July 31, 2008 - Month in Review

This blogger - katie_the_scrapbook_lady - had a good suggestion. It's been one of THOSE months and that's partiallly why I didn't post much the last couple of weeks! So let's use her format and see what's gone on lately around here. :)

What books and/or magazines did I read this month? Other than the Bible, I read a couple of scrapbook magazines and have been reading a book called Financial Peace.

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month? God TV has been showing live revival meetings every night. We watched them a LOT! Also Deadliest Catch and Ice Road Truckers have had new episodes. And sometimes Nancy Grace. I like to pray for the people involved.

What special days did I celebrate and how? July is a busy birthday month for us! Two of Steve's 3 sons, Steve's Mom, and BOTH of my parents have birthdays today. Today is actually my Dad's birthday and he's 86 YEARS OLD!!!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday everyone!

What gifts did I give and/or receive? Because it's been so crazy (Read at bottom!) I've been a bit lax here. Steve's business was really slow this month. Will catch up later on gifts, etc. But the main one is that I finished Dad's family heritage album for him. Still have to mail it tho.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have? Me, not many. My allergies symptoms are getting better. However, I can't say the same for other family members. Read at bottom.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family? We were supposed to have fun this month?!

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month? Some Sonoma Diet recipes. I've kept off 5 pounds, lost as much as 9. Having trouble keeping Steve true to the diet!

What special or unusual purchases did I make? Can't think of any right now.

What were this month's disappointments? My mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer and my good friend nearly died. Both are doing well so far. And I interviewed for a job for the first time in 11 years but didn't get it. (It was at AC Moore Arts & Crafts so no big deal.)

What were my accomplishments this month? I might win a contest on a blog for using your stash and getting points! I'll find out tomorrow. It's been quite a challenge since two others have a chance to win too! :)

Anything else noteworthy to record? Steve and I both had a rough month. With his ex-wife dying of cancer in April, the diagnosis of his mom (who's NEVER sick) was a real shock to both of us. Then a few days ago a very good friend who's been sick for several years (but had been doing well) nearly died. The last couple of weeks have been very hard emotionally and spiritually. But our God is faithful and both Steve's mom and our friend are doing well. We continue to pray for their complete and total healing! And to top it all off my daughter's been going through a not-so-pleasant divorce. I have to give her credit for trying so hard. But it's been difficult to be so far away and not be able to help or hug her and Noah. Seems she's getting things back on track and I'm very proud of her!

Like I said, it's been one of those months! And most of it happened in the last two weeks. But God has given us the grace, strength, wisdom and ability to handle it all! Thank You Jesus!

My next post will be to show you just some of my favorite layouts from the month! It was my escape through all that went on this month!

A Very Rainy Day!

We need the rain badly and it's been coming down in buckets! This morning I looked out over the fence and could see this wall of rain coming up the street towards me. It was just a bit eerie! It absolutely dumped for about 1/2 hour then let up for awhile and has been raining/storming for about 3 hours now. I decided this was a great photo op and I grabbed the camera during the worst part of the rain.

The first picture is looking out my front window at the corner. The streets here are high in the middle so that the water will drain. I think it'll take awhile to drain all THIS!


Steve mowed the lawn yesterday after the other downpour. His shoes were wet so he left them outside. They're even more wet now! And look at how the rain's coming down off the roof!!!


This was how it looked through our sliding glass doors looking into the back yard. As you can see, we're still in the middle of remodeling.


It's rare that you can't see the middle of the street in the rain here! But it's disappearing fast in this picture!


Guess it's time to go do some more scrapping!

More Scrappy Time!

I have had a lot of time on my hands lately and with the Scrap Your Stash challenges at Scrapdango, I've had a lot of incentive to scrap. So here's the latest additions to my Scrappy World. :) Enjoy!

Noah went to his first ball game with his daddy and a friend. The pictures never came out. But he had so much fun that I wanted to capture that for him anyway.


My grandfather took this picture!!!


The challenge on Scrapdango was to use purple, orange and green plus the title Girls Just Wanna Have Fun plus a quote.


This is my brother Bill.


My granddaughter Molly being herself. :)


My daughter - who's now 28!!

My dad attended a weeklong church retreat when he was in high school. The smaller pictures are the originals!


Thanks for looking and Happy Scrapping!

ANOTHER Unexpected Guest!!

This parakeet was really holding its own against the wild parrots this morning! I have never seen him before but he sure was pretty! He stayed and got quite a good little meal and then flew off somewhere. Hopefully he'll go back where he belongs!