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.

Snow

They forecasted snow and low and behold it actually came. With a vengance I might add. While at work this morning we went from a 1 1/2 inch dusting to 6 inches in two hours... at that point I thought maybe I should go home... the long way.. all the way down to 66 and then back up to avoid all my backroads. Luckily we had less snow at home-- but still enough to make the forecasters smile.

Having Madison here in the snow is like having a small child around. Each time she goes out she adds to the pile of wet clothes... Seriously she has no hair and needs to wear a sweater or something when venturing out... the snow is deep enough to envelope her.

Mike is out paying for the wedding, I mean out plowing!! haha-- If your interested the new date is March 21 2009. But I wouldn't write that in ink just yet... as we still have not found a church or reception place yet.... And I am sure someone will tell her theres a reason not to have it that date... she is easily swayed at this point and I am just going with the flow.

WINNER

Picture from Carol's Blog

Some days its worth getting up in the morning... So glad I decided to check my email box!!!
Today I am the big winner!!
WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER <--- insert little dance here... I am an avid reader of Carol Wingerts blog and she had alittle giveaway recently.... And I am the WINNER!! Totally love her work, just recently (ok it was about 2 months ago) bought her book... and now I get one of her little peices of art... Very excited.

Makes me wanna go home and mess up my very clean scrap room and play with lots of glitter and glue!!

Quick update

Probably one of the most productive weekends I have had in a long time. Worked like a dog yesterday on putting away Christmas decorations and CLEANING... I even got the carpets cleaned-- no more puppy spots or muddy footprints. Totally exhausted by the end of the day and scary but my legs hurt too... way too much manual labor for one day for this girl. I managed to move some furniture too.. Nothing like starting the year out with a new look...

Today I ventured out of the house. Natalie and I hit the Bridal show at Heritage Hunt. Wow is all I can say. Weddings are big business.. It was a whole ball room of non stop shopping for everything wedding related. We walked in confused and left even more confused. But we have treats and business cards from everyone. Packing up a box of all the "stuff" for Amanda-- it will make good reading when she is bleary eyed from studing molocules or whatever it is she studies.

This week the cleanup continues.. the scraproom is high on the list... then into Amandas room which has turned into a mini dumping ground in the last few weeks... Sorry honey--I promise to make it back into a room that you don't need to crawl over boxes to get into!! I promise....

1, 2 and waiting for 3

Sometimes good news comes in twos--I'm hoping for threes....
Mike got the news today that he passed his "Manager" test that got sprung on him last minute at the end of the year for one of his customers. Nothing like having to study for something you already are/do for someone who has nothing to do with your daily business....
And Amanda learned yesterday that her Loreal internship will be credited towards her graduation. Meaning no more Biology classes needed. Thats certainly a big plus. Now she can play in Chemistry, Wine and Finance classes (yes she thinks Chemistry is fun)

Now looking for #3 to come along.. Doing the search for Wedding locations for first quarter 2009 -that is proving to be a challenge but Cinderella got a Carriage out of a pumpkin and I know that we can find a location. The guest list has been cut and cut.. its become a fun game...

Took the weekend off...

Had a three hour lunch with four of the coolest women I know. The moment I saw them at the table at Rio Grande today I realized how much I miss talking to them every day. The gals from my "old job" in Ashburn are so much fun and today was wonderful. We talked for three hours straight getting caught up on families, old co-workers, life... just good gossip. We have tried so many times in the last few months to schedule this and finally we just did it. As Martha would say "Its a good thing".

We had to go to plan C with Amanda's Binder. Got an email from the company I ordered from that said out of stock-- not coming back. UGHH so we hit the scrapping stash and made this: Must say we do like how this has turned out.

Mike and Kristi came over Saturday night for some Redskins fun-- too bad the skins didn't get the memo with FUN on it.... oh well.... but we did plan a Nascar weekend for March. And I picked Kristi's brain about wedding stuff.... Still no date but Amanda is leaning toward January 2009-- We did start the guest list... round one and there are way too many people... 182 to be exact... None of us knows 182 people so we don't know how that happened. And that was just off the top of our heads... SCARY-- Definately cutting that list WAY down.

The weekend went by way too fast and absolutley nothing was accomplished... Mike is my hero though he got the carpet steam cleaner fixed. Did I use it? nope... and honestly the thought of getting it done during the week isn't something I even want to think about. But with all the rain and puppies it needs it--BAD....

ohh well....

COLD

2008 has come in like a Lion-- bitter cold here and the wind is unbelieveable. Last night the Hottub cover blew open... we can only imagine what that will do to the electric bill.

I did alittle more of my MOB (Mother of the Bride) duties... worked on the "notebook". I have a game plan to complete this duty by this weekend and hopefully be back in Manda's good graces. I purchased divider tabs and pocket folders and found the cutest little sticky notes with her Inital on them- they will be going in this cute little bookPicture from Jennette's Blog

Tonight is the Big Game VT vs Kansas.... Lets GO HOKIES!!

Its a new year

Its a new year and I am trying to get organized. We did nothing for New Years Eve. Infact we were in bed by 10:30-- we did stay awake to see the new year in and then promptly fell asleep. But I did manage to fill a trashbag full of T-shirts and I also worked alittle on my closet and the pile that inevidably grows in front of it.

New Years always brings this bug in me to get organized-- New Year,New beginnings, Fresh Start etc. I think it probably has to do with looking around and seeing the aftermath of Christmas-- decorations, boxes, food that needs to be thrown away... Anyway I am making lists as fast as I check things off of them---
And then theres this wedding thing that my daughter says I need to get excited about and get involved with.... Ok I have added it to my list and even set up a folder on the computer... Check off getting involved.. another task done.