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...

 
 

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

So what have I been up to????

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

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

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

Dashing days

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

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

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

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

Graduation day 

Thats my son

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

Congratulations Christopher-- Today is your day!

Are they Genius or are we suckers?

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

Another week in review....

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

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