Happy Birthday!

Just a quickie to say Happy birthday to my scrappin buddy HEIDI who is celebrating her special day!!! Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuu happy birthday to youuuuuuuuu Happy Birthdayyyyyyy to youuuuuuuuuuuuu happy birthday to you!!! (yea i was singin to you girl!!)

Can't wait to see you in February!

 
 

alittle post xmas shopping

alittle post xmas shopping anyone??? oh yes I got caught up in an Amazon frenzy and had to order alittle something something for myself.... Yes I know about 3 months ago I had it in my little head that I would make my own planner... but reality has set in and it ain't gonna happen.... and Stacy Julian has been calling my name from her BLOG... just calling it out loud... so I just gotta... don't I???? heck its only money....

andddddddddddd I did find time to scrap last night... A WHOLE MINI ALBUM!!!!!!!!!! Just alittle gift for my nephew.... sooo much fun...

 
 

Its been over a week since my last post and I can't tell you where the time has gone... so many pictures to post.... but ahhh no time.

So what have I been up to????

1) We celebrated Mikes Birthday two times... once on Thursday... Amanda made his favorite Watergate Cake and then again on Saturday with his family.... More cake of course...
2) Celebrated my Dad's birthday on Sunday..... out to dinner-- sadly no room for more cake!!!
3) Attended Jackies Christmas Choir Concert (is that what they call it?) Very nice... better than her last choir... more down to earth but never enough "real" christmas music for me! hehehe
4) Work Work Work...Shop Shop Shop.....
5) Celebrated Christophers 23rd Birthday last night!!!! more cake (Ice cream cake this time!) no big birthday bash--- as much as I complain about the kids parties... his has been a tradition for sooo long... but he and some buddies went bowling instead. Not sure the grandparents could handle a party...
6) My parents came out to warrenton for lunch yesterday... Its always nice showing off Old Town...and nice for them to see where I spend my time...

Christmas is just days off... and I feel like I have been cheated out of resting and relaxing and just enjoying it all... My schedule is soo off--- I think being so far behind on my shopping and then adding my parents and puppies into the mix has played havioc with the routines of christmas. Hopefully this will fall into place this weekend...
I think we just need to bake some cookies!!

Oh and yea the reason you haven't recieved a christmas card from me is they are still here on my desk waiting for me to find a minute to write them!!!! HAHAHAHA-- you know the intention is there... right???

Dashing days

Ok there are about 12 days til christmas and all I can say is I hope that Santa is doing better then me because I have only bought about three presents.. and I am serious!!! Even if I found the time... I have no clue what to buy most of the members in my family....not a good sign this close to xmas...

My parents arrived in town last thursday for a month long visit... and amazingly things seem to be going ok... its hard to put too many parents in one house for long periods of time... Did I mention my mom likes the heat set on 75 degrees??? Well Heidi may be in Maui but I can tell you I feel like its Bermuda here!!!

I got that a great phone call from Amanda last night... she was in Target... it kinda went like this...
I'm dying.. what do I take?
hmmmm any other symptoms???
besides dying??? yea , I'm dizzy, my arms are heavy, my throat hurts but I'm not congested... or maybe I am and thats why I sound like this, what do I take???
Well how about Theraflu?
It tastes bad...
Bad makes you feel better....

Well she finally settled on something I never heard of... but I had to chuckle its exam time and shes sick... think its mental????
Stress will do that every time!

Graduation day 

Thats my son

I can tell you that in the standing room only Seigel Center that there was not one person -- not one that was prouder then I was today. Yes I can say I was beaming with pride--overflowing with joy and just one darn happy Momma today!!
Christopher graduated from VCU today...
And while I know kids graduate every year ... This was my kid who did it this time. I can tell you first hand there was no one there more handsome, smarter, funny, or loving then him.
There have been so many moments in the last 23 years that I have smiled to myself and said "thats my son"... but today I said it outloud and everyone around me knew that he is what makes my world go round.

Congratulations Christopher-- Today is your day!

Are they Genius or are we suckers?

Ok I read all the blogs... you know which ones I am talking about, stacy, donna, Cathy, Tara... the list goes on... and boy they sure know how to spread the hype... Stacys Big Picture had me... hook, line and sinker.... and then tonight I listened to the podcast on Donnas blog... and suddenly it hit me... MONEY... its all about money... we see it as a community-- a friendship--a kinship and its all money... am I jealous... YOU BET!!! the ideas are great.. stolen but great... and really not that hard... Will I drink the koolaid and follow like a lamb... probably... Why?? to get inspiration?? to be part of the "in crowd"? to learn?? to get something accomplished???
Lots to think about....

Another week in review....

Well life happens and it keeps happening and I haven't been able to sit on the computer..... lets see my week in review....
1) Still painting... Mike finished the foyer..still have trim work to be done.. but he has knocked myself out with this project....
2) Christmas decorating in high gear... although its just not as much fun without Amanda to help.
3) Jake ate too much puppy food... and had explosive diaherra... every hour on the hour Sunday night... my exhaustion yesterday could be compared to death...
4) The second snow of the year.... Driving the corvette in snow... not a good thing... There was lots of crying, a police officer, slipping and sliding, my knight in shining amore to rescue me and few cell phone calls... yea that about covers it....
5) Tis the time of year for appliances to take a vacation... a smoking vacuum, a walking washer and my carpet cleaner (see #3) that won't spin....
6) And then theres 1 puppy, two old dogs and a cat....

Ok we are caught up.... 2 days til my parents come to visit.. 4 days til graduation.. 9 days til Mikes Birthday, 12 days til Dads Birthday, 19 days til christmas... Am I missing anything... Can I take a nap???
HO HO HO

Review

So I guess you noticed that alittle more painting was happening at my house. Yes that would be the orange hallway... it has a great funky name but in reality its orange... and I am totally lovin the green in the living/dining room... still more painting left to do in the living room... but hopefully it will be done this week. The colors totally make me happy happy happy. One day-- probably not in this house I will be able to have matching accessories, lamps, pictures etc. but for now I keep myself smiling with paint!

The last few days have been filled with family and food.. I did take pictures at thanksgiving.. not sure if they get posted or not... we had a great time at my sister in laws.. its always fun when we are all together.-- We managed to get two turkeys cooked on Friday, so the kids could take home leftovers. Needless to say they raided the kitchen on their way out the door (man can't live on turkey alone) Mikes parents showed up early on Saturday to help him paint.... I'm not allowed to put paint on the walls.... we giggled our way through china cabinets and nail pops-- although he wasn't much better about letting them play in the paint. And true to form I stayed in Jammies the entire weekend.

And the biggest news... my washer is finally fixed. yes finally---

Orange 

Green! 

Yea I ran to the grocery store during lunch... a madhouse but manageable.... overheard a lady telling her husband to "just calm down".... made me laugh....

Christopher is on his way home... upset that our washer isn't washing at the moment.... HA hes upset... I'm the one who paid $1800 for the dang thing.

Got a new recipe for Fruit salad...Autumn fruit Salad... with cranberrys apples and cherries.... sounds interesting.... and yes the family will be guinea pigs... what better time to try out a new recipe.

Making a voodoo doll tonight for Amanda to celebrate male stupidity....

Trying to figure how to decorate around Orange walls..... hmmm I am thinking BROWN -- but that seems so cosmopolitan... hehehe and that is not me... nope.. not at all

shopping

Well the girls blew in just like the winter winds!! brrr can you say cold??? Manda and Madison... Madison and Manda... its good --really good....

Did some power shopping today... got to the mall for the first time since LAST DECEMBER!! We went in search of "the little black dress" and maybe some christmas shopping.... HA! no xmas shopping... but boy did we have fun in JC Penney!!-- nothing like saving 50% ... yup 50%..... We each got treats and now it will be much easier when we do actually shop for others!!

Came home to Mike putting up some molding... we bought more paint last night... a sage green and PUMPKIN... not totally sure whats going where... (no decorator skills here) but I love the two colors and feel my life needs a shot of color.... there is a downside to totally new bold colors... nothing I own matches pumpkin.... (amanda would say that this just gives me permission to shop!) Not real sure how to handle that... I really don't like buying just to have... I like having things around me that speak to me... that mean something to me.... ahhh thats probably why I live in this eclectic chaos... I guess we will deal with that after the paint is on the wall.... (go ahead and say it... I should have a master plan.... nope)

Three more days til Chris comes home... and did I mention my BRAND NEW WASHER is broken... gotta love MAYTAG.... more on this later... I'm sure

The countdown begins!

With thanksgiving just a week away-- yum yum-- the countdown begins til the kids are home again.... I got a jump on filling the pantry that they will raid on their way back to school... Yes I was the crazy lady who bought 10 yes 10 boxes of hamburger helper at the store today.... and 2 bags of cheese doodles and 2 boxes of crackers, 3 jars of salad dressing..... next week I'll be back to get food for Thanksgiving!!!

I washed the sheets, vacuumed bedrooms, and put new toilet paper in the bathroom... we blew leaves so madison could find the yard, Cleaned off the desk , put soda in the frig.... we are ready!! now we just have to wait...

enough said!!

Gas-- $1.98

Need I say more!! :)

Car dating

So I get a phone call from Kim asking me about the rules for car-dating... haha just say no seemed like the easy answer... Kim's been a friend since before Amanda was born... and for so many years I used her as a sounding board for all those tough parenting issues... and now that its my turn to pay her back I wonder if I am giving her the same logical advice she gave me??? Funny it wasn't that long ago really --but now it seems like a lifetime ago that we had to think about that... we got off easy with amanda... she had her brother to drive her and then Corey came into her life... We both agreed in the end that since Jessica didn't have a big brother that she could only hope to get lucky enough to find her daughter a Corey....

Brian Jackie and Mathew 

Strength in numbers

My sister in law must be the strongest woman alive... tonight we had a family dinner as Brian is being deployed to Guantanmo Bay in the next few days... And as we sat there catching up on the latest news I couldn't help but think that I wouldn't have the strength to let go-- I admire him for his sense of duty and can't thank him and the countless other boys enough who are willing to leave home to serve our country-- I can't even begin to imagine how she held a smile on her face. A better woman than I.

Sometimes its ok to be sad

I miss my manda today
I miss my critterfer today
I miss my madison today
I miss knowing that everything was gonna be ok

Sometimes its ok to
just
be
sad....

'nuff said.

Just say no to beige

Weekends just about over... did a quick run down to the lake.. Mike had to pick up his boat from the shop and then winterize the jetski and my boat... but who would have thought that it would be 80 degrees and sunny in November? Really we couldn't have planned it better! Got to spend time with Toni which always brings a smile to my face. I miss her living down the street-- and totally don't get how life gets away from us-- we did take a look at another lot this weekend... maybe being neighbors is in the cards again...
Finally got the bedroom painted-- ok listen to this ... its beige.... do I look beige to you??? don't even ask... but trust me it won't happen again... next color going on the walls will be a COLOR-- orange, green, gold.... color I need lots of color.... beige is just soo beige!! But somehow I know it makes Mike happy.... He doesn't seem to understand color--

yup thats right their mine!!

I thought I would share this layout... ladies he is single... employed and he promises me that in 40 days he will be a college graduate!!! oh yea I am pimping my son out!! but the dog stays with me!!

I've been tagged

Thanks Melissa for tagging me... I owe you one!! hehehe

This is the what the tag is for:the Blog Archives and Hidden Meanings meme. The criteria:Delve into your blog archive.Find your 23rd post (or closest to).Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions. Ponder it for meaning, subtext or hidden agendas.Tag five people to do the same.

From July 13-- Bits and Peices
I need to go back to using my "to-do" lists.... I have so much that needs to be done each day that I am slipping farther and farther behind.


How totally funny..... some 4 months later and this still stands true.... I am behind and everyday I slip farther behind... Where o where is my to do list??? note to self... find to do list... write to do list... read to do list.... DO SOMETHING!

TAGGING CONTINUES--- Heidi, Leah, LIZ!! (yes you have to update your blog) ok so I don't know anyone else with a blog... sad very sad....

Dark-- sometimes its just not a nice place to be

Ok I had to drive home from work in the DARK.... somehow that doesn't seem right... can't we adjust our work schedules when we turn back the clocks.... I suppose I have about 2 months of this til the sun catches up with me again....

speaking of dark... this morning when it was still dark I got one of "those" phone calls... the kind from your child where you just want to hug them and make their life all better... only you can't because they are all grown up and in the real world a hug and a kiss won't make roommate problems or bad test scores or broken hearts go away. I swore to myself awhile ago that I was releasing all the pain... that I was not going to take it all in and let it tear me up... that part of life is learning to deal with the bad stuff... Its soo easy to say.. and I know its whats best for them and for me... I have to move on and they have deal with the hardships of life.... Somehow that is soo against the grain of being a parent. My job description for so long... to serve and protect... and now what is it?

an extra hour.... goodness

Totally loving the extra hour today... we woke up pretty early for a sunday-- 8:30 which in fact was 7:30-- Mike headed out for alittle side work and I took apart our bedroom... no painting but I am ready whenever he is... the dust balls were incredible under the furniture!!

Its only 4:30 and I am still on "summer" time-- so my tummy is screaming 5:30... but I love that I still have hours to play....

I spent the afternoon spray painting some frames white because I thought the pictures would look better in my scraproom unified in crisp white frames.... ok the frames look fine... but I think I should have gone black.... I painted the scrap room a really dark Mauve and have crisp white trim and white curtains and I love the combo.... So the frames being white should have worked right??? oh well... we will see what happens from here.

Friday

AHHH finally Friday-- tomorrows sleepin day.... my favorite day of the week!!! got such a big list of wanna do's this weekend that I know I will only be disappointed come Monday because there is no way I am going to get bulbs planted, rhyzomes dug up, a bedroom painted and wallpaper removed from the hallway.... but a girl can dream huh?

Its definately hot tub weather... gotta make time for that too!

Lifes ups and downs

Just trying to go with the flow.... took off work alittle early today to refinance my house... something I really didn't want to do, but with 2 kids in college and grand plans for the future we thought we could save alittle more... but do you think they had the right numbers when we hit the table??? noooo so away we went with nothing accomplished...

The up side of the day??? I saw gas for $2.29! never thought that would make me happy!

Sending big hugs out to Mary who just emailed me that she is still waiting on a scrapbook kit that I recommended to her---so much for personal recommendations... and to make it worse- This has got to be the worst month I have ever seen....They should be ashamed of sending it out!
And more hugs to Christopher who is struggling with some class called strategic management-- doesn't that sound like something they would come up with in a board room for managers to hide raises from employees??? Exactly who uses strategic management? and what kind of good can come of it for us poor shelps??? oh well... it will all be A-OK I just know it...

I was hoping to share some pictures of lil madison tonight... I heard she went trick or treating at the sorority last night... but alais nothing from her mom in my email....

This will make 100

Yup- This will make my 100th post to this blog... seems like bells and whistles should go off because I was sure when I started it that it would be just a passing phase...

Well-- alot of happenings since my last post... The two people who I adore more than anything in the world were home this weekend. Yes, both of my wonderful kids were home for the weekend... Chris had fall break and Amanda was home for a wedding.. they both have their own agendas when they come home and those agendas rarely include me but its nice to hear their voices rattle through the house and have the excitement that they bring.
Madison was also here... I am sure I will be posting some pictures soon of her latest visit!

On to other things... after much debate Heidi, Leah and I are signed up for a local crop in Feb--Ali Edwards was what pushed us over the edge... We all admire her work and are excited to take a class from her too!
Speaking of scrapping I got an email about a new Stacy Julian book thats coming out... I guess I have known for awhile that she had written one but until I saw the ad I didn't realize that I really think I need it... so much for sticking to a tighter book budget... I had to have all the Donna Downey books-- The Heidi Swapp book... and now another one.... UGHHHHHHH-- I sure get sucked in easily!

Just a quote

Just because someone doesn't love you the way that you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you the best way they know how.


Its a quote that sits at the bottom on Leah's emails... I see it every time she sends off a note... and it always makes me smile... and Think....
Not sure why today I felt the need to write it out... but I did... its strong and provoking... because we all have people in our lives that we wish could do something alittle differently-- people we deem would be perfect if only they....

I beleive truely believe that most days we all are doing the best we can just to get through the day--we're trying--- and while it may not be enough for everyone we come in contact with --we are getting through life the best way we know how... Knowing this begs the question are we giving the people in our lives the benefit of the doubt... are we giving them a fair chance?

Just because someone doesn't love you the way that you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you the best way they know how.....

Thanks Leah....

pinkkkkkkkkkkkk 

yup pink 

not pink but cute! 

more weekend

I know its Monday... but hey Mondays are well they are Mondays... but just a quick thought about this weekend.... we went to Burger King... yes BK... but thats where the guys take their old cars to show off... Mike brought his 67 Firebird up there.. and little did I know but my corvette got a few looks too....hehehee but while I was walking around ohhing and ahhing at the cool cars I stumbled on this beauty!! PINK!! don't see that very often... although when i commented to the owner ( a nice man) that I loved his PINK car.. he quickly tried to tell me it was marroon.... he can try and convince himself all he wants that its marroon... I know pink when I see it!!!

A day out...with friends

You don't realize how much you miss someone til you see them again.... Yesterday I truly realized how much I missed my buddies from MCI- I got to see everyone (well at least the ladies!) yesterday at Kristi's babyshower and it hit me just how much I miss everyone. Its been 10 months since we all worked together and other than emails and IM's we just haven't had a chance to hook up-- and that makes me sad.
I don't know if its because we all worked together for 4 years or if it was because we survived layoffs, kids growing up, having babies, buying homes.. All the traumatic things in life.. but we really were good friends... and I miss them terribly. They were my compass-- kept me up to date on latest fashions, guided me through politics, new recipes and child rearing... Friends... real Friends...

If you can't beat them join them!

Ok so I have accepted that my family probably has alittle more of the redneck gene than most... and usually I try to ignore the fact that my husbands idea of a good time involves having black fingernails and a specific odar of motor oil surrounding him... and that my son finds it amusing to say things like Git er dun and actually has a cell phone that sports a nascar driver on it... and hey if theres a Nascar race within driving distance I have a free day to do me stuff.. and if its on TV I can usually hide in my scraproom... all and all the redneck thing works for me.... but last night I got sucked in to watching the Busch series race in Charlotte... It wasn't too bad to watch because of all the action... lots of wrecks... so as I settled in I picked a driver.. Sherman... he drove a pink car... well I was quickly told he's ONLY a Busch series driver... so tonight being the good wife I am I settled in for the SHOW... the Nascar race... with tire troubles due to a track resurfacing it ought to be another good race.. (Do I sound like I know something about the sport?) and guess what I found another driver....HA! another PINK CAR!!

Its a good thing

Theres something to be said about pulling out your warm fuzzy fleecy robe on a cool evening... yup for the first time this season I pulled it down off the hook and pulled it on... its a good thing

Night time excursion.

I had all intentions of being creative tonight.. but instead I went with a stranger to pick up a car for her son... what has happened to my life that I am reduced to this??? Ok Joella isn't a total stranger she works with Mike... but I really don't know her.. but she called and needed an extra driver... so yes out of the blue I hopped in the car with a stranger so she could go buy a car... strange but true.

Totally unrelated --Amanda and Madison went home yesterday -- to their home... and once again the house was sooo quiet.. when will I ever get used to that? I miss them terribly...

I had great plans of tearing down wallpaper -- guess that will wait too.

collage

Ok this was MEME Challenge # 14--- sorry that its a screen shot.. but holy cow who could figure out how to get it saved??? anyway this is my collage... It was fun to play with but in the end frustrating trying to get it on my blog!

Still playing

You might have missed my earlier header... but now I have a MADISON header... Which I couldn't have done without the help of 2peas digi phenomena DAISYROSE, She totally rocks!! Who would have imagined anyone staying on a Thread long enough to teach ME how to do what I am sure everyone else thinks is simple???? Can't thank her enough... I promise I will buy a book soon so no one has to endure that again!!!

Also if anyone else needs help with photoshop I met another pea who has a great blog with all sorts of help on it!!
Jen has taken alot of time to layout some great directions... no I don't think I want to digitally scrap but I would like to learn more about photoshop!!!

Ok enough playing for today... Did I mention have a puppy visiting???? hehehehe

its raining puppies

Call me crazy-- but last night in the pounding rain Mike drove me down to Richmond so we could pick up Madison!!! Madison needed a babysitter... Christophers not allowed pets in his apartment... we like puppies... you choose the reason!! But the end result is that we drove in the dark and rain for an hour and a half down and another hour and a half back and we now have Madison to play with all weekend!

Can I even begin to explain how much madison has grown??? She has all these new skills... BARKING... going down the stairs (why would Amanda teach her that trick?)
Shes eating alittle puppy food mixed in with her LD (special RX food) Shes fast as lightening just ask Mr. Wiggles... no longer can the cat run faster!!! And her added height has made her a terror for Jake!

Ohhh yes a puppy love weekend it is!!!
Added Bonus... I got to see not one but both of my kids this weekend!! (insert roll of eyes here again from them)

New header!!!

HA HA!! I finally figured out how to change the darn header!!! Ok I know it needs some work... and actually this isn't the picture I want up there.... I am sure my son is rolling his eyes-- feeling totally left out-- but this was quick and easy as I took it off a collage shot from an earlier post! A big thank you to Lindsey Teague who actually posted directions on her blog. (Which I didn't understand her directions really at first... but then somehow it clicked...) Anyway be on the lookout for something wonderful (hehehe) now that I know what I did wrong this time... and what works!

rain rain go away

Yesterday was a top 10 of what made me happy-- too bad happiness is so fleeting.. today was just blahhhh-- don't know if its the rain, overcast and the fact that I spent most of the day being cold... but today will not ever rank in the 10 of anything... I got to asking myself on the way home (with the lights on... hating this time of year) what was missing....

The list tonight-- What I miss.......

1) I miss knowing what tommorrow will bring...
2) I miss knowing that I have a whole lifetime to get things done, to be with the people I love
3) I miss your laughter
4) I miss coming home to someone
5) I miss long talks at the dinner table
6) I miss the phone ringing and having someone want to talk to me.
7) I miss a calender filled with obligations
8) I miss looking in the mirror and smiling
9) I miss reading a good book
10) I miss silliness...........

Maybe tomorrow the sun will come out, until then.... its dinner, Survivor, and some bill paying .... was this really the life I looked forward to?

TOP 10 list

Felt the need to blog... but not much to talk about so how about the ever popular Todays list of things that make me smile:

1) Knowing that my favorite kiddos are coming home for visit this month... something to look forward to.
2) Just thinking about puppy kisses and wiggly puppy butt...
3) Peaking at the PINK pinstriping that Mike brought home for my car.... can't wait!
4) Cool crisp mornings with the anticipation of warm sunny afternoons
5) Just seeing my new Donna Downey books sitting on my desk. Waiting waiting for me to read
6) Stumbling across Nia Reddy's blog
7) Chocolate Chip cookies with white chips, coconut and those little macadamien nuts that Mike has been making every night....ummmm
8) Knowing that Monday is a HOLIDAY!!
9) Ok The lunch box is still making me smile...
10) Riding with the T-Tops OFF!!

My little lunchbox!

I was totally impressed when I saw the first Basic Grey ad so long ago... and as always I over thought the who process and it took me forever to take the plunge... but now that I'm done I really love it -- and it matches the new colors in my scraproom... Yep I am keeping it for me... and no it won't keep photos but instead all those little tiny letter stickers and those little cards of embellishments that seem to get lost in the shuffle.. Maybe I will get motivated to make dividers by manufacturer or at least by theme or color -- who knows... but for now I am just sitting back and admiring it!!!

Look what I made! 

slow weekend

Not much of a weekend.... it kinda went at its own pace... I did grab the camera today and tried to get the animals to participate in a photo shoot.... but they would have nothing to do with me... I really wanted to get one of them to sit in front of Mikes Elephant ear plant to show just how big it got.. but no dice... so I just chased them around the yard yelling sit stay sit stay... haha as you can see by the photos here It didn't work real well.... even the darn fish wouldn't cooperate!! Too much glare on the pond.. I did remember to take pictures of fish "pre-release" into the pond... We have adopted 6 of my mother-in-laws fish in anticipation of her move.... better to move the fish now then in the dead of winter.... They are some beauties... Japanese, Chinese and butterfly koi-- and I am happy to report they seem happy to join my fishies.
Other than yard work the weekend kinda escaped without much fan fare.... on to another work week ....I worked on a new project today... maybe it will be ready for an unveiling tomorrow....
Feeling kinda behind in the "project" area... probably ought to make a list to get me motivated....more on that tomorrow.

New Fish Friends 

Mr. Wiggles 

Bonnie 

Blue Jeans

Its official -- Fall is here-- It was definately sweater weather this morning on my way to work... and to top off my week I had to do the unthinkable .... put on jeans.. it was alittle scary seeing as denim pants have not touched by body since about May-- and we all know how much a body can change in 5 months... Typically I like to wear as little as possible when its HOT -- I have taken to wearing shorts, skirts and this year I added capris to my summer wardrobe.. but never heavy blue jeans....
But check it out-- They fit and it wasn't even a battle to slide them on!
Now on to the next battle... Do I have to wear shoes too?

FIBER!!

This was alittle more fun-- I just love MOD -- And I pushed myself to use Fiber again... I have so much of it and it seems it has been totally replaced by ribbon.. when did that happen? But then so many things seem to get pushed aside quickly... I am really trying to reach deep into all my stash and find things that make me happy. (smile)

sometimes you gotta go easy

Just alittle something easy










for the night...had some issues scanning.. but hey in grand scheme of things ......

This was such a funny afternoon... well I guess if you call the sprinklers popping on and making you run for cover funny-- heehee...

After my day-- I think I could use a day at the lake....

pink, coupons and stalking

And you thought you would find a creative creation that I made this weekend with that Sixth Ave paper didn't you??... well guess ??what I was knee deep in Chatterbox powder room instead... CAN YOU SAY PINK!!! yep lots and lots of pink.... I have struggled making this mini album... I have looked at all the galleries for inspiration and even on ebay but the one thing that I noticed is that the gift albums that I see they make the album for EYECANDY not for true use... what I mean is if you design a page with only the colors and design in mind its easy to make it look "pretty" but in reality if your photomat is patterned paper your page will loose alot when a picture is slapped over it... and if that mat is an unrealistic size it won't be used by someone who doesn't crop photos.... anyway like I said I have struggled... and I am still not done but its getting there....

While looking for something else on the internet I found this site: Creative express and the reason I bring it up is because they have 99 cent shipping and a 40% off coupon til the end of the month...
Yes I made a wish list!!!

Did I mention that Donna Downey sent me an email? yeppers.... Better watch out Heidi Swapp I'm replacing you.....

Oh and I think my children have forgotten about me.... not feeling any love.... Although my grandpuppy has news... she lost her first tooth... probably deserves a present huh???

Time to open my new kit

I loved getting Club Scrap... They are phenominal at what they do but the cost was alittle much for my budget... so after about 8 months I quit. But I truely missed getting that surprise in the mail. To be honest I really didn't NEED it either because I had alot of stores here locally to choose from... but did that stop me from trying another kit??? NOOOOOOO!! but as I looked over all that was available (I do beleive everyone and their mother now puts out a kit!) I settled on this little company --now named Suzy's Kits.... very cheap $16.00 a month and its always stuff I will use but not necessarily buy at first glance in the store. Its a good selection each month about 11- 12 papers and a few embellies that match and its all been new products (at least new to me hehehehe) and it comes midmonth-- I thought I would share since no one I have ever talked to has ever heard of them... Oh and did I mention that Suzys Kits offers a free kit for you to try before you sign up!! Who doesn't love free? Ok I'm probably sounding like an info-mercial by now!
Oh well-- I've got the day to myself... so maybe I will actually have alittle time to play!!

morning coffee

Theres nothing better than starting your day with a cup of coffee and reading about Donna Downey's vacation. I totally need to add south africa to my list of places to go! Seems Sept. is a hot month for Travel Leah is in Hawaii and so is Ali .... funny I had actually hoped to plan out a vacation for end of Sept or Early October to go out west-- someplace I am dying to go but have never been. But as usual the thoughts of my brain never seem to get out into the real world.. I am much better at being spontanious then I am at planning....(spontanious --lazy do you think those words are linked somehow?)

Midweek: random thoughts

Just a few thoughts...
1) I think I was cute today- Wore my new ZTA t-shirt that Amanda gave me this weekend... and my jean skirt and some wedges (that also came from Amanda's closet) .... comfy and cute.... not bad for a wednesday.
2) Finally decided to refinance my house (again) got it done before the rates went up again...
3) I went to Walmart today... yes I have come to realize that is the only store near me since I changed jobs-- I have absolutly no place to shop between home and work... and it sucks.
4) I don't know what to do with myself... feeling kinda lost in the grand scheme of things. I am not sure why or how I got here but I definatley know I don't like it.
5) I saw an ad today that said there were 13 weeks left in the year.... hmmmm maybe I am ready for a new year.

Hokie spirit! 

Whirlwind weekend

Just got back from VA Tech-- It was parents weekend at Amanda's Sorority and Football VT vs Ohio.... It was definately a long weekend for only 2 days! We had such a good time visiting with Amanda and Shelly and meeting some of the girls in ZETA. And of course seeing how much Madison has grown. PUPPY KISSES!!!! Amandas cool roommate!! Sorority Girls!! Frozen Drinks!!! College Football!! what more could a girl ask for out of a weekend? It really was alot of fun... and now all I need is alittle sleep...

double duty

This is the final 4th of July layout! I finished the minibook and figured I would do a layout for our family album too. Sure makes it easier when the scraps laying around the desk are all the right color...Pretty cool to get two projects out of the way and have only one mess made! And to not really have to do too much thinking about it all..
And for those of you who noticed yes I did figure out how to Stitch those 12x12 pages.. YEA ME!

Tick Tock

Tick tock... so much to do and so little time. Getting ready to go to VA TECH for Parents Weekend on Friday night... and Mike is going to Richmond for work on Wednesday... Was thinking of going with him so I could pop in on Christopher and spread that MOM LOVE around! hehehe---
Wishful thinking?
1) Haircut
2) Find something stylish that doesn't scream MOM to pack for the weekend
3) Shop for a special treat for my lil Madison
4) Find someone to watch the dogs for the weekend
5) Get a list of SB projects I need (ok want) to complete
6) Vacum all the hair bombs that jake has left in the family room ( I love shedding dogs)
7) Figure out if I want to refinance the old mortgage....
8) Wash Windows
9) Start on cleaning the basement (again)

Tick Tock!

My favorite son!

Using my time wisely tonight-- The guys are off doing "guy" stuff... Mike drove down to Richmond and he and Christopher are off to the Races... tonight its the Busch Race and tomorrow its the Nascar Race. So I'm doing the last few pages of the Fourth of July album that I was working on last week.... And did I mention this is a picture of my favorite, bestest, cutest son Christopher???? Sure is!

Why point fingers?

What you probably don't know is that we don't watch the news in our house. We gave it up -- there are only so many hours in the day and life is hard enough without hearing the horrors that the citizens around us want to do to each other.... now I am up to date on current events... I have a radio in my car and my internet browser gives me the top stories of the day and thats enough for me.. I can hold an intelligent conversation--- without the sensationalism that the media wants to bring to every event. I don't know when news turned into tabloid style journalism but I don't like it and I don't want to support it.... I mean in this area even the darn weather forecast can sound like something out of the Enquirer-- really 2 inches of snow and the broadcasters are pumping us with "The storm of the year"....
But bring on a national crisis and I am drawn to the TV... And I think it has to do with wanting to see the stories of heroism, of neighborly kindness or the goodness that comes out of a bad situation. If my nightly news could just show some goodness maybe I could watch.....

Today the news is that the FEMA director is being pulled... everyone seems to want to point fingers at someone else... It was a storm, a natural disaster and the same people who say government is too big, too much in our business are now saying that for some reason our government is responsible for fixing what mother nature did.... Simplistic aren't I??? But really who among us believes that the money we pay in taxes really saves the day??? not me...
What I do believe is that the only responsibility the government had was that it lets generation after generation live in poverty---yes LETS them do this... its much easier to collect a check then it is to become educated, then it is to work two, three jobs to support their families... perhaps had the government decided that people needed to TRY then we wouldn't have seen so many people stay in New Orleans.... They would have known it was time to get out... Now don't get me wrong I am not bashing the people who stayed... there are many reasons why someone would stay but if they did by their own choice then why is it SOMEONE ELSES fault. And why should the government then be responsible to come in and search for you??? Why should soldiers have to come in to stop looters??? I know there were people without transportation, elderly people, and a whole lot of people who probably would have left if they could... but not everyone is in that category. The citizens of New Orleans have always known there could be a natural disaster, just like the citizens of FLA know they will get hurricanes every year and Californian have earthquakes.... so why wouldn't everyone have a plan???? EDUCATION--- the free education our government hands out but generations of people snub..... I'm tired of hearing the bad news-- shouldn't we be applauding those that did the right thing???? Applauding those that have opened their wallets, their homes to reach out to those who did the right thing and left their home when they were told. Shouldn't we be thanking the people who did the best they could in a time of horrific damage???
Sure when its all said and done there is nothing wrong with sitting down and figuring out what could have been done better... but I for one really can't believe that anyone purposely sat down the day of the storm and consciously decided that we'll just wait until people come yelling at us for help..... So stop the blame... or at least put the blame where it belongs --on all of us for allowing our government to enable people to continue in a cycle of poverty.

I got mail

Yes I get mail every day...as a matter of fact I get a mailbox full everyday... but today I got real mail.. and there is nothing like it!! Funny how we communicate daily via the internet, cell phones and even blogs but that a small little envelope with your name handwritten on it in the mailbox can bring such joy!! And of course I had to share because in the envelope was alittle note and some pictures ...ta ta ta dum... of MADISON!!! Its only been a week since I've seen her in person (or puppy as it may be) but alot has happened in that week... she got her stitches out of her eye and her chest!!! And from what I hear shes turned into a fully energetic PUPPY
I had to share!! With all this mail and puppy talk did I mention that the letter was from my daughter? Just seeing her handwriting makes me miss her-- But I know that she knows that pictures will keep me busy and happy!

And did you notice the first picture??? TWO EYES!!!

Labor Day weekend

We've been going to the lake for Labor day for a longgg time... and it was just as wonderful this weekend as in years past..only the real treat this time was the weather... sunny skys, warm air and a breeze to die for!!! lots of sitting and chatting on the deck, on the boat -- nothings better then being with a family you love, friends you care about and a husband who you would start all over again with!

Heres one of my nephews-- hehehe I Almost got a smile!

Another perfect sunny day!