Monday, December 18, 2006

Whose your favorite book character/family?

If you could visit any book, and live inside of it, meet the characters, etc.... what book would you want to visit?

I have ALWAYS had my fave book families & or people I wanna meet
  1. Pevensies - Chronicles of Narnia
  2. Jamie & Claire Fraser - Outlander Series
  3. Meg, Sandy, Denys, Charles Wallace Murry - Wrinkle in Time series
  4. Anita Blake - Laurell Hamilton's Vampire Hunter Series
  5. Dr. Kay Scarpetta & Benton - Patricia Cornwell
  6. Dr. Alex Cross, Nana Mama, Jannie, & Damon - James Patterson
I could go on...................

Monday, August 28, 2006

monday madness

monday madness: "
1. Do you do dishes by hand or do you use a dishwasher? Hand...but the hands usually belong to someone other than me

2. How many people have your cell phone number? no cell

3. Do you shower in the morning or at night? both

4. Do you ever have a song 'stuck' in your head? ALL the time...

5. Do you pay your bills when they arrive, or do you wait until closer to the due date to pay them? due date

6. Are you obsessive about anything in particular? I hate icky stuff on my hands...

7. What one thing would you say you have a zero tolerance for?" Intolerance

Monday, August 14, 2006

Zaniyah's Birth Story

I woke up about 6 am. I had been having contractions off and on for about last three days. But I knew as soon as I woke up , these were real deal. I sat at the computer trying to finish up a paper I that was due in ac ouple days but found I was so excited I couldnt concentrate. I was finally going to meet my princess! DH was sleeping peacefully so I left him that way. I showered and continued to putter around until about 10 am when contractions were about ten minutes apart. My doc gave me her cell number about three weeks ago at a office visit and told me call her directly when I thought it was time so she woudl have plenty of time to get to the hospital. I called her and told her the ctx were ten min apart and about 15 secs in duration. She was very excited (she is an excitable person..:p) and told me she would meet me at the hospital.
Dh was still in a shock a bit but gamely drove me to hospital. Once we got there, things did not go as well as expected. LOL! I was 5-6 cm dilated and 75 effaced. No problems there but when they went to break my water, she was sunny side up and so close to the bag, they couldn't hook the membranes. After about three hours of EXCRUCIATING pain (and me crying and yelling at my dh), I jumped out of the bed and started walking around. DH was very surpised as I am usually very calm and focused during labor. The doc was like if it feels better to walk then walk. After about few minutes, I felt a gush of fluid and in a very nasty tone (VERY unlike me) I asked the nurse if water had finally busted or had I pissed myself. DH is looking at me like um maybe I should be elsewhere right about now. The nurse used a swab that tested the ph and determined it was amniotic fluid. The nurse asked me to get in bed on my jands and knees to see if we could get my labor to progress. I complied but when she laid her hand on my back I yelled DONT TOUCH ME. She was like well honey I need to check how far you are. Still yelling I replied NOT RIGHT NOW..my dh looked shocked and replied to my doc she sounds like a man :p....Before she could respond, I told the doc I need to push. DH says you cant do it like that. The doc says oh yes she can if its more comfortable for her. I pushed once and delivered head and shoulders. Second time my darling was born. DH took lots of pictures and cut the cord.



Niyah's Birth
Aug 14, 2006 - 5 Photos


monday madness

monday madness: "
I meant to post these questions before midnight Sunday, but fell asleep instead! I hope you still have time to play! And thanks so much for your participation! =)

1. How many 'people' pictures do you have displayed in your house?
twenty

2. How many times a month/year do you rearrange your furniture?
twice

3. Do you check your email every day? If so, how many times a day?
yes probably too many...at least 15x

4. How often do you generally look at a clock/watch on any given day?
10X

5. How do you handle telemarketer phone calls?"
Thank you but I am not interested please remove my name from your list.

Saturday, August 12, 2006

introducing

With much ado...I would like to introduce

Zaniyah Ylonne Kelis
born 07/09/06 1:22 pm
6 lbs 7 oz
20 inches long

Monday, August 07, 2006

monday madness

monday madness: "
Good Monday morning to you all! Let's get on with this week's questions...

1. Are you working on any big projects around your house right now?
I wanna replace my bathtub faucet. However being 37 weeks pregnant MIGHT not be the ideal time to do it!!!

2. If so, tell us about it; if not, do you have any plans to do so in the near future? The project I would like to be working on is LABOR...I want this baby outta me!!! 37 weeks 2 days and counting

3. How do you generally pay for merchandise at your local store? Debit, credit, check, or cash? debit


4. Which month of the year seems to go by the fastest? All ofthem

5. Which day of the week seems to go by the fastest? Sunday

6. Have you taken up any new hobbies lately?" No but I have taken my hobby to a new level by creating digital scrapbooking kits

Sunday, August 06, 2006

The Pajama Mama » The Bloggin’ Good Blogger Days

The Pajama Mama » The Bloggin’ Good Blogger Days: "The Bloggin’ Good Blogger Days
Filed under: Blogging — The Pajama Mama @ 9:47 am

We’re so quick to point fingers, place blame and criticize the people in our lives. It’s easier to point out a fault than it is to praise a strength. It’s easier to mention something that needs to be done better than it is to acknowledge something that’s been done well.

Therefore, I christen today (and the next few days) “Bloggin’ Good Blogger Days” in the blogging community. Your mission, shall you choose to accept it (and you will), is to go to as many blogs as you can and point out at least one good thing about the author of that blog. Do your best to give them a warm fuzzy feeling. Show your appreciation, admiration or plain old joy.

Tell them why something they did touched you, why a choice they made shows the true fabric of their moral being. Just go BE NICE to every blogger who’s blog you read today. And don’t be shy, either!!

Plus, post an entry similar to this one on YOUR blog and ask people to leave warm fuzzies in your comments. Spread the love, people!

Maybe if we take a week to engage in warm fuzzies, they will become a more permanent part of our daily lives, both on and off the computer. "

This is a great idea. I do something similar to warm fuzzies on my digiscrapping blog --- as part of Kudos Team we leave comments on layouts at sites all over the web. I know how warm and fuzzy I feel when someone takes time to acknowledge my art. The Pajama Mama blog site is a great one and I love the retro design....

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

WAHM Prompt

How do you define success for yourself, for your life and your home business?

Being able to do the things that I want to provide for my family. In my life to be satisfied with the direction my life is going in and to be proud of the decisions I have made. For my business to grow in proportion to the amount of work that I put in.

Monday, June 19, 2006

monday madness meme

1. How many cop shows can you name? Shall I name or just count?? current or ever? ok may be I am making too much of this but here goes Barney Miller, Miami Vice, Hill St Blues, Homicide, CSI, Law & Order, Monk, Cold Case, Without a Trace,

2. Do you send text messages? yes... my 15 yr old daughter is always at cheer practice so I text her daily

3. If you could be on a gameshow (current or old), which one would you be on and why? jeopardy cause I could KICK SOME SERIOUS BOOTY!!!

4. What are some of your favorite websites? oh goodness....gmail.com, www.scrapmommies.com, www.scrapbookersplayground.com, can't forget about myspace.com, http://www.website.ws/treeveskeaton and last but not least my avon site
http://www.youravon.com/treeves-keaton

5. What are your favorite things about the internet? meeting new people who share my interests

6. What about least favorite? popups and virii

7. What are some good ways to deal with a pet loss? allow yourself to grieve. DON'T let anyone belittle or diminish your feelings by saying it was only a .......your love and feelings are valid and deserve as much respect as anyone who has suffered a loss.

GDI

Ok in space of a week or so I have went from NO home business to TWO...here is my second one..

http://website.ws/treeveskeaton


I have already signed up my first person!!! YAY me....

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Executive Functioning Skills for ADDults

Executive Functioning Skills for ADDults

What is Executive Functioning?

Executive Functioning is that skill which enables a person to see a situation, task, or challenge and figure out what steps are necessary to deal with the situation effectively, complete the task completely and excellently, and rise to the challenge and resolve the issues presented.

ADHD adults face many obstacles to executive functioning, including but not limited to:

  • brain fog
  • hyperfocus
  • memory difficulties
  • overwhelm
Ok my thoughts interjected here....who are these people and why are they poking about in my head??? Its as if someone has done an indepth analysis on me.

Brain Fog

Brain fog is similar to a fog cloud. Stimuli, details of surroundings, needs of children and spouse, household tasks, even personal needs are obscured by a jumble of thought or even non-thought. It is nearly impossible to think clearly when experiencing a brain fog. For those of you normies who have been on pain medication, you might be able to imagine what ADHD brain fog is like. It is as though we are looking through a veil of gauze at the world, and are receiving input through that same gauze. Nothing is crisp and clear.

When an ADDult is in a brain fog, they wander around all day long accomplishing nearly nothing. They might seem to be depressed. They might seem lost. They might work all day without completing any one task. They might just shut down. Time awareness is nearly nonexistent.

Hyperfocus

Hyperfocus is the ability to focus on one particular task to such a degree that time ceases to exist and the world around one fades. Hyperfocus is friend and foe of the ADDult. Hyperfocus is necessary to the ADDult when faced with a complex task. It enables the ADDult to drown out the clamoring world around him and only see what needs to be done, usually one step at a time. Executive functioning nearly stops when in hyperfocus mode, though. Because the ADDult is so focused on that one task, they do not see, hear, smell, or feel anything else going on around them. They forget to eat, forget to go to sleep, and fail to interact with their family members. They work on the one task in front of them and then move on to the most obvious task next. Problem solving is entirely linear in hyperfocus mode. Most ADDults will accomplish what needs to be accomplished in hyperfocus, but they will not take the easiest route from Step A to Step Z. They may start with Step E, need to go back to Step A, and so on. The job will get done, but it takes longer.

Memory Difficulties

Whether there is brain damage from a traumatic brain injury or just brain fog, memory difficulties are common in ADDults. The inability to remember when their dentist appointment is next week, what day Project A is due, that the bulletin board needs to be updated in two weeks, which road to take to get to the auto parts store and what time they close, are all examples of memory difficulties. In many cases an ADDult will be taking a load of clothes to the bedroom, see the bed is not made, start to make the bed, see a sock on the floor, sort a few pair of socks, see the drawer is a mess, begin to straighten the drawer, remember that they have a pot of chili on the stove and run frantically to see if it is burnt. In the meantime, they were supposed to pick up a prescription and get cookies for tomorrow from the store. Time to vacuum, but the vacuum cleaner is nowhere in sight and the hose is not with the vacuum cleaner when you find it. Where is the duster, too? Did I put it in the closet or under the sink? Where is the scouring powder I need to clean the sink? I used it yesterday to clean the bathtub. Is it in the bathroom?

Overwhelm

An ADDult has been in a brain fog for 3 days, the house needs to be painted, the car needs repair, the bills need to be paid, the dog needs his shots, the washing machine is leaking, and the wife is definitely not happy. He hasn't been home in time for dinner all week long and the children don't recognize him. Since he can't seem to get a grip on what to start first, he shuts down. He turns on the TV and doesn't accomplish anything constructive all weekend long. He is totally overwhelmed. It is as though his wife, his boss, his children and his dog were all standing right in front of him yelling at him what needs to be done NOW! He can't really understand any of them very well, and only knows that he feels as though he is being assaulted. There are no quiet voices telling him that he needs to change into grubby clothes, get the painting supplies out, prep the walls by filling with spackling, and spread a cloth on the floor. Instead he is paralyzed by it all and nothing gets done.

Executive Functioning Solutions for ADDults

There is hope for the ADDult. There are tools, methods, treatments, and solutions to address the challenges facing ADDults. Let me warn you, though, that it takes at least three times more effort than normal for an ADDult to stay on top of his life.

Accountability

Most of us need some type of accountability in order to do what is right and stay on the path set before us. Finding this accountability can be challenging. I highly recommend that men find another man to share their struggles with. Younger women can seek out an older woman as an accountability partner. Choose someone full of grace but avoid the people-pleasing type. Older women can seek out another older woman for accountability.

Ask this accountability partner to ask you each week about certain areas of your life. If you and the Lord are working on being on time this week, ask your accountability partner to ask you each time he sees you if you were on time to work, meetings, etc. Confess if you were not and allow the Lord to work in this area through another. Having an accountability partner maintains humility. Pride and healing are not compatible. Humility and healing go hand in hand.

Let's Get Started

Make a list of the top 10 challenging areas in your life. My list might look like this:

  1. Never keeping up with laundry
  2. Failing to have daily Bible study and prayer
  3. Not having dinner planned and cooked each night
  4. Too much computer time (this is my escape when I hit overload)
  5. Interrupting when others are talking
  6. Impatient with husband
  7. Putting off church projects until the last minute
  8. Lazy in my personal appearance
  9. Ignoring my children when they need correction
  10. Staying up too late and sleeping too late
All this is so me....even the list seems as if it was pulled straight from...just substitute school projects for church and its all me.....This article seems to have some ways for me to manage better. I am committed to changing my life. Because if you always do what you have always done....you will get what you have right now.

I asked a close friend to be my accountability partner. Now I just have to see what she says......And remake my life!!

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Day 1 Prompt: 12 Life Events

from writingbliss.com

Day 1 Prompt: 12 Life Events
----------------------------

Tiffani, what were the major events in your life in 2005?
For each month of the year, recall one event. Assign a
keyword or keyphrase for each event.

  1. January 2005 We bought our Subaru
  2. February 2005 I got married
  3. March 2005 Income tax refund time
  4. April 2005 my newest cousin Terrell was born
  5. May 2005 My first Mother's day as a married lady
  6. June 2005 My husband and I checked into a hotel for my birthday
  7. July 2005 My darling daughter MeShun Renee was born with my husband witnessing her birth
  8. August 2005 I completed my first year at Univ of Phoenix
  9. September 2005 My miracle baby Jorrell celebrated his first birthday
  10. Octobor 2005 I (briefly) went back to work outside the home
  11. November 2005 My dear cousin Tahnee was murdered
  12. December 2005 I discovered I was pregnant with blessing #9

Monday, June 12, 2006

It's Where You Want To Be...

It's Where You Want To Be...
If, for one month, you had to live day and night at any one retail store, which one would it be?

Hands down.....WALLY WORLD takes it....where else can you get EVERYTHING from fish bait to engagement rings to fresh meat in one place? At great prices too.....I can't honestlythink of one thing that I buy that I can't get at walmart.....

Brand New Venture

I decided to start selling AVON


http://www.youravon.com/treeves-keaton

I decided to sign up for the E-representative option. Please stop by and order a little something......or even a LOT of stuff.....

A Place to Live

If there are things that are missing in your life, ask yourself this question. Have you given those things a place to live?
The person who has many friends is the person who has made a place for friendship in her life. The person who is amazingly knowledgeable is the person who has made a place for learning in his life.
In order to receive a delivery at your home, you must tell the delivery service where to take it. In the same way, for the best things in life to be yours, you must provide a space within your life where they can arrive.
Make a place in your life for love, and love will certainly fill it. Make a place within your life for joy, and joy will soon be there.

Create the time, the space, the energy, the interest, the passion and the commitment in your life for whatever it is you seek. And the things you seek will begin to inhabit the
places you have made for them.
Give the best things in life a place to live within yourself. And you'll soon find those things filling your world.
Ralph Marston

I found this essay very thought provoking. I thought about all the stuff I have made a place for in my life and how I don't want it there. I think of how until recently I had pushed all creative pursuits out my life. I was so caught up in doing things for my family, that I stopped doing things for me. I have determined to change that and find so much joy in digiscrapping. I also (gasp) enjoy blogging at times. And its always helpful to journal...sometimes even if no one reads it but me.

Thursday, June 08, 2006

A blog topic perfect for me

What was your favorite childhood book? If you have children, have you passed this book down?

I am such a reader and have a LONG list of childhood faves from every stage. And what better way of sharing my love of reading with my children than reading my favorite books with them.

  1. Charlie and Chocolate Factory - my 7 yr old and I are reading this right now. She has seen both movies and loves to talk about how they missed certain parts.
  2. Chronicles of Narnia - another love of mine. We have several different copies of the entire series as someone is always in middle of one of these.
  3. A Wrinkle in Time - Madeline L'Engle is a must for any fantasy lover...Charles Wallace, Sandy & Denys and Meg....my eldest two daughters have read this with me
  4. Mrs. Frisby and Rats of NIMH - my soon to be fifth grade son, Joshua and I are reading this right now. I read it years ago and still enjoy it.
  5. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry this series of books by Mildred Taylor was shared a couple of years ago in my household.
  6. To Kill A Mockingbird - Who doesn't love the escapades of Scout, Jem and Dill....and Atticus.
My little kids get to share books with me as well
  1. Anything by Else Minarik...Little Bear
  2. Maurice Sendak...Where the Wild Things Are
  3. Dr Suess...Hop on Pop and The Foot Book rates highly here!
  4. Richard Scarry....Gotta Love Goldbug
  5. There's A Monster at the End of this Book - THIS IS A BIG HIT with all my kids. I do my best Grover imitation while reading it....

Braggin Rights

Yesterday was my son Joshua's 4th grade recognition....his grand total was 8 badges: three for honor roll, two for math acheivement. one for reading, one for writing, and one for overall excellence...he also got 5 certificates! here is a layout I created to showcase his stuff!!!

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Your Celebrity Style Twin is Gwen Stefani

Trendsetting, unique, and stylish.
Who Should Paint You: Andy Warhol

You've got an interested edge that would be reflected in any portrait
You don't need any fancy paint techniques to stand out from the crowd!
What Artist Should Paint Your Portrait?


I got this link from another blog and thought the results were interesting.....Andy Warhol huh...maybe he would paint a picture of me stacked like soup cans....

Monday, May 22, 2006

Thanks to Out of the Blog, Into the Light
Here is my inspiration for today:

Write a weekly list of you are doing each week that you want to stop. Make it a NOT to do list. Do you waste time somewhere? Are you involved in an activity that you don’t enjoy? Are you tired of diner being interrupted by someone or something?

my Not To Do List
  1. Yell at my children --- I don't like being yelled at so I should not yell at them
  2. I will not skip meals. It makes me cranky, not healthy for the baby
  3. Be sarcastic towards my husband...he really does mean well
  4. drink so much Pepsi

Sunday, May 21, 2006

DayDreaming Prompt 5/21

Prompt: What ten amusements never fail to amuse you?

  1. Kermit the Frog's reporter act on Sesame Street. I have loved this ever since I was a little girl
  2. Watching my babies smile...I can't help but smile back!
  3. Family Guy....Stewie is da bomb!
  4. Old Tom and Jerry episodes....who can resist Tom in a zoot suit singing & playing a bass???
  5. Mike Epps....he is SO funny...I loved him in All About the Benjamins
  6. Kings of Comedy dvd...Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, and Bernie Mack....
  7. Madea

Saturday, May 20, 2006

what ya know about us?

I am doing great. As you can see by my ticker below I am 27 weeks which puts me in my third Trimester...countdown until August. We do not know what we are having but I am scheduled for another Ultrasound at 30 weeks. School is going decent. My financial Aid got screwed up so I had to pay out of pocket for a class. It was hard but the Lord made a way. I have a little bit more than 300 to pay left and then I can start my next set of classes. I am only 30 Credits from my Bachelor's!!! WOOOHOOOOO! With a 2.95 GPA.
My oldest Daughter Azraelle tried out for the cheerleading squad. So keep your fingers crossed that she makes it. She worked really hard and even spent her own money taking tumbling classes to work on her jumps.
Deonna has been accepted into the Early College program here at our local University. Instead of going to high school, she will take college classes on campus. It allows students beginning the ninth grade to participate in combined high school-college experience with the goal of earning a high school diploma and up to 60 hours of college credit towards either a two or four year college degree. We are so excited for her to have this opportunity.
Joshua is following right in his big sisters footsteps. He has been invited to attend the school for the gifted and talented. He has really been excelling at school. First the leadership camp in third grade. Then this year, in 4th, he was chosen to a be member of the Student Advisory to the Board of Education. Only 15 students from all the Youngstown City schools were chosen. This Advisory board offers suggestions to the Board on proposed changes that affect students directly. My boy is doing his THANG! He is fascinated by forensic science shows such as CSI and NCIS and has even expressed interest in the Naval Academy.
I have decided to keep the three elementary school kids home next year and do virtual school with them. Aris will be in second grade, Jasen in third and Kailin in fourth. I feel like they could do much better with the OHVA curriculum than they did this year. No one did bad but I don't feel they made as much progress as I would have liked. Home-schooling would not have been a good fit but virtual school seems to be the perfect fit between public school and home-schooling at least for our family.
Jorrell is doing GREAT with his therapy and meeting his goals. He is walking and talking just as any 20 month old would. He is on target with most of his goals and even exceeding them. He still has some right side weakness that shows mostly when he is tired. My momma's boy aint thinking about me now...he is all about his daddy! He loves to go bye bye with Daddy and is forever putting his hats.
MeMe is getting big so fast. She is only three pounds lighter than Jorrell and the two of them are often mistaken for twins. Its so funny to see her crawling around after him. She has started taking steps and walking around holding on to furniture. She is determined not to be left behind!
My Scrapbooking is going well. I have designed two kits so far and am learning more and more every day. Here is my sites
And all my layouts so far are posted here
If ya still with me.....THANKS for reading!

Friday, May 19, 2006

evil myspace

Nah its not evil but sometimes I fnd I want to blog without the hassle of logging in and all that jazz...so I now have two accounts with blogspot...Scrappin Happy
which you might have guessed all about my digiscrappin days. And here....I wanted to keep things seperate but linked. When ya cwazy its easy for things to get lost in shuffle.