It's National Scrapbooking Day!

My Digital Muse is having a wonderful contest for their digital photographers. Now, I've not participated too much w/this awesome site, but have lurked for a LONG time and just had to get in on this challenge.

We were given 20 riddles to solve and then shoot photos of those items. Each item then had to be submitted in order to receive a prize. I think I got all the riddles right, and my photos are not the greatest, and I didn't take too much time doing this, so they're not my best - but I had a great time and realize that I really need to participate more at My Digital Muse.

Take some time and visit this cool site. Maybe you'll want to be involved too! Visit My Digital Muse today!

Here are the riddles and then pictures of my answers:

1. What gets wetter and wetter the more it dries?

2. What's black and white and red all over?

3.What goes around the world but stays in a corner?

4. I have holes in my top and bottom, my left and right, and in the middle. But I still hold water. What am I?

5. I run over fields and woods all day. Under the bed at night I sit not alone. My tongue hangs out, up and to the rear, awaiting to be filled in the morning. What am I?

6. What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?
7. I'm the part of the bird that's not in the sky. I can swim in the ocean and yet remain dry. What am I?
8. Pronounced as one letter, And written with three, Two letters there are, And two only in me. I'm double, I'm single, I'm black, blue, and gray, I'm read from both ends, And the same either way. What am I?
9. My life can be measured in hours; I serve by being devoured. Thin, I am quick; fat, I am slow. Wind is my foe. What am I?
10. Poke your fingers in my eyes and I will open wide my jaws. Linen cloth, quills, or paper, my greedy lust devours them all. What am I?
11.What goes up the chimney down, but can't go down the chimney up?
12. I am the beginning of sorrow, and the end of sickness. You cannot express happiness without me, yet I am in the midst of crosses. I am always in risk, yet never in danger. You may find me in the sun, but I am never out of darkness.
13. I run, yet I have no legs. What am I?
14. What kind of room has no windows or doors?
15. What has a foot on each side and one in the middle?
16. What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?

17. I'm where yesterday follows today, and tomorrow's in the middle. What am I?
18. From the beginning of eternity. To the end of time and space. To the beginning of every end.And the end of every place. What am I?
19. In a marble hall white as milk. Lined with skin as soft as silk. Within a fountain crystal-clear.A golden apple doth appear. No doors there are to this stronghold, Yet thieves break in to steal its gold.
20. Weight in my belly, Trees on my back, Nails in my ribs, Feet do I lack. What am I?

It's time to VOTE! Time for you to make your $2.00 donation for the American Cancer Society and vote for me to become QUEEN OF THE CROP 2007 from Scrapbookgraphics.com.

Even if you're not a scrapbooker and you don't need the goodies that come along with your vote, please take this tiny time in your day and vote for me. If you visit the site and read more about the contest, you'll see that The American Cancer Society is one of many charities being supported, but I'd like you to donate your $2.00 to my layout.


Now, I'd also love to hear what you think about this particular layout. Does it make you think about your moods and how you feel about yourself? Does it make you feel all warm and fuzzy or do you just feel weird reading it and seeing these pictures? I can take it, drop me a comment, I lvoe to hear what you have to say! Thanks for stopping by and of course, THANKS for supporting THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY and voting for me to become THE QUEEN OF THE CROP 2007

I'll be making an update sometime this weekend, my DS turns the big 13 this weekend...my baby is really growing up! I'll have some new layouts, lots of funny thoughts and of course some more very important information from The American Cancer Society's website.

See ya!

Five Myths About Colon Cancer

Many times, colorectal cancer can be prevented; still, it's the second most common cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States.

Don't let these 5 common myths stop you from getting the lifesaving tests you need, when you need them.

Myth: Colorectal cancer is a man’s disease.
Truth: Colorectal cancer is just as common among women as men. This year, about 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 55,000 will die from the disease.

Myth: Colon cancer cannot be prevented.
Truth: In many cases colon cancer can be prevented. Colon cancer almost always starts with a small growth called a polyp. If the polyp is found early, doctors can remove it and stop colon cancer before it starts.

Myth: African Americans are not at risk for colon cancer.
Truth: African-American men and women are diagnosed with and die from colon cancer at higher rates than men and women of any other US racial or ethnic group.

Myth: Age doesn’t matter when it comes to getting colon cancer.
Truth: More than 90% of colon cancer cases occur in people age 50 and older. For this reason, the American Cancer Society recommends you start getting tested for the disease at age 50. People who are at increased risk for colon cancer -- for example, those with a family history of the disease -- may need to begin testing at a younger age. You should talk to your doctor about your specific situation and when you should begin getting tested.

Myth: It’s better not to get tested for colon cancer because it’s deadly anyway.
Truth: Colon cancer is often highly treatable. If colon cancer is found early and treated, the 5-year survival rate is 90%. But because many people are not getting tested, only 39% of cases are diagnosed at this early stage when treatment is so successful.

To find out if you are at an increased risk for colon cancer, please read "Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection."

Revision date: 02/13/2006
This information was brought to you from the American Cancer Society website

I've got a job!!

Yep, I'm gonna be back to working full time again. No sense in not working and making money while I wait around for our IVF to work.....Why not work, make money, save money, save more money and prepare for those lovely little ones when I can? As Ellen Degeneres would say, "Am I right, Ladies?"

So, I start tomorrow as a buyer for insight. It's an entry level position, but one that can really be used as a stepping stone to further a career in the procurement industry. Not so sure if I want to grow my career, but getting back into the working world (and wearing cute shoes and nice new clothes!) is something that i think will help me in dealing with any disappointments in the IVF arena and also helps me feel like I'm contributing a little more than usual at home. It will be 5 years this June since I've worked full time! Wow, time has flown by!

So far the family seems OK with it. Today, I took most of the day to get the house ready for me to not be around all the time! Clean, laundry, straightening up, etc. And, I was able to go out and buy myself an awesome new pair of shoes - well, 2 awesome new pairs...I actually bought 3 pair, but I'm gonna return one of them.....during my lunch hour tomorrow! I will be working less than 1/2 mile from the local mall here, so I can definitely do shopping during a lunch break.

The other great benefit of this Insight location, is that it is less than 5 miles from my home. Isn't that great? I won't have to worry about getting home at a certain time, it's close to schools and grocery stores, etc. I can get a lot done during lunch, so I won't feel too overwhelmed by only having nights and weekends to do chores.

I don't get why I fret so much over getting things done. When I worked full time and had a child in daycare, I was so much more efficient with my time and didn't seem to be too overwhelmed. I mean I was overwhelmed just by life itself at the time, but doing all that needed to be done was easy enough. This should be easy too! Especially with helpful and supportive family this time around!

The only thing I think I will miss, is the fact that I can scrap all day now and I can take pictures all day too! I have been getting together with my Sister and Neice to do shopping or go to places and that will be missed in a BIG way, but we will always have holidays and weekends to do things. I'll get used to everything. And, I'll have more to blog about too!

Support the American Cancer Society

I'm feeling like I have to be more pro-active about my volunteering. I have been challenged to consider a charity that I'd like to help out if I should win Queen of the Crop 2007. I chose the American Cancer Society.

Cancer has affected my family in many ways. Personally, I have seen it with friends, co-workers and family members, but it really hurts when you truly lose that person to the disease. Being a survivor is so awesome, I believe that someday we will have survivors of every form of cancer that there is. The only problem is, we need to support the American Cancer Society more so that the research can be done and cures can be found!

With that being said, I'm going to add little tidbits of information from the American Cancer Society's website on a daily basis in hopes that it might help someone one day or spread the word about how important it is that we help out the wonderful American Cancer Society.

Links to their site will always be provided, visit their site, see what you can do. It is only a little time in your life that you have to give....maybe no time at all, just a donation of some kind. Every little thing helps!!


I found this today at the ACS website and wanted to share it!

Try these delicious, healthy recipes to add some spice to your current options. These recipes and many more can be found in the American Cancer Society book, Celebrate! Healthy Entertaining for Any Occasion available by calling 1-800-ACS-2345. Enjoy!Want to get active? Try these simple steps.

Greek Chicken with Tomatoes, Peppers, Olives, FetaLemon, mint, and a garnish of crumbled feta cheese bring the flavors of Greece to this easy chicken dish.

If fresh Roma tomatoes aren't available, canned tomatoes will provide the same cancer-fighting nutrients and vivid color.

To make Greek seasoning salt, combine:2 teaspoons of garlic salt,2 teaspoons of lemon pepper,2 teaspoons of oregano, and2 teaspoons of dried mint.

Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-sized pieces. 1/4 cup flour. 8 teaspoons Greek seasoning salt, divided. 1 teaspoon olive oil. 1 large onion, sliced lengthwise. 1 green pepper, cored, seeded, and sliced lengthwise into strips. 3 Roma tomatoes, cut into eighths. 3 tablespoons Kalamata olives, chopped. 3 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled.

Directions: Dredge chicken in flour mixed with 4 teaspoons of Greek seasoning. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add chicken, sautéing for 3 to 4 minutes until cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and set aside. Add onion to skillet and sauté until tender, about 2 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook another 2 minutes. Return chicken to skillet and cook 1 to 2 minutes, sprinkling with remaining Greek seasoning. Mix in tomatoes. Remove from heat, transfer to serving dish, and sprinkle with olives and feta cheese.

Serves eight.

Approximate per serving: 210 calories; 9.5 grams of fat

Rice with Orzo and Mint Orzo is tiny rice-shaped pasta that works well with the nutty flavor of the brown rice in this recipe.

Enjoy a cup of this flavorful side dish (cooked), and you'll need only two more servings of whole grain foods to meet American Cancer Society healthy eating guidelines.

Refined grains, such as white rice, lose much of their vitamins, minerals, and all of their fiber in processing.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup orzo. 1 teaspoon olive oil. 3 cups fat-free chicken broth. 1-1/3 cups uncooked brown rice. 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt. 3 tablespoons fresh mint.

Directions: In a medium saucepan on medium-high heat, brown orzo in olive oil, stirring constantly. Pour in chicken broth and bring to boil. Add rice and garlic salt and return to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in fresh mint.

Serves eight.

Approximate per serving: 149 calories; 2 grams of fat.

Linguine with Fresh Tomato and Basil Sauce

4 cloves garlic, minced. 2 tablespoons olive oil. 8 large fresh tomatoes, peeled, chopped, and seeded. 1/4 cup red wine. 1/2 cup chicken broth. 1/4 cup fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried basil. Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. 1 pound linguine, uncooked. 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated. Fresh ground pepper to taste. Red pepper flakes (optional).

Directions: Cook the garlic slowly in olive oil in a medium skillet. Do not brown. Add the chopped fresh tomatoes, wine, broth, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer uncovered 15 -20 minutes until the sauce thickens to the desired consistency. When you're ready to serve, cook the pasta in boiling salted water just until tender. Drain well, and toss with tomato sauce. Serve immediately in heated bowls or plates. Top each serving with Parmesan cheese, fresh ground pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Note: To peel fresh tomatoes, make a small cross slit at the bottom of the tomato. Plunge in boiling water for 5 seconds to loosen the skin.

Makes eight servings.

Each serving is 425 calories, 10 grams fat, 18 grams protein. For an extra 110 calories, add an extra 1/4 cup olive oil and another 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese to the recipe.

Creamy Chocolate Cheesecake with Sliced Strawberries

Ingredients: 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt. 4 ounces low-fat cream cheese. 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese. 1 cup maple syrup. 3 tablespoons cocoa powder. 2 large egg whites. 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. 1 teaspoon Kahlua. 1 pint strawberries. Nonfat cooking spray.

Directions: Preheat oven to 350º. Coat an 8 x 8-inch pan with nonfat cooking spray. Puree in blender the yogurt, cream cheese, ricotta cheese, maple syrup, cocoa, egg whites, cinnamon, and Kahlua. Pour in pan. Bake cake for 50 minutes or until done. Let cool and decorate with slices of strawberries.

Makes eight slices.

Approximately 98 calories per serving, and four grams of fat. Makes four servings. Each serving is 300 calories, 20 grams of protein.

ENJOY!