Scrapbooking contest for the next 5 weeks...interested in playing?

Check this out and if interested then just sign up!

http://dixiepieces.com/forum/register.php

I wanna play and always love a great contest. I guess I haven't lost that competitive drive that keep, me playing ball, bowling and or playing fantasy football in a league of all women! I love to win but have found the game and journey bears so much more than just the WIN. Just playing and trying is a win for me. If anything else comes from the contest or challenges, then it is just a bonus or as some say the cherry on top!!!

Hope you had a great Wednsday (I keep thinking today is Friday so the week may be long..haha).

xoxoxo

Free Photo Editing Class with Jessica Sprague

Photo Editing: Frame-ups and Special Effects is a two-week online class that is designed for all skill levels. You need to have a copy of Photoshop or Photoshop. Elements for the class, but don't worry if you don't have that, you can download a 30-day free trial!Here's some of what you'll learn about: brushes, frames, masks, textures, blending modes, filters and more. You'll learn how to make worn edges, rounded corners and get those dreamy, vintage soft light looks that are so adorable.In addition to the FREE class, you'll also receive a free digital design kit from Houseof3.com.The class works like this: each day you'll get an e-mail from Jessica Sprague that introduces new techniques and tells you how to access the instructional content. There will be video, an online forum, and a gallery to share your work.You don't have to be online at a set time. If life gets too busy, the course materials (as well as the free kit), will be accessible to you at any time, forever!You must register for the class at JessicaSprague.com during June 22-28 to be able to take the free photo editing class. Free registration ends June 28. Once you've signed up, you'll be sent additional information on how to access the class. Class officially starts July 6 and runs two weeks.To sign up for the class just log in to your account (or create one - it's free!) then click here and enter the code: FREECLASS062009 to be automatically registered! Then check out the class introduction in your "My Classes" link in the main menu. The free class is just one of the many freebies that are part of Jessica Sprague's two-year anniversary celebration. For more information visit JessicaSprague.com.

Also Freebie from Redbox for June 22 and 23rd - enjoy!
Today and tomorrow (June 22 and 23rd), you can get a free one-night movie rental at Redbox with code rbxthxu6. (Thanks, Frugal Living and Having Fun!)

Ten (10) things I love!!

Here are 10 things I love today:

1. Laughter of children
2. Burning Candles
3. Running Water/Waterfalls
4. Green grass/Flowers
5. Being Faithful
6. Photography/Scrapbooking
7. Facebook
8. Family/Friends
9. Dr. Peppers
10.Random Acts of Kindness

**I love Fridays and the weekends!!!!!!

What about you, what do you love today? What makes you happy and brings you joy?

Have a great day and enjoy what comes your way,

Diana

Thankful Thursday and More of My FAVORITE Layouts/Projects

Today is thankful Thursday so I am going to leave my short list today with hopes you will join me today with your list. What better way to start your day and thinking today?

Thankful for/that:

1. God's blessings, His protection and the gift of life today

2. My faith, family and friends

3. Love, Grace, Forgiveness, Compassion, Passion

4. PIF opportunities

5. Random Acts of Kindness

6. ABCs for parents (I will come back and list these today for you!)

7. Caffeine

8. VBS this week and summer smash soon at CPC

9. Who I am and have become and the opportunity everyday to share God's love

10.Today and what it will bring to include all the good and challenges!

I hope you have a terrific and fun day and remember to hug your love ones today and let them know how much you love them!!!

BiT

I am going to upload 5 of my favorite Swapp size card/layout today. I actually uploaded a couple more which I will upload soon.

Want to join me today? If so please let me know and I will go and check yours out.

Enjoy with hugs,

Diana

Pay it Forward on Thursdays - Random Ideas

I am all about making the world a better place and love that we can each do our part everyday with little things.

Some of my favorite random acts of kindness are:

1. Trim my neighbors bushes
2. Take sonic drinks to my dd teacher's on Fridays
3. Offer to go to Sonic for our school office staff so they have drinks as well...they love it by the way..
4. Twice a week we treat our trashman to drinks and snacks...we miss our good friends who had this route for a couple of years but love making them feel special..I am really appreciative of what they do every week. Plus when it is 95 plus, the drinks go a long way!
5. Random love notes left around house for dd
6. Serve in any way needed at church if available
7. Leave messages for girls on the bathroom mirrors - they love this!
8. Buy the person behind me their meal going through the drive through - I did this once and my next door neighbor was behind me - that was really fun!
9. Bake treats for teachers and staffs
10. Wash towells and wash rags from school every week - this is small but so needed!
11. Let folks go in front me in stores if they have a small load and I am not in a hurry
12. Take carts back to the rack they belong and also offer to help the elderly when I can
13. babysit...(our home as become a daycare the last couple of years but I love it and can since I work from home)
14. Back up sitter
15. Take pictures for many many...I also love this!
16. Scrapbooks all year for gifts
17. Smile - this is really such a simple thing to do and doesn't cost a thing!

I am sure there are more but this is all I can think of now. I am off to look at a blog where I know there are many more great ideas that I will share with you shortly.

I want to come up with some fun ways to Pay It Forward and would love to hear your suggestions.

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your suggestions!
Diana

Seasons in Life and Being Grateful!

I hope everyone had a great day coming off the holiday weekend!I was sitting here thinking of today, where I am in life, those in my life and being thankful for this season we are living in now. How about you? I am not without challenges but make the conscious effort to look at the positive and make the most of our challenges and trust me when I say there are plenty of them right now.

Today I am thankful for/that...
1. Today and the gift of LIFE
2. God's blessings and His protection and JPs tonight while at the Ranger game...we are fixin to get a storm with hail...be careful friend!
3. My dd and being a mother - best thing that has ever happen to me along side being baptized as an adult!
4. My family
5. My friends
6. My neighbors
7. My home
8. My car which is running today
9. Food in the fridge
10. Bills paid today
11. SIStv - I was thinking how blessed we all are by all the sweet and nice ladies and few men here that make the world better for all of us....this season....this hobby and JJ for making her dreams and hard work come true for all of us!
12. Great blogs and those who take the time to write about so many things - isnt it fun and oh so educational?
13. Technology - Facebook - Twitter....
14. Yummy dinner tonight - made the girls there fav - black beans, rice and hamburger meat with seasoning and it is pretty healthy - love being able to have them here!
15. Our pool - best entertainment when the pool is all blue - thankful for it being right for the season.
16. My HP Printer at home - costly but convenient
17. Hot showers which I am getting ready to have
18. One of my fav scrapbookers, Gretchen for picking my ATC for the catwalk - thanks from the bottom of my heart friend.
19. Our to do list friends - love yall!
20. PIFS - I forgot to do the 2 I was going to do so I will do them tomorrow and grateful that I found an op today to do so!!

Love and hugs,
BiT

Memorial Day Weekend 2009

Thanks Pooks for sharing these on your blog today!

http://www.leblahg.com/on-the-download/

I too love Fridays and the weekends! I am really excited because tomorrow Demi is going with some of the girls in her Girl Scout Troop to Glenrose to earn 3 badges. I can't wait for her to do and enjoy the wilderness at the dinosaur park.

And today my niece, Cami graduated from kindergarten this morning! She was so cute and we are so proud of her and the great year she had!!

Some other great news, Devin's scans all came back clear this week which is always an answered prayer from up above. We are so thankful for all the prayers and friends lifting him up daily. He truly is an amazing little 4 year old. He has lived a big life in his short 4 years to say the least. HE IS STILL CANCER FREE, THANK YOU LORD!

This week has been challenging to say the least. Times are tough financially but somehow we will make it as we did back after 9/11 when the economy turned south in a fast way. I will be happy when business starts to pick up again and companies start using recruiters to fill openings. Until then I am not sure what I am going to do to earn money. Maybe a garage sale tomorrow, sell my Creative Memories Albums, collect all our coins to use for gas and food and possibly ask the church. I actually went to the bank this week to see about getting a loan only to leave feeling even more beaten down. It was not what I expected and or hoped for upon arriving and leaving there. It amazes me at how others will judge others when they know nothing about them. We live in a harsh and fallen world. I really felt sorry for the banker upon leaving.

So what is everyone doing for Memorial Day and the holiday weekend? We have been invited out to Grapevine Lake on a 40 ft cabin cruiser with some family of family for the afternoon so we will probably end up there for some fun, swimming and food. Lots of kids too so Demi will hopefully have fun even though this will only be her 2nd time in a lake. (The last time she was not to crazy about but again she has a beautiful blue pool in her backyard.) What ever you do have fun and be safe!!

Hugs,
Diana