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...

Another Blacksburg weekend

Dead tired after this weekend!! Needless to say we had a good time. Amanda saw her first Nascar race--
To be remembered:
HEY NASCAR CHICKS
Where are the portapotties? and did you use the sanitizer??? (what sanitizer?)
The Band that came back to haunt Madison
Is that soccer player wearing bootie shorts?
Pretzels and hotdogs make it easy to make friends.
Scarves are making a comeback
Hello I'm handicap....
More Hokie Birds
Parades are more fun when you know someone in them

Mystery solved????

So possible the water leak has been found... the darn waterfall. Mike has rigged up a pipe to bypass the waterfall itself.. we will see where that takes us.
On another note I am feeling caught up with my scrapping projects.. sometimes it seems that I will always have more pictures than time.
Looking forward to seeing my girl for the Races on Sunday down in Martinsville. Alittle short track Nascar for those wondering. It will be Amandas first race and My second. Need to find a dog sitter still... Don't think Bonnie wants to vacation again soo soon! Ahh its only Tuesday still have alot of time left right???

Where does the water go?

Notice anything wrong with this picture??? Lack of water??? Yup woke up to hearing the pump running very loudly, no waterfall... upon closer inspection there was a distinct lack of water.. Fish are alittle unhappy and we get to spend the day investigating the cause of the measurable drop in water. One would think with that much water gone there would be a puddle somewhere???? nope...

Time to go back to work

A relaxing weekend of should have dones.. I should have gotten motivated and taken a few bags to the salvation army... I should have done alittle fall yard work.. I should have taken Amanda out shopping.. I should have sanded the wall alittle and started painting it.. but I did none of that. I scrapped alittle.. I watched TV.. I wondered from room to room.. I wasted a few days--- but I did enjoy having Amanda home. And Madison entertained me while Amanda studied things that I don't even pretend to understand anymore.Here she is... gotta love a child who lets you take practice taking pictures... lights not the best but the subject matter is perfect!

Surprise

Surprises are good... little surprises...big surprises.... its all good. After the week I have had at work coming home Friday night to find Amandas car in the driveway was a really good surprise-- A big surprise.. It never dawned on me that she would come home for her fall break (she has Monday off)--But it was a break from the norm that Mike and I needed too. We never even ate dinner... we sat in the living room catching up on gossip... giggling about life..and before we knew it was past midnight... Yes Friday was a good surprise
Being greeted by Madisons kisses, wiggling and snorts makes walking in the door a treat.
I had just seen Amanda last month-- but was amazed at how grown up she appeared. I could tell it had been a rough month for her. As she is so thin-- Unlike me stress makes her look good...she heads for the gym to abuse her body and stops eating and it showed in a way that would make others envious.. but makes me stop and wonder. She is so much like Mike in her drive for perfection--perfection in school and life--
I know over time she will find the balance-- but for now its up to Madison and I remind her to slow down and enjoy the surprises that life brings.

Fall is coming

So excited I got to wear my yellow boots today.. no it wasn't raining... but I needed to clean out the hot tub and those last few inches of water can be chilly in bare feet... so I donned the bright yellow boots and I must say my feet were happy!!

Its been a slow week.. one that seemed to drag on and on... Mike and I both dealt with fall allergies earlier in the week making breathing impossible and sleep hard to come by.. but now it seems to have passed. We took advantage of having nothing planned this weekend and slept in both Saturday and Sunday.

When I wasn't working I was doing research for our 25/50 Alaskan Cruise for next summer. My parents will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and Mike and I will be hitting 25 years-- Ever since I read < ALASKA by James Mitchner I have been intrigued by Alaska. Lots of very unique history and I can't wait to see the landscape...

Fall is coming-- the air has changed over to cool mornings.. cool evenings and unpredictible days. But today was nice-- warm sun-- we got a chance to do alittle yard work and start preparing for Winter.. While most of the flowers have stopped blooming These beauties are still going strong-- I totally love the contrast of the blue against all the green... And so does Mr. Wiggles