Just chillin'

Sitting in front of the 'puter, chomping away on some Butter Pecan Ice Cream, and it's oh so good. Just my youngest two are home. My oldest went to the movies and is sleeping over at a friends house. My dh is at a gig and won't be home to the wee hours of the morning. I am just going to kick back, take a bubble bath, watch some movies I have been dying to watch that I Tivo'd and relax. It's windy as all get out. I swear someone is knocking on my patio door, but its just the wind.

I am going to unwind. My sister's grandmother's funeral was today. It was really sad. She was like a grandma to me too. My sister's aunt took it really hard. She took alot out of everyone with all the screaming and crying. I am glad to be home and now I can relax. Can't believe my a$$hole brother did not show up to support our sister. He is such a jerk at times. Well, I was there for our sister. She needed the support. My mom and dad were there and so were some of my cousin and alll of my aunts. So she had a mega support system.

I am going to surf on peas for awhile and then Iam going to hit the tub, then the sheets, and kick back relax and watch my movies. Gonna be fun!

Dana

Fun Facts about me

I think I already told you the most embarrassing moment, you know the incindent that happened in church....snicker. So I guess I am going to have to give you some fun facts about myself.

I am on 5 feet tall.
I love really really high heels and boots.....guess my height is a factor...lol
I don't have many female friends, have lots of male friends though
I am the youngest of 3 children
My father is bi-racial
I love stuffed animals
I love to read
I am a good cook

I can be a real beyotch at times, but I have very sensitive feeelings.....lol
My middle name is Arteece
I wear glasses, most of the time
My husband and I have been together for 16 years.....half of my life


I have one brother and one sister, whom I love to death
I have 3 half brothers from my dad
My favorite color is Purple
My favorite fruit is mango

Hope you enjoyed these few random facts about me.
Dana

Spending habits for scrapbooking!

How much do you normally spend in a scrapbooking store? How often do you normally shop in a store? Or are you an online shopping?


What can I say, I am a total binge shopper. I live in the scrapbook stores. I am always ordering supplies online, qvc, ebay, you name it. I think I am one of those people who is more in love with scrapbook shopping than actually scrapbooking.

On average, I am in a scrapbook related store atleast 3 times a week. Atleast! I spend anywhere from 100-500 dollars monthly on scrapbooking supplies. Not to mention my various clubs that I am in, like Jenni Bowlin, Poppy Ink or Scrapologie. Sometimes I spend more. If qvc is on forget about it. I have spent over 500 dollars in one single showing!

I am so vulnerable when it comes to scrapping goodies. Anything new and cute, watchout because I have to have it.

Idea books are one of the big expenses and I am constantly on the prowl for new reading material.

I sometimes feel bad, at all the money I spend on scrapbooking. I think, this could have put a homeless person back on track for a couple of years, but is something that I love! It is something I enjoy. The feeling I feel when I am in a scrapbookstore browsing, buying, and coming home with my goodies is too much to put into words. It's a total stress buster. Would not trade this hobby for all the tea in China.

Love, Love, Love shopping for new scrapgoodies whether its online or at Archiver's I am always shopping.

Dana

What's the meaning of my name

My name is Dana Arteece Payne-Brooks

Dana- means MORNING GLORY....
Being that I am not a morning person, I would say that my name does not have a true meaning. I am not a morning person at all. I am more of a NIGHT OWL. I usually don't go to sleep until way after midnight. Usually I am up blogging, scrapping, or watching television. I only get up early to get the kids ready for school. I am so grumpy and irritable. I usually go to sleep right after the kids are off, after the news and Oprah of course, I wake back up at noon...sometimes later.....and then I am more of a socialite.

My mom was going to name me Janee', pronounced Juh-Nay....would have been cool since my daughter's name is Jaree pronounced Juh-Ray.

I think that I look more like a Dana though....

Dana

Guess who's coming to dinner...

if you get to have dinner with whoever you want, dead or alive. Who would it be? What would you talk about?

If I could have dinner with whoever I wanted I would have to say I would love to brush shoulders with OPRAH. She is such a phenomenal woman. She is so accomplished, and I would love to sit down and conversate with such an inspirational woman. Her rags to riches story inspires me as a woman and I am totally intrigued by her. I would love to ask her, in her wildest dreams did she ever imagine she would be this famous? What are the pros and cons of being the richest woman in the world? Who does she admire? Who did she model herself after? I would even show her my Sophia impression (Color Purple) "You told Harpo to beat me....all my life I had to fight....I had to fight my daddy, I had to fight my brothers, I had to fight my uncles, girl chile' it aint safe in the family mens, but i aint never thought I would have to fight in my own house, you want a dead son in law Ms. Celie, you keep on 'visin' him the way you do....I can quote the Color Purple backwards and forwards....lol

I love Oprah and that's who I would pick to have dinner with....

Now if I could have a romantic dinner with anyone, It would none other than LL Cool J and that's a whole other blog entry...lol

Dana

TEENAGERS....UGH

He's driving me nuts. Don't you wish that your babies could stay babies forever. He is so stressing me out over this cell phone. He thinks he is going to win, but he better think again. NO MORE CONTRACT PHONES! I have totally learned my lesson. His dad just took him to about 4 different stores to look at phones.....guess he will be the one breaking down and getting the contract phone, WON'T BE ME....LOL


DANA

I'm getting a Razr Phone....

I am getting a Razr Phone I cannot wait! Love those phones. My niece just got one and I fell in love. My contract is up in a couple of weeks so I will be upgrading. My son wants one so bad! He's 13. We did the contract phone with him, and he did not respect it. So I paid the 150 dollars to cancel it .....He kept downloading ringtones and the bill was over 100 dollars 6 times. The kid did not get it! Money doesn't grow on freaking trees. I told him maybe when he's older and a little more responsible I will put him back on my contract. For now, we will do the pre-paid. If he uses all his minutes in month....OH WELL!

Anyways, I am totally stoked! I just bought an Ipod, now i am buying a Raz-r, feeling kinda frisky.....lol

Dana

Monday Challenge

Do you want to convert your real life non-scrapper friend into scrapbookers?While this would be nice and would make for the greatest of conversations, I would have to say no. It would be to hard, most of my friends just don't get it.

Do you find friends that scrapbooks? If so, how? I have found so many friends through this wonderful hobby, some at crops, some I found right at 2 peas, some at the scrapbook store. I have found that us scrapbookers are very friendly....lol

Do you show your pages to someone who doesn't scrapbook? All the time, and most people are very fascinated, then there are those who just plain don't get it.

Do you think you avoid topic about scrapbooking because your non-scrapper friend just don't get it? No, scrapbooking is my world. I talk about all the time. Most times in terms of shopping and scrappping. I would tell my friend I am heading to the scrapbook store to get some stuff or that I plan on scrapbooking for the day...

There outta be a law....

There outta be a law that people cannot drive slow in the fast lanes

There outta be a law that people don't blow their noses at the dinner table in restaurants

There outta be a law that nosey inlaws get an electric shock if caught snooping....

There outta be a law that stay at mom's becomes recognized as an occupation, and we get a pay check for it....lol

There outta be a law that there can be no rude comments made against scrapbooking or else its a 500 dollar penalty, given to the scrapper to buy scrapbook supplies

There outta be a law that stops children from talking back to parents....lol

There outta be a law against people making in out in parks for all to see, and then me having to explain, why, to my 6 yr old

There should be a law against farting in public...eeeewwww

There should be a law against leaving the toilet seat up....

There should be a law that National Scrapbooking Day, becomes a National Holiday, paid time off...

There should be a law that racist people have to go live with a person of a different race for a month, and live their lifestyle

There should be a law that we respect and love our fellow man no matter what

That's all

dana

Fun Facts

Here are a few random things about me;

1. I am afraid of the dark...
2. I am a purse and shoe freak
3. I can't stand the the cold
4. I sleep with my head under the covers
5. I love to dance
6. I am a shop aholic
7. I make really late night runs to 7-eleven to get a donut and cappuchinno
8. I am in love with LL Cool J
9. I am a big daredevil
10. I am a really talkative person....


There! I gave you a small preview of my life....


Dana

Chocalate: A girl's best friend

What is your fave chocolate bar? Do you have more than one? How long have you loved it? Who gave you your first one? Cmon, I know everyone has gotta have one! Wanted to post a nice and light topic for the end of the week..
I LOVE LOVE LOVE chocalate...
This love didn't come along until I entered my teen years. As a child, I mostly ate fruity candies, like chews, skittles, lemon heads. As I matured, my fondness for chocalates began to blossom.
I have had many favorites over the years, Snickers, Whatcamacallits, Kit Kats, Turtles, Butterfingers, Hershey with Almonds, Mr. Goodbars, Nestle Krunch, even Heath Bars.

Right now my favorite is Reese Peanut Butter Cups. In fact, I just bought a king size pack yesterday. You know, the one with 4 in the pack Had to share two with the kids....ughhh. They are like hound dogs. They can sniff out the goodies.

I get my midnight cravings and dh and I make runs to the local 7-eleven to get goodies. I have a stash in my drawer.

Lately, I have been having Snicker cravings, this may be my new favorite....lol

It's funny, because every Halloween, I raid the kids bags and take the snickers and reese cups...shhhh don't tell my kids.

Dana

Two sick kids

Boy did I hit the jackpot!

I got not one but two sick kids at home. Well, my son Jari, is not really sick, but needs to go to the doctor for an x-ray, I suspect he may have broken his thumb playing basketball yesterday. He was in alot of pain, and the thumb is very swollen. I am going to take him to the doctor and just make sure he's alright.

My daughter has a horrible cough and is complaining that her throat hurts. This is the child that NEVER needs to get sick. Any fever and it throws her into seizures. I have been chasing down tylenol and motrin all night. She did have a few tremors, but I am hoping that she does not have a full blown seizure. I am trying to get her off medication by next year and one of the stipulations is she cannot have a seizure in the yearly period. Or they start the year over from the date of the seizure. So I am sitting on pins and needles right now.

We are supposed to go out to dinner for my sil's birthday, but I don't think we can being that both kids are out of commission so to speak.

Never a dull moment in the Brooks household.

dana

Beauty of Books

Beautiful Books. 1. What is the most beautiful book you own? 2. In what way is it beautiful? Is it the illustrations, the binding, a combination of these, or something else? 3. How often do you look at it, browse through it, read it?

One of the most beautiful books I own, besides the bible is a book called Soul Catcher: A journal to help you become who you really are. The book is very beautiful. It's very whimsical, Flavia inspired if you will. The illustrations inside the book are gorgeous. It is a total must have. The book is spiral bound. I love the combinations of colors. I was drawn by this book. I first heard of this book after reading an issue of O Magazine. I went over to Borders and bought the book. Once I saw the book I was in awe. The book is so beautifully made.

It has totally helped me in my journaling. I journal a lot and I must say I always go back to this book for reference. It helps you to dig deep inside of yourself. It also has some wonderful quotes inside. I love quotes. I am always writing them down in a notebook.

The book is by Kathy and Amy Eldon. Most of the art work was done by Michelle Barnes. It is a total must-have. It has a new age feel and I would recommend to anyone who is working to improve their journaling styles.


Dana

I love American Idol

I am such a big fan of American Idol. Every Tuesday and Wednesday I am glued in front of the television set. Even have some very young idol fans in the house. My husband watches with me, but does not understand the whole voting thing. He says it takes up tooooo much time.

But, hey if you are a true fan, you will vote!

Last night's show was awesome. I thought Paris and Mandisa did great!

I also loved Kerry Pickler last night! First time for everything.

I have to admit I watch the show just to see Ace Young...lol He is tooooo hot for tv.


I also like Elliot .....love his voice!

Can't wait to see who's staying and who's going tonight!
I hope its not Paris or Mandisa or Ace...lol

Dana

What are my dreams made of....

List the things you dream about doing during the last few years of your life. This is a very introspective subject. Take your time. Think.. if you live to a ripe old age, what do you dream of?? that you would be doing during your final years?? Taking into acct, that your health etc would be just fine!


My mom always told me to dream BIG, never dream small.....
Since, I was a child, I always wanted a big family and an even bigger home. I am working towards that dream now. I have the children, next year we plan to buy the home. I always dreamed of living in a nice, comfy, house....filled with my children's laughter...
I wish that my children could be children for ever. I love them sooooo much. It's hard to imagine that one day they will be grown and on their own. My children are my world. They are my DREAM COME TRUE. I never imagined that my life would be so complete. They mean the world to me. My dream for them is that they are successful in what ever they do, that they find true love, and that they never forget that my love for them is truly unconditional. They will always have a place in my home.

I also dream of my husband and I growing old together, still in love. We have been together already for 16 years and counting. I hope that we will forever be together and that we travel the world together. Never missing a beat. I hope for many, many, many grandchildren.....MANY YEARS FROM NOW....lol. I love children! I think I would be the nanny...lol No babysitters required.

I hope and dream that my children and I will remain close. I pray that they will never let anyone or anything stand in the way of our relationship.I also pray the same for them as siblings, that they will remain close. Always have each other's back. Take care of their little sister, and never let anyone or anything stand in the way of their relationships. I dream that my mom will live to see her great-grandchildren, I hope that she will be around to watch my children get married and have children of their own.


That is what my dreams are made of...

Dana

Last minute person

This one is all about PROCRASTINATION. What do you wait for the very last minute, to do??? Do you do this often? Can you figure out why? Have you always been this way? Does it drive other members of your family/friends crazy?



Procrastination is my middle name. It seems that I always wait to the last minute to do everything. I wait to the last minute for birthday gifts. I wait to very last minute to clean. Especially around the holidays. I always plan these elaborate schedules.....and never stick to them. Everyone wants their house spic and span, especially around the holidays, and I am always dogg tired, because I am cleaning the night before.

My husband is always mad, because I wait to the last minute to get dressed, when we are going out. I almost always have to stop by the shoe store, clothing store, or beauty supply to pick something up last minute. He totally hates that. It drives him nuts!

I have been this way since I can remember. I can remember waiting to the very last minute to do homework, science fair projects, you name it....I waited to the very last minute]

This was a pain in college. I don't know how many times I waited to the last minute to do a paper. I was in the computer lab, the day the paper was due, most times, cutting another class, to type a 15 page paper out. Thank God, I am a fast typer....lol

My dad says, the only thing I will ever be on time for is my FUNERAL....lol

It has been my new year's resolution to change this for many years, but I guess it is just a part of who I am...

Dana

Jerry!Jerry!Jerry!

I can't believe I let my husband and his co-workers talk me into going to the Jerry Springer show! I am more of an Oprah person myself...lol. We are going today, don't know what the topic is about. Should be interesting. I really think most of those people are fake anyways. Some of it seems so staged. One things for sure, I will NOT be getting any JERRY BEADS....lol. The good thing is we are going to the CHEESE CAKE FACTORY for dinner. Yipppeee! I absolutely love that place. We were going to go to Pappedeux's, but the traffic going that way will be too much. I love Pappedueux's as well. I am going to sit back and relax and enjoy the show, should be fun. Dana

Collections

Collector by nature!
Ever since I can remember, I have always collected something. When I was a child it was unicorns, rocks, stationary, porcelain dolls, stickers, I can remember getting my allowance on Fridays and heading to Chicago Ridge Mall on Saturday, because they had a huge store that sold stickers. I remember blowing my whole allowance on scratch and sniff stickers and Garbage Pail kids (do you remember those), I could hardly wait to get home, so that I could spend hours putting my stickers into my album. Everyone would marvel at how awesome my sticker album was. I was so proud!Fast forward to now, I am 31 years old and still collecting some things that carried over from childhood...Like Teddy Bears mostly plush, I am a Boyd bears fanatic, have been since I was about 9 years old. My aunt Josie bought me Sophie, a boyd's bear with a pink crocheted dress, with matching booties and bonnet, she also bought me a calendar, and diary. Little did I know that it would turn into a way of life with me. I tried to get my daughter into Boyds, which she loves but she is far more interested in Hello Kitty, right now.I love teddy bears, they are displayed all over my house. Mostly in my bedroom. Somethings never fade...I also collect writing pens. When I was teen, I always got cool and interesting pens. Fast foward to today, I am the same way. I love, love, ,love writing pens. I live in office max and Target. I also, have a good relationship with my children's pediatrician, who always give me the neat pens from the pharmeceutical companies. Once, my dad said " Why do you need all of those pens, you can't write with all of them" My dad was oblivious. He hadn't a clue. I spent hours in my room sampling each and every pen. I love to write. Writers need pens. Comprende.I also collect things that are purple, purple candles, purple picture frames, mostly decor for my bedroom which in Deep Purple and Mint Green. Every time I see something any shade of purple, I have to buy it. Its an obssesion.I guess you can say I collect bath and body works products... I Have to have everything that comes out. i am so into the breathe line right now. The orange one is the best! I love to smell pretty! My mom taught me that catch phrase when I was about 4....I also collect journals, I love to write and I have a journal for just about everything, and I can never pass up a cute or interesting looking journal. I love to write!Of course, I collect scrapbooking supplies, that would be obvious! I am a scrapper, it goes hand and hand...lolDana

Had a great time at my parents...

I went over to my mom and dad's house to pick up mail, I got jury duty....ughhhh! We had dinner and watched a good movie. As usual my mom and dad were entertaining, they always fuss at one another, but they can't live without each other. The kids get a kick out of it! My dad wouldn't be himself, if he was not fussing. My sister and her 2 rugrats came over too. We had a blast. We had pot luck dinner.... I cooked baked macaroni and cheese, my sister made banana pudding, my mom cooked red beans and rice and fried chicken. After we ate ourselves into a small coma, we watched a movie called Back in the day, with Ving Rhames and JaRule, it was actually pretty good. We played the dozens ....and I am back home.

Now, I am dogg tired and am going to hit the shower ...then the sheets....

Dana

Scrappy jams

To be honest, I hardly ever listen to music while I am scrapbooking...Occassionally,I will listen to some slow r&b. I tried listening to the faster stuff, but I am compelled to jump up and start dancing and that can be dangerous with an exacto knife, substituting for a microphone....TRUST ME...LOL

I listen to a little Alicia Keyes, Floetry, Jill Scott, Musiq, Anthony Hamilton....gets me into the groove.

I find it relaxing and soothing. I get my mind right, then I get into the groove of things.


I did just purchase a IPOD, my son seems to love his, and I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. Maybe I will be doing alot more grooving, while scrapping...lol

Dana