Jamie Danford

I must vent... *make sure to read the comments...you guys are hilarious!*

Okay people, listen up...some of you know me, for others let me introduce myself...

I'm Trixie.  Sometimes known as "Baby Kitty" to my mother Jamie, which I happen to think is pretty demeaning, but whatever.  Anyway, Jamie is bound and gagged in her closet, (thanks Ruby for the helping paw) and I'm here to tell you what she let happen to me. (I shudder to think about it!)

So I'm here on my throne to communicate to you the horrors of my purrrfectly terrible day.  I haven't been feeling well, you see...for a couple of days now I've tucked myself into a ball and stayed up under the t.v entertainment center (which, by the way is SOOO loud and stays on SOOO much...I mean really folks, do we have to watch every episode of Rock of Love II four hundred times?  And that Project Runway? Oh, give me a break people! I'm tellin' you, anyone who knows REAL fashion wears calico fur!)

Sorry to digress, where was I...oh yessss, so my mom and dad started getting really worried about me because I wasn't eating (oh and I do so love that pressed honey ham they brought me, but I just couldn't stomach it) so today my mom decided to take me to the vet...(gulp!) She was terrrribly worried because I wasn't moving my tail, (geez I think she whined about it to everyone she talked to this morning.) 

Sure the vet's office is topnotch...very clean and professional (trust me, I demand the BEST and my mom knows it.) But, I still hate going.  Mom crammed me into this little blue cage (uck, the indignity of it all!) and trucked me right on in there to those women who seem to get a kick out of 'checking my temperature.' So the doctor and her nurse dug around the base of my tail and found (what I knew all along, but does anyone ever bother to ask the cat? NOoooooOOooO) ...

...an abscess. 

Yes, a big, nasty, just about to start oozing, abscess.  And where did this abomination come from?  Well of course it was that evil grey and white cat that comes around to tease me. One can only take being called "Fatico" and "House brat" so many times and then we have to defend ourselves right? And one of his big ol' nasty unbrushed bacteria infested teeth penetrated my delicate skin and gave me an infection. And yes that infection meant that I had to get a SHOT and have my whole rear end shaved! Plus, to make the situation worse...(I cannot believe I'm even saying this...) they 'expressed' my anal glands!  Hellooooo people, those are my ANAL GLANDS you're squeezing back there! But did they stop? No, they just squeezed and squeezed.  Sigh... it's a violation I tell you!

So there you have it. Sure my mom had to pay $120 dollars and nearly had a panic attack because she was so worried about me, but did she have her anal glands squeezed?  NoooOOOOooooOOOoooo! Are you feelin' me?  Do you see my anger at the situation?  Yes, I thought you would.  That's why I came here to tell you all about it...because I know you people are kind and understanding and I thank you for listening.

Have a good day...I'm going to find a quiet place to sleep because these drugs are starting to make me woozy. 

Meow,

Trixie

Journal a conversation...

Here's my latest layout for Journaling Junkie.  The challenge was to journal a conversation, which came in handy b/c I'd jotted down this conversation and had been carrying it in my purse for a month.  :)  I knew I'd eventually do a page about it, and voila...the challenge came up. 

I got the idea to mix the big white heart with this Basic Grey paper from Lauren who was at the store cropping one day. I couldn't wait to go home a play with it!  And looky, I even pulled some brown fiber out of my reeeeeally old fiber stash and strung it across the bottom with a couple of Biggie Brads.  The He Said/She Said stamp is from Technique Tuesday, and I'm thinkin' we still have a couple in stock.  I used my Cricut (Opposites Attract font) to cut the title, and it looks kinda raggedy b/c I hadn't quite got my settings adjusted when I did it...oops! Just don't look real close okay?  ;)

Not bad for a one hour or less layout right? 

Oh dear God...they're back...

Duh duh DUUUUUUH....it's Girl Scout Cookie time!!!!

NooooooOOOOoOooOOOoooooOOOOOOOooooooo!!

I'm gettin' sweaty armpits just thinkin' about them...and no I'm not saying that because I gained seven pounds eating Tagalongs last year, and had to join Weight Watchers and pay $65 stinkin' dollars to get the dang cookies off my big ol' ass.

I'm saying that because I'm the freakin' cookie mom again...a job not for the faint of heart.  THIS is a job that needs to come with a salary...and benefits...and a company car...and possibly a therapist.  :)

Sigh...okay, mental breakdown over...pits beginning to dry...

I think I'm okay.

So...anybody wanna buy some Girl Scout Cookies?

Tagalongs? Dosidos? Lemon Chalets? Sugar free Chocolate Chip? Thin Mints?  Samoas? All Abouts? Trefoils?

Anyone? Just email me and let me know okay? They'll be delivered between Feb 15th and 20th.  You can pay me when you come pick 'em up. 

And if you're wanting to be supportive, but don't like or want to eat these delectable morsels, then you can buy a box (or case) for our soldiers.  Yep, you can pay for a box of cookies and it'll be shipped over to our troops, cool! $3.50 a box or $42.00 a case. So, email me if you're interested, and I'll hook you up.  :)  Here's my email... [email protected]

Oh, and did I mention that my precious little Girl Scout earns credit that can be applied towards Summer Camp at Camp Low? And since I'm gonna be a poor, unemployed, college student this summer we sure could use some o' dat credit...not that I'm begging or trying to guilt you into anything of course...eh, yeah, okay...whatever...begging and guilt usually work when I want something from Big Dave...sorry, figured I'd give it a shot.  lol!

Luv you's guys!  ;)

The State of my Nation... (VERY long post!)

How funny...I woke up at 5:21 this morning because my tummy was growling, and as I lay there trying to go back to sleep, I thought of this post.  I thought I'd do a 'state of the nation'  type of post to fill everyone in on what's up with da store.  Here's the funny part...I heard on the radio this morning that the President is doing his state of the nation speech tonight...what a cooky coincidence! (Maybe I'm psychic eh?)

Okay, now on to my original goal...

eh hem...

The State of MY Nation:

Well, most of you know that Savannah Scrapbooking was put up for sale back in early December...I sent out an email to my customers to let them know, and I had several people inquire about purchasing it.  But, after talking to sooooo many people, it looks like nobody wants to buy my precious baby.  (sniffle) I'm thinkin' that in this crazy-ass economy, it would be a big financial gamble to buy a business, and it's scared everyone off.  Heck, I don't blame 'em...I'd think twice about opening a small biz right now too. 

So, here's what's gonna happen...

My lease ends on April 30th, so I'll stay open a while longer. I'm gonna give notice to my landlord this week, and tell him that I could leave earlier if they find someone to move in here before the end of April. I'm doubting that'll happen, but there's always a chance. 

We'll continue on with business as usual for the next month, then I'll start selling off racks, and products through March, either to individuals or other scrapbook stores. My last day of business is April 1st...I think it's appropriate to end it on April Fool's Day, lol! Then I'll spend April cleaning out all my crap (have you SEEN my office???eeeek!!) and getting all my leftovers boxed up and moved out. 

Regular readers know already that I'm in grad school, getting my masters in teaching.  I hope to be in my own classroom in August...scary!!

Why did I decide to make this humongous life change?

Well, here's the thing...you know the story of Jonah and the whale?  Well, that's kind of me.  Let's recap for those of you who aren't up on Sunday school Bible stories...

You see, there was this dude named Jonah (way back in Bible times) and God told Jonah to go to this town called Nineveh (sp?) and I guess preach or something.  But Jonah was a scaredy cat, and he didn't want to go to Nineveh. So he went and hid out on a ship and wandered around the sea...pretty much wasting time and hoping God would leave him alone and let him do his own thing.  But of course God had bigger and better plans for him, and He wouldn't let him out of it...so God made this wicked storm that threatened the lives of the sailors on the boat.  The sailors finally figured out that God was trying to get Jonah's attention, so they decided to toss him overboard to calm the seas.  So into the water he went...and he was promptly swallowed up by a whale/big fishy critter, who swam over to the shore and spit him out.  And where did he get spit out? Nineveh...here's yer sign!

Yezzz, that's a total paraphrase and I'm probably wrong on some of the details, but you get the jist of it right?

So you see? I'm Jonah!  I've known my whole adult life that I would rock as a teacher...I just KNOW it.  But I doubted myself, and decided to follow another path instead...yep, I'm talking about a ship of my own...the SS Savannah Scrapbooking.  :) I've hidden in my cozy little store for five years, and had an absolute ball doing it, but as always, God is in control, and He has spoken to me quite clearly.  He's squeezed me out of my comfy little shop and back into grad school (which, by the way is a college who's symbol is a compass...hmmm.)

Was it a heartbreaking decision?  Um...yes. I fought it...hard for over a year now...just didn't want to accept it.  I prayed that God would let me keep doing what I want, and He very firmly and not so subtly has given me my answer...no, nope, no way. And just like a pouty kid, I didn't want to give in.  So He applied more pressure (after all He is my eternal father.) And finally after something similar to an anxiety attack/stomach flu/prayerfest, I gave it up. 

And suddenly there was peace.

PEACE!!

For the first time in over a year, I felt unburdened. Oh my gosh!! I knew exactly what I needed to do, and I've been 100% sure of my decision ever since. I've gotta leave my baby and walk the path God chose for me before I was ever even born.  Well duh...when I think of it that way, it's a no-brainer isn't it? 

Sure sure, I know  there are doubters out there, and that's okay...this is my story, take it or leave it.  But know...really know...that I am 1000 percent okay, in fact I am joy-filled!  Five years ago, heck, even two years ago, I'd have called you a nut case if you suggested that I'd want to leave my store. And now, I cannot wait to start the next chapter of life...out from behind the paper racks!  :) 

Am I gonna be a complete basket case when the store closes?  Probably.  Like I said, this place is my baby...so it'll be sad. And I'll probably sit in here and cry a little...hell, I cry at dog food commercials, so it's really not that much of a stretch.  hee hee!

Okay, see I warned you this was gonna be a long one! But there've been so many kind hearted questions that I thought I should sit down and talk it all out.  Oh, and speaking of talking it all out...yes, I'll definitely continue the blog...this is therapeutic for me, and I love making you laugh (you do laugh don't you?) Hmmm, what else can I do to torture Big Dave?

There it is folks...the long winded, often rambly, and not so brief (thanks Lauren!) state of my nation. 

Hangin' with 'Mander...

Well, because quite simply she is one of the most artistic and talented people I know, and because she has an answer for every single ridiculous question I ever ask her, and because if we all check in on her every once in a while maybe she'll keep her blog current (eh hem...hint hint) I'm asking you to head over to Amanda's blog and check it out.

Sure, there's the cutest little grandbaby in the world at the top, but if you scroll down a bit, you'll get to take a peeky at some of her layouts...military stuff, baby stuff, multi photo layouts and more...and as always, it's topnotch for inspiration. 

Here's a couple of teasers...

Hey 'Mander Pander...Yer so cool!  :)

Where did January 26th go???

Dang...one minute it was Friday the 25th and now it's Sunday the 27th... ?????  How in the world did one single day zip by so fast???

Oh, wait, I think I'm starting to have some flashbacks...

Trash cans filled to capacity...(That sucker was EMPTY at 9am...no wonder I had to pee so much, look at all those cans and bottles!)

Tables covered with scrappin' paraphenalia... (Hey, remember back in the day when nobody cared if they sat next to a plug?)

Certain people stuck under tables...(don't ask!) Nearly empty candy baskets...

80's music!(So what if we're all too old to actually remember the singers names...that's what Google's for right?

Wangs II takeout...yummy Mu Shu chicken!! (I wonder if Kristine ever birthed her cabbage? Boy or girl?)

and floors begging to be vacuumed...

Hey...I remember...It was Super Saturday!! Thanks ladies for the laughs and wonderful fellowship...as always, you make me smile!  (Although some of you really need to work on  your twisted senses of humor...disgusting I say!! ) 

;)

Here's the recipe...

For some yummilicious layouts!

Oooooh, aaaaahhh, the newest book from Autumn Leaves. Don't you think they have the VERY best team of designers?  I mean really...who can ever get enough of Jennifer McGuire's crisp, clear style, or Mellette Berezoski's talent for using embellishments as perfect details! (Of course, these gals are just two of 11 designers that have worked together to produce this book.)

So this book is in stock...$19.99 and filled to the gills with layouts. The best part about it is that each layout has it's 'recipe' included...step by step instructions for making it. Cool! Totally beginner friendly, but at the same time totally inspiring for the seasoned scrapper (that's me!)   :)

We only got a handful, so if you's wants it, then you's better call (912)920-4451 to hold it with your credit card or come on in and get it! 

As the world learns...(for lack of a better title)

Today we join our daring heroine as she makes her way through Geography 300...

Dr. Howard, "North American federalism...blah blah blah...

Nerdo boy in front row (dead center) begins to suffer from a serious case of big ol' head boberitus. (uh, that means his head starts bobbing for those of you without such detailed medical knowledge.)

His head gets lower...

lower...

it's now touching his textbook which lies flat on the desk...

and it's down...yes Houston, we have touchdown...with full neck extension and shoulder relaxation.

Dr. Howard, "when the glaciers receded and formed Chesapeake bay by flooding low lying river valleys...blah blah blah blah..."

Then we hear it... softly at first...

growing louder... is that the heat making that noise?

Even Stripper Chick (wearing black spandex leggings with boots today) looks around to see what the noise is...

and then it's clear...

Nerdo boy is snoring!!! Holy crap!!!!

Guess he stayed up too late last night playing Dungeons and Dragons huh?

Does the great professor wake him? Yes.  Is he embarrassed? Oh no...nerdo boy is without shame...there's no embarrassment for him!

duh duh duuuuuuh he's nerdo boy! Able to sleep in front of a classroom full of people without drooling on his textbook...now that's impressive!

Blatant scraplift...

It's not often that I just totally scraplift a layout, but darnit this layout on Vicki Boutin's blog was just too cute! (She's got a ton of great lo's on there...go take a looky!)

I had to use some different papers, b/c I didn't have all the same ones, but it all worked out real nice anyway.  :)

Thanks for the inspiration Vicki!

Show and tell...

What a GREAT day!! Got up after a night of refereeing nine year olds and cleaned the house.  Then we kept one of the nine year olds for Miss Priss to play with for an extra night (and to keep her occupied since tomorrow's a holiday and there's NOTHING to do.)

Since my house was clean and  David had already fixed a big ol' pot o' chili (yum!) I decided to scrap all afternoon. Wish I could say I got more done, but I was also watching the football games.  So here's what got accomplished...

(

I used my Cricket for the titles on the Getaway page and the Sirens page...gosh, what did I ever do without this thing????

And the happy girl page, well...it was just fun to do.  (Thanks Stacy for the inspiration with the Kaleidoscope blocky things.)  :)  It's been a year, and I finally did something with 'em!

And my last thought for the day...

Wanna know how to get your hubby interested in scrapbooking??

Scrap in a (short) robe and nuthin' else.

I couldn't keep him out of my scraproom all day!!!

hee heee  ;)