Shimelle's Crop Weekend: Choose One of the Monday Challenges

For my 3rd Challenge from Shimelle's Crop Weekend  I chose the VERY FIRST CHALLENGE of the weekend, which was choose one of weekly Monday challenges.  I chose to create a monochromatic themed layout.
I have not created nor sent a Christmas Card since 2012.  Every year I have scrapped the Christmas Card on a 12x12 layout to signify the beginning of all that year's Christmas layouts.  Nothing fancy, just simple documentation!  I used Shimelle's Christmas line on this layout with a few additional accessories from years past.

Shimelle's Crop Weekend: Scrap Something of Value Challenge

Challenge #2 for me from Shimelle's Crop Weekend is to scrap something of value.  It is a 6x12 page which will have all the journaling of this photo and my trip to South Texas on the backside.  It will be the beginning of a small set of layouts about my Rio Grande Texas visit.

I made an impromptu visit to Texas.  First stop was at my mother's home to attend my niece's graduation from A&M.  Then the following morning I left for the Rio Grande Valley to visit my grandmother.  My cousin and her husband graciously allowed me to stay at home, where we had time to visit and catch up.  Upon my arrival on Saturday, I went to cousin's home, where she & I went to my grandmother's Assisted Living Apartment.  This is the conversation that occured.

     Tammi said, "Mammi your surprise is here." (Tammi had told Mammi she was going to receive a surprise this weekend.)

     I said, "Hello Mammi.  It's Lisa!  I came to see and visit with you!"

    We hugged and kissed and then Mammi said, "Oh, I thought Richard (my brother) was going to be my surprise!"

Tammi & I just looked at each other, shaking our heads laughing.  I can't win for losing!

  I value this picture because I wasn't positive I would be able to make the 15 hour (2 day) trip to spend time with my Grandmother, who is 86 years old.  We spent the day visiting and accomplishing one of her requests, sending out Christmas cards.  It took us 6 hours to write and send out 25 Christmas cards.  By 5pm that evening she was shooing me out the door so she could eat her dinner in peace and then relax.  Although Mammi was happy to see me, she may have been happier to see me leave that evening! I snapped this selfie of me and Mammi at her assisted living apartment at the end of our all day Christmas Card writing stint.  I am amazed we were both still smiling.
December 19, 2015

Shimelle's Crop Weekend: Color Blocking Challenge

My first layout completed from Shimelle's Crop Weekend.  I chose to tackle the challenge: Color Blocking.  I am unsure if this is truly color blocking but its my attempt.  I used papers and embellishments from Shimelle's Christmas line!

These are photos from Christmas 2015!  Mitchell Mutz home from the army with my son, Walker!  We are at the Mutz' house enjoying Christmas Eve festivities!  Funny enough these are my only pics from this evening!  Aargh!!

Having a blast!  Come join us for some scrappin' fun at www.shimelle.com!

Let's Scrap 3.1.15 Challenge

Let's Scrap layout challenge 5.1.15.  Here is my take on the sketch challenge.  Sorry for the bad picture...lots of rain, sleet, freezing rain and overcast skies!

Feeling Sketchy International Scrapbook Day Challenge

Feeling Sketchy partnered with Let's Scrap to create an International Scrap Day challenge.  Here is my card based on Feeling Sketchy's challenge.  I loved using the "scraps" from the previous layout to make this card. Using scraps from LOs to make cards has been my own personal challenge.  So I am very excited about this card.  In fact, I made two additional cards from the "scraps".

Let's Scrap International Layout Challenge

Participating in Let's Scrap  International Scrapbooking Challenge.  It has taken a LONG time to upload this photo (new computer) so go check out Let's Scrap for more info.

Government Shutdown

"My disapproval in our Senate, Congress and President's current actions is beyond words.  Together you have shown a lack of responsibility to the people you represent.   Collectively,  your inability to COMPROMISE has made our country look like a 3rd world nation with discussions of "government shutdowns". I am thoroughly embarrassed. My expectation of ALL elected government officials is to reach at least a temporary compromise by the end of today.  Please restore my faith in our democratic system.  I pray that our "government" will open their hearts and minds to find a compromise.

(In addition, I find the comment popping up immediately upon opening your website placing the entire blame of a "government shutdown" on "Congress's failure..." unbefitting of a man or woman who holds the title of  President of the United States. A true leader takes responsibility for his or her actions and the actions of those for which he is responsible(his employees).  Please act like the leader the US citizens elected and take ownership of your mistakes, an inability to compromise."

This is the comment that I sent to both US MS Senators: Thad Cockren & Roger Wicker; US House of Representative: Bennie Thompson and President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.  The comment in parenthesis was sent only to the President and Vice President.  

I am just shocked, saddened, disgusted, angry and the list of emotions continues with our government's inability to COMPROMISE.  Do I like Obama's Healthcare plan?  No.  It has certainly cost me ALOT more of my menial discretionary funds.  Do I think healthcare should be right of each citizen?  i know it costs a lot more to treat someone having a heartache vs prescribing them preventive medication.  Unfortunately, I am beginning to think anything with sugar in it or "fast food" should have higher taxes to help offset the medical costs.  However, it is the 1950's/60's government who introduced "corn syrup" into our everyday diets. 

It is just pathetic that the egos of the men and women in our US government have allowed our nation to come to this mess.  AND SHAME ON US FOR ELECTING AND RE-ELECTING THESE PEOPLE.