and I think that is fantastic. Just wonderful! The names on the menu for the food were quite clever..all relating to the cinema. Very cool.

Well, time to go get the kids' teeth brushed. And then AMERICAN IDOL!!!!! I can't WAIT to just sit and have time by myself people. BY MY SELF!!! It may not last that long, in truth, but will be nice. It's nice to have time by yourself in your own home. For me anyways. I don't like having to seek refuge elsewhere all the time.

I will probably scrapbook a page or two. I love Studio Calico kits. My husband is sooooo sweet. He says to me, "I am glad you have something like this to look forward to each month. But the wait stinks!" Yes, the wait is not fun, but it is WORTH it. Definitely. And my ebaying so far, as it seems with auctions not yet complete, will provide my kits-worth for me this month. Yeah!

"It's the Side No, Mommy!"

Yeah. An almost three year old's interpretation of a line from Jesus Loves Me. (SMILE). This I Know!

And for Ella, the funny line for a song was for ABC's.....now I ocean my....forgot about now I Know..(GRIN).

Trip to the Store today

Well, I am glad about our little visit to the store. I won't go for our weekly things until Wednesday but I did only spend $12 for the following:

4 boxes of 18 oz Cheerios
free milk!
Smuckers natural peanut butter
sticks of butter
6 yogurt cups
1 bag chex mix

Saved $10

I created a grocery store (which does include non-grocery items) Budget and it is going to help me sooooooooo much. I am excited for this new plan.

This morning, we also went out to breakfast at Bob Evans for pancakes. My grandparents were going to watch the kids and make them pancakes while DH and I went out on a mini-date, but she was having a bad day. She needs prayer...she doesn't eat and is weak. This is reminiscent of when they first moved a few years back, and we think that move was real hard on her. I feel so bad for her.....it truly brings me to tears. She loves these kids so much and it broke her heart to have to cancel plans on them.

The rest of the day has been relaxation and laundry. Philip napped again. I thought he was over that stage, but he has somewhat of a cold and has a nagging cough so I think this week, the little boy needed naps.

Tomorrow after church we get to go have dinner at my parents! I am excited. I love my mom's cooking!!!!!!!!!!! Oh so much better than mine. I really need to do better...I think I mentioned that before on this blog LOL!

Well, Buddy just got the potato chips down on his own and is eating them so I need to go retrieve them!!!!!

My sweetie girl

Ella made a few signs the other day (I admit to agreeing to write a li'l bit on the though ;-) And it just cracks me up that she actually drew a sign with Buddy on it frowning with tears, b/c he isn't allowed in her room...

i'm TRYING to complete this certain page...I love these embellishments. Just love them. Hope to finish some projects up for my scrapbook soon.

That was THE best BEST best BEST best EPISODE OF LOST!!!

They just can't do that to us....I want answers. I don't like having all that info in my head now, w/o some theories and answers. Ohhhhhh rats. I am very excited though....this is why I just love LOST. WOOOHOOO!!!

Beautiful Scrapbooking Goodies and Studio Calico members too!

PINK PAISLEE VIDEO or rather, What-I-Would-Love-For-MY-BIRTHDAY-THAT's-NOT-IN-DECEMBER-BUT-MARCH9th-INSTEAD!

LOL!

And WHAT a nice CHA booth too. Oh my. I love it!

Well, confirmation time

This morning's church service was confirmation for me that I made the right decision. Rather, that I was smart enough, and willing enough, to see where God was leading me.

Not going into too much detail here, but photography, at this point, will be done for those that NEED it, and benefit from it....without any obligation to me, as a photographer, and I to them. Meaning- it's a willing part on my part to be in service to them as I feel so led. For instance, when I began photography, I practiced for some friends that had foster children. These photographs are not ones I can use in my portfolio. I can't show them to people. I can't post them. I can't print them and put in public album, etc. etc. One time, my friend invited siblings to one of the foster children over, and we had a nice, long photoshoot. It was probably the best photoshoot ever. Honestly. What sweeties these children were...how heartbreaking it is to know that there has been so much upheaval in their lives. I told my friend this morning, before the service, that I was going to get back into photography again, and she literally yelled "yes!" outloud. It was humbling to me to hear that. She had a huge smile on her face, and said just in time for the one year birthday...

God knows what he is doing.

I have another friend at church that truly cannot afford various things. They have one child who has some handicaps, and she stays at home. I took photos for them and gave them prints. Later I started to give them a cd, although they do not have a computer, so they could go wherever they wanted and not feel obligated to go where I go. I told her today the same thing I told my other friend, and she was thrilled. She asked what the price would be for a cd. I said Nothing, she said, with a sigh of relief, Thank you, and gave me a hug.

Again, very humbling.

There is a need....and I truly feel that God will lead people to me that would feel encouraged and uplifted with the candid style photography that HE has so bestowed upon me to love. Maybe for other foster children. Maybe there's another young family in the church that can't afford much. I am honestly very excited, and teary eyed as I write this. I feel a little bare as I am pouring my heart out. But, I guess that can be a good thing.

Decisions..

After prayer and thought, and more of those two things, my Etsy shop is closing by next week. My current orders are to be shipping Monday or Tuesday. Selling on Etsy has been a source of high stress, among other things. I feel like it is taking precious time away from other things- i.e. my family- and making me feel oppressed in a way. Sooo....ahhhh..that feels better. I am cutting whatever losses I have and going to concentrate on things that are less stressful. Thank you for your prayers, and understanding!

Trying to decide if another corner should be rounded...

Should I keep up with photography only? Revamp my store to photography items (ie cards, etc)? I really would like to do scrapbooking for me only...well, I mean our family...

Thinking that the photography should be first, as far as creative outlets, though it seems winter makes you feel real out of it in this region of the US. So dreary. And dull. And it is difficult to travel, find babysitters for kids, place very inconsistent orders...with photography.

Just praying and praying and praying some more...

I want God first, family next, and maybe a bit of me time. Not sure if even keeping up with anything I am committed to is a good idea. **SIGH*** Now is the time to keep on being steady and listen to that still small Voice.

This past week I didn't even get to do my grocery gaming (coupon shopping, that is). Now, after really thinking that I need to cook better meals (we're kind of in a rut here) I am not sure if all that couponing would work with how I can operate as far as planning better meals. I think its the constraints, being put into something that requires me to do something whether or not I want to. Well, I sure didn't really WANT to do any grocery shopping this week, but it was hard to admit that, and then feel "behind" on my grocery gaming list...see..another thing that puts these limits and expectations on ya.

As far as scrapbooking- I have felt in love with that aspect once more because OF my photography....and if I don't photograph, well...the scrapbooking would probably be nonexistant. I like to scrapbook my better photos (is this bad?) and not my very very candid, shots- not that is wrong or not the best thing- it's just me.

Photography though, well, it can be hard. The coming in of funds does not compare to the amount of work you do. I would have to revamp how people would place orders. Take a certain amount of work only. Get my large format photo printer hooked up for proofs. And my own scrapbooking.

Stop thinking I have to have a coupon for everything- sit down once a week, and organize a small list of extras I can use to lift up the nature of my cooking. I hate to bake, so it is cooking for me.

Submit my photos to a couple of places for publishing. I got one published...wonder if it can happen again.

Make sure that photography continues to be what it started out for me, A Ministry. Do photography for those that need it. Be encouraged no matter what the feedback you get. Do photography how I am comfortable in it. Figure out creative advertising.

Thoughts and more thoughts...

I was tagged for some information!

and I am finally getting to it, since it's been a rough week of practically no sleep.

Favorite Sites:
Etsy
Two Peas in a Bucket
Work of Heart Photography (I could dwell here forever)

Challenge Favs

Oh dear, I have none as I have never EVER gotten into the challenges. I think I must now try my friend's challenge site,
Scrapping the Music
and then Pencil Lines.

Guilty pleasures
Chocolate
Hot Tea with lots of sugar
Pizza
(why is all food for me?! LOL!)
and scrapbooking supplies

Babysitting Fav.
My husband (HA!)

Creative Fav.
Not really sure about this one. I like lots, more than I have put on my blog. It is awfully outdated!

Clothing Fav.
This for me has been evolving....I now prefer stylish sweats, a nice long Tshirt, and my slip on sketchers. YIKES! I used to prefer dressing up a bit more!

I think that is all the info in the tagging..so I hereby tag: Lisa, Beth, and Elisabeth

Well, my neice Abigail has pneumonia! The poor child! Thus, our visit there was quite postponed. Ella did not want to go to the tea place yesterday after all. As soon as we began our journey there in the car she changed her mind! She wanted to go see her school friends- bless her heart! As much as I was disappointed, it works out anyways, as we are planning to meet her little friend Natalie and her mom there on Saturday.

Only at the Russells

will you come back on the computer to the screen that shows the title "Flop Eared Mule."

That's what my DH likes to play on his mandolin these days, oh, or banjo.

It's been a looooonggg day. I had no sleep at all last night due to insufficient sleep medicine. ACK! It was just awful. I had to pay attention to the thunderstorm instead and not have a single wink. Just not good. Thus, today, I was in bad physical shape. We made it through. DH brought us pizza after work, per my request. I made two little itsy bitsy girlie necklaces. I looked at lots of scrapbooking goodies.

A couple of important things. My grandmother is weak from the flu. Please pray for her.

I have a friend who has some very difficult things to face right now. No names mentioned. She knows who she is. Please send a prayer up for my friend. I care for her dearly.

Tomorrow won't work for Ella and I to visit my sister in law, as she and Abby are sick. I feel badly for them. My brother called on his way to the store to get some medicine for Abby. Hopefully, we'll be able to go down sometime soon. I'm anxious to return to This and That and hunt other stores down for wonderful vintage finds.

Sooo I decided that Ella will not go to preschool anyways and she and I will visit a wonderful elegant tea shoppe by ourselves for a little dessert break. Also, our family will go out to breakfast. It's wonderful for DH to have the day off, as he worked the past weekend.

well, that's all for now!

why oh why

do I find pics from awhile back that I never played with? just not enough time, I suppose! I need to print these out, especially the two of them..look how SMALL they are! Brings tears to my eyes!

After loading all these pics up, I think I need to do some photoshoots. Step it up. Experiment more. I am inspired by my children, I confess.

okay I should edit my title here

A pet peeve of mine - okay, I am glad that a clothing store is told to put signs down b/c of all the younger traffic around it, and I personally deem it inappropriate..and apparently public officials do too.

and this really makes me excited..if it's okay with my dear, wonderful, encouraging, superb, handsome, sweetheart of a husband, Wednesday, on his day off, Ella and I will be making a day trip to see my sister in law and my neice, Abigail so we can hang out, have tea, etc etc etc.

I have overwhelmed myself with daily duties, but, we'll try our best!