I'm coming back....I really AM!!!!

Last year was so difficult, over-all that I just didn't want to come on here and use my BLOG as a big, fat whine-ville.....so I didn't blog.

Unless it was reallllly important!

But, I've missed you. And I keep getting emails that you miss me. So, I'll be back very soon.

Unfortunately for time sake, I am designing for 2 companies for CHA and I'm swamped right now. I leave on Thursday for California for a Scrapbook Expo. And I'm flying home on a red-eye all night on Monday morning! GAG!!! So, I may not get to it until I return. But, I promise it's coming!!!!

Love,
Roxann

Awards All Around!

BOY...AM I FEELIN' THE LOVE!!!!!! :)


So, I've been awarded the "I LOVE YOUR BLOG" award
4 times recently! And for me, this is very exciting! (because it proves that you are still reading -- even though many of you NEVER leave me some Blog Love in the form of a comment! Busted!!!!!)

I received the award first from my dear friend, Jamie. Who I miss so much. Who I am compulsively addicted to checking her blog multiple times a day, just in case she posts twice. (which she often does, darn overachiever!) Hee hee hee!

So, one day I am checking her blog and I find my self nestled just after Cathy Zielski in the list, with the sweetest sentiment ever!

Here's what she said, "Roxann Walker - Because she's embedded herself in my heart like a tick in a hound's butt. (I don't really know what that means, but it sounds pretty profound right?)"

Seriously, I laughed out loud!!! But if you know Jamie, than you know that this a serious declaration of love and adoration!! (but, do not hug her!)


Then, within days, I hear from another Savannah friend and inspirational scrapper, Deiha, that she has chosen me for the I Love Your Blog" award. Short and Sweet, but still means so much! Thanks, D! Seriously miss scrappin' with you!!


And just when I was realizing that I was running hugely behind with listing those two awards, I received the "I Love Your Blog" award a third time from a super sweet, very talented scrapper that I've had the pleasure of getting to know better this year, Kory Dordea! Thanks, Kory! And congrats on the baby!! :)


And before Robin realized I suck for forgetting her in this list, she also nominated me for this award IN THIS POST! Aw, Robin, please forgive me! You know I am one of your blog stalkers and art admirers. I just really do suck! So, everyone go check out ROBIN'S BLOG here and leave her a comment! She's starved for attention like me!
(We know people stalk us, but no one ever comments. So, make her day and do it! :)

*So now that I know I'm loved I'm gonna pay it forward by following these rules:

(1) The winner can put the logo on their blog. (2) Link the person you received your award from. (3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs. (4) Put links of those on yours. (5) Leave a message on the blogs of the girls or boys you’ve nominated.

Since I knocked out #'s 1 and 2, let's see what we can do about numbers 3, 4 and 5!

Here's the thing, since I was nominated 3 times, do I nominate 7 blogs or 28 blogs?

Oh, the dilemma's of life.....

Well, I think should do 7, so I'll just start nominating those!!

My Blog Stalk List:

#1 - Emilie Ahern. I stinkin' love this girl! She is so funny. So smart. She cooks and teaches me how to freeze stuff on her "Freeze Happy" blog. And, she's a wicked cool scrapbooker! And she has two of the cutest redheaded girls you ever saw! And when I was able to meet her at CKC-Valley Forge...she forever implanted herself in my heart! What else do you need for a good blog?!? She's got it all!

#2 - Jamie Danford. Former owner of Savannah Scrapbooker. Fruit loop lover. Fabulous scrapbooker. Inspiring "Try-It Tuesday" poster. Mother. Wife to a redneck. Funny. Beautiful. And my good friend. As I mentioned above, I stalk her several times a day. Love ya girl!

#3 - Amber Winward. Oh, where do I even begin to share my love for this girl?!?! My Mormonlicious friend. One that teaches me about faith. Fellow mother of four. Cute kids and a seriously cute baby! Hilariously funny! Kick butt scrapbooker! And inspiring in so many ways! And after this Summer, one hell of a SURVIVOR!!!!! (((huge hugs to you, my friend)))

#4 - Sherry Piper. This girl is like the sister I never had. We are so alike and yet, so different. We are kinda like a Reese Peanut Butter Cup. Chocolate and Peanut Butter are good alone, but FABULOUS TOGETHER!! We have matching tattoos, which will always bond us together! I miss you, Sherry!! (but we'll always have Charlotte!)

#5 - Tam at Momma Song. Because sometimes she's funny. Sometimes introspective. Sometimes just talking about life with her two crazy boys. (aka...the natives) Because she brought me through my years in Georgia. And because I brought her through pregnancy and single motherdom (due to deployment.) And because I miss her, too.

#6 - Kate O'Brien. Kate must be included on my list because I love her blog. She's so fantastic. My favorite thing about Kate is that she inspires me! I like how her work is so REAL and True and Honest. And back before she became the "next big thing" in the scrapbooking world, she offered to build my original super cute blog banner/blog for me and I was a perfect stranger. Over time she became my friend. I wish her only the best. Now, why is her blog down, you ask? Well, because of snarky, hateful women. That's why. If, and when her blog is back, I'll be adding it to my blogroll. (with Kate's permission, of course!)

#7 - Kory Dordea. Kory is such a sweet girl. She's a great scrapbooker. And she's finally beat the battle with infertility and is pregs w/ her first child.

Other faves of note: Check my blogroll on the side --------------------------------->

Yep, I suck....

Every single day I think......I'm gonna update my blog.
And every single day....I don't get to it!

And today is really just the same......
...I am just too stinkin' busy.

I've been working like a crazy person.
I'm getting ready to leave on a trip in one more day.
The kids get out of school next week, so we are trying to wrap up the year.

I'm exhausted.

I'll try to post something fun and exciting soon!

Feel free to leave me a comment and tell me how much I suck!

IT'S MY BLOG~ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!

1 Year
365 days
285 posts
7,680 Visitors*
12,768 Page Views*
A bunch of new "blog" friends
A Zillion Laughs, Sorrows and Memories....


Thank you for everything!
You guys seriously ~rock~!!!

And, in case you missed it...you can read the very first
~the Real Roxann~ blog post .....right here! It's funny, NOW!
Does it say "sucker" on my forehead? a.k.a.
Who knew housekeepers could be so DIRTY!?!?!?


*these numbers actually only include Feb. 2007 - Dec. 2007

WHERE ARE YOU????????

So...I finally eek out time to post and I only get a shout out from Beth and a new friend, Dee!


WHERE IS EVERYONE?!?!?!?!


If I get some responses....I'll post again today!!!!

I promise.

THIS made me cry.......

Copied from Tam's blog:


I would like to nominate http://therealroxann.blogspot.com/ for the following award:

How many have you inspired to create a blog?

Quite a few

How many people check your blog and then go dust off their Scrapbook supplies and create a page?

ME for one and I know there are countless others!

How many others are following your weight loss and are inspired by this?

Me again

You are an inspiration on so many levels that I can not even list here and you deserve this!

Seriously.....how sweet is this?!?!

Thanks, girl!

I've been GIVEN an award by a stranger!!!!!

...and I am so *excited*!!!


This award was given to me by...
TINA
at
TwinkleScrapbooks

So, click on her link above and check out her cute blog!!!!

(THANKS SO MUCH, TINA!!!) :-)


So...the rules are...I am supposed to Award 5 Bloggers with this
Creative Blogger Award!!

So, without further adieu....I award the following 5 Bloggers:

1. Tammy @ MommaSong
(this blog belongs to my good friend, Tam, who is not only funny, but a really talented writer!!! Her blog is new....like barely a month old. So, show her some BLOG LOVE and leave her a comment!!! ALL BLOGGERS LOVE COMMENTS!!)

2. Kerry @ Curly Girl
(I have been a fan of Kerry's blog for about a year now. She is so, so funny! And a good scrapbooker, to boot!! The best of both worlds!!! And she's super sweet!!!! I love her views on things and she tells such good stories!!! Kerry....you rock!!! Go now & check out her blog!!)

3. Hunzer @ Comfortably Numb
(I love this girl!!! She is funny. She is blunt. She tells it like it is w/ colorful words. ---if you dislike profanity you should probably skip this one--- This girl is awesome!!! She is the most honest and unapologetic friends I have made on the net and I wouldn't have her any other way!!!
Keep rockin' it ~S~ you are the bomb!!!! :-)

4. Jamie @ Savannah Scrapbooking
(I am so happy to call this girl my friend! Miss ya, J! So.....whenever I need some inspiration...I go look at Jamie's blog, her archives and her online albums! I just love her work!!!! If she'd submit her stuff she'd be published alot and famous!!!!! And, her blog posts are mixed with scrappy posts and posts about her life. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always in Jamie style. Read her blog....you'll love it! And if you go to Savannah, GA....go check out her FABULOUS NEW STORE LOCATION!!!!! J--is your online store up now?)

It's always sooooo hard to fill the last spot, because it's a decision between many........I suppose if I receive the Creative Blogger Award from someone else I'll be able to finish my list, which is definately longer than 5!!!

5. Amber @ Albums by Amber
(this is another fabulous girl I am happy to call my good friend! Amber is funny, kind and talented! She makes LO's that I love. And she has a heart of gold. What's not to like?!?! And did you know she was the winner of the Carolee's Scrapbook Apprentice contest from last year?!? So, she's a published scrapbook designer, as well!!! Like I said, talented!!)


So....thanks again TINA~~ and I love your blog, too!!!

Bad Blogger...

Well, kids........I am sorry.

I have been so busy this week!!!! I haven't been a good blogger!


I have been working on so many things....

• making Jensens birthday invites
• working on some scrap projects
• laundry, laundry and more laundry (never ending....)
• planning for my trip to KC for the Creating Keepsakes Convention.

And I feel like it's only going to get worse as the week goes on.....

....maybe not, though.

contest

Ok....just to clarify.....

The sitemeter does not track comments....it tracks "VISITS" to my blog.

In other words, if you visit my blog...
it assigns you a number.
The next person gets the next number, etc.


So, the contest winner will be VISITOR number 5000.

I'll go to my sitemeter and it will show me who this person is.....
or rather it will tell me where this person lives...
and I'll go back and match the time codes with the comments.
(because remember this person must leave a comment to win!)


I can tell you were are less that 100 visitors away from a winner.
(meaning we could be at 4901 or 4999....I can't tell you!)

I can predict that I assume this 5000th visitor should happen this week.
(remember, I originally predicted it could be by the end of Sept. and today is Oct. 1st - so I was a little off....but not by much.........)

So, remember when you visit...comment!


(geez.......I really tried to make this contest non-complicated......but it doesn't seem it!)



Now, I'm off to feed the kids lunch and pick up Logan to take him to the orthopedic doctor to see about his broken arm...... Check with you all later!!

Blog Contest Update....

I previously announced a contest on my blog.
The info on the CONTEST is here!!
(you know...the rules and stuff...)


So, I can't tell you what number we are on....but I can tell you that I am fairly certain it should happen this week!!!!!

Someone will win some cool stuff....
BEST OF LUCK!!

A CONTEST!!!!!!

The Real Roxann Site Summary
VISITS
	Total	4,477

***edited to add new comments***

CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!!


I am about to get my 5000th visitor to my site
very soon!

**edited to add.....I believe it will occur sometime before
the end of the month of September **

SO I'VE DECIDED TO HAVE A CONTEST!!!!


Do you know that over the weekend I had 331 visits to my blog on Saturday and Sunday alone?!! (mostly thanks to J posting my nightmare in my scraproom story on 2Peas!) And out of those 331 visits to that one blog post......only 9 comments were posted.
ONLY 9 COMMENTS......
...can you believe that?!



So, my point is every single day I see people who are visiting my blog, but never, ever commenting! (thanks to my faithful friends who comment all the time!)
Anyway, I wish people would comment and let me know your reading, just say hi, throw in your opinion, anything!!!!!


SO.....THE CONTEST....

I'm gonna give a prize to VISITOR 5000 to my Blog.
But, here's the catch. You must be visitor 5000 and you must leave me a comment. In other words, if you visit the blog and you're number 5000, but you don't post a comment.....then, it doesn't count. In that case, the next person after 5000 that leaves a comment will WIN!!!!!
Does that make sense?

(yes, I am bribing you guys to leave comments....what can I say?!?! A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!!!!)


Now....I have no idea what the prize will be yet, but it will
probably be something fun and it will probably also be something
that isn't very expensive. (after all.....I have 4 kids who all need Winter clothes! It got down to the 40's here last weekend!!)

Most likely, it will be scrapbooking related!

Honestly....I just don't know yet! I need to go shopping!!!


So.....

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!!!


Remember to post a comment or you can't win!!!!!!!

**edited to add**
The 5000 comment does not have to be made on THIS post. The 5000th visit & comment can be made on ANY post!!

(my site meter will tell me in most cases...who the person is that was visitor #5000 and then I will go see if this person has indeed left a comment that makes them the CONTEST WINNER. If not, I will defer to the next visitor after #5000 that leaves a comment.)

Clear as mud, right?!?!

I guess my point is.....if you never comment, you definitely
will not win this contest!

Frustrated with Blogger.....

AAARRGGGHHHH!!!!!!


Recently, I've been having a lot of trouble w/ posting on blogger. In fact, it's really hacking me off and wasting a lot of my time.
(which I really don't appreciate!!!!)


So, tell me about your blog host.....

...are you using blogger and having trouble, too?

....who do you use and do you like them? why or why not?

....who is supposed to be the easiest host?


I am seriously so over blogger, but change scares the crap out of me.......but, I'll think about it!

Yep, I'm still here....

So, I am seriously a bad Blogger these days.....


.....I guess I am just feeling a little overwhelmed in general. I had a hard time getting back into our routine after going to Tulsa for my Class Reunion. I don't know why. I guess I came home tired, overwhelmed and then having to deal w/ the therapist and the stress of that really got to me. I guess I've been in a little bit of a funk.


So, last weekend was real busy. On Saturday morning I went to "weigh-in" at WW. I know you probably assumed it was bad since I didn't mention it. I know it was going to be sketchy since I had eaten what I wanted at the reunion, then I had 2 slices of pizza very late at night. Not the best WW choice, but I was hungry, so I ate it. But, then I was right back on my diet. So, the weigh-in was OK. I was the SAME. I just maintained....and I was perfectly happy with that. At least it wasn't a gain!!!


Then, on Saturday afternoon, Big Daddy took our oldest to his tv stations' "Shred-A-Thon." (This is where they have a well-known shredding company donate their services and viewers can bring sensitive documents of any amount to be shredded.) Anyway, it was sunny, humid and hot and we brought he and L lunch. Then, we stayed and helped him for 5 hours. The kids were perfect! It was a lot of work, but myself and the older boys were able to pitch in and daddy wasn't lonely!
All-in-all, it wasn't too bad! A bit hot, but still not too bad.
But, we came home exhausted!!!!

We spent all Sunday indoors because it rained all day. But, we really needed it!


So, Monday, I went to see the new Psychiatrist. It was almost too much for me. And I came home feeling emotionally and even physically drained. The jury is still out on how I feel about her. I will see her again next week and that should help me decide.


Then, Tuesday, it was back to the original therapist. It went more smoothly this week, but she can still sense that I am a little uneasy. I'm still really glad I didn't back down and I feel good I stood up for myself and big daddy. So, anyway, we made some more progress and I confessed a few other big issues I'd been mulling to her. I felt better, but I am just so tired of dealing with all this crap. So tired of it. So, again, I came home emotionally and physically exhausted.


I am glad I am doing the therapy, but sometimes it feels like it would be easier just to walk away. But, in reality, I know that isn't the case!!! I need to be there.


And it has been raining for 3 days, ruining our swimming time (and my exercising.) So, that's been making me in a bad mood. It was clear today, and plenty hot and humid. But, J had a migraine today....so no pool again.


Tomorrow I have to go enroll the kids in school, along with the parents of 350 other students.....so, that ought to be real FUN! NOT!!!! Then, we have swim lessons.


Why is summer so busy???


Friday is filled with getting Griffin a physical for Pre-K. And then getting all his paperwork and the check for tuition to his new school. Eeek! So much to do!!!


I promise to try to blog a little more regular!!!!

I'd like to thank all the little people.....

(I'm totally kidding.....)


But not about THIS:



I got a BLOG AWARD!!!!!


Ahh huh! Oh, yeah! Ahh huh! Oh Yeah!
WOO HOO!
Yea, ME!!


That means someone, other than myself,
thinks I am funny!!! Or that I have something
worthwhile to say, that people want to read!



I was given this coveted award by a fantastic blogger that I have been enjoying for about 3 months. Somewhere along the line, she started reading my blog. Her name is Kerry, she has curly hair and she's a funny, funny girl! Check out her blog at Curly Girl.


I am re-giving an Honorary Award to her
because she totally Rocks!!!



Along with winning the award, I am to bestow this honor to 5 Rockin' Blog Girls that I love!


(crap...this is gonna be HARD to choose....I currently regularly stalk about 18 blogs........)



So, here goes my list.....



First, I choose Jamie D. She was the best darn boss I ever had and she's such a talented scrapper! She needs to do the CK HOF or MM Masters....because she'd stinkin' win! She never fails to inspire or make me smile, often both! I miss the heck out of her! (and her twin, Kristine, too!) You know I think you're awesome! Because you are!!



My second choice will be Elsie Flannigan. Most scrapbookers know who she is...but if you don't run to her blog (which is in the process of moving from here to here!) and check it out now! She has such a unique style and I swear she's the cutest girl I've ever seen! Her new Love, Elsie products are to die for! Yummy!



My third award to an Rockin' Girl Award goes to Sara a.k.a. Hunzer. She is freaking hilarious. She scrapbooks, she knits, she's a mom of a gaggle of kids and she's got a dirty mouth...get over it! (seriously, if foul language bothers you...you should probably skip her blog!) Anyway, I have been laughing at her blog for about 6 months! The thing I love about Hunzer is that she says what she thinks, including profanity, no matter what! And she has a charity donation link...
to do some good for others!!! (she has a BIG heart!) So, visit her blog and donate a few dollars to a good cause!



The fourth award goes to Stacy A.'s blog...My Scrap Studio. She's the best darn nurse any rockin' girl would be lucky enough to cross paths with. She's a GA girl, thru and thru! She's someone you want on your side when things get crazy. And she's the only girl I know tough enough to "pack heat!!" And she has more scrappin' talent in her pinkie than some people in their entire body! I'm super glad she's my friend! She reminds my why I miss Georgia.



And last, but certainly not least, is my mormonlicious friend AMBER!! Trust me, she's a Rockin' Girl! In fact, she's McRockin' !!!! She is super-talented, inspiring and funny, to boot! She makes me laugh. She posts beautiful pages! And I'm super proud to call her my friend. She's actually the only person that is not in my family that I've created a scrapbook page about! I did the page when she won the Adornit by Carolee's Apprentice contest and got her own scrapbooking lines produced and sold to scrapbook stores across the country. She's awesome! I love ya, McGirlie!!

So, Congratulations to MY Rockin' Girls!


Now, you guys need to choose
5 Rockin' Blogger Girls
to bestow your awards on!

Is anyone out there?!?!?!?!

Hello???? I need to know you are there..... Please leave me comments and let me know you are reading.....

I am so busy, I really want to post, but I'm afraid no one is reading. (do I sound like I need validation? i do.) Jamie D. tells me that people are asking her about my blog....but no one ever says anything to me....besides Amber.

Let me know if you are reading....and I promise to make time to update. Otherwise, I have boxes calling my name!!!