Halloween...

Oh my... we have not celebrated Halloween in YEARS!! It had gotten out of hand, and way too dangerous, so we had changed our way of doing things, and started a new tradition! We started celebrating my cousin's birthday by going out to dinner and going "Haunted House" hopping!! You know, like Pub hopping in the UK, but instead, we'd go from one Haunted House to the next!! His birthday is on the 28th of October, but we normally try to celebrate it the Saturday closest to Halloween.

We had a blast on Saturday night... we went to "Boo on the Boardwalk" at Kemah; the name of the Haunted house there was called the Dungeon--they made it from the parking garage!! Talk about wow! It was better than the ones we went to last year (which shocked us all) I'll have to upload some photos when I get them sorted... for now I've got a layout I created of my sister in her costume that she bought to go to a Halloween party! Of course she tried put it on at my house in hopes of an opportunity later, and there was a club that was having a costume contest, so afterwards, off she went! Looking like a sexy devil!! The actual name of the costume was "TinkerHel" (oops... not such a cute name, but it's a play on words...)

Another FREEBIE from Caro!!

Yay!! This time she was so sweet, she even made a dog freebie frame in my favorite color too!! By request!! Is she not wonderful or what? Stop by DSSA and pick it up before it's too late! Don't forget to leave her a comment and let her know you heard about it from me!! Elise (aka NikosMom at DSSA)

Here's the preview, just click on the picture to be redirected to scoop it up!

RAK Winner...

I know I'm a little late in posting the winner, but "Sticking Our Necks Out" is the slogan for Thyroid Disease, and HapEScrapr was correct!! However, the ribbon is purple unless they've changed it recently... but she got it partially correct and will receive the newest kit by Lisa Majewski "The Princess and the Pea" courtesy of me!!

HapEScrapr said...
Educating people about thyriod disease.
The ribbon is light blue.

Here is a preview of the kit. If you like what you see and didn't get a chance to win it, you may purchase it from 3Scrapateers or digiScrap Boutique while it's on sale for only $3!! It is crammed with all sorts of goodies that you normally do not get with a lot of kits, and it can be used for both girls and boy pages! You know me, I always scrap a lot of puppy photos or hubby photos!!


Congrats HapEScrapr!! (Please e-mail me to claim your prize at Sosaswife at gmail dot com... Thanks for all of those that played!! Everyone can pick up a Quickpage FREEBIE until the 31st of October and let Lisa know that you heard about her designs from Elise!!)

Freebie for Cat Lovers!!

Hey, there is a gorgeous freebie for all you cat lovers over at DSSA made by Caro (Carolyn Bender); she is fabulous with her creations!! Make sure to scoop it up before it's too late! Also even if you're not a cat person, there is a really cute pink frame with bling on it that you've got to get!! Click HERE to be redirected to get it now or click on the image!

Don't forget to leave her a comment and let her know I sent ya!!

Elise (aka NikosMom at DSSA)

All for a good cause...

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and if you haven't already had your mammogram done this year, I charge you with scheduling an appointment in the next two weeks! And even if you're not "that age" yet, or for my guy friends that do stop in and read my blog, all of us have great women in our lives that you wouldn't want to see get this disease. I had one done this year, even though I thought I was too young, my docs scheduled me for one at the Rose Center... I had always heard horror stories, but 15 minutes of discomfort could save your life in the long run!

I was a part of the "Scrap Pink Weekend" at my LSS, and we had a blast!! All kinds of goodies were handed out, and more than half of the monies raised went to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in support of getting control of this Cancer. I am currently working on a layout, and should have it posted before the end of the week! (Maybe even tomorrow!)


Also, FYI, I have "Walked" for the March of Dimes (saving premature infants and those that come into this world fighting every second!) since I was in High School, and I've got a team called "Crop 4 Dimes" that I started when I could no longer physically do the walk, but still wanted to raise money. I'm looking for an LSS to hold it at for 2008, and will have all kinds of prizes and goodies for those that attend and donate... details to come, so please keep an eye out! If you'd like to join me in this effort, please contact me!


I am part of a society devoted to "Sticking our Necks Out".... if you can tell me what this means, or what color ribbon is used, I've got a freebie for the first person that can post the answer in the comments section! (No cheating please!!)

What's the 411?

Okay, I can't believe I haven't had a chance to post anything since the 3rd of October. That's actually quite embarrassing. Quick run down... I've been sick, I had to help my mother move, I've taken a class at By Design Scrapbook Boutique with the use of the new One Heart One Mind products!! Woo hoo you've got to see what kind of new techniques I learned from Tami!! All in the past 3 weeks, I've had so many tests run to figure out what's going on with my dizziness (and no, it's not the common "ditziness" that usually goes on!! LOL, so I know who you are that are thinking that it's normal for me to be "dizzy" ha ha ha) but seriously, I've felt like a total lab rat going back and forth to Methodist and having tests run by Baylor College of Medicine! I'll just continue to pray that God gives me great doctors since this is something in His plans...


So, you wanna see what I've been busy doing? BTW, let me say that the CT that I'm on has a wonderful bunch of ladies, and I really don't think the designer, Lisa Majewski (aka jdsmom), could have picked a better team! (Applause to all...) It really makes a difference when you're using products that you like!

Just a few of my favorite layouts...

The LO with my mother was done in blue because that is her favorite color!! Our wedding colors were actually Black and White. (I also was inspired by another lady on the team to create a femine LO using the Veronica kit, which at first looked very masculine to me... but not! Thanks Kelly; to view her use of the Veronica kit entitled "Mallory" click here!!)

The other LO of Pablo and his dad, I actually captured this photo while we were visiting his family for Father's Day! He and his dad were walking ahead of us, and his mom and I had stopped to look at something else. I'd always wanted to capture a shot of someone walking away, and wow, I was pleasantly pleased when I downloaded the photo!

~ Both of these pages were designed with the "Veronica" Kit by Lisa Majewski ~

Kit available at digiScrap Boutique and 3Scrapateers

(When you buy or join, please put my user ID "NikosMom" in the referral box)

Here is another LO (sorry LO=Layout for the non scrappers)

~ The double page spread was created using the "Bourdeaux Bliss" kit by Lisa Majewski ~

Also available at digiScrap Boutiqe and 3Scrapateers

To view more of my LOs and creations (cards, paper LOs, and altered projects!) visit my main gallery on ACOT!

Well, I guess that pretty much catches us all up. Niko has been sick all this week too. I've captured some great photos of him bonding with Sasha though, but I just hate that he doesn't feel so well, we're planning to take him and drop him off at the vet today for observation or something... Keep him in your prayers please!!

hugs,
Elise

Great News!! I'm SO ELATED to tell you...

I've been selected as a Creative Team (CT) member for Lisa Majewski Designs!!!

As most of you know I've been doing "Digital Scrapbooking" for the past month or so... actually I started a year ago, did one layout and thought I'd never do it again; well, you know I've always said there is a time and a place for every thing, and the time is NOW. After studying under Egle Noel, I've almost turned into a pro--okay, not quite, but I'm getting pretty good!

Take a look at the first layout (LO) I've done on the CT with her newest "Boo-Who" kit! You like don't you? You've gotta have it don't you?!? :) Please visit Lisa Majewski's blog for the kit and some freebies!

Isn't Pablo a cutie in these photos? He wants me to redo the LO with his journaling... I must admit, he can be a little witty at times! I'll have a few more up later, or you can visit my ACOT gallery to view posts until I get my album set up for viewing from the blog!

She's up to something!!

Okay, I've got some really cool news to share with you, just not yet!! You SO don't want to miss this!! Right now I'm working on getting my homework finished and some layouts completed...
Then I've got to tell you about my hectic weekend, and by then, maybe I can explode with the news!!! (and for my close friends, no, I'm not pregnant, we're still waiting for that blessing!)

New Digital Layouts!!

Well, I'm totally getting the hang of this... And I've pretty much owe it all to Egle Noel. As my first teacher and a wonderful friend, she has seen me progress quite quickly! From a "glowing" layout which I still laugh about, to what you see today. I wouldn't have been able to improve as much as I have without spending 108 minutes on the phone with her the other day! The ones below were for challenges or contests that I've entered, so please be sure and wish me luck!

Kits used on the "Road Trip" Page:

"Ocean Dreams" by DSSA Boutique (N. Whiteley)

"Pet Barcode" by DSSA Boutique

"Naturally Cozy" by Bella Gypsy

"Phalphas::Photo Alpha Templates" Designs by Anita Stergiou

Kits used on the "B is for Boyds" Page:

"Krafty Chic" by Anita Stergiou Designs

"Phalphas :: Photo Alpha Templates" Designs by Anita Stergiou

Now just one more to finish quickly before the weekend is over, and I've got a test to complete for an online class, and 2 homework assignments! :) I've got it all under control. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, we took the puppies to have their pictures professionally done, and they turned out really nice! We'll get them in about 2-3 weeks, and Pablo and I were able to sit in on them also, so looks like we've got our Christmas card photos out of the way! And yes, I'm sending out Christmas cards this year, and everyone is getting their ornaments as normal!

Niko is sick today...

Well, it looks like my baby boy's illness is showing its ugly head again. I thought things were good, especially with the new prescription dog foods, etc, and he hasn't been sick in almost 2 months. Hopefully today was just a fluke. I've got Econ and my Music class to go to today, so unfortunately I'm not going to be able to stay and observe him... He's sleeping in a little ball right now, and when I asked if he wanted to go for a walk, he didn't budge...

I've got a really great digital layout that I need to post tonight or tomorrow morning!! Check back this weekend!! Hmm... maybe I should look into becoming a Designer... just a thought!

"The Time is Now..." Clock Class by Janet Hopkins Slide Show

Fantastic Class!! Take a look...

Oh my goodness!! You have got to see what I did yesterday! Talk about having a blast at a scrapbook store, this is it...

First of all, it was amazing that I was even able to get into the classes considering I didn't know about it until about 2130 the night before, and you should have seen me being so frantic trying to get ahold of my good and dear friend Miss Pixie to get into this class scheduled for Saturday morning at 0900!! Anyways, long story short, I made it in, showed up (a little late, because Sasha and Niko didn't want me to leave them--spoiled dogs I tell ya!), but I'm SO SO GLAD I got in on the classes! I want to post pictures of the ladies that I hung out with in the class, but I've got to see if they don't mind me posting their pictures up! :) Then you could really see how much fun we had!

The first class was "the PLAY book" by Janet Hopkins and using the Heidi Swapp Playing Cards... be sure to check her out! Fantastic lady!! The second class was "The Time is Now..." Clock Class using the Heidi Swapp "Create Your Own" Memory Clocks! Oh this just blew me away!! As most of you know, I don't always play by the rules, I always color inside the lines, but I've got to do it differently!! :) So... here is my version of the clock! Let me know what you think!

That's me and Janet Hopkins at By Design Scrapbook Boutique

More pictures upclose of my altered Heidi Swapp clock:

Well, enough playing on the computer, I've really got to finish my homework!! At first I was ahead with all my assignments, and now I'm rushing to get them done! LOL...

TTFN... me

A Time for Rememberance

Do you remember where you were between 0803 and 0915 six years ago?

I do... I know this should be my "welcome or joining IN" to the blogging world, but today just so happens to be the infamous 9/11. At the time I was still on active duty in the Air Force, and I was on my way to work. Security was so tight for everyone getting on the base, we where stuck waiting to drive on for about 3 hours! I honestly hope that you will take a few moments out of your day this morning to sit in silence for all the innocent lives that perished that horrific day of nation-wide tragedy and grief. Isn't it simply amazing how Americans as a nation separate ourselves from fighting and bombings when it comes to other countries... normally 3rd world countries, and we offer our support, but to us... oh let them fight... But notice how things changed when it was brought on our soil; does it really always have to be something so disastrous for us to open our eyes and realize that just because we're in America, we're not invincible? I was on the other side of this hiatus crime... at that time, I was a "warrior" not only for God, but also for all American citizens; did I react differently to this situation? You bet I did! I honestly went into fight or flight mode, even though I was just as terrified as any other American, I couldn't show it; not with that uniform on! My single mission that day was to "get the right information to the right place/people, and get it there on time all the time!" I had stepped up to the plate to fill in where ever I was needed. This one day was a very huge catalyst in my life...

This was the day I became sick.

For the first time in my career, I saw a lot of people looking at the big picture. Everyone was pulling their weight and working as a team. I designed all kinds of tracking databases for 100 percent accountability at all times, and I had started working anywhere from 12-16 hours each day, without complaining about it, or not getting a lunch! Within 48 hours we were deploying a lot of people that normally wouldn't have. This is when reality set in again! So I worked harder, we were going to be short staffed and I had been there a while... So, I may not have been in Tower I, II or the Pentagon that day, but a part of me died that day... as it did with other co-workers. When the heavy dust settled almost 8 months later, I was diagnosed with Graves' Disease, co-workers were coming back from deployment sites practically devastated, and with a completely different attitude, and the city of New York no longer had that beautiful architectural icon that once stood so proudly...

So, today, I charge you with taking a moment of silence, go out of your way today to smile at someone you've never met and just say "Hello"... Maybe if we stop living in a closed society, we may have been a little more aware of our surroundings!