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Friday, September 30, 2011

The Story of Me part 8

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April 1, 1989

Clara walked out of the rehab facility and into the waiting taxi. She sat there uncomfortably while the driver waited for her home address so he could drop her off. Clara could barely remember her own name and had to look at the discharge papers in her hand to get her address. Once the driver had the address, he gave Clara a reassuring smile, started the meter and began driving away from the facility where he himself had once spent a month of his life.


Clara had taken nearly a month and a half to complete a thirty day inpatient alcohol rehab program. She had spent the better part of the first three days sicker than she had ever been in her life. The withdrawal symptoms had done that to her. Remembering the pain her body had been in during those days should have been enough to keep her from drinking again, but it wasn’t. The first chance she got Clara walked out of the facility and walked into the first bar she found. Less than twenty four hours later Pat had collected her long time neighbor and returned her to rehab. Under threat of jail, Clara once again walked into the building she had left and began another agonizing alcohol withdrawal.

Now, Clara sat in the back of a taxi staring out at a city she could not remember. Clara had spent less than two months in rehab, but there were literally years of her life that she could not remember and the years she could recall were so painful to remember that she wished they could also be wiped from her memory.

The taxi stopped in front of a worn down house in an even more worn down neighborhood. Clara looked at a for rent sign sitting in the front yard of what she thought was her home and wondered where she would go if she could no longer stay in that house.

The driver of the taxi watched her through the rearview mirror and patiently gave her time to get her courage up and exit the cab. When it appeared that Clara was never going to open the car door and take the first step toward getting her life together the driver spoke for the first time since asking where she wanted to be dropped off. “You know, that facility you were in, they saved my life a couple of years ago. I had hit rock bottom, gotten into trouble with the cops, lost my family and had no where to go. One day, for reasons I can’t explain to you, I walked into that place and they took me in with open arms. I’ve been sober for two years, four months and 17 days. Everyday is a struggle, but it’s a battle worth fighting.” Clara looked at him with tears in her eyes. “Here, take my number. My name is Mortimer and you can call me any time. Maybe we can go to a meeting together sometime.” Mortimer scribbled his name and number down then ripped the paper from a notepad and handed it over the car seat to Clara. She took the paper without saying a word and tried to pay the fare, but Mortimer waved her money away. “No thanks, I always cover the fare for riders I pick up at rehab. It’s just my little way of trying to help someone else get a new start on their life.”

Clara nodded her head and tried to smile as she kept her money and got out of the taxi.

Pat had been watching the taxi from her front window and walked out onto her small front porch carrying the baby as it drove away. “Welcome home, Clara.” She called out.

Clara shrugged as she looked from the for rent sign in her yard to Pat. “It doesn’t look like I have a home any longer.”

Pat took a step to the side and opened her front door. “Well, I guess you better bring your things in here then. We can’t have you sleeping on the street.”

Clara walked slowly across the yard and stopped when she reached the bottom of the stairs looking uncertain and afraid. “I…I don’t know…”

Pat interrupted her, “Just get inside. We’ll work out the particulars later.”

Clara gave Pat a small smile that was both timid and relieved. She walked up the stairs across the porch and into her neighbors house. Clara stopped inside the door and looked around. She knew that she had been here before but she had been so drunk for so long that everything looked new. The fading wallpaper, the sagging couch, the worn out carpet, the outdated drapes and broken uneven blinds all looked perfect to Clara and she felt out of place.

Pat walked by her and placed the baby in a playpen that looked like it had seen better days with a pink stuffed animal. “Have a seat and I’ll catch you up on what’s been happening around here.” Pat kept talking as she walked into the kitchen, “I just made some lemonade and I’ve got a package of Oreos. I’ll get us some so we can snack as we talk.”

Clara looked around the room and let her eyes settle on the baby that seemed to be watching her like she knew a secret. “Have you heard from Lily? I haven’t heard from my Lily in so long.”

Pat rushed back into the room carrying a tray filled with two glasses of lemonade, a saucer and an opened package of Oreos. “No. No one has seen or heard from Lily.” She put the tray on the coffee table sat in the middle of the couch and gestured toward a chair. “Sit down. I know you’re feeling overwhelmed. I’ll fill you in on what I know, but it isn‘t much.” Clara dropped herself into a chair across from where Pat was sitting, accepted the glass of lemonade that was held out for her and watched as Pat dumped Oreos onto the saucer. “Is there anything in particular you want to know or do you just want me to start talking about everything that’s happened since you’ve been gone?” Pat popped an entire Oreo into her mouth and washed it down by drinking half her glass of lemonade in one gulp.

Clara used her glass to motion toward the playpen, “That baby, is it really Lily’s.”

“Yes. This is Harmony and she’s your granddaughter. No one really knows who or where the father is. Lily never told anyone for sure and she left that space on the birth certificate empty.”

Clara tried to fight the tears that were building up inside her. “How did I not know? How could she have a baby?” Clara gave in to the tears and her body shook as she repeated herself. “How did I not know?”

Pat placed her now empty lemonade glass on the coffee table, wiped cookie crumbs from her face and rubbed her hands together. “It ain’t gonna do you no good to cry about things now. Tears can’t change what’s already been done. Your baby had a baby and now she’s gone. You missed it just like you’ve missed everything else that’s gone on around here for years cause you were drunk. You‘ve always been drunk but you‘re not now and that‘s what we‘ve got to worry about.” Pat leaned forward as if she wanted to make a point. “We’ve got to keep you sober so that you can take care of that sweet grandbaby of yours.”

Clara sat stunned for a moment then looked from Pat to the baby and back at Pat again. “I don’t even know that baby. What if she’s not really Lily’s?”

Pat stood and covered the short distance between the couch and playpen in two steps. She swooped down and lovingly picked up the baby. After whispering some soft words into the baby’s ear she turned and placed her into Clara’s unwilling hands. “Look at her eyes. Look at that baby’s beautiful eyes and then tell me she’s not Lily’s child.”

Clara propped the baby on her lap and started sobbing as she looked into the child’s wide, innocent and beautifully green eyes. “I didn’t know. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

Pat watched and waited for the tears to subside. “Well, you know now.” She returned to her seat on the couch and picked up another Oreo. “We can’t change the past, but we can make sure the future turns out differently. You have to take care of that baby and you have to stay sober to do that.” Pat put the Oreo in her mouth and chewed loudly.

Clara was still holding the baby at a distance but she never took her eyes off of the infants face. “I don’t even know how I’m going to live. I can’t take care of a baby.”

Pat dropped the cookie that she had been about to eat back onto the saucer and raised her voice as she pointed at Clara. “That’s why you’ll stay here with me. I’ll help with the baby while you work on staying sober and find a job. You’ve got no where else to go anyway and that baby needs you. You were so far behind on your rent that the landlord changed the locks as soon as he heard you were in rehab. He let me get most of your personal things out and they’re out back in my shed. You’ll have to share a room with Harmony there, but I figure that will give you girls time to bond.”

“Why would you do that for me?”

“Oh, I’m not doing it for you. I figure you brought all the misery you’ve suffered on yourself, but that baby there she don’t deserve none of it. Keeping you here lets me keep my eye on you while making sure my precious Harmony girl is safe. You take one drink, and I mean just one drink, and you’re out of here. I will call the police and child services and you will lose this child just like you lost your daughter.”

Clara nodded her understanding and went back to staring at the baby she uncomfortably held in her hands.


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Thursday, September 29, 2011

STS Spring Retreat!

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Have you ever wanted to have a meet the designers and forum members of Stuff to Scrap in real life? Save the date: April 27-28, 2012. Stuff to Scrap will be having its first ever Scrapalicious Digi-Retreat that weekend in Schaumburg, Illinois that weekend and it promises to be a good time.



You can read more about the retreat here or click on the image below to be taken to the retreat area of the forum. You can get answers to your questions, chat with other participants, learn more about the sponsors, get a list of fun things to do in Chicagoland, and find a roommate.



Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

$2 Tuesday at Stuff to Scrap!

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Make sure you check out the $2 bin at Stuff to Scrap today because Shel Belle Scraps has added her gorgeous kit Serenity. If you haven't picked up this kit yet, now is the perfect time to get it! Just click on the preview below to head over to the store!


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The matching quickpages are also on sale for $2 so check those out too!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Forest Fantasy QP Freebie!

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The bad thing about being sick is being stuck at home when you would rather be out enjoying the weekend. The good thing about being stuck at home is the things you find online. lol!

I found a QuickPage Collection Game at DigiScrapStation. We were given a beautiful kit called Forest Fantasy by Karen's Scraps and Graphics and told to make an 8x8 Quickpage. Not a hard assignment at all cause not only is this kit gorgeous it's huge!

You can click on the preview below to get the QP that I made. Make sure you check out the fun at DigiScrapStation to pick up the other QP freebies.

There's still time for you to join in on the fun!



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Denim Blue by April the Scrapaholic

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April has added a HUGE kit to her store called Denim Blue. It's a great kit for outdoor layouts, pics of your little ones and your not so little ones too. Take a look at the preview...


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Here's a layout I made and turned into a quickpage for you...


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Visit April's Blog store to buy Denim Blue, get more layout inspiration and to pick up some freebies that were made using this kit. To get the QP I made, just click on the preview below...


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Saturday, September 24, 2011

Skate Party by FlowerScraps

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Deanna of FlowerScraps released a fun new kit this week called Skate Party. It's a fun kit with bright colors and it will remind you of all the time you spent at the skating rink as a kid. Take a look at the preview...


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The kit has an alpha, 13 papers and 31 elements! Here are a couple of layouts that I made...


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There is more layout inspiration on Deanna's blog as well as an awesome cluster freebie and Skate Party is available in The FlowerScraps store Stuff to Scrap now.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Hello Fall by Nibbles Skribbles

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After sharing some of the bad luck I've had this week with you I wanted to tell you about something good.

I was lucky enough to be a guest CT member for Nibbles Skribbles and got to work with her awesome new kit called Hello Fall. I guess she didn't get the memo about the universe being out to get me and I'm so glad she didn't cause I fell in love with this kit! Take a look...



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There are 12 papers, 31 elements and an alpha in Hello Fall and the colors are amazing! I love the way the teal looks with the browns and oranges

Here are some layouts I made with the kit and some pictures of my friends daughter.



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Check out Nibbles Skribbles blog for more layout inspiration and pick up this adorable kit in her store while it's on sale!

The Story of Me part 7

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February 16, 1989

Clara, wearing a dressing gown that had seen better days, walked up the stairs to Pat’s front door and knocked as hard as her trembling hands would allow. Pat looked through the curtains and pressed her lips together staring for several seconds before deciding Clara was sober enough to be allowed entrance into her home. Opening the door, Pat motioned for Clara to be quiet then pointed toward the sleeping baby inside a very old play pin.

Clara spoke with tears in her eyes and a body that was fighting a losing battle against the shakes that come from alcohol deprivation after years of over indulgence. “Have you seen my Lily? I can’t find my Lily.”

Pat lost some of her anger and felt sympathy for this poor broken woman that had aged far beyond her years. “Your Lily is gone now and I don’t know where she went or if she’ll come back. You can’t afford to break down. You’ve got other responsibilities and I mean to make sure you take care of them.”

“But my Lily…”

“That beautiful baby right there is your granddaughter. Your granddaughter. Do you hear me? She almost died because you were so far into the bottle that you didn’t even know she existed.”

Clara collapsed onto the sofa and stared at her trembling hands. “I didn’t know. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. My Harvey, he’s gone and I can’t do anything with out him. I need Harvey and Lily and…”

Pat managed to comfort Clara while maintaining the stern voice that made it clear she meant business. “Harvey and Lily can’t help you now. It’s up to you to help yourself and that baby girl right there. You have taken your last drink. Do you hear me?”

Clara tried to stand in protest, but Pat pulled her back onto the sofa. Pulling the note she had torn from the blanket the day before and waving it in Clara’s face Pat said, “Read this. It was pinned to that baby’s blanket for over twenty four hours and you never saw it because you were drunk and in your own miserable world.”

Clara tried to focus her sight well enough to read the note but after having no luck Pat snatched it from her and read it aloud as Clara cried.

“I figure you’ve got two choices. You can leave this baby with me while you get help and sober up or I can call child protective services. They’ll take her away and you’ll probably go to jail for child endangerment.”

“Jail? I can’t go to jail.” Clara cried.

“Good. Then I would say you’ve made your choice. There’s a residential clinic that takes low income patients on a sliding scale. It’s over on Flagler Street and I’m going to drive you there now.” Clara tried to protest but one look from Pat shut her up quickly. “You will do whatever they say for as long as they say to do it or so help me God, I will make sure you go to jail myself. Do you understand me?”

Clara sat quietly as tears rolled down her face and Pat gathered her purse, keys and the sleeping baby.


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Thursday, September 22, 2011

The universe continued to punish me today!

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OMG! I so completely understand why our mother's taught us not to lie.

I came close to calling Triple A today and apologizing for saying that I wasn't sure if I was in a safe area or not and asking them to please, please, please call off the bad karma vibes that had been sent my way as a result of the lie.....er, uummm......lies

I go out this morning and get into Orange Croc Guys car only to find that it is as dead a as doornail. It didn't even make a sound when I turned the key.

I go back, wake him up, give him the keys and he immediately asks, "What did you do to my car?" Why did he automatically assume that I had damaged his car? I was offended!

He doesn't believe me when I tell him his car has died and it's not my fault. He actually had to get up, get dressed and go out to the garage with me. Apparently, he decided that I needed a lesson in how to start a car.

Well, he couldn't start it either and at this point in time Female Logic 101 clearly states that everything is now HIS FAULT!

As he's trying to charge the battery (which wasn't cooperating) I start walking away and he calls after me...

OCG: Where are you going?
ME: (said in a tone that lets him know everything is now his fault) I'm going to the ATM to get some cash then I'm going out to the street to get into a taxi so I can go to work and after work I'm going to get a rental car like I should have done yesterday!

As I turned and walked away in a huff, like only a girl who has really angered the universe can he called after me: Good, cause I'm probably going to need a ride.

I had to keep walking because I was trying to be mad and it would not have done to have him see me laughing.

I now have a rental. His car has been fixed and is running perfectly. OCG did take great pleasure in the fact that his car got fixed in less than a day while mine is still sitting in the shop.

Whatever! I have a rental car now so I don't care.

But, I'm telling you right now that if you don't hear from me ever again it's because the universe is still out to get me and I have changed my name, dyed my hair and moved to another country!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Run of bad luck!

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I know a lot of people who are going through a really tough time right now for various reasons and I really do feel bad for them, but I'm telling you that I am stuck in a really bad sitcom and I want out cause it's not funny anymore!

My day started off like a normal day and I was happy about that, but as I was leaving the interstate things changed. I saw the car in front of me hit something and then swerve a little bit, but I didn't have time to do anything and there was a car beside me so I had no where to go. I ran over whatever it was that he ran over and I got two flat tires.

I get pulled over on a side street and call Triple A. The girl asks if I want them to change my flat or tow the car in. I was no longer in a good mood so I told her that I had two flat tires and one spare. Do the math! While I'm talking to her one of the girls I work with stops to make sure I'm ok and after I get told that it's going to be an hour before someone can get to me and that I have to stay with the car she heads off to school with the promise of taking care of my class until I get there.

Two more of my co-workers stopped to check on me. They're so nice!

I get bored of waiting and call Triple A again. They asked if I'm in a safe neighborhood and I.....umm.....lied. I told them that I didn't know the area and I didn't know if it was safe or not. I played the hysterical female quite well! Help came sooner rather than later.

Of course, the universe needed to punish me for lying so when help arrived he turned out to be no help at all. The guy tried putting air in both of the tires hoping that one of them would hold it and the spare could be used for the other. No such luck. Both tires started losing the air as soon as it was put in. He wasn't driving a tow truck so he had to call one and I was back to waiting.

The tow truck driver gets my number from Triple A and calls me. The first question he asked was, "Are you in a safe area?" Since I'm a slow learner and a very selfish girl who was tired of sitting in her car by the side of the road.....I lied again. The guy got to me loaded my car up and I hopped into the truck with him asking to be dropped off at work. You should have seen the look on his face when I explained that he needed to go three blocks this way then four blocks that way after declaring that I had no idea where I even was. LOL!

The universe punished me again!

I got to school and had to explain to 18 five year olds why I was late. Remember what it was like when you were a teenager and had to explain to your mom why you had missed your curfew and came home late? Well, these kids were scarier than that!

As soon as I got a chance I called the auto shop and made sure they had gotten my car. I was told that it made it there safely, but they hadn't looked at it yet. He promised to call me back.

He didn't call. The universe was still punishing me!

When I finally got to talk to them I found out that whatever that stupid thing in the road was it damaged my rims and they both had to be replaced. He then tells me that my car is a 2004 so getting the rims isn't going to be easy. They have to come in from Tampa and it's going to take 3 to 4 days.

OK, universe, you win! I won't lie any more! I promise!

I start thinking that it's almost time for an oil change and decide that since they're gong to have my car until Friday they may as well go ahead and take care of that for me. One less thing to worry about later! I call again and talk to a completely different person. This guy says changing the oil won't be a problem and proceeds to say that only one tire rim needs to be replaced. I get confused because if that's the case, just put the spare tire on in place of the damaged one. Give me my car and I"ll swing by on Friday to pick up the new one that will replace my spare. Makes sense to me!

I call Orange Croc Guy and fill him in. He decides that he's going to pick me and swing by the shop to see the tires for himself. After he looks at it and talks to the guy, he decides that I should just wait and replace both rims.

Whatever!

I point out that I now need to go get a rental and OCG tells me not to bother. He's going to let me drive his car tomorrow and Thursday then Friday he's dropping me off at school and I'll get a ride from there to the shop to pick up my car.

Sounds like a plan to me!

Then the dude took me out to dinner.

Maybe the universe has forgiven me for lying....

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Should I call the doctor or a scientist?

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I hate being sick! I'm so congested that all day today my class kept asking me why I was talking so funny. LOL!

Earlier tonight I made the mistake of allowing Orange Croc Guy talk me into using that stupid neti pot again. I don't know if you remember my neti pot story from way back, but it was horrible. OCG bought it for when I was sick and swore it was the best thing ever. I used it one time (half of one time, actually!) and decided that he must have been mad at me cause no one would ever put a real friend through that! He stuck to his story about it being awesome so when Christmas rolled around I wrapped the stupid thing up and gave it back to him. lol!

Well, he showed up tonight the thing and an evil smile and I gave in and tried it again.

I'll spare you all the gory details and just say that I think an alien was living in my nose! Now I need to know what to do if I don't feel any better tomorrow. Do I call the doctor, a scientist, the FBI or someone out in Area 51?

Monday, September 19, 2011

The blog-oversary winner is.....

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As you can tell by this wordart I needed to give myself a little encouragement today. lol!

I wanted to stop in long enough to announce the winner of my three year blog-oversary give away. I used random.org to pick a winner and that winner is....

Tracey Toms Van Hoy

Tracey, please send me your email address and I'll get the $5 Stuff to Scrap gift certificate out to you!

I also want to thank everyone for stopping by and reading my ramblings everyday and for encouraging me in everything I do. You guys really are the best!

I love you all!

9-19-11

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Sunday, September 18, 2011

Oh No!

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I've spent most of today lying around feeling crummy. I woke up with a cough and sore throat. Looks like I'm getting the first cold of the new school year. UGH!

All those things I was going to accomplish this weekend are just going to have to wait until next weekend. I'm not too sad about that cause I really didn't want to clean anyway. LOL!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Take a Hike by Shel Belle Scraps

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Don't forget to pick up Take A Hike by Shel Belle Scraps while it's on sale!



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It's the featured kit for the quickpage exchange challenge at Stuff to Scrap. Buy the kit, make a QP, follow the challenge rules and get ALL the challenge quickpages for free!

Here's a layout I've made using the kit and I've turned both pages into QPs for the challenge...

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Friday, September 16, 2011

The Story of Me part 6

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February 15, 1989

Clara woke up to the sound of someone pounding on the front door. She looked around the room and tried to remember what day it was. The last thing she remembered was the crying baby in the kitchen. At least the crying had stopped and if she could just get rid of whoever was knocking on the door she could go back to sleep.

Slowly Clara sat up in bed and reached for the vodka bottle that was sitting on the night stand. The bottle was empty so Clara cursed under her breath and threw it onto the bed behind her before standing. Slowly and unsteadily Clara walked from the room, down the hall and toward the front door. “Stop knocking already. I’m coming. If that baby is still here and you wake it up there’s going to be hell to pay.” Clara shouted as she held her head.

“Clara, it’s Pat from next door. I just wanted to see if everything was ok here and if I could help.”

Clara opened the door and was momentarily blinded by the sudden burst of early morning sunlight in her eyes. “Holy hell, what time is it and what do you mean is everything ok. Nothing around here has changed. Leave me alone. I was sleeping.” Clara went to close the door, but Pat put her hands up and stopped that from happening.

“I was just worried about Harmony. I heard her crying all night and then about fifteen minutes ago the crying stopped very suddenly. I had five kids of my own and I worked as a nurses assistant when I was younger. If she’s sick or hurt maybe I can help.” Pat explained quickly. Hoping that Clara would open the door and allow her to enter the house.

“Who the hell is Harmony? You’ve got the wrong house. Go away.” Clara tried to close the door once again and once again Pat stopped that from happening.

“Harmony is your granddaughter.” Pat declared as she pushed herself past a still drunk Clara and entered the house.

Clara stood in place still holding onto the open door. “When did I get a granddaughter?”

Pat moved quickly toward the kitchen table and the silent baby that was still sitting in the car seat. She picked up the baby and was relieved to see that she was still breathing. The breaths were slow and shallow, but they were breaths.

Turning to Clara, she let her anger fly. “This is your granddaughter. She’s cold and hungry and probably hasn’t had a diaper change in days. What is wrong with you?”

Pat turned to put the baby back into the seat and that’s when she saw the note pinned to the blanket. After reading the note she quickly tore it from the blanket and stuffed it into her pocket as she fought back tears of anger and heartbreak.

“That’s not my granddaughter. Lily just watches it for some couple that lives down the street. Where is Lily anyway? She should be the one changing that things diapers not me.”

Pat picked up the car seat and walked toward the door. “Clara, I have been your neighbor for a long time now and I have stood by silently watching as you drank yourself into an early grave and ignored your own daughter. I will not watch you ruin another live. This baby is coming with me now. After you shower and sober up enough to walk, you come next door and we’ll talk about what is going to happen next.”

Pat stormed out of the house and walked to her home next door without looking back as she listened to Clara cursing her for the whole neighborhood to hear.


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Thursday, September 15, 2011

My dream has come true!

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It's finally happened! My dream has finally come true....kind of....

I've always wanted a sugar daddy and now I've got one! The best part is that Orange Croc Guy isn't even jealous because my sugar daddy is only five years old. LOL!

Here's how the most interesting conversation I had today went....

5 year old: Look, Ms. Brown, I've got a dollar!

Me: Cool! Is that your lunch money?

5 year old: No, it's just mine.

Me: Well, why don't you go put it in your bookbag so that you don't lose it?

5 year old: Here, you can have it.

Me: No, you keep it. Are you sure it's not your lunch money?

5 year old: You can have it. Go buy yourself some new clothes.

Me: Why? Don't you like my clothes?

5 year old: I do, but you can buy some new ones.

Me: Honey, I really think we should give that dollar to the ladies in the lunch room.

5 year old: Why? I have a lunch box.

Me: OK, well, where did you get the dollar?

5 year old: My mommy gave it to me.

Me: Did she say what it was for?

5 year old: It's so I can buy myself a snack after school.

Me: OK, so why don't you go put it in your book bag so you don't lose it. If you lose it, you won't be able to buy a snack.

5 year old: OK

Now, if only I could figure out how to get a grown man to give me money for new clothes....

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

At least once a year...

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Every year I get asked by one of my students if I have a job. Today the question was asked while we were on the playground and another adult heard it. She's probably still laughing! I just can't figure out if I get that question because I'm doing right or if I'm doing something wrong.

The AC worked today. It's amazing how much better the day goes when you aren't melting. lol!

Three more postcards arrived today! Chicago and Detroit & Flint Michigan.

Thank you so much!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Don't get me started!

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Another week starts with no air conditioning at school. UGH! At least I didn't fall today. LOL!

I made it until 1:00 before I gave up on the day and gave in to the horrible headache I had gotten from the heat. The movie went in and I started pulling individual kids to do some testing on the computer. About ten minutes into this my principal decided to come in for a visit. Now, on a normal day, I would be be worried about showing a movie when the boss visits, but not today! Instead I pointed at him and said, "I dare you to say something." He laughed and kept quiet. lol!

Of course, he walked back through about ten minutes later and acted like he had chill and wanted to know if anyone had a sweater he could borrow. I let him know that he was losing serious "cool" points!

On a brighter note, the postcards have started arriving! 5 postcards so far!

Atlanta, Georgia
Chapala, Mexico
Wellington, New Zealand
Perth, Scotland
Copenhagen, Denmark

So EXCITING! Thank you all so much for helping us out!

If you missed the post where I'm begging for postcards you can read about it here

Monday, September 12, 2011

It's A Birthday Celebration!

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Deanna of FlowerScraps is having a birthday this week and we're all invited to take part in the celebration! First of all, take a look at the sale she's having in her store...


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She also has a great new kit called Birthday Girl. Just check out the preview...


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There are 13 papers, 30 elements and a set of cardstock papers!

Love the kit? Well, make sure you check out Deanna's blog this week for a chance to win all or part of this awesome kit!

Here are a couple of layouts I made using Birthday Girl for challenges at Stuff to Scrap. This first one was for the quote challenge...


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And this layout is for the song lyric challenge...


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You're find more layout inspiration on Deanna's blog!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Are you one of my blog followers?

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September 19 will be my three year blog-o-versary and I've got another $5 Stuff to Scrap gift certificate to give away on that day.

All you have to do is become one of my blog followers for your chance to win!

9-11-11

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Saturday, September 10, 2011

Friday, September 9, 2011

The Story of Me part 5

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Clara

February 14, 1989

“Lily, shut that baby up or get out of my house! I am trying to sleep. Lily do you hear me?”

Clara stormed out of her bedroom carrying a shoe and ready to hit Lily for allowing the stupid baby to cry so loud for so long. She wasn’t sure how long it had been going on, but it seemed like hours had past since the crying had started. “Lily, where are you? Don’t make me tell you again to shut that baby up!”

Once Clara realized that Lily was not in the house she dropped the shoe, grabbed her throbbing head and followed the crying sound into the kitchen. There she saw the baby sitting in a used car seat on the table. She walked over and looked at the red faced baby as she grabbed a vodka bottle that was sitting close by. “Where has that mother of yours gone and why did she think she could just leave you here?”

Clara twisted the lid off the vodka bottle and took a long satisfying drink. “Did you hear me? I asked where your mother was?” Clara stared at the baby waiting for an answer she was too drunk to realize would never come. “For your sake, I hope she comes back soon. Now be quiet cause I’m trying to sleep.”

Clara took the vodka bottle and walked back into her bedroom without ever seeing the note pinned to the baby’s blanket. The note that gave her custody of her only grandchild.


Have you gotten your copy of The Day Ginger Snapped?



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Thursday, September 8, 2011

A much better day and an "ahhhh" story!

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The air was working today and everything was right in the world. Well, everything except for the big black and blue bruise on my knee. It's not pretty!

This morning, I was talking to my class and taking a few steps backward as I spoke. I bumped into a chair and almost fell over it. LOL!

This time I got a big reaction from my class. They laughed and laughed!

They all laughed except for one little boy who said, "It's ok Ms. Brown, I fall down all the time too."

Now, that was such a sweet thing for him to say, but you have to know the whole story to understand how much it meant to me and why it almost made me cry.

This little boy is as smart as they come, but because of a birth defect his arms and legs aren't fully developed. It's been less than a year since he took his first steps. On very unsteady legs he walks and runs and falls and picks himself up and keeps going with a smile on his face the whole time.

He is my hero.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The worst day EVER!

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If there had been a reset button on this day I would have pushed it over and over and over!

I got to school early this morning ready to get some things done in the class after the long weekend and before the kids arrived. I got nothing done! Between helping someone else with their computer problems and accepting the fact that the air conditioning was broken my plans for the morning were shot.

We left the lights off. proped the door open, opened the windows and prayed for cool air. Cool air that finally came less than an hour before school was dismissed for the day and after someone finally made a call downtown and woke someone up to have them push whatever button they need to push to get the air turned on in our building after our long weekend.

Gotta love it!

Around 11 o'clock it started raining and it rained hard! I had to close the windows because everything was getting wet and the wind blew over my chart stand. Well, I had just gotten the last window closed and turned to walk back across the room when I hit a rain puddle in the floor and fell. I fell HARD right on my knee.

I wanted more than anything to just stay there on the floor and cry, but I didn't want to scare the kids. So, I bit my lip, pulled myself up and fought back the tears. My class couldn't have cared less. They continued with what they were doing like I fall down all the time and they're used to it. lol!

At that point, I was over the day. WAY over the day! I put in a movie and we watched it in the dark until lunch time.

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