Saying Goodbye...

We knew it was coming, but that doesn't make it any easier. Our sweet Nicodemus fat rat passed away last night. He was over 2 years old and had really started showing his age, lurching around like his back legs didn't work right and refusing to eat. It was sad...but he had a happy rat life, and he knew he was loved. I miss you, sweet boy.

Blogger Fairies ROCK

Hello!! It's the blogging fairy here!! Christi has been so very busy here and there and everywhere... and her computer is spooty. It's bit the dust, and she's been using her hubby's computer, which last night, also decided not to cooperate with her...
SO
I figured being the ROCKING blogger fairy that I am, I would bring you all up to date.
She's been busy welcoming new nieces into the world...

and getting new baby rats settled in...

and she's been busy working on scrappy pages...

and the kids have been eating delicious things at fairs...

and she has been accepted into a NEW design team for a kit club!! She's going to be designing for Jen's House of Scrap!!
HOPEFULLY, the computer fairy will get off her arse and bless Christi with some good internets and computer loves... Until then, if you've emailed her, or are waiting for an email back from her, it might be in your best interest to contact her by phone. :)

PS even though this post SAYS that Christi posted it, she totally did NOT. I just have awesome ROCKIN' log in abilities... because like I said. Blogger fairies ROCK.

I am ON it, Dog-gonnit!!

Yes, this week I'm actually on TIME! Allow me to introduce you to my newest layout for Lotus Paperie, for the sketch challenge that just went up this morning!

I also just finished my art journal page for the 2nd prompt, "Because." You should check out the video on the art journal blog! Really awesome, healing technique that I'd like to do again sometime.

ALSO, I mailed out the clay button order for Scrap Muse...

...got a package in the mail for my Tally Sis, and sent an order from my etsy shop overseas...all the way to the United Kingdom! (Nicole, today I'm working on assembling your custom kit...I didn't forget about you!) I feel so very productive!

A BIG THANK YOU to Miranda & Troy, who came over yesterday to do me a big favor.....since Rick has to take my van to work while his car is out of commission, Troy stayed with the kids while Miranda gave me a ride to the vet....with Nicodemus. Yeah, it appears that he has pneumonia, too. But this time we may have caught it early enough to save him. He's already had two doses of his antibiotic, and though his activity has slowed and he's stopped eating, I'm really hoping these meds will kick in and he'll start feeling better! Poor guy. And thank goodness for these etsy orders, or we may not have been able to foot the $77 vet bill. *sigh*

Today's "To Do" list includes listing some new goodies in my shop...


Working on a tutorial for the TallyBlog...

Getting started on my 52Q project, hosted by Emily Falconbridge (who just found out she's pregnant!)...

And maybe even getting some laundry and dishes done! Set your goals high, that's my motto.

Hope your Friday is happy and productive!!

Sick & Tired of Being Sick & Tired

Okay, seriously, can I be DONE blowing my nose every five minutes already? I feel like I've had a stuffed-up head since November and I'm ready to feel normal again. Whatever THAT is. I'm hoping it's something as simple as needing to change my allergy meds....later this week I'll pick up a bottle of generic Zyrtec and see if that helps. In the meantime, I think I'll just take DayQuil every few hours to keep from dripping snot on everything I see.

Needless to say, I have NOT gotten much done on the clay buttons.

Some randomness:

My brother Mark stopped by for a visit the other day.....and Jacob promptly attached himself at the hip. I think it's SO cute how much he loves his Uncle Mark. And he doesn't act that way around any of our other visitors. So bizarre!

We got a new pet rat over the weekend! His name is Pepsi Max, and he's the cutest little guy! He and Nicodemus are getting along quite well, but Max isn't sure what to think of us yet. I expect in a week or so, he'll be ready to come out and play with his new humans. :)

SO glad the kids went back to school today. They had a snow day on Friday, then MLK Jr day off yesterday....made for the longest weekend EVAH.

We were able to see our BIL Mark for a minute or two over the weekend....he's on his 2-week hiatus from Iraq, and his plane came in Sunday. We all met at IHOP for dinner, and a good time was had by all.

Some of us had a little TOO MUCH fun (ahem, Vikki)...

My layout for the current challenge over at Lotus Paperie (use a frame):

And this is my new etsy kit, "Love Blossoms," which I still need to list in my etsy shoppe!

All right, consider yourself updated! I'll try to remember if there's anything I've forgotten, but I'll need coffee first. :)

Have a happy Inaugeration Tuesday!!

Okay, Not to be a Total Bummer, But.....

...our pet rat Whetzel got sick somehow over the weekend and died last night. He wasn't even a year old yet, and he was my very favorite pet ever. We only just got him and Nicodemus in July, but they quickly became part of the family. Whetzel especially...he would come when you called him, he loved to be held, he gave the sweetest little kisses, and we miss him SO much. My eyes are welling up with tears just typing this now. I plan to get another rat, Nicodemus shouldn't be alone since rats are very social creatures. First though, I need to make sure Nicodemus didn't catch Whetzel's pneumonia. *sigh*

Bye, my sweet baby rat. I miss you.

Kids, Always Listen to Your Mother....

.....when she tells you not to run through the house!
I just couldn't get a good picture of the massive lump on Jack's head from slamming into the corner of the wall....the knot stuck out at least an inch! I made sure to give him lots of love and kisses to make it better.
There's been so much going on around here.....We've been having lots of fun with Whetzel, and even Nicodemus has started coming out of his little house more during the day. He's not quite brave enough to sit on our shoulder the way Whetzel does....maybe someday. I'm trying to work with him while Whetzel is out of the cage...the good news is, he doesn't nip at my hand anymore! I'm on the phone with Rachel in this pic. A Whetzel in each ear! lol

We had a "Meet and Greet" at the kids' school last night. Alex and Maggie got to meet their teachers, drop off their school supplies, see their classroom and other parts of their new school, and play on the playground for a little while! They'll be attending my old elementary school, and I made sure to tell them, "Your mom's little girl butt sat on those swings and slid down that slide!" They thought that was pretty cool. I'm still in shock over the fact that school starts TOMORROW! And I didn't take any dang PICTURES at the school!!! *sigh*

Rats!

Pet rats, that is! We're going to get a couple today! The kids are getting ready now, and my plan is to get the little critters settled, then do a video. That way I can show off my scraproom and our new pets at the same time!

While we're out, I'll give you a chance to sign up for another giveaway!!
Just leave a comment here for a chance to win this cool assortment of goodies....I'll have one of my rugrats draw a winning name later tonight. :) By the way, yesterday's technical difficulties were that I couldn't upload pics from my camera to my computer....somehow the kidlets had messed it up, and my wonderful hubby wasn't able to get it fixed until late in the evening. But, he DID get it fixed, obviously (thanks, babe!)....so we can PARTY ON!!

And since you're here, I'm super proud of the ONE scrappy project I've done lately....

A set of inchies I made for a swap over at TallyScrapper! I love how they came out....thanks for letting me share!

Now.....we're off to get some rats! Don't forget to leave a comment for the prize package! :)