What a Celebration!

And while our Thanksgiving was very nice as you heard on my previous post, that's not the celebration I am referring to this morning. We just returned from a very quick trip (if you consider 7 hrs. one way "quick"!) to Virginia (we live in NC). Sunday we witnessed the renewal of vows and the celebration of 60 years of marriage of some dear friends of ours, Dick and Louise Kelley. There are no words to describe the love, commitment and devotion between these two people for each other, for their Lord and Savior and for their family. It was one of the most touching experiences of my life. And, unfortunately, I have no photos of the happy occasion, either. I've been frustrated for sometime with my little digital point and shoot-and it's failed me yet again (If anyone out there would kindly share what type of camera they have and their likes and dislikes I would be most grateful!). I am going to bite the bullet and pick SOMETHING to start with. I am looking for lightweight and a good zoom. Then I am going to sign up for classes to learn how to use it right. I may never be as good as Joel but I gotta do better! I was heartbroken to come home and see every photo blurred.

As you can imagine, there wasn't much time to visit with the happy couple during the festivities, so we stopped yesterday morning on our way out of town to deliver our gift and spend some time catching up. Not only did we have a great visit with them, but I also had the opportunity to meet a delightful young lady--their 22 year old granddaughter, Alexandria Kelley. When she mentioned that she had finished the pictures and put them in a book for her grandmother, you KNOW what my next question was! She said she not only scrapbooks but she stamps as well! That's all it took! We were two chatterboxes from that point on! She has such enthusiasm and excitement and I really hope that we'll someday have some "playtime" together. My mind was racing all the way home of things I wanted to ask her, tell her, share with her!

I am so glad we went and it was nice to have a get-away, but I am glad to be back home and getting back into some routines and begin preparation for Christmas. Also anxiously waiting to see the doctor tomorrow. While I had some "attacks" while we were gone, I did eat wrong on the way home yesterday and was paying for it last evening. Indeed, there are gall stones. The questions are how to deal with them without surgery...or with surgery as a last resort if other options don't work. But that's tomorrow, Scarlett! Today...it's back to work, put some goodies in the mail for Alexandria, tidy up at home, bring down some Christmas decorations and catch up on petting my kitties and blog-hopping! Whew-maybe I'd better have another cup of coffee first! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

Life with Cats...

Little Gray Bungalow had a cute cat video on her blog---it's a You Tube How to Wrap a Cat...check it out. Today, after finally deciding on what to get the 60th wedding anniversary couple (two chair heating massage cushions, a Hickory Farms gift package, a pretty candle and base---add a warm blankie ad their favorite movie or music and all set to snuggle, snack and relax!)-Anyway-got all that (my idea was a gift card to a restaurant)---brought it home, wrapped it. DH was fixing supper, I came out, we ate ---and this is what was happening behind us...If you didn't see the back half of Poppa Cat, it would look like Inky (king of the hill) was trying to read the card! Thankfully, there is only one claw indentation (NO HOLES!) and the ribbon is wired so its refluffable. NEVER a dull moment around our house! Blessings, Sharon

Happy Belated Turkey Day...

And, did I THINK at the time to take photos of the turkey, the trimmings, of the family at the table? Nope. Didn't give it a second thought at the time as I was so excited to have James and his girlfriend, Carmen here. Things just couldn't have gone smoother with the preparations-my dh (the cook!) and I even curled up and watched a dvd while the turkey cooked and we waited for their arrival. We all pitched in and had dinner on the table in matter of minutes and seemed to devour it just as quickly. Carmen's favorite is STUFFING---so you know I like her! That's mine, too! We followed the quick clean up with a walk on the beach and pier...so here are some photos of how we spent our afternoon...

Yes, even the KITTIES got TURKEY---Inky sure looks demanding here-maybe he didn't think he got enough?! Lol

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I'll bid you adieu with a photo of the sunset from the pier...WOW. All I can say is LIFE IS GOOD! Have a great day! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

Getting Closer...

I used to say "I wish it were so-and-so" day of the week"---and my late husband would say, "don't wish your life away!" I never really put much thought into that-being the type A-rush about to get 90 gazzillion things done. I am learning. It took the trip to to the ER (ya would think losing a spouse to cancer would get the point across!)--but I am learning...

My youngest step-son and girlfriend are due in tomorrow. I am down to my flylady home blessing hour! GO ME! Am I completely decluttered and where I want that process to be? No. But its good enough! He will see a significant change. And I am happy with the progress I have made. I just tell my bratty inner child to shut up and leave me alone when I start hearing about how I've fallen short...there's still this box or that pile. I refuse to listen to her and choose Flylady's kind words about being proud of me for the changes I've made, the progress-gently reminding myself that it didn't get this way in a day --and it won't get better overnight.

So--I am so much closer than I've ever been before to being company-ready!

I am also getting closer to being able to work on some Christmas projects: 11 gift bags to prepare for a friend's order, Christmas card order, some new things I want to try for preschool and staff gifts...and, since I organized, an impromptu craft show! Theresa and I will be traveling to Topsail for a craft show we hadn't planned on doing-until now!--on Dec. 4th. Since my stuff was all neatly put away and labeled, I can pull it out and go! No fret and worry! So I am looking forward to all of that...

I am also exactly one week away from my new doctor's appointment! Yes, I am still in some pain (I think I have a gall stone that's SLOWLY moving and will hopefully be leaving the body soon--sorry if that's tmi!)--and patience with me is running thin (my darling husband is quite worried...)--but it's not unbearable and I really do not want a repeat of the nightmare experience from our local hospital and my former MD. A good laugh? I told a friend I wish I could find a dr. for me as good as our vet-and she just said, "Ask your vet who she goes to!" Well---duh! So I did! She laughed-she's not been to a dr. in sometime but one of her staff recommended an internist (another thing dh has been suggesting...) so it's just a matter of time. I've said it before and I will say it again---if your physician does not listen to you, does not welcome your questions, does not answer your questions and poo-poo's alternative therapies...FIND A NEW PHYSICIAN! Do not pass go. Please. Just because they have "MD" after their name does not mean they are God. Bottom line-I MAY have to have surgery-but I am going to understand what other options are available, what other therapies I might try-and save surgery as a last resort--not first as the former MD's answer was as she was "too busy to listen!". God put it there for a reason-I am not too crazy about having parts taken out! End of soap box!

Looking forward to a quiet, relaxing day tomorrow-blog hopping and maybe even some crafting until the kiddos arrive. DH cooks-GOD BLESS THE MAN!!--so I am relegated to assisting (which means dishes and making things fit in the fridge-or finding things in the fridge!).

Until then, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

Lost and Found...

My good SU scissors have been MIA for months. I've looked high and low--but not high enough! Even though it feels like 70 outside...I am in the middle of switching out summer clothes for fall and winter. Hence a trip to the attic--darling husband unloading 3 large storage boxes...and, in the bottom of the second one...here's a roll of packing tape (ok-I was labeling the boxes as I went), a screwdriver (no clue---!)and, drum roll please...my SU scissors (which I was probably using, at the time, to cut the tape for the labels)! Lol. My first grade teacher, Mrs. Fassett, always said I would forget my head if it weren't attached. And yes, I am a SHE (side-tracked home executive!) I am just laughing and shaking my head. My best-laid plans of getting organized...! Oh well. I am down to---finishing our bedroom! We moved mattresses around yesterday (although I am still hoping Santa shows up with a sleep number bed! or a hot tub...mini cooper would be nice...oh-wait-side-tracked--Uh-Hum....) and now doing the clothes swap thing. Then its down to odds and ends. Later today I will confer with hubby and see what pics to rehang. Tomorrow it will be straighten up and then wait for company on Wed. I think...I cannot say how good it feels to have decluttered. It's taken longer than I hoped/thought-and there's still my craft room to go---but it's been SO WORTH IT! I am hoping next week I will have some crafty things to post! Break's over! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon ps/thanks for the good thoughts and prayers-no mystery pain attacks! : )

Whew...! So what the heck was (IS) it, Anyway?

It's been a PAINFUL week! I have few clues--but after learning on Tuesday that a good friend had passed away, I was hit with another "attack". It started just under my breastbone in the middle this time, radiated to the back and, on a scale of 1-10, was at an 8 for about 3 hours! Repeat again Thursday night. My "I am going to get to the bottom of this" attitude while waiting for the new doctor appt. on Dec. 1st kicked in---I researched gall bladder remedies (as that's what they said back in Sept. although my symptoms then didn't match up with gb) and as I was coming home from the grocery and doing a "diary" in my head of events (stress involved in each onset), food (dairy was different--more of it...) the lightbulb clicked. I was---allergic to milk and eggs as a child. I outgrew it-and developed different (food) allergies. But I have had a lot of dairy lately and, have to confess, cheated with some of the foods I know are no-no's. I eliminated dairy yesterday, tried some home remedy recipes for gb--and made it through the night with NO PAIN! Interesting! Very, very interesting. We shall see what happens from here on out. Going to be a great weight-loss program as there's not much left I can eat! Lol. Anyone with any ideas, recipes for low-fat/dairy-free ---PLEASE pass it on! I am also wheat, corn and soy allergic! My next goal is to find a dietitian/nutritionist who can work with us. My darling husband has done an AWESOME job but cutting out dairy---eliminates A LOT MORE STUFF!

I am back on track with decluttering our bedroom today and preparing for company. I am proud to say that I have stayed on the Flylady program and there's not much to do in the rest of the house as far as "home blessing hour"! Just the usual tidy! It also made the nights of pain and days of recuperating easier---I was able to RELAX instead of looking and piles of clutter and thinking "oh---I should be doing" or worse-getting up, going on and doing despite my health!

I am actually getting excited about some things I want to make and do for gifts for Christmas-cards that need to be done, etc! Simply because, after decluttering, I have TIME on my hands to do it with! Off to finish! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

Decorating Disaster...

or could've been! As you know, I've done the MAJOR Flylady declutter and redecorated while my darling hubby was out of town for a week. Being up at 4 am, bed at 10+, you can only imagine the work that got done (I do work part-time!). And you saw the picture of the new sign above the front door. Well, while he was driving home yesterday, I was off driving my goddaughter and I to a crop in Myrtle Beach. He came home, walked in the door and the sign above the door promptly fell down--and hit him on the shoulder! Poor hubby! First he had been driving 7+ hrs, I wasn't home to greet him-and the house, although clean and neat(er), looked like strange territory at best! And to be bonked by a sign...! Oh so not good! But, being a good sport-he did say he likes what I've done! And I do, too! It was nice to get up this am and have things in their place-fix breakfast and lunch with minimal clean up and struggle, and I even took time this afternoon to finish the pages I started at the crop yesterday! GO ME! The photos are not the best---if anyone has a way to deflect glare from the page protectors-please share your secret! These pages are done with the Close To My Heart divided page protectors as well as the new Flip Flaps! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the flip flaps! It is an AWESOME way to add a ton more pictures to your pages! The interactive-ness of them makes them pretty cool, too! I took a 12x12 page, added a 4x12 and 8x12 (top and bottom respectively) and instant added page(s). The little overhang at the top is from the 4x6" flap I added to the front of the the smaller flap (the donkey photo) that overhangs the bottom of that flap. I actually had an "oops" and had to go back and decorate that! Most of the papers are Close to My Heart (not sure who did the pumpkin paper-that was ACM or Michaels purchase), alpha stamps CTMH, the pumpkins are from Verve Stamps Bountiful Harvest set. Better go clean up from my play time! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

It's finished...

or as finished as its going to get for now! While I didn't get all the rooms decluttered---I am well, well on my way! I managed the living room, kitchen, two baths and two out of three bedrooms! That leaves one bedroom and my craft room! GO ME! I have filled two large garbage cans---and it's still going out the door! I am laughing at myself...I rearrange-and decide it still looks too cluttered-and take away more! No, it's not down to bare walls and a minimalist look (don't think that will ever be a problem!)--but there is SPACE and room to breathe. The eye and mind can actually appreciate what's there as you can actually see it rather than tons of stuff that it doesn't know what to focus on. I am thrilled. Not sure what the darling husband will think--I hope he likes it-loves it-as much as I do. He's on his way home today! Been gone a week and let me tell you, I am looking forward to getting back into a somewhat normal routine. I've been up most mornings by 4 am and working hard, fast and furious each day until about 10-11 pm. You see, he had a house, I had a house, he lost his parents--they had stuff...and STUFF has just multiplied. I finally got to the point where I could let go of a lot of my stuff--yep, thanks, I enjoyed you-go bless someone else or file 13. What I can't let go of just yet-attic. Take those first steps. It may seem overwhelming--but you can do it. Start with 15 minutes. You will get so motivated...you won't want to stop~! If I've not convinced you-go look at www.flylady.com and www.thedaoofdoing.com. I've got a little more to do then its off to church and a scrapbook crop with my goddaughter. FUN!!! I promised pictures-and I will-tomorrow! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

The Pressure is on...!

Ya see-it happened like this...Theresa came-and we conquered! We moved and removed and reremoved furniture! And pictures---and moved some more! We accomplished a lot but it wasn't done...that fat lady hadn't sung! I kept plugging but in raiding another room for some silver candle holders--I decided I needed silver polish. And Coke. So out I went--I didn't even bother the change out of my ratty cleaning clothes-and of course ran into three people I knew! And well, on the way home, the car just drove itself into the thrift store parking lot and threw me out and inside! Lol. I couldn't resist! But I found TREASURES! See the pillows--$2! They match my slip cover PERFECTLY--and are a lot cheaper than the $15 each ones! The "I like it Hot" trivet? Well-that will go perfectly above the stove--! And these little bowls--two are white with a beautiful aqua blue and the other two are a cornflower blue (darker than they show here) with a pretty robin's egg blue inside-$1 each! Too pretty to pass up. In all fairness, there is a basket by the front door that I KEEP ADDING TO---to go out the door to the thrift store! Sending out a whole lot more than I brought in! More photos later---and the PRESSURE IS ON! I have the kitchen to finish and three bedrooms to tackle yet and it's got to be done by bedtime tonight! Tomorrow is church and a play day with my goddaughter and darling hubby will be home as well. I cannot say enough how FREEING this major purge and clean has been! I kept going back and sitting in the living room last night marveling at the changes just from removing clutter--rearranging the things I decided to keep that I adore! I've sent things to the attic-and brought things down. I can change things out as I wish. But if I don't love it---it's left the building. Flylady talks about this all the time. When I'd find myself second-guessing, trying to hang on to something, I would just stop and picture the look on the person's face at finding that "perfect thing" for a song-just like I did today! It made it easier...to let it go. If you gotta-take a photo of it. That way you will always have the remembrance but not the clutter. Well-time for more coffee and back to it! The kitchen is almost together and its on to the bedrooms! Photos when its finished! Until next time-happy stamping and scrapping. Oh-here's a glimpse at my front doors. While yesterday was warm enough to have the doors open--today I have the heat on! Go figure! Blessings, Sharon
ps-yep--that's the ocean you see between the two houses! ; )

Go check this out...

SEE YOU AT THE CROP--SEE THE POST BELOW THIS ONE FOR CROP INFO--THANKS!

So--I FINALLY got a whole nights sleep (the first in days!)--and it feels so good! The "boys" all behaved quite nicely and were quiet as church mice and I had no pain through the night (woke up with a few aches from sore muscles but am functioning!). So here I sit with my coffee and reading e-mail before I start the days decluttering...and I read a testimonial to Flylady. The gal talked about wanting to have more time to do her art work---as did her friend--and they got on the Flylady bandwagon. They started their own blog to document their journey. Well, the first post was by Tracy---and she was showing the treasures she "found" in her house to repurpose and use in other areas (like my mugs I used as planters that were gathering dust and taking up space in the attic!) and she posted a pic of her cat, Briar Boy snuggled in between two pillows-could've been my INKY! So then I go on and I read Kel's post--and she talking about how things just weren't working with she and her husband....and she went to counseling...and how we use the word "try" in our language and hey---I've had my share of husband issues of late---and her story sounds a lot like mine---I clicked with these two gals in two posts! It's all about Flylady--making time for what's important and changing our screwed up ways of thinking---and doing!

So go check out http://www.thedaoofdoing.com/ --I cannot wait to have another 15 mins. to read more of their blog! I am so excited!

More trash---went out the door last night-linens and towels and---you know-the ratty thread-bare mismatched stuff that just takes up space. So what's staying is all getting a fresh washing today, and also what can be donated will, too-the rest is in the trash bin-even bypassing the rag bags-we already have TONS of those. This is what I worked on last night---my "fun" time! I had framed the larger picture of "THE KISS" as I call it (Theresa took this on our wedding day-we were married in our new sanctuary at church then did family photos on the beach afterward.) but it looked "lost" and lonely. So I added the little glass dish of grass I found for $5 at a local consignment shop, tied some SU ribbon on it (I LOVE that ribbon! SO SOFT and easy t use!) and it still was lacking! I had what I thought at the time was an extra pic of "THE SMILE" on my groom's face and just trimmed it down and tucked it in the corner. Bingo! I either just lucked into it or its that 3-thing they talk about in decorating but I LOVE this new arrangement on the corner of my desk! Of course I had supervision! He was actually up there checking out a spot on the wall above it where I had taken another photo down. I think he thought it was a bug as he was all tense and ready to pounce and Momma could just see it wasn't going to end well! It did-this is what he did instead! AHHH--looks like he's loving on it and thinking "this is my momma and poppa!" Brook says I project too much!Theresa comes today to help me decide what to put back up on the walls where. I am asking for prayer here---you see, my darling husband has 3 boys (he lost the 4th a few years back in a motorcycle accident). He LOVES his boys. And I do, too. They are fine young men and we're gaining great daughter's-in-law...but our walls had become scrapbook pages--literally every wall space had photos of some sort chronicling their childhood. When I started cleaning, I took ALL art and photos down--except for the one living room wall that has some shelves with recent photos---and the "case" of photos that are on two walls above my desk (photos below). I've asked Theresa to help me pick and choose-even maybe move some furniture although our nest is quite small and not a lot of options. But like I said, darling husband isn't here right now, and I am sure when he sees the finished project, he's going to be in shock. I am and I am doing it! It will look a lot less cluttered-I feel like I can BREATHE---but there will be a lot less photos as well. I will tuck them in a place that they will be accessible-and I am willing to even make books for them if he likes (although he just scanned thousands of them and created photo books for each of the boys and us last Christmas!) What I am getting at is---I don't want him to feel I've mmm, "minimized" the boys in any way--I don't think it's healthy to be surround by so much of the past that you sometimes miss the joy of the present and the past makes the present a bit tainted by "well, I won't get that time back again..." Not sure I am making sense-just pray, please, that he will take time to digest the differences and live with it a few days or so rather than just reacting to the shock. In all fairness, I have also packed away some of my knicknacks and photos, etc. as well--we can always change things out later on and have something new and different. I am blessing others with the things that I just don't absolutely love anymore---and it's so freeing! I am so much more relaxed even though time is running down and I still have a lot I want to do--it will work, it will happen-I am so much closer to my goal than a week ago--I just keep repeating that to myself. Oh-and on the pictures-I can always tell him "well, honey, we keep hoping for GRANDKIDS and we need room for their pictures when they come along!" wink. Back to it! Until next time-happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

I almost forgot!!!

In the middle of my dashing and trashing and....Theresa and I met with the caterer yesterday to plan the food for THE CROP! Ummmm....let me tell you--my tummy was rumbling and my taste buds tingling just from her ideas! Heck with the crop-I think I would show up just for the FOOD and the CHAIR MASSAGE! Lol! The girl talk and time might be fun, too! ; ) What crop? What are you missing?

Saturday, January 15, 2011--10 AM-4 PM--Boiling Spring Lakes, NC at the Boiling Springs Lakes Recreation Center. Pre-registration of $ 20.00 reserves your spot, guarantees a goodie bag, chances at drawings, make and takes. An additional $ 12.00 saves a spot in the MASSAGE THERAPIST'S chair for a 10-minute massage!

Boy howdy-it sounds like a GOOD TIME to me after all the Christmas chaos (admit it-we did it to ourselves yet again despite our best intentions!) It's time for some serious ME TIME as I call it--no kids, no family---a few new friends...and maybe get a few pictures scrapped and some pages stamped as a bonus! Got questions? E-mail Theresa and I at seasidescrappinandstampin@gmail.com or just call the BSL Rec Center at 910.845.3683 and sign up. Did I mention if you bring a group of 3 or more you each get $ 1 off your registration? Want this as a gift? Tell hubby, kids, mom, sister-whoever--to call and we'll make sure they get a nice handmade gift certificate to tuck in your stocking! Easy one-stop shopping if you ask me! Ok-back to the housework! Until next time-happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

I'm not just FLYING...

I AM SOARING!!! And I even threw a craft project in the mix--plants-mugs-dirt-mix? Ok-so the cats have had me up two morning at 4 AM--and then last night I had some sort of something attack (the last one sent me to the ER...this one passed more quickly! Thank God!) Ok--so this is what I was up to a few minutes ago... Here's the "before" pic of the kitchen window---my husband doesn't like a curtain above it-he likes looking at the stars when he snacks at the bar at night---so I make do. But it needed something...some plants...and I happened to have a mint plant someone brought me...and a quick dash to the grocery netted three more herb plants-they smell SOOO GOOD! The "pots"---came down from the attic (Theresa will recognize 2 of them!); the chopsticks with the labels and raffia I had-so the whole thing cost me a whopping---$6! I love it! Doing my happy dance!

I have been working my royal pootootie off, too! Ya gotta---open my cabinets and things to see a difference---there's still odds and ends all over creation to be put back---but at least now there is room to put things back! The clutter...continues to go out the door! The old ratty kitchen towels? Trashed! Mismatched containers---no lids, out they went! This cupboard---was filled with a ton of large ziplock bags of various flours and the like (I am allergic to "regular"/wheat flour so we use lots of others...)--hard to tell what was in which bag and how much and...no more! The overabundance of soup containers from the local Chinese restaurant were put to service! I made labels using scrapbook paper, business card cardstock and clear contact paper.

And then for a whole 'nother $6 I got the plastic storage containers for more flour and sugar. Of course...I've not this "all my byself" as my little brother used to say... When you try to clean out a desk drawer (it was filled to the brim and then some!)...and you have cats....this is what happens....

And of course his buddy had to get involved, too...I left the desk drawer project to go clean out unwanted linens and tablecloths, etc. from the hope chest...and this is what happened... If you look closely

the label on the right----says "Free Moth Insurance"--! Lol! I am not sure this is what they had in mind! Not sure if the Lane Cedar Chest Co. is still in business--but this might be some cute advertising!

Last but not least-THE SOCKS! These are just too cute. This was last Sunday before these feeties started flying--there's not been time to put them up since!

But---I am down 2 bedrooms to declutter and then its just general sweep, dust, etc. The bathrooms weren't too bad--those half-empty bottles were no-brainers! I've taken down almost all the pictures-Theresa is going to stop in tomorrow and help me decide where to move furniture, what pics should go back up and what may get relegated to the attic. I should be in pretty good shape for her by then! Sat. will be my general straighten and clean and then Sunday is church and taking my goddaughter to a crop in Myrtle Beach. So some FUN is on the horizon! And its so nice to be able to put things away instead of trying to cram them in before it crashes down and out! Lol. www.flylady.com. Go ME! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

Taking Time on Tuesday....

Scroll down to next post for CROP A QUARTER INFORMATION or E-MAIL US at

seasidescrappinandstampin@gmail.com. Blessings, Sharon & Theresa

Good morning! Or afternoon-or even evening-depending...where you are and what time you are looking at this. I am taking a few minutes for ME this morning. I've had some coffee, read my devotional book, prayed for my husband, checked e-mail...all in a short period of time. You see, I set the coffee pot up last night--and my desk is clean---so there's room and I knew where my books are and...while I didn't get all that I wanted to done yesterday (do we ever?!) I got an awesome start on the MAJOR DECLUTTER I am working on! I ended up in 3 rather than two rooms and as I digressed from my plan I simply said, "It's ok--I am making progress regardless." I get side-tracked easy---very, very easy. Hence things not getting put back where they came from or too many things going at once and nothing getting finished. But--I have a FLIGHT PLAN. It's ok to deviate from it---it's still there when I circle back around to remind me to get back on track. My desk---finally has room to actually file things away. I emptied out a box in another room that had old cd's--not usable, never going to go back through them--in another room-and cleaned out the cabinet in the "guest bathroom" while I waited for the tub to fill. Today I will pick up where I left off. The best part-there are 5 garbage bags waiting to go out my door!!! FIVE! Three of which...were just paper clutter! Oh-and a bag to go to the local thrift store! I feel SO FREE!!! I am so excited about the possiblity of being able to have time to SCRAPBOOK and STAMP and being able to FIND MY TOOLS (has anyone seen the new blending pen I bought-and can't find? See my point?!) My darling hubby sighed when I told him what I am doing-he told me he loved me-but he's heard this song and seen this dance before...well! That was before my ER Trip! This is a new me. I can do this! And I will. www.flylady.com.

Taking a time out to declutter but oh you just wait-there are some awesome projects comin! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping and, if you join me, happy 23-fling boogie-ing! ; ) Blessings, Sharo

On the Crop...

I am counting...slowly...and breathing....I just spent...the last 1/2 hr. writing the ad for the blog for the CROP...and Blogger "dumped" everything on me! I am sooooo not happy...

So---for now...if you have any questions regarding the Crop Theresa and I are hosting in Boiling Springs Lakes, NC on Jan. 15, 2011---please e-mail us (yes, Theresa-we now have a groupie e-mail address!) at:

seasidestampinandscrappin@gmail.com

We will do our best to answer your questions and, most of all, we look forward to seeing YOU---at the CROP! ; )

Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping.

Blessings, Sharon and Theresa

We Survived!!!

FAIR WARNING: LONG POST! SHOULDA BEEN A TWO-FER!

Theresa and I have SURVIVED another year of HOLLY DAYS craft show! Didjyaknow---that's where we met?! We can't remember how many years ago its been-but she had a booth across from mine-and we got to talking (thanks to her husband, Bob, who will talk to anybody-and help anybody, too, for that matter...) and here we are---all these years later! Well, no-that's not us, silly-but this was a cute picture--3 of my 4 indoor cats lined up at the door (yes-there are 3-even though its hard to see the little black guy on the right...)Although this was taken the day before the show-it looks like they are all lined up to see me off! They follow me around and try to help! Or maybe they are wondering if I have enough catnip goodies to take-or did I leave them some to play with? Theresa and I laugh---my best seller of all my herb items? ANYTHING CATNIP! I don't need to do anything else-pack all the other stuff-just keep making catnip fish, mice, packages...hmmm...maybe I could do the fair circuit with deep fried catnip?! Lol.

We were outside this year (a first for me!)--but right along the main walk to the front door so it was a prime spot. We are, however, in a repressed economy and while there were a lot of lookers--the buyers were few. Theresa and I by far had the best stuff and did ok. I had my herbal things and some "odds and ends". She had some of her paper projects---another one of which was flying out of there!--So we have two items we're going to hit the road with and never mind everything else! She made some beautiful glass charms and necklaces that were new and went quite well. But what really really excited me about the day---is the last picture!

We started advertising what (we hope will be!) our CROP A QUARTER! I am doing my happy dance here! It's going to be so much fun! Food, goodie bags, prizes and drawings and contests and and....CHAIR MASSAGES!!! January 15, 2011

from 10AM-4 PM, Boiling Springs Lakes, NC (where the heck is...well--Wilmington, Southport, Oak Island, NC--are all pretty close-might recognize one of those-Myrtle Beach, SC is about an hour to 1 1/2 hrs. away...) Come see us! Just leave a comment if you want more information! Registration NOW is $ 20-that includes all but the chair massages which are an additional $ 12/10 minutes. Wanna bring some friends? Bring a group of 3 or more and get $ 1 off each registration (applies to preregistration only!)

So---yesterday-in between cold and tummy issues---everything was repacked and stored until the next show. After days of searching for the price gun-I have said ENOUGH! Without saying too much, let me just say that I have some extra time to myself this week---and AM I EXCITED! FLYLADY is coming! No, Marla isn't actually coming to my house-wish she were!---But her tools, principles, etc. ARE! I am doing some MAJOR 23 FLING BOOGIES (if you don't know what that is-go see www.flylady.com - and join the fun! I am going to be listening to her motivational words and stuff is going to get cleaned, organized and blessed around here! I am on a DON'T LOVE IT-DECLUTTER IT and GET IT GONE MISSION! I can do this! Every room! I am showing no mercy! The local thrift stores are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE--or hate!--me! Giggle. Once I get the clutter gone-my cleaning ladies said they would come and do the hard stuff-baseboards, etc.--that's going to be my gift to myself. In between all this, once and for all, I am going to figure out my daily routines so that I can bless my home in 15 minutes or less daily and one hour a week---THINK OF ALL THE SCRAPPING & STAMPING TIME I WILL HAVE?!!!!! GO ME! Today... I start with the living room/desk area...now my camera isn't cooperating so the before and after pics will have to wait! So sorry! But---I am psyched over all this! The things I do not love--or once loved and don't anymore-are leaving. I will shop the local thrift and bargain stores to find replacements IF its something that needs replacing-or full sale shops if need be---until I have what I NEED. And don't get me wrong---the replacing will take time-as the budget right now is focused on Christmas-not Sharon's "make-over" list! But getting the stuff gone and making room for what's NEEDED---room to breathe and not be surrounded by clutter-is going to be HUGE! And I am going to be so happy! Me and my new green socks(my treat to myself from another vendor at the show-I HATE socks-but I AM IN LOVE with this pair!) better go get ready for work---I am done at 1 and then I can start my FLYLADY FUN! Check it out-she has a whole "flying through the holiday" journal---and ya know, starting 2011 without clutter is going to be SO AWESOME for me---you can do it, too! 15 minutes at a time! Good movie, the paper shredder and the desk drawers-I can't wait for that date! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon

Can you help...

I am looking for---some SENSATIONAL but yet QUICK and EASY Thanksgiving placecard ideas. You see, the StampQueen sometimes has this weird thing happen where things just JUMP right out of my 'lil 'ol mouth before the brain engages...! Oops! The preschool is having their family Thanksgiving dinner on the 11th--and guess who volunteered to make 28 kids and then how many adult placecards?! Hmmm....I was thinking Thanksgiving-that's at least 2-3 weeks away---and THEN I looked again (yes, I typed their calendar in the first place!) at their schedule! So oops! Gotta be quick, easy and yet I want something really special, too. Ms. Marilyn the director is using this as a "dry run" for the wee ones to practice their manners and learn about trying at least one spoonful of something whether they think they will like it or not-and then the right responses in case they don't! They are more apt to try something different if their friends are! I was really impressed by her approach with this and had so much fun doing their treat bags! So---HELP! In the mean time--pray Theresa and I won't freeze our pootooties off this Sat if someone inside doesn't cancel and we're still stuck with our booth outside instead of in...! Brrrr---it's a cold one today for sure! I DID...find the price gun! I am ONE HAPPY CAMPER over that!!! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Who's been sitting in MY CHAIR...?!

So---as I was redecorating my work office, I came across some beachy things in The Country House catalog that I thought would look nice. I was really, really tired when I ordered tho and I apparently didn't pay much attention to size. This HUMONGOUS box showed up yesterday-finally. The carved shore birds I ordered...were about 1/3 the size I thought they'd be-that's ok-they will work and will look nice. The chair...that I thought was going to be SMALL and would look nice sitting on my desk with my cell phone...well, while It won't hold a small child...scroll down.....

it WILL hold a SMALL CAT! Inky immediately took to it when I set it on the floor by the front door! He thinks this is HIS NEW CHAIR! Lol..well-why not? Too big for where I planned and certainly big and heavy enough for a door stopper! He has a prime spot for watching the outside cats!

On another note ---Sarah from Stressed Stamper left a post that if I keep going so fast I was going to meet myself backwards---oh yes---it happens! While Fri. (I am off on Friday's!) and Sat. were most productive in preparing for the craft show, Sun. went downhill and yesterday-well, I almost had a meltdown. The pricing gun is MIA---so took the hour and drove to WM, got labels to do prices, etc. didn't even get started good-and the printer is out of ink! I am NOT a happy camper! My hubby left early this am to go fishing before work-and the cats didn't get

breakfast so for an hr.+ I was "serenaded" while trying to pretend I was sleeping-WANTING and NEEDING sleep BADLY (I feel like an ornry three year old!). I guess I just need to take Inky's approach and CHILL. Literally. It's all

going to come together-it's all going to work-it has for the last too-many-years to count--I just need to slow it down. Still learning-still growing....

Until next time-happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon (and Inky!)