Creative Therapy Catalyst #95

Hey everyone! I am so happy that I got to take part in Creative Therapy's Challenge! :) I have wanted to take part in these for so long now. I found them through one of their artist scrapbookers, Dedra Long, who is one of the most gifted scrapbookers on the planet! Her work has been published and is beyond gorgeous....I would LOVE to see her work in person someday. A girl can only dream! ;)

Anyway-the catalyst for this week was: "What is something you struggle with?" At first, I was thinking, THIS IS A HARD THING TO DEAL WITH FOR THE FIRST CATALYST I AM DOING!!!!!! Then I thought and focused and came up with a layout idea that I thought I may like and then I went with it.

This is what I came up with:

The title is: There's always gonna be an uphill battle.

I then remembered there was a song that had those words...I just couldn't remember what it was called....Then it hit me...."The Climb" by Miley Cyrus. So then I looked for lyrics on the web. I started reading and realized I was right, that line was in the song. I then decided to read the song and started to cry...the words explained everything! I loved it!

Here are those words:

The Climb (written by J. Alexander and J. Mabe)

I can almost see it

That dream I'm Dreaming

But there's a voice inside my head saying

"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking

Every move I make feels

Lost with no direction

My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying

Gotta keep my head held up high

There's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Alway gonna be an uphill battle

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side

It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing

The chances I'm taking

Sometimes might knock me down

But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it

But these are the moments that

I'm gonna remember the most, yeah

Just gotta keep going

And I, got to be strong

Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna want to make it move

Always gonna be an uphill battle

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side

It's the climb, yeah

There's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Always gonna be an uphill battle

Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side

It's the climb, yeah

Keep on moving, keep climbing

Keep the faith, baby

It's all about, it's all about the climb

Keep the faith, keep your faith whoa.

Now for the completely personal part. I had to write these struggles on my layout. I was wondering.....Am I ready to do this? I think sometimes we think that if we don't say or write our insecurities, worries....our not so "shiny" aspects of life that they don't exist. That is so not the truth. I thought that way and I couldn't have been more wrong.

So here is my journaling: Insecurities- my weight- ( I joke about it, but it kills me when I look in the mirror) my skin- (I have always had BAD SKIN, but was hoping once I was in my 30's- it would be nice and clear). how I kiss (told you this was deeply personal)- (This isn't my hubby's fault, but I worry constantly about this.) I'm very critical about my cooking- (Even though everyone tells me how good it is, I always feel it could be better.)

Worries - financial- ( This has been a struggle for me for a while. I am one of those "I need it now!" types. Health- (I have fibromyalgia, but I refuse to let it control me.) my kids- (I worry about how I am as a mom.) my hubby- (I worry if I make him happy-ALL THE TIME!)

Addiction- -Sometimes I feel like a cigarette--I have been able to say, "NO!" for a few years now. Shopping- this is actually an addiction.

Depression - After being diagnosed with it 2 years ago-it is still a struggle.

-I am always wanting to be successful at my art.

- I want people to enjoy me and my work.

What I used: I bought pretty much everything , except the Jolee's paper roses from Mountains of Memories and More...not only is Jeanie my friend, but she is an awesome person and her store is great! :)

Both the blue patterned paper and the cream part I wrote on are from My Mind's Eye, Bella Bella Collection. For the title, I used a chalk template from (Ben Franklin) by TheCraftersworkshop.com. I used chalks from Pebbles Inc. to chalk the templates (also the edges of the lyrics). The butterfly is Glimmer Glass from Tattered Angels. The larger flowers are from Jenni Bowlin (I got them from my friend, Jayne's webstore and the smaller ones are from Making Memories Vintage Findings Collection (Michael's), Bazzil cardstock for matting.

I really hope you all enjoyed this! : )I did! :) Thanks! :)

My Best Friend (Layout)

Ok, so at the end of October, Jeanie gave me some 7gypsies stuff to work with and I was at a loss of what to make (I always have so much going on!). BUT....The Vicotira 8x8 2-sided paper scrapbook pack..is SO ME! :) I love the feminine designs and the vintage-y feel of it. :) I never ONCE thought I would be a "vintage" girl, but Jeanie and Stephanie Howell--not to mention Miss Jenni Bowlin have all inspired me in this area. When you have inspiration--it is hard not to love what you are looking at. :)

So, here is a story of this layout- The picture was taken in August of 2006. We went on a camping trip with my parents...that could have very easily been a nightmare. At the time, my mom had just gotten her transplant 7 months before and was still very hard to be around at time (now this has all changed...LIFE really has a way of turning itself around and showing each of us really matters....PRIDE isn't one of them!). Jon was around 7 and still in a not so "wanting-to-listen" mood most of the time AND he was a little boy and little boys are a little wild. :) BTW-we didn't have our little princess yet...that would happen in June the following year. ;)

We made the most of it and Garth and I have ALMOST no pics together since having children. :) So, while having breakfast, I had my camera right in front of me and then decided to take some pics. I am one of those people, now, that has almost perfected (at least for me) the art of the picture without a photographer. I am the only one that usually takes the pics so I have had to learn this if I want to be part of things in a pic and I don't have anyone to help me. :)

Ok, so I should probably share a little bit of me with you. Like most of you, my husband is my best friend. We have been through everything together (you have NO idea--and NO adultery isn't one of them--I am not, nor is he, that type of person) and are closer now than we have been...ever. :) When I hear this song, by Mr. Tim McGraw...it really touches my heart and I really feel like the words explain what I feel. :) It is one of my faves! :) So, here are the lyrics...do they touch you too?

My Best Friend- Tim McGraw

I never had no one-I could count on-I've been let down so many times-I was tired of hurtin'-So tired of searchin'-'Til you walked into my life-It was a feelin'-I never known-And for the first time-I didn't feel alone.

You're more than a lover-There could never be another-To make me feel the way you do-Oh we just get closer-I fall in love all over-Everytime I look at you-I don't know where I'd be-Without you here with me-Life with you makes perfect sense-You're my best friend- You're my best friend, oh yeah.

You stand by me-You believe in me-Like nobody ever has-When my world goes crazy-You're right there to save me-You make me see how much I have-And I still tremble-When we touch-And,oh, the look in your eyes-When we make love.

You're more than a lover-There could never be another-To make me feel the way you do-Oh we just get closer-I fall in love all over-Everytime I look at you-I don't know where I'd be-Without you here with me-Life with you makes perfect sense-You're my best friend-You're my best friend

So, here is what I used: 7Gypsies- Victoria 8x8 Scrapbook paper pack, Memories 97% sticker, Ranger Glossy Accents and Vintage Photo Distress ink pad, popdots, Memento marker (for journaling)

HOLY CRAP!!! It's NSD!!!!!! :)

LOL! I had the BEST National Scrapbooking Day! :) Garth made sure he took care of the kids while I scrapped my day away. We were supposed to be getting ready for Pictures for our Passports for when we go to Canada, but I was so happy when he said that we are just gonna do it next week! :) YAY!

Anyways- I did get my LOAD day 2 LO done and was pretty happy with it. I was also able to use my scraps that I got from my friend and swap buddy, Noell Hyman...also the host of PaperClipping Live! I love that show and I finally broke down and got a Paperclipping Membership....so worth it people! :) Noell and her design concepts kick butt! :)

Ok....anyways...I did another LO for the LOAD prompt which was my hectic "mommy" schedule and also a "me" challenge for Scrapbook. com! I will post them both in the next two days! :) I also have to do a card before Monday for The Cuttlebug Spot. It will have tea bag folding. :)

Well, around 7pm I went to MOMS for a visit with the retreaters and I got the BEST hot rock massage also! :) I did do some work, but after the massage I would have done anything! :) I have to say that Jeanie's daughter kick's major massage butt! :) Selena was so awesome and didn't mind me talking THE WHOLE TIME! :) Yes, I talked the whole hour or so that she was giving me my massage. :) I know my friend, Shannon, would be wondering what I was thinking. :) Her massage therapist that she had one time here in Great Falls was just a wee bit talkative and Shan was not for that at all! LOL!

Anyways- I am gonna get on those LOs uploaded! :)

House of 3 Project!!!!!

This book was so much fun to do! :) I finally finished it at 3:30 am Tuesday morning and the first time binding it was miserable! :) But my second time was a charm....unless you ask Jeanie....she caught that I did it wrong! LOL! It's all good though....not everybody can do their best work at 3:30 am! Not even me....Great Falls' resident night owl! And...not everyone is perfect...but if you look at the actual book....it reflects me and this family and I LOVE it! Binding can be fixed....your heart can't! :)

Other Ramblings & My House of 3 Book! :)

Ok, everyone that I "leaked" to! :) LOL! I am done with my House of 3: House Warming Book, but I have friends that come to my blog and then I have a page one a web group I am a part of and there are people on there that would like to see my project too. Since I am going to be taking pics and pretty much posting the same thing on both pages...I will be putting it on the Beautiful Blog tomorrow or tomorrow night. Then for my buddies at the Crop Circle...I will be putting it on shortly after. For a couple of my 2 peas friends....it is coming....but not for a couple of days. Sorry... :) I am not sure how many MOSers see this blog, but I always send out a Update Email so you all will get that and if you are a personal friend of mine you will get it also.

It has been a FUNKY week this week to say the least. I am still waiting on my Scor-pal, but was promised it was coming...so hopefully soon. I would like to get my friend, Jeanie's back to her. She is so good she actually can score a card on her own....I will say it is rough to be spoiled with the tool's of today..I can't score a card to save my life! :) LOL! I also got totally screwed over (sorry about the language) by Paypal (well, not them some foreign people) and had to get everything reversed....WHY DO WE HAVE SUCH LOW LIVES IN THIS WORLD??? They break into things and steal stuff that isn't theirs and make life just miserable. Notice how it is hard for the victim to reverse everything than it was for the a$$H@%# who takes your stuff (money, goods, etc.)...and Oh, yes, I DID say what you think. What is this world coming to? I will say that Paypal does have good Customer Service! :) I really couldn't understand them, but they repeated when I needed it and we got everything straightened out. YAY!

I have had NO TIME this last week or this week and FRIDAY I am at MOMS for 12 hours !!!! AHHHHH! I love being there so much and I seriously need to get my bank up, but I have so much to get ready for in life and family things that I am screaming inside! I know some of you are more busy than me! I feel so bad for you!! :) {hugs to you} Which is the reason that some of you are not seeing any new projects yet. They are coming. :)

Oh, BTW, I have so much to do at MOMS that I really do need to be there....it isn't just a want thing...the severity of the case is making it a NEED thing! :) LOL! I am so dramatic...I know....I so wish I had Ali Edwards Chi (is this the way you spell it??)! LOL! For some of you that go to her blog....is she NOT the most calm individual ever? I wish I could be like that!

Ok...I am gonna finish binding my book and then getting it upstairs for pics tomorrow....which is happening between Miss Sasha (so sweet!), grocery shopping (since I used my bad word for the day..I will not go there), and getting Jon (my little man!! So cute)...oh and another Spring Cleaning room done (Miss Sissy-Kin's Playroom is next)...I may even post my rooms one by one as I get them cleaned! Some rooms may leave you saying, "Wow, Kath, I could have lived a life time with out seeing your (bathroom or bedroom)!!" So we will see! :)

Well....by for now...so, do you think I am gonna sleep tonight? ;)