I just finished my new book...

I highly recommend the book I told you about, "Winning Against the Wackos in your Life". If you have a hard time spotting those unhealthy people who attach themselves to you (until its too late), then this is the book for you. I am going to be more alert for certain signs when I first meet people so that I can avoid the pain and suffering that follows.

I learned more about the things about myself that attracts unhealthy people. I have to watch for the signs, look at how they treat others and listen to the things they say that give off the warning signs. I also had to really let it sink in that I am never going to be the exception for how a Wacko treats other people - they will do it to me too.

Good practical tips on how to deal with those unhealthy people you may have to come into contact with in the workplace or within your own family.

Get the book if you feel like you fall prey to Wackos in your life!

I ordered a new book on Amazon...

Without going into details and revealing too much, I will tell you that I ordered a book today that I think I wish I had many years ago because it would have probably saved me a lot of pain and suffering. I ordered the book (I know...I haven't told you the name of the book yet - keep reading) because I was listening to the radio a few days ago and Z100 was taking calls from listeners who were "almost famous" because they were related to or otherwise knew someone who is famous or rich. A woman called in and said she had written a book and it wasn't a best seller yet but it was on Amazon, so I think that is what makes her almost famous. Before I tell you the name of the book, I want to tell you that I am actually quite sensitive to names and insensitive speech that is hurtful to anyone and because of the title I really thought hard about whether I wanted to buy the book. O.K. I will tell you the title. It's called "Winning Against the Wackos in Your Life: How to Spot Them and Stop Them in their Tracks". Of course, the word I don't like here is "wackos".

I have often felt like and actually have said a number of times that I feel like I am a magnet for people with mental health issues. I find myself lately in much thought about what it is about me that continues to attract people who are not healthy. So, curious...I looked the book up on Amazon and wasn't sure if it was the reading I was looking for and then I read an insert from Chapter 1.

The Nasty Habits of Hosting Wackos
I have two goals for this book: 1) to help you identify and deal with the Wackos in your life; and 2) to help you recognize those traits within yourself that could actually be drawing Wackos to you. We can't prevent Wackos from crossing our paths in life, but we can discourage them from attaching themselves to us when they do.

Then it lists a few things to ask yourself that really struck a chord with me.

Do strangers spill their life stories (often in embarrassingly graphic detail) within minutes of meeting me?

Have I spent my life helping people, being a good friend and more than periodically pulling the knife out of my back?

Although I hate that this book uses an incredibly insensitive language, I am hoping that it will offer some guidance for how I can stop this pattern that continues in my life. I am skeptical. Skeptical because I worry that if Wacko is used in the title, how credible will the content be? I will have to let you know if the book is worth reading.

More to come...

Sketch #3

Here is the newest sketch I have for you this year. I am always looking for ways to use 8x10 photo's on my layouts and so here is a design using an 8x10 but you could modify this sketch to use different size photos. Have fun and remember to send me your layout using this sketch and I will load it here. Send it to info@scrapdango.com.

Here's the sketch...
and here's a layout I created using this sketch...

Toot One and Toot Two!

I just got word that Memory Makers would like two of my layouts that will appear in the upcoming July and August issue! Two layouts that are incredibly meaningful to me and I am just jazzed that they were picked up. They feature my children and very special moments. Watch for them!

Sketch #2

I posted this sketch as a challenge sketch at Scrapdango and I am posting it here too but with a sample layout using the sketch. Hope you find it inspiring and remember to link me or send me your layout using the sketch to info@scrapdango.com and I will load it here. Thanks!

Here's the layout using the Scrapdango featured Sugar kit and the sketch...

Too Cute!

Jovanna has been participating on a special needs cheerleading team for about the last 6 months - the only one in the Pacific Northwest. They are just way too cute! They performed today at a Cheerleading Competition and will do a half-time performance at the Portland Trailblazers Game on January 28th! I have to tell you, these girls have the ability to turn an entire gymnasium full of people into tears when you watch them perform! Here's a really bad picture of Jovanna at the performance today - I was videotaping and asked another parent to take pictures for me so unfortunately, I didn't get very many good pictures but the experience was amazing!


And one more...
(I have tried to blur out the images around Jovanna so the other girls have some confidentiality)