Good News or Bad News First?

That's what Ray asked me while we were sitting at Emily's soccer practice tonight.

"Are we kicking someone out of a house?" That's what I asked him first.

"No."

It took me a second. I blinked. "My computer can't be fixed." It wasn't a question so much as it was what I immediately knew to be fact.

"They couldn't retrieve any data." Bam. There it was. The BAD news.

We finally sent my computer out to be fixed a week ago. I didn't realize we would hear something so soon. But, I had been so sure that all my pictures...my collection of pictures from over 2 years' time would still be there.

But they are not.

Good news? I'm typing this post from my bed using my almost-like-new-repaired lap top.

Yep. It's back, and I'm glad, but, at the same time, I am very sad. My pictures mean a lot to me. In fact, I would say they are my most important possessions. They are the keeper of my memories. What am I going to do without them?

Of course, I've been very upset all evening. I keep trying to tell myself that it's not the end of the world; there are worse things that happen to people, and I still have the people who were in those pictures, but this doesn't lessen the loss I'm feeling tonight. I mean, what's life without memories or proof that memories have been made. I mean, let's face it; we can't remember every little detail; that's why we have cameras.

Big sigh here.

Oh well. I guess I just need to suck it up and get back to the business of making more memories.

Here we go again!

It's the start of another school year for Hannah and Emily. They went back to school today. Hannah is now in the 2nd grade and has Mrs. Dumford for a teacher.

And Emily is now in the first grade with Ms. Bill as her teacher

They were both soooo excited about going back today that they were literally jumping around the house last night! They couldn't wait to use their new school supplies, backpacks and lunchboxes.

I went into work a little later this morning so I could watch them leave. At first, I was just going to ask Ray to take some pictures for me. I mean, they aren't exactly "new" at going to school. But, at the last minute, I decided I didn't care; it's still a big day for them. I didn't cry like I did last year, but it's still very bittersweet to see my two babies climbing on a bus without me and having experiences without me. It's so hard to let go even if they are only going 10 minutes down the street and will be back in 8 hours.

But, I am ever so happy to see them at the end of this first day. They come home almost as excited as they left. However bittersweet it is, I wouldn't trade it for the world! I love these two little girls with all my heart and am trying to soak in every moment I have with them even if it means having to let them grow.

Norris Lake in Three Parts

Part I

Last Thursday, Ray, Hannah, Emily, and I piled into the Pilot with Jo Ann and Brian and headed off to Twin Cove Marina in Tennessee. We spent 3 nights in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath cabin.

The front of the cabin doesn't look like much, but the inside was super cute. The living room was small, but very cozy with a leather couch, hardwood floors and a nice stone fireplace.

The kitchen was open just on the other side with nice cabinets, hardwood floors, decent counter top, and a cute kitchen table and chair set.

The stairs lead to a loft bedroom with a king sized bed and adjacent bathroom

Down the hall behind the ladder was a bedroom with a queen sized bed, a bedroom with bunkbeds, and another bathroom.

Across the street was the pool where we spent Thursday afternoon swimming in the ice cold water and warming ourselves in the bubbles of the sauna.

We ended our first night at Norris Lake by grilling hamburgers and hotdogs on our back deck,

soaking in the hot tub,

and watching the olympics.

It was a nice ending to the beginning of a nice vacation...

It feels soooo good...

to be scrapbooking again! You'd think with all the "free" time I have over the summer, I'd be doing a TON of scrapbooking, but I didn't. I couldn't. There were several "things" that got in my way.


1. The need to be outside--sitting on the deck, the front porch, by the pool, wherever. I just didn't want to be cooped up in the basement


2. My house needed to be put in order. If you wanted to see a mess, you should have come over. Laundry was out of control, "stuff" was everywhere, the basement was trashed, and dishes were piled sky high. I'm not sure how or why it all spiraled out of control, but it did. Now, everything is in tip-top-shape. It took a lot of work to get it there, but it's there.

3. No creativity. The chaos that surrounded me stopped me from being able to create anything. I've started wearing a stone my mom gave me that helps with self-imposed limitations, and things are moving along. Plus, I've tried to let go of the pressure--the pressure to do it "right." I'm the one who decides what is right...right?


So, without further ado, here is a picture of my latest 8x8 page:

It's called "Having a Chat". I was thumbing through some of my older pictures and came across this of Hannah and Ray. I love this picture because of the interaction between the two of them...because of her smile...Here are some close-up views: First, the title (those are metal letters)

The main picture: (which looks so much better in person)

The journaling: Which reads, "What an awesome dad Hannah Rae has in Ray! These two would regularly hang out and 'chill' with each other--he with feet propped on the coffee table, she with her blankie and sippy cup of milk. It's so clear how comfortable these two are with each other. I am so glad Hannah has Ray for a dad!"

And, the top left hand corner:

I'm thinking it still might need something...like some sewing across the top of the pictures and maybe a few additional staples like in the bottom right hand corner...I don't know. I wanted to do something quick and simple, and I accomplished that, so I might just let it go.

But, Oh what a release this was for me! It's like when I'm finally able to do this, I get so much energy in return. Once I was finished, I fed the kids, cleaned up the kitchen, graded some more papers, and mopped the floors, and I'm getting ready to bake some brownies...Ah, it really does feel so good!