Do I really have time for this???

2009-07-18T00:40:00.001-07:00

In honor of Joe's birthday here is a great story that reminds me of him......
Enjoy

I love this
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.

The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.

Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full.

The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.

The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car..

The sand is everything else---the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children.

Spend time with your parents.

Visit with grandparents.

Take your spouse out to dinner.

Play another 18.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.

Set your priorities.

The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.

The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'

The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend..

-- Post From My Mind
posted by manny4real at 8:35 pm
I

Special Day

2009-07-18T00:25:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Joe!! You are an awesome Dad, a loving Husband and a super supportive scrapbook widower.

Technology... Ain't it great....

2009-07-03T21:27:00.001-07:00

So I haven't posted in forever I know. Ever since getting my iPod touch I rarely sit down in front of my PC, since I can check everything online remotely from my iPod, My nephew I showed me a new feature that allows me to update my blog this way also! I will try to stay current.... We'll see ;0)

What we've been up to.....

2009-05-25T22:32:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox postcard

HAPPY EASTER

2009-04-12T09:36:00.001-07:00

2009-04-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

MY LIFE IN PICTURES

The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
Lisa Mare, this is a picture of Elvis Presleys Plane named for his Lisa Marie
2. What is your favorite food?
Pizza, PeeWees was my favorite before it tragically burned down!
3. What high school did you go to?
Good 'Ol SLZ
4. What is your favourite colour?
Red of course!
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
Tim McGraw, nothin' like a sexy cowboy that can sing!!
6. Favorite drink?
Iced Tea, my true favorite is from Frodo Joe's my local favorite hangout spot!
7. Dream vacation?
Any beautiful, peaceful beach
8. Favorite dessert?
Strawberry Shortcake
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
Happy, surrounded by happy people :o)
10. What do you love most in life?
The people I LOVE.....
11. One Word to describe you.
Caring, but as i type this I realize it should be neurotic, or organized but caring sounds better!
12. Your Flickr name.
Berrygirl

Thanks Eve for the cute idea!!

Where does the time go.....

2009-04-06T15:32:00.000-07:00

I have always said that the clock is my enemy!! I simply do not know where the time goes!! 24 hours in a day has never been enough for me........
I celebrated my 44th Birthday last month and had a wonderful day! I was greeted by 25 smiling preschoolers first thing in the morning and Isabella surprised me with a balloon :o). That afternoon My Mom, Sister Gina and I went to a day spa for relaxing pedicures...thanks Joe, then all the gals had lunch at Chevy's. I spent the evening with my three favorite guys eating pizza (with candles and a happy b-day song!) and watching the Twilight Movie! My celebration continues until the end of April when I will celebrate with our entire family. My Grandpa always said make your b-day last a month, and I think it is a great idea!!

FINALLY!!!!!

2009-03-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

So this seasons talent isn't quite what i'm used to, but here is my prediction. Tony and Michelle will win not because they are the best but because I want them to!!! Shawn and Little Kim are also fav's of mine! Cheryl and Giles are talented but not doing anything for me......

Let's Dream a Little Dream

2009-02-21T21:25:00.000-08:00

So here are a few of my silly little dreams....What are your dreams?, post a list with or without pics on your blog and leave me a comment so I can go check them out!

I am Blessed

2009-02-18T20:58:00.000-08:00

Tonight was our Elementary Schools Founder's Day Event. This is my last year as Anthony moves onto middle school. I have been at this school involved in PTA for 11 years. Tonight I was presented with The Golden Oak Award. This is the highest and most prestigious award given by PTA, though I am not sure I am deserving, I have poured my heart into this school and am sad leaving it behind. Each of the boys gave a speech as to why I was deserving....what an emotional night! They both did an awesome job, what they said was so heartfelt and touching. My children have had an awesome experience there as have I. I leave the PTA in very capable hands, Becky and Sylvia you two ROCK!!!! Thanks so much for the great honor!!! Joe, Joseph, Anthony, Mom, Gina and Isabella thanks so much for being there and bringing gifts!!! I am blessed :o)

Scrapblog

2009-02-16T09:32:00.000-08:00

I have known about this site for a long time, I have just never used it.... I wanted to make something for the players on Joe's soccer teams and this was the perfect place. You can create a "digital layout" the site offers so many options! I saved my projects as a jpeg and uploaded them to costco.com to be printed. I am picking them up today hopefully they are fabulous and for under 50 cents each!! I'll let you know how they turn out after I pick them up.......
www.scrapblog.com go check it out.

SNOW!!!

2009-02-16T09:25:00.000-08:00

Our Family went up to Arnold, CA last weekend for a snow trip. 5 years ago I took my boys to the snow for the first time, the three of us had NEVER seen snow! We loved it and we have been back every year since! We now drag our entire family with us :o) We had NEVER seen snow actually fall from the sky until this trip! Oh it was beautiful and so much fun! *** Gotta love my outfit!! I don't usually go out in thermal undie pants but my excitement over ruled my good judgment ***

2009-01-19T21:44:00.000-08:00

I'mmmmm Back!!!!

2009-01-19T20:54:00.000-08:00

Well all the Twilight books are read and all the things I have neglected in reading them are now finished, updating my blog is finally happening!! Anthony's soccer team played in the Association Cup in Redding, CA. We had a really great time! The team did well, tied two games and won one! Coming in second place. Anthony scored a goal and did the usual over the top celebration!! Joe worked really hard to organize this trip for his little guys :o). I am so proud of him. He is such a great Dad and dedicated Coach. Of course Joseph was there cheering on the team. It klls him to just watch and not play...his team will have thier chance in March.

WHEW!!

2009-01-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

Well I did it! I finished all four books in the Twilight saga in three weeks and four days!! I now patiently sit back and wait for the people around me to finish all four so we can sit for hours discussing every single aspect of the story!!

THIS IS CRAZY!!

2009-01-07T21:59:00.000-08:00

This book took me longest to finish, probably since Monday reality set in and our schedules resumed the crazy pace we are used to. I will start the fourth and "final" book tonight. I have to say that I really strongly DISLIKE the Jacob storyline, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that the fourth book strays from that! As much as the second book had me reeling, I'm looking forward to the movie! To my niece Nicole, thanks for lending me the first three books, I bought the fourth book today and I will pass it on to you to keep when I am finished. Well three down one and one more book and a teaser left to go........

OHMYGOSH!!

2009-01-03T20:38:00.000-08:00

Well I had no idea, I would take the title of the second book in the Twilight Series so literally!! I started reading the book Friday night at 10:30 p.m. and finished it....yes finished it Saturday at 6:30 a.m., It was the dawn of a new day!! I couldn't stop reading. I survived Saturday on two hours of sleep. I have started the third book and plan to go see the movie on Sunday, I am definitely taken with this series!!....Thanks EvE.

UNBELIEVABLE

2008-12-31T10:59:00.000-08:00

Well I finally gave in..... Yesterday after a very long 12 hour day at work, I came home hungry, tired, and cranky!! I ate, hugged my boys, wandered around thinking I should do a load of laundry but instead picked up Twilight and started reading!! A little back story..... I first heard of the series from my GT Friend Eve, she raved about the books and soon it became the national phenomenon we all now know about. I was not at all interested in reading , even after every third person I talked to said I should! During our last trip to the GT with endless chatter of the books going on everywhere, my friend Karen said, "okay the curiosity has gotten to me I think I need to read these books". My niece Nicole (sweetest girl you'll ever meet) has read them all and loved them. She let me borrow them and Karen took Twilight on vacation with her. She returned the book yesterday and said "there is something very likable about the vampires", you've got to read it. And so as before mentioned I was exhausted from my day and I managed to only read the first TEN CHAPTERS before falling off to sleep! This morning I have read one more chapter, but really need to do that load of laundry!! So to Eve and all the other GT book reviewers.....You were right! It only took 9 chapters for me to fall for Edward :0).

Happy New Year Everyone

2008-12-28T18:32:00.000-08:00

This is a super cute test take it and let me know what you think :o)

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL???
Try it without looking at the answers..... .

1) Pick your favorite number between 1-9

2) Multiply by 3 then

3) Add 3, then again Multiply by 3 (I'll wait while you get the calculator.. ..)

4) You'll get a 2 or 3 digit number….

5) Add the digits together

Now Scroll down .............

Now with that number see who your ROLE MODEL is from the list below:

1. Einstein
2. Barack Obama
3. Abraham Lincoln
4. Helen Keller
5. Bill Gates
6. Oprah Winfrey
7. George Clooney
8. Thomas Edison
9. Lisa Dones

10.Tiger Woods

>
>
>
>
>
> I know....I just have that effect on people....one day you too can be like me.... :-) Believe it!
>
> < > P.S.: Stop picking different numbers. I am your idol, just deal with it!!!!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T10:14:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all of you!! This Christmas has certainly zoomed right in!! We are gearing up for all the fun that the holiday brings! We will attend the Children's Mass at Church and Joseph will be an altar server (makes me beam with pride to see him up there). Then we will go to my parents house (just around the corner) and celebrate with our entire family and a few friends will drop in. Santa usually comes for a visit. We make our traditional Tamales a week prior but don't steam and eat them until Christmas Eve. After an evening of celebrating up to 27 of us all have a slumber party!! Yes we all spend the night, we have a pajama contest, sleep all over the place, stay up into the wee hours of the morning laughing and chatting! In the morning we all make and eat breakfast together. Then open gifts, say our goodbyes and all move onto to our other families. This year Joe, the boys and I will have Christmas Day Dinner for my parents and grandmother as we won't be traveling to see our other family until New Years Day. So we are all looking forward to a long drawn our celebration! Lucky us!!

2008-12-22T14:17:00.000-08:00

Wow! Where has the time gone! 16 years ago, we welcomed our first born Joseph Michael Dones Jr., he was a tiny little thing at 6lbs. 4 oz. look at him now!! We are so incredibly proud of you Joseph!! Here are a pics to share from the school Holiday Concert (he plays the clairnet) and the Winter Ball (love the shoes!) and a soccer game....Enjoy

It Finally Looks Like Christmas

2008-12-14T22:37:00.000-08:00

We have been so incredibly busy, I was starting to think that I would never have time to decorate the inside of my house. Joe and the boys put up the outdoor decor weeks ago! Now if you know me you know that I was born without the holiday decorating gene. My Mom decorates like a pro and her house is always beautiful. If it wasn't for her reminding me how dissapointed she'd be in me if i didn't put up a tree and decorate the house, I would let it go!! Well Joe and the boys jumped right in and helped out and the house looks great! I am always pleased when it is finished.

Patting Myself on the Back

2008-12-01T21:16:00.000-08:00

I am back from my wonderful, relaxing, and productive trip to the Green Tangerine. My scrappin' partner this trip was the always fun Karen. Thanks so much for your friendship and creative support :o). I completed 75 pages!!! Karen completed 50 pages!! So together that makes....US AWESOME :o). A million thank you's to my family for pitching in to help Joe out while I was away. A HUGE thanks to my three guys for being just plain amazing.

Miss You!!

2008-11-27T11:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to my Nephew Pfc. Manuel A. DaBranca III. He is stationed at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. We are counting the days until we see you again!! We are proud of you! Stay ARMY STRONG :o)

2008-11-25T23:33:00.001-08:00

AND THE WINNER IS........

Okay while most of the world is completely engrossed in the Twilght series, I am obsessed with Dancing with the Stars!!! Call me physic, but I called it on week one! Brooke and Derek are the Champs!!!! YEAH!!!!

THANKFUL

2008-11-24T17:34:00.000-08:00

Our crazy life in this crazy world during these crazy times, we are THANKFUL!! For so many things. I am so encouraged by the upcoming change in our government, hopeful that the economy will be restored and people can relax alittle. Here is a randon list of the things we sometimes take for granted but are so thankful for:

1. Our Family and Friends

2. Pepsi

3. Lollipop Lane Preschool

4. Shear Illusions

5. Public Schools

6. 17481 Meekland Ave.

7. Our camera (even Joe thinks it stinks)

8. The ability to commicate through the Internet!!

Another Sport Same Great Player!!

2008-11-24T17:04:00.000-08:00

Anthony has moved on to his CYO Basketball Season. This is his 4th season with St. John's and Wow! he is playing really well, or as they say, "he's a balla". He was named Offensive Player of the week having scored 10 of the teams 25 points. He is playing forward and point guard. He plays with an insane level of intensity, so i am a nervous wreck!! Such a different game than soccer! Our goal as a family is to support Anthony without being ejected from a game! So far so good....Joe can be alittle vocal and Joseph alittle protective.

The Dones Boys just keep going!!

2008-11-24T16:43:00.000-08:00

Joseph made the High School Soccer Team and we are very very proud of him!! I am looking forward to the hectic, freezing cold, slightly long high school schedule. Most of the games are being played on Tues. and Thurs. this is when my customers loyalty is teasted as I really don't like to miss a single game!! GO DONS (never thought I'd say that seeing as I attended the local rival high school).

I'm Baaaack!!

2008-11-24T16:26:00.000-08:00

Life obducted me for a while! I have found that this can happen when you are the Mom of two active boys. Our Club League Soccer Season has ended and both of the boys teams placed 2nd in their divisions!!! It must have something to do with the coaching (hehe :o). We all had a really great season. Both teams will play in post season tournaments, The Association Cup in January and State Cup in March. I miss soccer already and can't wait until then!!

Someone has beat me to it!!!

2008-11-02T22:54:00.000-08:00

Well it seems that my Little Sis is better at bloggin' my life than I am lately!! go check out her blog to see what we've all been up to! www.mommymouseginaweaver.blogspot.com

Six Long Years

2008-10-29T21:30:00.000-07:00

On Monday Joseph had his braces removed!!!!!! After two phases that lasted six long years, I no longer have to remind him to put on his rubber bands or pick up those nasty little things from the bathroom floor! That evening I caught him looking at himself in the mirror, and I said " not bad for a chubby little kid with braces and glasses huh?? He turned and flashed me a big smile, hugged me and said....Thanks Mom. Okay so maybe all the nagging to brush, swish, rubberbands, rushing to the afterschool appts., endless payments were all worth it! Check out my young man with the flashy new smile.....

HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY

2008-10-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

Today is our youngest son Anthony Mariano Dones' 11th Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to the sweetest, nicest, most loving 11 year old I know.

Anthony is my social bug, so we have a pizza party for this classmates today, a Pump It Up! party for 33 of his closest friends tonight, a family dinner tommorrow night, and church, lunch and a movie with just the four of us on Sunday!! He doesn't leave anyone out of his celebrating!!!

YUCK

2008-10-04T21:52:00.000-07:00

So I have a case of the "Almost Fall" yucky cold symptoms. I am trying to lay low so I'll be better quick! Anthony's team won 7-2 awesome game and he played like a pro!! So happy that I rolled out of bed for that one! Joseph plays tommorrow and hopefully it will be the same outcome! Off to bed for me and my yucky stuffy head!

A few soccer shots

2008-09-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

I am an avaerage photographer, and a downright lousy soccer picture taking photographer!!! So I love when we go to a tournament and the Hot Shot People are there! They love me also, because I buy all the pics of my boys!!! Here are a few shots from this season, mine and the Hot Shots. The season for both of our teams is going well and we are having a BLAST!!

Settle Down!

2008-09-26T12:23:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you have one short tempered coach, one "what me!?!" kind of player and one referee all in the same family....... Well this picture was staged, but so that we never have this scene actually happen Joseph is not ref'ing any of Anthony's games!! Joseph is working his first season as a licensed referee for CYSA and earning alittle spending money. He is enjoying it and doing a good job, he sometimes plays his game and then goes onto ref 2-3 more games!

What's in a name?

2008-09-15T15:40:00.000-07:00

So all of us have names, nicknames, email addresses, blog names, etc. I personally am fascinated and interested in knowing where these names originated. Leave me a comment and tell where your unique "name" comes from. I will start....My Email address is: Berrygirl327. The 327 is my birth month and date. The Berrygirl is from my love of strawberries, I have been collecting strawberry items (for my kitchen ) for YEARS!!! At one time most of my house was decorated with strawberries because my collection was huge!!!!. About a year ago I redecorated and now just the kitchen is decorated in strawberries. The Lollipop Cropper nickname comes from my group of scrapbooking friends being from Lollipop Lane Preschool (one of my many beloved places of employment!) My Blog Name: Do I really have time for this? Well this one is self- explanitory!! I am super self enflicted BUSY all the time, have a hard time saying no, and consider the clock my biggest enemy! I have forced myself to blog, to carve out a little sit down and relax time :o)

No longer just a Lurker!!

2008-09-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

I have officially moved up from being a lurker to a full blown participating Blogger!! My friend Eve is hosting a color challenge on her blog http://www.thisisbliss838.blogspot.com/ and I have submitted this card for a chance to win! click on over and join the fun! I'd love to see all of your cards! I am going to send this card to my nephew who is in the Army, he is stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and we all really miss him!

And we're off!!.........

2008-09-07T19:39:00.000-07:00

It is Sunday night at 7:40 p.m., as I sit in a near stuper writing this. Opening Weekend for soccer is over. Let's see this weekend between the four of us we played 2 games, won 2 games, coached 2 games, referee'd 3 games, worked 6 hours in the snack bar, watched and cheered at many other games in between it all, and the kicker...Anthony's team had the weekend off! Next weekend brings 6 games, 4 different fields, and our church festival! Once again, no photos to post, dinner, laundry, housework, grocery shopping keeps getting in the way of all the fun stuff I want to do!! Hope to upload and post during the week.

The excitemnet is building!!!

2008-09-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

Okay so I am a HUGE Dancing with the Stars fan, as many of you know I am not a huge fan of TV watching, I don't really have much time for it or interest in it, unless it is really late at night when I finally convince myself to go to bed, I will change the channel from my hubby's quality viewing choice, cage fighting....(he really is a nice guy, just has bad TV judgement). So for me to love a show enough to dedicate several nights a week to actually sitting on the couch and watching while shushing all my guys so i don't miss a thing, is a really big deal!! As you can see I have the countdown going and below is a complete list of the stars and thier partners!!! My fav's: Professional Dancer: Makism....so stinkin' cute!
Star Dancer: Brooke Burke...my hubby has always been a fan of hers, we once ran into her and her girls at Disneyland and she was really sweet to pose for a photo with my guys!

Cody Linley is partnered with 19-year-old cutie Julianne Hough.
Derek Hough is paired with actress Brooke Burke.
Chef Rocco DiSpirito is partnered with Karina Smirnoff.
Lance Bass is partnered with Lacey Schwimmer.
Kim Kardashian is paired with last year's champ Mark Ballas.
Olympic sprinter Maurice Green is dancing with two-time champ Cheryl Burke.
Misty May-Treanor is paired with returning pro dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
Ex-NFL star Warren Sapp is paired with Kym Johnson.
Actor Ted McGinley is paired with newcomer Inna Brayer.
Stand-up comedian Jeffrey Ross is partnered with Edyta Sliwinska.
Toni Braxton is partnered with Season 1 champ Alec Mazzo.
Cloris Leachman will be dancing with Corky Ballas
Susan Lucci is paired with Tony Dovolani.

All Green Things Must Come To An End.....

2008-09-02T19:51:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a fabulous holiday weekend I had! First of all my boys both had a great first week at school! On Friday I went to see Mama Mia with my gals the Lollipop Croppers, we had dinner before the movie and ice cream after. Karen and I headed to the Green Tangerine on Saturday at 5:30 a.m. :o) returned home on Monday at 7:00 p.m. (yes we stayed one day longer than planned) crazy I know!!! We scrapped for a total of 30 hours... I completed 49 pages and Karen completed 41 pages!! We had such a great time with the store staff, our bloggin friends, and all the friendly scrappers in Rocklin. Especially Raimi and Eve our "old buddies" . I have to say I couldn't have had such an enjoyable weekend without my great husband, he held down the fort at home, I walked up to a manicured yard, walked into a clean house, and sat down to a steak dinner! Lucky, I know. This saturday is Opening Day of Soccer Season so I will be completely consummed with the boys schedules until the end of November. I love to scrap, but I really LOVE to be at the soccer field with my three guys. I'll keep you all posted as to how thier teams are doing and I hope to post some layouts from my weekend soon.

And the Winner Is.......

2008-09-02T15:41:00.000-07:00

First of all thanks to everyone that entered my contest! I had 18 of you play along! The most favorite new Stampin Up! product by a landslide was the scallop punch!! I numbered all of your comments and asked my youngest son Anthony to choose a number between one and eighteen and he chose number seventeen, so the lucky winner is.......Barb from www.fosterdesignhouse.blogspot.com she has a darling blog, click over to check it out.

New School Year Ramblings

2008-08-25T19:21:00.001-07:00

Today was the First Day of School. The boys happily posed for a pic before we left, right on time!! I even cooked breakfast! Joseph is a Sophmore in High School, so he glided right in all relaxed and looking forward to his first year in the Health & Medicine Academy and another year on the soccer team, hopefully Varsity this year, I on the other hand had a small twinge of sadness as I thought this might be the last 1st day of school I drive him to as he will have his drivers license by his Junior Year :o(, Anthony is a Fifth Grader. The Big Man on campus, as our elementary school only goes up to the 5th grade. So he glided right in all excited to enjoy the popularity he has earned by being everyones friend since kindergarten!, I on the other hand had a huge twinge, alright a huge twist of the gut as I realized this was the last time I will walk him to his first day of school :o(, next year he will be in middle school and I'll just drop him in the parking lot, and be happy if he remembers to say goodbye, of course I may not notice if he doesn't because i'll still be crying from watching Joseph drive off on his own. Okay, this day must have actually gone too smoothly because I am already getting myself all worked up over next year!!! A true multi-tasker, adds worry to her list of things to do even when it isn't necessary!

Welcome Stampers, Scrappers and all Crafty People

2008-08-17T15:26:00.000-07:00

Most of you already know that I am a Stampin Up! Demonstrator. I have a small but dedicated group of customers and I'm always looking for. I do this to support my obsession..oops I mean hobby :o). The New Catalog has arrived and is wonderful! I am having a contest to celebrate the new Stampin Up! line of products. All of my local customers should have a catalog by now. For anyone that isn't local and would like to play along you can download the catalog from the Stampin Up! website @ http://www.stampinup.com/ Everyone is welcome to join the contest even if you are a Stampin Up! Demo yourself, or if you purchase the great SU! products from someone else. Here are the contest rules:
I have posted a picture of my favorite new item from the catalog.
Leave a comment telling me what your favorite item from the catalog is.
You will be entered into a drawing.
I will draw a lucky winner on Monday Sept. 1st
The prize will not only make you happy, but it will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities, each time this stamp set is purchased SU! donates $2.00 to the RMHC.
To all of my "new to Blogging friends" if you have never left a comment before it only takes a minute to create an account and I'd really love to hear from you.
Good Luck everyone!

My Favorite & The Prize

2008-08-17T15:06:00.001-07:00

The new Scallop Square Punch is my favorite! It will happily sit right next to my Circle Scallop Punch! Say it with Scallops is the prize! Good Luck.

I've been tagged!

2008-08-14T22:29:00.001-07:00

Okay so I have been tagged by Eve a Superfunscrapper I met at the Green Tangerine
7 People! Wow! I don't have that many blog friends...yet! Here are a few:
Monique Super Cricut Teacher @ GT
Rebecca Awesome friend, photographer, and scrapper
Diana owner of the cool Scrap for a Cure site

Here are my seven random things:
1. I love being the only girl in my house!
2. I do not, have never, will never, eat condiments!!
3. I was the Head Cheerleader in High School
4. I eat a salad from Wendy's at least 3 times a week!
5. I Love a good sad country song.
6. I fall in love with my wedding ring each and every time I look at it.
7. I Could not live without my gals The Lollipop Croppers :O)

Leave me a comment especially if you are new to my blog, then I'll have more bloggin friends!

2008-08-13T23:57:00.001-07:00

To the Beach and Back and not a single minute to scrap!

2008-08-13T23:01:00.000-07:00

The boys (all three :o0) and I are back from our annual trip to Pismo Beach, we were gone for 7 days! which is a record! We stopped in Gilroy at the factory outlets to shop and I spent the least... although my new Coach wristlets are cuter than anything they bought! We drove up to Pismo and had 5 days and 4 nights of total relaxation! I love cool mornings at the beach and cold sand in my toes! We drove to Santa Barbara for lunch, nice but too "touristy" for us... then to Valencia where we visited Joe's family. There was a Baptism on Snday and Joe was Godfather to our newest family member Matthew Kyle. Then off to Lemoore, CA for a quick overnight visit with Joe's Dad & his wife. We headed home on Monday and arrived just in time for soccer practice. Whew!!!
We had a really great time, just the 4 of us and no "real time commitments" It is wonderful to be surrounded by my boys they all take such good care of me! The most amazing part of the trip was I was so content and relaxed I never even unpacked my scrapbook bags, though I did shop at one local scrapstore.

Summer, Boys, Food and my Bug

2008-07-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

Okay so I really enjoy summer vacation. I get to be home with my boys on Mon., Wed., and Fri. we have just been relaxing, being lazy, and spending time at home ( a rare thing in our busy family). But the truth of the matter is I need to go back to work!! I love being with the boys but they eat too much!! and I have no will power! I have gained 10 pounds this summer, and I am spending too much time on the net buying scrap stuff! I have bought the Cricut Design Studio, 4 Cricut Cartridges, cuttlebug folders, and enough misc. supplies to take me through to next summer!!! My only break in the madness is on Wed. when darling Isabella comes to spend the day with us. She keeps me very busy (though truth be told the boys do most of the work :o). Here is a pic of our little cutie calling Prince Charming on her cell phone. Have a great week everyone......

Our Soldier Came To Visit

2008-07-26T13:02:00.001-07:00

My nephew Pfc. Manuel A. DaBranca III arrived home safely from a one year deployment in Korea. We had a short two week visit with him. He is a wonderful, fun guy! It was great seeing him before he had to report to Fort Sill in Oklahoma for another long year. We all went to the A's game to celebrate his 20th birthday and had a BBQ on the the 4th of July to celebrate his son Roman's 2nd Birthday.

Some Scrappy Time

2008-07-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

Friday night my sister and I hosted our monthly crop. We had a small crowd so we actually sat and scrapped! Here is a layout of me and my hubby :o). I love the chipboard swirl frame. I have more layouts in progress I will post as soon as they are complete.

Go Earthquakes!!

2008-07-16T22:04:00.000-07:00

As you all know we here at the Dones Residence love soccer. This past sat. we attended a San Jose Earthquakes Game. We were VIP guests of Pepsi. The boys went on the field to watch the team warm up, participated in the 1/2 time activity, we had front row seats and they met and posed for a pic with the Earthquakes Mascot "Q". All three of them are cute huh!?! In a few weeks we will be attending another game that time against the LA Galaxy whose star player is M. David Beckham...I am hoping to meet and pose for a pic with him!!! Yeah right! oh well a girl can dream :o)

Here are the pics

2008-07-05T13:26:00.001-07:00

Twice in a week!!

2008-07-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July!! Gina and I made a trip to the Green Tangerine in Rocklin, CA a few weeks ago and took a Cricut Class. Monique is a wonderful, detailed, patient, and talented teacher!! I have included pics of the card and layout we created using the Doodlecharm cart. and the cuttlebug for textured backgrounds. The class was great and we scrapped all weekend I completed 30 pages and had a blast doing it! If you haven't made it to the Green Tangerine, visit thier blog and see why you should!! www.mygreentangerines.com

I'm stickin to it!!

2008-07-02T00:18:00.000-07:00

Well a week has already flown by and I'm back..... Do you love my new background as much as I do!!! I have been busy scrappin! Here is a layout I did on Monday while all three guys were at Soccer Practice.

Let's try this again....

2008-06-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I have a made a pact with myself that I will post to my blog once a week. So let's see if..."I really have time for this!!" Summer Vacation is in full swing and I am on break from one of my three jobs. Soccer Season is in full swing and being the treasurer of the league has me very busy. We have a busy schedule planned but I also will fit in plenty of time to scrap, stamp, and relax with my guys. I am off to soccer practice, so i will post again soon. Enjoy the sunshine :o) and I hope that you'll check in periodically to see what I'm up to...

I'M BACK!!!!!!!

2007-12-01T08:31:00.000-08:00

Well I guess my blog heading says it all....Do I really have time for this??? We had a super riduculous busy summer! School started, soccer consumed us, and we loved every minute of it! I can't believe the holidays are here!!! We are busy getting ready for both the Birth of Jesus and the arrival of Santa!! To help get you all in the spirit we have a little surprise for you, click on the link below and enjoy:*) Hope to be back sooner than later next time. Lisa

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1128870993

My Boys....

2007-08-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

I have always referred to my children as "the boys" and often I include Joe in that group :*).

I am thrilled to be the only girl in the house so the label "the boys" just fits.

Today I realized that "the boys" are now one big boy and one young man!!

I sent them off to school today almost completely relaxed, with almost no anxiety, and a sense of pride in knowing that Joe and I have raised boys that teachers will be thrilled to have as students.

I dropped Joseph off at school, his first day of High School, he was excited and really looking forward to his new adventure. When the car door shut and I drove off, I glanced back to have a Mommy moment and watch my little boy walk away....the car behind me (obviously driven by the parent of a sophomore!) HONKED so i snapped out of it and drove off :*).

I walked Anthony to the "big kid"playground he was happy to have me there with him that was until he saw all his friends then he happily started chatting it up with them.

This afternoon I picked them both up and was greeted with smiling faces, they both had great days and are looking forward to a great school year.

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-08-19T21:36:00.001-07:00

Beach Bums

2007-08-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

We arrived at Avila Beach on Monday and had a really nice relaxing time. I read two books worked on my tan, and watched my boys run around and play football and soccer in the sand. We decided to extend our stay an additional two nights in San Luis Obispo. Mostly so we could relax from our relaxing stay in Avila. Joe is such a good Dad he runs around with the boys and hardly relaxes at all. Joe set up the camera timer and got this great shot of us at the beach. This is our 8th annual trip to the beach. the first summer we went Anthony learned to walk, and Joseph was started Kindergarten...This summer Anthony walks onto the "Big Kid Playground" as a 4th grader and Joseph starts High School !! where has the time gone!

I did manage to complete 12 pages while on vacation. Check out my new slide show. The pics in the layouts were taken by my friend Rebecca Olivera, she is awesome and available for hire!! Enjoy :*)

An Exciting Tournament

2007-08-19T19:46:00.000-07:00

Joseph's Soccer Team SACYSL ARSENAL played a preseason tournament in Concord last weekend. It was only this teams second tournament and we came in 3rd place a really nice place to be seeing as we didn't place in the last tournament. This was a hard fought and deserving win. The last game came down to the wire... The game ended in a tie 0-0 and went to over-time, that also ended 0-0 so it went to penalty kicks. Joseph kicked 2nd in the line up and made it! I was so nervous I thought i would pass out if I wasn't so busy praying for him to make it i might have just passed out right there!! Finally after each team taking 7 shots each and making them all our goalie blocked their 8th goal and one of our players made his goal!! we finally after 120 minutes of intense soccer we WON!!!! Anthony and I were so happy for Joseph and Coach Joe. Anthony jumped the fence and ran over to congratulate them he was as happy as the players were. It made a very long and hot and expensive weekend worth it! I love soccer. I have really become quite a big soccer fan, but I especially enjoy watching my boys on the field and the sidelines :*)

AWESOME CONCERT

2007-08-09T22:13:00.000-07:00

The Soul II Sould Concert was FABULOUS!!!! We had the best time. I enjoyed every single minute of the show. I sang every word to every song Tim performed and NEVER took my eyes off of him! Oh and his wife, Faith.... she was cute too!

I'm Back!

2007-08-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back from my weekend getaway, and here to brag that I completed 41 pages!!!!!! I am so pleased! but I have to say that my friend Karen is the winner, with 45 completed pages!! a big round of applause for her :*). We had an incredibly fun time, the store in Rocklin, CA Green Tangerines is AWESOME 10,000 sq. ft. of scrapbook paradise! I hope to have time to post pics of some of my layouts soon. Tommorrow night I'm going to the Tim MGraw/Faith Hill Concert, this weekend we have a soccer tournament in Concord and Monday we leave for Pismo Beach for 4 relaxing days! So lots to look forward to and hopefully a few moments to scrap alittle more! Did I mention that I am redecorating my house in between the madness......
Someone help me from myself!!

I'm heading out of town !!

2007-07-30T17:36:00.000-07:00

I am packing up and heading out of town...to the Green Tangerine! Okay so I'm not leaving until Friday and it's only Monday, but I am so EXCITTED!! I am going away for the weekend with my good friend Karen. We are going to the new scrapbook store in Rocklin, CA we are registered to scrap from 9 a.m. till midnight on Friday and Saturday!!! I have great expectations and hope that my next entry will be to brag about how many pages I completed! I will update my slide show with new pages when I return. So while I'm away I challenge all of you to do something "scrappy", a few pages, organize supplies, make a few cards using your scrapbook scraps, etc.

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-07-16T10:52:00.001-07:00

Keep your Scrapping Chin Up!

2007-07-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

We all know how much we love our scrapbooking hobby, but like most worthwhile things in life it also brings us alittle guilt! We should scrap more, take more pictures, take better pictures, journal more, scrap more and shop less......Well take a look back on your scrapbook hobby career, and be proud of what you have accomplished! My first scrapbook page was of my oldest Son Joseph's 1st Grade year. When I look back at that page I giggle at my basic techniques, yet I remember how impressed I was with myself and my "creative accomplishment". The last layout I completed was of my oldest Son Joseph's 7th Grade report card! 180 pages later I have scrapbooked his school and sports activities over the years with great pride in him and myself. Joseph starts High School in Sept. and it is my summer goal to be "caught up" before his first High School memory is taken and developed.

What is your summer scrapbooking goal? Set one for yourself, remember there is no due date in scrapbooking, just fun to be had, friends to share layouts with, and memories to be preserved!

I would love to hear your scrapbooking story and see your first and last layout. Email me at Berrygirl327@sbcglobal.net

IT'S HERE!!!!

2007-06-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

The new Stampin Up! 2007-2008 Idea Book and Catalog has arrived! It is the first of two catalogs now being published, the next will be available in January. The book is beautiful! 208 pages of new merchandise! My personal favorite items reside between pages 170 and 183, darling two-sided papers, simply scrappin kits, new punches, and lots of chipboard! The catalog has a retail price of $9.95 but as always I'm willing to make a deal! Call me today so I can get a copy to you soon! I would love to demonstrate some of the new products to you and your friends if you are interested in hosting a workshop in your home. All this excitement is making me STAMPHAPPY !!!

Awesome Scrapbook Event

2007-06-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine along with a group of her friends has started a online scrapbook website offering monthly kits. The first kit is now available and full of beautiful supplies! Check out thier website and read about thier vision to create beautiful projects and support worthy causes. Layout created with kits products!

www.scrapforacure.com

Three little words for you...

2007-06-25T19:26:00.000-07:00

FLOSS YOUR TEETH!!

I had gum surgery for second stage gum disaese on friday, no fun at all! Though my periodondist was funny nothing could make the experience better. I have been in bed since friday sweating and nauseaus from the Vicodin they gave me. I couldn't eat anything and i'm here to tell you that a frosty from wendy's or a strawberry surfrider from jamba juice does not constitute "take with food" . So I have layed off the heavy duty drugs and seem to be surviving okay on extra strength tylenol. I managed to keep my hair appointment today...(what good are healthy gums if you're grey is showing through!) I have to go back on Friday to have the stitches removed which I'm sure will be no more fun than the first visit, so remember...

FLOSS YOUR TEETH!!

Our Soldier goes overseas......

2007-06-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

My nephew Pvt. Manuel A. DaBranca III is in the United States Army and is being deployed to Korea. He is set to report there on June 28th (his 19th Birthday) and will be there for approximately one year. Our family is very proud of him and his dedication to serving our country. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he is away from home. Travel can be exciting and I hope that he has a wonderful experience overseas.

Okay so have another hobby

2007-06-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

Some people might say I am obsessed.....with purses...well I'm not actually obesessed, some people have a fetish for certain things like shoes, clothes, purses, etc. I don't really think that's my thing. I would say that I am on a quest, a quest for the perfect purse, or as I like to call them a "bag". About a year ago I thought I was ready to invest in a really nice really expensive bag, so the quest began. I drove all those around me nuts with chatter about the perfect bag, one I saw, one I tried on, on I googled, etc. Only to never actually purchase the bag, it was never quite right.... For Christmas My boys bought me two bags hoping to satisfy me, well...for awhile maybe. The a trip to New York City popped up and Wow! I needed a few bags for the trip, three new ones to be exact. Well one fabulous trip to NYC and I am the proud new owner of 6 new bags!!! I am so thrilled and satisfied for the time being, busy changing bags to match every outfit even if it is onlu my standard outfit, capris and a t-shirt. "Bags" about the only thing I enjoy spending money on aside from scrappin & stampin stuff!

Well here it goes....

2007-06-18T16:53:00.000-07:00

As the title of my Blog says, "Do I really have time for this", I would like to create a place for my little group of crafty friends to visit to find motivation to get more scrapping done! I hope to post pics of my completed projects, as well as challenges to get everyone else motivated to complete layouts of thier own. Let's see how it goes Lisa