Happy Friday!

I'M SO HAPPY IT'S FRIDAY!
SEE!

Talk about neglect!

Wow, it's been a long time since my last confession, oh I mean blog update.
I've been super busy with setting up a fundraiser scrapbooking crop. I'm so excited about the crop. The crop is scheduled for July 18th at Sonrise Baptist Church in Mobile, AL.
I'm trying to raise money for the Breast Cancer 3day walk I'll be participating
in starting Oct 30th!
I'm so happy to say that I've fill ALL SEATS for the crop! AND I have a nice
waiting list! I'm overjoyed at the response I've gotten about the 3day walk and the
crop.

Check this out... so I was cleaning out Luke's dresser and closet ... and boxed
up some clothes and shoes he could no longer wear. I decided I would offer
the box of clothes on our Mobile, AL Freecycle site. (it's a Yahoo group)
So I offer the box of clothes via email... I got about 25 people emailing me back
telling me they could really use the clothes.. yada, yada! Well one lady
said she had twin 18 month old boys and that she could use the clothes..
So I email her back and we arrange for a pickup. Her husband and older
daughter drop by that night and pick up the clothes. Great! Now I have
more room in Luke's dresser for summer clothes!
I get an email the next morning with a Thank you from the mother
and I email her back saying that I hope she's able to use everything.
So I think, ah that is really nice! Well, later I get another email, but it's from
the 3day walk. The email tells me that a lady named "Sarah" has made a
donation to the walk... I'm taken back a little because I wasn't really sure who
"Sarah" was.... Well, it dawned on me who "Sarah" was... She was the
lady who took the box of clothes! Can you believe that? A perfect stranger
donated! NOT only that, she wrote up the sweetest mail and sent it to all of her friends.

"A new friend of mine, Melissa, is preparing to participate in a 3 day walk to raise money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Melissa will be walking in honor of her mother as well as in memory of others. In order to participate Melissa must raise $2300. So far she has raised $1600 and is 72% of the way to her goal. I figure with 32 more small donations of just $20 she will reach her goal. If you feel like you have $20 (or more) to contribute to the cause, click the link and donate. The funds go directly to the organization.
Thanks! Sarah

http://www.the3day.org/site/TR?px=3024404&fr_id=1301&pg=personal"

AND guess what! One of Sarah's friends also donated! I was very touched by Sarah's
generosity and support! Thank you Sarah!
In this world we live in there are all kinds of bad things happening.. or at least that's what
we read in the newspaper or see on the nightly news program. I'm so happy to be expriencing some of the good things!

Little late, but Luke's B-Day

Happy St Patty's Day!

The boys were looking for the Leprechauns!
Jacob said they are only about 2 inches high and are very tricky. I told him a story about when I was teaching, that a Leprechaun came into my classroom while we were at lunch and made a huge mess. Papers were all over the floor, chairs and tables turned upside down. As we cleaned up the mess, we found gold coins that were dropped by the Leprechaun. I must say, it was a very cool day in Kindergarten. Jacob said he hoped that a Leprechaun comes to visit his classroom today.

Go Fly a Kite

Jacob picked up a kite at the dollar store on Saturday
and I thought for sure he wouldn't be able to fly it.
It was such a cheap little kite I really didn't think it would
work, but he proved me wrong. Daddy put it together
and I showed him how to fly it and off he went. He had
a nice time and thought it was just the coolest thing!

Hook One

I'm so behind in my scrapping but I did finish this
layout yesterday.
These photos were taken back in June.. I think on Father's day. Jacob was trying to catch a fish in
Grandpa Eschler's pond. (which we believe has been fished out) Oh well, he lasted about 15 minutes and lost about 10 worms.
He has not asked to go fishing again since then!

Happy Birthday to Terrilyn!

My bestest friend Terrilyn turns 29 AGAIN today!
Happy Birthday to you girl!
I LOVE YOU! (and miss you!)

WHAT IS CANCER?

In a healthy body, there are natural mechanisms that regulate the creation, growth and death of cells (called apoptosis). Through the natural cycle of life, cells divide to create new tissue as older cells die off. When tissue is injured, for instance by a cut on the hand, the body's cell growth regulators react by speeding up the process of cell division to create new tissue in the injured area as fast as possible. When the body has healed, the creation of new tissue through cell division goes back to the normal pace.

Cancer is a disease where the natural regulators malfunction and cells do not die off at the right rate. There is a failure of apoptosis, and as a result, cell growth exceeds cell death. Cancer cells divide without their normal control, accumulating into a mass of extra tissue—a tumor. As a tumor grows, it promotes the formation of new blood vessels (called angiogenesis) to bring in the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Cancer cells can also leave the tumor site and travel through the blood stream and lymphatic system (the network connecting lymph nodes throughout the body) to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs or bones. This process of cancer cells leaving the original tumor and appearing elsewhere is called metastasis (meh-TAS-ta-sis). In the new location, cancer cells may again begin to divide abnormally to create a tumor. A person with cancer may eventually die of the disease if vital organs like the liver or lungs are invaded and destroyed.

Information provided by http://ww5.komen.org

All You Magazine -2 years for only $19.95 - portion goes to Charity!

All You Magazine offers great articles and tips month after month. Each month, you will find manufacturers coupons valued at $30-$60 good for your purchase at any store. You may have missed out on this magazine because it is only available at Walmart and the cover price is $2.24. My sweet friend Cheryl from Southern Living at Home is offering you a 2 year subscription for $19.95 which makes the

monthly price .83 and she will be donating a portion of this price to my

charity, the Breast Cancer 3 day walk!

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Here is a list of the March coupons so you will have an example of

the values available in All You.

All 2x or 3x Laundry Detergent, save $1.00.
All You Magazine, save $.50.
Baked Lays Crisps or Flat Earth Baked Veggie Chips, save $1.00.
Barbie Thumbelina DVD only, save $3.00.
Biz Stain Fighter, save $2.00.
Caltrate, save $1.00.
Centrum, Centrum Silver, Centrum Performance, Centrum Cardio, Centrum Kids, save $1.00.
Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste, save $1.50.
Contour, Free Contour or Breeze 2 Meter with prescription, $18.82 value.
Dove Cream Oil Body Lotion, save $1.50.
Fast Fixin Breakfast, $.75.
Fast Fixin Chicken, $.75.
Glade Sense and Spray Automatic Spray Starter Kit, save $4.00.
Gortons Grilled Shrimp, save $1.00.
Grins and Giggles, Tooth and Gum Cleanser, save $1.00.
Kings Hawaiian 12 pack Dinner Rolls, save $1.00.
Nestle Juicy Juice, save $1.00.
New York Texas Toast Croutons, save $.55.
SeaPak Butterfly Shrimp, save $.75.
Snuggle Cream Liquid Fabric Softener or Dryer Sheets, save $1.00.
SoftSoap Brand Body Butter, Coconut Scrub, save $1.00.
Soft Soap Brand Ensembles, save $1.00.
Starkist Creations Pouch, save $1.00.
Stoffer's Easy Express, save $1.00.
Thomas Muffins and Arnold Bread, save $1.00.

Total Savings: $48.12

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If you are interested in this offer just send Cheryl an e-mail at

(finallylarrys (at) yahoo (dot) com)

Send your e-mail with the title, Breast Cancer 3 day- All You Subscription Request, and she will send you everything you need to get started.Cheryl can also make the subscription a gift subscription for a friend or family member just let her know in your initial e-mail.Cheryl will also have a drawing to refund one subscriber per month their subscription fee!

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Cheryl is donating $2 from every subscription to the

2009 Tampa Bay Breast Cancer 3 day walk.

I actually crafted this weekend.

Well, these are not super special, but they are done!
Photos from playing at the park in Jan 09. (Jacob -6 and Lukas 3)

Crop news and a shout out

Hi Ya'll,
Some of you know I'm working on organizing a scrapbooking crop to raise funds for the 3 Day walk I'll be doing in Oct 09. (I have to raise $2300) Things are just ticking along and I'm tickled PINK! If you are interested in the details click here.
So far I have the place and a couple vendors AND I have several companies/online kit clubs sending dontations to be used a prizes/goody bag items. AND I also have an excited LSS owner willing to help out. (http://www.anthologies.typepad.com/)

About a year ago I was getting 3 or 4 kits a month. (a couple were from design teams or monthly guest designers) I must say there are a ton of great kit club sites... I know because I'm visiting every single one I can find.

I must say "THANK YOU" to the following:

1. Create My Keepsake

2. Scrap for a Cure

3. It Kit studio

4. Crop Addict

Please if you have a few minutes, check out their sites. It will be well worth your time!

What's new?

Hello Bloggers!
It's been a while since updating.
What's new?
Well, I've signed up the walk the Tampa 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk (Oct 09).
I'll be walking 60 miles over the course of 3 days. I've also agreed to raise
$2300 to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust.

I'm doing this because my mom had breast cancer and thankfully, she is a survivor.
She is one of the lucky ones, because it was caught early!

If you interested in supporting me.. click on the 3 day link to your left.
Or you can go here: http://www.the3day.org/goto/melissa.eschler
This is a 100% tax-deductible contribution.

I've been told that raise the $$ is the easiest part of this journey. The hardest
will be the actual walk. I started walking regularly about a month ago. I walk
about 3-4 miles 3 days a week and 6-7 miles on Sunday. I'll be increasing these
distances as time goes on.

If you are not able to help me with a donation, I just ask that you keep me in
your thoughts and prayers as I train and raise $$ for this worthy cause.

Can you believe?

....that Valentine's day is just around the corner? It's crazy how fast time is flying by!

With that said, I wanted to share info about a Valentine's swap I just joined over at
An Island Life. Check it out and Join if you'd like!



Here's what ya do. Go over to An Island Life and sign into Mr Linky and post a comment.
You'll have to put together a little Valentine's box for the person who signs up directly above
you. Then the next person to sign up will send you a little Valentine's box of treats. (priced between $8-$10)

Next, answer this little questionaire:


What is your idea of a romantic Valentine’s Day? A dinner cruise with Dear Hubby with lots of yummy champagne.
In reality, what is your Valentine’s Day really like? Take out from BoneFish with lots of yummy champagne. LOL!
If you could have a lifetime supply of your favorite sweet indulgence, what would it be?
Tehehe! Yummy Champagne! Just kidding.. I love PB cups!
Is there any sweet treat you absolutely do not like? liquorice is one I can do without.
If you fell into a pool of chocolate, how would you get out? Call all my good friends (cause I always have my cell phone on me) and tell them to get over quick with some skewers, strawberries, pound cake, etc... "We're having a fondue party!" (and "don't forget the champagne") Nothing like beatin' a dead horse.

WooooooooHOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo!

I RECEIVED AN AWARD! Teheheheehe! I'm gitty!

I just received my first blog award. I guess I better start giving this blog some

more attention!

My "virtual" friend Liz at Sweetwatersavings.com has granted me this lovely award!

So here is what I am suppose to do:

Honorees are to list 10 honest things about themselves - and make it interesting, even if we have to dig deep! Second, we are to pass the award on to 7 bloggers we feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.

10 Honest Things About Me:

1. I miss living around my brother.

2. I love to drink wine every night (but I don't because

it cost too much and I like the expensive stuff).

3. I use to be a neat freak but then I taught Kindergarten for

five years and I really changed my ways.

4. I miss teaching a BUNCH.

5. Like Liz, sometimes I wish for another baby.

(even though I'll be 40 in 2010 YIKES!)

6. Since moving I've not found any good friends.. and it sucks

because I really miss my Tampa/St Pete friends.

7. I'm planning on walking the Cancer 3-day walk

in Oct and I'm scared I won't raise enough $$.

8. I love my boys so much, sometimes I want

to bite their toes. (specifically Lukas, he's got the

cutest little piggies EVER)

9. I truly hate my hair and wish it was more acceptable

for women to wear crew cuts. LOL!

10. I need to go to the dentist and to the dermatologist.

(Dentist because I have a tooth that hurts and the dermatologist

because I'm suppose to go every 9 months and I've not been in 2 years,

again YIKES!)

Now to pass this along to 7 bloggers:

1- Holly

2- Cheryl

3- Cari

4- Nancy

5- Julie (at CoolMomGuide.com)

6-Michelle

7- Tena

Thanks again Liz!

Secret Santa Spy Photo Shoot

We make a pretty good lookin' pair, huh?

Christmas Program Photos

Here are a couple photos from the Christmas programs at each school.
First we have Jacob's Kindergarten program given at the December PTA meeting. They sang 3 or 4 Christmas songs. We were told by "The Boss" aka Dr Foster, that this was NOT a Holiday Program, but a Real Christmas Program. NOW I know I'm living in the deep SOUTH!



Next we had Luke's program at West Mobile Baptist. The 4&5 year olds did a little skit that really wasn't so little. Anyway, the 3 year olds stole the show. They cracked us up... specifically this one little boy who sang his heart out! Now I know why Lukas kept telling me to sing "Away in a Manger' softly. (Probably because that one kid was belting out the song like he was singing "I've got Friends in Low Places" down at the local college bar.)

These last couple were taken at home before heading out to watch Luke's program.

Fundraiser Prizes

Thanks to the family members who helped Jacob to win these super cool Radio Sunglasses and fun Scooby Doo T-Shirt.

Some Holiday Photos