Found this great blog template on the AWESOME Rhonna Farrer's blog. This is too cool! Rhonna is so talented, and she is truly such an inspiration! I must admit, I have inspired but not as much as recently. Thanks to Rhonna starting up a blog again!

I am currently at a scrapbook crop, and I am sitting here playing on my computer. See, Rhonna? I am INSPIRED! And, I must admit, I am having fun. Having a little trouble trying to type and talk at the same time, but I am having fun!

Well, off to create. Time to put the blog away!

OK! Since everyone who I sent a Christmas card to has seen this, I figured I would post my absolutely favorite picture! I took the girls out to take the annual Christmas picture ~ I must admit, it is the ONLY Christmas tradition I do with any regularity each year. Though, I think one year, I took the picture, and due to time constraints, I didn't mail out the cards.

Anyhoo...This was the AWESOME picture.....(drum roll, please)......



I am SO happy with the way it turned out. In fact, just last night, I played around with it (AGAIN), printed out the picture, and put it into a frame. And for those of you into digital scrapbooking, I made a kick-butt transparent frame, which I mounted to the glass around the opening of the picture. It is SO me!

Got tagged by Kristy...So, here goes.

1. name: Nita
2. birthday: December 7
3. wear silver or gold: silver
4. favorite restaurant: Ming's Dynasty in Orlando. They have the BEST dim-sum!!
5. favorite junk food: I love all junk food!
6. favorite candybar: Does it have to be a candy bar? I'm not really a candy bar type-person. I like Godiva truffles!
7. favorite candy: Um, Godiva truffles! Oh, and Lindt milk chocolate balls!
8. favorite store: target, michaels, hobby lobby, griffins
8.5 favorite online store: designer digitals and a million little things
9. do you collect anything: my husband says "junk".
10. favorite movie: HELLO? Twilight!
11. favorite book: TWILIGHT SERIES and the Harry Potter Series
12. something you could never get enough of: craft supplies. books. new plants for my garden.
13. favorite band: My music taste varies. I honestly could not narrow it down to just one.
14. favorite indulgence: starbucks
15. something you never buy yourself but want: a real diamond ring....1 carat....emerald cut. I SO will NEVER see this. The DH does not believe in jewelry. He'd get me a new camera, and honestly, that would be fine with me.
16. favorite color: red.
17. something you are wishing for right now: some new digital brushes, a silver beaded necklace from Target, and a camera lens. Oh, and someone to clean my house :D
18. favorite symbol: hmmm...flourishes and swirls. Does this count?
19. who are you tagging: Bre, Kim B., and Melle

HAPPY NEW YEAR! And, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little bro, who is 20 this year. Wow! Does time fly by fast or what? And, speaking of time.....

A few friends of mine, Kristy and Yvonne, have chosen a word to live by for 2009. This is based on Ali Edwards yearly word challenge. I think it's a great concept. For the last few years, I considered joining in the challenge, but I felt I never could commit to this. But this year, I have decided to join the challenge. So, my word for 2009 is TIME. It seems as if time is something that goes by so quickly. It always seems as if I never have enough time. For myself. For my family. For my friends. This year, I am seriously going to try to prioritize the things in my life, and I am going to strive to make more time for my family and most especially, for myself.

I have really wanted to begin a small photography business for a while now, and I admit, I just don't have enough faith in myself to go through with it. This year, I am really going to try to focus more on my photography hobby. I want to take more pictures. So, I feel as if I need to set a goal for myself. I want to take at least 50 pictures that I am truly, absolutely, positively happy with. Whether it be of my kids, which tend to be the subject of my pictures, my nieces and nephews, or my friends and their kids. I want to do this. I want to strive to be a better photographer. If I never get discovered as a supremely awesome scrapbooker, and honestly, if someone said I sucked at it, I would be completely OK with that. But, I would LOVE to be known as a supremely fantastic photographer. I would LOVE to be this areas Tara Whitney. She's fantastic! I would so love to have my pictures taken by her! Maybe someday! Like the DH would really let me do that!! But, one can dream, huh?

I also am really going to strive to be a better blogger. To post more pictures. To scrapbook my families memories more often, and to post those layouts! And, I'd really like to get the projects around my house in order. This will definitely happen slowly but surely. Such is life! But, if I can spend more time with my girls, then, I will definitely be accomplishing something in this new year!!

********* Wishing you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!! *********

Yvonne told me about the great wrapping paper at Hobby Lobby. She even posted a picture of what she bought. Needless to say, I think I got the better paper! I have to admit, I am NOT hoarding this paper. There are actually gifts underneath my Christmas tree wrapped in this gorgeous paper. AND, I bought curling ribbon to match. So, excited!

OK. It's true. I AM another year older. Probably another gray hair to add to the list. Hopefully, not another wrinkle.

I had a great day on Sunday. Scott remembered my birthday WITHOUT being reminded! He gave me a 1/2 dozen red roses, which I loved, and which promted some pictures of the girls (will post those later). He also got me a 1/4 sheet cake. Like that will really help the diet, or lack thereof. He and the girls gave me the cutest cards.

Um, and my friends....well, I spoke with Yvonne that morning, who did NOT remember my birthday. However, Stephanie called me around noon to wish me a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Mind you, I even spoke with my little sister that morning, who did NOT remember my birthday. Yvonne eventually remembered later on that day, as did Kristy and all my sisters. My little year-and-a-half-old niece called to sing happy birthday to me in her little adorable voice!!

Two of my other girlfriends remembered yesterday...LOL! I can honestly say that it doesn't bother me one bit, because every year goes by and a lot of people forget my birthday. I think that because it's so close to Christmas, it takes a while for it to register.

I remember one year, my dad called me at work to wish me a happy birthday. My dad...who doesn't normally say HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Then, the next question out of his mouth was "And how old are you this year?" Hmmmm...um, I was the first child. And, he didn't remember. :D I can't say I remember how many years ago this occurred, but I remember that day. No one else remembered until around 8 o'clock that night!

Other than that, it was a great day! I stayed around the house for the most part. Finishing the Christmas tree. Cleaning. That is, until I had to go to Target to get more Christmas lights for the tree. So, add in, shopping for lights and a few teachers gifts. All in all, a very relaxing day. Top that off with a visit from my in-laws, which I am ALWAYS happy to see!

It was a nice day!

P.S. Promise....will post my Twilight review soon!

OK, my friends have all blogged about the movie. Me, I've been working. The good news is I am at the light at the end of the tunnel. Now, if I can get my house a little organized and that darned, stupid Christmas tree up, I will blog about the movie, as it will take too long (probably) in one sitting.

For those of you, who visit the blog and do not leave comments (so I don't really know who you are), you need to visit Stephanie's blog, Kristy's blog, and Yvonne's blog. Hmmm... You will definitely notice a theme. Heehee! Haahaa!

So, I leave you with: "Yes. No. To get to the other side. 1.77245..." and
"ARIZONA! How you likin da rain?"

(That was for you, girls, if you didn't figure that out.)