*sigh*,,, im feeling a tad bit emotional right now. *good* emotions. grateful, really. grateful for *YOU* {truly ~ YOU}. i dont ever quite get into my personal life... sure ill mention a bit here,,, a bit there,,, but thats about it. i know ive said this before {and nobody believes me}, but i promise,, promise,,, promise i am a very shy person, {think about the first time we met},,, and if our paths have yet to cross,,, i promise i will be shy. im scared. scared of rejection. i also am very aware of my excitement and lack of the ability to contain it. i am an all or nothing kinda chick and if i think you might not be able to handle it, i refrain. on that same{ish} note you have no, No, NO, NO idea how much it means to me when *you* leave me a blog comment. i really appreciate it. it makes me soooo stinkin' happy. putting myself out *there* {wherever *there* might be} is an interesting thing, really. like the people that have *joined* my blog. *followed me* per say. i want to thank *you* so very much for showing me support. it might seem so silly to one, but think about it like this. a marathon. ive never ran in one, nor do i plan on it {like, ever}. but im thinking about the people in the crowd. cheering,,, screaming,, clapping. i never really thought that if one person joined in, it would make a difference. now i know it does. one comment or a few more, make my day. make me happy. everybody who wished me a congrats for making it on the design team ~ truly ~ thank you. THANK YOU. where was i?? oh,, the whole *follow* this blog. i hadnt added it to my side bar for fear that nobody would *follow* me. promise. i see others that have eight or twenty two or nine million {sorry, had to throw something sarcastic in,,, its getting waaay tooooo serious around here} and i was scared that i wouldnt have any. i finally got over that {because really, i did have three faithful followers from the get go}, but once i put it out there now i have twelve!! twelve!!! thats awesome. thank you ladies for *following* me. i appreciate that and i makes me wanna rock on harder just to keep you inspired,, {alright, alright its kinda cool to get a chuckle here and there too ~ gotta be honest here}. maybe a lil' ROFL action you know or how about you LMAO?? {inside joke},,, anyway,,, the whole sassafrass blog thing,,, sent me sailing over the moon. still on cloud nine. making a design team ~ sweet. to be completely honest, i havent {until lately} ever tried out for a design team. didnt want to find out that i hadnt made it. it would break my heart. when i want something, i put everything into achieving it,,, and i hate hearing no. i sooo badly wanted to try out for the hambly design team this past summer. i was gonna. then i totally lost my courage,, chickened out. making a design team is so rad to me and *you* have been there and showed me love, and for that im truly grateful. {if i ever won an oscar or an emmy they would for sure be playing the music,, like,, seven minutes ago, yes?? like,, "hey,, hey you,,, get the heck off the stage!!!!! we wanna see angelina jolie"}. anyway,, i kinda felt the need to express my gratitude for *you*. you freaking rock!!! thank *you*

on another side note {also adding to my emotions},, my baby brother graduated from *a* school today {navy}. top of his class. my eyes are filling up with pride {alright, alright,, maybe tears}as i type. he is eighteen years old and ready to take south korea head on. just like a man should. amazing. he makes me so happy. i am so happy and proud to be his big sissy and i cant wait to see him when he comes home {whenever that is}, but it will be very, very soon. we wanna get matching tattoos {dont worry mom we really wont ;-) }. mainly because he thinks ill wanna get mr clean or the monopoly guy tatted on my booty ~ ahem, noooo thank you baby brother!!! non the less, we are sure to have a blast hanging ten together. cant wait.

moving right along {and trying to break away from the emotions} i went to petco today to buy a new ball for our hamster {which my children cleverly named *mousie~mousie*}. well, i ended up with another hamster. meet rino {like from the movie bolt}. she {yes, she has a boys name, we know} is a roborivski hamster and tiny. she wont get any bigger than sofias two-year-old-fist. my hubby was a little surprised, but he actually got over it really quick, {thanks mom}. she is freaking adorable.nexxxxxxt,,,,

fresh highlights ~ CHECK

tanning booth over exposed skin ~ CHECK

new clothes ~ CHECK

lose one hundred pounds in ten minute crash diet ~ CHECK

new sim card for my camera ~ CHECK {times two}

good company ~ CHECK

cute boy to kiss at night ~ CHECK, CHECK

stoked ~ CHECK, CHECK, CHECK,,,

why, you ask?? welllll,,,, tonight {yep, tonight} we will be VIA LAS VEGAS BABY!!!!!!!!! hecccck yeah!!! vegas is my love. a piece of my heart resides in vegas. it makes me so happy and the mere thought that i will be there for the next couple of days makes me wanna do summer salts,, or cartwheels,, or russians,,, something. im stoked. oh, but dont worry, my bloggity blog will still update you with randomness. promise. you know how i roll.

alright, so you totally know that i love taking pictures of myself ~ yes?? well,,, what you dont know is i like to keep myself entertained,,, i like laughing at myself. i actually think that its really funny, because its true. i crack up at myself allll the time because im sooo lame. and i like it. i am, after all *my own favorite audience* {thank you dance hall crashers} {side note if you know and or listen to the dance hall crashers i just realized that i have a crush on *you*}. anyway,, making a short story long,,,, {which is what i do best} i take pictures of myself. right. i also take whats the word im searching for,,, hmmm,, honestly, i cant think of the proper, non-offensive word to describe what im trying to say. instead,,, see for yourself. this picture makes me laugh soooo hard. it does. i even shamelessly printed it the last time i went to ritz camera knowing that i will scrap this baby. what do you think??? *HI MOM*,,,and,,,again,,,THANK YOU. thank you for simply reading my blog, or leaving me comments, or for choosing to follow me. i appreciate *YOU*

~loves~

this is so lame, my dear, sweet, computer {for some reason} has decided NOT to obey my "rotate clockwise" or "rotate counter clockwise" commands. lame. sorry. i tried to only put in horizontal pictures, but two of them just werent. bummer dude. anyway, the weekend was kinda rad for two reasons. the first?? i got my wreck this journal in the mail. it came pretty quick!! i cant wait to start tearing this baby, dripping coffee on it, taking it in the shower with me {which i already did, not knowing that that was one of the instructions}. alright, so random side note, i often take books or phones with me in the shower. mainly because i am the ULTIMATE multi tasker, and i feel like while my long hair is getting wet and ready to shampoo, {you know before my hands are wet}, i feel like that is precious time that i could be doing *something*. lame, but whatever. i should really *try* to just enjoy a quiet shower, but i always have something on my mind,,,, anyway, where was i?? oh yeah, this wreck this journal. i cant wait to get started!!! i even joined the wreck this journal flickr group!! sweet.

sorry for the sideways picture. whatever.

the next reason this weekend was rad?? i gave daniel three paint choices, a canvas and a three paint brushes and let him go for it. im so proud of his little painting. it is sitting right next to me as i type. i adore it!! {ahem, did you notice my new header??, did you notice the bottom layer of my new header??} what can i say?? im a proud mama!! oh, and i did one for my etsy shop too!!! why not??

its okay, you can tilt your head to the side for better viewing purposes.
oh, and i thought of this thanksgiving morning, i havent done a piece of me in, like, forever!! while i was cooking, {slippers and apron and all}, i snapped a quick little piece of me!! i need to more of those....alright, its off to my scrap room. not to play, but to cleaaaannn,,, no fun, no fun at all!!!
~xoxo~

Dr. Seuss:
You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.

ahhh,,,, dreamy thoughts,,,

i havent had a *long* post in a while,,, im totally due. i *finally* finished my class sample for ever after. a thanksgiving mini album. *10 reasons to bee thankful*. the sample will be at the store later on today {closer to the early evening}. call to reserve a spot in the class or a kit. my kits always come with 4X6 color photos that making putting these babies together a pleasant breeze,,,,, you can stop by the store to see more of this album, or just call to save a spot {sorry, i know i already said that},,, (760)433-9313 oh yeah ~ class is thursday the 20th ~ {man thats coming right up} whoa,,,, oh yeah, where was i?!?! class is thursday the 20th at 6:30.

speaking of classes, have you signed up for my card class at pink pineapple?? class is this sunday at 2:00. call to reserve your spot (760)598-2222
i havent busted out a piece of my lately, so here is a picture i took of myself {of course}. showing some love for my baby brother in florida....
i bought a few of these from elsies etsy shop. they are ACEO(art card, editions and originals) cards. i love them. they are pretty tiny, so i was trying to think how i was going to display them and this is what i have come up with,,,,,
the cards are 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 ~ pretty small. i put a small piece of bright pink felt into the frame to mount the little cards. i love the way it turned out,,, im trying to find the perfect spot to put these guys {do i always say that??} but for now, this is how stinking cute they look!!

love elsie stuff!!!
alright, next, and finally. one of my very favorite scrapbook stores is closing their doors. today. for good. i was very saddened by the news, but on the same token i cant blame mel. we know that she definitely gave the store her very best shot, and what else can you ask for?? the store had been an amazing inspiration to me throughout the years. it is mel, after all, that encouraged me to teach in the very first place. i will always be grateful to her for opening my eyes to a whole 'nother side of the scrapbooking world. the store has gone through a lot of change, and i was happy to be a part of their {and finally her} support team. i will truly miss this store and the special feeling that i felt whenever i walked through those doors. what did they always say "come as friends, leave as family". i have to admit, i dont blame mel for her decision. i admire her strength to keep the store rolling as long as it did, and i admire her decision to step back and do what she needs to do and what she feels she does best. being a mom. we are all {almost all} moms and each and every one of us know that our family especially our children come very, very first. period. now that mels family is continuing to grow, well {again} i cant blame her. i would show the same level of respect to my family, and i think we all would. mel, thank you for all of your spunk, love and support. i am here to support you and proud of the decisions that you have made. you are an amazing person, and i will forever be thankful for your friendship.... so as this chapter closes, another will surely open up,,,, ill stay tuned,,,, ;-) p.s. thanks for showing me elsie!!!!
alright, enough said, im gonna go watch kung fu panda with my kids!!!
~xoxoxoxo~

alright ~ so the kits have been shipped ~ THANK YOU!!! if you missed the cut off for the special i was having, im sorry,,, but there is hope,,, i think i might have to do this special again ~ it was fun and totally worth it!!! anyway, just wanted to thank those of you who participated and those of you who sent emails containing any sort of compliment or flattery (is that a word?? whatever,,,,), oh ~ but i do still have kits to purchase,,, if you are still interested in purchasing a kit, please let me know~ i always get so excited when anyone likes a kit i created,,, oh the little things in life,,, anyway, im off to prepare for my 10 year high school reunion ~ should be fun!!!! enjoy the weekend,,,, check out sofia!!! ~peace~

hi ~ ive got a few things up my sleeve,,,,,

1) first of all ~ THANK YOU ladies who sent me emails interested in my kits ~ i love this part of the scrapbooking world,,, so fun to me!!!! i actually got really excited and sent my hubbs to the post office today with a few items to place in the mail (early, i know), but i love getting other peps inspired to scrapbook ~ hey whatever i can do to help, im all in,,,,, so if you placed an order with me last night ~ first of all,,,,, THANK YOU (again) and second of all, i hope you get your kits by friday,,, yay!!!

2) next, i have a class tomorrow at ever after *id pick you* call,,,,,, (760)433-9313
c) did you notice i put a letter this time instead of a number?!?!?!

4) my *i pay your shipping* (man, i need a better name for my sell) special is still going on, but i must receive your order by tomorrow night,,,, i still have *most* of the kits listed below,,,,, drop me an email xoxoallyserrato@aol.com :)

5) i got a MRI today,,, have you ever had one?!?! kinda intense,,,, i had to go in this big ol' machine and wear headphones because it was loud enough to be a construction zone!!! i was in it for 15 minutes and ~ just to put my life into prospective ~ i actually succeeded in taking a nap while all of this was going on!!! mama is always tired,,,, anyway, we will see what happens next,,,, i so badly wanted to ask one of the nice doctors to take my picture while i was laying there (you know for blog purposes), but i lost the courage,,,,

6) what else?!?!? hmmm,,,, oh ~ i know, my high school reunion is this friday ~ its at the *house of blues* fun location huh??? thats actually where ricardos reunion was as well,,, a few months back,,,, i got a few dresses today to bring home so hubbs can help me pick which one to wear,,,, oh ~ and im getting my hair did tomorrow ~ you know a lil' touch up ;)

g) whoa ~ how could i forget to mention,,,, the *kit* listed below *loves it* is actually going to be a class,,, yep, ill be teaching it at its about time...scrapbooks and more saturday 4th of october!!! yay, its been a while since ive taught there, so im pretty excited!!!!

8) finally two random pictures,,,
~picture one ~ (i love my hat)

~and picture two ~funny, i just realized that both of those pictures were focused on flowers that daniel had picked for me!!! the top one is at sea world and the bottom was from our front yard,,, daniel picks me a flower each and every day,,,, sometimes more than one,,,, i always try to photograph them,,, it lasts longer... you know the old saying "take a picture it will last longer"?!?!?

~night~

p.s. you shoulda seen my spell check ~ whoa,,, im tired,,,,,,, ZZZZzzzzzz,,,,,,,,

*tag* im it ~ p.s. i totally *tagged* myself ~ *again*

i got this little game from a blog that got it from another, that so on and so forth,,,,,,

so i answer the question, go into flickr and search the word ~ then i pick my favorite photo from the first page (if i can),,,, *side note* i totally made these rules up,,, as i was playing,,, ;)

1. What's you name?

allyson ~ 2 *ll*s and a *y*, but you can call me *ally* i like it!!!

~and i love this pictures that came up for my name ~

2. What's your favorite food?
pizza ~ no further questions,,,, i can eat it all day everyday!!!3. What high school did you go to?

temecula valley high school ~ class of ninety eight baby!!! and much to my surprise *searched* "temecula valley high school" through flickr, came up with one photo, but for some reason, it wouldnt let me post it (copy right?!?!), so i searched "bears" and although we werent the *panda* bears, i couldnt resits,,,,,,
4. What is your favorite color?

fuchsia ~ not even a question,,,, the best part is that not only did i search *fuchsia* and get the color, i got one of my favorite flowers,,,,,
5. Who is your celebrity crush? man ~ i honestly dont have one,,,, really,,,, i swear,,,, i guess i would *have* to go with the obvious brad pitt
alright ~ yeah, he is pretty cute,,,, and who really can resist a man who loves being a daddy?!?!?

6. Favorite drink?

can i have *two* make that *three* ~ water ~ ice venti coffee, sweetened with room for cream & corona with two limes (just sometimes) ;)

7. Dream vacation?

somewhere where there is the sun and the sand and the water ~ it could oceanside for all i care,,,,
or on second thought, i still really want to visit oregon,,,, so pretty,,,,
8. Favorite dessert?

creme brulee,,, and how amazing does this one look?!?!?

9. What did you want to be when you grew up?
this is so rad ~ alright, so when i was a child i always wanted to be a bus driver,,,,

then i wanted to own my own little pet store because i have always loooved animals,,,,
then, a nurse,,,, that is until i realized that i couldnt stand the sight of blood and i had no idea what i was thinking wanting to go into that field,,,,then i wanted to be a hair stylist ~ i even went to cosmetology school,,,, didnt likey,,,,
im happy with the path i ended up on though,,,,,
mama,,,,
artist,,,,,
rock star!!!!
10. What do you love most in your life?

my family ~ of course,,, nothing else matters,,,,
11. One word to describe you.
thispicture ;)
12. Your Flickr name.

i dont think i have a flickr, but if i did it would be something original like ally serrato,,,,,
dude this post took three days!!!!

~peace out~

*thanks mom* ~ i had fun with you yesterday,,,,,
p.s. i totally scrapbooked yesterday,,,, like i really wouldnt,,,, haha!!!! have a good weekend!!!!~ciao~

~ correction, i started this post last night and couldnt finish i was sooo tired!!! so this actually all took place yesterday (a little side note) ~
today ended up being so sweet,,,, i started my day with lunch with an amazing girly from high school ~ i miss her. i took my class sample over to ever after, so now it is there for you to enjoy!!! i also dropped off more *california dreamin'* kits as per request!!! there are a few there, so if you wanted one and didnt get it, go, go, go,,,, or you can email me and i can ship one to you!!!
then i headed over to pink pineapple and dropped off three *hello vacation* kits,,, only three ~ so you can call and reserve one or run down there if you wanted one of those babies,,,,
i was so inspired by elsie (i know, i know ~ surprise, surprise) and this post that i decided to totally copy her ~ although im not off to a good start ~ i have to admit,,,, today i was going to take it easy ~ totally easy,,, go work out, play with my kids maybe a lil' lunch with my mom, and last night i swore that i wasnt going to *think* about scrapbooking today,,,, well as you can tell, im doing this post, but thats it ~ no more scrapbooking for me today!!! wish me luck,,,, mama just needs a little breaky break,,,,, i even copied elsies idea and took a picture of the clouds yesterday morning ~ yesterdays weather started out so weird,,,,

after all of my errands (sorry, my day yesterday is totally jumping all around now), i took my babies to the wild animal park. just for fun!!! daniel picked me a flower ~ actually a few flowers,,,, but i love 'em!! and a lil pieces of me,,,,
i love the wild animal park,,, i was actually able to talk hubbs into meeting us there for dinner. the kids and i were there five hours!!! thats a long time considering we went last minute and we got there at 4:00. oh yeah, and my kid with no shirt ~ i swear thats not the typical ~ i must explain,,,, you see daniel wanted to run and play in the little water pad that they have there and he was trying to brave it and jump in from the side,,, well instead of landing on the soft rubber matting that surrounds the water area, he slipped in the mud,,,, therefore covered in mud, he wasnt happy... the only way to get him to calm down was to take the ol' shirt off. so there you have it!!! ill be back in a few,,,,, miss me,,,,,

~hugs~