birthday giveaway

It's my birthday! Guess how old I am and you win a prize!
Merry Christmas!
Jamie

I just feel like it!

I just feel like saying hi to everyone. I'm not really bored, I'm just trying to take a break from all the work I have to do.
I have a surprise for everyone this Friday, so be on the lookout for that!

I can't believe I haven't posted in 3 weeks....and it's been a CRAZY 3 weeks, too! I have so much to tell you...so get ready for my catch-up novel!

~The day after Thanksgiving I hung out with my scrap pal Tiffany (the first time we met) and we had a blast! It was a bit difficult because her grandfather was dying and I just felt so bad for the whole entire family! But we had fun and we made some super fun junk journals and we hung out for a bit and then I drove the 45-minute ride home with a majore headache! I don't know how I remember I had a super bad headache that day, but I think I remember that because I don't like driving in the dark and I wanted to focus on driving because I tend to hallucinate at night in the car, driving or not!

~The next day, Saturday, we went to my aunt's house because my whole family threw my great-aunt Annette a surprise 70th birthday party. She has always taken very good care of us kids, and she truly is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met in my life. And just like me, she loves to read, so her $50 gift card to Borders was perfect...she loves biographies (again, so do I!) and I couldn't even begin to pick out a book for her because apparently has a ridiculouis library where she lives! We had so much fun and it was a blast hanging out with my huge family! And for a bit I went to my uncle's girlfriend's home about a mile down the road, where I thoroughly enjoyed her home and all of the antiques that she has from the 1800s! It was so much fun and very emotional for me for some reason...I never really hung out with her but it was so much fun to get a glimpse into her life because I thought she was all girly like me and I expected a supreme bachelorette pad! But I was SO wrong...it's peaceful and spiritual and rustic and perfect! Bobbie is such a great lady, no wonder my uncle has been with her for quite awhile (and he's quite a ladies' man!)

~On Monday 11/26 I took my real estate test (again!) and I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cried like a baby when I found out...I just remember I kept thanking the proctor (because I was by then on a first name basis with him!) and I was so grateful to never have to go back and take it...life was about to improve DRASTICALLY because after I have my license I get a raise! And I would earn commissions! So we pretty much had a party that day when I got back to the office because everyone was so excited. That's one of the reasons I love my job and where I work so much...yeah, we definitely have the person who tries to cause trouble with everyone else, but for the most part everyone has been incredibly supportive and excited for me...I truly could not ask for a better job in this part of my life! Another reason is because my boss is truly amazing. When I started my job I picked up on real estate very quickly, and he said that I would eventually have my license. I'm thinking, OK, sure... a year from now, whatever...but I was there for a month and a half when he said he would pay for it, so I better sign up soon! So I've been working on the course since April, I finished in October, I studied the entire month of October and all of November until I passed my test. I have never had to work for something so hard in my entire life...not even in college during my last semester when I was consumed with wedding plans! So it has definitely been a challenge....but a challenge worth having because the reward is going to be awesome in the end!

~The first week of December...don't remember much! The only major thing that has happened so far (in terms of work) this month is that we have TEN closings! We had at one time 20 listings, but we sold 3 the first week of the month, and we have picked up a few since then...and we have two more this week! I have been incredibly busy with work and Christmas parties and family parties and my dad's birthday (#49!!) last weekend and all kinds of stuff that I haven't been able to post here!

~Now for the important part: I must apologize to all of my friends, especially my scrap pals. It's been such a crazy time but it will be over soon. They have called me and I just honestly have been unavailable for one reason or another....so ladies, I apologize and I promise it will get better when the holidays are over! One of my goals for 2008 is to spend more time with my friends, whatever that means...and I cannot apologize enough for my actions in 2007.

~As much as 2007 is coming to a positive close, I can't help but look back at the past 347 days of this year and think to myself..."look at everything that has changed!"
I became depressed. Our apartment complex was vandalized. I lost my first "real world" job after college after we went out of business. I started a new job. I went on my first-ever business trip. Our brother-in-law came home from Iraq alive, safe, and healthy. My parents got divorced. David and I got through some really rough times. One of my best friends got married. We moved out of the apartment and moved in with my dad...back to the house where I grew up. I was able to get creative again. I was published in "All You" magazine. I read a bunch of books. I took my real estate test 3 times in 5 weeks and eventually passed. I got my license and then my first contract on a house I brought in to the group and we'll close on it at the end of the month. I got a raise. We will be able to pay off 2 credit cards 6 months earlier than we anticipated. David and I are doing better in our marriage.

So life is good. I'm feeling positive again. 2007? I survived. Bring on 2008!!!

What a Crazy Week!

This has been a very hard week. Some family things came up earlier in the week in which I got into a yelling match with my dad, my husband, and my sister on Tuesday night, and then again with my dad on Wednesday night. My dad hasn't yelled at me like that in....years. I cried so much this week, I don't even know if I have any tears left. It's too hard and too long of a story to write in here and I don't want to relive it, so sorry about the lack of detail there.
Thanksgiving morning I woke up and we made our very first Thanksgiving dinner ever! Today was much better than the previous few days because we got everything out in the open and agreed that it wouldn't "ruin" Thanksgiving day. When my dad came upstairs he gave me a big hug and asked if I was OK....I truly was! I just wanted to move on from our major disagreement and have a good weekend because I was going to be off for 4.5 days from work!
So I was on my feet for about 3 hours and my back really, really hurt after that! But we made the turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, pumpkin pie, cherry pie, chocolate pie, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Just a regular Walsh family dinner for only 3 people! My dad even complimented our Turkey Skills because although it was a bit dry, it was still tender and falling off the bone...yay, us!
Friday I drove up to O'Fallon to hang out with my scrap pal Tiffany...I thought my family was crazy big! But they were all really nice and although they had some family things going on, they were very welcoming! We made a few junk journals and just hung out for most of the afternoon. I had a baaaad headache for most of Friday, and I think it's because I was so tired....Luna has been sick this week a lot and she wakes me up in the middle of the night throwing up...I was just tired! When I got home I studied a bit more and watched some TV with David, something we haven't done in quite awhile....just SIT down without a computer in front of either of us! Then I pulled out some of my scrap stuff and put it into my new AMM tote that I got for $25 at For Keeps Sake that morning...I've been wanting one for awhile and I bought it for a great deal, my ONLY purchase for myself the day after Thanksgiving!
I didn't go shopping this weekend for a few reasons:
~I despise those crowds.
~I don't have money to spend...we're in between paychecks : (
~I have way too many "events" coming up that I need money for.
~I'll go next month when I have more $ because we have 8 closings so far in December!

So instead of spending money, I baked A LOT for whatever event we were working on..first I had my work party, then Thanksgiving, and yesterday my family threw my aunt a surprise 70th birthday party that we made a TON of food for! David made bacon-ranch dip and spinach-artichoke dips, and I made marshmallow fudge bars, fudge, and cinnamon-pumpkin dessert. I also cut up some bread and pita pockets for the dips, and we took a veggie tray. whew! I think we took the most food of anyone, but our stuff is usually a big hit! We all had a great time at her party and she was SO surprised! I got to see my cousin and his forever-fiancee (they are not really set on getting married, I think they're kinda like Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell!) which I always love! And I went with my uncle's girlfriend to her house that's like 5 mins away from my aunt's house and it is ADORABLE!!! She has a little cottage in the woods and when you walk in it's like something out of Laura Ingalls Wilder....homey, antique-y, rustic.....I LOVED it so much! I almost cried when she was telling me some of the stuff and it's just like the kind of house I want someday...the kind of home I want someday....I just love her to death. She is quickly becoming the most favorite girlfriend Uncle Pat has ever had! I thought she was all girly like me, I expected to walk into a bachelorette pad but it was the complete opposite and I loved it!

Then we left around 6:30 because, as Mizzou grads, we had to get home and watch the game! I could really care less about football (I'd rather get crafty!) but this game had even me stressing out! I finished my practice test and watched Nip/Tuck after WE WON and then I went to bed. So today I'm going to study, relax, study, maybe watch a movie, study, and then watch my Sunday night TV shows...and I get to sleep in a bit tomorrow, study some more, then go take my test!

So wish me luck! I'm going to need it, since this is the 3rd time I'm taking the national test!

To My Dear Friends...

I just want to thank everyone for their support over the past few months. My friends mean the world to me, and without them, I wouldn't be able to get through this real estate license thing. That being said, please continue praying for me....

I took the test this morning....and missed it by ONE QUESTION


Last time it was two questions.....


back to the studying that has consumed my life!!!

Love,
Jamis

Need to catch up with you....!

Yes, it's been a bit over a week since we last spoke, so here are some highlights of my past week:

• I took my "junk journal" class on Saturday. I had such a good time and I am so ridiculously happy with my end project! The class was supposed to be 1-4, but I was there until 6 because I took my bind-it-all with me (thank God!) so we could go a bit faster...good thing, because there were only 2 including mine! So I did finish it there since it was the first time I really used it besides practicing, and I'm glad I did because my book is so thick and I needed Missy to help me with the binding part, squeezing the o-wire together because it started to mess up a little bit. I LOVE my book....I'll try to post when I a) finish it!, and b) figure out how to post!
• I'm back to studying for my test....I'm taking national this Friday and I really just want to get this "studying for my real estate license" thing over with! I'm tired of studying, I think my brain is really starting to hurt, and I'm so tired! I just want to scrapbook!!!!!
• And...the only way I am really allowing myself to scrapbook is if I need to take a break....otherwise, I won't get any studying done!
• I sent out packages to my scrap pals...hope they get them before Thanksgiving!
• My dad is driving to Boston this weekend....crazy man in love! That's where his girlfriend lives right now and she's been having a rough time. I really hope his drive goes OK and he is safe...
• David has been traveling a lot for work, so he's gone a lot lately. It's kind of nice since I've been getting some studying done, but it also makes me realize that I'm OK without him being around me all the time. Is that bad to say as his wife? I don't think so...the opposite would be worse! Which is kinda how I used to be when we first met....so my 180 is a good thing!
• I need to take care of this "mother thing" after I get my license. But then I think about how it makes me feel inside when I think about it, I don't want to deal with it, and is it really going to be worth me telling her exactly what I think about her? Why can't you just disown someone and be done with it? According to my dad, you can't....you have to take care of it. But as much as I can't stand her or her existence in my life, I can't help but pretty much tell her how much I can't stand her when I do have contact with her. I feel like such a horrible person, but if some of you knew what she has done to me and done to this family, you would understand.
• Happier thing: we went to the circus on Sunday...yes, the same day as his birthday! D turned 26 on Sunday and he's not ready for it! Me? I'll be 25 next month and I'm so excited! The only thing that is missing is a baby.... : )
• Does anyone get a monthly kit from personalscrapper.com or scrap-room.com? If not, I strongly suggest you look into it! PS is amazing...so worth it, inexpensive, and the price includes shipping! And TSR is cool too....4 packages of "teasers" from as many different lines, and embellies for all 4! So fun, I just got my first one today! And the papers are double-sided...not really my favorite, but at least I know I'm getting more for my $!!
• And on a final note, we have 4 closings so far this month, and we are scheduled to have at least 5 already for next month! YAY!!! We are doing awesome and Brittani is so freaking fantastic, I hope she knows it!

What I did this weekend...crafty!

1. Yesterday I attended a class in which we made a "12 Days of Christmas" box with a tag book for the inside. You can see a picture of what I made (it looks almost like the one here):
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8h1AbLYQJLQk6hyphenhyphenktdfkys0GhHjk4QDXlDUTFNx84yUlMnae0VicEn92FfEGoNuK4C4fIm-hCPtaX1ZpfpPusH_lHuOnR7HTLdxSwQJtRi2CNj7f_Z3hpSEbTeJ8ylicIXXdiFVWdeAdG/s1600-h/12days.jpg\

I'm giving it to David's grandma for Christmas.

It looks so much better in person...it was a lot of fun and I am so happy that I finally got to create something outside of the house because I haven't taken a class in almost 3 months AND I've been studying like crazy!

2. This is a picture of next week's class (or something like it): a junk journal!
http://forkeepssake.typepad.com/photos/missys_classes/img_4177.html

The one we are making is not exactly like this one, but it is pretty close! I am going to base my journal around our 3rd year of marriage, and the "scrapping" and "junk" part will consist of pictures from our weddings in Vegas and in STL because I think this will be much more my style rather than a "traditional" album because we did not have a traditional wedding/s!

3. I am going to sign up for another Christmas class, where you have a mini book inside a box. So pretty!

4. I finished my LB KOTM from September, the travel journal album...I added a lot to it, a bunch of travel stuff I already had and I LOVE it! So cute, interactive (which is my scrapping "trademark"!) and I want to take a trip now! I love it because I made it keeping in mind what I get when I travel...I keep everything, and now I have a place to put it all, and scrap my pics right away!

5. I am kind of in love with the Basic Grey "Figgy Pudding" Christmas line...I saw it the other day at the store and had to have some! I'm not really a person who pays attention to lines and names and such, but I know it and I love it! Two other lines I ADORE are from Luxe Designs and Urban Lily...Luxe is kinda sexy (for paper!) and Urban Lily is very beachy, Hawaiian, so pretty, so relaxing!

6. I made my father-in-law a Harley Davidson album! One of the hardest things I've had to do because a) we barely see him, b) I have no pics to put in it, and c) I know NOTHING about motorcycles! So I got about 8 pages done, and I may give it to him like that even though it's not even finished. Ugh. I won a Harley kit at a class and I had to use it somehow, and he is the only person I know who has a Harley! So this was a hard one to do, but I did it.

And...that's it for now! Can't wait for my Archiver's class, but I gotta sign up for it first!

Testing....it....is...not.....over....

Nope, not over. Here's the thing: I have been studying every day for the past month (well, almost every day, anyway!) There are 2 sections to the test, state and national, each of which you have to get a 75% to pass and apply for your license. Well, I passed state with an 80%, but I missed national by



TWO QUESTIONS

GRRR!!!

So I just have to continue studying. I only have to retake the national part over but I'm probably more nervous about this since I got it so close last time! I don't want to have to keep spending $55 to keep taking it!

So, please pray that i get it....seriously, I prayed for 5 days straight almost every time I got a single thought to myself about passing my test. I don't get a raise until I get my license, part of the reason why I must pass!

Scrapbook Inspireds

Today I am going to relax...for the first time in a long time after becoming enamored with one of my *scrapbooking magazines that I got in the mail yesterday* I am inspired...it was thick, it was holiday, it was full of ideas....and it is the most inspiring it has been in awhile.

So that being said, here are some things that inspire me when I scrap and always have to be on my page...not everything, but about 3-5 elements of the following:

~lots of layering
~"junk it up" (thanks for that one, Missy!)
~monochromatic colors
~"collage it up" (again, Missy...)
~tags
~flowers
~lots of 3D....pop up dots!
~ribbon
~hidden journaling
~interactivity
~tabs
~my handwriting
~vellum
~transparencies
~overlapping
~tearing
~butterflies
~lots of folds (to get tons on a page)
~patterned paper
~Heidi Swapp
~sanding
~stamping
~color-block matting
~rub-ons
~matted w/ embellishments
~stripes
~Asian symbols
~lots of embellishments
~polka dots
~monograms to start a paragraph
~Microsoft Word with fun fonts!

hmmmm...what else? that's all I can think of for now!

The Clock is Ticking....

I just scheduled my test for Thursday at 9 am!!! I passed my final pre-test earlier with an 81% and I need a 75% on Thursday so I don't have to take it again! Then I will be DONE with studying!!!!! Done with studying, done with worrying, done with stressing....just Done!!!

I'm so excited, I could burst...my boss is paying for my test, too! That's $55 we don't have to spend....he's so cool...he paid for my course, he's paying for everything! He's awesome, the best boss EVER!!!

Testing, Testing...1,2,3...

Yes, it is true...I have become boring. All I ever want to talk about is real estate testing and scrapbooking!

But I won't have to talk as much about real estate after I PASS my test on Wednesday....and I won't have to talk about how I am going to start scrapbooking again after my test on Wednesday because I will pass it and reward myself immensely with a huge scrap session which will make me feel 100% better because I haven't been able to do that in awhile!

So please pray for me...or send good vibes...or do whatever you believe in....I need to pass this test!

5 random things about me:
1. My favorite color is purple...it relaxes me.
2. I love scented oil from Bath & Body Works that I can burn with a tealight...so calming, so pretty.
3. I hate Valentine's Day.
4. I thought David was an asshole when I first met him...and he thought I was a lesbian since I have short hair...
5. I have a collection of Marilyn Monroe biographies...most of them I still need to read. Yes, they are all going to come to the same conclusion...she died...but it's the research that they find and what conclusion they draw about her death that interests me, along with her life in general!

Another Class, Another Day...my schedule is getting in the way!

Class. It's beginning to look like that's all my life consists of outside of work : )

I am taking another class at the store, this one called "Twelve Days of Christmas"..it's a mini tag book and I'm very excited, it looks adorable, you can hang it on your tree afterward, AND it's taught by my favorite instructor Missy J!
So that one's on November 3rd and my junk journal is on November 10.

So here is my life for the next few weeks:
10/31: take real estate license test....send me "good vibes" so that I'll pass, b/c it's $55 each time to take it and I just want to get it over with! prayers accepted! I'm also off work today, so as soon as I pass (!) I will be heading home to SCRAPBOOK ALL DAY...haven't done that in so many months, just been collecting and I'm excited to start again!
11/2: payday! the great thing about this month is that I get paid 3 times!
11/3: "12 Days of Christmas" class at the store, 2-5 pm.
11/4: I will probably be holding my very first open house, so if anyone's in the area, come out to Wildwood and look at this $669,900 beauty!
11/10: junk journal class at the store, 1-4 pm.
11/11: David's birthday! He's gonna be 26....old man! heehee We are also going to the Ringling Bros/Barnum & Bailey circus today...my grandpa used to take all of us (my cousins and me) there when we were little, so anytime I get to go "in his memory" I do! Plus, I LOOOOVE the circus..so fun! So happy birthday, honey...we're going to the circus today!
11/13: we've got a closing today.
11/16: payday! We may be going to Neosho this weekend since we didn't get to go over David's birthday weekend like we usually do.
11/18: schultzy turns 25 today! happy birthday sweetheart! i love you so much!
my BFF from high school turns 25 today...we made a pact in HS that if we were both still single at 25, we should just marry each other. well, it kinda didn't work out that way...he's still single, living it up as a store manager at Hooter's, so I think he's gonna be ok ; )
11/22: Thanksgiving
11/23: spending the day with Tiffany...those are my plans...we're supposed to go to Chesterfield Mall (which is kinda freaking me out, since it's the day after Thanksgiving...) and to ARCHIVERS...which I've still never been to! And For Keeps Sake has everything 20% off today, so that helps a lot!
11/30: payday! end of month! How many closings did we have this month? How many listings did we have this month? Stay tuned... : )

Yes, it's true, my dear friends....my life has become real estate...

Well, Well, Well...

I am kind of a HUGE Young and the Restless fan....like, I tape it every day, watch it at night, and am just pretty much obsessed with it. I've been watching it for the good part of 20 years...and I'm only 24!! I watched it with my grandma, my old babysitter, my dad, and now since I tape it every day my husband watches with me. Oh, and I watch it with his grandma too (when we're visiting his family in SW MO). So that being said...
NOVEMBER SWEEPS IS HERE!!!!!!!!!

This is a VERY exciting time of year for me. Sweeps, the holidays, my birthday...life is good! But today's episode of Y&R was gripping...edge of your seat madness that only a fan of soaps can appreciate. It was pure, classic soap...comedy, tragedy...life. . life. real...not "reality tv", but character-driven stories, love, emotion, feeling, not "camp" like "Days". So if you are used to the Y&R from so long ago or are tired of turning on Days and picking up where you left off 5 years ago, you may want to start watching Y&R.

Wine...whine...

I just had some wine so I could sleep well tonight. It ran through my body like a fast heat. Feels kinda weird, haven't had that happen in awhile...and I need the A/C on now!

A Lot in My Head

1. We got FOUR listings in the past 4 days!!! I am going CRRAAAAZZZZYYYY at work!!! I have so much to do and I feel like I have so little time to get it all done.
2. One thing that always makes me feel better is baking. We have a block party tomorrow night so I made 3 desserts for about 10 houses. It doesn't matter if no one eats some of it, because I will just take it to work with me on Monday. I made homemade brownies (these are the only kind I can make...I suck at making the kind from the quick box!), a cinnamon pumpkin dessert, and my orange triple layers. I know what you're thinking...yummy, right? Well here you go:

Brownies: Preheat to 325. mix 2/3 c. sugar, 1 c. brown sugar, 1 c. flour, 1/2 c. milk, 2 tbsp. oil, 2 tsp. baking powder, and 4 tbs. cocoa powder together. Mix well and pour into 8X8 greased pan. Boil 1 c. water. In a separate bowl, mix 2 tbs. cocoa powder and 1/4 c. brown sugar. Sift this mixture over the spread (make sure that it doesn't all clump up in one spotI) and when water is hot, evenly pour over spread and sugar mixture. Bake for 35 mins or until set. At the end you should have a pudding-type of feel to what is in the pan. Serve warm w/ ice cream...so yummy!!!

Cinnamon pumpkin dessert: crush 2-3 graham crackers at a time between a piece of waxed paper (I tore off a piece, stuck them in the middle, wrapped the paper around them and used my rolling pin to crush them 2-3 at a time, then used the paper as a funnel to eventually measure out 1.5 cups of crackers). Pour crackers into a bowl and add 4 tbs. butter and 1/4 c. brown sugar in a medium bowl. Mix all this together and then press into bottom of a 9X9 baking dish. Combine pumpkin puree (I just bought pumpkin pie mix), 1/2 c. brown sugar, and 1 tsp. cinnamon in bowl and mix well. stir in 1 qt. vanilla ice cream and spoon this mixture on top of the crust. Cover and freeze until firm, about 3 hours. Serve with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon. YUM!!!

Triple Orange Layers: you will will need an angel food cake for this, and I usually make mine from scratch. Tear into bite-size pieces for later use. Get 2 small or 1 large can of mandarin oranges, drain the juice into a saucepan, and set oranges aside. Bring juice to a boil and add 6 oz. of orange jello mix. Stir VERY well and empty into a large bowl with 1 qt. orange sherbet and fold in 12 oz. whipped cream. This will make a lot so you may have some left...and it is VERY sticky....trust me! I usually use a trifle dish because it's pretty but I think it's best to use a more "vertical" dish than a horizontal one, although I'm sure a horizontal one would work but it won't look as good. Then take the angel food cake pieces and place them on the bottom of your dish, pushing up against the sides and covering the bottom, then add in 1/3 of the orange mixture and add the mandarin oranges on top. Add another layer of angel food cake and continue layering until you run out of room in the dish or angel food cake, whichever comes first! Cover and stick in the fridge for about 6-8 hours. You can top it off with mint leaves and it's so pretty! Remember that it's sticky and messy, especially if it overflows!

3. wow, it's getting late. I have to study more tomorrow, my cousin is getting baptized, and we have the block party.
See ya later!

randomness

1. I'm officially taking my test on Halloween. I'm off on Halloween! After I have my license my work schedule will change to working Sun-Thurs b/c I am going to be holding our open houses on Sundays. I'll try to post here before my open houses so you will now where I'm at and we can hang out! If you know anyone looking for a new home or a first home, send them our way or to my open houses!
2. I'm getting a raise after I pass my test! YAY!!! This is so important to me right now, so deserved (yes, tooting my own horn!) but I really do work my butt of at work and my boss even told me that yesterday! In addition to my raise I am going to be compensated very well for any buyers that I bring in and any people I refer to our buyer's agent that we are helping to find a home. "money, money, money!"
3. David and I are getting along much better...we had a good, 3 hour long talk Monday night about a lot of things we have been needing to talk about and things are just much, much better now. Marriage counseling is super expensive so we're going to put that off for now, but it's always an option if need be.
4. I'm kinda getting to the point where I think I may be over-studying and I'm getting a little tired of it. My test is in 12 days and although I have to still take my final exam which would release me to take the BIG exam, I don't want to have a lot of time in between both tests so I don't forget anything!
5. Living with my dad is starting to get annoying...I didn't realize he was so opinionated and set in his ways...guess that's what I get for not living here for over 6 years!

I can't even think about anything else to write right now...time for Grey's!

People Keep Asking...

what I want for Christmas, my birthday, and as general gifts. I can't think of anything better to buy me than scrap supplies because I
a) am currently on a spending freeze,
b) am trying to not spend as much $ when I'm not on a freeze : ) and
c) can't seem to always find everything I want when I want it!


So here you go! Here is my mucho long list! Don't make fun because it's just one super big wish list! And hopefully some of you can get an idea of some of my tastes because I think that may help too!

(what I found that I want at the LSS)
~large 1.5 inch circle punch
~Becky Higgins "Sketches" book (whatever the last one is called!)
~snowflake "kaleidopunch"
~Heidi Swapp journaling book
~tab punch
~tag punch
~small rounded corner punch
~Maple Lane 8X8 lavendar post-bound album
~spiral bound album: the bigger the better, solid color, preferably black or red
~Zig 2-way glue (a must-have!)
~cutterbee bug: perforated
~large color wheel mask
~Zig markers
~small wire cutters

(all found on addictedtoscrapbooking.com)
~clear stamps: Dawn Houser Daydreams Thoughts of Fancy set by Inkadinkado
~clear stamps: textile borders by Inkadinkado
~butterflies in flight by serendipity stamps
~alpine bobbins ribbon by KI memories
~97% tags: Complete Wishes, 24 pieces by 7 Gypsies
~journal tabs, Cupid, 10 pieces by Sweetwater
~Lip Smackin' Ribbon, black, 8 yards, by Little Black Dress Designs
~large printed stitched tags by K&Co.
~templates, journaling genie, basic by Chatterbox
~recipe time chipboard by American Traditional Designs
~recipe time charms, silver, assorted, by American Traditional Designs
~12X12 recipe time paper collection, 18 sheets, by American Traditional Designs
~cardstock frames, dog, 2 pieces by Starfish and Dreams
~die-cut tags, Granny's Kitchen, by SEI
~12X12 scrapbook kit, Seaside Chapter AND Soft Satin Chapter, 4 pages by Scrapbook Wizard
~Sticky Swatches, Watermelon AND Apple Pie Too, by Scrapbook Wizard
~Decorative Ribbon, Kiwi Berry Cool Spool, 6 yards, by Scrapbook Wizard
~Tie Rack Ribbon, Coventry Set, 24 ft, by American Crafts
~Double-Sided Ribbon, Midtown Khaki, 24 ft, by American Crafts
~Events rolling stamp by 7 Gypsies
~ribbon labels, Celebrate AND Inspiration AND Family Times, set of 6 by Making Memories
~Charmed Phrases, Time AND Friends AND Pets, 4 charms, by Making Memories
~97% Complete dog stickers by 7 Gypsies
~single bloom stamp by Inkadinkado
~brush butterfly stamp by Penny Black
~the look of love rose stamp by Penny Black
~spiral notebook stamp by Inkadinkado
~creative words peg expressions stamps by Inkadinkado
~buttons uppercase alphabet by Inkadinkado
~dimensional Black Lab stickers by Jolee's
~transparent freeze frames, Las Vegas, by Magic
~12X12 scrapbook Dog kit by American Traditional Designs
~Bazzill Bling paper in red, black, pink, white, or blue
~photo banner stickers, dog, cardstock, by Cloud 9 Design
~ribbon words, dog multipack by Jolee's
~dimensional doggy bones stickers by Jolee's
~blank dog tags, stainless steel, set of 6 by American Tag Co.

(all found at Frugalities)
~double spiral album, black, large 12X12
~sparkle AND infatuation AND feather boa bling blossoms, small, paper flowers
~felt ribbon, 2.7", adhesive, purple floral AND dark blue snowflake AND red floral
~5.5 X 8.5", light orange peel texture card pack, 24 sheets
~8.5 X 11 cupcake trio AND ladybug trio assortment, 15 sheets
~envelopes, library, 3.5 X 4 1/8", wisteria AND red robin, set of 12
~Tie rack ribbon: tate AND bristol, 24 ft
~clear stamps: travel journal set AND friend journal set AND hanging by a thread AND things i love about you AND thank you AND favorite(I believe the last 2 are Heidi Swapp)
~stickers, puffy, flower center, jet, 6 pcs
~eyelets, 1/8", pink & brown, 72 pcs
~chipboard shapes, circles, pink, 18 pcs
~brads, XL, pink, 12 pcs
~chipboard winter embellishments, 6 X 12
~ribbon set, pink & brown, variety of 5 styles
~ghost alphabet, Bordeaux (heidi swapp), white, large
~spiral bound 12X12 crimson album
~old world assortment of 8X8 papers
~12X12 D-Ring purple chipboard album
~naked tag pockets, 3X3.25 embellishments
~edge scraper for antiquing/distressing
~embellishments, frames, credit card, family, 17 pcs
~trinkets, buttons, round, pink, 24 pcs
~97% Complete cardstock tag pockets
~decorative ribbon, basic black, 16 ft
~album, naked, 6.75 X 6.75 journal, 25 pages


so, uh....yeah....that's my list....there's a lot that I want! And there's more from the Oriental Trading catalog but I just can't even go on from here. So I hope that this helps all of you who have been so generously asking me what you can get me because it will be awhile before I can buy myself all of this.... : )

thanks for looking!
Jamis

It's Just Been CRAZINESS!!!!!

OK, that's it! I officially suck at blogging! It's been, what? 2 weeks? 3? Well, here I go!
What has my life consisted of?
~working
~studying
~sleeping
~eating
~arguing w/ David because he plays too many online video games and it's getting old!
~watching TV and/or movies while studying


Other than that, let's see here...we're go
~gonna have a lot of randomness, so prepare yourself!
~haven't really talked to my friends lately because when I do talk to them, I know there are going to be very emotional conversations between us, and I just can't deal with that right now because I am TRYING to STUDY!!!!
~just kinda been in my own "shell" trying to prepare myself for the RE license test in a few weeks...more like the week of 10/22!
~David is driving......me.....CRAZY. Seriously, if he doesn't knock his shit off, we are going to have to go to counseling soon or something...something has got to be done! (hence not talking about it with my friends because I have more pressing things to worry about lately!) Earlier I told him with the way it's going, we'll be lucky to hit 2 years! I'm not the kind of person who will just "take it" from someone else; I tell myself I'm in control of my own life, I believe it, and I live by it. Sometimes I don't think I'm strong enough to get through his video game addiction, and his subsequent temper (that he NEVER had before 18 months ago!) but I know I can do it.
~Enough of that.
~I love Grey's. It just makes me happy. So does "The Holiday"...that is such a great movie, we rented it last week and it just made me so happy to watch that I bought it at Target yesterday on sale for 10 bucks!
~Speaking of Target...I spent some $ there today, but $12 later...I have a new scrap space! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! I bought those wire cubes and rearranged the furniture so that I wasn't in the dark closet anymore and I have even better places for before for my stuff, and it's just really cool the way I did it, and doing so gave my sister and David more room in the office, too (we all 3 share the space). It just really worked out...now I have light! I have more space to work! It's not as claustrophobic as before! It's roomier! It's just FABULOUS!!!!
~My junk journal class is Nov. 10 and I am SO excited. I love Missy as an instructor, she's great! She is my "scrap twin" because she puts a lot on her pages like I do, and we pretty much scrap the same in terms of how much stuff we put on the page and "junking it up" as she likes to call it! I'm so excited, and I think I may also sign up for her other class on 11/3 that is called "the 12 days of Christmas"...looks pretty fun!
~I love Christmas. Partially because my birthday is 4 days before, and this year I will be 25 years old!!! AAAGGHH!!! One thing I do know is that I am getting a "surprise" birthday party and that is all I want. I've never had one because my family always had Christmas things to do, but I think it's appropriate to have one at 25, especially this year, 2007, for me. I've been through a lot this year, grown a lot, and I am looking forward to spending my birthday with all of my friends. I can't wait! Oh, how do I know about it? I told David he better do it or else! He's a horrible planner, so I told him to enlist my friends to help!
~Gotta study, gotta study, gotta study! I think that's all for now, gotta study!
Love!
Jamis

Our dog ran away!

Lacey ran away again! Grrr, we have GOT to get the fence fixed in the corner! When STL had that big storm last summer, a tree fell onto the fence in the right corner where the dogs can crawl underneath because it's so bent and run rampant all over the neighborhood. And it's my fault because I didn't put her on her chain...hopefully this isn't the beginning of a bad day already???

what a week!

It's been a crazy, crazy week for me here in STL!!! I love my job as a real estate assistant but it's kinda stressful at times! But I enjoy the stress....there are some days I don't mind working late, but that's OK for now since we don't have kids. I don't even know what I would do right now if we did have kids....I'm kinda stressed out right now because I'm studying to take my real estate license test sometime in October and I despised test-taking. They make me nervous, make me forget things and I just kind of spazz out when I look at all the options available to me. But I keep trying to tell myself that I should treat it like the ACT I took to get into college...no, I didn't do well in math/science, but I DID score a perfect 36 on both English and reading! So the moral is to go with my strengths and definitely study my tushy off for the rest! So to de-stress, we went to the Cardinals game last night. For those of you who don't know, I am not "direction-oriented" whatsoever so I had to go from my work to UMSL where David works to Busch Stadium, and I followed him the whole way. We got separated, so I called him, put the phone on speaker in my lap, and we kinda hung out when we were driving there! I didn't freak out because that plan totally worked. I said, "Honey, if you turn left or right, just tell me so I can do the same since I can't see you anymore!" and things worked out perfectly. Driving in STL is sometimes a pain in the tushy, especially when there's any sort of game going on downtown! So we parked, but he couldn't find the cash I gave him for parking (also the ONLY cash we had on us!) and I had to go to the bathroom SUPER bad! So I'm patiently (this word doesn't even describe me on a usual occasion, but I needed to calm down so I wouldn't have an accident!) waiting for him to find the $ when the attendant says, "dude....what about the visor?" in that SoCal surfer-dude way that's kinda hot out of some guys (not this one!) And...there it was! So we gave him a big tip. Notes to self: 1. never give David cash! 2. Park closer to the stadium next time!

And we lost to the Astros 18-1. How sad! We were WORLD SERIES CHAMPS last year, for goodness sake! But we've had a lot of injuries this year, David said, so....haha, who am I kidding? I haven't been to a baseball game in 8 years, when I was 16 with my ex-boyfriend! I could care less about pro sports, really....I think there are more important people to support than people who are already making millions! But that's the part of me that makes me a "save the world" kind of girl, so I don't feel too bad about that statement. I would much rather give my time, energy, and money to a women's shelter or a rape crisis center.

OK, on to a lighter topic! I cannot WAIT to get my RE license because then that means that I can start scrapbooking again! I haven't really been able to do anything in the past few months because I've been busy with my RE course and now studying for my license test that is next month. I'm taking a class for a "junk journal" in November, and I'm WAAAAY excited! Missy is teaching it, and I thought she did a fabulous job teaching us on SDU weekend about 2 months ago!

The most exciting part of my week has been making 3 scrap pals on the CKMB. I am SOOO pumped up about this because I LOOOOOOOOVE meeting new people, and I also LOOOOOVE giving people things! I have one in Vegas (you know that city is important to me!), one in Tulsa, OK (and she's from STL!!! whooooo hoooo!), and one in Kansas (hopefully she's not a Jayhawks fan! GOOOOOOO TIGERS!!!!!)

Oh, right, I'm not a sports fan! Well, not really.....but I loooooove anything MIZZOU!!!! That place changed my life! The 4 1/2 years I was in college were the best years of my life, and 2 of those years were completely life-changing. I miss college life! I love you, Truman!

I'm going to try to post my scrapbook for Grace when I get a chance.

"Who is Grace?", you ask? ahhhhh....that's another post for another time! But the first person to guess will get a prize!

Love,
Jamis