I'm back!!

Yeah, yeah.. I know it's been awhile since I've last posted anything. This summer was insanely busy. OK.. I realize that is a poor excuse, but that is as good of a reason I can come up with.

So.. what has happened this summer that has kept me away for so long? Let's see.

1. A trip to Disneyland that included, dysentery, almost being tossed out of Disneyland ( my husband's fault),LA traffic accidents, serious sunburns for all, a bug bit, that made my leg swell up like a giant ham, a run in with some rowdy cockroaches, oh.. and a bomb threat.

Follow that by working at at Red Rocks Ampitheater all summer long, starting in May and going until Mid Sept; Selling concessions to earn money for my boy's various sports expenses. Out of 66 event's I worked give or take 60 of them. That's roughly 3000 hot dogs, 2500 soft pretzels and 27,000 beers. Let me tell you, that's servicing a lot of drunk people!

A bright spot in the summer was my dear daughter turning 5!!

The boys started back to school. Thank GOD.

Oh, yeah.. I still worked full time from home 40 hours a week.

Toss in some soccer/hockey tryouts aka.. sports drama, and you've rounded out the summer.

Lastly, My right arm (AKA.. mother) has abandoned me for 2 weeks, to visit a friend (my dad)in Texas. Leaving me to do all the daily household duties, that normal Moms deal with on a daily basis. AGH.....

But, alas.. my world is slowing down, and I now have the time to post a lot more frequently.. and you can hold me to it.

Quick update.. and a Howdy-de-do.

Hey everyone. It's been a busy summer to say the least. I've been forced to cut out a few things from my normal routine. Updating my blog is one of them. Between having the four kids home ALL DAY for the summer, working full time, working an "extra job" aka..RED ROCKS AMPITHEATER- fundraising for competitive sports for the 2 oldest boys and planning 2 rather large vacations, things around here have been a bit hectic. Sadly, that has left little time for my own scrapping, chatting on the message board, and even talking to my bestest girlfriends. The kidos go back to school on Aug. 12th.. so things should calm down a bit then.

The family just returned home from an extended weekend trip to Rapid City, South Dakota, for a fun filled few days of soccer games, and sightseeing. It was a whirlwind trip for sure. Top it off by being the team manager of 14 boys, and their families. You can imagine the stress and frustration of trying to corral them all to doing the same thing at the same time. Getting my own family somewhere all on time is stressful enough.. imagine doing that for 61 people. Talk about daunting, but I got it done. WHEW.

In two weeks, we are headed to California, for 9 days of family time. The quintessential All American, Southern California vacation. Disneyland, California Adventures, Universal Studios, Sea World, the SD Zoo-the works. The kids are getting excited more and more each day, and the planning has been a lot of fun. We used the SD trip as sort of a "tester" to see how the kids will do cooped up in the car. It actually wasn't THAT bad. But, I can tell you that 20 hrs of driving with kids in the car does not sound like that much fun at the moment. They can barely get along being in the house, with all the comforts of home. How's it going to work, strapped to a moving vehicle with only each other and a DVD player for entertainment? GOD HELP US. LOL But, we are breaking that up over a couple of days, so I'm sure it will work out just grand. (insert eye roll here-- wink) I think all that is left is the packing.. and I'll do that the night before. So we are good to go!

My Disney planner is working out great. The only thing is the binder I altered is too small, I think I'm just going to keep the whole thing together with loose binder rings. (I'm sure a decision I will regret later! LOL)

I have HUNDREDS of photos from our latest Mt Rushmore trip.. and have a few great stories to share. Hopefully, I can squeeze in some time today to upload a few. Just one or two I promise.

Hope all is well with you. Please know I am thinking of you all often. I promise things will slow down soon. Off to work my normal job, then to shill cold hot dogs and skanky molting brats to the teenage wasteland. aka the Snoop Dog concert. In all my years on this blessed planet, I never thought I'd be at a Snoop Dog concert. Yo Yo Yo Boyz..can you find who doesn't quite belong?

Peace out scrap dorks. peace out.

Disney Planner

So, the Sterner's are headed to Disneyland this summer. Undertaking the great family road trip. With four kids, and nearly 850 miles across several states, in one van Yoikes.. I wonder if we are crazy! After much research, we have made out reservations at all the various hotels we need to stay at. After that daunting task was completed, I realized one thing. I needed a planner. Something to hold all the confirmations, travel maps, and the other pieces of paper you need to keep a family of 6 on track when you are away from home.

Sure, sure, a normal run of the mill three ringed binder would work just fine. But, I'm a scrapper. You know we don't have the run of the mill anything.

It's still a work in process. there are a few pages left to make. But, here is a big bulk of what I've done so far.







The black paper is actually a pocket.. Quote reads.."Vacation: a period of travel and relaxation when you take twice the clothes and half the money you need".












I'm left to make the other side of the things to do page. Plus I want to make a daily journal/highlights section to have a place to write down a summary of what we did or quotes of what the kids said or how they reacted on any given day.

It's Disney with out being DISNEY.

So far, I'm happy with it.

Baseball pictures.

Here are a couple of pictures I took last night for a friends baseball team.
Here are a few of my favorite.

Layout for today...

Of course I had to turn yesterdays pictures into layouts. I'm a scrapbooker, that's what I do.

Pictures of the day.

Some pictures for today..

My Passion for Chipboard

Naked or dressed, it really doesn't matter how it looks, I love it all. I love the versitality of it.

Here's my stash. Well, most of it anyway.

Friends

A quicky page about me and my newest friend Marcia (no.. not like the Brady Bunch Marcia. More like Mar-sea-a) Photo was taken at one of my newest scrapbook haunts, Scrapbook Destinations.

The Catch of the Day.

Lauren.. the eternal crazy kid. Loves to do what the boys do. Today..playing in the soccer nets. Tomorrow.. only the lord knows!

My son the honor student!

Sam's always been a great student. Lots of straight A's. Well, they just completed taking some placement tests for middle school next year. We just got the news that he's been accepted into the honors Social Studies class!! We couldn't be more proud!

Ah.. Colorado Spring

65° one day... Cold wet.. gloomy snow the next! Spring in the Rockies doesn't get any better than this.

Playing "H"airplane

I took these goofy pictures a few weeks ago, while playing airplane with my DD. Good practice working with that backlight! Well.. we had fun anyway.

Picture of the day Challenge..Days 5-7

Picture of the day Challenge

At the All Memories Remembered.com message board, I'm involved in a photograph of the day challenge. All that is required, is to take a new picture everyday, and post it. I'm rather enjoying taking pictures of something other than sports. A refreshing diversion, and a great way to brush up on some skills, that I have so quickly forgotten.

Here are the first four pictures I've taken.
Day 4: a frosty morning


Day 3: a sound of spring


Day 2: best friends


Day 1: my fortune

A little Known fact about me...

I am a big Professor Frink fan. If you don't know who he is.. he's a character on the Simpsons.



He and I are a lot a like. One good example.

We are both serious nerds!

I just love videos like this!

Oh my goodness. how can you not think this is adorable?

Sour Baby Food Face It is safe to say that this little baby does not like the good she is feeding him. Look at that funny face he makes.

Click on the picture to see video.

Who Knew?

I had Chineese food for lunch today. And what should my fortune read?



Who knew I was up for a promotion. All this time, I though I could only go down from here. I think I got someone else's fortune! I wonder what that other person fortune read? Perhaps. "Will buy scrap goodies today." That seems more appropriate!

Growin' Wings

I wanted to focus on journaling on this layout. Something that I rarely do. I tend to ramble on. As you will soon see.







Journaling reads:
You are just two months away from being an official teenager. You are quickly transforming yourself into a young man. A few of those stereotypical traits kids your age possess have begun to surface. You yearn for independence and privacy. Your friends are beginning to take your focus from your family. You starting to question the decisions your dad and I make for you day in and day out. Yet, though all those changes. You are staying true to you. A bright, fun-loving, intelligent, person. Ever loyal to his family and close friends.

From our interactions these past few weeks, I fear that your transformation into a teenager isn’t going to be easy for either of us. But, as hard and anxious as this process may become, I have faith that you will be able to quickly transition from the amazing boy that you are , into the man you were destined to become.

The yearning to grow your wings has started to be met with a few challenges. First and foremost, is telling white lies to either get out of trouble or for no real reason at all. A bad habit that will be extinguished if you are to remain the wonderful person you have grown into. Not to mention, the unknowing disrespectful attitude. The constant eye rolling and tisking every time you don’t get your way. You are strong yet, defiant. Arguing when you feel life has become unjust. But, willing to stand your ground for what you believe in. Also, equally committed to making amends when you feel you were in the wrong. I am also impressed that you still openly express your love towards your family. A characteristic I hope you never let go of. A sign of a true man.

I, on the other hand, struggle with letting your new found wings grow. Life is not easy out there, and I want to make sure you have the skills to overcome any challenges you face. I want to give you every opportunity to make the right choices for yourself. But, am on constant guard when I see you get off track. I am trying to give you enough space to work through your challenges on your own. But, sometimes fearful that you may stumble in the same pitfalls your dad and I did when we where your age. For so long, we have held your hand so tightly, constant protecting you and encouraging your growth. Now, it’s counterintuitive to let go.

Intellectually I know you are smart, and astute at making decisions for yourself, but I struggle emotionally to let you fail when your decisions are based upon what you want to do, vs. what is right for you. So often, we have come to your rescue before you have made a bad decision. But, now the time has come where you must learn the hard way. You must make your own mistakes. And you must accept the consequences associated with them. Please know they may seem harsh for now. But, in time you will understand they are made out of love for you.
Through patience and faith, you and I will come through this journey strong, healthy, happy, and very proud with whom you turn out to be.

Grow Your Wings.

Goodbye dear sweet Flat Joscie.

Flat Joscie. You will be missed. Head and hands to the scrap heavens.. I pray that my Mr. Mojo isn't too in love with you girl.. that he packs his bags and leaves to follow you around the country!

Here's my omage to you Flatty bomba blatty..


Journaling reads:
Flat Joscie spent a marvelous two weeks in Colorado. She hit it off big with Mr. Mojo. They became fast friends. During the day, she hung out with me and Mr. M. at work. She even helped us lay a new font mine for the All Moments Remembered message board girls! At night, we scrapped the evening away. I know I channeled her voluptuous counter part, Joscie, as I have never been more inspired to scrap.

Flat J. was impressed with all the scrap joints around here. On our last day together, we hit most of the local scrap stores. (Names). If you hustle, you can hit all those places in about an hour.

My hope for you Flat Joscie is to have some wonderful adventures, where ever you go.
~Daisydo

Ode to a Messy Desk.

My so called scrap cave, is wonderful. It's pink and black, and definitely reflects my personality. I love having a place that I can call my own. The Sterner boys, rarely enter my realm. Only to upload some I-Tunes, and off they go. I think they must worry that the pink wall may turn them into girls. What ever the reason, I can be rest assured that they don't linger here. The one thing that surprises me everyday, is the constant changing nature of my desk. It really is a reflection of my busy lifestyle. I live here most days from 7:30am to 5:30 pm. I work, and play in the same 12' feet of space. You can always look at my desk, and see my focus for that moment in time. Work time.. papers, scrap time, well.. paper, chat time.. wine glass, lunch time...food. It's command central for the Sterner empire. A lot happens here.

My desk is really just another extension of me. It's old and gray. Sturdy, yet flexible. Wide reaching and accommodating. Purposeful, yet cluttered. Vintage, yet modern. My desk. Is really me.

POAD project day 26

Found a little gem of a picture from last years vaykay.

The pix of the layout is horrendous. But,you know what. I DON'T CARE. The mojo is in me.. so I have to keep moving.

A layout about me..

Daughter.

Today's page. Holy Cow Rubon and Daisy D's "Daughter." Deja Veiws PP and AL big Flower stamps. Pink flowers are from one of the Studio G sets. And the dashed lines are Sassafrass Lass- Stitched boarders. Used SU Water Color Crayons to color in the stamped acetate.

definitely a City Girl

My kids aren't the biggest fan of the great outdoors. We live in beautiful Colorado..Rocky Moutain High; And yet.. they would rather go to the Hilton than to any mountain-anywhere. This saddens me to some degree, as I am a mountain kid. Part billy goat, believe it or not. Hubby.. would rather eat his own liver than to camp. So.. when we rough it.. it means No room service for us!

During last years vacation to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I dragged them hiking with the promise of a glorious waterfall at the end of a "gruesome 10 minute hike, on a well maintained dirt road. After about 30 seconds of looking at Gods wonderful creation, they all wanted lunch. Not 2 minutes after eating my well made sandwiches.. they all clammored to go back to the condo-Jeopardy was on.

The most pitiful peas coming from dearest Lauren... I guess she's a city kid at heart.

7 & 1/2 Ben

I rarely hand journal. I now realize why! My handwriting is terrible. If you haven't figured out yet. I'm sure I'm just being too self critical. But, my "designer's eye" wont let me take my eyes off of my poor handwriting. Oh well. another page done and in the book.




Journaling reads:

Benny, You are too cute for words. That face, those eyes, your smile, Oh the freckles upon your nose. When ever we go anywhere the first thing people say is, "Oh, my goodness, Isn't he just adorable!" I smile and agree wholeheartedly, But, really you are so much more than an adorable face.

You are amazingly funny, happy, tender, absent minded, inquisitive, quite, innocent, respectful, determined, ornery and gentle.

Everything a 7 1/2 year old boy should be.