In the throes of LOAD...

Yes, it really is that time again...unfortunately, as excited as I want to be about it, I am so busy this month that I'm worried I'll fall behind.  Fortunately, I have been lucky enough to find something to put together each day, even if I don't always follow the prompts.  We're already in week 4 and I'm amazed that I've kept up! Struggling and losing steam is common for me at this point, but I've decided not to go with complicated layouts and try to finish fast--if it's before sunset, even better.  Can't wait for a little breathing room next month so I can focus on some other things.  Eventually, I'm sure I'll get back to the hobby I love!! So far this month, I've done 24 layouts in 24 days.  Here is a sampling!!

Z is for...Zip, Zero, Zilch!

Yes, I have NOTHING to write about with the letter "Z", except that maybe I think Zebras are nice animals...but instead of boring you, and me, I thought I'd wrap up my A to Z challenge by choosing a "wild card" letter and posting about that one instead. I'm choosing C...for classes.  Yep, I'm in the throes of getting ready for my LAST stamping class tonight.  It's a Gift Bundle Class, and even though I've been doing these types of classes for over 4 (maybe 5) years now, with my pending return to practicing medicine in the near future, I've decided to stop having classes at the end of my current schedule (which ends in June).  I haven't yet decided if I'll continue to host SCRAMP night for the time being...but most likely, I will.

So, what is my gift bundle class?  It's a set of 3 projects we'll make perfect for a gift (duh!).  They include an altered clipboard, a set of 6 altered wood blocks and a matching card.  Here is what I've done.  Now off to clear the table so my students have somewhere to sit and work!

Y is for...Yasmeen!

Even though I fell off the wagon with the A to Z blogging challenge, I am going to finish up this alphabet since I promised Yasmeen that "Y" would be all about her.  Yasmeen is my 1st born...my oldest at the ripe age of 11!  Sometimes I'll forget and say she is "just a 10 year old girl" (like when she's acting too big for her britches), and she'll be prompt to correct me.  Yasmeen is a loving girl with a big heart.  She cares deeply about her family (even if she'll only admit it under duress) --and especially about her baby brother--she is the perfect mother's helper when it comes to playing with and caring for Adam.  Yasmeen enjoys reading, cooking, talking on the phone, playing on the iPod touch, watching tv, playing the trombone and picking out funky (but cool) earrings.  She is currently a blue belt in Tae Kwon Do and can't wait to reach the black belt level.  She is looking forward to when her little brother can start TKD, so she can be his personal coach.  She dreams of becoming a dentist someday. She has adjusted to Intermediate School in town, even though she had a rough start at the beginning.  She is currently taking the NJ ASK tests and told us today that they were "sooooo easy" (let's hope!).  She is smart, sensitive, caring and a good friend.  She makes us laugh with her silly jokes and saves us a sample of the latest delicacy she's created in cooking class...tonight, it was yummy funnel cake!

Way BackThen:

Closer to Now:

 More recent:

 Just the other day...

Yasmeen is a blessing to our family.  She is the one who made Mohammed and I parents and we are so proud of all she's accomplished so far. She has taught us how to try and be more patient and has also tested that patience.  She can argue a point better than the best lawyer out there, but she is also aware that some points are best left alone. She is pure sugar, for sure...but there's also a little spice.  She reminds me of ME so much, it's crazy! She is truly our pride & joy and we love her to bits!