A Day in the Life with Tina

Marathon Memories

2010-10-07T13:02:00.006-04:00

Well....... I did it! Saturday, October 3, 2010 at 1:39 a.m. I crossed the finish line of my first half-marathon! As everyone knows that knows me, I have been training with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team in Training (TNT) for the last four months or so in order train to run a half martahon in Orlando, Florida to raise money for the LLS. Those months have finally come to an end. I have been trying to summarize my training efforts throughout my process on this blog, when I had time. Now, I wanted to come here and try to put my thoughts down on how the marathon went. It is kind of all a blur but I am hoping I can remember some of the highlights.

9:00 p.m. Strolled over to our corrals with the other 11,000 or so people to get into position. The corrals were divided into 4 groups depending on your "speed". Of course I was supposed to be in the last corral "Corral D" but I slipped in "Corral C" with Kim, January and Melissa. Whew! I was not caught. As we were standing in the corrals we were making our "game plan". "OK ladies, when the starting gun goes off we will not run, we will simply do a brisk 3 minute walking warm-up to get our legs ready." - - - - - Well, the fireworks went off, Mickey and Minnie were at the start waving everybody on so we took off!!! "What happened to our walk?" January said. No can do - keep running!!! We ran for a few minutes then decided to make our way to the right side of the roadway to the "slower people lane" and start brisk walking. After all, we had 13.1 miles to go, didn't want to wear ourselves out before mile 1!

Mile 1 - felt good. Exciting, actually glad I was here. A band up on a stage playing music as we ran by. How Cool. - I made up my mind today that as long as I reached Mile 1, I would be happy and not disappointed if I did not finish. Goal met - check! January and Melissa had long left us, but me and Kim were there, right together.

Mile 2 - Oh look - Chip and Dale! Hello guys!!! (as I wave)......."Oh shit - I just twisted my ankle". This can't be happening already. Limp, limp, limp......I'm ok. But boy are my shins burning! I can't believe I am actually attempting to do this. I'll never finish......

Mile 3 - Oh look - there on the other side of the roadway the wheelchair racers and runners from Corral A are already circling back on their mile 6 and7. How do they do that?! Well, at least I am still on the track and getting my money's worth is what I say! :) Ankle still bothering a little.

Mile 4 - There's the first First Aid station and miraculously enough, I do not have to stop - I feel great. Woo Hoo - another goal met, check! Kim - "Oh my gosh, what is that smell?!" - Animal poo - we were getting close to the entrance of Animal Kingdom. That was OK - that meant we had almost made it to mile 4!!! And I actually feel really good....

Mile 5 - Running through Animal Kingdom, lots of pretty sights to see. People stopping taking photos - no time for that - got to keep up pace so the slow bus does not come yank me off course. Surprisingly enough we have maintained about a 15 minute pace up to this point. Oh look there is Bayne from LLS cheering us on. My gosh - where is that water/powerade station?!?!?

Mile 6 - Water!! Woo Hoo!!!! Those that know me probably did not think those words would ever come out of my mouth since I hate water. Grabbed cup of Water and Powerade - drank both completely - big mistake. Oh well, live and learn..... Going around a curb - "Kim, is that the end of the race participants across from us, have they already caught us?" Kim said no, not to worry - keep going.......I think she was fibbing............

Mile 7 - Oh look - hippos wearing tutus. Where's Mickey and Minnie??? Race course not as interesting as I thought it would be....time to start singing to myself to pass the time.......should have brought my ipod buds.......Oh look, a text from hubby urging me on.....I love him.

Mile 8 - A TNT coach joins us to make sure we are doing OK. We are still standing and not on the slow people bus, so doing OK. "No, the bus is 1/2 mile back." WHAT?!? It is only 1/2 mile behind us. Got to step up the pace. Second first aid station, and still no need to stop. WOO HOO!! More water - no time to drink - pick up the pace.

Mile 9 - Boring portion of course. No music, no Chip and Dale, no weird looking hippos in tutus. Oh look, a bridge. What happened to the flat course?!?!? OK, will run down the otherside to pick up speed. Our pace had slowed down quite a bit at this point. Kim not feeling really good but OK to continue on. (She is 9 weeks pregnant so keeping eye on here to make sure can continue forward.) Volunteers on side passing out Clif Bar power snacks - where are the doughnuts and cupcakes I say!!

Mile 10 - Running through Hollywood Studios at this point. I can't believe I made it to 10. I told the person next to me, if that slow bus even thinks they are grabbing me at this point, they are crazy. Came too far to cross the finish on a bus. They will not get me on that bus without thme suffering a black eye or some other disfigurment that I can fathom enough energy to give them. Two TNT walking coaches, both pregnant, join along side of me and Kim. Kim slowing down a bit. Coaches say bus can't fit on this narrow path so we are safe. Kim elects to slow down a bit with this tidbit of info. I'm still nervous so since she was in good hands with coaches, I starting increasing my pace a bit, still scared of the slow bus picking me up at this point.

Mile 11 - Still looking back over my shoulder and can still see Kim in the distance she is going OK and I can hear her talking. I'm plugging forward. Only a little over 2 miles to go - I can do this!

Mile 12 - Outside Hollywood Studios and heading towards the Epcot Hotel area. Hubby text again that I'm almost there and can finish this thing. I'm starting to get really tired. I can't give up now, too far. I'm also extremely hungry since have not ate since lunch. Good thing I brought peanut M&Ms for a snack along the way! Now athlete power bars or goos for me. Oh no - participant down on the side with medics, she is going to be unable to finish. OMG - so close, but yet so far. She was not a TNT member, but I felt so sorry for her having gotten this close and unable to finish. Tears were in her eyes. I must finish this.....

Mile 13 - Got to get to the end of this mile. But, what is that ahead - MIMES?!? Mimes usually aggravate me on a good day, I certainly dont want mimes "cheering me on" at 1:30 in the morning after running/walking the past 3 hours!!! I passed two of them only to come around the corner and there is another. He is holding up his hand for a "High Five" - - fine, there's your High Five so now leave me alone. No more mimes - WHEW!

Up ahead I see Kristy, one of the running coaches from Charleston. She immediately runs to me and asks where Kim is. As soon as I try to open my mouth to talk, I start hyperventilating. I keep moving. I told her Kim was with two other coaches walking in but close behind I was sure. Breath, breath, breath.......Kristy encourages me to the very end and said she was going to cross that finish line with me. I refuse to walk to the finish line so I pick up my pace and begin running again and want to run to the end. "Just around the corner Tina" she says. Up ahead I see my hubby in his TNT purple T shirt. He smiles at me. I wave. I see the finish line..... I hear my name announced across the loudspeaker.

I did it!!!

Disney and Race Bound!!

2010-09-30T14:10:00.002-04:00

Well - it's about that time!!! Above you will see the back side of my race jersey for this weekend's Half Marthon being at Disney's complex during the "Disney Wine and Dine Festival". The ribbons have the names of my "heroes" that I am running for. They have all either lost their fight to Leukemia, Lymphoma and/or Hodgkins disease, are fighting now or are currently in remission. I hope to be able to get all these heroes to the finish line.

I am just about packed and ready to head out the door to get down to Florida. I am arriving a day before the actual race so I can attend the Sports Expo and pick up my registration packet with my bib number, etc. It is all seeming a little overwhelming at this point but I am getting excited to attend this event with the 1000s of other people participating as well.

Thanks again to everyone that has supported me in this endeavor. Whether you supported me by making a donation to the Leukemia Society, with your thoughts and/or prayers to get me through this. I may or may not make it to that finish line before the end of the race, but I know I have done what I could do to this point and will give it my best shot on Saturday evening! This is Disney's first time "Night race". We actually dont even start the race until 10:00 p.m. and have until 1:30 a.m. to get to that finish line. Keep your fingers crossed - I know mine will be!!!

I'll keep you posted as to how it turns out.

Tina

5 Days until the big event!

2010-09-27T12:58:00.003-04:00

Here I am! Less than one week away from my first (and last) half-marathon! For the last four days or so I have pretty much had a nervous breakdown over this upcoming event. I have cried, laughed, screamed, paced, cried some more and worried. So.....now that I have gotten all that out of the way, time to start getting packed and ready for this lifetime event.

Apparently not only did I have to train for the last several months for this endurance event, but apparently there is a LOT to do the week and day leading up to the event. Of course you have to pack, like you would any trip you go on. But there is all kinds of stuff you have to remember to pack. Lord knows you don't want to show up 7 hours away from home to get to the starting line and leave your running shoes at home!

Then, there are certain times throughout the weekend that you have to "do stuff". Check in to get your "bag and bib" at the Expo, Meet up team members as they arrive, meet up with everyone for Inspriational Brunch, nap, meet up with team members for photo ops, meet up with team to load the bus, get to your proper "Corral" on time and then lastly be ready to "Run" at 10:00 p.m. Did I mention I have to fit in a nap in there somewhere?

My training simply did not go as well as I was hoping. This past week I was told if I can't maintain a 16 minute pace per mile they would pull me off the race track and not let me finish. That about did me in. Here I am, I have raised all this money for the LLS (more than I was required to), gotten up pretty much every week at 4:30 a.m. to travel for 45 minutes to train with the team, spent quite a bit of money on "proper running gear", and everything I have done to try to do this event, and now I'm told they may not even let me finish!!! I was devastated. I have worried all week, if I don't finish how am I going to come back home and tell everyone I let them down. A few wise people (hopefully they are wise - anyway) told me, not to worry about everyone else. I have done more already than a lot of people ever attempt to do and all I can do is go down there and do my best. So......that is what I am going to do. Guess there are worse places to be pulled out of a race then "The Happiest Place on Earth" right?! Plus, I figured if someone dared tried to pull me off that track I would begin running with all my might and they would have to catch me and drag me on the "slow people bus" first. I'm not going down without a fight - I assure you!!! At least if I get some cuts and bruises along the way, I can say I was pulled out of the race due to injury!

So, Saturday, October 2nd please keep me in your thoughts as I will be down in Orlando doing my best for the LLS! The race does not start until 10:00 p.m. that night so with any luck I will be crossing that finish line by 1:25 a.m. (I have until 1:30 a.m. but I certainly don't want to the be the last one crossing that line!!!)

Thanks to everyone for your support throughout this entire endeavor!!!

Tina

I'm back.......

2010-09-07T12:45:00.002-04:00

I did it again! Went over 6 weeks without updating this blog. I have no excuse other than the fact that there is simply not enough hours in my day.

Last time I posted here, I was getting ready to go on The Carnival Dream for mine and my husband's one year anniversary. We had a BLAST! It was so nice to be able to spend an entire week together with no day to day obligations.

I did take all my running clothes and shoes and had all intentions of continuing my training while on board - that lasted one night. It got rather boring running around a little lap which required you to run around it like 15 times to equal a mile. After one mile, I gave up.

Since I returned from the cruise, I have traveled a few times out of town over weekends which has cut into my training as well. However, as of today, I have less than 4 weeks to get ready for this race. Two weeks ago I did manage a 7 mile walk/run and lived to tell the tale! Since then though have only managed 2 miles here and there. This weekend we are set to walk/run 10 miles!!! Hopefully my legs will cooperate.

Will try my best to keep up with this and update you on these last few weeks of training and how the actual race day goes. It is Saturday, October 2nd down in Orlando. Getting excited, but nervous as well.

Hope everyone enjoyed their Labor Day weekend!

Tina

I'm Dreaming......

2010-07-16T16:42:00.001-04:00

Yes - that is her in all her glory...Carnival Dream.....and in 7 short days my butt is going to be on there for 7 days with my hubby and a few friends! No children, no dogs, no boss, no phone.........Sounds like a dream!!! Can't wait!!

Quick Update!!

2010-07-13T10:15:00.003-04:00

I just realized today that I have neglected my little blog on life's daily adventures! I am sorry, but between working, crafting, training and just life in general, I seem to have a lot of things slipping through the cracks lately!

However - I have not given up on this running yet. In the past two weeks since my last post, I have managed to continue getting in a few runs per week when the weather cooperated. However between 100 degree weather and lots of run, that has been tricky.

Last Saturday, which was DAY 53 of training, I met the team for our regular Saturday morning run and managed a 6 mile run at a 16 minute/mile pace. Even little J went with me and managed out the 6 miles! He now says he will go with me this coming weekend for an "easy 4 mile run". We shall see if he sticks to that plan...... I can say that on Saturday I was able to complete my 6 miles without too much pain and for the first time was able to say "I think I can actually do this!". So...I am looking forward to the next 10 weeks of training to get me to the Finish Line!

On Sunday, July 11, I hosted my First Annual "Get Tee'd Off at Leukemia" Golf Tournament and it was a huge success! I'll try to post some pictures later. Had 15 four-man teams come out for a great Captain's Choice tournament at Miler Country Club where they were given free beer, soda and water and even a cookout lunch following the tournament. Everyone seemed to have a great time and several asked "When are you doing this again?"

Thanks to everyone that came out and helped me run this tournament and especially for those that played the tournament and helps to support this great cause!

Tina

Thought this was supposed to get easier???

2010-06-27T15:56:00.000-04:00

Here it is....day 40 of training for this half-marathon and it seems to be getting harder than easier. I know what you are thinking? "Tina - today is Sunday - which is always a "Day of Rest" on your training schedule - why is that hard?" Well, I'll tell you why. I did not feel good all day Friday and Friday evening, so I ended up sleeping in on Saturday and not going to the team run as usual. So, I figured since I technically had my "day of rest" on Saturday, I couldn't be lazy today and I really needed to get up and make up that 6 MILE RUN that I was supposed to have done yesterday.

So.....I woke up at 6:45 a.m., laced up my tennies and headed out. I had it all figured out - I would run out a mile from home and run back for a "water stop" at the end of my driveway (where I had set up a water bottle for a quick "run by" later). Then after my little water break, I would head back out and do another 2 miles and stop for another water break, and then wrap it up with another 2 miles. Sounds like a good plan, huh? Well I walked and walked ( just could not muster up the strength to run at this point) to what I thought was the "1 mile mark" and thought I was going to die by the time I got there. It took me 24 minutes, wherein usually a mile takes me about 15-17 minutes. So, I was like "Wow, that must have been more than a mile, I clearly miscalculated". I turned around and ran/walked back to the house and it took me 18 minutes to get back but I took a little detour through a cut road because I was dyeing of thirst. When I stopped to get water I thought my feet were going to bust right out of my shoes they hurt so bad.

I have came to the conclusion that the reason I have such pain when I walk/run at home is because when they paved the roads in our neighborhood they paved them at a significant slant where the road actually "peaks" in the middle and then slants down to both edges of the road. So, when I walk, I feel like I am leaning. I swear this is putting strain on my legs that I should not be having. I could be wrong, but this is what I am thinking since I dont have the same issues when I walk/run downtown. (When I walk/run downtown, I simply have the "Oh my god, I am out of shape and too old to do this type pain.......not the oh, god, my feet are going to shoot off the bottom of my legs pain that I experience at home.....just to clarify).

Anyhoo, by this time, I had convinced myself if I tried to go back out for another 2 miles I would end up collapsing. This would not be good since by the time my family woke up around noon and realized I had not made it back home, I would have surely been left for dead on the side of the road from heat exhaustion and dehydration. Because of this thought, I only made it 2 miles today instead of the 6 I had so graciously planned the night before. There is always tomorrow I guess.

Today is your birthday! It's my birthday too!!!

2010-06-23T22:49:00.000-04:00

Well, OK.....it may not exactly be your birthday - - but it is MINE!! I love birthdays! I am of the assumption you get to celebrate your birthday the entire WEEK of your birthday, and not just the one day. After all, you have to get in as many free lunches/dinners you can possibly get right?! :)

Anyhoo, to my surprise (and everyone else in my office) my boss decided he wanted to get me a birthday cake for my birthday. Doesn't it look yummy?

I know, the picture does not do it justice since I had to use my phone to take the pic. But, trust me.....it was a toasted Coconut cake and it was scrumptious!

Me and a coworker went to lunch today for my birthday and then came back to the office and pigged out on cake! :) Most of the others in our office "save their extra calories for wine" so they said, so needless to say me and Jillian had a lot of cake to share - but we didn't mind! We had breakfast and snack for the rest of the week!

Me and the family did not do anything special for my birthday today since we have planned to go out to eat tomorrow night since that day worked better for everyones schedule. I didn't mind, that gave me more time at home to eat some more cake tonight! My thought was - cake is carbs and carbs are good for running -right?! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Tina

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T23:04:00.000-04:00

Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there!

Today, me and Jeff slept in as much as we possibly could with three dogs in the house. I swear every morning we are able to sleep in, it seems like the dogs need to go potty a lot earlier than normal. Lucky for me, Jeff let me sleep in and he took care of the early morning potty break today since he knew I was flat exhausted from yesterday.

Then, even though it was Father's Day, Jeff got up and treated us to some homemade pancakes. Guess I should have made them since it was Father's Day and all, but they taste so much better when someone else makes them, don't you think?!

Today, day 33 of training, was a "rest day" so I was not required to run, walk, ride a bicycle or anything, which was good since my legs were wobbly from yesterday's run. "Rest Days" have quickly became my favorite day of the week! :) However, today being "Grocery Day" as well, we did make our normal run to the grocery store and grabbed all the deals for the week. We did pretty good, spending about $80 for right at $140 worth of groceries, so not a bad trip after all.

Then, I was pleased as punch when he suggested we go to Outback for dinner!!!! Outback is not one of Jeff's favorite places - - in fact, we have never been since we met back in 2007!! So, when he suggested it, I jumped on the chance faster than white on rice!!

Of course since it was Father's Day we had to wait about 50 minutes, but it was SOOOOO worth it. The best part you ask?????? Was this...............

Sidney's Sinful Sundae!!!!! It has to be hands down the best dessert I have ever had. I was completely stuffed after eating the Bloomin' Onion, the salad, and dinner, but I was not leaving Outback without having this dessert since it may be another 3 years before he is willing to go back!

We have our "Nutrition Counseling" with the TNT members this week. I am sure they will tell me this should not be on my diet for marathon training, but guess what? TOO BAD! I cannot wait to go back and have another already! Hubby almost thought I was going to pick up the bowl and lick the melted ice cream off the bottom, but I did hold back. :) - - barely.

Have a great week!

Tina

Another "Normal" Saturday Morning!

2010-06-19T23:51:00.000-04:00

Day 32 of training and now I guess I can say this is my "Normal" Saturday morning routine: Up at 4:45 a.m., Run at 6:00 a.m. and then breakfast at Brueggers Bagels with the team! Two weeks in a row I have been up for this challenge and also managed to keep a smile on my face throughout the day with the family. Anyone that knows me, knows that I am NOT a morning person at all so for me to get up this early and not bite everyone's head off that I come in contact with is really something to brag about!

This week we did another 4 mile run, (4.4 miles to be exact). Was able to do this in just over 1 hour 10 minutes again for an approximate 17 minutes per mile pace. At least I have now slowed down! Still having some pain in my shins, but it is getting better. Out of the hour or so I was walking/running, this time I was able to get in a solid 30 minutes of running so I was pleased with myself. I did experience some foot numbness about halfway through but they loosened my laces and I was good to go. Tonight my hubby very affectionately told me my feet were "fat" today (swollen) which I guess is why my laces started strangling my feet halfway through my run.

As we do every Saturday morning, some of the team members headed over to Brueggers for bagels after our run which is always a good time and a good way for us slow runners to actually get to chat with the fast and longer distance runners since we really don't get to see much of them on the run route after about the first 30 seconds.

Once I got home from the run, I had a children's class scheduled for the kids to come over and make Father's Day cards and a gift for dad. The girls made a cute card with a little "King of the Grill" picture on the front and then made a bank that was filled with candy with a few cute sayings attached them. Such as the tootsie roll had a note that said "because you make me roll with laughter"; the Pay Day candy bar said "because you work so hard for us" and the M&Ms packages said "because I love you More & More each day". The kids enjoyed making them and I am sure the dads enjoyed eating all the candy - which I am sure the girls helped with that too! Although I love to teaching the classes, not sure I can keep up this pace of getting up bright and early, running, and then coming home to teach a class. Got to fit in a nap somewhere in there!

Then, Saturday night my cousin Joe was in town from California so we all met up at my mom's and had a nice visit chatting and catching up. By the time we chatted for a couple of hours, I was flat out exhausted and hit the road to head back home for a well deserved full night of sleep!

This running thing seems to be getting a LITTLE easier, but I still have a long ways to go to be able to complete the 13.1 mile journey in October. But, I will do it!

Tina

Me and Arthur Ravenel

2010-06-15T21:18:00.000-04:00

the Arthur Ravenel Bridge that is! Yes, here on Day 28 of my training, someone on the team - not mentioning any names - had the bright idea that was it was time to go run the bridge for our run tonight! Ok, you twisted my arm, it was Owen that came up with this bright idea and I let him know that he was not allowed to pick the running paths anymore!

Tonight we had a team meeting over at a physical therapy clinic in Mt. Pleasant to go over different injuries and injury prevention techniques to prepare everyone for their martahons and triathlons. It was interesting and I learned a few different things while there. There was no actual "team run" scheduled for this evening, however about 6 of us came ready to run and decided to head over to the bridge to see what we could do.

Our schedule was to run 3 miles tonight and me and Kim did it - 3.1 actually so that qualified for a 5K! It was definitely a struggle for me to complete, but I did it. After all, once you go running up what seemed to be a 90 degree incline you had to come back down right?! We got yelled at only once for walking in the bike lane, but luckily I was not actually passed out in the bike lane and able to get back over in the proper running/walking lane! :)

Finished it in about 55 minutes for another 17 minute per mile pace. It felt more like 2 hours, so I was pleased as punch when Kim's snazzy little running watch said we did maintain 17 minutes per mile. She is still promising that in another two weeks this running will get easier. We shall see.......

Tomorrow is another cardio day for me so me and hubby will once again head out on the Sawmill Branch Trail to ride our bikes for at least 3 miles. For tonight though, my pillow is calling my name!

Have a great week!

Tina

First Saturday Morning Team Run!!

2010-06-12T23:54:00.000-04:00

Saturday morning, day 25 of training, and I was up at 4:45 a.m. and on the interstate by 5:00 a.m. heading into downtown Charleston to meet our team at Colonial Lake for our first morning team run. We were supposed to be there and ready to run by 6:00 a.m. and I was. Everyone trickled in between 5:30 and 6:00 and we were off and running by about 6:15. Once again everyone split off into groups running either 4 miles, 6 miles, 8 miles and I think I heard perhaps 11 miles!?!? Seeing as I was in the first group of 4 milers, I really didn't have to listen to the rest of the information for the longer distance runners.

We headed out around 6:15ish and did a warm up lap around Colonial Lake and then proceeded on down Broad Street all the way to the Joe Riley Stadium once again. This time we were greeted at the stadium by a gorgeous looking bottle of Gatorade to quench our thirst. Just a quick sip of Gatorade and then back to Colonial Lake!

4.22 miles in right at an hour and 12 minutes, for an average of approximately 17 minutes per mile. On the date of the actual race, we have to pace ourselves at 16 minutes per mile, so I was glad to see I was not really too far off at the beginning of my training. Since I have a little over 3 months to go with training, surely I can get much faster than 16 minutes per mile.

Right now we are just worried about the heat. The temps have been in the high 90s and 100s already which is why we run so early. However, during the week I dont have time to run in the mornings so I run when I get home from work. But even then, it is still 90-95 degrees at 6:00 or 7:00 at night. Trying to convince myself to drink plenty of water throughout the day to help keep hydrated....very hard for me to do since a bottle of water would usually last me a day or two since I dont drink that much, but I'm trying my best!

Tomorrow, Sunday, is a day of complete rest for our training so, once again, I will be glad to oblige by that rule! Today was pretty rough since I am not a morning person at all. Not only did I get up at 4:45 a.m., but then I ran 4.22 miles only to come home to go to lunch and some shopping with hubby, then back out in the heat to do some clothes shopping with Jessica. Then we had a family anniversary party to go to which of course I had to make my famous mac n' cheese for. I did manage to squeeze in about a 30 minute nap between shopping and dinner, but not sure that even helped. By 10:00 p.m. I was pretty much exhausted and couldn't wait to lay my head down on the pillow!

Hope everyone had a great week/weekend!

Tina

Day 22 - Somethings you never forget.....

2010-06-09T22:12:00.001-04:00

Like riding a bicycle! So true! I have probably not ridden a bicycle in 6+ years but today I got on mine and went for a little ride. For today's race training, I was supposed to do 30 minutes of "activity". That activity could be swimming, weight lifting, bicycle riding, walking, etc., etc. Well, when you have no pool and no weights, the next thing on the list is a bike, and I actually happened to have one. So, hubby loaded up our bicycles and we headed over to the Sawmill Branch Trail here in Summerville. I have never been on this trail, although I pass it numerous times a day. It was really nice being able to ride on a path and not worry about traffic. I think we may start coming over during day light hours to do our walking and running over here. Can't do much past 8:00 or so however, since there are no lights in this area. But it is definitely a nice, peaceful, quiet area.

This trail is actually 14 miles "round trip" if you take the entire trail, but obviously I did not do that. Little ole me managed to ride 3 miles total. Hubby was ready to keep on going, which I told him he was more than happy to do, but I would just wait at the truck. Being the sweetie that he is, he didn't want to show me up, so we loaded up the bikes and headed back home. That 3 mile ride took me 19 minutes. I will say that I did not "coast" but about 1 minute total since I did try to keep my legs pedaling and not "cheat".

Apparently when you run, you use totally different muscles than when you ride a bicycle. I say that because all the muscles that have not been bothering me since I took on this adventure are now sore. I also apparently had a death grip on my handlebars since even my arms are sore! I am so out of shape - I should not be able to say that though come the end of this adventure!

See you on the trails!

Tina

Day 21 of Training - First Team Run and I live to tell about it!

2010-06-08T23:38:00.000-04:00

(Pretend photo inserted here - meant to take pic of the group and forgot camera......)

Tonight was the first "team run" I have experienced. I was nervous to go for several reasons........was i going to be the slowest person there.........does everyone else look as silly in running shorts as I do........was I going to be able to manage to at least run a mile, much less the 2 we were scheduled to do......was I going to be able to remain on my feet and not flat on my face..........the lists goes on. However, I actually enjoyed myself!

We first met for about an hour and went over tons of ideas for fundraising. (As you know, I have to raise $2,500 before July 20 to remain in this wonderful group and learn to run a half-marathaon by October! - so the ideas were great to have!) Afterwards everyone headed outside and split off into groups that were going to run 2 miles, 3 miles, 4 miles or even 5 miles for those "Oh great runners". (I am sure you can figure out which group I was in.........!)

We started off at the MUSC Wellness Center and ran aallllllll the way over to Joe Riley Stadium where the Charleston Riverdogs were actually having a home game that night. How exciting to run by hundreds of people in funny running clothes, breathing heavy, no makeup on and your hair sticking up everywhere. Luckily, there was that big tall wall separating the spectators and me so no harm done - I didn't scare anyone at least! I was with a group of four ladies and we decided that instead of stopping at the 1 mile mark and turning around, we would plug forward for another 1/2 mile so then by the end of the walk/run, we would complete 3 miles and not just 2. We were hesitant, but we plugged on.

We managed to all get back safely and soundly to the MUSC Wellness Center and we were all still standing tall and proud when we returned. After all - we did it - 3 miles! 1 mile more than we were expected to complete. We finished strong and I am actually looking forward to getting up at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday for our next team run which is supposed to be 4 miles!!!

The best part of tonight - no leg pain!!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Tina

Actually returned to scrapbooking today!

2010-06-06T18:31:00.001-04:00

Since I started focusing my crafting on greeting cards the last year or so, I do not think I have scrapbooked at all other than throwing together my very simple wedding album last year. I really want to get back in to it and actually get pictures off of my camera. Pretty sad when a scrapbooker has to show people pictures by letting them skim through photos on her camera! LOL.

Anyhoo, I have never done tear bears and have been wanting to take a class on them for the last few years. I finally found one that was held on a Sunday and that I could actually participate in! Sometimes I think the LSS forget that a lot of people actually WORK during weekday days and they tend to offer the "fun classes" during that time. :( So, off i went today to my LSS and made this layout:

Isn't it cute? Hard to tell from the photo but the bears are actually "fuzzy". They are VERY time consuming to make but I am sure as you make more of them and are home alone (and not in a room with 12 chatty women) it would actually not take too long. The paper you use to make the bears is called Mulberry paper and is kind of a "bumpy" type of paper. You take a little tool or wire brush and actually "pick" or "brush" at the paper to get the fluffy, fuzzy effect. I think it turned out cute for my first one. Not sure if you can see from the picture, but below the word "beach" in the lower left hand corner, there is actually "sand" on the page. I grumbled at the class and was whining and "ewwing" because it was gross and wet. (I don't like messing with gooey, wet things on my scrapbook pages.) Well........needless to say I have to go back to the LSS and now admit to Ivy that I love the effect and actually buy some of the stuff to do it! She is going to give me a hard time - I just know it. Maybe I'll go next week when she is on vacation and then it will be our little secret! :)

I can't wait to get back into my scrapbooking. Would love to be able to actually scrapbook our summer vacation this summer that we are taking next month in the same year that we go on it! LOL

Today was "Day 19" of marathon training. I was so happy to wake up, look at my "training schedule" and see that today is our first "day of rest". I was like woo hoo - finally a day I can meet goal!! LOL So, no running for me today!!!

Going to get rested up and wait for hubby to return home tonight since he has been gone all weekend, so my girlie scrapbooking, card making, chick flick watching weekend is now over.

Have a great week!

Tina

Day 17 & 18 - Cards finally made!

2010-06-05T23:37:00.001-04:00

Well, Friday, June 4, was pretty uneventful and nothing too exciting. The doctor did call to say no leg fracture - yeah! But to "take it easy". I been "taking it easy" all week, no more time for taking it easy. However, I heeded his advice today and worked all day and then came home and had dinner out with Jess since the boys were off on a 4-wheeling weekend in the hills of Kentucky. Figured I would rest up since I had full packed weekend of card making, scrap making, cleaning and running to fit in.

But, Saturday, Day 18 of training' I was busy as a bee and loved every minute of it!

Here are some of the cards that we made in our card class this morning and one or two I made after the class while I was watching my "chick flicks" while hubby out of town:

I was waiting all week to watch Julie & Julia this weekend while hubby gone, but could not find it to rent, so I ended up settling for "Leap Year", "Bride Wars", and "Dear John". All pretty good.

Prior to settling down late this evening, I figured I better try out the old legs and see what they were going to let me do. Since the boys were out of town and Jessica was working, I was really worried to do too much since I didnt know if I would end up hurting on the other side of the block and have no one to come pick me up! LOL. So, I actualy only did .6 mile. I know - lame! However, I was able to alternate 1 minute running to 2 minutes of walking for a total of 9 minutes and no pain when I got home! Doctor said to TAKE IT SLOW and not to follow schedule by trainers but to do at my own pace. So.....here I go. Tomorrow morning the plan is to get up at at 6:30 so I can try to get in a mile or so. Figured in broad day light if I was laying on side of road perhaps someone would come along and pick me up! LOL

Tomorrow I get to look forward to going to take an actual scrapbook class. I have not gone and taken one myself in probably over 2 years so I am looking forward to actually being a student and not a teacher and to try and get back into my scrapbooking versus card making!

Have a great night!

Tina

Day 16 - What a day!

2010-06-03T22:24:00.000-04:00

As I indicated yesterday, dad was having his gall bladder surgery today. He was scheduled for 2:30 so my boss said I could leave and head to the hospital to see him when he came out of surgery, which was my plan all day. Luckily I called dad to chat before surgery this morning and let him know I'd be there and check in on him later, because after that, my day just pretty much went downhill.

I have been struggling with a lingering cough the last couple of months and 3 weeks ago the doctor had put me on some medication that was supposed to "knock it out". Told me if it returned after 2 weeks to call him immediately. Well, I finally called him today - I know - a week late - and told him as soon as I went off the medication the coughing returned and has progressively got worse. Made an appointment with the nurse to go see him next week. Five minutes later got another call back and said I couldn't wait til next week and I needed to be at his office by 4:00 today. Well - - no biggy, that gave me time to at least pop in to see dad when he got out of surgery at 3:00 and then rush to Summerville - WRONG!

Left work to head to hospital but was told by mom that dad would go straight to recovery until probably 4:00 or later. So......no seeing dad.

Went to doctor, where I was put on more medication for next 5 days and if that don't cut it, have to go for some further pulmonary testing. What fun!! Then while I was there and having to pay my $30 co-pay, figured I could kill two birds with one stone and went ahead and mentioned my leg pain assuming the doctor would simply say "push on girlie - you are simply out of shape!" Well, that ain't what he said. Instead, he said "Oh, you might have a stress fracture, let's send you for xrays." WHAT?!?! REALLY?!! I dont have time to sit and "rest" any more doc. So....there I went and hobbled off to xray and now I am doing more sitting and waiting for results. Grrrrr.

Came home to "lay down for 5 minutes" then will go see dad. Well, 2 1/2 hours later at 8:10 p.m. woke up. Where did my day go?!? Called dad and chatted with him, he seemed to be a little doped up but otherwise said he was doing fine and would be released in the morning and they had already had him up and walking the halls. Good news!

Tonight however, my legs (even the one I didn't have xray'd) was really bothering me. Remember yesterday how I said I was supposed to rest but made cards instead? I guess standing up on my legs for 3 hours at my craft table has taken its toll and wasn't a very good idea. :( Then again, I told you before I didn't do this "rest" thing very good.

So, here's to hoping the doctor will call me in the morning with a "clean bill of health" to return to running/walking tomorrow and my legs will feel like new when I wake up.

Tina

Day 15 - Presented with a Straight Jacket

2010-06-02T21:15:00.001-04:00

Yes, you read that right. I came home from work today for my husband to present me with a "Straight Jacket". Lucky for me it was the model name of a pair of brand new Oakley Sunglasses that he bought for me to run in. LOL! (Although I still think I am crazy for doing this whole marathon training so either type of straight jacket at this point would probably have been in order!)

Anyhoo - I am always the one that buys the $10.00 glasses off the rack at Walgreens when I need sunglasses since I am constantly losing or breaking them. He said I needed a "good pair" of glasses so he surprised me with these today. Needless to say, they are not $10.00 glasses so I guess I need to sew them to my head so I don't lose them!

This was another "day of rest" as far as walking/running goes. Hopefully by tomorrow will be back up and running. So, since I could not run, figured I better take this evening to design cards for my upcoming card class I am giving on Saturday. Nothing like waiting until the last minute!!

Thanks for everyone's support by providing fundraising for this event. Hope I can get back on my feet and make everyone proud.

Update on dad - got word this afternoon that dad met with the surgeon and they have scheduled him for gall bladder removal surgery tomorrow afternoon so off to the hospital I will head after lunch tomorrow! Stay tuned......

Tina

Day 14 - a "No Training Day"

2010-06-01T21:18:00.004-04:00

Well, here it is, June 1st and the 14th day of training. Can't believe I been at this for two weeks today and still can't manage to run a complete mile. I apparently had high hopes! I was told today that unfortunately I was an "all or nothing type of gal" and apparently pushing myself too hard. Here I was thinking I was not pushing enough.

We were supposed to have our "Stretching/Exercise Training" Session with the Team in Training group tonight. I was so looking forward to it since I thought that perhaps I would learn something to help alleviate the pain and issues I was having with my right leg. Needless to say, they cancelled the training and they are doing a repeat of last weeks "Proper Shoes/Gear" Training since several people did not come last week. Poop!! I say, those people can learn shoes/gear another time - I need my stretching!!! Well, no one cares what I think so I didnt have a meeting tonight since I didn't need a repeat of last week.

Then to top that off, due to the pain I been having for two days, I was instructed I needed to take two days off of walking or running and "rest". I don't "rest" very well, but I guess I need to in order to prevent an unnecessary injury. Hopefully come Thursday I can get back out there and be better than ever. How am I supposed to manage a half-marathon when I am sitting on my butt?!

I was happy though that when I got home I got notice that someone gave a donation on my fundraising website that pushed me over the $500 mark!!!! Thanks Mr. Brooks!!! So, now I don't feel a total let down to the LLS today - at least I got a donation when I'm sitting on my butt! :)

Tina

Days 12 and 13 - Whose Idea Was This ?!?!

2010-05-31T21:02:00.001-04:00

OK. After the last two days of "attempting" to train, all I can think is "Whose idea was this marathon training anyway?!?" I am not giving up, but I am getting frustrated. Usually I can do just about anything I put my mind to, but am having trouble this week.

Sunday morning, day 12 of training, and I - Tina the one who sleeps all day on Saturdays - sets her alarm for 6:45 to get up and run and I actually get up and moving before the alarm goes off! (Hubby was very proud of me and actually stunned I do believe.) Anyhoo, I got up, put my proper running gear on (are you aware you are not supposed to exercise in Cotton!?! - don't ask why - you just don't!), laced up my tennies, and against my better judgement, took Juliet (our golden retriever) out to try and walk/run 2 miles this morning. Needless to say, I circled the block one time and immediately threw Juliet back in the house. She had no "wanting" to get up early and run around the block. She thought it was stupid and continued to lay down on the pavement, try to run the opposite direction, etc. the entire time I was trying to make my way around the block. I am sure the neighbors didn't appreciate my yelling all the way around the block at 7:00 a.m. But I got her back home, and I didn't give up, I went right back out there.

Did you know lots of people are actually up and moving before 7:00 a.m. on a weekend for no apparent reason?!@! I was shocked! Anyhoo, my training did not do so well today. I did manage to finish 1.6 miles however the last .4 miles I was in severe pain. I noticed my right leg was actually twisting as I was attempting to run causing pain in my shin area and it seemed I had no control over the twisting action. So, with tears in my eyes, I managed to walk that last .4 miles and get to the couch where I remained for an hour. :( After an hour I felt fine. Managed the rest of my day of grocery shopping, laundry and regular ole Sunday stuff. After dinner tonight I even managed to walk with hubby for another 1.2 miles for a total of 2.8 miles today.

Monday, Day 13 of training actually fell on Memorial Day. I was not about to get up early on a Monday that I did not have to work so I slept in, and made up tremendously for yesterday's missing sleep. I won't say what time I finally rolled out of bed, but let's just suffice it to say that the sun was already up high and the temperature was almost at his peak high for the day. Needless to say, I was not about to attempt to run at this point. So, I tried to clean house today, etc. Then, got the call that dad was having some chest pain and was at the emergency room. Went over there to figure out what was going on and luckily it was not actually his chest, but pains caused from some gall stones. They gave him some pain meds and sent him on his way. He has to return to a surgeon later this week for a consult and most likely schedule a time to remove his gall bladder. Never a dull moment around here I tell you!

After a long day, I did cook dinner and then immediately went to see if I could manage a run and hoping like heck my leg would not hurt today. That hope was short lived when I got clear on the other side of the block and ended up in tears again after only attempting to run for 2 minutes. I managed to hobble back home for a total "walk" of .6 miles. By the time I got home, I could not even put pressure on my foot. I will be the first to tell you I do not tolerate pain very well, but this was hurting. All I could think is "How am I supposed to run 13 miles when I can't even run for 2 minutes?!?" I assume I am just doing something wrong and once I can get with my coach/trainer or a doctor, perhaps I can correct my issue and get on with training. One can only hope. I am not giving up at this point!!

Day 11 - Meet Charlie

2010-05-29T21:00:00.001-04:00

OOPS - I posted Day 11's update mistakenly on my other blog! For today's update you will have to click here since I can't figure out how to easily move the link to this blog and I dont have time to retype the whole thing! Sorry!! (For those looking for "marathon update" for today - dont even bother clicking - no training done on Day 11. However, if you are family and just want to be amused on our families daily life, feel free to click on over, and meet the new addition to our family!

Day 10 - Moms Birthday Celebration

2010-05-28T22:53:00.001-04:00

Well, after yesterday's fiasco of trying to run/walk wearing sweatpants in 90 degree weather, I made a point to go shopping on my lunch hour today and pick up some running shorts and another shirt. So, hopefully this weekend's run in the heat will go much smoother. :)

Tonight the family headed out to take mom out for her belated birthday dinner. We went to Firewater Grille and it was very yummy! Convinced mom and Jeffrey to try fried calamari and they both liked it. Kids finished the night off with root beer floats and then we all headed home with full bellies.

Got home after dinner and me and Jeff decided to take a leisurely walk. Ended up walking 2.4 miles with no running. Think it ended up taking about 45 minutes. At least I didn't just come home and lay my big butt on the bed though and veg in front of the TV.

Hitting the hay and getting ready for a busy weekend....dog grooming, card making, laundry, graduation party, home repairs, and of course training! Hope everyone has an enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend!

Tina

Day 9 - Who thought of this idea???

2010-05-27T23:58:00.000-04:00

Well, day 9 of Training for TNT half-marathon and I'm thinking "Whose great idea was this?!" Training to run in the dead heat of summer, and summer really isn't even here yet. No worries - I'm still plugging away but today was a bit slow for me. Only fit in a .6 walk/run today. :( But, hey, at least I got out there and did something - right?!

I got home from work and figured I best get my walk/run in before I try to tackle laundry, cooking, etc. so I laced up my tennies, grabbed Romeo's leash and the two of us headed out for what I thought was a 1 mile run. Needless to say - running in sweatpants in 92 degree weather was not the thing to do. (Note to self: go buy some proper running wear this weekend!) Romeo, with his all black fur, was totally agreeing with me since he was heavily panting and telling me "MOM, it's HOT out here!" halfway around the block! So, needless to say we did a .6 mile walk in 10 minutes and ran about 2 minutes worth. Better some than nothing I guess!

Tomorrow the family is taking mom out for her birthday dinner so I most likely wont get a run/walk in tomorrow so I guess I have to pick up the pace for the long holiday weekend. Hope I can find a great deal on some running shorts because I think it is going to be a hot weekend!

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend everyone!

Tina

Day 8 - Trying out the new shoes!

2010-05-26T23:36:00.004-04:00

Got my shoes today and headed out for my first run in them! Aren't they cute?!? Jeffrey had a ballgame tonight so I figured I'd let them drive up and I'd meet them there eventually. Once again, it was 1.8 miles and I made it in 30 minutes, 1 minute less than last week I believe. Not sure how that worked, since I actually ran 10 minutes of the 30 minutes when last week I only ran 4 minutes. My walking must be slowing down since I am increasing my running time perhaps....who knows. I am more interested in increasing the time frame that I can run and not my actual time of reaching my goal, so I guess I did accomplish that. I have only been able to run 3-4 minutes during each "run" this week so tonight being able to run for 10 minutes at 1 minute intervals was a huge accomplishment for me. I'm happy with it.

In addition to my training today, I was able to secure Sticky Fingers for a "Helping Hands" night. It is scheduled for Thursday, June 24 and anyone that goes to Sticky Fingers in Summerville on that day and tells them they are there in support of the Leukemia Society, I will get 10% of the total sale! So.....put on your calendars to plan on eating at Sticky Fingers that day - - lunch or dinner!!! That even works for take out so you can simply grab some grub on the way home and eat in the convenience of your own home and still support the cause. I'll be reminding everyone when the date gets closer!

Thanks for all your support!
Tina

Day 7 - First 5K!!!

2010-05-25T23:24:00.000-04:00

Well.....technically I didn't run a 5K today, however in my mind I am telling myself I did!

A 5K is a total of 3.1 miles and I did walk/run 3.13 miles today. However, it was not at one time. Today was the official "one week point" of my training. Been training for 7 days straight. Woo Hoo!! Not sure I can tell a big difference in my training yet, but hoping that will improve shortly.

I had a Training Session with my TNT group tonight at a local bicycle/running shop where we learned about proper gear including shoes, clothing, and other runner information. Running is not a cheap sport - don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

Following the meeting, me and Kim headed out to do some training. We ended up completing 1.93 miles with a little running here and there. Since two women gab a lot while they are walking/running, I could not keep track of the actual time I spent running versus walking but I am pretty sure I ran longer intervals that I have been doing this past week. Then, when I got home I ended up taking a quick walk with the hubby and did another 1.2 miles so technically I completed 3.13 miles today which equals a 5K!!

Heading out this evening to buy "the" running shoes. I am using positive thinking that those shoes are going to make a world of difference and I'll be able to pick up pace with running and having no leg pain to allow me to go further. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Oh - on another note - lost 2 lbs this week - bonus!! Happy Birthday Mom!

Tina

Day 6 - Fundraising Day

2010-05-24T23:04:00.000-04:00

No physical training was done today, Day 6 of my adventure. I spent a ton of time though working on my fundraising efforts. Got my fundraising letters ready to go. I secured a golf course for an upcoming Golf Tournament on July 11 to raise money for the Leukemia Society. Working on a dinner at Sticky Fingers whereby the restaurant will donate a percentage of their sales to the Leukemia Society. So, overall, got a lot accomplished today. Day 7 we have another TNT Meeting to learn about proper shoes, clothing, etc. to prepare us for the big race day event and then we are off for our very first "group run". Hope I can keep up! Wish me luck. I'll update you later how that goes!

Thanks to everyone for all your support!
Tina

Day 5 - Shoe Fitting Day

2010-05-23T22:42:00.003-04:00

Enjoyed a peacful morning sleeping in and then had a nice brunch with my hubby. Afterwards we headed over to Mt. Pleasant to get me properly fitted for some running shoes. I settled on the Ascis Nimbus 11 as my shoe of choice - same shoe I chose yesterday but today was told that was actually a proper fit. :) Found out I have an extremely high arch so I am required to get some insoles to prevent injury. Surprise, Surprise, just more money to spend.

Had a relaxing afternoon with a nice nap and then hubby grilled dinner. By the time we finished that it was almost 10:00. I had not been feeling all to well today so I didn't try to run at all, but we did manage to go for a 1.8 mile walk after dinner and we completed that in 32 minutes. Not bad with no running but a pretty quick walking pace.

This week the goal is to get my 110 fundraising letters sent out along with securing the golf course for an upcoming golf tournament for a fundraiser.

Have a great week!

Day 4 - Busy Day.

2010-05-22T20:27:00.004-04:00

Happy early Birthday Mom! Today was my monthly Stamp Camp where I teach local ladies how to make various greeting cards and notecards. Since my mom's birthday is coming up this Tuesday the ladies all brought handmade cards for her and we had pizza and ice cream cake and had a wonderful time.

After class I headed out to the local sports stores trying to find some appropriate running gear. Did you know that stuff is expensive??? Well, it is. However, some of it I can't do without if I am going to be able to run safely for long distance, so I guess I'll start saving up to buy a few things. Found the most comfy shoes today so I'll defintely be going back to get those soon!

Anyhoo - when I got back from shopping I figured I might as well get my training in for today. That was kind of a mistake since it was 4:30 and still pretty warm outside, but I managed pretty well. I actually ended up doing the exact same walk/run I did on Thursday and managed to get in 1.2 miles in exactly 21 minutes ago with running yet again for about 3 1/2 minutes. Calves still burning but the burn does not seem to last as long so I guess that is good news. Going to maintain 1.2 to 1.8 miles all week and simply try to increase the amount of time I can manage to run.

That's it for tonight. Getting ready to snuggle down and hopefully fit in a movie before I crash for the evening.

Thanks for checking in on me!

Day 3 - Look What I Got Today!

2010-05-21T23:07:00.005-04:00

That's right - my new Dri-Fit training jersey! You know how much I love getting free stuff!! I had a meeting today with a representative of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and because of my hardwork putting together my fundraising plan, I was given this shirt today! Earned it two weeks ahead of schedule! Go me!!!!

Anyhoo - after putting together my fundraising plan and making tons of phone calls to implement those plans, I was mentally exhausted by this afternoon. By the time I got home, did laundry, cleaned up the house for my card class I am giving tomorrow, and took the family out to dinner, it was 10:30 p.m. So - -I am sad to report I didn't get to walk or run today. :( However, since I did collect a few donations today and worked hard on my fundraising plan, I feel I didn't let the LLS down too bad so I'm hitting the hay to get some rest so I can put in a good effort tomorrow on my training! Goal tomorrow is 2 miles and increase my actual running time. Wish me luck!

Days 1 and 2 of Training

2010-05-20T22:59:00.003-04:00

Day 1 - 5/19/10

Well, yesterday I "officially" started my training for the half-marathon coming up on October 2. That sounds like a long ways a way when I say it, but when I realize I will have to run/walk 13 miles at that point, all at one time and in less than 4 hours, well.....it seems like it is right around the corner!

Last night the boys headed to the ballfield for game night while I was home doing whatever it is I always do when I am home. After a few minutes I realized the field was 1.8 miles away so I might as well start somewhere and head to the field. So, I laced up my tennies and headed out at 8:06 p.m. I was thinking I would walk for just a few minutes and then perhaps run for 30 seconds/walk for 30 seconds, run for 3o seconds/walk for 30 seconds, etc., etc., until I reached my destination. Well, needless to say that did not happen.

I walked for 2 minutes, ran for 30 seconds, walked for 2 minutes, ran for 30 seconds and then I had to look at the back of my legs because I literally thought my calves were on fire! Luckily, I did not see any flames. Whew! I actually reached my destination in 32 minutes (my goal was 30 minutes since the ultimate goal is to eventually be able to run 4 miles in an hour). Out of that 32 minutes, I ran a total of about 4 minutes. So..... I felt that was decent for my first attempt at running since 9th grade PE class and I still lived to tell about it with my calves in tact.

Day 2 - 5/20/10

Today after work I met a friend of mine for dinner. These plans were made months ago, long before I knew I would be training for a marathon on a daily basis (LOL - I still laugh at the thought of me doing this)....anyhoo, I went to dinner and enjoyed myself catching up with my friend. Didn't get home until about 9:00 and was tired. However, being the trooper I am (after all, this is only day 2 of training - I can't already be quitting - right?) I laced up my tennies and off I went. I only ended up doing 1.2 miles tonight, however I did that in 21 minutes and ran 3 1/2 minutes total....so I am thinking that is a slight improvement to last night......... and my calves only burned about half the time of last night too! Woo Hoo.

Let the training begin!

2010-05-20T13:40:00.003-04:00

As you may or may not have heard yet, I'm training to participate in a half-marathon as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. If you know me at all, I know what you are thinking .......... "What has Tina gone and done now?"…. "That girl only knows how to run to the bathroom or to run to catch a great sale at the grocery store!"…… "Has she lost her mind?"

Well - I may have lost my mind, but at least it is for a good cause. Yes, I could have easily backed out when I learned a half marathon was actually 13 miles long! (I have never walked more than 3 or 4 miles at any given time – and never ran more than a mile and that was 20 years ago!) And sure, I could have snuck out the back of the meeting when they explained I had to collect $2,500.00 in donations all by my little ole’ self. And I certainly felt like running and hiding under a rock when they told me I would have to be in downtown Charleston every Saturday morning by 5:45 a.m. to run anywhere from 4 to 13 miles over the next five months!!! (This one almost sent me over the edge since Saturday is my day for beauty sleep!)

However, then I realized……..those patients that are suffering with Leukemia, Lymphoma and other blood cancers…..they do not have a choice to run from the problems they have to endure on a daily basis, so why should I be able to run away?

So, if you would like to make a donation to my cause and help me obtain my required donation amount of $2,500.00 it would be greatly appreciated! Hopefully I can get my fundraising achieved within the next 30 days so I can divert all my attention to figuring out how to go from running 20 feet to the bathroom to running 13 miles to the finish line!! So please, if you feel this is a great cause as I do, please don’t delay and send in your donation now! We will all appreciate it!

There are two ways you can make a donation to my cause. You can mail me your check made payable to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (or simply LLS) to: Tina Rucker, 206 Jasmine Drive, Summerville, SC 29483. Or, feel free to go to my personal fundraising website where you can make a quick, secure, online payment.

Also – if you have a family member or loved one that has or is suffering from a blood cancer, I would be honored to write their name on my race day jersey and run in their honor! Simply make sure and put a note in with your donation of their name and even a little story about them if you would like and I will be sure to bring them along with me on my journey!

The individuals who are battling blood cancers are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Stay tuned here for daily updates on my training efforts!

Tina's New Adventure

2010-05-20T13:22:00.002-04:00

This blog started out as just a place for me to write my daily happenings, thoughts, etc. and somehow evolved into more of a business blog promoting my Stampin' Up! business. Well - I was never really good at keeping up with it for a business perspective so I am going back to my old self and using this for a personal blog.

I just recently signed up to train to run a half-marathon in order to help raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society so I am going to use this blog to maintain more or less a diary of how I am doing with my marathon training along with still fitting in my every day life.

I hope you will come along with me on my adventure. It is more than likely going to be a very long, interesting and probably embarrassing ride along the way.

Stay Tuned!

Amethyst Birthday Wishes

2010-03-31T23:32:00.002-04:00

Here is a birthday card I made using the On A Pedastal Stampin' Up! Stamp Set for April's Stamp Camp. The words are from Fun Fast Notes stamp set. You can't tell from the picture, however the pedastal was heat embossed with silver so it looks like a sterling silver cake plate. Colors used were Almost Amethyst and So Saffron. My Stamp Camp girls do not like to venture off of the standard size cards and I get tired of making the same ole, same ole sizes, but this time I made this a top fold card on the shorter edge which was different than I had done in the past. I thought it turned out pretty cute, although very simple.

Thanks for looking.

Tina

Upsy Daisy Birthday Wishes

2010-03-25T10:34:00.004-04:00

Here is a card I designed for one of my past Stamp Camp Card Classes. I, along with my "regular ladies" at camp, just LOVE the Tempting Turquoise cardstock so there is always at least one card every class that uses that color! This is a very simple and quick card to put together but yet I think is elegant.

It is a top fold card with a Tempting Turquoise card base and then white cardstock. That's it! I tied off the image with some white grossgrain ribbon to "fancy it up" a bit. Several ladies on my spring birthday list are getting this card! LOL It is just too quick and easy not to repeat. The stamps used are Upsy Daisy for the flower image along with "Happy Birthday" from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set, which is a definite "must have set" for card makers!

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Together Forever

2010-03-19T15:13:00.002-04:00

Are these birds just not tooo cute?!?! These little birds are from Stampin' Up!'s "Cheep Talk" set. I saw a card like this online somewhere several weeks/months ago and it has been stuck in my head ever since. Unfortunately, I dont remember where I saw it. When I figure it out, I will certainly come back here and let you know! I just love how you can imagine the little birds just running up to each other for that little "peck" on the cheek. LOL

The colors I chose are this year's "In Color" Bermuda Bay and Sun Yellow with a hint of Melon Mambo. For the center birds I used a pop dot on the girl bird so it looks like she is literally standing in front snuggling with the boy bird.

I thought this card would be cute to use for an Anniversary Card or even a casual/fun wedding card.

That's all I got for today. Spring has certainly sprung here in the lowcountry of SC so I am planning enjoying a little bit of time outside in the nice weather this weekend, but mostly will be inside crafting away for my new Etsy shop!

Make it a great weekend whatever you do!

Tina

Pretty as Peacock

2010-03-17T15:45:00.003-04:00

I'm baaacck!! I know - it has been MONTHS since I have been on here. First excuse was because I took off creating for the holidays, but then not sure what happened! I have totally been creating new stuff since January, I just let this little blog slip away when I took on piles and piles of more stuff to do on other ventures I started. But no fear! I am back and am loaded with photos of stuff I been doing so I can post away (hopefully....I know I have said this before.....LOL)

Anyhoo - below is a card I made using Stampin' Up!'s Very Thankful set. Stampin' Up! has a stamp set every year that they promote and part of the proceeds goes to The Ronald McDonald House and this is this year's stamp set. It has four different stamps and this little peacock is one of them.

Isn't she cute? This card has a Tempting Turquoise cardbase and scalloped circle along with a hint of Close to Cocoa. I embossed the white cardstock using The Big Shot!

I'll try to post the cards I made using the other stamps in this same set later this week. If you would like to purchase this stamp set and help support The Ronald McDonald House please visit my Stampin' Up! website. This stamp set is only available until the end of May since our new catalog will be coming out and it will then replaced with another stamp set!

Happy Creating!

Tina

Scenic Season Card - Take Two

2009-11-18T09:19:00.004-05:00

OK...I'm back once again to see if I can get this picture to load. If you saw yesterday's post you saw that I was finally getting my act together and had squeezed in 15 minutes to my day to be able to update my blog only for the stupid computer to give me an error message when trying to upload. So......here I am this morning hoping the upload works this time....here it goes....keep your fingers crossed.......

Yeah! It worked. So.......if you missed yesterday's post, this is the "sweet and simple" card that my Stamp Camp members asked me to create. They wanted something with only one or two layers of paper and one quick stamp so that they could create a stack of cards in a short period of time. I think this fits the request. This is the Scenic Seasons stamp set from Stampin' Up and it also comes with a verse for the inside of the car as well.

If all goes well, I will be posting pictures the rest of this week of the projects that I am offering during my Santa's Workshop event on December 12. Hope to see you there!

Stampingly yours,

Tina

Scenic Season - Card #3 for November for Stamp Camp

2009-11-17T19:27:00.005-05:00

I'm baaaaack! I know, I know, everytime I get used to blogging on a daily basis, I do it for like a week and then I seem to disappear for weeks on end. This blogging this is really hard to keep going on a daily basis on top of working full time, handling the household and taking time to create. Does not leave much time for sleep, much less taking pictures, uploading to the computer and posting to this blog. I have already made this my #1 resolution for the New Year though, to make time to get this blog done! Ok, enough whining and making excuses.......

Tonight I wanted to share with you the third Christmas Card that we will be making in this weekend's Stamp Camp. Some of "my regulars" asked for a card that was very simple, perhaps a one layer card with one stamp, in order for them to make multiples of. This is the card I came up with. I love this stamp set. You can dress it up and make it a very elaborate card, or use it as I have here for a simple, yet nice, card.

*&#*&%*^*! Ok - here I am, finally trying to update my blog and now I am getting an error message that says "Unable to upload due to internal problem". I am going to just spit!

OK, I'm going to save this little post and exit then come back and hopefully it will allow me to upload my pic.....stay tuned.

Meet your new best friend!

2009-10-30T09:30:00.004-04:00

Well......the above photo doesn't look like much does it? In fact you are probably thinking what in the world is that? Is it a square of parmesean cheese? A pat of butter? Spongebob Square Pants in the nude? Well.....no. It is not none of those things. What this little 2" x 2" little square is......is your next best friend!!!!

I know you don't believe me now, but once you meet him, you will totally understand! This is actually an Adhesive Remover that is sold by Stampin' Up! and me and him have became very close this past week.

Have you ever designed a card, a scrapbook layout or some other papercrafting project only to get to the very end and notice that the back of the project is covered with glue that was stuck to your surface and has now adhesived itself to the back of your project? Or, sometimes you may glue on that last layer on the front of your card only to have a little extra glue or adhesive "sticking out" from that beautiful layer? Then what do you do? You probably do what I used to do and try to scrape it off with your nail or rub it with your finger and then you have usually a little black globby mess or a smudge on your beautiful artwork, right? Well - say goodbye to adhesive smudges and helllloooooo to your new little best friend!

This little guy works just like an eraser does for pencil marks! You simply rub it nice and easy across any little pieces or smudges of adhesive on your artwork and voila! It disappears with ease and no tell-tale smudge marks remain on your project!

You can pick up one of these little cuties on my Stampin' Up! site by clicking the "Shop Now" button up on the right corner of my blog or just by giving me a call or an email! The item number is 103684. The best part - - this little guy is only $3.50 and last foreva!

Hope everyone has a great Friday and an even better weekend!

Stampingly yours,
Tina

Turkey Nuggets - Kids Craft

2009-10-29T09:01:00.006-04:00

Good morning!! I have another post to share with you today that is for the kids. I will warn you the photo I have is horrible since I had to take it with my cell phone in order to get it posted this morning, but I will try to get a better picture and post in the next couple of days when I can get home before dark so I have some good lighting to take it with.

This is definitely a children's project - nothing fancy about it - but something I thought some of you would like to make with your children for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday as I have had a couple of request for crafts that smaller children can do.

This little turkey would probably look a little more "substantial" if you used a Hershey Nugget candy bar rather than a mini-hershey bar, but I had to use what I had on hand! The Nugget's are just a little taller and would give a little better support to the head and tail feathers. Another cuter addition would be to use the tiny little googley eyes that you can find at any craft store. I only had really big googley eyes so I had to improvise with just hole punched paper.

The supplies you will need to make this little guy is Stampin' Up!s Scalloped Circle Punch (Item 109043) $15.95 and the 1" circle punch (Item No. 109046) $10.95. Then of course a candy bar of your choice along with various "turkey color" cardstocks. In my sample, for his body I used Chocolate Chip Patterned Designer Paper, along with Yoyo Yellow and Pumpkin Pie cardstock for the feathers. His little face was a circle from Creamy Caramel Cardstock and then his beak is simply a 1/2" square of Yoyo yellow cardstock folded in half.

I got this idea from another SU! demonostrators blog, Kimberley Morris . Her little flock of turkeys are very cute and have a much better photo if you would like to check hers out. She used the googley eyes which also makes the turkeys much more cuter. Once I get to the store to buy some of those little eyes and some Nugget bars, I will certainly make a much more proper turkey to post, but wanted to share this idea with you this morning while it was hot on the brain!

Make it a great day!

Tina

Pumpkin Carving Time

2009-10-28T08:58:00.003-04:00

Sorry ladies, no cute cards or projects today. Last night was "Family Night" with pumpkin carving on the agenda. So, since I did not get a chance to create last night, figured I'd at least share the photos of the carving events with you!

Hope you have a great day and do something fun that you want to do do! Tonight I am hoping to get ready for an upcoming workshop I have at my friend's Sharon's house and then hopefully have some time to also create some Thanksgiving treats. Stay tuned!

Tina

Loads of Christmas Love - November Stamp Camp Project #2

2009-10-27T12:32:00.005-04:00

Happy Tuesday bloggers! This is going to be a quick post, but I didn't want to miss out on posting today. Below is a picture of one of the holiday cards we will be doing at the November Stamp Camp. In my September Stamp Camp all the ladies just LOVED the Loads of Love Stamp Set with the pickup truck and all the many accessory stamps that comes with it. Since one of the stamps in the set just happened to be a Christmas Tree I could not resist making up a card for them to create next month! I love the way it turned out with the tree looking like it is sitting down in the truck instead of the whole thing teetering on the hood or something. I got this look by using the technique "masking" which I think will be a new technique for most of my regular ladies that attend the Stamp Camp.

If you would like to join us for next month's edition of Holiday Stamp Camp, be sure to drop me a note or shoot me an email. As mentioned before, the cost is $15.00, but that class fee is waived if you decide to place an order of $25 or more on the day of the class. Of course, no purchase necessary though! I am also offering the November stamp Camp as a "kit to go" for those of you that cannot attend the class in person. For $17.00 I will pre-stamp all the images and send them to you along with all the pre-cut pieces for all projects with photos for illustration on how to put all items together.

Have a great week. I hope to be back tomorrow with more news to share!

Stampingly yours,

Tina

November Stamp Camp Project #1 - Dasher Gift Card Holder

2009-10-26T12:31:00.005-04:00

Wow!!! What a crazy month it has been and it flew by so fast! Sorry I have not been posting on here at all this month. No matter how hard I try to find the time to post, there just never is enough time in the day. Know what I mean? Well, I am starting a new little "time management" course this week and hopefully that will help me in staying focused on getting everything done that I would like to get done. We shall see!

Anyhoo - the next Stamp Camp classes is scheduled for November. Because of everyone's busy schedule with the start of the upcoming holidays, I am offering this stamp camp twice in November. The first one is scheduled for Saturday, November 14 at 10:00 a.m. and the second will be the following Saturday, November 21, again at 10:00 a.m. As always, Stamp Camp fee is $15.00 which includes all projects. However, if you place an order with me that day of $25.00 or more, your class fee is waived for the day!

In November we will be creating a couple different Christmas Cards, some gift tags and a Gift Card Holder. Below is one of the projects we will be creating next month. I hope you like it as much as I do! When you untie the brown bow at the bottom, the card opens up to reveal a pocket for a Gift Card! (or it will hold cash just as well!). With so many people giving Gift Cards these days, I thought this would make a cute project for everyone to make and something just about anyone can use!

Stay tuned as I will be posting a few of the other items we will be making next month throughout the next couple of weeks for you to see. If you want to attend either (or both) of the classes in November, please leave me a comment here or shoot me an email. The seats are already filling up as I have limited seats for each class.

Make it a great week!

Tina

Whooooo wants to attend Owl Card Class??

2009-09-29T10:05:00.004-04:00

Here are the cards we will be making in the next card class scheduled for October 17 at 10:00 a.m. There are only 4 seats left for this class, so if you are interested in attending you need to "Give me a hoot" really quick to reserve your spot. The class fee is $15.00 and it includes everything you need to make these three greeting cards. The ladies that attended my class this past weekend got to see these cards in person and they thought they were a hoot just like I do. I just love the card with the googly eyes!

I am in the process of creating the Christmas Card class which will be scheduled during the first part of November and I will send out information on that class as soon as it is available.

This Saturday, October 3rd, is National Card Making Day so take some time out of your busy weekend to create a card and send to someone you love. If you care enough to send the very best - you send a homemade card!

Stampingly yours,

Tina

Owl Together Now......

2009-09-22T17:54:00.004-04:00

I have to say, I LOVE this stamp set. The sayings that come with these little owls are just a "hoot"! Below is a card I created that I thought would be cute for my family to use as a birthday card for someone. There are 4 of us in the family so that is why I chose to put 4 owls on the card - the sentiment reads "Something for you from owl of us!" - Isn't that just toooo cute?!?

This card was created using the sketch challenge over at stamping411. I cheated a little on the sketch but it served my purpose! You should pop over and play along with us. It is always fun to see the sketch that everyone is given and then to see the different ways everyone uses it!

That's it for now. Stay tuned this week for the other "owl" cards I have created which I will be offering as a Owl Together card class for next month.

Stampingly yours,

Tina

Sympathy Card - TSSC87 Challenge Card

2009-09-19T11:50:00.003-04:00

Happy Saturday Morning! I hate that I missed the last two days worth of posts but my camera and internet would just not cooperate! Got the new internet installed and finally got the camera working today - so here is my Sympathy card that I promised days ago!

This card was created using Technostampers Sketch Challenge 87. You should click on over and create something with us! You have until Sunday night at 8 p.m. to post your card. Anyway, this card is very simple as you can see but I think it turned out nice. I used Whisper White and Basic Black cardstocks, white grosgrain ribbon and the floral stamp is from Eastern Blooms Stamp Set. The sentiment is from a stamp set which is quickly becoming one of my favorite - Teeny Tiny Wishes. When I first got that set, I thought to myself "These words are so tiny, I will never use them!".....well, as you can see I have used them on about the last 4 cards or so that I have posted so they definitely come in handy!

Well, that is my share for today. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Stampingly yours,

Tina

Pumpkin Patch Treat Bag

2009-09-16T12:31:00.002-04:00

Good morning! I had another card to share with you today that I created for another online challenge, but wouldn't you know when I went to take the picture, my camera batteries were dead! Ugh - just hate when that happens. My goal is to get batteries and get that posted tomorrow.

However, I didn't want the day to go by without posting something to share, so I thought I would show this "Project of the Month" designed by Stampin' Up! I think these are too sweet and am thinking about making these for co-workers and my daughter's friends for the upcoming spooky holiday!

The stamp set used is called Pumpkin Patch from the new Holiday Mini Catalog and I think are really cute. I prefer "cute" to scarey myself. The cardstock used is Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White and the inks are Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie.

Hopefully this project will inspire you to create something for the little goblins in your life for the upcoming holiday!

Stampingly yours,

Tina

Christmas Time is Coming!

2009-09-15T13:19:00.005-04:00

I decided in order to help get my "mojo" rolling and to force me to to create and post on a daily basis, I needed to be pushed along by participating in some online sketch challenges. So.....I decided to participate in Stamping 411's sketch this week and created a very simple Christmas card:

As you can see this card is very simple and took no time to put together. It uses the "Dasher" stamp from Stampin' Up! and then the poinsettia (at least I am saying it is a poinsettia for this purpose) is from Eastern Blooms. My daughter said it looked like a spring flower trying to be a poinsettia but I think it fits. What do you think? The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes and is a great stamp set to have on hand for every sentiment imagineable.

I hope you enjoy this card. I am thinking about having a Holiday Card Class using this Dasher Stamp Set to creat perhaps 4 or 5 different cards. If that sounds like something you would be interested in, let me know and I will certainly get one scheduled!

Stay tuned tomorrow for a card from another sketch challenge.

Stampingly yours,

Tina

Thinking of You...Basic Card Class, Sept 26

2009-09-14T09:36:00.004-04:00

Yes, I am back! Everytime I finally get organized to start posting every day something happens and I am knocked back off schedule, but hopefully I can get back to posting again everyday starting this week! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

I wanted to start this week off with showing you the last and fourth card that we will be making in the upcoming Basic Card Class on September 26. Again, these are all very basic, simple cards with no ribbons and not lots of layers, but just sweet and simple designs to get everyone used to paper cutting and stamping, and actually pulling out their stamps and papers and using them and not just putting them on a shelf because they dont know what to do with them! :)

This card uses the Stampin' Up! stamp set called Eastern Blooms which is a set of stamps with various floral images perfect for a variety of cards. The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set which is a very good set to have on hand since it has a sentiment included in the set for just about any occasion and/or holiday.

If you have not signed up for the class on the 26th and would like to come, please email me soon! It is only $10.00 which includes everything you need to to make 4 cards and learn the basics of card making and stamping.

Tomorrow I will share a very sweet and simple Christmas Card I was able to put together over the weekend!

Stampingly Yours,

Tina

Very Thankful.....

2009-09-03T15:48:00.002-04:00

This is one of my favorite stamp sets in the catalog this year and I was so happy when the little UPS man delivered it to me yesterday! Not only is the stamp set cute, it is practical, affordable ($14.95 for 4 stamps), and it also "makes a difference" in people's lives. Stampin' Up! donates $2.00 from each sale of this stamp set to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

I plan on using the upcoming long holiday weekend to pull this stamp set out and give it some inkin' love! If you are in the market for a set of "thank you" stamps, please consider purchasing this set. I will also be holding a class in the upcoming weeks where we will create a set of thank you notes using this entire stamp set which would make a perfect gift set for someone for the upcoming holiday season, or a nice set of cards for you to have on hand for all those last minute thank you cards you always need. Stay tuned here for more details soon!

We are off to our son's first football scrimmage tonight so once again I have no time for creating, but like I said that is my plan for the long 3 day weekend ahead so hopefully I will have lots of things to share with you next week.

Stampingly yours,

Tina

Holiday Shopping has arrived!

2009-09-01T22:38:00.002-04:00

Starting today you can shop from our Holiday Mini Catalog! There are lots of stamps and tons of ideas for the upcoming holiday season including Halloween and Thanksgiving as well! These items are only available from September 1 - January 4 so make sure and check out the new items now! If you would like me to send you a mini catalog in the mail, please email me with your name and mailing address. Or, if you prefer to shop online, you can shop direct from my online store at www.tinarucker.stampinup.net and view all of these new items in your pjs - - I won't tell!! I am placing my order soon for some of my favorite new holiday items so stay tuned for posts on those items over the next several weeks!

Sorry for such a short post this evening but it has been a long day and I have had no time for creating tonight! I hope everyone had a Terrific Tuesday. Have a great week!

Stampingly Yours,

Tina

Thinking Of You

2009-08-31T22:00:00.004-04:00

Here is another card we will be creating in the "Basic Card Class" coming up on September 26th. I am sorry the photo appears a little fuzzy, it is much cuter in person!

This card was created using the Stampin' Pastels from Stampin Up! and makes it very easy to create a simple, but cute card in a matter of moments.

If you plan on attending the class on September 26th and have not registered, please be sure to send me a quick email or post here that you will be coming so I can save your seat, as seating is limited.

I hope to see you on the 26th!

Stampingly Yours,

Tina

At last......

2009-08-28T23:31:00.004-04:00

...... a scrapbook layout! Since we got back from our Familymoon I have not had any time to sit down and scrapbook our wedding pictures. This Sunday it will be one month - can you believe it! Time has flown by. Today I was determined to get some pages in my wedding album and I did just that. I never scrapbook just one photo to a page but I was determined to do it this time for the first page of this album. This was not exactly what I had in mind, but at least I got it done, right?! The papers are from the Emporium Paperpack from Close to My Heart. Our wedding was in Champagne and Black colors so I thought this paper would go well for the entire album. I am off to bed now but wanted to get this post up before I turned in. I have a busy weekend ahead so I will be back posting on Monday. Make it a great weekend and hug your loved ones!

Stampingly Yours,

Tina

Stampin' Pastels

2009-08-27T17:05:00.004-04:00

No time for artwork today, as I am getting ready to head out to order my daughter's High School ring! YIKES! But I did want to share a Stampin' Up! product with you today before I leave. It is the Stampin' Pastels. Just as the catalog indicates, you can enjoy artist-quality, blendable pastels with this exclusive set of chalks that SU! offers. The great thing is that it includes a chalk for all the exclusive Stampin' Up! colors so you can coordinate it with all our inks, cardstocks, ribbons, etc.! They are so easy to use and the final product makes everyone look like an artists - even if you are the one that always claims "I cannot even draw a stick person!". :o) It even comes with a little handy dandy eraser to erase any mistakes you may make going outside the lines! Everyone who attends my Basic Card Class on September 26 will be getting their chance to use these and see what artists they can become!

Stay tuned for more artwork that I will be working on this weekend. I am also in the process of scheduling a Birthday Card Workshop and a Thank You Note workshop because everyone always needs those cards. - - Don't forget, when you care enough to send the very best - you stamp it yourself!

Make it a great night!

Tina

A little "Pickup" Card - Basic Card Class 9/26

2009-08-26T09:34:00.005-04:00

Here is another card that we will be creating during the Basic Card Class scheduled on September 26th at 10:00 a.m. "....could use a little pickup!" Is that not the cutest!!

This little truck is "painted" using our Pastels and gives it that "faded old truck" look. This truck is from the Stampin Up! stamp set "Loads of Love". There are other items that you can haul in your truck including a Christmas Tree and a pile of hearts. There are also accessory stamp sets available to match up with this set which includes a camper, a 4-wheeler and even a jet ski!

If you would like to attend the class on September 26th be sure to send me an email or comment here so I can be sure and save you a seat! Seating is limited.

This basic stamp class is for all levels of stampers, from beginner stampers on up to "pros" at stamping and creating cards but they still simply want to get out of the house for some fun. This basic class is being offered for only $10.00 and you will leave with 4 handmade cards!

When you care enough to send the very best - - you stamp it yourself!

I look forward to seeing you on the 26th!

Stampingly yours,

Tina

Basic Stamping - Card Class Scheduled 9/26

2009-08-25T09:08:00.004-04:00

Good morning! I am pleased to announce that my first shipment of Stampin Up! supplies finally arrived yesterday and I am eager to get started. Because a lot of you may be new to rubber stamping and/or card making, or are simply looking for a reason to get out of your house and make some fun, easy and quick cards, I am going to offer a "Basic Card Class" to get everyone started. It has been scheduled for Saturday, September 26 at 10:00 a.m. This little birdie Thank You card is just one of the quick and easy cards we will create at this first class. Stay tuned here on my blog for further information, or check out my Stampin Up! company website at www.tinarucker.stampinup.net for our products and my Event Calendar which will have all the class schedules posted on there.

Stampingly Yours, Tina

Guess Whooooo is now with Stampin Up!!

2009-08-20T14:14:00.003-04:00

Yes, that is right! I have signed up with yet another direct sales company. I can hear all my friends now groaning saying "She did what?"

Well, I did, but it is the ONLY company I am with and I plan to keep it that way. As most of you know, I have been with another stamping/paper crafting company for quite a while but as my needs changed, I decided so should the company I was with. Both companies are great companies, but I just feel at this time in my life Stampin Up! suits my needs more, which in turn will most likely serve my customers more!

Below is a card (all be it very fuzzy - I do apologize) that I did at my upline, Janet Moore's house last month during her monthly stamp camp. This is the card that made me fall in love with Stampin Up! and owls in general. Isn't she just too cute!?!

If you like Stampin Up! or have never heard of Stampin Up! and want more information, please let me know! I would love to hear from you. I am in the process of putting together monthly Stamp Camps, Holiday Card Classes and much more in the upcoming months with my first class being in mid-September. Please check out my website at www.tinarucker.stampinup.net . I will have a Calendar of Events on there that I will be updating soon. You can also purchase items right online as well.

I would love to hear from anyone as to what types of classes or training they would like so I can schedule things that YOU would like.

Stampingly yours,

Tina

New Life, New Wife, New Me!!!

2009-08-19T20:34:00.007-04:00

I'm baaaaaack!!! Hello fellow bloggers, and online friends and family! I know it has been a month or so since I have posted, but I have been a busy bee. As most you know, or should know probably by now, me and Jeff got married on July 30th! Just the two of us, along with our two children, went down to Cocoa Beach, FL and got married right there on the beach. We had a beautiful day for it, (although the other three will say it was extremely hot.......) not a cloud in the sky.

Moments after the wedding and a brief photo shoot (again, the other 3 would say it took forever to take photos) we changed clothes and boarded Carnival Sensation for a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas for our "Family-moon". What is a Family moon? That is when two families blend together and instead of the new husband and wife leaving the children behind for a traditional honeymoon, the entire family goes off on a "Family-Moon" to celebrate the merging of two families into one. (Don't worry, us adults still had our own cabin! :D ) We had an absolutely wonderful time. But, as all vacations must, it had to come to an end and we had to return home and get back to life itself.

So.....it has been almost 3 weeks since then and we have returned home, settled into married life, gotten the kids started back in school this week and life is starting to slowly return back to normal. Which means I am hoping to get back on my track of daily postings here on my blog!

I have lots of good news and new exicting things happen so I hope you continue to join me! I had my blog redesigned today to also reflect the new me!

Stay tuned!

Stampingly Yours,

Mrs. Tina Rucker

Week Countdown!!!!

2009-07-22T14:29:00.003-04:00

It has been ages since I have been on here, and to think I had seemed to be finally getting the hang of posting daily or at least more regular. This planning a wedding the last 3 weeks has just put a kink in my blogging! I am not complaining though!!!!! I am one happy girl these days!

Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know I am on my "week countdown" to my wedding which is going to be July 30th. Taking a very brief "family-moon" (that is the "new" honeymoon where you take your children with you........we shall see how that goes - LOL) and will be getting back home and back to the daily grind of working on August 3!

I have some BIG plans for my scrapbooking and card making and paper projects in general during the month of August and can not wait to get back home full of energy to get started with them!!

Mom will be at home watching all our four-legged babies while we are gone (yes the headcount on those now are up to 3!!!! - Karma, Romeo and our new bundle of joy - Juliet) I am sure mom will not be referring to her as a "bundle of joy" by the time we return home. She is a 13 week old Golden Retriever puppy and is full of energy.....and apparently full of pee! LOL. She will go right outside and pee 4 times in a matter of 5 minutes and then walk right back in the back door and pee on the floor like that is what she is supposed to do. The last two days she has been doing very good with that so hopefully "Granny" wont have to deal with that while we are gone. :)

Please stay tuned during the month of August and hopefully I will get back in the full swing of daily posting with lots of artwork and more news on the papercrafting front!! I am very excited!

Reason for Missing.......

2009-07-08T16:28:00.002-04:00

Hello fellow bloggers. I am so sorry I have not been on here for over a week. I was finally getting the hang of posting on "almost" a daily basis and then I completely fell off the wagon last week. There are reasons though........well, mainly one reason........Last Monday (the day after my last post) me and Jeff began discussions on finally setting a wedding date and we decided last week that are going to get married July 30. And by July 30, I mean 2009 - - - like 3 weeks away!!!! And, to top it off, we decided to get married in a completely different state! So........instead of paper crafting or blogging, or any other stuff along those lines, I have been buzzing around like a little bee trying to get marriage licenses, officiants, photographers, and a wedding dress all lined up which has kept me buzily buzzing this past week!

I am happy to report that everything has practically fell into place rather smoothly and we are set to get married on the 30th and the Clerk is overnighting the marriage license as we speak!

So......just wanted to let everyone out there know that yes, I am still alive, and yes, I am wanting to continue playing with paper! (The week before I of course happened to order all these new stamps and stuff and now they are just sitting very lonely in a box waiting on the day when I have time to "ink em up"! The rest of this week and part of next is filled with other last minute things to do but I am hoping by next weekend I can sit down and create!

Stay tuned!!!!!

My first Bella!

2009-06-28T19:44:00.004-04:00

Thanks to my online friend Pat, I had my first "Bella" to create with today. I decided to use her to create a card to participate in the Stamps and Smiles Sketch Challenge today. And here she is:

Supplies used include CTMH Good Times Paperpack, CTMH Watercolor Pencils, CTMH Parchment Marker

I am seeing Stars and Stripes!

2009-06-24T20:15:00.003-04:00

Happy Wednesday everybody! The work week is halfway over and I'm counting the days til my weekend starts! I wanted to share with you the card I was able to put together this evening:

Isn't she cute jumping with her little jumprope!! I haven't jumped rope in so long I am sure if I tried I would be seeing "stars" for sure! LOL

Well, if you have been following along, you know I have scrapbooked on and off for a long time and "dabbled" in cards at card classes (but those were very simple cards and definitely did not involve coloring!), but this past week or so I have jumped in to making cards and am loving it! Figured if I am jumping in, I might as well jump with both feet and so I decided to create this card for not only one but TWO challenges today!

First, I obtained this sketch from Mary Jo's blog for her Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #75. You should definitely come on over and play along with us - she is giving away some Blog Candy with this week's challenge that is too cute that you wouldn't want to miss out on!

Secondly, I am using this card to submit to this week's challenge of "Stars and Stripes" over at Crafty Creations Challenges. I had colored this little cutie a few nights ago and then found some cute patriotic paper at my LSS today that I thought fit her perfect. Then, lo and behold, when I got home from work today I found this challenge of Stars and Stripes so I thought it was just all a perfect fit!

Now that she seems to be all dressed and ready for the upcoming July 4th weekend, I think I am going to sit down and make some plans tonight for my own July 4th weekend!

Thanks for stopping by! Leave a comment and let me know you were here so I can come visit you too!

Tina

Supplies Used:
Stamps: CTMH Playday
Paper: CTMH Cardstock and DP from Scenic Route
Other: CTMH Watercolor Pencils, CTMH Daisy White Grosgrain Ribbon

Mojo Monday Card

2009-06-23T07:00:00.002-04:00

Although MoJo Monday supplied the sketch, my "MoJo" was no where to be found last night unfortunately. I needed a baby boy card to send to a coworker today but I didn't have any "baby" stamps or anything else appropriate yet added to my stash so I got discouraged early on. However, I kept pressing on and knew my mom had gotten me the "Its a Boy" embossing set with my Cuttlebug this past weekend so this is what I came up with:

Sweet and simple, and to the point......."B for Boy" as we all learned in kindergarten! My coworker is a male so I didn't want to add to many embellishments anyway is what I kept telling myself. I guess it is kind of growing on me.

Supplies used include CTMH "Solo B" stamp, Cuttlebug "Its a Boy" embossing folder, Desert Sand Cardstock (CTMH), CTMH Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon, and some scrap papers from my scrap bin. :o)

Hope everyone has a scrap n' stamp happy week!

I'm a Happy Camper!

2009-06-22T19:53:00.004-04:00

Lookie what I got in the mail today:

That's right - - - the new "Happy Camper" set from Cat's Pajamas! Just a little birthday present from me to me! Can't wait to ink it up and give it some lovin'! I need to make a baby boy card tonight and I am trying my darndest to see if there is anyway I can use this stamp set! LOL Guess not......so guess I'll just have to make two cards tonight! Woo Hoo!

Then......lookie what I got yesterday.......

Yes!!!!!!! A brand new Cuttlebug system for my birthday! (and this one I didn't even have to buy myself!).....even better! My mom purchased it for me for my birthday along with some cute little embossing plates. So I'm outta here to play with this little bug tonight to see how it works!

Happy Scrappin' and Stampin'!

Let's Play!

2009-06-19T08:54:00.004-04:00

Well, last night I decided I wanted to participate in Tracy's ESS Sketch #42. Please go to her site and check it out - she is giving away some blog candy if enough ladies, or men, participate! Here is her link: http://eatsleepstamp.typepad.com/

I had just got this new Close to My Heart Stamp Set, Play Day, and figured now was as good a time to try her out as any. I think she turned out pretty cute for only my third card I have stamped, colored and created. Of course my internet would not come up last night so I am having to upload a picture from my cellphone here at work so the picture is not the best. :( I used the CTMH "Let's Get Together" paperpack and coordinating ribbons. I hope you like it!

Muddin "Hillbilly Style"

2009-06-18T12:55:00.006-04:00

Didn't have time to be creative this past weekend so no pictures of cute cards or layouts to post today since we went up to the hills of Kentucky for the weekend. It was a very quick 2 day trip so traveling from SC to KY in such a short period of time made for a long trip, but we enjoyed it.

Main reason we went this week was for Jeff's niece's baby shower, however while we were there we had to fit in some 4-wheeling fun, since that would be Jeff's "main reason" to go to Kentucky anytime he gets a chance. Where we go in Kentucky is a coal mining town so the trails we ride on are actually old roads and trails that were cut out by the mining companies to get up into the mountains, strip the mountains and mine for coal. Some of the trails are years and years old, however we do happen to ride some fresh trails and end up at active mining stations every once in a while. I will have to post some more pictures later, but wanted to post some pictures today of the beautful mountainside views we do get to experience while riding.

MoJo Monday Card - Oh Baby!

2009-06-17T07:00:00.005-04:00

This is the first time I have participated in a Sketch Challenge and I am pretty pleased with the way my card turned out. I just found out one of my best friends is expecting her second child at the end of this year and I wanted to create a card to send her to congratulate her and her husband. Since I am new at making cards, figured I would dive right in with MoJo Monday and see if it helped get my "Mo Jo" going. ;)

I used Close to My Heart - Emporium Papers with feature colors Sweet Leaf and Cocoa. I colored her with my CTMH watercolor pencils, except for her skin which I used Parchment CTMH ink marker. The digital image I used is once again Gingersnaps "Oh Baby!" from C.C. Designs at All That Scraps. I am so glad I got to use this image again already. I think she is too cute!

Thanks for stopping by!

Oh, Baby!

2009-06-16T19:24:00.004-04:00

Hello! Sorry I did not get a chance to post yesterday, that very quick trip up and back to the hills of Kentucky over the weekend wore me out and I could not force myself over to the computer last night to post. But I am here now!

As promised, below is a photo of the altered tin that I made for the baby shower last weekend. Very simple, but I thought it was cute and served the purpose. I made it to the match the Baby Shower card I posted last week to hold to hold a gift card I purchased for the baby and mom. I personlized it with the babies initial and her name across the lid so that it could be kept and used perhaps to hold qtips or whatever other small items in the baby's diaper bag. All items used were CTMH, except for the tin itself.

I just found out today that one of my bestest friends, Lindsay, is expecting her 2nd child in December! I would say somethings in the water, but since they live several states apart I guess that is not the cause! ;) I am excited, because that means I get to use my new "Oh, Baby!" stamp set again. Didn't know when I was ever going to get to use that thing again, especially didn't think I would get to so soon!

Well, the house is all to my self for a few hours so I'm off to see if I can create something. Have a great week!

Follow your dreams.......

2009-06-11T20:49:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the crooked picture, I apparently need to go take some camera lessons! Anyway, here is a copy of the card I put together to go with Sydney's graduation gift that I posted yesterday. I did not have any stamps whatsoever that were "graduation themed" but I did come across this sentiment in a retired CTMH stamp set I have and I thought the sentiment fit a graduation perfectly.

I random stamped white card stock for the background paper for the card. Colors include Pink Carnation, Kiwi and Smokey Plum.

I created a few other projects today but some are gifts for an upcoming baby shower this weekend so I will have to wait until later to post. I am headed out of town for the weekend but will be back blogging on Monday!

I hope everyone has a great weekend! Happy Scrapping!

Congratulations to the Graduate!

2009-06-10T19:42:00.008-04:00

My boss' daughter graduated from high school and has decided to go out of state to College in the fall. For a graduation gift I decided to make her a set of personalized stationary to help her keep in touch with family and friends once she heads out. This set was originally designed by my CTMH upline, Amy McGrew, and I have now made several sets to share. I wanted to share with you how it turned out. I think it is cute and I hope she likes it. I do apologize again that I can't seem to get the lighting just right to take these photos. I assure you the cards and case look much better in person!

I used a tin DVD case to hold a set of 10 personalized note cards and then once the cards are gone she will still have the tin as a keepsake. All paper used is Close to My Heart (Colonial White, Emporium Papers, Sweet Leaf Cardstock). Congratulations Syd!

Kids Scrapbook Class - July 18th

2009-06-10T09:49:00.002-04:00

Hi ladies. I am sorry I have not been on here in the past several days. I was busy creating new gift cards and layouts all weekends and have lots to share but am having trouble getting the photos of the products to come out clear. :( So, no pictures to share just yet, but am working on getting them done.

In the meantime I wanted to share the information on the Kids Club starting up July 18th. Every month the kids will make a minimum of 4 12x12 layouts. Class fee is $18.00 and comes with all materials to make their projects plus some left over which will carry over from class to class. Seats are limited to get your children signed up now if interested.

Out of town? No problem. All kits are available as "Kits to Go" and can be made at home as well! I am very excited to get this club moving along and so are the girls that are already signed up for it.

Stay tuned for more photos coming soon. I have ordered a few new stamp sets and can't wait to share them here with everyone.

Happy Stamping!

Oh Baby!!

2009-06-04T22:45:00.003-04:00

Meet Ginger! This is one of the new June releases from All That Scraps. This is my very first digital image, and actually my first stamp that I have actually colored and not just stamped in one color. For my first one, I am very pleased. :)

As soon as I saw this image earlier this week, I knew I had to give it a try. I have a baby shower coming up next week and I thought this would make a very cute card. Hopefully she will like it.

All materials used, besides the image, are from Close to My Heart. Colors include Blush, Sweet Leaf and Crystal Blue. The flowers are 'Just Blooms' also from CTMH. I colored Ginger with CTMH's water color pencils.

Well, off to clean up my paper mess and then hit the bed. Tomorrow is Friday and the start of a weekend. I can't wait!

Kid's Club - Father's Day Card

2009-06-03T08:51:00.004-04:00

Good morning ladies. I wanted to post the Father's Day card that my Kid's group will be making this weekend. Sorry the lighting is not really good, another excuse I have of buying a new camera! :)

Although this is a simple card, I thought it turned out cute. I didn't want to get too detailed with it since my Kid's group consist of ages 4-9. I hope they like it!

All products are CTMH with colors being Desert Sand, Dutch Blue and Colonial White. They will also be making a photo frame for their dad's desk or dresser which I will try and post later.

Make it a great day!

Up, Up and Away!!!!!!

2009-05-30T23:34:00.003-04:00

Well, today me and Jessica joined my friend Cindy and her girls, Kaylee and Kendall, to go see Disney's new movie UP in 3-D. I am not one that usually watches Disney Pixar movies, and neither is Jessica, but since the boys were away 4-wheeling today we thought we would have a girl's afternoon and check out this new movie. After all - you got those groovy 3-D glasses to wear during the movie - right!

Well......I still cannot decide whether I liked the movie or not. I don't want to say too much on here in case some of you might want to go see it, but all I can say is SAD, SAD and more SAD! Who wudda thunk? Here I thought I was going to see some cute little kiddie cartoon movie - - it was not! Yeah, it had cute parts with the talking dog and the cute little "Wilderness Explorer Boy", but SAD and more SAD was just sprinkled throughout the entire movie. My dear ole friend Cindy did point out right before the movie started that "someone" was going to be hitting the big 4-0 in less than 25 days (Yes, Kendall, I am the one your mother was talking about!!) Poor little Kendall, was like, "Who, who, who is?" thinking it was her! LOL. Well, anyways maybe at age 39++ I am just getting emotional at movies....who knows, but it was just sad, and I let everyone with me know I did not like all that sadness on a Saturday afternoon.

Overall, the movie was cute and had a good message, although I think a lot of it was over small children's heads.

If I did not have enough sadness at that movie, we came home and Jessica wanted to watch Hotel for Dogs on TV since we could not find anything else to watch on the 500 channels we have and darn if that movie didn't have sad parts in it too (I am a sucker for dogs though and any dog being chased by a mean old dog catcher is going to get me moody!). Anyways, today we had a good day. Tomorrow my plan is to kick butt on cleaning up this house and then spend the afternoon trying to be crafty and create some greeting cards. I been stalking so many good blogs the last two weeks or so, about time for me to get crafty and post some of my own!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

What's in the Bag???

2009-05-29T13:36:00.004-04:00

FREEBIES - - -that's what! Yes, you guessed it.....it is that time again at Harris Teeter when they triple manufactures coupons and I go and get me some free stuff. I was a little late getting there this week so a lot of stuff was sold out already, but I still managed to get right at $24.00 worth of stuff for a whopping $2.51!!!! (Only spent that much because I splurged on buying this snazzy recyclable 99 cents Harris Teeter shopping bag!

So......what's in the bag? Let's see what I was able to get today....

1 can Betty Crocking Frosting

1 bag Mahatma Rice

1 Dawn Dish Liquid

2 Hormel Chicken N Dumpling Meals - I know, I don't like them either but the kids will eat them.

1 Spray N Wash - necessary to get the muddy stains from little Js baseball pants

2 bags of Snyder Pretzel Nibbles

1 Harris Teeter handy dandy grocery bag.

So....basically I paid $2.51 for a $2.99 bag of pretzel nibbles and got everything else for FREE! My favorite word!

What are you getting FREE this week! Share your deals!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

2009-05-25T21:05:00.003-04:00

Today was not only Memorial Day, but it also happened to be my mom's birthday!

While the rest of our familiy was up in Kentucky for the Memorial Day Festivities, we stuck around town. One of us had to work today, the new "driver" of the family decided she was going to take "kid brother" for his first ride with her with no adult supervision and go to lunch and the movies and leave ole mom at home alone. I didn't know whether to cry since I was going to be alone and my baby was growing up and venturing out in the world, or should I jump for joy since I had the house to myself for several hours today and I didn't have to drive anyone anywhere and drop off and pick-up. Let's just say I opted for the "Woo Hoo - I'm home alone!"

In the midst of trying to do a little cleaning (not much mind you), laundry (did get several piles of these done today) and cooking dinner for my mom for her birthday, I decided to put my last 3 weeks of cake decorating classes to the test and make my mom a birthday cake - - - including the dreaded Rose! (We have not learned this in class yet, that is this week's lessson.) However, I decided to ignore the "Do not attempt the rose on your own at home, that is for professionals" lecture from the teacher and go for it. Well, 2 cake mixes, 3 batches of made from scratch butter cream icing and 3 hours later I thought I did a pretty darn good job. Not perfect roses mind you, but when the entire family returned home this evening and my mom joined us for dinner, I did not once have to explain what the large pink blob was in the middle of the cake, they all knew they were roses and I even had one comment "That looks like you bought it from the store." Awwww, how sweet was that even if they may not have really meant it. :oD

Well, here is a picture of my cake. Perhaps after I am professionally trained in two days I can post a picture with more realistic looking roses, until then, I am happy with what I accomplished today!

Hope everyone had a safe and fun Memorial Day and hope mom enjoyed her birthday!

Somewhere over the rainbow.......

2009-05-14T09:03:00.002-04:00

Well, after 3 hours of making icing til 1:00 in the morning on Tuesday night and having to talk myself into not quiting the class before I even made my first cake, here is my finished product.......my very first decorated cake from class. It's not perfect and yes, I know, the name is not centered, but I still don't think it's too bad for my first cake!

Since Jessica ended up with some nasty flu the entire week of her 16th birthday and had to sleep through her party while her friends were outside in the pool having fun, I went ahead and decided to make this her second 16th birthday cake. I mean, she didnt even get a taste of the one I had professionally made for the party, so I figure this is the second best thing. She has not saw it yet so I hope she likes it. No, she doesn't really "like" rainbows, but this was the design we had to make for class, so she is getting a rainbow!

Upcoming Notecard Class

2009-05-10T21:56:00.003-04:00

I can not take credit for the design of this very cute personalized notecard, that credit I must give to my CTMH upline, Amy. However as soon as I saw her cards that she had prepared, I just knew I had to make some as well! I think these would make the cutest graduation gifts, birthday gifts, bridal shower gifts, pretty much any gift that you need for any woman on your list (that includes a set for yourself as well!) !

I am offering a class to make a set of six (6) notecards, along with a matching metal notecard holder, on Sunday, June 7th. If you would like to take the class, or would like more information about this class or other classes I have to offer, please let me know! Can't make it that day, or live out of town???? No problem - this workshop is also available as a "Workshop on the Go". Be sure and email or call me to register for the class, or kit on the go, before May 20 so that all supplies can be ordered and received on time.

Stay tuned as I will posting information on upcoming Scrapbook Workshops, Father's Day class for the kids and much more!

Make it a great week!

Cake Decorating Class has Began!

2009-05-08T08:55:00.002-04:00

Well.......here it is. The famous "Parchment Paper Decorator Bag". I know, how exciting is that! I didn't think very much so either!

I been thinking about taking a Cake Decorating Class for the past month. I finally went and signed up last week and it is a 4 week class with one 2-hour lesson each week. Wednesday night I went for my very first class. Was curious what we were going to be doing since we were told to only bring a notebook and pen to the first class and I had not purchased one stinking supply yet. Well......this is what we learned. How to take a huge piece of parchment paper that was shaped like a triangle and shape it into a decorating bag! I of course was the one person in the class that raised their hand and was like "Can't I buy disposable bags already made without having to go through paper folding?" I mean - if I wanted to fold paper I would have signed up for the Origami class right?!

Well - then I folded it and the teacher told me it was a perfect job! So, of course, now I am wanting to go buy me some huge triangles and make some decorator bags! It is not very often someone tells me I am doing something perfect so I better just keep on making them so I can be called perfect some more right! Of course, I come home and show my "better half" my perfectly shaped parchmant bag and he was like "Oh, that is what you been doing for 2 hours?" He obviously didn't appreciate my PERFECT bag!

Stay tuned - next week's class we get to actually decorate a cake - of course I will be using my "perfect" parchment bags made by me!

How does a sink fill itself up??

2009-05-05T10:43:00.004-04:00

Am I the only one in America that has a sink that automatically fills itself up with dirty dishes without anyone's help? I mean really........I leave home with the dishwasher full and running; washing all the dirty dishes that was in the sink and when I return home late in the evening the dishwasher is full of CLEAN dishes but the sink has miraculously been completely filled with dirty dishes but no one in the house seems to know where they came from!! Apparently I need to go buy a new kitchen sink from Lowe's since mine must clearly have a malfunction since it creates its own dirty dishes!

This is what happened.......I left home yesterday morning, and as described above, left the sink empty with the dishwasher running with all the dirty dishes in it. I got to work and work a full 8 hours, go to the gym and put in an hour long workout there, go get gas, go to Walgreens, get about 3 text from family members at home asking me to pick up other things that they need and whenI get home, about 11 hours after the time I left that morning, I find a sink full of dirty dishes. However, no one seems to know where they came from since all I constantly hear when this happens (yes, this has happened before) is "Those aren't mine."

While taking my shower last night I was trying to determine if I needed to (a) save up money to buy a new kitchen sink since clearly mine is broken, (b) anytime I find dirty dishes in the sink, simply throw them in the garbage since they clearly don't belong in the house since no one seems to know where they came from or (c) let them continue to pile up to the ceiling to see if someone eventually lays claim to them. I am heavily leaning towards (b) for time being. If anyone else has one of these sinks that seem to mass produce dirty dishes on their own, please leave a comment with the brand of sink you have so I don't replace it with yet another broken model.

SCORE for me at the Harris Teeter! Woo Hoo!

2009-05-04T16:01:00.005-04:00

As I told you before, it does not take much to get me excited these days! I been trying my hand at "Stealth Couponing" the last several weeks and have had some really good deals. I think today was a great deal. See all the stuff I got in the picture? Guess how much I spent? A whopping $2.54! I say "WOO HOO" to that! (And, I also got a Deli Creations Sandwich Meal, but I was so hungry I had to eat it before I took five minutes to take the picture!) So......$26.44 worth of groceries for $2.54 is not a bad day, and lunch included to boot! Got me very excited!!

Thanks to Harris Teeter for their "Triple Coupons" in my area this week. So, I basically bought 2 bottles of mustard and the store threw in everything else for free! If you are not clipping coupons - - what are you waiting for! If this doesn't convince you, then mail me your coupons instead of throwing them away! I'll glady put them to good use.

I am thinking about offering to do people's grocery shopping for them as long as I can keep whatever savings I can get with coupons! hmmmmm.........

Why is "16" called Sweet???

2009-04-30T09:02:00.004-04:00

Today is my baby girl's "Sweet Sixteen" Birthday! In preparing for all the festivities this week and weekend for her special day, I started thinking why do they call it "Sweet" Sixteen? How many teenagers do you know that you can really refer to as "Sweet". Yeah, they can all be sweet at certain times, like mainly when they want something, but for the most part when describing the everyday life of a teenager, "Sweet" simply does not come to mind. Maybe it is to remind us that 16 years ago to this day, they were the sweetest thing in the world, although during those 12 hours of labor "sweet" once again was not coming to the forefront of my mind.

Well, although she is not sweet 100% of the time, my baby can be sweet at times and I love her. Happy Birthday Baby Girl!! Hope you have a great day.

What is a Bamberg??

2009-04-29T09:02:00.002-04:00

Well, this is a Bamberg. Atleast I think. This is the newest addition to the family. As most of you know, my daughter turns 16 this week and has convinced her father that she wanted (and would take care of.....) a puppy (not sure why he believes her since she has not taken care of any of the other 8+ animals we have had......). But, anyways, he believed her and he went and purchased this cute little thing from the local SPCA yesterday for her, which she had picked out the day before. Don't worry, I made sure they both understood the cute little guy would remain at her father's house and in no way, shape or form, would join my zoo at my own house.

I say I THINK this is Bamberg because I dont really think the poor thing has been given a final name. The SPCA had named him Marley, Jessica had said she was going to name him "Nuffer" when she got him, but then her good ole father named him "Bamberg" on the paperwork when he purchased him which is named after a stupid place he hunts. ( I did remind him, this was not his dog, but his daugther's birthday gift.....) However......when I stopped by to meet the new family member yesterday they were calling him "Junior". Poor guy is not going to know what the heck his name is.

Hopefully by today the two of them can agree on something to call the pup. All I called him was cute!

Emporium Layouts to share.

2009-04-25T13:36:00.002-04:00

Here are the two layouts that we did for my workshop today. I was really pleased how well they turned out and they actually involved no stamping this time. Thought I would share them for those that could not attend the class or possibly inspire someone to pull out their paper and cut to working on layouts this weekend. I have the entire house to myself today so I intend to keep on scrapbooking and cardmaking today to see how much I can create in one day. Of course, have to be "creative" at the same time that I am working on laundry, letting the dogs out, letting the dogs back in, going to see what the dogs are barking at....oh that's right.....NOTHING! They bark just to get me to stop what I'm working on I think. Oh well, gotta run while my creative juices are flowing!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.....or maybe not.....

2009-04-24T14:28:00.004-04:00

Actual Conversation:

Me: "Hey, did you see our new recycle bins?"

J: "No"

Me: "Well come here, let me show them to you." (walking to the garage, showing the bins.......)

J: "Why? We don't recycle."

....hmmmmm.....We shall see if we learn to recycle or not.......what do you think will happen? Geez.

2009-04-23T13:21:00.001-04:00

This is a test. Only a test. Supposively if I do this right this text will post to my blog. Let's see if it works. If so that will be really cool that I can update my blog on the go since it always seems I am going.

Allow little things to make you happy....

2009-04-23T12:03:00.002-04:00

Jeff is constantly laughing at me. Sometimes it is because I will shout out a loud "Woo Hoo" spontaneously and he'll be like "What did you find?" Then I'll say something like "a dime in the dryer" or "a nickel on the floor" and then he is like "Oh, that's it!" The way I look at it, that is better than finding nothing, or certainly better than finding the random Fruit Gusher wrapper or trails of dirt some family members like to leave behind for me to find - right? Little things make me happy.

Like this morning, I was on my way to work and "pouting" because there was no leftover dinner last night for me to bring to lunch today and I was already STARVING at 7:45 a.m.. I had promised myself I was not going to spend another dime on lunch this week (more like I couldn't spend another dime on food this week since I don't have a dime to spend - LOL, one more week until pay day!) but I was hungry, what is a girl to do. ALAS - I remembered that two weeks ago I got my last stamp on a "frequent lunch card" from a local sandwich shop which entitled me to a free sandwich! WOO HOO! That just made my morning! I been smiling ever since! Can't beat a free lunch. Well.....technically I guess you can, but today, FREE lunch has made my day!

Find something small in your life to smile about! If for no other reason, when you smile it makes some people wonder what you are up to! :)

Time to get busy!

2009-04-10T16:14:00.002-04:00

Hello again. I am so excited with all the upcoming scrapbooking and craft workshops I have coming up, along with Easter and other festivals going on in our area. I love springtime and can't wait to make the most of it this year!

Jeff, Jeffrey and myself just got back earlier this week from spending several days at a friend's lakehouse. It was exactly the rejuvenating break that we have been needing. Didn't really do anything spectacular while we were away, but we were simply able to get away from home, no phone service, just a few channels on the TV and simply relax. I for one caught up on many hours of sleep over the 4 days we were there!! Jessica decided that was not her type of vacation so she stayed home with her granny and they did some girly bonding time while we were away.

I took the rest of this week off to simply continue my "relaxing mode" and also did some housework and other things "just for me" this week, but ready to get back to work. Also time to start planning Jessica's "Sweet Sixteen" Birthday. She will 16 on April 30 so only have a few weeks left to get things planned and ready.

I better get off of here for now and get busy. (Actually, I just received the new Close to My Heart scrapbook catalog that goes public on May 1 so I am going to take a little time to ponder through it and see what classes I can plan for the future!)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend. Make the most of the time you have - I plan to!

Scrapbook Class Set for Saturday, April 25!

2009-03-31T16:28:00.003-04:00

Next Scrapbook layout class is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th at 10:00 a.m. You must be registered and prepaid no later than April 8 in order to get your supplies ordered and here on time. We will be using the Close to My Heart Paperpack "Emporioum" pictured here. The colors are beautiful in person and I can't wait to get the layouts finished for the class. The fee for the class is $22.00 which is strictly for the products you will be using. I never charge for the class instruction. You will have lots of paper and other embellisments left over after the class to take home and use on additional papercrafting projects of your own. This class is perfect for beginners and experts just the same. Be sure to email me and let me know you are coming and save your seat! Seats are filling up.

Spring has arrived!

2009-03-23T15:06:00.003-04:00

Wow! Been about six weeks since the last time I was on here. Once again, time flies when you are having fun! Have not been doing much that I can update everyone on, although I know I have been busy the last six weeks hence why I have not been on here, just can't seem to think of anything exciting that has been going on.

Let's see.....where to begin. Since the last post we have had Mammaw's birthday, I got my eyeglasses, Jessica was accepted into Cosmetology School which will start in September, and Jeffrey has began baseball practice with Opening Ceremonies coming up on March 28. This past weekend we attended Donald and Terri's 40th Wedding Anniversary party which was a fun and very emotionally moving time for everyone there.

Jessica will be "Sweet 16" in April. Not so sure about the "sweet" part, but 16 nonetheless, so we are starting to make plans for that event.

I have finally been able to get my scrapbooking and card making classes back up and running and will have more to post on those this week. Already have one scrapbook class scheduled for later in April and will be posting information on an upcoming card class as well. Stay tuned for that.....

My main focus in life has once again returned to becoming the Coupon Queen! This past weekend I started my adventure of "frugaling" and did pretty well I must say for just getting back into the swing of things. I was able to pick up $68 worth of groceries and household items for just under $28 after combining sales and coupons together, so that was more than a 50% savings. I was very excited even if the rest of my family was not impressed.... Kmart is doubling coupons up to $4.00 this week so I am expecting "big plans and big savings" there this week - can you say the word F-R-E-E-B-I-E-S! Saving money is good, but getting things absolutely free is even better! Wish me luck and stay tuned!

I am still here!

2009-02-14T11:59:00.002-05:00

Good morning everyone. I am so sorry I have not made a post in quite a while. Time just flies before you realize how fast it is actually flying! Shortly after my Open House I started not feeling well and have been back and forth to the doctors these past couple of weeks. After working all day, coming home and cooking, cleaning, etc. I just have not had much energy left to be on the computer unfortunately.

We have been able to put the townhouse on the market this past week so everyone keep their fingers crossed that it sells in a jiffy! That would make life so much easier right now.

Well, we are off and running today to pick out my new eyeglasses. I'm quickly approaching the big 4-0 so everything seems to be falling apart at one time this month I guess. LOL Happy Valentines Day to everyone!

Open House a Success!

2009-02-02T21:35:00.003-05:00

Hi Ladies. I had my Close to My Heart Open House this past Saturday and had a wonderful time making new friends and meeting new scrap-a-holics! Everyone that came had the chance to create a scrapbook page and a greeting card. I have the pictures here of the items we all created. Is that "little girl" not just the cutest thing you have ever seen?!? Would you believe it is not a stamp of a little girl at all - - but the bottom of a snowman?!?! That is right! Those "curls" of her hair are actually the "wind" and snowflakes at the bottom of a snowman! That is how versatile our stamp sets are - you just must think out of the box! (Disclaimer - I did not think of this one on my own, but was copied from another wonderful CTMH consultant!) Of course some ladies ventured out on their own and switched it all up, which was wonderful to see how everyone can take the same scraps of paper and come up with totally different pages! Everyone that attended got to see some artwork and papers that will be used in the upcoming scrapbook and card classes in February and March. My plan was to attach that artwork now, but when I just took the 2 photos of the pictures I have attached, my camera completely died! So....off to the store I go tommorrow to buy more batteries so I can post the photos for everyone else to see tomorrow. I will also be emailing everyone on my email customer list with the photos and the schedule of classes coming up. Be on the lookout for those this week!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and I hope to see everyone at one of the upcoming classes!

Wonderful Weekend.

2009-01-26T13:35:00.002-05:00

Hello fellow bloggers! Sorry I have not been on here the last several days, but there just never seems to be enough time in the day!

We had such a wonderful weekend. We traveled up to Greenville, SC in the upstate to see a very good friend of mine and her little girl Chloe who just turned 1 this month. I only get to see her every few months and Chloe is growing so big everytime I see her. By the time I see her the next time I am sure she will be walking all over the place and I can't wait! I also got to meet Lindsay's 4-legged addition to the family, Magic. Magic is Lindsay's 3rd rescued greyhound she and Lad have adopted, and all three of them are very sweet.

Sunday was somewhat of a relaxing day, but we also got a lot of stuff accomplished too. Finally was able to get more of my scrapbook stuff organized on a new bookshelf, which was my main goal for the weekend. It is so hard to create stuff when you have stuff stored in every nook and cranny of the house! So, now I am ready to finish the rest of the greeting cards and scrapbook layouts I am trying to get ready for my Open House this weekend. Stay tuned and I will be posting photos of the Open House and the various artwork for upcoming classes on here so everyone can sign up for the ones they just "must have"! :o)

Make it a great week and I'll see most everyone this weekend!

You Are Invited! Scrapbook Open House Jan 31

2009-01-21T10:07:00.002-05:00

Good morning ladies. Do you believe there were snow flurries here in the south yesterday!! Although I did not get to see any since I was at work all day and it did not snow at all there since I work a block from the ocean, my children were texting and keeping me posted on the "snow events" as they played out all day at home. Needless to say the "event" was simply snow flurries that disappeared as soon as they hit the ground, but it was just enough snow to get them excited. Of course my first comment was "grab the camera and take pictures, I have the perfect scrapbook paper to use for snow pictures". :o)

As most of you know, I have been getting ready for my Open House set for January 31. I have been having so much fun playing with all the new products that Close to My Heart came out with this month. I am sure you will like playing with some of the items when you come on the 31st as well!

Be sure to put it on your calendars - Jan 31 from noon to 3:00 p.m. It will be a "drop-in" so you can come anytime during those hours that fit your schedule. You will have your choice of a very cute 2-page 12x12 scrapbook layout, or you can choose to make a homemade greeting card while you are there - either of which are FREE OF CHARGE! There will be refreshments, door prizes and lots more! Lots of artwork will be on display including artwork for classes that will offered in February and March. Seats are limited for the classes and workshops so be sure to come early to reserve your preferred classes!

I can't wait to see everyone there so I can share some products for you. I am waiting until after the Open House to post some artwork here on my blog so those of you that attend the Open House will have "first peek" at all the upcoming exciting things I have planned! :o)

Make it a great day! Stay tuned......

It's Friday!!!!! Woo Hoo!!

2009-01-16T09:43:00.002-05:00

Good morning fellow bloggers! I am soooo glad it is Friday and this week is almost over. I am so sorry I have not been on here as often I would have liked, but the past 3 days I have had a very hectic "home life". Wednesday evening I came home from work to a kitchen sink that was clogged! After being on the phone with a plumber friend of mine and wearing my "plumber hat" for 2 hours, I gave up. I learned things about pipes (tee pipes with flaps, p-traps and other stuff) that I never really wanted to learn and never care to touch again.

Since my "plumbing techniques" were not working, I ended up having the "real plumbers" come over last night and after about 2 hours they were able to get the clog repaired and now we are flowing nicely again! :o) So.....now that my house is getting back to normal I am so excited about putting the final plans together for my Close to My Heart Open House. Please note your calendar - January 31 from noon to 3:00 p.m. There will be a free 2-page scrapbook layout that you will be able to make when you come, free gifts, door prizes, refreshments and much more. You can also view the accordian album, some scrapbook layouts and card making classes that I will be offering throughout the months of February and March as well. I hope to see you there! Please be sure to comment me here, or send me an email and let me know you are coming so I can be sure and have enough projects for everyone to make FREE while they are there!

Have a great day and a great weekend! I look forward to seeing you on the 31st!

Artwork for Accordian Album Class; Jan 31

2009-01-12T20:58:00.004-05:00

Hi ladies! As promised, here are some photos of the accordian album that we will be making at the class on January 31! I am sorry the pictures are not terrific, but at least it gives you an idea. (My next big purchase is a new digital camera!) :o) I hope you like it! Make sure you get registered for this class on or before January 16th so that I can make sure to have all supplies ready. Post a comment here or drop me an email to let me know you will be here so we can get you registered! Now I am off to be creative and come up with some artwork for a card class as promised! Have a Scrap-Happy Evening!

Where did the weekend go??

2009-01-11T23:41:00.003-05:00

Wow! I can not believe it is already Sunday night! I kept thinking I had one more day left to my weekend to get everything on my To Do List crossed off! Wishful thinking I guess. Unfortunately I did not get very far down my To Do List, but I was able to get a few things crossed off at least. MOST of my scrapbook and paper craft items are organized so I can "get busy". That was a big plus. Started my taxes......that will of course be ongoing all month as I s-l-o-w-l-y gather up my information, but atleast I started, right?

Tomorrow night I will be posting some artwork for an accordian album that I was able to put together tonight that I think turned out super cute. One of those "Simple and Sweet" projects that I think everyone will love. Stay tuned tomorrow night for more information on that project and when you can come join me to make one for your coffee table or a gift for someone special. Well, I better get to bed, I am starting the dreaded D-I-E-T (yes, that is a four letter word) tomorrow so I need to rest up and get my mind prepared for that! :o) Make it a great week!

TGIF!

2009-01-09T08:58:00.003-05:00

I am sooooo glad it is Friday! This week actually flew by for me. I think partly because I am so excited to get back into my scrapbooking/card making. I have several people interested in attending classes so this weekend I will be creating layouts, cards, and other projects and putting together my upcoming class schedule. I am so excited. Of course first I have to finish unpacking all my crafty stuff (still not completely unpacked the stuff since my move since I have no where to put it) and find a nook for it, but I WILL get it done this weekend....I can't wait. Stay tuned and I'll be sure and share some of my artwork. Well, for now I better get off this blog and get busy here at work so my day will fly by and I can get home. I'm thinking Pizza Night tonight! I am promising myself I will start eating healthier and actually drink water starting on Monday so I am getting in all the fried and fattening stuff I can this weekend. :o) (I must confess, I stopped for 2 doughnuts this morning.....but....Y-U-M-M-Y!)

The World of Blogging......

2009-01-08T09:41:00.000-05:00

Well, I am giving this a try. Not sure if I am doing it right, but I am trying to set this blog up in order to stay in touch and share my "everyday life" with family and friends. I thought it was going to be easier than this, but I wll learn this one day at a time. Stay tuned for more information to follow (hopefully.......) :o)