Jan's Corner

Income Taxes

2009-01-17T08:50:00.002-07:00

I didn't want to go to school yesterday, but needed to go to have our taxes done. There were two guys that specialized in teacher taxes that were going to be there. Since we'd already received our W-2, I gathered all my paper work and went to school.
I usually do our taxes, but was curious about items that he could do. I'd known about "Forced Housing", but didn't know that we could include utilities with out rent. I also didn't exactly know where to place this on the form since we don't itemize our deductions. He placed it in the first section as a negative to our income.
Now, you're probably wondering what is "Forced Housing". Because we are forced to live in teacher housing (no other is available) we can subtract rent, electric and propane. One of the advantages of living on an Indian Reservation.
To make a short story of this - we're getting back over $3000, but we have to pay $150 to Arizona.
The $3000 will go towards a car.

Exciting News!

2009-01-07T18:26:00.002-07:00

THERE"S going to be a crop at Coordinates Collections this weekend. The crop starts on the 9th and ends on the 11th. But the challenges will be posted on Thursday evening. The prizes are always great - so come join in the fun.

Lots go Wrong!

2009-01-07T12:02:00.003-07:00

I haven't written on my BLOG before we left for our Christmas break up in Provo with Ben and Rachel. On our way up, our car broke down and we had to call Ben to come and get us. So we were without transportation while in Provo. I learned to ride the bus and had the routes memorized to the motel and to Rachel's apartment and to the stores.

Rachel is without a job, so we had committed to do her rent for another month so she could look for work. That $400 out of Gerry's paycheck is hitting us hard now that we need to get a new car.

I'm finally in the groove to scrap. We came home from Provo all sick with colds and flu and it's taken me this long to get well. Now that my energy is being renewed, so is my desire to scrap.

Christmas Carols

2008-12-09T11:49:00.002-07:00

A Christmas Carol Game

The following are all titles of Christmas Carols. Can you wade through the Guv'ment doublespeak and translate? Go ahead and add your answers to the comments.

1. Colorless Yuletide
2. Castanea Seed Vesicated in a Conflagration
3. Singular Yearning for the Twin Anterior Incisors
4. Righteous Darkness
5. Arrival Time: 24:00 Hours/Weather Conditions: Cloudless
6. Loyal Followers Advance
7. Far Off in a Feedbox
8. Array the Corridors
9. Lilliputian Male Percussionist
10. Monarchial Triad
11. Nocturnal Noiselessness
12. Jehovah Deactivate Blithe Chevaliers
13. Red Man en Route to Borough
14. Frozen Precipitation Commence
15. Proceed and Enlighten on the Pinnacle
16. Antlered Quadruped Valentino Namesake with the Vermilion Proboscis
17. Query, regarding the Identity of Juvenile
18. Delight for this Planet
19. Give Attention to the Melodious Celestial Beings
20. The Gross Square Root Festive Twenty-four Hour Intervals
21. Jocund Elderly Martyr Lacking Five Cent Pieces
22. Expect My Arrival at My Domicile for Yuletide
23. Tintinabulate Hollow, Cup-shaped Metal Instruments
24. Perambulating in a Terrain of Stupefaction from 12/21 to 3/19
25. Oh Diminutive Hamlet of Israel South of Jerusalem
26. Hallucinating About an Ivory Yuletide in the First Person Narrative
27. Metallic Element AG Cup-shaped musical Instruments
28. Oh Yuletide Tall Woody Plant
29. I Witnessed Maternal Parent Osculating Bewhiskered Male in a Carmine Ensemble
30. Female Ancestor Experienced Collision with Rangifer Tarandus
31. Boreal Ice Crystal Homo Sapien
32. To This Place Advances the Personification of the Spirit of Christmas

Christmas Cards

2008-11-29T12:05:00.002-07:00

I've been busy making Christmas Cards. I won't show them all - but just the main designs.

LOST IT!!!!!

2008-11-28T07:35:00.002-07:00

I almost lost all of my Cosmo Cricut stuff that I received as Design Team member at Scrapcity! I went to get started on the 4 layouts that I have to do and couldn't find ANY of it. I had left it all in the box it was shipped in so that it wouldn't get mixed up with my own stuff. My husband had taken the trash out the night before! Yes, you guessed it! He thought it was trash. We were blessed in that the garbage was picked up a day early and we missed it. I was out early Thanksgiving morning in the pouring rain looking for my box of stuff. Found it - thank goodness! Now to get busy!

If only I'd had my camera clicking away! I might stage a photo - it would make a great layout.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T13:26:00.002-07:00

We are off to a slow start today. Because I had to drive to Blanding to pick up Rachel, I didn't get my pies baked last night. So I baked this morning and couldn't put my turkey in until the pies were done. I'm still not over being sick, so this slower schedule is fine with me. Gerry called and invited the missionaries over for turkey dinner this evening.

Happy BIrthday to Me!

2008-11-25T14:17:00.003-07:00

I have the worst present today - I'm sick! I hope that it's just a 24 hour flu. My daughter Rachel is coming home tomorrow and we have to drive up to Blanding to pick her up (2 hour drive each way)
normally it's an 8 hour drive to Provo, but she was able to catch a ride that far.
She was asking on the phone that if I'm sick then who's going to cook Thanksgiving DInner. grrrrr

Internet DOWN!!!

2008-11-20T11:33:00.001-07:00

My internet is down, so I've not been able to update this like I wanted to.

Gerry chaperoned a High school field trip Tuesday and Wednesday and Andrew was one of the students on the trip. So that left me "Home Alone" except for the dog.

I'm over at the school library now trying to get everything caught up.

WEEKEND Crops starting Nov 14

2008-11-14T06:34:00.005-07:00

Another busy weekend of online crops!
Scrapbook Dreamer is having a November crop Nov 14-17
Scrapbook Heaven is hosting a 12 Days of Christmas Crop. It started yesterday, but you're not too late to participate. It runs from Nov 13-24. It looks to me like the crop is going to be a Christmas project a day - can't tell for sure yet.
Sassy Scrappers is having a crop that starts on Monday the 17th and goes until the 21st (uploads due the 23rd)
And the one that I'm involved in:
ScrapCity is having a Game Show Crop. I've been busy getting two of the challenges ready and 1 game ready. The crop is based on TV Game Shows and runs from November 17 th to the 24th. I have a challenge based on the game show "The Newlywed Game" and another challenge based on the game show "Queen for a Day". My game for the crop is based on the TV show "The Match Game"

2008-11-14T04:52:00.002-07:00

Thankful/welcome banner class

My good friend, Jennifer French is hosting another class at Scrapbook Heaven. This time they will be making a banner! You have probably seen pictures of them in magazines or on the web, but wondered how you could make one. She is so excited to help you create one, too. The banner looks awesome and the colors are just gorgeous, lots of Crate Paper lemon grass. Another thing about this banner is it is multi-functional. Hang it out around Thanksgiving when it shows "thankful" and flip it around to have it say "welcome" How fun is that!
You can purchase your banner kit here
You can learn more about the banner by visiting Jennifer's blog . Live, laugh, love...scrap!
Here's a sneak picture that I borrowed from Jennifer's blog.

Layouts from the Weekend!

2008-11-13T05:25:00.002-07:00

These are the four layouts that I made while in my motel room this past weekend. Notice that one that was created using my breakfast papers.

Weekend Away!

2008-11-10T13:30:00.004-07:00

Gerry and I left Friday right after school to go to Flagstaff for the weekend. Gerry had to take two tests on Saturday (each of them 4 hours long); these are for recertification. We stayed two nights at Motel 6 - I don't mind the older motel since the rooms were only $37 a night. It sure beats $100 bucks a night especially as tight as money was for the trip.

Of course, I brought my tote of scrapping supplies and was able to get 4 layouts done. And I only sneaked off one time to visit a scrap store - I had run out of adhesives at home. Three of those layouts were for my Creative Team Reveal at ScrapCity so I can't post them here yet.

It was a very relaxing trip; it took us four hours to drive home rather than the usual 3. We stopped a lot for snacks, lunch, supper to take home (Can't you tell that we miss being able to eat out)

Layout Tallies - 61 finished in October!

2008-11-06T07:39:00.009-07:00

Wow! I've been keeping a running track of my layouts for each month. Thankfully for 2 Sassy Scrappers I've been able to list all my creations for the months of September and October on their site in a special tally for each month. I'm really embarrassed that I've won the Tally both during Sept and Oct, and I'm afraid that I'll scare off the others into thinking that they won't have a chance. I was asking my husband what to do, and he suggested that I keep the tally on my Blog. He always comes up with the best ideas!
So over on the right hand column towards the bottom is a list of all the layouts that I made during October. I didn't list the cards or the mini album.
Now I have a question for everyone. I'm going to be adding my November list towards the top of the right hand column. Should I give a link for each layout or just do a list?????

Oh, in case you're interested: I did 26 layouts during August, 66 during Sept, and 61 during Oct.

I've Been TAGGED

2008-11-03T09:19:00.002-07:00

The Rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you AUDREY
2. Post the rules on your blog (this is what you are now reading).
3. List 6 random things about yourself.
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up!

Here are six random things about me:

1) I used to teach Home Ec and it wasn't work since I enjoyed so much .

2) My favorite color is teal.

3) This is my sixteenth year of living on the Navajo Reservation (not consecutively).

4) I love to read and when I'm in the mood I'll read a book a day.

5) I was born up in Canada.

6) I love olives, nuts of any kind, salmon (actually all fish). I've finally convinced my family to enjoy cold salmon, now to get them to like olives and nuts.

The six people I am tagging are:
Susie
Nancy
Tina
Lora
Madge
Jennifer

To Go With Tarantula Story

2008-11-03T09:13:00.002-07:00

Here's my layout about Andrew's run-in with a tarantula that I told about on Wednesday.

NOVEMBER HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES

2008-11-01T01:08:00.002-06:00

November Is:

Adoption Awareness Month

Alzheimer's Disease Month

Apple Month

Child Safety & Protection Month

Christmas Seals month

Diabetes Month

Drum Month (International)

Epilepsy Month

Hospice Month

Native-American Heritage Month

November Special Weeks are:

Medical Staff Services Week - 1st wk

Radiologic Technology Week - 2nd wk

World Kindness Week - 2nd wk

American Education Week - 3rd wk

Bladder Health Week - 3rd wk

Lung Cancer Awareness Week - 3rd wk

Bible Week - 4th wk

Family Caregivers Week - 4th wk

Family Week - 4th wk

November Special Days & Observances

All Saints Day - Nov 1

Daylight Standard Time Ends - Nov 2

Digital Scrapbooking Day - Nov 2

All Souls Day - Nov 3

Bean Day - Nov 3

Housewife's Day - Nov 3

Sandwich Day - Nov 3

Election Day - Nov 4

Guy Fawkes Day - Nov 5

Dunce Day - Nov 8

Punster Day - Nov 8

Anniversary of Berlin Wall Falling - Nov 9

Neon Sign Day - Nov 9

US Marine Corps Day - Nov 10

Sadie Hawkins Day - Nov 10

anniversary of Sesame Street (Premiered 1969) - Nov 10

Remembrance Day (Canada & Australia) - Nov 11

Veteran's Day - Nov 11

National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day - Nov 12

World Kindness Day - Nov 13

Indian Pudding Day - Nov 13

America Recycles Day - Nov 15

Teddy Bear Day - Nov 15

Anniversay of Oklahoma becoming state - Nov 16

World Peace Day - Nov 17

Anniversay of the Gettysburg Address - Nov 19

Pencil Day - Nov 19

Universal Children's Day (international) - Nov 20

Great American Smokeout - Nov 20

Anniversay of JFK Assassination - Nov 22

Parfait Day - Nov 25

Thanksgiving - Nov 27

Black Friday - Nov 28

Buy Nothing Day (US & Canada) - Nov 28

St Andrew's Day (Patron Saint of Scotland) - Nov 30

Computer Security Day - Nov 30

Halloween Early ? Oh, No!!!!

2008-10-31T15:15:00.002-06:00

Yes, they all came a day early! Last night when we got home all the streets in our housing area were cordoned off with yellow crime tape and all the streets were blocked to through traffic. Dozens and dozens of children out walking.
We had to get the security guard to lift the yellow tape for us to drive under.
We'd been at the high school library since my DH has to open it for the community twice a week in the evenings. I don't know why they didn't send notice to ALL the school teachers about the early trick or treating.
The elementary school at the end of our housing was having it's yearly halloween carnival and that's why all the trick or treaters. We went through all of our candy. I'm not driving to town to buy more, so hopefully we won't have any trick or treaters tonight.

Online Crops- weekend of Oct 31- Nov 2

2008-10-30T10:37:00.003-06:00

I found four crops that look fun. One was actually on Wednesday, but you have until Nov 2 to complete the challenges.
1. Scrapperie
2. Sugar-n-Spice Scrapbook
3. Chatty Scrappers
4. Crop Stop

Scrapperie Weird and Wacky Wednesday Crop started Wednesday - ends midnight Sunday Nov 2 (don't know which time zone)

Sugar-N-Spice Scrapbook is having a HUGE CYBER CROP on Sat & Sun (Nov 1-2). Visit them at sugarnspicescrapbook.com

When you register send them a quick email so I can quickly approve your registration, info@sugarnspicescrapbook.com

One lucky winner will receive a free kit and a GUEST DESIGN TEAM SPOT for December!!!
There will be many other prizes given away.

Dates:SAT-SUN Nov. 1-2
9am EST to 10pm PST

And a brand new site - Chatty Scrappers is having a kick-off crop starting Friday, Oct 31st and going through Tuesday, Nov 4th. All challenges have to be uploaded by Midnight (PST) on the 4th. Here's the link so you can get registered. http://chattyscrappers.com/phpBB2/

And just one more that I haven't explored too much yet. http://www.cropstopcommunity.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=58 They too are having a grand opening crop this weekend starting Sat Nov 1st at 9am (EST) and all challenges are due the following weekend - Nov 9th at 9pm (EST) So go to CROP STOP and check it out.

Freaky Weekend

2008-10-26T05:19:00.002-06:00

This was definitely a freaky Weekend. Friday night was especially eventful. I was on the computer when my son, Andrew started screaming. Now, this is my 19 year old son! There was this 6 inch Tarantula walking across the diningroom floor. Both of our hearts are beating hard. Andrew could have pasted as a ghost - his face was pure white.

We threw a tupperware container over it. And then when my son was trying to get it into a more permanent container, another blood curdling scream came out. Our black Labrador, Susie, had quietly come up beside Andrew to see what was happening and scared him to death.

7 Hour Layout - REVEALED finally!

2008-10-25T06:05:00.004-06:00

Here's my layout that took 7 hours to create. This is my daughter, Rachel!

I've been asked what size this is. It's two 12x12 pages. I had to slice down the middle of the third photo to get it to span both sides.

2nd online crop this weekend!

2008-10-24T09:32:00.003-06:00

http://scrapbookcircle.ning.com/ That's the link for a second online crop at Scrapbook Circle this weekend. I'm on my way over to check it out!

It look's like it will be fun. It starts today and ends Sunday, October 26th at 4pm Mountain Standard time

Friday Crop - Scrapbook Heaven

2008-10-23T20:58:00.001-06:00

Are you READY for some ghoulish fun? Want to play some games, do some scrapping, and join in some great conversation!? The more you participate , the more chances you have to win the drawing for the Freak Prize.

Plan to join in the Freaky Friday Crop
at Scrapbook Heaven.
October 24, 2008
6 p.m. EST to Midnight

Come dressed in costume (avatar)

Mark you calendars and plan to attend......you won't want to miss the MONSTER MASH!

7 Hours - I think that's a record

2008-10-22T08:26:00.003-06:00

I spent 7 hours on a 2 pager layout yesterday. Wow! I don't think that's ever happened before. Usually I average 1-2 hours on each. The one that I worked on last night was a mosaic. It was for a challenge over on Scrappy Jo and until they reveal the layouts there I can't post it here. As soon as I can, I'll post it and let you see my masterpiece.

I couldn't come up with a name and don't know if it even needs one. When you see it, let me know your ideas.

Online crops for the weekend of Oct 17

2008-10-17T11:01:00.002-06:00

There is going to be a "Save the ta-tas" crop at http://www.scrapadilly.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=63 on Oct 17 -22. So come join in the fun and get some scrapping done!

BEAUTY - word for the week on Scrapbook Heaven

2008-10-15T10:31:00.001-06:00

My daughter is a real beauty and I'll share some things about her later!

ScrapCity "Pink Crop"

2008-10-14T11:36:00.000-06:00

ScrapCity "Pink Crop"

2008-10-14T11:24:00.002-06:00

2 Different Crops This past Weekend - Coordinates Collections

2008-10-14T10:13:00.004-06:00

There are my layouts that were done at the Coordinates Collections "Fall Crop" this past weekend!!!

March News

2008-03-25T13:12:00.000-06:00

Where have I been? I guess BLOGGING scares me more than you could imagine. Too new of an idea.

Oh, well, I'll just have to deal with it and stop procrastinating!

Here's some of my latest layouts!

Great grandpa

2007-10-30T17:03:00.000-06:00

This is a layout about my great-grandfather, George Washington Clark
I made it to enter a Prima Contest on Coordinates Collections and used products from their kits.

Someone asked me if that was a rifle or stick across his lap. It's a walking stick!

Published layout

2007-10-30T16:42:00.000-06:00

This is my first published layout. I'm so proud!!!!!
It was published in the Oct/Nov 2007 issue of Somerset Memories

This is me as a child about 1 year old, swinging in the backyard where my dad had made a swing.

Welcome!!!!

2007-10-24T15:51:00.000-06:00

Welcome to my new BLOG! I swore that I probably would never blog,
but here I am and here is Jan's Corner.