Mail day!

Look A great Mail day!! These are from Million Memories May Kit!! gotta love getting scrap mail!!

And then look!! My regular Suzykit came too!

where did this post go?

So don't you just hate it when you finish writing in your blog and then your stuff just disappears??? hmmm and computers are supposed to be more effiecient??? oh well.... Last weekend I took alittle time out from my home alone weekend time for alittle photo shoot.... Yes Saturday was National Scrapping Day.... A holiday I truely beleive should have given me Monday off and presents... but no such luck! I spent the weekend trying to entertain Madison and catch up on a few scrapping projects that just seem to never end... It was great fun playing online at 2peas and scrapping and playing with the camera... I took these pictures 1) to practice some pet photography that I learned on a show called Barkitecture , 2) to create a slide show for Amanda(Madison has been with me "on vacation" for 10 days while Amanda studies for exams etc.) If I could figure out how to get the slide show on here I would... cuz I am darn proud of it!!
Anyway... Aren't these cute (if I do say so myself!)

Nothing like vacation photos to make you smile huh??

I did alittle shopping this week too..even though I probably shouldn't have... 2 pairs of shoes and alittle something something for the studio.... maybe I will share those pictures later..

Well the week is almost over--- couldn't be happier!! Maybe there will be some more Me time this weekend???? it is after all Mothers day!! right???

Everything is just fine

So I was thinking and that usually gets me into trouble... but this time its meant to be helpful... I read this last year.. it popped into my email and I found it interesting only because I thinks its so true when you see someone with an illness that is on the inside and not visible... It really fits Mike to a tee... as he would rather die than let anyone know how he feels... he pushes himself through the day and acts like everything is fine... damn anyone who want to make his day one tiny bit easier... so anyway after a little internet searching I found it again.... Thought it would be some interesting reading for those of you who wonder "How's Mike doing?"

In dealing with MS, it seemed sometimes that it was the people closest to me who knew least about my daily struggles. I needed a way to help them understand that even though I may look physically "normal" that there was often physical pain that went unmentioned and emotional needs that went unmet.
With a close group of friends I had a small get-together. Everyone had to bind their feet with rope, so that they could move, but they had a hard time balancing, much like people with MS. Then we put five to ten pound weights on each arm, because with the fatigue that's how heavy your arms can feel with MS. Then we took rubber bands and wrapped them around fingers and hands, because that is how it feels for a person with MS that deals with spasticity. Then the group attempted small everyday tasks-- like button a shirt, tie their shoes, write a note, etc. "Now," I said, "try to think of the physical pain that accompanies all of this. You may look at me everyday and not see rope around my feet, or rubber bands on my fingers, but that is often how I feel." By the end of the session my friends were in tears-- they finally understood what it's like to live with MS.
I shared this idea with an instructor of mine at the local university a few years back who taught a class called 'The psychology of disability'. After hearing the idea, he shared it with a few students that were presenting on the topic of MS. The students did a very similar experiment that allows the other students the experience to know, if only for a moment, what it is like to live with MS. And now, even when I'm at work and hear "Wow, but you look so normal! I would've never guessed you had MS!", I calmly reply, "Comeere, and let me put this rubber band around your fingers!"
Jennifer Leon
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Here is the link where I finally retrieved this from-- It was a winner in a MS leaders of Hope contest....and a winner in my book too because a year later I still remembered it.... Jennifer wherever you are thank you for sharing~

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http://www.msleadersofhope.com/mslohProject/msloh.portal

I am aware that I am less than some people

prefer me to be

but most people are unaware that I am

so

much more

than

what they see

Doulas Pagels

130

Enough said??? yup 130....

Fa la la la la

I have the puppy --I have the puppy... FA-La-la-la.... so for 10 glorius days I have Madison... and I don't have to share her!! hehehehe.. Its so hard to imagine the Joy that one 4 legged creature can bring... she is ALWAYS happy to see you... she is sooo darn inquisitive that you can't help but laugh... my house looks like a two year old stopped by to play-- there are toys and stuffed animals everywhere!! And I love it-- every darn minute of it!!

I am also so happy that Christopher is back in the game so to speak with his job hunt.. a good week of resume sending, phone and face interviews... just know a great job is just around the corner for him.

My inlaws sold their house-- we got pricing on the wood for our deck that didn't make us faint... and the weather has been lovely.... such a good week... and did I mention my favorite girl is gonna be home in 10 days??? Life is grand

the ever changing role

I think we all swore as kids that when we had children there were thing our parents did that we would never do to our kids.... and as adults we still promise that our kids won't feel the guilt we feel... but keeping those promises to ourselves is hard....
At 2 we could walk into a room and she would never let go of my leg-
At 3 two days a week I would drop her at preschool for 3 hours and she would cry so hard that I would cry when I got the car....
At 5 she would have stomach aches so she didn't have to go to school....
at 19 she needs to come home but not to my home....
being a parent is hard--- letting go is hard--- being replaced is hard--- funny thing is my brain is so wrapped around it but my heart is still working on the details...


She did come home... to my home... and I was surprised and happy.... somehow she knew the importance... but one day I know that even being Mom won't be enough and I will know that her happiness is more important than my need....

alittle slice of easter

 
 
 
 

Yes the bunny came and yes there was food... but the real easter for us has always been coming together as a family. Its was so much fun when they were little and the hunted for eggs... but now its nice to see them hanging out-- they were competitive when they were looking for eggs... and as you can see they still are!! 

Its hot... I'm so busy I can't see straight... some days it seems life is just coming at me too fast!!

Signs

I saw a sign tonight on my way home from work... Kindergarten registration is next week... who knew?? But that sign gave me a moment to remember -- 19 years ago it was a big deal-- I remember the day vividly and the excitement it brought... Christopher was so little yet so ready... I remember walking into Coles Elementary to sign him up like it was yesterday-- the tables set up in the lobby the little chairs... Mrs. Cook greeting me with papers to fill out.. I worked hard to get all his shots done in time for registration. I remember being so careful to make sure she knew he was Christopher not Chris... funny now he doesn't even use his first name.... I didn't know anyone-- I was just starting out the new venture of being a stay at home mom.. it was probably just as scary for me as for him... hmmm that was a lonnnnnnnnng time ago...

And a few years later I did it again.. this time for Amanda... much different... I was soooo ready to sign her up! I was confident in what I was doing... I was choosy as to who her teacher would be. (I stuck with Mrs. Cook) I was part of the school community by then--I was established in my role as full time mom-- I remember joking that we would have a party on the first day of school when she got on the bus...WAHOO no kids at home!! hahaha and look at me now... counting down the hours til the kids will be home for a holiday visit... life and its strange twists and turns...

Half way to goal

Two weeks to go and counting-- The MS Walk-- April 22, 2006 -- Last year when I got the email from Amanda that she was going to walk for her Dad it brought me to tears. Not sure why, its not like she hasn't volunteered for wonderful causes in the past, or that I'm not aware how much she loves her Dad. We all have our charities that we give financially to, that we give our time to but this one hits home. You never know if the dollar you raise could be the one dollar that makes a difference. This could be the year that a true break through happens. For me its so selfish... I want Mike healthy, I want to grow old with him, I want to see his pain disappear. I give for one reason and one reason only ---for Mike.

Amandas half way to her goal this year... but I know she can do it...

Theres time if you want to give... Click here you never know your dollar could be the one....

We have to believe that this is the year...

I don't need it....

For whatever reason I feel the need to update my house... I guess its the whole spring thing like I mentioned before... but I am trying to stay on my tight budget at the same time-- Need VS Want seems to be working well at keeping my pennies in my pocket. Just the same its fun to window shop and dream....
On my list right now??? Take a look at these cute boxes... I saw them in a store front window today at lunch (ah the tempations I face working in old town) and googled them... how easy would it be to make theses??? And them come in lots of different colors And then I saw this... in another window in BLACK and larger.. its also available at

Pottery Barn

And then yesterday at walmart... a huge Iron wall clock... sorry couldn't find a picture... hmmmm Need Vs Want.... so hard to be frugal..

BRRRistol

Home again Home again!! I don't even know where to start-- Hightlights:

• Our wonderful extended weekend started off great with Christopher coming home to dog sit-- Bonus-- we got to spend some time with him before we left
• 6 1/2 hours of car ride well worth it to get to Bristol TN
• We relived our youth by being rednecks by day and staying in a wonderful little bed and breakfast by night.
• FOOD FOOD FOOD... our breakfasts were wonnnnnnderful... and everything in between was calories I will be working off for weeks to come....
• SNOW!! SUN!! MUD!! who goes to Nascar and has a snow delay???
• Autographs by my driver (yes I can remember his name now... Casey Meers)
• Push to talk headphones... and I thought hat hair was bad!!
• Hanging out with David and Natalie... and their crazy friends-- TN interperter required!
• Hills, shuttles, elevator rides to our seats....did I mention mud?
• Finishing off our vacation with waking up to puppy kisses and seeing my beautiful daughter... who I might add is looking wonderfully slim....

Going on vacation is always a blast... and coming home bitter sweet... but ya know It was a vacation I would do again !!!

Happy Spring

Yes this is spring... yes this is snow...

Shame on Lowes

I have been a cheerleader for Lowes for awhile.. we have bought way too much from them in the last year... refrigerators, grills, stoves, washer, dryers... you name it and its really been a good experience...but as of today... bah humbug!! We bought our washer and dryer (Maytag neptune) from them last August... and have had Maytag out about 5 times because the washer sounds like a freight train... this is not Lowes problem... but Maytags... but enough was enough... so Lowes brought us another Washer... another Neptune... well guess what .... still got a train in my laundry room... so last week they agreed to bring out A washer and Dryer ... whirlpool duet... (you gotta have a matching set) well seems they can't understand to CALL the cellphone BEFORE they come.... so no one was here... we tried again today... no phone at 9, 10 or 11... so I called them... after 20 minutes on hold, 3 hangups I finally got a manager who said they were loading the second truck and he would call me back in 15 minutes when he had the route laid out... well needless to say...no phone call... so at 4:00 I went through the phone maze again... only to be told first driver went home on an emergancy... they would call back in 15 minutes to let me know WHEN.... well guess what... 6:15 I called back... seems they tried to come by earlier... no one was home. HA!! and they would be coming by again they still had four people ahead of me... well its 8:50 and guess what... I am still waiting... I don't know weather to laugh or scream!! so I'll just sit here and wait.....

thinking ahead

So I sit here with one thought in mind... in 6 days I will have a 4 day weekend!! incredible.. I haven't had a vacation since LAST march.. and that too was a short one!! But I am ready... is my honey wisking me off to the bahamas... no off to Vegas..no... Cabo..hmmm no.. it would be Bristol TN!! yes ladies I get to go to Nascar in Lovely Bristol... We take what we can get.... but now.. how exactly does one plan for this little getaway??? What does a respectable gal like me pack??? Is spring gonna sprung for me?? or will I be bundled in a parka looking at my watch???
So many questions!!!
Now before you think that I must be the nicest (or stupidist) wife in the world... let me throw in this little diddy... I booked a lovely bed and breakfast for us to stay in... AND I get to spend a night at my daughers house... (where are my puppy kisses???) so the weekend will have its upside... and of course I do get to spend the weekend with my honey-- life is good when your married to your best friend no matter where he wants to vacation---

so back to the matter at hand... what does one pack??? and will it require me to do laundry before I go???

Boggety boggety Git er dun!!! (thats Nascar speak)

Mcdreamy

So I swore I would get back on track and do something productive tonight... but instead this is what I bring you... oh well theres always tomorrow night... yea can you tell what I watched on TV last night... alittle late I know... that darn DVR....
ok off to be productive!!!

new blogs to visit

I don't really know where the time goes when I get home at night... seems to move to fast forward... for the last few days zippo has been accomplished in my "afterhours life"..... gonna work on changing that tonight....

Today during lunch I stumbled on a new blog... yup Mr. Bazzill has hopped on the band wagon...
And another shocker... My own Amanda has been sucked into Blog world I guess none of the family secrets will be safe now!! hehehe

Look who visited me this week!

 

Nuf Said....

 


4 and 20 Blackbirds, Flint Hill VA-- 

Alittle spring in my step.... oh yes the weather is turning... doesn't take much to make me happy.... 79 degrees and watch me smile... warmer weather also gets me thinking about making changes...spring fever??? yea probably...I know it won't last... but this time of year with this weather makes me want to rearrange furniture... hang pictures...open the windows and clean... and redecorate... somehow I'm thinking I need a tapestry or maybe this clock.... don't even ask where??? and what about these shelves???
yea I need alittle something... don't ask why... its spring... and the need for change is just one of those thing... talk to me next week when its cold... I'll be back to my penny pinching self again.. no need to shop....

Thankful

Nothings better then walking into a room in your house only to find that someone else cleaned it. That's what I came home to last night... after a long day at work, a 1 1/2 hour drive to Lowes and then the drive back home. My family room was CLEAN Ahhh I do love it when the kids are home from break... the energy they bring-- the extra set of helpful hands-- and the never ending surprises... I am truly thankful for all the joy they bring us.

Weekends are never long enough... although I had no real plans for this weekend I am finding the time just slipping away... way to quick.... we went over to some friends house yesterday... I thought it was gonna be a quick visit.. Mike was just hooking tv cables.. I wore slippers... 4 hours later we ended up going out to dinner....BIG MISTAKE... with no plan in mind we ended up at KOBE's -- certainly not the place for anyone on a diet... it was 7:30 before we got seated... and I was starving... and then it went down hill... Kobes was PACKED and the service was slow at best....The other people at the table were fine... until one of them went to help the waiter (who spoke no english) and put her empty drink glass on his tray... she missed and the glass shattered all over the grill... slide across the table ... tiny tiny shards of glass everywhere!! and it seemed no one knew what to do--- afterall... they had to cook our dinner on the grill.... after some discussion.. the hostess came took everything we had infront of us away... drinks, soup, dishes silverware... we were starting from ground zero... lots of wiping, spraying and clean up.... slowly they brought back plates, drinks, soup.... then the chef FINALLY came to the table to cook.... you would think all was well at this point... and then FREAK ACCIDENT #2.... the guy sitting next to me... his dinner plate CRACKS!! totally unreal what are the chances??? all was ok... they got him another plate and dinner continued... did I mention we all wore our coats because it was so cold... Dinner finally ended at about 10:15... talk about a long night....
And I wonder where my weekend went....

Today... I have wondered the house... wanting to do something but not sure exactly which project to start.... in the end... the only thing accomplished??? laundry...

Just ask me

So very jealous of those who can just whip up a new header--I changed mine last weekend but it just doesn't fit right and is driving me crazy. I need to find more time to play with it but in the grand scheme of things it never seems to make it to the top 5 list.

Christopher was home last night... I would drop in a picture here... but lo and behold I didn't take any.... He's doing the job interview thing... And for him its the first REAL Job... remember interviewing???? Its definitely got to be one of the worst things we all go through... you sit in judgment from someone who knows nothing about you, as they try to gauge your intelligence, work ethics and your character -all by a resume and a 5 minute meeting. Some interviews go sooo well (at least in your mind) that you are ready to stop and buy business cards on the way home because you KNOW they are going to hire you only to find out that lo and behold they choose someone else.... and other interviews are such disasters that you hope they forget your name so when they are laughing it up with their friends your name doesn't get passed around!
I think we have all been to the perfect interview for the perfect new boss for the perfect company only to find out they offer something insulting as a wage... Is there really a god?
As a parent I am finding it excuriating to wait for the "perfect job" to come... seriously just call me and I will let you know how darn perfect my kid is...

Memo please

Someone didn't send me the blizzard memo.... because if they had I would have made some different choices-- like maybe driving the truck to work instead of the vette.... or maybe I would have just stayed in bed for a few more hours.... yes I did it again... I got stuck on a hill in my lil baby.... and yes I got to speak to another policeman who kindly told me I couldn't sit in the middle of the road... LIKE I WANTED TO????? I managed to slide myself nicely into a driveway... or maybe its was a yard... who could tell with all that snow... (note to self: on the way to work tomorrow... be sure to check that out) and yea I sat there for about an hour while I waited for spring to sprung... the snow stopped and I gently followed a snowplow til I hit civilization again on rt 29... which might was like hitting the lotto... just wet roads.... my kind of pavement!

well.. tonight its reindeer pants for me... scrapping, american idol and lost... what more could a girl ask for???

A new edition!

Look what sitting in my living room!! This chair is PERFECT!! I totally love the shape, size and color!! Exactly what I was hoping for!! And hoping is a great word because I have to admit I wasn't really sure what was coming home-- Amanda worked at Barnes over the summer and again at christmas... I needed a chair (my animals seem to work through furniture like its their job) anyway... I did a quick run through at the store picked a chair in like 10 minutes and then never really followed through... So Amanda picked up the ball and ran with it... I really couldn't tell you if I picked this chair or she did... but I do know she picked the legs and finish.. She brought us home fabric swatches that she thought might work and Mike and I did a process of elimination and called her with our choice!! I admire Amandas style so much that I knew she would pick something just perfect (she must have gotten that from her grandmother.. I afterall am the one who picked Orange as a wall color) She has a great eye for design and color and it really shows with this Chair... I LOVE MY NEW CHAIR>>> look at it quick because it will soon be covered with a sheet... but thats another long story!


And yea I think I will keep the tags on it for awhile.... just kidding... 

Karma is a good thing!

So I sent Madison this little sweater--every lil girl needs a new outfit for the first day of school-- and her mom tells me that she didn't wear it because she was afraid the other puppies might laugh at her~~~ well I think shes just wrong!!! everyone would be jealous!! After all they are going to school NAKED----
Its a cute sweater!! has a lovely neckline to hide the extra rolls of skin... the colors look great with her fur... what was her mother thinking?? And Maybe if she wasn't so cold in class she might have participated in the whole SIT lesson last night!! Ahhh how I do love to hear her mother was embarrassed by what HER daughter did at school.... Can you say KARMA???? hmmm does this sound like I was ever embarrassed by my daughter.... ohhh the stories I could tell... hmmm lets just say I have smiled and nodded my fair share... hehehe Karma is a good thing



Does it really matter that she looks like she's wearing crotchless panties from behind??? Seriously should those other students be looking at her behind when she has such a cute face???







****Please excuse the lack of smile in the first picture... it was taken under distress!! Madison saw her mommy taking all her stuff out to the car and was sure she was being left behind... such a sad lil girl she was

Valentines Day!

Gotta love a man who tries his best to not get you chocolate for Valentines Day!!  

a photo is worth a thousand words....

Heidi and I -- it must be early morning because look how good we look!! Yep- this weekend we went to a Crop... something I normally don't do... I mean why leave my house to scrap??? but it was fun-- lots of fun... and the real reason I went besides getting to spend time with Heidi , Leah, Janice and Sue??? ALI EDWARDS!!! I got to take a great class from ALI... Between classes and scrapping the hightlight of the day was watching and waiting for the snow to come-- and boy did it come-- I think the total ended up being around 12 inches!! Didn't get to play in it-- trugging to the car was enough!!
















And for anyone who's counting-- yes thats two count them two pictures of Heidi with her eyes open!!! hahaha!!! Thanks guys for a fun weekend!! we need to do that more often

WHY OH WHY??

So I thought I had everything planned out... Going to the Scrapbowl in Chantilly on Saturday... got my class lined up, sooo excited to see my Scrappin buddies, I even planned out what I would be working on!! and then I pull down the Heidi Swapp album that I have been saving for a special occasion... yes I am going to use it... I see the inscription on the inside... mmmm do I really want to give this away??? umm NO! but no problem I can buy another one... I will need more page protectors anyway.... hop online.... and guess what... THEY DON'T make them!! CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHY?????? No wonder there is sooo much Heidi Swapp bashing.... such a dilemma... I could go 8x8 -- tons of those available.... just don't know... I have sent out an email to a CTMH rep... Apparently they sell 9x9... UGHHH so much for being ready...
Did I mention the threat of snow on my weekend???? and that I am supposed to babysit Madison???

Ok-- so I am unloading my scrap bag so I can reload it... hey who knew all the stuff I had stashed in there.... some really cute chatterbox paper... a flag book kit I bought at GASC 2 years ago??? Some transparencies I got at the First CKU in Nashville , Club scrap paper... ahhh at least I have some stuff to play with when I get home sunday...

Oh well... I guess I can pack tomorrow night right.... its late I'm tired and really bummed out... and no I didn't do the journaling for my class yet... but I did get my pictures from the Walmart Natzi's after a week and a half.

New banner

Seriously need a new banner... hmmm gotta figure a way for it to take less time for me to whip one of those babies up....
Just a thought

a girl can dream???

The Memory Dock the latest???
Seems to be alot of buzz about this "new system" I checked it out... its beautiful in pictures!! Wouldn't it be great to have nicely coordinated stuff??? That 12x12 scrappers box??? yup perfect... The cute pencil boxes!!! The photo boxes with the little books??? Somewhere between the euphoria of cuteness and which color do I choose--the conservative side of me looked at the darn prices!!! come on I can get a photo box for a couple of bucks any day of the week.... ahhh in another lifetime I guess

today in Reindeer pants

I sit here after spending the last hour (or so) zipping through the last week of Oprah.. ain't technology grand! Did I mention that its 5:00 and I am still in my favorite pink fleece reindeer pants? and my non matching CK ultra comfy sweatshirt.. have I accomplished anything today??? hmm not really.. did do my kids taxes... worked on scheduling a vacation for Fall of 2007 (who says I can't plan in advance?) yea there was some laundry and I finally dusted the family room.... but I'm wondering if choosing my clothes for the day has anything to do with the work output... or maybe its just the rainy foggy weather that did me in??

I got my SS planner in the mail this week... yes I ordered it in DEC.. and its Feb... was it worth the wait?? nope... but I am going to make it work.. very disappointing that I have to make something work for another 11 months.. but in my excitement of getting it--I already wrote in it... so the chances of it being returned are squashed.. ahh but in the same order I did get SS simple schemes book which for the price $4.99 is a bargin.. think becky higgins sketches gone simple... I haven't read it all but so far I'm liking it.
I am still haunted by Ali Edwards book...I can't even begin to tell you haow many times I have thumbed through it.. Mike actually caught me the other night putting stickys on pages.. Very excited to think that I can get Ali to sign it next weekend.

News of the day...

So I got my hair cut... and while it looks pretty much the same it is different... not that my husband would notice... but it is shorter and it kinda flips out in the back... I'm liking it... wish Manda was here to tell me nice things about it cuz I think she would approve...

Got word today that our health flex account is extending the deadline til May-- why I don't know but its good news because I still have $1200 to submit and could use alittle more time to gather up those receipts... Didn't know I still had so much money left but its good news really because I got some whopper bills to pay next week and its nice to know they are "prepaid" and I will get the cash back.... lets only hope I get so lucky with the IRS....

Also got some good news I think about Madison (the grandpuppy) (love that word)-- her cough may be due to a broncial irriation which from what I could gather from amanda's phone call can be fixed... they are gonna start with some antibiotics and and something to keep her calm (lol drug her up good!) and if that doesn't do the trick then move her on to steriods... much better than all the horrible things I worried it could be.... And she was cleared to start her puppy school on Wednesday... apparently not contagious... she really needs puppy school.... and probably a new dress for her first day of school... hmmm I do think that means I NEED to shop... I gotta remind Amanda that I will definately need a first day of school picture... hehehe but I bet she has already thought of that-- my girl knows me well!!

Now on to figuring out what exactly I am going to do for the Ali Edwards class I am signed up for... I think I am doing it on Mike... but that means I need some pictures... ughhh I always wait til the last minute on these things....

mail

Sometimes its just worth it to get the mail....

• Christophers diplomia came in the mail today... never has a peice of paper looked so nice.. and funny its not even mine but a definate sense of pride came over me when I opened the package.... job well done Christopher!! Note to self: find a really nice frame for this baby-- it certainly deserves one!

• I got a replacement package from Suzieskits.com... the one I got last week was somehow not wrapped in plastic and after sitting in the rain on driveway all day it was just a pile of mush... but one quick email and WOW my replacement was here 4 days later and the amount of goodies that came with it as alittle "i'm sorry" is incredible!!! Talk about wonderful customer service!!! I can't say thank you enough!
  

The weekend is here and there is so much I need to do... dust.. laundry.... upload a ton of pictures, finish a minibook for amanda to give away... 1099's... but first... where is my glass of wine????

Feather weight

Go ahead look alittle closer-- I know I know... its harder to see me now because I lost 2.5 lbs.... hahaha I started my diet last week and today was weigh-in day for me... and despite my little lunch outing on Sunday I still managed to loose a few pounds... Dieting is so darn hard... while I am not hungry really I just want to eat food that is bad-- Today I stopped in 7-11 ohhh those toquitos were calling my name... and then the little chocolates by the register... ummm but I resisted...
Sooo here I go again... starving myself.... we'll see how long it takes to loose 25 pounds.. I thinking May-- Damn that sounds sooo far off....
Somebody pass the carrots and get me another glass of water... pleasssssssse--

In case you want to know

For anyone keeping score I will have you know that I showered and dressed each day this weekend.... no jammie weekend here....

Lunch with the ladies

What a wonderful afternoon... I went to lunch with two friends from my "old" work... I totally miss seeing them everyday and It was so great to catch up on the kids, families and work stories.. We promised we would stay in touch when we all left.. and then time jumps in and before you know it we are months later still promising... It was soo fun today... I really miss them more than I realized.. The good news is that we all decided that we couldn't let time get in the way and that we needed to get together at least once a month... It will be a challenge but certainly one to strive for!

Online shopping...

Ok so maybe I don't always make the best shopping choices but in the last week or so I have really scored with some purchases.. I enrolled in an online creativity workshop by Stacy Jullian... and while I was alittle hesitant I was more curious and right now I am feeling good about it... I heard Stacy speak the first time I went to Nashville and totally fell in love with her philosphy of saving memories and now being in her online class I am glad I signed up.. we are making a Creativity Fun Book... and its... well fun....
And then there was the QVC purchase... yea I know... but I was sucked in by the hype.. I ordered it Wednesday and damn if it didn't arrive today!! The itself album is AMAZING.... not to mention what was included... hopefully I will have some time to sit and play this weekend!! Although at first glance I am alittle taken back by the fact that alot of the work is already done... I can't figure out if its good or bad... I mean the pages are pre-cut, pre-inked and in some cases pre-printed... so alot of the design work is done... is that good??? I mean poof and its done or bad that its not mine... hmmm like I said we will have to play around with it alittle...
And if my scrapping won't already fill my weekend I got the new Top 10 CK in the mail today too... I haven't finished reading the last two magazines I got or the AE book Chris bought me-- I guess the laundry can wait another day.....

Something old is NEW again

There are so many things I want (ok need) to get done... but we got this new gizmo at the house... DVR ohhh its a wonderful invention... for those who do not know what DVR means its a form of TIVO that Dishnetwork sells...
hmmm I had just a few must see shows a week that I had to see.... yea it was always on but I usually ended up scrapping or reading ... but now I find myself drawn to the big ol box!! yes I can watch Oprah whenever I want --did you hear me OPRAH!! I can watch shows that conflicted with my Regular TV viewing schedule... I can catch 24 when I want to watch it... and the best thing... I can do it in 1/2 the time by skipping the commercials...

Just another thing to add to my addiction list....

A Moment of mine

A Moment of mine

Hey Mary... DD= Donna Downey

Our Captiol

 


Ok so last week I ranted alittle... maybe alot about my metro experience... and no I am still not over it.. which Phil pointed out to me this weekend... but what I didn't share is why I was on the darn metro to begin with... Mikes spends way too much time downtown (working) and we really never take advantage of who he meets/knows... but his little brother was in town and Mike got us some VIP passes to visit the Capitol... to make a long story short -- We went and played tourists.. and it was fun... nope I had never been to the Capitol and yes I would go back... funny we live sooo close but never really take the time to appreciate all the city has to offer... shame on us... and shame on Metro for taking advantage of us tourist... yea I had to get one last dig in... 

Weekend

 


The pace this weekend was slow and steady.... lots of cleaning got done... and alittle scrapping. Went to breakfast to see David and Karin off... Took Mike to Scrapbooks Plus after breakfast! HAHA he is a patient man, who walked every aisle with me and actually picked up a few items he thought I might need... and found every peice of pink paper in the store (for my next project) and didn't say a word when the sale was rung up... gotta love a man who may not totally get it but pretends really well!

Our hot Tub heater died this weekend... figures it finally gets really cold again and the heater dies... ahh gotta love internet shopping a new one is on its way!

I enrolled in DD's class and the above is the layout for this week... I only signed up for 4 weeks because I was curious... I don't think I can do a whole year.. I have enough challenges with Creative Coterie every month (that I struggle to complete)and enough projects in my little head that I just wanna get done.. 

Metro

And they wonder why we all don't ride----Metro has a scam going.... and if you aren't a regular rider theres no way for you to know how to "use" the system... It comes in the form of parking... you drive up to the lot... it clearly says $3.75 to park... but they seem to have forget to mention you HAVE to buy a $10 card to get out of the parking lot.... not a fan.

 
 

RETIREMENT PARTY

Toni threw a great retirement party for my Father in law, Phil... David flew in from the netherlands... BIG SURPRISE!!! And totally cool....
Just so happened that the Redskins were planning that afternoon so of course with a family full of guys we just incorporated that into the day!!! We cheered like banchees-- only louder... had great food... and of course toasted the man of the day... my father- in-law Phil... I guess you could call me lucky because I am one of "those" people who totally loves my in laws-- They are greatest-- and Phil is soo deserving of retirement!!! 

I hate work

Can I say that work has been totally unbearable this past week or so.... running around like a chicken with my head cut off... printers not working, programs crashing mid stroke, time flying by, and I just don't see an end in sight....and when I look at the calendar I realize that next week the kids are going to be going back to their lives and all the things I wanted to do with them, share with them --theres just not enough time.... whoever invented going to work should be shot... its really getting in the way with what I want to do with my life....

on another note... I was at Joanne's today during my 10 minute lunch break... Can you say 70% off holiday stuff.... ohh yes I bought some very cute suede red and black photo albums... yep already completed one to send off to my parents....picked up 3 more just to have in the stash.... and I scored a container that I think will hold my scraps better then the notebook that I have been using....

off to play with puppy.... hmmm I guess she'll be leaving too--- hump don't want to even think about that now-

Christmas 2005

Just a peak at christmas! Finally found some time for some scrapping fun!! Inspired by Ali E... Some how in the scan the colors look alittle darker then the burgandy it is.... Just loving seeing everyone on one page!! And got to use some paper from last christmas!!

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...