Friends

This one was working on patience this weekend .... Madison came home for the weekend and brought her friends Cooper and Zoyie-- Needless to say the carpet cleaning that was on the list for the weekend didn't take place... But we did get cars washed.. did I mention it rained?

taxes

Its more of the same.. hmmm... so exactly what is about taxes that brings out the demon in me? I have struggled for 2 months to figure out where I went wrong .... why oh why does uncle sam want my hard earned money so badly? I know exactly where the mistake is on my tax return but can't seem to figure out how to make the change...
Tonight I bite the bullet.. and for a small fee I took my COMPLETED tax returns into H&RBlock and let a professional explain cost basis and deprecation to me one more time.. I think I've got it now... but will it help??? don't know... at this very moment I am still stroking a check...Did Uncle Same not hear?? I gotta a wedding to pay for!

My son on the other hand keeps learning all about grown up life... the president gives you $600.00 and the tax man comes back and sends you a personal property notice for $450.00 so really what did you gain?? just another reason to invest in Asprin...

And if your looking for roses and sunshine.... finding the wedding chapel probably isn't the place to look... as I have mentioned before even god is in the business of making money... but we do have a few leads to follow up on. A scrapbooking buddy of mine Sue let me know her church might be worth checking out, and she even let me know about another church down the street from hers that definatley fits the denomination. I spent alittle time on the website of Sue's church.. and I must say if I lived closer to Alexandria I would be inclined to take a Sunday visit. I truely enjoyed reading the bio of her pastor, he definately sounds like someone you could relate to-- although in the back of my mind I can hear my mother telling me that he's not catholic... Ahh religion.. seems to me its the same God everyone prays to... the packaging is just alittle different. And in the end isn't it all about the package???

today

Global warming?, a sign spring is never coming?, or just an unexpected surprise?

No one said it would be this hard and last this long

Parenting:

When they are little you know nothing.. they escape childhood despite your lack of wisdom.. There are problems and despite yourself you can and do- fix all the problems as if you had a magic wand...Why is it when they grow up and have real problems and need real answers that same parenting fairy doesn't come along with answers?

not so caring healthcare

So wanna rant about our healthcare system??? Exactly what is the deal? We pay an incredible amount of money for healthcare every month...let just say it tops out over $450.... and today when I called to question why a 3 month mail order (supposedly the cheaper way) prescription cost me $350 I was politely told it was because I had the choice of a generic drug and I choose otherwise.... now normally if you go for the real thing you pay what they call tier 1 charges $60.00-- so in my mind I am thinking 60 x 3 months= $180.. but no if your doctor doesn't check the box that says no generic... and you choose brand name you pay the difference.... Does this sound right???? Why make brand name drugs if you aren't allowed to use them???? And without brand name drugs how can anyone make generics???
And since every insurance company has different rules.. its not like your doctor knows which drugs fall under which tier... I guess we have to take laptops to the doctors office from now on so we can check the website to figure out if we can afford our health care....
And the worse part... once you have the drugs its not like you can return them!!! so for now... these babies are worth $3.88 a day.... and geez for that price we might as well find a guy on the corner and find something that would add alittle excitement..
And when I asked Mike if he thought he could get his moneys worth (again its $3.88 a day) each day -- it was an emphatic NO---
So the question of the day... have you figured out your insurance company?? Is your healthcare providor worth what you pay???

Alittle Easter cheer-- While the egg hunt only had one participant this year--Ryland-- we did out do ourselves with wonderful food-- I swear Jackie's Sweet Potatoes were meant to be a dessert--Yummy Goodness even before the desserts were brought out...

And while Christopher made the decision to skip on dressing for dinner he did sport a traditional Easter day hangover-- some traditions just won't fade away....

And of course some family pictures were taken... so sad that all the ones on my camera looked like a free get out of St. Elizabeths card was granted for Easter.... these were the best of the best....

As always it was fun to get together!

Happy Easter

Lack of sleep for no reason other than Madison can't get the whole vertical vs horizontal thing right in bed... but I got moving enough to make Fruit salad and a potato casserole for today's Easter dinner.

No dyed eggs in my house this year... just doesn't seem right not to have egg salad and deviled eggs the week after Easter... of course Easter in March seems a bit off too. But the bunny did visit leaving the obligatory Chocolate bunnies...Too bad they aren't on anyones diet... I guess the bunny didn't get that memo.

Amanda came home for another 4 day weekend... (must be nice) and we used our time wisely looking at dresses... This has got to be my favorite part of wedding planning. There are so many styles and designs-- its a shame you only get one dress.... although I now understand people who marry seven and eight times (Liz Taylor) wedding planning is fun and choosing just one style dress or one theme is hard....doesn't seem fair... I think the whole process would be easier if she didn't look great in each and every dress she tried on....I can envision her wearing all of them! I think she has a style narrowed down--although for the sake of ultimate secrecy I won't share what that might be--but I will share this-- one of the front runners in my opinion... of course in the end its not my opinion or choice--she will know which dress to pick

We also looked at veils-- who knew there were so many styles, types and lengths.. and who knew that for alittle tulle they would charge upwards of $400 for those babies??? Definitely seeking out other shopping options! And a quick call to mom had her pulling out her veil! Now if only we could get her into the techno world to scan or take a picture of it and email it!! haha--I can see I am going to have to make detailed instructions on how to accomplish that task!

Still looking for a church to wear this finery in-- again we are learning that if you put the word wedding in front of anything people-- oh yes those god fearing Christians too--decide that there is money to be made.... Who knew we would have to be budget conscious looking for churches?? I think the process might be easier if I knew the Alexandria area better... Corey and Amanda did an initial search-- starting on the Internet-- Why don't churches put more information on their websites??? then by cruising the area... I have a feeling a few more drive arounds will be in order to find "the spot"-- if not we will all just commute from home! not the first choice but it just may be the best choice.

Count down to spring!

Tomorrow is the first day of spring. I am watching the weather every day, seeing what is happening with the trees==can you say obsessed? Like I can predict what the weather will be like next year at this time. Amanda has moved her wedding date back one week... the offical day is March 28---2009 all in hopes that it will be just alittle nicer outside... she has thrown her winter wedding to the wind.. she will offically be a spring bride!!! Global warming sounds good... really good at this point. Tomorrow I plan on visiting the florist.. just to peak at what they have in stock.. whats readily available at this time of year. No need to wish for out of season flowers. Its all about the budget...

Spring came early to Williamsburg

We got so lucky-- took a little weekend trip down to Williamsburg and couldn't have asked for a better day to wander the streets of Colonial Williamsburg. 75 and Sunny! So refreshing to be out of doors without a coat and just enjoying the day. We walked the main street from one end to the other.. although the walk back was brisk because Mike reminded me that I could get a stamp from Williamsburg for my National Parks Passport-- and it was close to closing time... what we didn't realize until we found the "stamping place" was that it was a different kind of stamp--- I might just put mine in the passport anyway... because I worked so hard to get it!
We ventured out for a Seafood Buffet-- yep throwing diets to the wind.. I am positive that we have eaten there before.. perhaps when Mike and Bill were in a bowling tournament. To make a long story short.. we got our moneys worth-- Sat next to the piano player and ate in tune until I almost burst. Seriously --I had visions of that movie 7 deadly sins or something like that-- you know the one where the guy eats himself to death???
We did have a sad moment on our way home. We felt the need to go to the Williamsburg Pottery Factory-- once we found it we were shocked--it was pitiful! not the vibrant happening place we had been to years before. I was sad-- it smelled bad and where did the pottery go??? We wandered aisle after aisle from building to building... Only parted with $10 for a picture frame, mat and 3 elephant ear bulbs... Someone could have told us that the shopping Mecca formally known as the pottery factory was just about gone... I have been in dollar stores that were more fun! I guess some fond memories of the past should stay there and not tried to be relived...

BIG DAY

Today was a BIG day-- Amanda had her second interview at ICF in Vienna and then came out to visit me for lunch---and then we went over to the Bridal shop in Warrenton...... Shopping for a wedding dress was something that we both agreed was probably not something I would partake in. I have been party to many excursions for Prom dresses and none of those outings ever went really well for us. She is a shopper... a good shopper... I am not. She has style... I do not. She is a perfectionist-- I am not--But today was different. She was game for trying on every dress in the store. And to be honest even in the plainest dress she was the most beautiful bride. We agreed on sparkle, lace and embroidry-- we learned the difference between taffita and organdy and that every dress can be bustled many many different ways?

I refrained from pictures because you never know which one will be the one.

And we were soo good neither of us said a word about the girl who was in there looking for a bridesmaid dress with Camo trim.... I gotta say sometimes biting your tongue is hard.

Box Box Box

So as I put away the last of the christmas decorations the other day I had to manuver around these big ol boxes... and it dawned on me that this could very well be The year of the BOX--- The wedding is a year away and these big ol boxes came home with Mike the other day... more vases-- oh my-- where are we gonna store all this... and then in about 2 months we will have Amanda's apartment coming home... and then in 3 months Christopher has grand plans to move back home... hmmm 3 homes and 1 wedding in my house???? I'm thinking we set up a maze of boxes and charge admission???

Top 5 reasons we know spring is coming

Top 5 reasons we know spring is coming....

5. The frogs are back

4. Spring Back... longer daylight...no driving home in the dark

3. No mittens in the morning
2. I put away the last of the christmas decorations today
1. Madison has easter ribbon on

Got this in an email today... it made me smile.

So I got this not once but twice in my inbox today... and I must say that I enjoyed it so much that I read it both times---
If you have pets you probably have found yourself actually talking out loud and saying of few of these rules to them... especially about the stairs...

Pet Rules...

To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.

>> Dear Dog s, and Cats:
>>
>> The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The
>> other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a
>> paw print in the middle of my plate of food does not stake a claim
>> for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that
>> aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
>
>> The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.
>> Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't
>> help because I fall faster than you can run.>>
>>
>> I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry
>> about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to
>> ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball
>> when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each
>> other stretched out to the fullest extent pos sible. I also know
>> that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the
>> other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.
>>
>> For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If
>> by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut,
>> it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or
>> get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must
>> exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the
>> bathroom for years -- canine or feline attendance is not required.
>>
>> The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's
>> butt. I cannot stress this enough
>>
>> To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on
>> our front door:
>>
>> To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About O ur Pets:
>>
>> 1. They live here. You don't.
>>
>> 2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the
>> furniture. (That's why they call it 'fur'niture.)
>>
>> 3. I like my pets a lot better than I like some people.
>>
>> 4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted
>> son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't
>> speak clearly.
>>
>>
>> Remember:
>>
>> In many ways, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
>>
>> 1. Eat less.
>>
>> 2. Don't ask for money all the time.
>>
>> 3. Are easier to train.
>>
>> 4. Normally come when called.
>>
>> 5. Never ask to drive the car.
>>
>> 6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends.
>>
>> 7. Don't smoke or drink.
>>
>> 8. Don't have to buy the latest fashions.
>>
>> 9. Don't want to wear your clothes.
>>
>> 10. Don't need a 'gazillion' dollars for college.
>>
>> And finally:
>>
>> 11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

Spring is coming

Yes spring is coming and I have proof!! yea yea I know we have had a few warm days.. and even a few tulips are spouting up alittle greenery... but guess who's backkkkkk? My froggie friends!! that has to be a sign that spring is right around the corner right???

Home again...

We all made it home from Las Vegas in one piece-- Thank goodness for the long plane ride home Napping at its best! To say it was an exhausting trip is an understatement. Some of us (Christopher) didn't miss a beat in Vegas... and didn't sleep much either.. I think we calculated it out and he only got about 10 hours total-- and yes that includes sleeping in the car!

We got to see David and Summer while we were in town. He took us out to the Suncoast Casino our first night out. After feeding our faces (gotta love a buffet) we hit the floor-- the boys tried out the craps table while I stayed in the safe zone of the slot machines... We didn't win-- but we had fun...

The track was great! We had a great sunny day to hang out- shop- and tailgate (if you can call it tailgating when your in a rental car!) Sunscreen was a necessity-- I think that made it an even better day after the long cold days at home it was nice to feel the sun beating down on us.

We had incredible seats for the race.. turn four-- lots of action both days! And the view was incredible!

So many stories... hmmm what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.... I don't think so... or as Mike might have mentioned not if you have witnesses ..... stay tuned while I decide what stories to tell!

I know a little girl whose gonna be happy

So when Daddy says he's busy-- you just gotta believe him-- Right?? Certainly when he brings home unmarked boxes... I mean really he's a very very busy man.... no time to go visit wedding venues.. can't even make time to discuss a wedding.... but somehow in all the discussion he did hear... he did have time.... Our very first wedding purchase!!! Dad always comes through!! It's all becoming very clear now where my daughter got her shopping gene.... Can you say Daddy's little girl???

Still trying despertly to find the perfect venue.... I am at a loss as to why 4 walls and a dance floor are causing so much heartbreak... somewhere perfection comes in to play and I totally blame Mike for giving this gene to my daughter... She is worried that it won't be perfect and that others won't like it. Hog wash... I seriously beleive that once she walks in the room in her wonderful white dress with that big smile that we could be in a dank basement and no one would know... she's beautiful and she will light up any room we find...

Wedding Warriors

Another weekend out touring local wedding sites! After another little ice event on Friday we weren't sure what the rest of the weekend would bring but Mother Nature was on our side. Saturday the inlaws, newlyweds and myself treked out to the Barnes at Wolf Trap and then over to the officers club at Ft. Belvoir. Amanda's love for Wolf trap seemed to have wained but not her love for a wedding in a barn.. The officers club was very beautiful but from the look on her face it wasn't fitting her vision of "casual elegance". It was very formal and she felt out of place.. she's not military wasn't brought up military and has no frame of reference to the whole "on post- on base" mentality.

Not to be discouraged today we headed out to Bluemont-- to yet another Barn on a vineyard. The views were gorgeous, the barn was barny and the folks were very pleasant to work with. I think we found her a place with character, with an out of doors to match that is very casual but that she can put her spin of elegance on.

Movie time

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=ithct48cqw

Just watch and learn and I promise you will take something away from it

Just another day in paradise

Just another day in paradise... So Amanda will be in town tommorrow... and I felt a pressing need to get my hair cut BEFORE she got into town... its hard having a diva for a daughter.. without her I would probably wear sweatpants daily and bathe only once a week.... so before I got the look of "oh realllly" I decided to get a quick hair cut... (unfortunately not from "her girl"-- but it will have to do...) Once home of course Mike noticed (barely) which brought up the conversation that he too might want to think of cutting his locks.. HA! His hair usually has something to do with his mood.. which lately hasn't been all roses.. We forgive rather quickly though as its been a tough couple of weeks for us all at work. Physically things have been trying for him and then you add the stress of tight deadlines and lack of staff and well the grumpyness is hard to hide.. but I gently broch the subject that even if he is trying to go for the ZZTOP beard the hair could be cut... a quick NO shut me down leaving me with no alternative then to say that I guess we could live through the growing out phase.. until it was long enough for a ponytail. Again it was a quick NO... so no hair cut and no pony tail... is this a midlife crisis in the making? No panic here.. Amanda will be home tomorrow.. she has a way with making men get hair cuts... she has the tools to shame even the hardest into conforming....

And for those of you who are wondering what exactly goes through the mind of a bride to be.. just take a look at Amandas new blog...ABSENT NEARLYWED it might give you some insight on exactly what she is doing at college with all her free time... Its amazing what alittle love and alittle bling will do to do intelligent level headed girl!! But you know what? its alot more fun than I ever imagined.

I hate diets

Just a quick drive by posting.... After 5 weeks of steady dieting I am happy to report that I am 10 pounds lighter... but sadly I can't see any difference... so I must have really been struggling to get those jeans on... because they are still snug... my my does it ever get any easier??? Here's to another 5 weeks of torture... this time there better be some results I CAN SEE......
Ok I am off... a dinner of 2 eggs, 2 slices of cardboard-- I mean bread and 1 peice of bacon.... breakfast at dinner always one of my favorites.

taxes

Spent the day doing what our government should impose on white collar crime criminals... doing taxes... seriously doing taxes every year is like being punished over and over again. Being punished for working hard all year. Exactly how am I suppose to feel good about handing over my hard earned money when I see how they spend it???
Seriously can someone tell me what concern it is of government if a baseball player cheats? Since when is sports part of the government? Do they substitize it? Do I get free tickets because I am a tax payer? What did I --the taxpayer get out of congress holding hearings on Baseball cheaters? Will this stop the war? Will this ensure healthcare costs are lowered? Will this keep illegal immigrants from crossing our boarders? Hey will this raise social security?????
Maybe I am missing something?? I don't recall feeling the need for BIG BROTHER government to stick its nose into every facet of life...

Back to my taxes... did I finish ?? heck no... I gotta keep working on them to figure a way to get money back instead of writing that check.... But after spending 5 hours of my life (that I will never get back) I have decided to put that little project on hold-- heck April is a long way off right?

Got some spare change???

Ok so if you had some spare change-- what would you do with it??? throw it in a jar on the bedside table? Toss it in the bottom of your purse??
or hey do you really need that starbucks today??? I doubt it... instead I have not one but two great causes for you!

MS WALK 2008--
Click here Amanda's taking part in the MS Walk again this year down in Blacksburg and I know she would love to know you are supporting her and MS!

30 Hour Famine--
And Nick is taking part in the 30 Hour Famine (World Vision). To help stop Hunger. Email me and I can get you info on how to donate to his group.

Thats my PSA for the day... no you don't need BurgerKing, or 7-11 today... you need to GIVE to a worthy cause!!

ICE

Just another day of ice.... and sadly no power at our house for most of the day

Primary

Blustry cold and rain makes for ICE

Nothing like a bit of ice to make the ride home alittle more exciting. I guess commuting should have some sort of excitement to it.
Today is the "Potomac Primary" I can't wait to hear which politican uses the weather as an excuse.
My thoughts on our choices:
Hillary already admitted to running out of money in her campaign... if she can't budget her campaign do I want her touching our countries budget??? NO
Obama- I still haven't figured out where his experience at running a country comes from? As a senator from Il?? and anyone whose website starts with asking for my email address has a strike against him
Huckabee- Seriously with a name like that do I doubt that he thinks the polls are rigged- however his tough stance of illegal immigrants did make me take notice.
McCain- First off he was quite the handsome young man back in the day... as far as his politics I can't really figure out what he really stands for. Sure he's against pork barrel spending... but beyond that I get the feeling he's glossing over the topics telling me what I want to hear but not really saying what hes gonna do-- but the man does have a pig on the front of his senator web page... a bonus point for making me smile...

So with those thoughts layed out---
Are you scared yet??? because I'm not the only one who whose brain can't seem to wrap around all the political mumbo jumbo!! Its idots like me who are gonna elect one of these people into office.....who to vote for??? who knows-- we have a year to get it all sorted out... and we know they will all change their minds by then...

Barns

Another long day comes to a close. Today we visited Coomber Barn in Herndon. Its a renovated dairy farm from the 1900's that was transformed into a dance hall in the 1940's. Rustic charm is how it was described. Mike and I felt that perhaps the charm was more neglect and unimproved than charm- But not to discount it from list-- it is an affordable option that with right candle light and table clothes could actually be a delightful setting for a wedding.
Since we were in the neighborhood we swung by and visited Toni and Robin. Nick was working on a model car of some sort that Mike couldn't help take a look at. This was an impressive machine that just needed a few tweaks to get up and go... And of course Mike was itching to go to the hobby store to get those last parts needed. Thankfully we had other chores left in the day or I know he too would have had a play car by the end of the day...
Hey Hey-- it was the Budweiser shootout today--begining of NASCAR 70 laps of speed..... and like so many times before my driver Casey Mears showed promise only to end up in the middle of the pack... but hey infront of Mikes driver Clint Bowyer...
Christopher finally picked up his new glasses this weekend that he ordered months ago and Amanda had formals for her sorority-- tomorrow its laundry and vacuuming... oh boy.

Seek happiness

I try to stay away from the news, but this time of year you can't help but log alittle time watching our fellow Americans strut their stuff in hopes of becoming elected to the most powerful job in America. We seem to have a few heated debates in the office around election time. People are passionate about their views and I have come to realize that in life most people do not wish goodness or happiness on their fellow man.

Like the chicken and the egg--I am not sure which came first Political mudslinging and lies or the expectation that our government (fellow man) will lie. I have come to believe no one wants to see goodness or happiness. That people feel better if they can nitpick-- see the glass as half empty and assume the worst.

If you are striving for happiness, sunshine and goodness people don't know how to respond and find that instead of encouraging they feel its their job. no ! their duty to show you the half empty glass, to point out flaws and remind you that you can be just as miserable if only you followed their wisdom.

I have never thought of myself as someone who follows the crowd yet I have never been a trailblazer either. With every passing year my choices on life seem to sway more and more into a theory of goodness will prevail and if you aren't willing to seek happiness with me Fine But don't expect me to be miserable with you. Yes the rose colored glasses I choose to wear become darker and darker every year and I am ok with that.

Did I mention christopher was home this weekend??? hmm I did see him... we had a converstion about 1:30 in the morning... I couldn't sleep and he was up... strange life... maybe next time he's home I will see him in unvampire hours....

missing my madison

The house is quiet

Madison has gone back to college

She tells me she has worked hard and wants to get her degree and staying with grandma doesn't cut it

Its really quiet

I miss her bunches.

Mike says I need to get my own dog but I don't think you can replace a dog

I am really tired of looking for wedding venues... each time we think we have found the PERFECT place it seems there is something that just doesn't work

It shouldn't be this hard... too small, too big, restrictions, too much money... it should be easier.

Today Amanda visited the Barns of Wolf Trap. She loved it... it was big enough, it was nice, it had an outside that looked nice too.... but after she got home she read the fine print... the bar package... How much can you drink??? because apparently they think its alot more than I can afford!! Heck with wine at dinner its martini's all around!! Tomorrow I will call and be on my best behavior to beg for lower prices.... crossing my fingers...

I am taking any suggestions.... if you got them let me know.

check it off the list

Look what Grandpa did and I helped.... Mike has finished the interior of the Vette (for now) For christmas I got a BIG box with new carpeting and another box with a new steering wheel... and with alittle help from Madison (who as a rule is not allowed in the garage) Mike has installed both. The new steering wheel is wonderful!! shiney wood and chrome what more could a girl ask for? and the carpet ...let just say was needed long ago! Its a great feeling getting in and not seeing bare metal on the floorboards.. of course with Mike one project always leads to another so a new shifter boot, heater face plate were must haves too.... So whats next??? maybe he'll turn his attention to my "other" car sitting in the driveway just waiting for a facelift (and mechanical help)

where have I been

So its been over a week since I last graced you with my ramblings... where did the time go and what have I been doing???? I'm really not sure.... Last weekend Mike and I discussed where the wedding should be held and ended up driving driving driving... we visited VFW's, old courthouses, clubs and mansions.... he's a good sport and its nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of.

The rest of the week was a long long work week...we both saw lots of stress and pressure at work and it made for early nights and early mornings...

Madison got a bath this week (in prep for her Mom coming home) I know she had a bath because when I went to get in bed I noticed the sheets were wet on my side of the bed.... yea she likes to roll around to get dry, when I questioned Mike about it he mentioned I might not want to use my towel in the morning either.... seems she toweled herself off with it... numerous times.... hahaha

Christopher has been obessed with taxes this week. In shock he was at the amount of taxes our dear government "stole" from him this year... as a mom I feel his pain but as a fellow taxpayer I too feel cheated by the amount of taxes I fork over every week... So exactly which of our new canidates is going to fix this???? Hillary? Obama? Romney? McCain???

Amanda is sick again.. but this time shes not alone, seems that VT has an epidemic of some sort going on over 300 students a day trying to get in to see the medical staff... apparently the flu shots didn't work. She's home, shes medicated and hopefully it will leave as quick as it came.

She did venture out yesterday with Heather (her sister-in-law to be) to visit a few more wedding spots... today we will head out again and hopefully wrap up this venture.

So thats that--- hopefully next week I can get back on track.... I leave you with this--

No paper was harmed

No paper was harmed in the making of this layout. I am taking an advanced (what was I thinking?) class on photoshop and this was lesson one. Its hard to break old (bad) habits and use photoshop the correct way. Learning lots of cool stuff... clipping masks, brushes....

While its not the best composition I used what was required for lesson one (paper, tags, brushes, overlays etc) and I am happy with what I learned...

While I am enjoying what I am learning-- not thinking that I want to give up my paper and glue... definitely not as relaxing--I mean I spend all day on a computer --playing with my scrapbooks is an escape from that and this digital scrapbooking while interesting I can't imagine it become an obsession anytime soon.

Its been two weekends in a row without visitors. No Christopher and No Amanda.... After having the house full over the holidays its been nice to actually get something done. Mikes been busy busy working on the Corvetts interior and I am still plugging away at the houses interior. This past weekend was the day penciled in to work on Amandas room. Between holiday decorations getting dumped in there, ceramic tile being stored in there and assorted other things that just seemed to find their way in there it certainly wasn't looking like a guest room anymore but rather an extension of the basement.... Glad to say its done. done done.
I really want to spend some time in the coat closet, but I have such a problem letting go. Seriously there are coats in there from the 90's.... Maybe I can peak in there and tackle it this weekend?

A funny thing happened while making dinner.

Trying to eat healthier.. and having had more chicken than anyone needs to I decided to serve fish for dinner-- tilapia to be exact. I had bought a frozen bag of fish a few weeks ago but we never eat fish when Amandas home so it sat in the freezer....

Well I pulled it out of the freezer and imagine my surprise when I pulled this out!

Yes that would be fish... but I was thinking the bag contained fillets.... of ready to throw in the oven fish... you know fish. This is certainly a far cry from Mrs. Pauls fishsticks.... hmmm not knowing what to do --I played alittle , chased Madison with fish in hand, asked Mike if he wanted to kiss the fish... and then proceeded to run cold water over them to thaw them.... Preparation was beyond me... I threw some lemon pepper and ginger on them and shoved them in the oven... and called it dinner-

15 minutes later it looked done... so what is the protocal for whole fish... do you behead and betail before serving???? who knows... at our house since Mike didn't make a special request he got the whole darn thing...

Needless to say we picked at our dinner... and went to bed alittle hungrier than normal... Did I mention I am really a big fan of fish sticks???

Driving driving driving

Amanda is stuck in Blacksburg with her sorority recruitment duties and my job for the weekend was to check a few venues off the list. My trustee sidekick (the groom) and I headed out to Remington to visit The Inn at Kellys Ford. Even in the snow this was a lovely place. But it was so far out into the boonies that it immediately got a black mark in my book. And it was pricey-- very pricey. But it did have a lovely reception hall that could double as a ceromony spot if the weather didn't cooperate for an outdoor ceremony. Versitilty was the lesson of the day, keeping guests moving. With each spot visited I am learning something new.

Then it was on to the Regancy at Dominion Valley. Another country club that seemed to have good layout, multiple rooms and only one event per day. We added it to the list for Amanda to take a look at. Corey was a good sport through out it all but has already taken the stance that its all about the Bride.

Probably the hightlight of the day was stopping by the "new inlaws to be" to see Owen and Andrew. Coreys sister was in town and I hadn't seen the new baby yet!! Gotta love baby grins and pudgy cheeks. I observed something new today-- the old saying that Girls marry men like their daddys may be true but I have to add that boys marry girls like their sisters. Heather and Amanda could be twins... their personalities are soo alike. Same humor, Same converstions, same attitudes. After spending the afternoon with her I totally understand Amandas relationship with her and why they get along so well. I pity Corey as he will have a lifetime with these two scheming-- he doesn't stand a chance! Its nice knowing that we are merging families that can get along. Certainly a pleasant way to start off.