It's HERE!!

9:00am, the door bell rings...
"DING DONG!!"
As I'm trying to keep from waking Jayla up, I'm thinking to myself, "this had better be important!"
It was!!!
As I get to the door, I see the FedEx lady running across our yard back to her truck. Immediately, I knew what it was,
My new printer is HERE!!!
Yippy!! I'm back in business.
I was gonna try and hook it up by myself, but my husband reminded me that our printers are connected to our network. ARGH!!!
Ok, I can wait (simply because he's coming home early today)
Welp, I'm all set now. And not a moment too soon. Tonight is my scrapbooking night. So now I get to print whatever I need to take with me tonight.
Oh the joys of color printing :-).

We passed inspection {smile}

Well, the day finally came. Adrienne came to town yesterday, did her "family" thing then came to visit us today. I tell you, I was SO excited about her coming. THEN...I got that phone call. Adrienne says, "Ok, I've got good news and I've got bad news!". What an awful thing to hear when you've just prepared a HUGE pan of lasagna, a big ole bowl of salad AND a delicious dessert! Well, fortunately, the bad news wasn't so bad. As long as they could get rid of her husbands migrane headache, they're still coming.

But we now know where Adrienne's love lies...it's with shopping :-). Before, she could come see us, she HAD to take a trip to the IKEA store. She's a mess. But she did locate it and was totally in another world (check out her BLOG for details on that trip). I hear another trip back is already being planned :-).

ANYway, Adrienne and her family finally made it to our home. Just as we were putting away the vaccum cleaner and going over the floor one more time with the broom, they pulled up. YAY!! Jayla comes running down the stairs yelling, "Miss Adrienne is HERE!!, Miss Adrienne is HERE!!!" She was almost as excited as me...but I wasn't yelling :-).

It was so cool to be able to meet, face to face, a FRIEND that I've been conversing with a little over 2 months. Like I said before, our meeting was simply routine. Had you seen us together today, eating dinner, talking scrapbook talk and just sitting around laughing with our husbands, you'd think we've known eachother for years. It was so funny, when they got ready to leave, Adrienne's 6 year old was crying because she didn't want to leave. And her 9 year old was a little calmer about it, but she didn't want to leave either. Adrienne joined in the "whining" stating that she too, wanted to stay a little longer. We must be quite the hosts, huh? :-). I don't know about you, but it sure makes me feel good when your guests are enjoying themselves so much that they don't want to leave. I'm flattered. Good thing is, we've agreed to try and visit with eachother more often. I'm looking forward to what the future holds for this friendship....me and Adriennes, our husbands AND our kids.








This is me and Adrienne. Doesn't she look tall? She's not. She had on 4 inch heels :-). Boy, we look tired, don't we? It was hard work getting this meeting together :-).









These are our 2 little "Diva's". My DD, Jayla (on the left) and Adrienne's DD, Kayla, had a ball playing dress up. Love that boa!

Here are all the kids. By the time this picture was taken, they were all just about ready for a nap. But I think they had a great time together. At least it sounded like it with all the noise they were making and all the toys that were spread around our playroom (They did a great job cleaning up though).

Whew, this entire planning thing was exhausting. It's especially hard when you're looking so farward to meeting someone. But everything went very, very well and I think we both passed inspection.

Adrienne, I officially welcome you and your family into my life. Enjoy!!

The Perished Printer - Take 2 (Remaining problem solved)

Gather around, gather around---the printer story continues. Good news? Yes, good news. I took a walk on the wild side and called Staples about my ink issue. They plan to help me. All I have to do is take the unopened cartridges back and they will refund some of my money. SOME...because it was a double pack and I had to open one package and administer to the ailing printer. I'm cool with that! Better news? Well of course there's better news. This post isn't NEAR as long as the one from yerterday. :-) Toodles!!

The Perished Printer

Oh what a sad day. Ok, maybe it's not so sad. It's more like a bitter sweet moment.
For the past day or so I have been having problems with my Epson Stylus C86 Photo printer. I won't bore you with the details of what it was...or was not doing. It just wasn't working properly. I have spent a small fortune on ink cartridges for this puppy since I bought it almost a year ago. I have truly put this printer to the test though. I mean I AM a scrapbooker. And I HAVE to print my photos and journaling, right? Trust me when I say I used the printer to its potential. Anyway, after changing 3 of the 4 cartridges within a 24 hour period and spending yet another $50 on MORE ink today. I thought it was time to give Epson Tech Support a call. I had already done all the tests prior to calling, but they suggested I do them again...just for kicks and giggles I assume. We knew there was a problem when it was "printing" blank pages and all the lights on it started flashing. Now, I'm concerned!

I asked the tech if this was something that he'd seen happen before and fortunately he said yes. So I wasn't the only one. However, at this point I'm thinking I'd better locate a coffin...uh, I mean box to put this thing in and send it back to Epson. But to my surprise, that was NOT the next step or resolution.

RESOLUTION: I do NOT have to return the old printer (which in fact IS still under warranty until April). In fact, they are going to ship me the upgrade of this printer...at no charge to me. (And the church said...AMEN!) So within the next 3 - 5 business days, I will be receiving a brand spankin new Epson Stylus C88 Photo Printer. How cool is THAT?? Two steps up for mankind. What do I do with the deceased one you ask? I was politely told I could either recycle it or heave it off a nearby cliff. Hmmm, what to do?

REMAINING PROBLEM: Remember the $50 I spent TODAY on more ink? Well, the new printer doesn't take the same kind of ink as the old one. Of course it doesn't...DUH...that would only make sense. And, of course I can't return the ink to Staples because I had to open the outer packaging to replace one cartridge that probably didn't really need replacing.

(Possible) 2nd RESOLUTION: The tech said that Epson MAY be able to reimburse me or "swap" cartridges with me once I get the new printer. I'm interested in seeing how THAT pans out.

Alrighty, that's enough fun for me today. Hopefully, I'll be back in business soon. I've got some scrappin to catch up on....

I'm 57% Dixie (Right on the Mason Dixon Line)

My niece sent me this link and it's pretty cool. I think I've seen it before, but I don't remember how I "ranked". So as you see above, I'm 57% Dixie...whatever THAT means. Not sure it has anything to do with me being from NYC. But I've been in GA so long, I think I'm from here. Wonder if I can change the birthplace on my birth certificate?

Anyhoo, here's the link. See where you "rank" and let me know! :-)
http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/yankeetest.html

Ok, it's CRUNCH time...

And it's not crunch time because I'm sitting here at my desk munching on chocolate drizzled PoppyCock. It's crunch time, because it's almost Sunday, Jan. 29th. What's the significance of THAT you ask? Well, my friend and fellow scrapbooker, Adrienne will be coming to Georgia to visit. I am SOOOO excited! Adrienne and I have been emailing and conversing by phone and IM since November 12th (I think). And to date, have never laid eyes on eachother....other than pictures.

We are both totally amazed at how we've just hit it off and become such good friends. I think us finally meeting face to face is just "routine". Because I don't think we're gonna like eachother any more or any less because we can now put a real live face with the name. To me, us meeting will simply be icing on the cake, so to speak.

Ok, now the actual part that makes this "crunch time" for me is that I have to finish cleaning my house and get "prepared" for her visit. And not only is SHE coming...she's bringing her family! So, I have to make sure I make a good impression. Lord knows I don't want her to think I'm a slob :-). AND, get this...I will also be attempting to impress her with my cooking. I'm preparing dinner for them too. Oh, what a weekend this will be.

Okie dokie, I've typed enough for now. I'll be sure to let you know how our meeting goes. If you notice that I've removed her from my "links", then perhaps it didn't go too well...HAHAHA! Just kidding, Adrienne. Love ya girl, can't wait to see you!

TAG...I guess I'm it (Thanks Adrienne)

Looks like I've been tagged. So I guess I'd better get on with it. Like I said, I love doing these questionnaires. But this one may ask a little more than I'm willing to share :-). Here goes:

1. First time you got kissed. How was it?
Well, the first time I got kissed, I was in the 7th grade. How was it you ask...it wasn't what I expected. Kinda wet :-). Not to mention about 10 of our friends were there watching...just to see if I'd go through with it. How embarassing!

2. First time you drove a car. What kind of car was it?
Too funny, the first time I drove, I was going to my then boyfriend, Tony's house. I was 18 and it was raining outside. I had a little problem pressing the brakes and I rear ended another car...a police car no less. ARGH!!! Then, when I backed up a little, I hit a telephone pole. What a day! I was driving a BRIGHT Yellow Chevy Chevette.

3. First time you scrapbooked. When you look at your page, do you love it?
The first time I scrapbooked was in July of 2001. I started on Markell's book and it SUX! But I will not redo any of the pages because it helps me see how far I've come. Not to mention, it is fun to look at.

4. First time you went on a date. Where did you go? Who with?
ARGH!!! My first date was to my Junior/Senior Prom in 1983. (see photo) My date (and then boyfriend, Tony) was over an hour late picking me up. We went to Red Lobster for dinner. And he was drag racing down the highway to the hotel where the prom was held. I thought we were gonna go to jail that night. I was given permission to stay out until 1am that night. I got home at 10:45pm!!! Just the thought of that night TICKS me off!!! :-)

5. First time you fell in love. How did you know?
What did I know? I was only 16. But I would have to say the first time I "fell in love" was with a guy who didn't even know I walked this planet. I knew I was "in love" with him because he was so different from all the other FOOLS I went to school with. And because he consumed my every thought. Come to find out, I wasn't really in love after all. That didn't REALLY happen until I met Marque, my husband. That one, I can't explain...I just KNEW...and still do!! (too sappy?)

6. First time you cooked for someone. Was it yummy? What did you make?
Marque was the first person I cooked for. Ya know, it was pretty tasty. We had Cornish Hens with gravy, corn on the cobb and crescent rolls. We had dessert too, but I can't remember what it was.

7. First time you got on a plane. Where did you go? Were you scared?
My first plane trip was from Georgia to New York to visit my dad. I was too excited to be scared. I hadn't seen him in a couple years.

8. First time you shaved your legs. Did you cut yourself?
I think I was 15 when I shaved my legs for the first time. One of my friends was spending the night with me so we decided to try shaving our legs. I don't think I cut myself, I just remember it not being as "fun" as all the other girls said it was. I don't think I've shaved my legs since. Fortunately, I don't really have to :-).

9. First time you put on makeup. Looking back, how did you look? Did you look good or like a clown?
I think I was in the 10th grade. And it was picture day. I think it looked alright. However, my mother thought I looked a little like a clown. The lipstick I had on was a bit much. And I don't wear lipstick to this day...I HATE the way it feels on my lips. It's enough for me to wear chapstick. (Here's that 10th grade picture. What do you think?)

10. First time you moved out of your (parents) home. Was it to an apartment or house?
I moved out of my mothers house into an apartment in April of 1988. It was me and my 3 year old daughter. The apartment was AWFUL!!! That was the longest 6 months of my life!!!

Well, there you have it. I've lived such a sheltered life :-). That was fun. Can't think of anyone I want to tag. So we'll just go from Adrienne's list and see what happens.

Have a groovy day!!

You've got to try this

Hello my blogger friends. Hope this post finds you all well.

I don't normally post things like this, but you have got to try this. My sister sent these to my husband who sent them to me. And it was so much fun to do...FRUSTRATING...but fun.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to pull it over from Excel so that it would show immediately if you got the right answer. So I guess that means, you'll have to figure out the 30 mini puzzles in the comfort of your own homes :-). I have all the correct answers, so if you'd like me to tell you which ones you got right, or help you out with some, feel free to send me an email and I'll get back with you.

Thanks for your time and HAVE FUN!!!

Got Flowers?

How exciting...I did my first layout using the Prima Flowers. I admit, I didn't use them on a layout that you'd normally see flowers on. But since this isn't really a "soccer" page per se, I thought it would be alright. I kinda like how it turned out. Oh well, guess I've gotta buy some more colors now, huh? Thanks for looking.

New scrappin toys

Yippy!!! Today I got some new scrapping toys to play with. Those of you who scrapbook will appreciate my excitement. Those of you who don't probably think I just need to get a life :-). C'mon fellow scrappers...It IS the life when you get something new, right???

Anyways, I ordered and received my first bottle of Prima Flowers. I got the bright assortment and they are SO pretty. Can't wait to use them. And I got a new circle punch. It's 2 1/8" in diameter...fun! I also got some bright colored "Loopy Brads". Have no clue how I'm gonna use those yet. But they are super cute. And saving the best for last, I got a Craft Space Organizer...in purple of course. It clamps onto my desk and it has a cup holder, pen/pencil/supply holder, tape dispencer and tiny supplies holder. I have wanted one of these things for so long. But I've been too cheap to pay for it (Not a WORD, Adrienne!!!) I'm so excited about it because now I can leave this one attached and take my CM Side Kick with me when I go scrapping. Oh, and yesterday, I got the Coluzzle LARGE Nested Circle cutter. Can't wait to use that too.

What can I say? It's the little things in life that thrill a scrapbooker. I'm not ashamed :-).