Ahhhhh..............Spring Break

Late last week I was honored to be with the travel party of the men's track team to the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in College Station, Texas. It was a wonderful trip, and I learned much about collegiate track. The competition was incredible! I witnessed the University of Alabama have two indoor All-Americans, Krystle Schade on the high jump and Fred Samoei in the 800m.

After I returned home, I settled into my "staycation" for Spring Break. Yep, an entire week without a thing to do. No plans, no trips, nothing. Just spring cleaning and doing some digiscrapping, which has been delightful! Not to mention it's the start of March Madness to keep me occupied. And my precious lovies, Puddles, Grover and Wilbur. I don't know who has enjoyed each other more so far!

I scrapped two pages today - here they are! The first one is of my nephew Josh:


and the second is of Angel, my neice:


I used templates for both of these, one from Paislee Press and one from Fizzy Pop Designs (It's the one on top).

Hope you enjoy. Love one another.
Till Tomorrow,
Ozziepuddles

Finally - able to Digiscrap!

It's Sunday night and I'm pooped, but have done absolutely nothing all day except wash laundry, and make a trip to Sam's. For the past two days I've woken up at noon. Yes, noon. Oh, and I did go to Dollar General yesterday in the rain and picked up some double-stuffed oreos. It was a small package, but I ate half of them yesterday. It's because they were sitting on the damn counter, and every time I passed that counter I had to have an oreo.

I have done a couple of scrap pages this weekend, one of Payton reading a Dr. Seuss story and one of Angel my neice. I'm starting to use templates and I really love them. It will be obvious on the pics which one was the template, because I could never create such perfectly divided squares otherwise, even with a grid.

I'm home this week through Wednesday, then Thursday I'm off to Texas with Men's Track and Field for the NCAA Indoor Championships. I'm really excited because it will be my first national track meet in six years to attend! Then, it's home for an entire week off for Spring Break! Yep, one of the perks of the job is the University Holidays - a week for Christmas and a week for Spring Break. After Spring Break it's Alabama Relays week and I'll work the track meet for 4 days. Whew! I might have to give myself a little break and go to the casino during my break...........although I'm severely trying to talk myself out of it. I need some fun and some penny slots are calling my name (Jackpot Party baby!) I'll probably end up going, and hope I win enough to at least break even (that's what my goal is every time).

Here are my latest scrap pages:



Love one another.

Till Tomorrow,

Ozziepuddles

On The Road Again............

One of the perks of my job includes the ability to travel with my teams once per year. So, for the past four days I have been on the road with UA Women's Track and Field at the SEC Indoor Track Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I thought I would have lots and lots of time to scrap............wrong! I ended up being the unofficial photographer, which was fine, and all of my nights were spent having a date with Lightroom3. In 2 weeks I'll travel with men's track to the NCAA Indoor track and field championships in College Station, TX. I wanted to make that trip because Coach Harvey Glance, the men's head coach, will be retiring after this season, and I've never been to a national track meet before. I want to experience that with him.

Harvey is very special to me. He is a mentor, friend, and boss. He cares for his athletes deeply and has taught many of them life lessons they will carry with them forever. He is also a "real" person, and although he has won an olympic gold medal, been an olympic track coach and Junior World Championship Head coach (just to name a few), he is one of the most humble people I have ever met. Harvey listens. And that is important to someone like me who is very low on the department totem pole. His men's team finished fourth this year at the indoor SEC's, something I know he must be very, very proud of - the best finish since 2002. I will miss my "Harvalina" so much. He is the only coach who has ever taken me to lunch on a regular basis, just to visit with me. Wow. A celebrity who is my boss who is super cool...........who could ask for more?

So, no digi scrapping but lots and lots of pictures. And I also saw one of our Alabama men's track members break a world record in the 400 meter race. His name is Kirani James, and his home country is Greneda. He entered college last year when he was only 17, and is not only an exceptional athlete but also an exceptional young man. He is selfless. He doesn't run for the accolades - he runs for his team mates, his school, his coach and his country. He is a very quiet boy who is most polite and considerate. I'll never forget last year when I traveled with men's track he opened doors for me and carried my luggage. These days you don't find many kids without egos or alternate motives. We are so lucky to have him at the University of Alabama.

I say all of this because the two men above have both influenced my life just because I know them. I can't say that about many people. They are diamonds amongst the rocks of life.

Here's a pic of Harvey:

And a couple of pics of Kirani, the first one just minutes before he broke the world record:

and another one I took in the stands:

Ok, enough about travels - I'm off to digiscrap!

Love one another.

Till Tomorrow,

Ozziepuddles