Can We stop This Thing

I need to get off this ride for a while. Seriously, I am behind....in every area of my life.

I am playing catch up around digi world with a lot of RAK's/CT Assignments, and getting some layouts done. I am needing a maid, then constantly reminding myself that I am one. I have about 50 gabillion things to do, and have truly only myself to blame......UGH!!!!!

We are even skipping a traditional Thanksgiving meal this year because between my Dad's hospital stay and Mark's work schedule.......the day will be passing like any other.

I have been busy looking through all those crazy vacation pics, and I have to say....it sure looks like we had fun! Emilee and Kendall really tested their roller coaster skills, and made a pact to ride each one in sets of FIVE. So if they rode once, then they had to ride four more times. Fun, huh? What did this mean to me and Mark...we found a piece of bench, a cold beer, and waited.....not exactly in that order...hahahahahahaha! After Emi got ont her first BIG roller coaster ride, she was hooked, as we knew she would be.This is a two pager of just some of the pics on the Rockin' Rollar Coaster:

They rode this one "25" times !!!!!!!!

I use a kit that is part of several that Kathryn Estry has made with a whole "fifties" kinda feel and put them into a bundle or you can buy them seperate, called:

Sunset Strip and Ponytails

You can find them HERE

Here is the photo from the ride itself that I extracted and placed upside down in that car on the cool sign they have at the ride entrance:

How funny are those faces....my husband is a dork! He knew exactly where every camera for every ride was, so there are tons of photos with a various degree of facial expressions happening! Kendall looks like her eyes are popping out, and Emi just glad she is there!

I will be posting tons of layout as the month draws to an end, so bear with me and the overload.

Hope this post finds everyone well, and getting ready for Turkey Day!

Disclosure Policy

Everyone in blog world should know what this is by now, so here is mine.

Danyale Lewis(gette3) Bygones Custom Scrapbooking

This policy is valid from 22 November 2009
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Danyale Lewis (bygonesscrapbooks@bellsouth.net).
This blog does not accept any form of advertising, sponsorship, or paid insertions. We write for our own purposes. However, we may be influenced by our background, occupation, religion, political affiliation or experience.
This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.
The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.
This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.
To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

This post wil be placed in "Shortcuts to the Fun Stuff" on the right side of my blog for future reference. Thank You.

A Birthday Blog Train !!

This month, Gotta Pixel is celebrating its 4th birthday. And we have been having a blast with all the exciting events going on, but we are also giving away over $2,000 worth of Prizes! Each week new things are being given, and new events going on, and this week is nothing short of it! We are kicking off this weekend with a HUGE Blog train! And its just for YOU! The entire team has collabed together to bring you an amazing shabby chic collection with something sure for everyone! This just kicks off the events we have listed here, as well as the Grab Bag Event going on, that is packed full of savings.

Here is My Gift to you for our Blog Train:

***Linked Expired ***

These are perfect for those gift baskets we all give. Fill it with a gift certificate, a bottle of wine, and a couple of candles...you have the perfect couples gift.....I love these myself, LOL!!! I have made some wraps perfect for photos and a couple for printing off you own text choice. I printed out a friend's favorite scripture for her, and it added an even more personal touch on her present. The wraps will also make a great addition to your own candles in your home. Just wrap them up instead of buying new for holiday decorations or just for a decorational change!

This is just one stop on your blog trip. Here is a list of all the participating blogs that have something special waiting for you, The links will remain active on these blogs until 22nd of November at 11:59 pm EST. Should you get lost along your way, you can always visit here, or the Gotta Pixel Blog for complete list of participants:

GottaPixel: http://www.gottapixel.net/blog
Liz: http://www.sweetdigiscraps.blogspot.com/
KarenS (Alpha): http://www.myownfont.blogspot.com/
Karen Lewis: http://scrappingmum.blogspot.com/
Kristmess Designs: http://www.kristmessdesigns.blogspot.com/
Sara Ellis: http://scrapsillysara.blogspot.com/
Crisdam Designs: http://www.busyfingers-digiscrap.blogspot.com/
Heather T : http://oohlalaartsy.blogspot.com/
Laura Burger: http://digidesignerlaura.blogspot.com/
Sarah : http://blog.sarahbdesigns.net/
Connie Prince: http://scrapinfusions.blogspot.com/
simply.scraps: http://www.simply-scraps.net/
Kathryn Estry: http://kathrynsdigitaldesigns.blogspot.com/
Marta Van Eck : http://www.martavaneck.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Barrette : http://www.jenniferbarrettedesigns.blogspot.com/
Colie's Corner: http://coliescorner.blogspot.com/
Elka Romero : http://elkaromero.com/
Julie Marie : http://juliemariedesigns.com/blog
Captivated Visions : http://blog.captivatedvisions.co.uk/
Doohikey Designs: http://doohikeydesigns.com/
Cherie Shields: http://cshieldsdesigns.blogspot.com/
Creations by Rachael: http://www.creationsbyrachaelb.com/wordpress/
Lorie M: http://digiscrapdesigns-by-lorie.blogspot.com/
Dustybear: http://dustybeardesigns.blogspot.com/
Melinda: http://mindys365project.blogspot.com/
Leigh: http://tricertifiedx2digitalworld.blogspot.com/
Kim: http://time2scrap.blogspot.com/
Danyale: http://bygonesscrapbooks.blogspot.com/  **(You Are Here)**
Cindy: http://cindyb-scrappinlikecrazy.blogspot.com/
Wendy: http://www.inadigitaldaze.blogspot.com/
Dana: http://scrappydoosordonts.blogspot.com/
Kerri: http://www.kayjaysdays.blogspot.com/
Chbranch: http://fmndesigns.blogspot.com/
Katie: http://www.felixfam.blogspot.com/
Lisa: http://scrappylisa.blogspot.com/
Leilani: http://leidee-q.blogspot.com/

Santa Clause Pj's and an Elephant

There are some mornings that remind you of where you are in life. No longer am I waking to baby cries, or toddler pokes. Gone are the days when five more minutes actually means that. There are just moments that happen, and if you start watching closely you will see them...obscurely...that set the tone for what our day or life has in store. Such as, we all know by now when I get down to the Mickey or Blue's Clue's spoon, I need to turn on the dishwasher. If I get up and the house has enough of a chill that I need to wear my funkycuteEmipickedthemoutbyherself lime green pj's with Santa's on them......then what we have that passes as winter here in Florida, may be close to happening...hahahahaha! This morning, our poor kitten crawled under the covers in Mark's empty spot, and with one swipe of a cold little nose...I knew I had a new informer of  "Hey lady, turn on the heat". I don't take these snippets of what is happening around me lightly. I know that I miss things everday. Somewhere between sweating over the un-usual post hurricane 80-90 sweltering days we had of last week past, and the current pre-menopausal personal summer I contiually experience, cool air has come to town......thankfully.
This morning marks another day when life seems to be moving on regardless of how many times you say "I just need to breathe right now". I am drinking down my usual cuppa (still makes me smile, Kerry...heehee), and hoping that the stars are aligned and things go smoothly getting everyone out of the door this morning. My father is undergoing his SECOND open heart surgery within 9 years. The quadruple bypass they did then, has failed him and another roto rooting must be done. Maybe it is age, or life experience....but I have been plagued by an uneasiness all week. A sense of bad news ahead. Of course this is hard on everyone. You feel too many emotions to lay claim to any specific one, but they all hurt in some fashion.....so who cares what they are called. Feeling them is enough. Sleeping had become a blur of some former activity I know I particpated in at some point, but the effects have long wore off. As I hope this coffee sustains me, for food is not an option in the old rumbly tumbly....I leave you today with some unsolicitated advice. Life is the journey, not the destination. Think about all those little things that happen around you that could be missed, and claim them. They are the humor that gets you through the day....imagine me, bed head and a Blue's Clue's spoon, stirring coffee in a Mickey Mouse "Big Cheese" mug, wrapped in dancing Santa pj's, with way too many lines on my face the sheest did not create....and you have a moment. A perfect time to smile to myself, take a deep breath and say.....I am happy I am here. The day can only claim you if you let it.

Thanks in advance for those well wishes for my Dad I know you are thinking.

Now, if only this elephant would get off my chest.

Photoless Layout

This week has been really crazy with returning from WDW, H1N1, sales, cook-outs, banquets....I really could go on. On top of just being plain busy, we recived some news that my Mom's breast cancer may have returned. We are awaiting test from a biopsy and from a bone chip they successfully removed during a recent vertebroplasty....yes, on top of news...also a compression fracture in her spine. There really isn't much I could say, us daughters and our guilt, but I was able to make a layout for a challenge at GP using that guilt. I am really big on journaling, and always wanted to make a "Journaled Scrapbook". This is one of many layouts I have significant journaling on, but the first picture-less. I used Sweet Digi Scraps new kit called: Sick Day

DCIS...and my Mom

This is one of the most common non-invasive cancers women get. The warning signs are subtle and really seem to be caught only by mammogram. I have linked a site for all my friends. Please take a moment to read through information about your ta-ta's. She found hers by complete accident. One vice squeeze to forever change a life.

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

She successfully completed her radiation and only had a mild set back with MRSA. There really are no photos for these types of situations, and I think it is really important to journal. Test, test and more test in the next weeks to let us know where she is with this new lump.

There are many things that polite converation or pre-concieved notions don't allow us to say. So many thoughts I want my children to know I have, but their age preventing me from placing it on their shoulders to soon. Clearly, I have been writing like crazy lately. My characters are really giving me some mojo to capture with another chapter on my book almost done, and I am thinking of sharing it with a friend or two that has no loyalty...in hopes of getting a fresh few of where my chapters are at.

I will someday, submit my book or books. I will someday have words on paper that you can feel. My life dream and thoughts will make someone smile or think...... just because an arrant thought I put down struck them in some way. My mother will survive and be alive to one day see it all.

I will, someday.

$1 Gotta Grab It

It's that time again, the monthly Gotta Grab It Event. As if the birthday celebrations and the recent stupid amazing DSD sale wasn't enough?????....the designers decided to do the GGI as well!

Gotta Grab It Link

and how about those colors! We often, as scrappers, ask for unique color themes to help with having layouts that use non traditional colors or elements. Well, ask and you shall recieve our designers said...WOOHOO!!

Make sure you take some time to check out the sale, as it is only a three day event, then they go into the store at regular prices.....and no one can beat a $1!!!!!

I Need a Pee-Shooter for PSE!!!!

Coming back from vacation means you get go through all those photos and see which ones you want to scrap first....right. Of course! But oh, not me......I have been having a mental melt down for two days over PSE and lost layouts.......UGH!!!! Someone send me a pee-shooter....PLEASE!!!!

I have managed to remove and re-install PSE, but my layouts are gone as they were still open when it froze. Such a albatross system...I really do need to win an EHD, or buy one.........wait, I like the idea of winning one better, LOL!

I was able to get one layout saved before the stupid program went kaput. It is of Asha using one of many photos I haven't scrapped because my old camera...well, just sucked!.....gosh, is this a theme I have going here? The photo was blurry, so I extracted it and sharpened as much as I could.

Asha was particulary quiet one day, and I felt the need to investigate. When I found her she was amidst a PILE of books in the corner of Jello's room......all Dr Seuss...she likes me to make sounds and voices when we read them...oh, and talk real fast where they rhyme....miss this so much!

You will notice the book is upside down, but she was steadily blabbing away, reading to all the stuff animals she had strategically placed about here as well.....soo sweet and cute that little girl!

The kit is a new one by Liz, called Snuggle Bunnies

It can be found in her Sweet Digi Scrap Store at Gotta Pixel...

click HERE to go snap it up!

I will try to drum up the energy to re-do my two other layouts tonight.....sigh and double sigh

and I was close to being caught up, darn!

Also, don't forget the Truth or Dare Chat with Liz tonight at 8 pm est.

You can find the thread with all the information HERE.

Later chicks!

Back and Loaded!!!!

Several things are foremost in my mind today......

447 Google Reader post to go through, 147 e-mails, my own coffee in my own mug, and the sales I am trying to catch before they end all around digi world! My credit card needs CPR!

I really don't know what to say about the first two, other than as I told Liz last night.....I don't even know 147 people! One week away and I have tons of stuff to sort through. What is even more amazing?...I had already checked my e-mails on a sneek at the resort wi-fi lounge on Wednesday!

 As for the sales, my favorite at this point is at Gotta Pixel.......I love 50% off!!

You can click HERE 

The link will take you directly to the store for the last day of DSD sales, today...so run, don't walk. 

I will be back often this week with tons of photos and layouts as I play catch up. And yes......we had fun, it was relaxing to get away....but I have never felt the need for personal space more than I do now. I couldn't live in a big city, as this beach girl is used to open spaces and Southern hospitality you don't find so much anywhere else. So as I revive my mind and warm my soul, my hope is that this finds all my blog friends well. 

Thank you so much for all the kind e-mails about Emi's H1N1 bout. She is doing really well, no fever/cough or headache now. It will take some time to put back on the pounds she lost, poor thing is back down to a little over 100lbs, but we will fatten her up by Christmas I am sure. I sprayed disinfectant on this post liberally so no worries on your side of the computer....hahahahahahaha!

Happy Birthday Gotta Pixel!!!!!!

Today is the first day of a month long birthday celebration!

Make sure you come by for the fabulous signing up of a series of fun days filled with laughs, challenges and tons of birthday surprises and RAK's.

You can go directly to the party forum by clicking HERE!!!!

Remember my mentioning in the previous post that we have all changed our titles to "non-titles" around GP! Well the "Queen of Sarcasm" also has a new avatar.....It was so much fun, as I have had the same grainy, yuck picture up for over a year. Emi was practicing with her new camera, and I was her test subject one afternoon when I came home from getting my hair did!!! I won't show you the photo or the avatar here, you will just have to go the site, click around the forums and gallery until you find me...heeheeheehee.....

I will give you one hint...I do now have a crown...duh, of course...every queen should!

There have been some others that have seriously cracked me up. I hate I will miss all the new ones that will be created while I am out this week, so if you find one that makes you particulary laugh, please feel free to come back and leave me a comment so I can go look too as soon as I get home.

Let's Get It Started!!!!!

It's Almost Here!

Gotta Pixel is turning "4" and we are turning on the celebration!

It  is not everyday your baby turns four, so Stacey and Liz have pulled out the stops and blown this party out of control! The games, prizes and hang time with friends is going to be crazy!

CLICKING HERE TO TAKE YOU TO THE FORUM FOR DETAILS

I couldn't possible do the announcement justice, so trust me when I say it is crazy nuts what is planned. There are tons of challenges, games, RAK's galore, blog trains, speed scraps.......literally something to do everyday! I know the ad says the prizes are worth over $1200.00 dollars, but to let you in on a little secret...that amount is actually well over $1500.00!!!!!!!

Starting November 1st and lasting ALL month, there is a continuous celebration yo have to take part in. I will try to add blog here and there about secret events as they happen, but you need to sign up in the forum/gallery just in case I miss something you want to be a part of.

I hope to see all of you there, as even those of us on the site creative/pixel praise team are getting our own set of prizes too. That should show you what a fabulous place we hang out.....they appreciate all of us....:)

And a little something new is we get to choose our own titles now, no more stuffy admin duties to define us.....so "The Queen of Sarcasm" will be around to see what you have named yourself....bwaaaaahaahaahahahahaha!