Getting Dirty Can Pay Off - hehe

Well, the weekend went by much too fast, as I knew it would while Lori was here.  We had a fabulous time shopping, then working in the yard, then shopping, then working in the yard, then shopping - I think you get the idea from here - tee hee hee.  When it was all said and done, we were covered in dirt head to toe each day and those showers were a welcome sight.  Then we sat down each evening - and that was it - too exhausted to move.  We did however manage to make it to bed both nights, moaning and groaning all the way - me more than Lori.  She's like Superwoman!

I love my yard now, though.  We accomplished more than I ever dreamed we could in one weekend.  We made a big flower bed around my front tree - one that we can use as a bench and sit on while we watch the kids ride their bikes.  We also cleaned up the front bed a little and added some seasonal flowers for color.  Then we potted some pretty plants for around my porch.  Now, if I just had some decent grass on the lawn, I'd be in business - hehe.  We also worked like mad in the back yard.  We planted 2 banana trees on either side of my swing and made beds around the bottom of them.  We made a new bed around my Crape Myrtle tree, and made a raised garden bed where we planted Squash, Cherry Tomatoes, Bell Peppers, Banana Peppers, and Blackberries.  I can't wait to actually get to pick something and eat it - whoo hoo.  We also cleaned up the area on top of my retaining wall and have it ready to plant some things next weekend.  I have a few pics for you to see what we did.  :)

While we were working in the front yard, Zachary decided to build with the bricks that were in the backyard.  It was like big heavy legos to him - he was loving it.  Here's his masterpiece - hehe.

Tomorrow I'm off to the Vera Bradly event in Southlake and I can't wait.  I know we're going to have a blast.  We get to eat lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, which will be a special treat.  A big girls day - I'm so excited!!! 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week and enjoying the nice weather.  I know my kids were out playing with water guns in the back yard this afternoon and just having a great time.  Have a fantastic rest of the week!

~til next time,
Paula 

Getting Ready to Get Dirty. :)

Hey everyone!  I just got back from my Stampin' Up workshop and we had a blast.  I enjoyed the company and jokes, wonderful cupcakes from Nita, and the fun and "stinkin" cute bunny baskets we made.  Thanks so much to Cherie for allowing me to have the workshop at Scrapper's Boutique and to Joni for all your hard work in putting those fabulous kits and instructions together - you did AWESOME!!  Also thanks to Nita for making those "to die for" cupcakes -hehe.  I think we even got Rose hooked - rofl!  I appreciate everyone who came and I hope you all had as wonderful a time as I did.  We have decided to leave the show open until Sunday afternoon for orders, so if you want to get an order in during the last of the "sale-a-bration" sale, get in touch with myself or Joni. 

I have to tell you about the camping trip we went on as a family with one of my BFF's (Cindy) and her kids.  We had such a good time and it was so great to get away from everything.  I left all the stress behind (as best I could - lol) and just enjoyed nature.  We roasted marshmallows, well . . . everyone except Zachary.  He put them on the stick - then caught them on fire and watched them blow up.  Evidentally he found this quite amusing because by the end of it all, I think there were more marshmallows in the fire than logs.  :)  The next day Robby took the kids out fishing and they all caught at least one.  Brandon caught the biggest, and I think they all had a great time.  We then got to go eat at my favorite Catfish place.  The next day, we went for a hike and of course I took a TON of photos.  I can't wait to look at them all and then post some here for you.  Hopefully they turned out as well and I think they did.  After that, the kids were a bit hot, so we told them they could take their shoes and socks off and get into the water up to their ankles.  Well . . . they then talked us into going up to their knees and before we knew it - they were completely in the water - clothes and all.  Zachary was so funny - he came running out of the water yelling "Mama!!  Mama!!"  When he got up to me, I asked what was wrong, but I could clearly see that the weight of the water in his pants was pulling them down.  He proceeded to come up to me and break out into song, and not just any song - imagine a 5 year old at this moment starting to sing "pants on the ground, pants on the ground" from American Idol!!  We were all laughing hysterically - seriously, where does he come up with all this stuff???

Now I'm looking very forward to a visit from another one of my BFF's, Lori, who moved to Abilene.  I have missed her so much and she is coming in town to help me work in my yard this weekend.  We have big plans to put in a flower bed around my tree in the front yard, and to fix up the little bit of yard in front of my back fence, but on top of the rock retaining wall.  Why they put an area there that has to be mowed or made into a flower bed it beyond me.  You can't hardly reach it, but if you don't do something with it - it looks horrible.  Not so smart planning by the home builders if you ask me - but I guess they didn't ask me - rofl.  I know we'll have a lot of fun and I'll have wonderful reminders of her all in my yard now.  I just can't wait to see her and catch up with her while we dig in the dirt - hehe. 

That's pretty much everything that's going on here.  I hope this week finds you all doing fabulous!  Have a wonderful weekend and I hope to have some camping and planting pics for you soon.  :)
~til next time,
Paula

Come One, Come All - Just please RSVP - hehe

Happy Spring Break everyone!!  I'm off to a wonderful week.  I got to purchase a Nook for myself this past weekend and I am having soooooo much fun with it!!  Kaylee is as happy with it as I am, and has informed me that a Nook is what she wants for her 11th birthday - hehe.  If you haven't checked out these awesome contraptions, then you definitely have to look into them.  They are super cool!  You can find all the info on about the Nook on the Barnes and Noble website.

I am so excited about a Stampin' Up party that I am having on March 25th!!  It is Sale A Bration time and everyone can get awesome free stuff!  Joni, my dear, sweet, Stampin' Up demonstrator is hosting, with some help from one of her adorable recruits, Zabrina.  We will be making the cutest, or as I like to say, a "stinkin' cute" bunny that will be a great gift for teachers, co-workers, neighbors, friends. . . just about anyone that you want to give a little Easter/Spring gift to.  I have a photo of the bunny below.  During this fabulous sale, for EVERY $50 you spend - you get to choose a product from the Sale A Bration catalog for FREE!  And these aren't just little things - they are full stamp sets, punches, and other great things.  The info with the when, where, etc. is below the photo.  I would love for everyone that likes stamping to come, but I ask that you please RSVP to me and let me know if you plan to attend because we want to make sure that we have enough kits, etc. for everyone.  If you are unable to attend, but would like to place an order, you can do so before my party, and still be eligible for the free Sale A Bration items.  So without holding you in suspense any longer, here's the photo . . .

Paula's Stampin' Up party:
When:     Thursday, March 25th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Where:    Scrapper's Boutique
               6714 Smithfield Road, Suite 2
               North Richland Hills, TX  76180
RSVP:    paperflowers_paula@yahoo.com - please, please RSVP if you plan to attend. 

I am planning to order cupcakes from Cherie's Mom, Nita, and yes - you can consider that a bribe to come - hehe.  They are the most delicious cupcakes in the world, and I'm not exaggerating!  I will also have bottled water available.  :)

On another subject, I've been working on putting together digital postcards to send to my family with the photos of Gracie and Kaylee.  I think I finally have them done, and now I'm working on a dedication page for Kaylee to go in her 5th grade yearbook.  I'll have to post it when I get it done for you all to see.

Don't forget - I still have a few spaces left in tomorrow night's Crazy Daisies class.  If you are interested, call Cherie at Scrapper's Boutique to sign up.  It's only $15 ;).

That's all the news I have for now. 
~til next time,
Paula

My Latest Digi Kit

It's another dreary day here in Texas.  It is raining for the 2nd day now.  I'm very thankful that it's not snow or sleet, but I sure would love to see the sun.  The kids and I had a great time going to the park for the couple of days that the weather was nice.  I just can't wait for spring!!!

I am so excited to have completed a new digi kit for Memory Mixer.  It is called Lovebirds and has some great spring colors, which of course, includes my favorite color, pink.  :)  I wanted to share it with all of you and I hope that you like it. 

Thanks for looking.
~til next time,
Paula

Crazy Daisies Class Coming Up - Periwinkle Cards

It's time again for the Crazy Daisies class and this one is really a fun and pretty one.  We will be making two 5" x 7" cards featuring our flower for this month, the Periwinkle.  These are a great flower for cards as well as scrapbook pages.  Please contact the Scrapper's Boutique at 817-503-0777 to reserve your space.  I hope to get to see you there.  :)

Saturday, March 13th from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Cost $15

The Junior Scrapper's Club will also be meeting on Saturday, March 13th from 10:15AM to 12:15PM.  We will be making a 2 page layout for all those photos from the Valentine's parties, and also a 2 page layout with cute little strawberries that is great for any miscellaneous photos.  The cost is $20.

Thanks so much!
~til next time,
Paula

My Little Model

Hey all!

I want to share some photos that I commissioned Amanda to take for me of Kaylee and Gracie.  :)  The yearbook has a place for 5th grade parents to include a dedication page, and that's what these photos are for - along with some others from previous years.  I just wanted a special, recent photo to be the focus, and Amanda captured a ton of great photos - I am so excited and can't wait to start working on my dedication page.  :)  Here are just a few of the photos:

I hope to have a photo and some info posted soon about the next Crazy Daisies class.  I can tell you that the classes will be a week from Saturday, March 13th at 1:30 PM and again on Tuesday, March 16th at 6:30 PM.  We will be learning to make Periwinkles.  :)  It will be a lot of fun so be sure to save the date. 

I'm off to put little ones to bed now - hehe. 
~til next time,
Paula