I Just Can't Believe..

-that this week is already over and it went fast!

-that I haven't written a blog post since Monday....or read many, for that matter.

-that I only put my 2 cents worth in on a few comment sections instead of having my own vent session over "The Bachelor" episode this past week. Here's hoping Melissa is the last one standing (since he sent Jill home anyway).

-that my puppies are already 6 weeks old and counting, and would you believe I only have 2 left out of 10! God is good. Prayers answered there.

-that Big Dan has his very first Varsity Baseball game on Tuesday!! And this is the first sport I have been privileged to watch so far this year, (he didn't play football or basketball this year) so I must admit, I am PUMPED!! (But not ready to sit in the cold...thank goodness for my buddy heater!)

-that I have bombed my carb diet. What kind of diet is no carbs anyway? Who on this earth can survive without potatoes and chocolate milk? That doesn't even sound right. I'll have to figure out something else that'll enable me to include those 2. Weight Watchers maybe.

-that I got to spend some time with two wonderful college friends this week. And it was the bomb. I smiled so big and laughed the entire day. It's so funny remembering all our good times. Some blog friendly....some not so much. We had conversations that went something like this..."I hope my teenager doesn't do the things I did!" Sound familiar? Thought so.

This big hair photograph would be me and my 2 chickadees at my apartment exchanging gifts Christmas of 1989.

And this would be us...uh....20 years later.

We still got it!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

And....It's Over

That long awaited reunion day, that is. Kind of like Christmas, ya know. You spend months planning and getting things ready and then it's over. Just.like.that. For another 10 at least, I guess. My cheeks hurt from laughing and smiling so much...mainly from all those cameras. It's hard to make sure they"get your good side" when they're coming at ya from from every angle!

I think between myself and my 2 fellow blogging classmates, I'm sure one of us has mentioned that we were a very small class. We come from a very rural (but has grown tremendously in the past years) county. The enrollment in the graduation classes have more than doubled from then to now. Anyway, we only had 27 in our class. I was kind of disappointed that I didn't get to see all of them, but for the 11 that attended, it was a blast.

I laughed so hard at pictures from our past. Just about every picture I saw of myself, I was eating. That cracked me up. I hadn't remembered seeing a lot of the pictures that others had brought and they were quite comical. I had made a cd with "our music" (are you surprised?) and it was fun listening and reminiscing about where we were and what we were doing when that song was a hit.

This is eleven of the most beautiful people from the Class of 1988!

This next photo is of my bestest girls. I love these girls. We've been together a long time. We only had 18 girls in our class and we were all great friends, but I couldn't ask for better ones than these!

And look how much we've changed!! Can you recognize 3 of us in the next photo? (Short One, where were you??) We were like 9 or 10 years old here. Isn't this the cutest picture? I have no idea what I am doing. It looks like I am about to smack my little brother. Just like little brother's to crash the party, huh?

This next picture is the greatest. Maybe we really haven't grown up that much. ha.

And last but not least...I can't forget the new generation. They were so good today. We hardly even knew they were around.

We really did have a great time. It's good to know everyone is doing well and happy with where life has taken them.

Hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!

Yes, Twenty Years...

It has been that long.....whether I want to believe it or not. Time has, for sure, flown by. Regrets or not, it is what it is. God has a will and a reason for everything and that's all I have to say about that.

And I don't want to ramble on about how I am nervous about my twenty year class reunion that is coming up in approximately 24 hours, although I am nervous. If you want the serious post reflecting back on my past 20 years, just visit here. If you want fun, then read on.

No, I didn't ask permission from the people in the following photographs to post. One of my classmates is a fellow blogger and she gave me permission from here. Another, well, she also blogs and hmmm, it seems like she posted a hideous big haired prom picture of me not so long ago..so I guess I'm due. The rest of the gang, you wouldn't know them if you saw them so I guess it really doesn't matter, huh? (and these pictures are all scanned in)

Stay with me here. It is totally worth it in the end. (For you 80's lovers out there anyway!)

Twenty years. The year was 1988. My Senior Year. Doing the same things my son is just preparing to do.......taking Senior portraits, selling ads for the yearbook, joining clubs, cheering (well, thank goodness he doesn't do that!), throwing toilet paper in trees, cutting firewood and selling concession to raise money for our Senior Trip, going to prom, studying (he doesn't do much of that either) and the list goes on. So many memories to make...such little time.

This picture was scanned just for you, right out of my 1988 yearbook.

Twenty years ago
I was chosen as the Mistress of Ceremonies for our School Homecoming.

Twenty years ago
I dressed up as Raggedy Ann and sang a solo in a choir Christmas program.

Twenty years ago
I hung out with my peeps under this newly constructed pavilion during our break. (which they no longer get, btw)

(and I am not in this photo because I happened to be the one taking the picture!)

Twenty years ago
We boarded a bus we had chartered to take us to Daytona Beach and Disney World!!
Florida or Bust!! (Isn't that how it goes?)

Twenty years ago
I did it. I graduated. My mother was ever so happy. And so was I. I remember thinking how ecstatic I was to "get out on my own". Boy, was I in for a rude awakening!

I know you are tired of seeing big hair photos of me, so now I am getting to the really fun part.

Twenty years ago
I (and you too) did ALL OF THIS!!!



And Finally Twenty years ago.....
We listened to this...(yes, I'm most definitely getting my 80's groove on) This isn't the best video quality, but the music is awesome! Enjoy!!



I'll post again after the reunion!!

Have a great weekend.

This one's for Pete

To my readers, my apologies for making you look at that lovely picture of my teenager and the girlfriend for 3 days. Due to some "circumstances" in the life of Scrapper Mom, I have not been able to read, comment, or contribute to the blog world for a few days now. Truly, I have missed you.

My choice of posting today, you may find does not interest you in the least. Where I always hope to write well enough to keep you coming back, I must tell you up front, this one's for Pete.

The year was 1989..and I was bleeding love. Not with Pete yet, of course, but with somebody that I once thought was "the one". He was my big teddy bear and in my eyes he hung the moon. I had never experienced any teen romance like this. It was a college thing. (You remember..the one with the loud speakers). Despite some opposition from those that didn't want us together, we had a very good relationship. We didn't fight...(well, not much anyway) and it was no worries..all fun..the carefree life...yes, those were the days, but I made some choices that very much complicated things. We parted ways and six months later, in October of 1990, I gave birth to Big Dan. Big Dan was so beautiful..the spitting image of his father. Unfortunately a baby was not part of his life plan at the time, (and as it turns out, nor was I) so I began my mission. A mission to fill the void in my life and my sweet baby's.

The dating scene never stopped for me, even as a single parent. My heart had been broken and I needed desperately for someone to come along and help me pick up the pieces. I held Big Dan in my arms night after night...rocking....singing...crying out to God and speaking softly in my baby's ear.."I'm going to find you a daddy, I promise".

I dated this person, and that person...and that continued for two long years which seemed like an eternity...but it was no longer just about me. It became about me and my boy. So with every new relationship, I pondered..could he be the one? The one that will love us both?

1992 was soon coming to an end. Big Dan was 2 years old now and I was failing miserably in the daddy department. But then...all of a sudden, I thought I had found him..you know..Mr. Right. He had a nice car, a good job..suit and tie kind of guy. Yep, he could definitely provide. He had such a nice family and he went to church. Bingo. This was too good to be true....until he cheated. So, here I went...right back to square one. I had begin to give up. Why wasn't any guy good enough? Was I just too picky?.. and why was God not answering my prayers?

It was now the beginning of 1993. The phone on my desk at work rang. To my surprise I found a male voice on the other end. ..oh my goodness, I thought, who in the world is this person? Turns out a "fellow employee" (whom I did not know) had seen me walking down the hall and wanted to make contact. The rest is history...ok, I wouldn't dare leave you hanging like that. We talked for a few minutes and by the end of the conversation, he had asked me out on a date. I immediately ran across the hall to tell my good friend the news. She was very quick to inform me that I did NOT need a guy like that. Apparently Pete was a party animal and had developed quite the reputation......not the kind of guy I needed to be with. Somehow, that peaked my curiosity..a rebel? Maybe I needed to check it out. To be honest, I justified our first date by saying that if I went out with Pete, somehow I would make Mr. Cheater Pants jealous enough to come back to me (why, I wanted him back, I'll never know). He did get wind and start calling again, but by that time, I had changed my mind. I had already developed an attraction to Pete. Yes, all the things that my girlfriend had told me were true, but with every date, I began to feel more and more for him. It's so hard to explain. This guy was everything that was NOT ideal for me...the party guy, estranged from his family, driving his little sports car, squandering his money and heading wherever the wind took him. I was straight laced, a church going "good girl", very close to my family..with a child. He was not my type at all, but this guy "needed" me, I thought. I can help him find what is missing in his life...and oh how I needed him as much as he needed me. We were married within 6 months.

You know.....today marks our 15th wedding anniversary. I will be honest with you and say it has not always been easy. Pete came into our marriage not only a husband, but a father, and I know that was a huge undertaking for him. I thank him so much for raising Big Dan as his own and providing him with everything he has ever had in his life. He has been the best father he knows how to be to both our children.

We have faced many, many trials and tribulations over the years, and there have been times I have just wanted to give up. I've cried out to my God over and over wondering why I couldn't have the perfect marriage. I realize now,..there is no perfect marriage, and I am kidding myself if I think for one moment there will ever be. I do know this much though..if God is the center of your marriage, you will find one as perfect as perfect can be.

While Pete has made lots of changes in his life, he is still the same in so many ways. He has and always will be my protector. He is my provider. He is my partner. He is my friend and today...at this very moment... even as I write, I realize just how very much he loves me. I cannot imagine my life without him.

We took a vow 15 long, hard years ago that we would love each other unconditionally. That we would stay faithful to one another in sickness and health, for richer and poorer and for better or for worse. I am convinced that there is nothing that can happen that we cannot get through. We are chubby, and getting grey, but that's ok. Oh, and by the way.... I may not "understand" everything, but Pete, I understand this.... I love you more today than I ever have.

Happy Anniversary.

The Retro Lunch Hour

A couple of days ago as Little Ann and I traveled the interstate, I had the radio on one of my favorite stations. It happened to be one that plays a variety of music....the best from the 80's and today. You would think that would satisfy everyone in the vehicle..but it doesn't. I still hear gripes and complaints because my music is so NOT COOL. What? How could they?

At one particular time during our trip, the dj came on and asked for requests for the "Retro Lunch Hour". They played songs like: Bostons - "Amanda", "What's Love Got to do With It" - by Tina Turner, oh and remember this one? - "Don't talk to Strangers" by Rick Springfield. Whew! What a hottie. (back in the day, of course).

I often find myself traveling back in time through music. It is the strangest thing. I know. Seems like I associate every stage in my life with a certain song..(and every boyfriend had one too). Isn't that funny?

Stuff like this - I remember jammin' to Olivia Newton John - "Physical" while cleaning my bedroom.... or another favorite from Rick Springfield - "Jessie's Girl". Remember this ladies?

I bet Jason (from the Bachelorette, of course) is singing this right about now. Poor guy.



Cheerleading dance routines to "Thriller" and blossoming teen romances to Whitney Houston.

Later on in High School - I got a little more "hard core" and graduated up to Poison or Whitesnake's - "Here I go Again" . One of my fondest memories is rockin' out to Def Leppard on our Senior Trip to Florida. Can I get a little "Pour Some Sugar on Me" or "Love Bites"? (fellow classmate reader friends of mine....I KNOW you remember this one, huh?)

When I ventured off to college, I vividly remember those long commutes singing at the top of my lungs to that song by Bobby somebody.."Don't Worry, Be Happy", or "Red, Red Wine". What exactly is that song about anyway? lol? A couple of my favorite slow tunes from 1988 (and boyfriend songs) Boy Meets Girl - "Waiting for a Star to Fall" or Sheriff's one hit wonder - "When I'm with You".

Where rap has never been one of my most desirable genre's of music, I was forced into it by another boyfriend who insisted on blowing out both eardrums with his booming bass. The louder, the better for him. I kid you not, the entire back seat was out of that little Toyota and replaced with speakers. I remember my hair blowing as I sat in front of those speakers, to the beat of Christian Artist with a little bump - DC Talk........or LL Cool J, Sir Mix A Lot, "My Posse's on Broadway" and "Baby Got Back"..oh dear. Did I listen to that? We listened to some tamer tunes too, such as New Kids on the Block, Linda Ronstadt, and Roxette's - "You've got the Look".

Oh, and did I mention drowning in sorrow over a bad breakup with Sinead O'Conner?

When Pete and I started dating, he was a hard rocker. He listened to stuff I had never even heard of like Ozzy and Dokken" etc... Never much got into stuff I couldn't understand, but we had a song. I couldn't not have a song for the one I married. It ended up being "Everything I do (I do it for you)" by Bryan Adams. We had it sung at our wedding....and that is so true. Pete sacrifices so much for us. I do believe that everything he does, he does for "us". He's a good man.

And so now...most of my listening stems back to my past. Although, I'm still one hip 37 year old mama (though my kids may beg to differ) and know the words to hits by Chris Brown and Boys Like Girls, I still sneak in those 80's tunes every chance I get.

Ah, the good ole days.....I know you have some too. What songs do you associate with stuff in your life?

Twenty Years?

A few nights ago, I was over visiting my parents and made the comment that a few high school friends and I were in the midst of planning our twenty year reunion for August. My mother looked at me as in disbelief and said "Twenty Years?". Until that moment, it had not really dawned on me what an awful long time that is, and just how fast the years have passed by. My oldest child will be starting his own last year of high school this year, but why is it that I don't really feel that old?

I guess because I seem to stay so busy with the kids...and the house....and church...and ballgames...and girl scouts...and this...and that...it doesn't really seem like I have enough time to actually feel anything. (Although I do know my body requires more sleep than it used to, even though I've always enjoyed my naps.)

As I think about this upcoming reunion, a part of me gets nervous. What will they think of me? Am I too fat? Will my outfit be just right? What have I done to show for myself in the past 20 years? I didn't turn out to be anything special...no fancy career, don't own my own law firm, no computer analyst or web designer, nothing of that nature. As a matter of fact, I'm still pretty much the same. I still live in the same town, substitute at the same high school I attended, still do the same things (with a little more discretion), still attend the same church, I sound the same, and yes, aside from about 25 extra pounds and less hair, I still look the same.

Ya know what? I'm happy with the same.

Here is your 1st introduction to my "big hair days". This turned out to be sooner than I expected, but since it's been twenty years...aw, what the heck....don't laugh too hard please, especially at the dorky glasses. (Yes, I know it is humongous, but it was the 80's!!)

Big Hair Photo: Taken of me fresh out of high school. My Freshman year in college.
age 18


Normal Hair Photo: Current Hairstyle. Recent photo includes crows feet and chubby cheeks. age 37

So what about you? Are you in your happy place?

All about me

Little Ann just finished the 4th grade and one of her favorite things they did (besides read), was her end of the year project "all about me". She had to write an essay about her family, hobbies, and favorite things. Then, post pictures, magazine clippings, etc. on poster board to be hung in the Elementary hallway. We had so much fun doing this together.

Today has been such a good day especially for a Monday. Mellow, I must say or rather peaceful. My husband is at work, Big Dan has been at work all day, rushed in and flew right back out to play baseball, and Little Ann is tucked away up in her room with 2 sweet friends, playing Barbies or Dress up, I'm assuming. So, where does that leave me? No drama for sure. In fact, I've pretty much been doing my own thing, reading blogs, of course, and with each load of laundry I fold, I am contemplating my own next post. Thinking about what kinds of things I want to talk about and of course which pictures I want to include.

Although, I still haven't taken the time to give you my entire life story, nor would you want to read that in one sitting, I wanted to share my own fairly condensed version of "all about me".

I love my community which pretty much includes our school, 2 stores, several churches and lots of chicken houses. I have always lived a pretty sheltered life and although we usually try to take summer vacations each year to expand our horizons, I always enjoy coming "home". Our house is in the country, positioned perfectly between our church and school, yet conveniently 10 minutes away from Walmart. I've lived here all 37 (almost 38) years of my life except the 2 years I did the college thing.

I love my family.
This is a recent picture of us at Christmas. I am the one in the black and white sitting in my hubby's lap. Big Dan is in the middle. He is the oldest grandchild and is sporting a fresh mohawk for the holidays. Little Ann is in the blue. She is the only female grandchild. The others are my dad and mom, brother, his wife and my nephews.


I love chocolate milk. I have tried repeatedly to shake this addiction, but it just won't go away. Ever so often, I will join Weight Watchers and rid my body from all the Nestle Quick toxins, but then I go right back. I can't help it. It calls to me in my sleep. Less Sugar, that should count for something.


I love my bed.
I think I inherited the "need much sleep" from my dad. He's usually asleep when his chickens roost at dusk, and can fall asleep anywhere, anytime. So...it's a gene thing right? Really it's not my fault, huh?


I love my scrapbook stash.
The newest item I have added to the stash is my die cutter. It is awesome!! After much consideration and forum discussions, I settled on the Klik n Kut Element. It cuts any true type font on your computer and you don't have to continually purchase cartridges. It was a Christmas present from my husband, and I have loved it. What I would give for my own room where I could spread out and be oh so neatly organized, but for now this will have to do. I have my rolly thingy that has all my stamp sets, foam stamps, ink pads, stickles, paints, punches, and pretty much the tools of the trade. Right now, I have separate rubber totes for chipboard, one for patterned paper, and another for ribbon. The carry on was a gift from my husband last Christmas and it pretty much has everything inside it. I load it down when I go croppin'!


I love mashed potatoes and gravy...and Diet Mt. Dew!

Ok, so by now, you can tell I am a little weird. I have always been a very picky eater and my mother didn't help that any. She catered to my pickiness by always creating an alternative such as "cookie pudding" instead of banana pudding since I didn't like bananas. (Which more or less is the same less the bananas) My hamburger is still plain with cheese even since the days of "Burger Chef" a million years ago. When I was a kid, I learned to love mashed potatoes and gravy. Instant was just fine. When I moved to my college town I lived off of the Colonel's potatoes and gravy. That was ok, because I never had enough money to include the chicken in the meal. Now, instead of the brown gravy mix, I have upgraded to Campbells beefy mushroom. I guess because now I have developed a liking for mushrooms that I have never had in the past and it's one less step. Just heat. No more add water and heat. Little Ann has fallen right into my quirky footsteps. This is by far her favorite meal as well. I have never been a fan of diet drinks, as a matter of fact...they are all pretty much nasty..that is except Diet Mt. Dew. That is my drink of choice...aside from the fact it has mucho caffeineo and I need all the energy I can get these days.

I sure love these little dudes!
I do love to talk on the phone. Not near as much as when I was younger, I admit, but I still do. When we built our house, I even had the electricians put a phone jack next to the tub. I can't figure out what it is about my cell phone that wants to attach itself to my ear the moment I get in the vehicle. I honestly don't know if I can drive and not talk. They go hand in hand.


And this is where I love to go to talk.
I often wonder why nobody ever wants to hold a conversation with me at home until I get on the phone. It's kind of like when I get in the tub to soak (another favorite of mine). It's like the world comes to an end when mom locks herself away. I have come to love swinging in my porch swing when I am trying to hold a friendly conversation. I have trouble focusing on the person on the other end when there is too much going on around me. Nobody bothers me there (mainly because they don't know I sneak out here). My grandfather made this for me before he passed away so it holds a special place in my heart. I can enjoy the hummingbirds flying around me, smell the gardenia growing right around the corner and have privacy all at the same time. It's lovely.

I know it's corny, but I loooooooove the Bachelorette. So sue me. I'm a sucker for these reality romance shows. I think I have watched every single season of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. I think Deanna is doing an excellent job narrowing down the search. These guys are exactly who I would pick!! ooo la la.

I love the 80's. Who doesn't? The music was awesome and the clothes were rad. Oh, and who can forget that hair! GEEZ! Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to share my big hair days with you..or NOT! My friends know I am an 80's child. I force them to play my 80's version of Trivial Pursuit when we get together. My husband and I sometimes play "name that tune" with midi files from the 80's. I guess I'll always be an 80's child at heart!

Do any of these things sound familiar to you?