WAKE UP

Look what we woke up to.... More snow... and its still snowing...

Christopher bought a new car.. I mean truck yesterday.. but due to SNOW I don't have a picture yet to show you... but I can tell you its one fine machine... 2007 Toyota Tacoma

Countertops

Spent the day trying to figure out countertop colors and what kind of material it will be made of. As of today I think we are going with HI-MAX which is a solid surface... much like the old Corian but a newer product... and color??? well thats hard for me.. I like color---but I am trying to keep myself in check---I visited three different stores to see countertops in person and finally decided on beige tones brought home about 8 paper samples (thats how they do it now) only to have Mike speak up and say brown floor, brown cabinets, and brown countertops??? So we looked at a color called verdez quartz (almost a hunter green)-- will that be the final choice??? thats anyones guess

the meltdown

The snow has finally started to melt, I can see the grass again. Which means I can turn in the uniform I have been wearing for the last two weeks... These shoes have got to go! and really how many days can you wear the same coat... albeit its warm pink and has sheepskin but please this girl is dying to wear something different for a change.

We finally convinced the insurance company to see things our way...took about a month but they are going to replace the kitchen cabinets... top and BOTTOM. Way to step up and do the right thing nationwide....

Speaking of insurance, Christopher had alittle accident in his car this past weekend. His tire blew out just as he was turning on a on-ramp-- which in turn caused him to hit the concrete barrier. No damage to the body of the car but apparently it hit square on the tire causing major damage to the wheel and steering mechanism. Anyway he just heard from Nationwide that because of the age of his car they are totalling it... so between now and Tuesday he needs to go buy a new car. He has been thinking about doing this for awhile now... but now he has no choice... unfortunatley for him he has no idea what he wants to be driving... He is taking suggestions. I assume he and Mike will be hitting all the local dealers this weekend to see what kind of deals are out there.
So the big question is weather Nationwide will drop us cold after two claims in one month???

On a brighter note, Sunday we went to look at the new home that Corey is buying. Its a very cute townhouse out in Haymarket. New construction which will be ready in July. Right now Christopher is planning on being his roommate if he can find a job up here. Apparently working nights isn't a life long plan.... It will be nice to have him alittle closer if all works according to plan.

Get Croppin

I so meant to share these pictures last week... but time got away from me. These are a few shots of the get croppin event that Amanda and I went to. Lots of fun! Got a chance to chat with some old friends from our old book club-- take 2 classes and work on some layouts. But what was even more fun was having Amanda to share it with, And to see her get excited about a hobby that I love. Of course she was totally in her element when it came time to visit the shopping booths... This gal can shop no matter where we are!! But her creative eye is dead on-- she made some great choices for an album she is making for a sorority sister. And of course she had to have a few goodies for herself. Me? yea I found some stamps that I had to have... Nancy is a bad influence-- but I think I got some stamps that are versatile enough to show up on my pages again and again.





Speaking of stamps D. Johnson's class was totally awesome. Made we want to use my stamps more. I seem to collect them and not use them but she had some wonderful ideas- And I even already own some of her stamps... Gotta remember to pull them out and use them alittle more often. Of course there were plenty more that are now on my list should I run across a good sale! As you can see we worked hard in our class-- haha neither of us finished our projects on time-- as a matter of fact we didn't even finish them before we went home at midnight! But thats ok... (alittle Ali speak)

winter disguise

It looks like snow, its cold like snow but hold on because this is Sleet! Talk about an odd storm we had last night. We got snow for a good part of the morning and then last night you could hear the sleet hitting the roof, the deck and the ground. And this is what we woke up to! Looks like a winter wonderland of Snow but one step outside and you realize its all ICE. So after staying home yesterday because of the threat of freezing rain I took the morning off to wait to see if this would melt away-- it did not-- but the plow trucks worked all night and made the roads passable in most spots. As a matter of fact Mike has been out there since Midnight...18 hours and counting...

Ms. Bonnie who has always hated the indoor life is refusing to go out.. I guess she doesn't like the crunch under her feet or the slippery deck stairs.. I thought I could shoval it tonight... but its rock hard and not budging. Spring is coming right?

Kinda liking this picture I took this morning... with the trees in the foreground and the snowy garage in the back.....

I am alive

My father was quick to point out that I haven't been blogging this month...to be honest its not due to lack of material to report on in my life its simply a lack of time to sit and type.... so a quick recap -- I think I last left you with the news that my kitchen suffered alittle fire... Well it seems where theres fire there is alot of smoke. And the more we looked around (and smelled) the more we realized that just about every room in our home had smoke residue in it. Something the insurance adjuster should have known and told us. So after many phone conversations the cleaning crew that was to come and clean the carpet in the living/dining room and the totally clean the kitchen ended up doing the whole house. What an undertaking that was. Now throw into the mix that I had a scheduled business trip to Houston Sunday-Tuesday and you now have a schedule nightmare. I went off to Houston-- which by the way was lovely--Warm, Green, and clean.... meanwhile Mike was left to work out the details of how they would clean.
Of course I got stuck in Houston-- due to Snow in Chicago-- Then I got stuck in Chicago due to snow in VA-- when I finally arrived at Dulles-- umm very late-- I waited and waited and waited for my luggage... seems it did not make the plane. The last time I saw my luggage it was getting snowed on.... Finally after midnight Mike and I pulled away from the airport into the snowy night for the long ride home. Amazing to me the amount of traffic at 1am.... and none of them doing to well in the snowy conditions.... My luggage did finally arrive home around 4:30pm on Wednesday-- Nice-
For the next three days Mike and I did split shifts in the house and at work. The cleaners literally touched every object we owned as they wiped everything down... The walls the ceiling, the furniture, everything on and IN the furniture... they emptied every drawer,cabinet and closet.. The bedspreads and coats were sent to the drycleaners along with any peices of dry clean only clothing (luckily I don't own much that isn't wash and wear...) To say that we are exhausted is an understatement... trying to keep up with work and then come home and keep up with the 3 ladies going through our home was a bit much... The good news is yesterday the carpet cleaners came and cleaned the carpets and the furniture... WOW does the house look great....and smells good too! except for the poor kitchen which has had its cabinets emptied into boxes--The frustration of finding things in boxes is high-- And because the insurance company feels their only obligation is to replace the upper (damaged) cabinets this could take awhile to get sorted out as I refuse to have mismatched cabinets. I mean really do they think that is acceptable to anyone?????

My weekend did have some high points... Both kids came home... I'll tell you about that tomorrow... after I get some much needed rest...

To do lists

It was supposed to snow today but it didn't
The contractor was supposed to call yesterday but didn't
My project at work was supposed to be done today but it isn't... lots of stuff hanging out there.
My to do list is growing by the minute and I refuse to give in and start panicing that it won't be done.
I have Bonco here next week... finally got the prizes last night but still need to shop for food and wrap the prizes. I have a trip to TX Sunday for work that is putting alittle crimp in my timeline for getting things done.. needless to say its adding to the list-- sometime in the next two days I have to pick up the tables for Bonco, do laundry and pack.. And then theres this little mess that I call a kitchen hanging over my head... Hopefully I can call another contractor or two and get them lined up to come look and give estimates while I am gone and then maybe just maybe someone can get the blackened look out of the darn kitchen... The good news is that the insurance guy agreed to clean the carpets-- between the big grease spot by the door and the smell of smoke that has permeated them they really need it.
ohh and The Get Croppin event is next weekend that Amanda and I signed up for. Gotta get pictures printed for the classes we are taking.
Hmmm no reason to panic yet-- Right?

Where theres smoke theres Fire

Today started out pretty normal. Alittle laundry, alittle dusting and vacuuming, Mike was working on Amandas laptop and then poof-- we had a fire in the kitchen...thank goodness for the smoke detector.. It all happened very fast and that annoying sound was enough for me to get up and see what Mike was cooking. It turned out to be a grease fire in a pan on the stove. Lots and Lots of smoke, my range hood literally melted and that smell of burnt plastic has now permeated the entire house. In a matter of seconds you couldn't see across the room the smoke was so thick. Very scary! We used the fire extingisher and as quick as the stove engulfed in flames it was out.

What totally amazes me is that my insurance company (Nationwide) still hasn't come out. I called them immediately and then 4 hours later called again to be told to take pictures and save the burnt peices and any reciepts and they would eventually come some time next week!! I'm not sure where that leaves me.. I tried to clean up the blackened cabinets and the counters etc to get rid of the smell but it doesn't seem to be working to well. Everything is covered in a film of extingisher stuff and black smoke. And the more I clean the more the black stuff just moves around.
Tomorrow I will try and tackle somemore... perhaps a good nights sleep will have me better prepared to deal with the mess. And maybe just maybe Nationwide will show alittle concern for their customer...

New Hair

 

Finally got around to getting my hair cut. And it feels great! Not sure why but I only seem to get my hair cut once or twice a year... its part of my anti-high maintenance attitude I guess... one less then to do.. one less thing to worry about... but with the blah weather and bangs hanging in my eyes --today was the day. Not a bad experience on whole. Although at the end after the girl explained that I could acheive the look at home with a simple brush (she thought a round brush was beyond my capabilities)and alittle mousse she asked the Question--
"would you like alittle hairspray?" HA!
ME: Umm yes-- I'm an 80's gal... you know big hair and lots of hairspray
Her: Blank look
The lady in the chair behind me: BIG LAUGH
as I turned to look at her-- ME: lots of hairspray
The lady in the chair behind me: Ohhh your hair looks great!
Me thinking to myself: Its not often that a stranger comments on your hair...maybe the cut is ok....
Me outloud: Thankyou
Hairstylist-- I like big hair I just don't think I could do all that hairspray...
Me thinking to myself: well in 1980 the only hair products were dippitydo and hairspray...some things you learn to embrace...
Me outloud: More Hairspray please-- gotta make sure this new do makes it to home...

So here I sit-- alone... have no clue where Mike is-- with my new hair--
On second thought... maybe Mike is downtown... isn't the president speaking tonight??? hmmm might need more hairspray if this is gonna last that long...

Good Morning

 

Kinda says it all---

Don't blink

 

In a blink of an eye shes here and gone-- Amanda came home for the weekend to go to a holiday party at Coreys work-- when they mentioned it before christmas it sounded like a good idea to hold a company party after the rush of Christmas.. but now it seems sooo late to be holding a holiday party. Anyway heres a quick shot of them all dressed to hit the town... looking mighty fine if I do say... Anyway she arrived this morning and evidently will be heading back out tommorrow..

Monday musing

Restful weekend but its back to the grind today... gotta love holidays where you don't get to participate-- at least there was no traffic.
I'm feeling pretty good right now about our trip to Alaska. I spent alot of time this weekend sorting out exactly what we wanted to see. Contacted alot of tour guides and amazingly heard back from them all. Trying to maintain a balance of squeezing everything in and still getting enough down time to enjoy the cruise.

I haven't heard from Amanda this weekend... thats usually a good sign... ZETA must be keeping her busy. Madison is missing her terribly-- we go through this a couple days after she leaves each time... it usually lasts for about a day and then shes back to her normal highspeed self....

I did find time to work on my new Planner... I caved and bought the Mybook planner and spent a few hours yesterday filling in dates and making 4x6 mini pages with some of my favorite pictures from last year... Still want to put tabs in it and need to work on the cover.

Mike spent the weekend doing car stuff... I needed a heater core in the Jimmy, and apparently another oil change in the corvette, then he and Corey worked on the Red Car doing who knows what... hopefully getting it ready to sell... its sat in the same place for so long that its become garden art! anyone need an old beater??? let me know... have I got the car for you!

Too cold to type

Exactly 5 months from now I will be in Ketchikan Alaska and with todays weather it seems like Alaska has come to me. So darn cold here-- so much for the global warming theory-- now its more like an apocolypse....

With cold weather-- its offically winter so maybe we can start on some of our "winter projects"??? Today I ran out to the Walmart and picked up some refills for my photo albums... I have about 5 that are the old magnetic kind that I know are not archivally safe... as a matter of fact I have known for a few years now that they are slowing eating away at my memories... So following along with.Stacy Julians BIG PICTURE theorys I am slowing planning on working on getting these photos out of the bad pages and into new ones... as well as tackling an old cardboard box down in the basement filled with pictures that no one ever saw fit to do anything with.
I have spent the last few days researching our upcoming adventure to Alaska.. The BIG 50/25 trip as it will be known for generations to come I am sure... My parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversery and Mike and I will have accomplished 25 years of marriage. An awesome feat if I do say so myself!-- anyway the trip has taken on a life of its own... the more I read the more lists I make... I keep asking my traveling companions what they want to do on this Big ol vacation of ours and the answer is always the same... Whatever you plan will be fine... If their not careful all three of them will be zooming down a zipline in the rainforest!!
HAHA! I of course will be at the bottom with my trusty camera--- Which brings me to my next little dilemia... is my camera good enough for this trip??? I think not!!! but then again... that would mean more research and more lists to make...

Dead Presidents

The first President I can honestly remember was Gerald Ford... Sure I was alive for a few more but I have no memory of any of them. So when he died I actually thought I might want to go downtown. I missed my opportunity with Reagan, even though Mike said he could get me in without the long lines... Not sure what was happening at the time but it didn't seem important... This time, it did seem important.... to make a long story short due to the time of year (holidays) and the newly elected being brought into office Mike wasn't able to find me a way of going without the lines.. And while I wanted to go ... I didn't want to go enough to stand in line!!
But last week he brought me home a souvenir-- The program that the dignitary's received. Very cool.... and yea after the fact someone told him they could have gotten me in.... oh well

Global Warming

So if you are living anywhere on the East Coast the words Global Warming had to have gone through your head at least once this weekend... We woke up Saturday to a Bright Sunny day in the mid 70's--no joke-- we opened all the doors--put on shorts and pretended it was spring and not January.... Yes something is just not right when your summer flowers.. in my case pink Dianthus have new blooms on them???? My daffodils are sprouting up and my fish are hungry! But I am not complaining-- we did some chores that normally are reserved for spring... Mike worked hard on framing out his windows in the garage... and then moved into cleaning it (shocker I know)-- he also found time to clean the grill (yes in January) I decided to air out Comfortors and steam clean the carpets downstairs since it was warm enough for them to dry Quickly.... I looked long and hard at the christmas decorations they seemed out of place with birds chirping and the sliding door wide open... but in the end I decided to only move the furniture back into place and give the Santas and tree one more week. Hopefully by the time I am ready to move the Snowmen back in their boxes they will have seen alittle snow!

Amanda goes home tomorrow... but Madisons extending her winter vacation two more weeks until after ZTA rush is over and her Momma has had a chance to get her school and work schedule into a routine.
Christopher moved out of his home this weekend-- more details on that later I am sure....His work schedule looks like it is changing too-- moving more towards days... January is a good time for change, a logical time to get our lives into order.

TGIF

Friday is finally here... I have no idea why short weeks always seem like the longest. Glad its over though... Totally feel the need to organize my life... Need to clean out files, clean off my refrigerator..clean out closets.. just make it ....organized.... Going back and forth If I need to buy a new purse calendar/organizer... I used to live by mine but now not so much...

Totally happy to see that
Cathy Z is back up blogging... missed reading her daily musing while drinking my coffee....

anyway... off to start my weekend!

computers friend or foe?

At some point computers became more than just a toy at home and became an intrical part of our lives. Much like electricity and water its something that we have come to rely on. Add internet into the mix and it might as well be the air we breathe...
With Amanda going back to school next week we started the task of "cleaning" and repairing her computer. She needed a new CD reader/writer... easy enough task for Mike just to pop one in... but then we realized that her computer was so full that it could barely operate... no defraging, or cleanup program was going to help the mess she had created with pictures and music... so off to the store again for some additional hard drive space.... Then the fight began trying to move and copy data with a machine that was literally screaming in pain.... somehow my girl never really learned the lessons faced by Mom about how important back up CD's were... (if you've ever lost data due to a computer failure you know what lessons I mean) oh she heard me say it.. and she meant to do it... but never got there... We safely extracted her photos... and her music... well she had alot of it.. and sadly we think she has less now. Itunes didn't like moving drives and Mom and Dad are uneducated in IPOD/Itunes-- so trying to figure it out was futile.... but with all this computer teardown and revamping Mom got lucky... I got a Buffalo!! go ahead a tilt your head now... its an external hard drive! Now my pictures and digital creations have a home of their own. Now more worrying if I am saving way too much!
The gadgets in life that make us happy are the ones we don't understand but somehow make life alittle easier.

New Year

Ringing in the new year... slow start to a new year... comfortable weekend that we had no obligations other than to rest. Looking so forward to the short week coming up.
Trying to think of New Years resolutions.. seems almost important to have something to work towards.. Theres the obligatory loose 10 -- hmm no 15 lbs... but after that I'm stumped. I'd like to work toward downsizing in a few other areas...the attic and basement and finishing the painting before a new season starts would probably be a good idea...that and updating the old resume... I guess there is lots to do in the upcoming year. But for now... I think I'll just enjoy whats left of this three day weekend... and put off my list for another day!

Blogger hates me

This week I haven't been able to post photos here on my blog-- I had more xmas photos which I wanted to post in my last post which I just couldn't get in there... Still can't doing it the normal way. I have now had to resort to uploading them into a web album and then linking them back... much to work for me.... Blogger just hates me....
I have tried contacting their help groups, emailing and no response!! (other than they left me a picture... alot of help that was)
Anyway I am working on it... really I am!

Christmas

Christmas is over and we are left with alot of leftovers, a pile of returns and alot of trash-- What fun we had though!
Nothing like baking cookies at midnight

Unwrapping gifts

or unveiling them-- Christopher decided that wrapping paper was indulging in the "establishment" and he was not buying into it(or buying wrapping paper)

Dinner was a blast-- totally loved having a sit down dinner with family and friends and having even more company for dessert (Coreys Mom and Dad joined us) We will be eating Turkey and Ham for days to come! but thats the best part of the holiday isn't it? Christopher took over as Mashed potato maker and Mike fried up a turkey, and Merv brought us shrimp to snack on with Mikes mushrooms.

However when did the "kids" become adults??? My house isn't big enough for everyone to hang out in the living room... I thought they would have all run down to catch alittle football-- isn't that what boys are supposed to do?... no my tv saw no action--

Alittle photo session with the "kids" provided even more amusement...

Birthday Boy

 
 

Christopher came home yesterday morning after work about 6am-- and after a few hours of sleep and little shopping trip with Mike we finally got to celebrate his birthday... albeit quickly as he had friends to catch up with and holiday celebrating of his own to do-- We got lucky the winter coat I got him fit & looked good and the bowling gift certificate that Amanda got him was the perfect gift.

Today the weather is feeling alittle more like winter... cool and breezy-- but still in the upper 50's-- I am not seeing that we will get a white christmas... but since today will be spent cooking and getting ready for tommorrow I'm happy that its not as nice as it was yesterday.

We've already altered a skirt for Amanda to wear to church tonight... the mushrooms are on simmer, the cheese cake is in the oven and the sausage is frying for the stuffing.... its gonna be a long day....

Santa Pictures

Did I show you this??? Yep Mike made it too... I guess maybe I mentioned that he made another wonderful paper shelf for me but never showed the picture.

And I know this is the picture you have been waiting to see!! SANTA PICTURES!!!
Yes Miss Madison was a big girl again and sat on Santas lap!!

The weekend is finally here lots to do to get ready for christmas... cooking, cleaning and unfortunatly alittle more shopping..

message from santa

Saw this on Tena Sprengers Blog and thought it way to cute!

All I need to know about Christmas I learned from Santa:

Encourage people to believe in you
Always remember who's naughty and who's nice
It's as much fun to give as it is to receive
Some days it's ok to feel a little chubby
Make your presents known
Always ask for a little bit more than you really want
Bright red can make anyone look good
Wear a wide belt and no one will notice how many pounds you have gained
If you only show up once a year, everyone will think you're really important
When you are at a loss for words, say "ho, ho, ho,"

Ahhh so I am counting down the hours til its time to go home... totally dislike the last day before holidays... seems the whole world is out shopping and doing last minute things... ahh poor poor me!

Bah humbug

So today I thought I would provide my "10 things I hate" list... but that doesn't seem very seasonal now does it??? BAH Humbug....Can someone tell me why in October I have ideas for christmas gifts and then once the season rolls around my mind hits a brick wall and empties out. Then few just a few days til christmas... when its too late to order ohhh the ideas come in rolling back... Today I actually thought I would just start ordering and then next year I would be ahead of the game.... its a nasty game my brain is playing with me and its seriously not getting me in the ho ho ho mood--

So today Amanda and Mike hit Costco-- together... on outward appearances that seems like a disaster in the making huh??? Well guess who didn't even bring home dinner??? The two of them counteracted each other and we seriously got dog food and turkey today.... hello???with all the christmas fun thats all they could come up with???? And amanda said they even passed by the opportunity for a heidi swapp gift for mom!! Must be global warming... or a full moon????
Well guess whose eating Joes Pizza tonight????

Little Gossip?

So Mike is the only one to have met Ruth so far...Davids new friend... ahh but I have taught him well... he took pictures! So now we all know what great taste David has!!! Enjoy!! How often do we get to gossip before we actually meet????

Bonnie is OK

So after a long night with Miss Bonnie, Amanda and I took her to the Vet today where she had a miraculous recovery. Amazingly she walked in (on all four feet) and proceeded to sit, stand and laydown and TUG TUG TUG on her leash... once in the doctors office she meandered around and let him poke and prod... even touching her feet... which on a good day is a no no as far as Bonnie as concerned.... Diagnosis?
Shes old-- she has arthritus-- severe arthritus, she has some atrophy in her leg and some neurologic damage... but nothing that alittle more drugs can't help her cope with. And amazingly our new doc prescribed a CHEAPER drug then what shes on right now--- so one day at a time we will see how our girl does. But for now shes supposed to take it easy (we laughed at that.... how much easier does your life get when you wake up, eat, move to a spot on the lawn, eat again, move to your bed for TV time and then move upstairs to sleep)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today is my Dad's Birthday!!! Sending him wonderful thoughts today--wish we were there to celebrate his big day!! He's got a big xmas party tonight that he and my mom have worked hard at planning -- Elks lodge I beleive--I know it will be a big success!!
Enjoy your Day Dad!!

A weekend of celebrations..Amanda Corey and I celebrated Mikes birthday friday night..Amanda has perfected Mikes favorite Watergate cake--something I never managed to do... at least one of us has the skill to gain his approval! And she pulled the daughter card and made peanut butter cookies for him... Can you tell Christmas is a week away??? :)
And Saturday night we had our company Christmas party in old town Warrenton-- They do such a wonderful job of decorating the street with lite trees, the lamp posts strung with lights and wreaths-- magical really.
Today topped off a wonderful weekend with Spring like weather.. We cleaned the new car Corey got me==I have to take pictures its a beauty!! 1994 GMC Jimmy, washed the vet and even vacumed it-- Sadly though the warm weather wasn't much help to Bonnie. She struggled all day with her back legs giving out and choose not to even come to dinner. I am keeping my fingers crossed that tommorrow will be a better day for her. We gave her asprin and her pills but I'm not sure how effective that was.
Even Madison couldn't get her to smile....

The past

The weekend is winding down I got alittle christmas shopping done -- ok very little... I had this big plan to hit all these stores but gave up after 4. And my list really isn't any shorter. The crowds weren't bad and everyone seemed jolly-- I even made friends as I asked unsuspecting shoppers their opinions and even to model some of my choices-- hey you gotta do what you gotta do...

Yesterday Mike came home with another creation for my scrap room... A paper rack with pull out shelves!! It matches my big box and I must say it is a beauty! I am sure after the holidays I will have time to clean up my room and get things labeled and organized... But for now I shoved stuff in the cubbies and I will hunt and peck to find all my goodies!

We took a trip down memory lane last night. It was Matts birthday and we got together over at his house to celebrate. .
He showed a video from 1985 that had Chris, Mike, Mike and myself in it. I personally don't remember the party or him video taping but he reminded us that back then no one really had camcorders and he had rented this one for $75.00 for the night from Erol's (remember Erols??? back when we rented VHS tapes)and it was a big deal. To say that it was grainy is an understatement-- but it gave us all a few laughs. Its amazing how after 25+ years you end up on a Saturday night with the same people you grew up with and nothing much has really changed.. sure everyone got married (and divorced a few times) had kids--and became "grown up" but in the end they are the same-- I think we laughed at the same lame jokes, argued over the same silly subjects and the guys were just as competitive as ever. As for me-- I find myself learning to appreciate the new wives, remembering the old girlfriends and finding that no matter how much you think things have changed some things remain the same

Paper loft

So this is what I have been working on in my very little spare time... Totally love this paper loft paper "Well Worn" paper...Still have some journaling to add to page one... but can't seem to sit still long enough to get it done... And no just because I am working on pictures from 2 weeks ago does not mean I am that caught up... Ha Ha-- far from it... this paper was calling my name...
Learning more about digital creations has been calling my name too. I just signed up for a free class online..at buy.com Can't hurt right? I spend way too much time trying to figure out photoshopCS2 when I could be accomplishing something...

My new paper holder

After a busy weekend it was almost nice to go to work (notice I said almost)- Sunday got so side tracked that trying to get everything done wasn't easy-- I had mentioned to Mike that I wanted a 4x8 peice of plywood so I could make some 12x12 cubes to hold my paper better than my wire cubes awhile ago... well I guess he didn't trust my carpentry skills because he bought some laminated wood and decided Sunday that it was the day to build--- with no real plan (I did try and show him on 2Peas what I was talking about) he made me some wonderful cubes with shelves. Who says guys don't get scrapbooking?
If I were smart I would hire him out-- he makes wonderful creations that always turn out perfect...(yes its level and square---and how do I know??? because he proved it to me when we were done! haha)
If that wasn't enough for one day we finished up cleaning up the leaves down front, cleaned two bathrooms, Did 3 loads of laundry, put up the outside snowman and the Big snowGlobe and put the tree up (no decorations yet) and dusted some major dust bunnies out of Amandas room, mopped her floor and made it ready for her to come home.

Oh and I got the lights on the banister-- Call it a productive day!!
Now to find time to load my new cubes....

Found another boyfriend for my girl....

Look who I met today! Thrash-- Home from a not so quick trip to the lake. We scooted down there last night to get my boat over to Karen and Tims and out of the water. I must say I have have never been to the lake at christmas time.. It was kinda neat to see all the decorations up. Anyway I got to meet the infamous Thrasher.. such a cutie! Then the rest of the day was spent removing leaves.. Needless to say coming home so late my tree is still not up... Maybe I can con Mike into helping tomorrow...

I did get some good news... it seems Corey found us to car to share.. I need winter transportation and he needs a beater to haul stuff... I'll share pictures as soon as I lay my eyes on this contraption... he assures me its a beauty-- :)

Against the grain.

Sometimes you just have to go against the grain. You know when your brain tells you to go one way but you turn and run the other. Tonight I pushed away those thoughts as I worked on the pictures from thanksgiving. Yes beach pictures should probably be sitting on cool blues but in my mind they are part of Thanksgiving.. so I went in the other direction... yup rust and tans and orange and hey alittle Navy just because it works. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.. I love the papers from Paperlofts Well Worn line.They scream fall to me and if you connect the dots that means Thanksgiving right???

A song to start the day with

Just a quick rendition of an old favorite:

Happy birthday to you...Happy birthday to you... Happy BIRTHDAYYYYYYY to youuuuuuuu--Happy Birthday to you!

Today is my Mom's Birthday--And you would think that since I just got home from visiting her I would have remembered to wish her a Happy Birthday when I was there... but nope-- The holiday and the eating took over my brain --Too little time- too much to remember.
But Today is her day! I hope its a good one-- Wish I was still there--
And hey--I know shes got plenty of Pie to celebrate with!!

lesson learned

So another lesson learned today... Orange is not a christmas color... no matter how you try and spin it the holiday spirit is not coming with ORANGE... yes Red, Burgandy, even Mauve and pink can make you feel that holiday spirit but orange just doesn't cut it.
I pulled out the decorations-- much easier this year since I moved them to the basement-- and now have smatterings of HO HO HO scattered about the house. I decided to change things up a bit since I was doing this all alone. Amanda high tailed it back to Blacksburg and Christopher decided that traffic was gonna be tough and jumped in his car at noon-- yup me and my decorations left to our own- Where Santas previously held guard there is now a village... and where snowman once smiled down on me there are Santas.... nothing like a little change-- if for no other reason then to be sure you dust every nook and cranny.
But the orange glow.... lesson learned... think year round before choosing that happy color....

Thanksgiving

Giving thanks for a wonderful week in Florida. While the weather was alittle cooler than we hoped it certainly was nice to see swaying palm trees, blue skys and spend time with family.
This was the first Thanksgiving that Christopher was not with us.. A first that didn't sit well with me. He was missed but I guess work schedules and traveling won't always mesh in the grownup world.
We did however get to see the rest of the family. And as Martha Stewart would say That is a good thing It was nice having a chance to see in person my Mom's new kitchen and her wonderful new floors that I have heard so much about but never saw in person. And my mother-in-laws new home-- with the bathroom that is bigger than my bedroom.


We truely had a relaxing vacation-- ate too much, went to the beach, played in my parents pool and even had time to power shop with Amanda for her sorority rush wardrobe. Yes we packed alot into 3 days and today I am feeling it. But it was worth every minute.
Did I mention that we ate too much??? With only 9 people for Thanksgiving we had 4 pies... (For some reason Mike didn't think 3 were enough and convinced my Mom to take him to the bakery that is within walking distance to their house-- Mike and a bakery that close probably aren't a good idea) -- and before the story gets out yes I made sweet potatoe smore's for Thanksgiving... It actually could be the next new hot reciepe as far as I am concerned... from Mishaps comes good things... They didn't burn... they just cooked too fast.. (a little gem from my Mom that I am sure will be used again!)

travel and weather

A day of driving, security checks, a flat tire and lots of laughs and we finally arrived in sunny (but not so warm Florida)-- Not sure the plans of lounging at the beach are going to come through but I am gonna try.
We pulled out old photo albums and laughed at the hair styles the itchy looking clothes and remembered we were all once very young. Giving thanks this week that we are all together regardless of what mother nature has in store for us.

babies

Yesterday I ventured out to Columbia Md for Heidi's Baby shower... Who knew that Columbia was so darn far away? But it was worth the trip- Heidi looks great! Pregnancy suits her-- She seems very excited about the new addition coming to her family. Speaking of family it was nice to meet her Mom and Dad, I have heard so many great things about them and they are just as wonderful as Heidi always said.
While chatting about all the new baby stuff and decorating for the new baby I couldn't help but remember that 24 years ago I was just as excited about adding Raggedy Ann and Andy drawer liners to the dresser and that peice of yellow carpet that would turn our dining room into a babies room... how our lives have changed since then. And every step of the way it was our children that spurred us on to create the life we have. I can only hope that Heidis new baby will bring her the joy that Christopher and Amanda have brought us.
Friends come into our lives through unexpected ways... I met Heidi and Leah off the internet, through scrapbooking. What started out as joining a Circle Journal group, turned into lunches, joining a book club and heading to Nashville. I can't tell you how much their friendship has meant to me as I headed solo into my little hobby. These are two creative women who I feel very lucky to call friends.

And to make my weekend even better, I now have Madison for a little pre- Thanksgiving visit. Amanda came home Friday night for a funeral and was nice enough to let Madison stay here with us for the week. The controled Chaos that she brings is always fun. Hopping in Bonnies face and chasing Mr. Wiggles are her two favorite activities and in between we get kisses and puppy love... what could be better?

I'm back

So I haven't been writing much.. no real reason but I guess I just haven't had much to say. Today though it has dawned me me that its November.. Fall is here (you can tell by the pile of jackets sitting on the chair) -- and that means Thanksgiving is around the corner... UMMM going to Florida for some sunshine and Family for the holiday-- Can't wait-- and then its Christmas-- Wow already time for Christmas????

Today I got an interesting email from Kodak.. they are offering Trade in dollars for your old camera-- don't get me wrong I love my camera but hey technology has changed in the last few years and it got me thinking that maybe its time to upgrade... and after playing there is a chance they would give me $80 for mine... something to think about huh?

Tonight I am supposed to be scrapping.. at least that was the plan.. For the last few days I have been "feeling" creative but alais no time to play.. so tonight I promised myself alittle time... I guess we'll see what happens!

The best laid plans

So things just haven't gone as planned lately. After waiting so long I finally jumped in with two feet to get laser eye surgery. Funny I wasn't really concerned about the surgery itself. Although looking back I guess I should have been. I was more concerned about spending the money. I am not saying that vision is not a worthy expenditure but it seemed frivolous and extravagant to me. Something that other people do-- not me. I have obligations-- and this seemed alittle selfish. But Mike assured me that it wasn't. And now I feel like I am paying for it.
If I could turn back time. Today I can read. Its a great feeling to read without glasses. But everything else is work-- Driving at night is down right scary.. that same feeling as driving in the snow. I have new glasses that help me get from point a to point b but its not the same as seeing while you get there.
My doctor assures me this is temporary and I am hanging on to that. Patience.. Lots of Patience...