Celebrating Grandma Viola

I am so happy to have known each of my grandmothers for as long as I did. Grandma Ola was the one we had the priveledge of having with us the longest. One word to describe her? SWEETNESS. She loved violets, Heaven Scent perfume, was an excellent cook and so kind and a good Christian woman. What a reunion it must have been in Heaven the day she arrived to see Grandpa. They were married just over fifty years before he went home to the Lord. She was never quite the same without him. It was an honor to have a loving example such as them when it come to marriage. Today I celebrate Dear Grandma Viola Nancy who deserves more than one day on here ;)

I am a grEat spEllEr, honEst!!!

So I have typos but I spell like wizard! Seriously! Forgive the typos. Most the time my mind is flying and the rest of the time my keyboard sux! Seriously!!! It rEally hatEs E's!!!

IT is SO almost time...

The BIG announcement comes tomorrow. are you ready to see who is on this groovy design team? Come on back on April 1st!!!

Celebrating Grandma Carrie

I have a sad memory of Grandma CArrie. When I was only four years old I attended my first funeral and it was hers :( I remember that we were given cookies and I also remember walking up and seing her and learning then that she had lost a leg. What a horrible way to remember a great grandmother who was indeed a GREAT grandmother. From the stories I heard she was loving and generous and had a nice, warm bed that she would put stones into for heat and that she could cook the best fried potatoes on Earth. Now that is the way to be remembered! How sad that she passed away before I could learn more about her Native American history. I also have heard many times that she asked about me and my twin sister wanting to know how we were doing since the nursing home she lived in would not allow us there. What a tragedy! I celebrate you today Grandma Carrie! How I wish I had not been kept from you so that my memories would be happier ones.

Celebrating Miss Charlotte Doodles

Welcome Back!

Last year about this time I was lucky enough to experience new life in the form of a killdeer. I had never seen a bird like this before. My daughter was outside playing ball and stumbled across the bird appearing to have a broken wing when in fact she was trying to force Kristen away from a nest of eggs she had close by. I held a contest at Fiskateers fiskateers.com (tell 'em Deborah Sent you) to tell me what kind of bird this was and to name this precious girl. Today I celebrate Miss Charlotte Doodles who came back to lay her eggs and bring new life once again. They are beautifully hidden amongst the brush in this field beside my house and she is there protecting them once again with her "broken wing". I was able to get pretty close to her to take these pics too. Thanks for coming back Girl!

Celebrating Grandma Mertie

Another one of my grandmothers was very special in that she raised ten children. In today's time that is not even heard of so much is it? She did it though. Grandma Mertie was not a wealthy woman by any means but she gave what she had. I remember that she had long hair and would pay me and my twin sister 10¢ to brush her hair once she let it down. She had a drawer full of brushes and it was like we were beauticians! The other memory I have so prominently was how much she loved the song sung by John Denver called "Country Roads. She would actually have us sing that to her. She must have missed those mountains after she moved down the central part of VA, but she did so to help her epileptic son and gave up that home she had known for so long. They are pictured here sitting together on the far left. Here is to you Grandma, I celebrate you today!

Celebrating Native American Women

Back in the Fall I was able to attend a Pow-wow that as always "wow"ed me. These women are called Blanket Dancers and they danced a special ceremonial dance with their blankets held out asking for contributions that would help add to the pockets of some others in need.

I am always closer to my own roots when I attend a function such as this. The Native American Woman was sure to have worked harder than many women did when America was nothing but land, animals roaming free, unpolluted waters, beautiful trees and family. She would have had so much to do than we can imagine. It is hard to imagine their lifestyle just 150 years ago, but because of their contributions I honor all tribes today that consisted of women who surely paved the way for her sisters and daughters who would follow in her footsteps in taking care of her family in unimaginable ways. Supermom? Indeed! I celebrate you my sisters!

Celebrating Aunt Christine-PLEASE READ

This is a sad story but one I have written several times because there is a lesson in tragedy. Aunt Christine was married with 5 children when an altercation took place and tragically she was killed by her husband. Ladies, although I was only a small child when her life was taken I felt the need to send her story out and have many times to plead with women who are involved in hurful relationships. This should have been a good story for a woman who was beautiful, a gorgeous woman in fact. She should have been here to be with her young children but because alcohol, guns and abuse do not mix her life was taken at a time that it never should have been. What a loss to this family. If you know of someone who is in a bad relationship please help. Do not stand by and wonder. Make changes. You may be the only voice your friend has. When I hear the song by Stevie Wonder and Babyface it makes me think of Aunt Christine and how terribly sad it was that her life ended in such a way and so early. Please see the words to this song and remember my words so that in case you are ever wondering, you will then reach out to help someone who may be looking for a lifeline. I celebrate you today Aunt Christine!

There was a girl I used to know
She was oh so beautiful
But she's not here anymore
She had a college degree
Smart as anyone could be
She had so much to live for
But she fell in love
With the wrong kinda man
He abused her love and treated her so bad
There was not enough education in her world
That could save the life of this little girl

How come, how long
It's not right, it's so wrong
Do we let it just go on
Turn our backs and carry on
Wake up, for it's too late
Right now, we can't wait
She won't have a second try
Open up your hearts
As well as your eyes

She tried to give a cry for help
She even blamed things on herself
But no one came to her aid
Nothing was wrong as far as we could tell
That's what we'd like to tell ourselves
But no, it wasn't that way
So she fell in love
With the wrong kinda man
And she paid with her life
For loving that man
So we cannot ignore,
We must look for the signs
And maybe next time we might save
somebody's life

How come, how long
It's not right, it's so wrong
Do we let it just go on
Turn our backs and carry on
Wake up, for it's too late
Right now, we can't wait
She won't have a second try
Open up your hearts
As well as your eyes

I on occasion met that guy
It's been a feeling deep inside
Some ... wasn't right
The way he proves himself a man
By beating his woman with his hands
Oh I wish that she'd seen the light
How can someone like that call himself a man
He's not a man
Soon reality ...
And we cannot ignore
Whenever we see the signs
'Cause any kind of abuse
God knows, it's a crime

How come, how long
It's not right, it's so wrong
Do we let it just go on
Turn our backs and carry on
Wake up, for it's too late
Right now, we can't wait
She won't have a second try
Open up your hearts
As well as your eyes

Celebrating "Molly"

Back in Junior High school Tammy Jo and I met sitting on the football field and forever hit it off! I remember the conversation like it was yesterday. We were talking about the boy I liked (Joe) and her love interest Ronnie. That conversation began a lifelong friendship. We don't see each other today like we should ARE YOU LISTENING G/F but that does not mean we are not still the best of friends. She married only a few days after we graduated and I was in her wedding. I remember thinking that she was crazy for getting married already; however she is still married, doing well with grown twin daughters that she is completely devoted to and a business. Tammy will forever be "Molly" to me and I will be "Pink" to her since we loved Molly Hatchet and Pink Floyd and I am just hoping that one day when life is not so crazy that we can find the time to re-experience all the fun we had as kids. I celebrate you today Molly. Rock on!

Celebrating Amanda Nicole

Amanda Nicole is my second cousin and the daughter of my "favorite cousin" Kirk who sadly lost his life nearly two years ago at the young age of 39. This girl here was the gleam in her daddy's eye. This beautiful picture was taken the day of Kirk's funeral :( but she was beaming from the sunlight shining on her face and hair. I would like to think it was her daddy letting her know that he had made it home to be with God. She sang the most beautiful version of Martina McBride's song "Broken Wing" at his service all because he liked to hear her sing it. When I hear that song it never feels the same as it did before that day. I celebrate you for the woman you are becoming Niki. Your daddy would be so proud of you!

Celebrating Susie AND Lila

Becuase my mom's aunts were much older than me I did not have the priveledge of getting to know them well, but for the small amount of time that I did get that chance I was graced. These women came up during times when women were married very young and raised big families. One sister did and one sister did not. Susie was not able to have children but Lila had many and I know based on the small amount of time I was around Susie that she had to have been an excellent aunt to her nieces and nephews. Such kind women the both of them were. This picture is of them when they were much older in age and sitting together. The other photo is Susie as a young vibrant and beautiful woman and I think the picture is just lovely(left) and her big sister Lila who is on the right.I celebrate these kind hearted sisters today!

Celebrating Mrs.Gerard Butler

What a cool friend! Need I say more? No, but I will ;) She is one chick who is dependable and self sufficient! I think that is a very cool thing about her and in addition to that she scraps a hottie every chance she gets. Gerard Butler are you listening.? Gay wants to be your hunkahunkaburnin luv! Come and get her. Today I celebrate you Gay and I know I know you are not ;)

Celebrate Aunt Jean

Aunt Jean deserves to be celebrated. She continues to be an outstanding grandma by always being available to her 4 grandchildren. She always has worked for many years in her own cleaning business and still continues when many people would have turned it over to the second generation. Go girl! Also, she is one of the sweetest aunts I have ever known ;) I celebrate you today Auntie!!!

Celebrating Nicole

Nicole is my oldest niece and has got to be one of the funniest people I know. She has a real way with imitation and will just make me crack up saying hello in a British voice. She is a caring person and on her way to becoming a nurse. She is also a sorority sister and a grat cousin to my kids. I celebrate you today Nicole for all the giggles and for being the one person I KNOW I can always celebrate Mexican food with. You love me!!!
Auntie D

Celebrating Duckie

I have known my girlfriend Duckie for more than 25 years, but who is counting. She has really been through a lot through the years and she perseveres at times when I know I would probably have caved. She's a strong cookie, 'nuff said! She works hard every day and is a mom two her two girls while their dad recovers daily from a horrible motorcycle accident that nearly took his life. She does not get enough credit for everything thst she does and that includs getting it from herself, but I am here today to give it! Duckie you my friend have taken on the world and need to rely on friends who are there and want to help, but because you are not like that at all I celebrate you and your devotion to always being an excellent employee and giving more than 100%. I look forward to the day when you and I can be Thelma and Louise minus the car ride on the cliff, lol!

HAPPY ST PAT'S from Deborah!!!

Celebrating Grandmother Louvinia Lineberry

I am blessed to have aquired a picture such as this. To me, this picture represents the hard work and toil on a woman's face who would become my great-great grandmother. I wonder did she think about the generations of grandchildren that would follow in her footsteps. When I see this picture I see where our family gets the dark, Cherokee hair that I refer to as my "Cherokee Roots".



I wish I had the chance to know her and learn more about her life. At most I can guess what her life would have been like based the fact that she spent her life in the mountains of Virginia with her husband and 8 children. In that part of the mountains there is extreme cold weather. Her death occured because of Pneumonia, possibly brought on by those cold winter nights. Grandma Luviny I celebrate you and feel grateful that you were there before me to pave the way for hard working grandchildren who you would be proud of.

Celebrating Debbie

I "met" Debbie online once I joined the Fiskateers. She is a wonderful and very dear person. Although I have never met her outside of Cyberspace I can tell that she is a caring, generous and creative person inside and out. It was my pleasure to work with her this last year on her emag "Oh Scrap!". She is uber talented and serves as ambassador for the NZ area for Fiskars. She also has created many You Tube videoas sharing her passion with all who care to see. I celebrate you Debbie! You work hard, play hard and I am glad we have had a chance to get to know each other!!!

Celebrating Sisters Donna and Nancy

Since I have sisters I cannot put one ahead of the other or there might be hard feelings, lol. So, I decided to celebrate them both on the same message :) See how nice I am?

This is the funniest picture of Donna back in 1989 when we went to Kings Dominion and since she had the guts to where these pants I decided to celebrate her for that one...did I mention that I had them before here? Yeah I did not think so, haha! THANK goodness styles change...a lot!



As for the other sister Nancy here is one of her looking pretty daggone goofy too so I decided to celebrate her lack of inhibition to wear something a little "out there"...not her fault though because we threw her a little birthday bash when she turned 50 and "made" her where the red hat ;) Aren't we nice? What can I say it's a southern thang!

Celebrating Christina

A few years ago I was lucky enough to find a crop group and sitting with me was Christina. She was there with a friend, I was there with my oldest daughter and we hit it off. I thought she was such a kind person and I so admire her for her passion to build her family. She and her husband traveled many miles to bring home their child. I love that he is lucky to have a hard-working, creative and kind mommy like Christina and likewise I know she and her hubby are lucky to have found him ;) I celebrate you today Christina, you my friend deserve it so much!

Celebrating Sweepnut

You may know her as Sweepnut, but I know her as Girlfiend! We have known each other for many years and although time came between us for several of those, we found our way back together and found that we share many common interests, not to mention scrapbooking. She is a caring mother and wife and deserves to be celebrated. Here's to you SisterChick ;)!

Celebrating The Mrs. Wilson

My niece, The Mrs. Wilson deserves to be in the limelight a little bit for the woman she has become. Last May she married her sweetheart who was home on leave from Iraq. With only two weeks together they celebrated their marriage by taking a trip back to see his parents in MI and then he brought her back home where they set up the remaining bits of their apartment she had already started while he was away.

Marriage is so incredibly hard and I speak from experience as my 15th wedding anniversary is in less than one month. Mrs. Wilson had to endure quite a bit in these last 10+ months. She began her first year of marriage with her husband sitting many miles away fighting for our country. I think that it is difficult in the first year and then add that type of stress and it must have been hard. She made it through, he is home safely, THANK GOD, and they have just started their life together as a married couple.

Kudos Mrs. Wilson , you did it and it could not have been easy, but you proved it can be done. May you have many, many blessed years together and may God keep you two safely together, happy in each other's arms where you should be :)

Auntie D

Design Team Will be Announced Soon!

Keep checking in! The design team has been chosen and will be announced VERY soon. Thanks to all who applied. I hope you will all be as impressed by the team as I am!

Celebrating Miss Tipton

When I was going to second grade I remember vaguely my mother taking me up to the school where they posted the teachers for our upcoming year. Although I have no idea why, I knew I did not want Miss Tipton. I was so upseet that day when I found out that she was my assigned teacher and for a whole year. Little did I know, but she would become a teacher I have always remembered, but not for what I expected. Instead she turned out to be a wonderful, kind woman who I was lucky to have as a teacher. I wish I knew how to find her today, if she is still around. i would let her know what kind of person I thought she was and thank her for the sweet little valentine I kept all these years. I will have to get that out and celebrate Miss Tipton, another great teacher!!!

Celebrating Nurse Wonderful

I had my second daughter in the summer of 2004. I was absolutely treated like a queen as well as my little darling, in fact I was asked to allow her to be the "bath baby" for the new mom class. She was a model :) Nurse Wonderful (I never knew her real name) treated her like a little princess. She started a trend because it is now 4.5 years later and that little darling is definately a princess in this family. Thanks Nurse Wonderful for putting her on the right path! I celebrate you and the awesome job you do and for all the lucky mommies and babies who have been in your care!

Cupcake Crop

My friends and fellow design team members at http://letsscrapdivas.ning.com/ will be having a Cupcake Crop starting tomorrow morning. Come on over to play games and work on challenges. Prizes are being offered :)

Celebrating Mrs. Baxter

If you have the calling to be a teacher JUMP on it! I know teachers are one of the many who are underpaid for what they do, but they do leave an impression on their students and many times may not know it. I was absolutely lucky enough a couple of years ago to let my wonderful teacher, Mrs. Baxter, know EXACTLY what she meant to me. I am so grateful too. When I was younger and was going through something she was THE one adult I knew I could go to and would get the help I needed. She was not the typical teacher, but instead treated her students like the soon-to-be adults that we were. I adored her and trusted her and Celebrate her today! Baxter you rock!!!

Celebrating Aunt Ann

When I look at this picture of my aunt, Ann I realize that I was yet to know her because she was only about 15 at the time, but what a lady she became :) She was so interested in many occupations at a time when many women were staying home to raise their children. I found her to be a very interesting lady and I loved the fact that when everyone else called me by the family nickname that she would call me what I wanted and that was Debbie or Deborah. Thanks Aunt Ann; I celebrate you for being a wonderful aunt that I could learn from and for being SO COOL!

Celebrating Kim Young

Remember in High School when you were young enough to do dumb things and not question it once? Well when I was in 10th grade I met this girl, I'll call her Kim Young, who had moved to my neighborhood with her military family from Texas. She was adopted by this same family and by my own observations I thought she was severely mistreated, especially by the mother. Sorry to air dirty laundry, but it was because of this family's behaviour that I found myself serving as an advocate to this girl many times in the next few years. She knew very little English having been brought to America at the age of ten and now at 16 she knew English, but it was still quite broken and mispoken often. The kids at school made fun of her and I took up for her. Her "brothers and sister" told her what to do like she was their hired help. The father seemed indifferent to her. I did not like the way they treated her nor me because I had befriended her.

When I say I did something stupid, my then High School boyfriend and I knew where she was hiding when she ran away on one Thanksgiving morning , but we would not tell anyone. We were determined that we would and could help her find her way to any place other than with these people who were treating her so cruely. We took food from my family dinner table and wrapped it up in napkins to take to her. We tried to devise a plan, but this was a small town and if we rode down the street everyone knew where we were and with it only being 3 miles wide that traveled at the speed of sound it seemed. She did eventually go back inside her house and truth be known was not missed even when she was "missing". The police were called just because she was "missing" and I miss her today. We had a special friendship, but she moved all the way across the states and we only saw each other one time in these 25 years since she left.

I salute you Kim Young for being so strong and keeping your chin up with a pretty good attitude. You dealt with wandering streets of Korea at 3 years old not knowing how to find your mommy. You endured quite a bit living in a group home there. You endured enough from your adopted family and school kids. You have earned your place here to be celebrated.

I hope "One Fine Day" we can reconnect and spend the day laughing and giggling about all the silly girl things we did then. I celebrate you today because you deserve it over and over and over.

Disclaimer: I do not support runaway teens nor their friends helping secretively, but would instead encourage all teens suffering with any problems to contact an adult that they can trust as well as depend on for times of need. If you can assist or need someone to talk to, contact:http://www.nationalsafeplace.org/

Celebrating Grandmother Cornelia

As an avid Genealogist I was so excited the day I was able to get my hands and scrap supplies onto a picture of my great grandmother, affectionately known as "Neillie". If I had a dollar for each time I heard my mother say "Grandma had a feather bed that I loved sleeping in" then I would be rich! She always has followed that part of the story with another about her having hot irons that she tucked into the bedsheets to keep their feet warm. I am sure that she would love the many inventions that have happened since her days that are much more efficient in keeping warm. I also have to mention that Momma loved her grandma's fried potatoes. The things kids remember!

I celebrate Grandmother Cornelia today. She raised her children, but unfortunately left too early for me to ever have a chance to know her. She passed away when my mom was only 11 years old, but her memory remained in the hearts of those who knew and adored her. To you Neillie!

Celebrating My Mommy

Shouting out a celebratory whoohoo to my mommy this month to honor National Women's History Month! She made local history when giving birth to the first triplets in the hospital we were born in...yep me...I'm a triplet and God bless her she is the momma! Sadly we lost our triplet Darlene at 24 hours of age, but my twin(triplet) and I are fighting the odds still ;) Mommy here's to you! You deserve it for putting up with us, lol!

Here we are:

Look at my mommy at 6 years old!!! Thanks to my uncle and aunt for allowing me to make a copy of this picture. It is the only one I have of Mommy Dear(no not Dearest) as a child

Celebrating Aunt Geraldine

Although Aunt Geraldine could not have children of her own she was a really nice aunt who is well missed. Sadly she lost her life to cancer in 1994 right before my oldest daughter was born. She wanted so much to meet Kristen but just could not hang on longer. She was a real cutie as a young girl and I notice that her and I as well as my youngest daughter have the same eyes when I look at this picture of her as a school girl. So cute. I celebrate you today Aunt Geraldine!

Celebrating Grandmother Alverta

This is my great grandmother Alverta standing in the center of this photo. As we celebrate National Women' History Montth I choose to celebrate Grandma Vertie for the woman she was. She raised many children while surviving in the cold Virginia mountains. I have been told that she was as sweet as sugar and that she always managed to find a little bit of candy to share with her grandkids. Here is to you Grandma Vertie for the hard work, for surviving the odds, for being a wonderful mother and grandmother and for being You! I would love to have known you!

Sincerely and with much love, your Grandchild

Celebrating Aunt Jessie

I must have a million aunts, and here is Jessie the one that I get my great legs from, lol! I remember thinking how long and pretty her legs were when I was little so I just want to say GO Girl!!! LOL! You are more than great legs of course, haha! You were always inspirational to watch running your shop because you showed me that even though you were close to retirement that you were a hard worker and what a loving mom you have been too. I celebrate you today Aunt Jessie.

February Big Smiles Challenge Winner

I use random.org sequence generator to choose winners so that everyone has a fair shot,and now I ask that you please join me and saying Congratulations to Denise for her excellent photo for National Dental Month. She will win 28 scrappy items for her big smile as a child!

I Love Color, Don't You?

Before deciding on your next scrapbook page, paint for the bedroom, or even the next car color you will choose consider these very interesting reasonings behind color:

RED - The color of power, vitality, motivation, strength
ORANGE - The color of confidence, energy, joy, warmth
YELLOW - The color of strength, intelligence, joy, happiness, optimism
GREEN - The color of balance, harmony, caring, tenacious self-reliance, and healing
BLUE - The color of calmness, concentration, healing, relaxation, loyalty, and trust
INDIGO - The color of soothing, power, connection with knowledge, idealism, introversion.....and martyrdom?
VIOLET - The color of creativity, intuition, spirituality, self-awareness

Celebrating Nation Women's History Month

These are the ladies who have made impacts on our lives. We valued each of them for how they have contributed to our lives.
disabling the slideshow since it is slowing down the blog :(