Another Weekend on the Water!!

Has it really been two weeks since I last blogged? I can't believe it! I chatted with a friend last week that I hadn't talked to in a while...she said she'd been busier than "a hooker with two beds". I almost spewed coffee all over the monitor when she said that but, OMG...I can soooooooo relate. I keep thinking that I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thinking that the weekend of June 3rd will be the last of the really busy weekends for a while...then something else pops up and just shows that that light at the end of the tunnel really isn't anything more than another oncoming train!! Right now, we're waiting to hear whether or not Josh will go to Cincinnatti the weekend of June 10th for a Regatta. There was talk about going if they qualified this weekend and that they did. Now it's a waiting game while the coaches and board discuss what they'll do now. Unfortunately, they tend to dangle the carrot and then yank it away when the rowers get close. It's what they did with Nationals...they talked it up all season long and then decided a few weeks before that we weren't going. Don't get me started on that one!

We spent most of our weekend in Tampa again, on the canal. This time for the SE Regionals. Alot of folks don't like this venue, but I really like that you can see almost the entire course, no matter where you sit...and with the boats going right in front of you to go to the start line, it sure makes for some fun pics!! And some good cheer for the boats too!

The coaches decided to race 4's for this race. They usually race 8's, with some 4's, but this time, we strictly raced 4's. Josh's boat was the "second 4" which was apparently like a Varsity B group. There were two freshman and two sophomores in this boat. Making it the only boat with underclassmen in this category. And...they took FIRST place...moving them into the finals later in the day...they ended up taking THIRD overall. It sure was exciting to watch that!! Oh, and the name of the boat that they won in????? EMILY...of course, Em thought that was sweeet!!!!

Boone had a few boats that did very well in the regionals. It's going to be interesting to see if they follow through and take these kids to Cincinnatti to race again. If not, we'll be Regatta Free till
October...when we head off to Chattanooga, TN for the "Head of the Hooch" Regatta.

Alex, Emily and I ended up driving home Saturday evening since Josh's boat wasn't in any of the Sunday races. I kind of wanted to stay in the hotel for the extra night, but I'm glad that we came home after all. I was able to sleep in for Mother's Day and ended up having a very relaxing day! Alex made me a yummy breakfast and then we watched Walk the Line together. (love Joaquin Phoenix!!) I sorted pics in Photoshop Elements all day and watched Yours Mine and Ours with the kids, later in the afternoon. It was definitely a LAZY day for me...but, I deserved that...I told Alex to treat me like the queen that I am...and he and the kids did just that! Gotta love it!

But...now...it's time to get a move on. I still need to unpack from the Tampa trip, catch up on laundry and work on Teacher gifts...the kids have just ONE WEEK left of school. YIKES!

I'd better get busy!!

Thanks for reading...and be sure to leave a comment so that I know that you're reading! :D

Pictures, a layout or two and a bit about the weekend...

I left on Friday to drive Josh and a couple of his team mates to Tampa for the Florida Scholar's Rowing Association Regatta this weekend. There were 40 teams competing at the Tampa By-Pass Canal near Brandon. We got over there around 2 on Friday, the teams all took a practice "run" or two and we headed to our hotel, then to dinner and back to the hotel for the night. We had to be up and in the lobby to eat a quick breakfast at 6am. Our school had it's first heat at 7:24am. YIKES!

The weather was pretty calm early in the morning but by mid morning, the winds had picked up. Thus making it a rather challenging day to row. Josh's boat wasn't racing till 1:08 originally but ended up not hitting the water till almost 2:00 due to the delays from the wind. These were the same kinds of wind we dealt with at the Hood Cup back in March...and then, the races got scratched. It would have really been a P.I.T.A had they cancelled any of the races on Saturday. The delays just caused us to be at the canal much longer than we'd planned to be. But...it was fun anyway. And I got some great shots too! Our tent was set up on the shore just past the finish line and the boats all passed just in front of us as they headed to the start line and then again as they finished and were heading back to the launch dock. Very very cool, IMO!

See how close I got??? These were taken as they were headed to the start line. Sure wish Josh would cut his hair and keep it cut. LOL

This picture was taken as Josh's boat was heading down the canal during their race. They finished 5th of 6...there's a story behind that one...but I won't get into it. Put it this way, another boat should not be able to stop the race if their seat happens to conveniently come off just after the start. Of course, the high winds didn't help at all either!
We got back around 10 pm Saturday night...I was absolutely exhausted and was sound asleep by 10:30. Only to sleep till after 11 on Sunday. I just could NOT wake up! Alex said it's because I get somewhat dehydrated when I'm out there all day like that. I drank water...but I really wanted to stay away from those porta potties as much as possible. YUCK! Being in the sun like that always wears me out though. It just takes so much outta me.

We have one more race this season. The Southeast Regionals are coming up the weekend of Mother's Day. Gotta love the sacrifices we make as moms! That regatta is also in Tampa. And its gonna be another long one! Let's hope for calm winds, lower than normal temps and of course, LOW HUMIDITY too! That's really not asking for much, is it?

21 days!!

I've decided, after OOOHING and AHHING over Michelle's entries for the last round, that I'm going to do the The {21} Challenge, Round 3. This time, Rhonna has chosen a word and we're to do our 21 days based on that word. The word couldn't be more fitting either...HABIT! And we've all heard that it takes 21 days to break (or make) a habit.
So...I've done my day one layout. (and am planning my day 2 layout too)
I found the quote on Two Peas and it just hit home so well. We all need the motivation to get us moving...but it IS the HABIT that will keep us going.
I leave in a month to go to Atlanta for Kyle's graduation from High School. How did I get old enough to have 2 HS grads??? Not to mention, a third well on his way now. Sheesh! Anyway, at the graduation, I will be seeing my ex husband, his wife and my ex in-laws. I think I was at my lowest in self esteem when I was married to my ex and really let myself go for a long time. When I went to Brooks' graduation a couple of years ago, I tried my best to look and feel good. I might not have been slim, but even with the extra weight that I had back then, I made sure that I felt GREAT. And I really think that I did. (and I even like the pics that were taken of me then too)
Now, with Kyle's graduation just around the corner, I've put on a few more pounds and am not feeling the best that I could feel. So, I'm setting a goal to get to the gym to work out, to eat better and be sure to take my vitamins. By doing The {21} Challenge right now, I think it's going to help me get to the point where I feel good about this trip...and can face those folks with my head held high and with my confidence beaming. I don't think the timing for this could be any better really.

Thanks, Rhonna!!! (and Michelle too, for trying to motivate me the last round)

Here we go again...

Started this post earlier today but it didn't seem to post..anyhow. I was in a hurry to get out of here this morning to take Sunny to the vet specialist on the other side of town. She's been limping on her hind left leg and I wanted to make sure there weren't any problems with her arthritis or anything like that. They did x-rays and said that there really hasn't been much change since her x-rays last year and that she's probably just a little sore from the hip arthritis. He did put her on a daily arthritis med, Deramaxx...instead of the Rimadyl that she was on occassionally before. I didn't like to give her the Rimadyl unless she was having a really bad day because it has been known to cause liver troubles. The Deramaxx doesn't have these liver issues and is supposed to be a little better. Here's hoping we can see a difference. I hate seeing her waddle the way she's been waddling. Of course, she HAS gained a few lbs since Koda moved in...I'll have to work on getting a few lbs off of her too.

I went to the Scrap retreat this past weekend. And man, what a great time I had! The gals from Club Scrap came to Kissimmee and put on one of their "rolling retreats". It was pretty much all inclusive...meals, workshops and make n takes...everything but the hotel room. But even that wasn't too bad cuz there were 8 of us that we split 3 rooms up with. We made a drop spine box, a ribbon bound 8x8 album, a beaded pendant and then did 10 layouts using one of their monthly kits. On top of all that, they had some really cool make n takes too. IT WAS AWESOME!!

We had open crop time both friday and saturday nights. I was happy to complete two complete two-page spreads and started on an altered composition book too. We stayed up each night till midnight and getting up to be downstairs for a 7am-9:30 am breakfast was TOUGH! (but we did it!)

I mentioned there was an open bar at dinner...well, that in itself was a riot. On Friday night, the bartender had a frosted bowl on the bar to be used for tips. Half the gals had been through the line already and he didn't have a buck in it yet. So...our table rallied together and put a few ones in there to get him started and he sure appreciated that. All I had was a $10 so he let me change it after a few bucks were in there and I left him another $3. Lets just say that he took good care of us BOTH nights! Each time I went to the bar, he gave me TWO Coronas. Not sure if he really thought that I was drinking them all...even I couldn't do that! As much as I love Corona! I was drinking one and sharing the other with someone else at our table. Saturday night there were quite a few Coronas consumed at our table...we even took a picture of the bottles. Nancy tried to make a pyramid with the bottles, but we decided that probably wasn't such a great idea. So we just stacked them like bowling pins instead.

As always, time spent with the Ya-Ya's was filled with laughter...and on more than one occassion, the laughter led to tears from laughing so hard. My friend Nancy Gr...is a HOOT! She's so full of energy and just has the absolute BEST sense of humor! I love that gal!

Oh, and I got to sleep on a SLEEP NUMBER BED! I was so excited...you know, it's the little things that thrill me. Darn it...forgot to take a picture of that though! Also forgot to take a picture of the bartender. Shoot! Oh well...I'll have to be sure to journal all about those things on my pages.

I came home to a happy family and a clean house...showed off my goodies to Alex and the kids and took a 3 hour nap...only to wake up long enough to eat dinner (that Alex made) and watch a quick 30 minutes of TV...then I was off to bed for the rest of the night. I felt so much better this morning, that's for sure!

I almost forgot to add that by the end of the weekend, I'd joined the Club Stamp club. So, now, beginning in May, I'll get a kit with a fun crafty project in it and a bunch of exclusive Club Scrap goodies too. I bought a few of the kits that they had for sale this weekend and can't wait to get unpacked and make some of these things. I want to finish the pages in the 8x8 album and I want to decorate the box too...maybe for a Mother's Day gift. First though, I will certainly have to get the stuff unpacked and then all put away and organized once again before I have room to do anything crafty in this scrap room.

I plan to scan and take some pictures of the goodies that we did this weekend. Once I get those done, I'll come back here and post them. But, for now...I'm headed into the pool with the rest of the crazy people in this house. The pool temp is already at 83*. I said I wouldn't get in till it was 86* but I think I can brave it to spend some good quality time with the family.

Until later...thanks for reading!

A cool challenge!!!

My friend Jessica Bolton, owner of Eclectic Scraps posted an awesome photo+scrap challenge on her blog today. I won't go into the details of the challenge...you'll have to go see for yourself! Just follow that link and you'll see what I'm talking about. And I challenge YOU to do her challenge too!

This is the layout that I created for that challenge. I took random shots around the house and then just took snip-its of each photo. In case you can't tell, there's a shot of my family room, crockpot, my van, a folded pile of laundry and a cluttered mess on my scrapdesk before I cleaned it up earlier. All things that have to do with "ME". I used Jessica's SIGNATURE kit, available at Eclectic Scraps and I used PSE 4.0. I'm pretty happy with the way this layout came together. It's nice to do a bit of digi scrapping again! (I hadn't been doing much of this since we took a hiatus over at Scrapforums)

Thanks for such a great challenge, Jess! I look forward to more of your challenges coming soon!

Chapter Closed...

Well, I gave it a shot...I taught scrapbook classes at the scrapbook store. Surprisingly enough, I LOVED to teach those classes. It was coming up with the ideas to teach that kicked my butt! I was finding it harder and harder to come up with stuff and finding that while I was putting so much thought into those ideas, the rest of my scrapping and projects were sitting untouched. I have been thinking about all of this since before my card class last week...but I finally talked to Liz about it on Friday. I just couldn't continue to beat myself up over it all. Liz was very understanding and said that she knew how hard it was...she said that I did a great job with the teaching end of things and that I was a very creative person...but that she understands that teaching isn't for everyone. I was very happy that she was so good about it all...I didn't want to burn any bridges with her or the store. I like Liz and her store is one of my favorites...and definitely the closest. I didn't want any of that to change, and it hasn't. Thank Goodness!

So that chapter in my life has been closed. I'm feeling a great sense of relief and can now put the time into the "funner" side of things again. Like my DT schtuff! I did TWO projects just last night for the Scrapforums DT. I'd had the sponsor stuff sitting here but didn't allow myself to play until I had my next class project completed. But...now that that's off my plate...I played with the Craft Diner stuff last night. I did this layout with LOTS of doodling...I just love my new Glaze pens and really really really want to get the Souffle set to go with them. (but I'm trying not to spend much till Vegas in June) I smeared my friend's face cuz I didn't know how she'd feel about me plastering her up all over the net. Oh, and the title was cut using my Wishblade. Have I mentioned how much I love that little machine????

This little notebook is the other thing that I did with the Craft Diner sponsor product. This was originally a $1 journal that I picked up at Michael's a while ago. I used the Craft Diner papers and altered it to make a fun little inspiration notebook. I think this one will go in my car for me to use when a thought hits, etc. I really enjoyed making this one! I love to alter stuff.
Brooks called me on Wednesday and asked if it was ok if he and his college roommate, Adam, came down for the weekend. This was a fun surprise and a much welcomed one! They got here Friday afternoon around 3:30 and will be leaving sometime today. We spent the day at Travel Country Outdoors yesterday (a few hours of it anyway). Brooks needs a backpack for his job this summer and wanted to be fitted properly for one. So we took care of that. It's been so nice just hanging out with them. Brooks is so busy with school and working these days that his visits are pretty few and far between. And Adam is a very nice young man...a great inspiration and role model for Brooks. It's been a great weekend!!

Well, I promised Brooks that I'd go to church with them this morning...so I'm off to get in the shower. We were supposed to go to the 8:30 service but we all overslept...oops. So we're off to the 10am service instead.

C R E A T I V E!!

That's what I was tonight. Even though I said I wasn't going to start anything till I had my room done, I had to make something for someone's b-day. Tomorrow is the birthday of the lady that helps in the kindergarten classes at Em's school and I volunteered to make her something. I had a journal that I picked up months ago, on clearance, at Michael's. It had been tossed in the "alterable items" cupboard and it was the first thing I thought to grab when I was thinking of what to make her. I thought about doing a card set or something, but decided that the journal would be more fun. I hope she likes it too!

This isn't the best scan but it was tough to scan it because it was so bulky.

The best part about this journal??? I actually used a bunch of the stuff that I bought at the Expo on Friday. That, in itself, is amazing. Most of the time, the stuff that I buy ends up sitting here and aging (like wine) before I use it. You know...I gotta give it time to mingle with the other stuff that's sitting here. LOL

I had to run a few errands today and while I was out, I picked up the Dyson Vacuum cleaner. Alex and I had been talking about getting one for some time now and he used the old Orek this weekend and told me today that I could go ahead and get the new vacuum whenever...that he thought the old one was a piece of "you know what". I needed to run out for a while anyway...why not get it today while I was out. AND...I had a 20% off coupon for Linens and Things too. They apparently used to list Dyson as one of the brands that the coupons couldn't be used for...but it wasn't listed on my coupon, so they took it. HAPPY DAY!!! I saved just over $100 on my new vacuum...I'm psyched!

I came home and of course, vacuumed the house...I was AMAZED at the amount of stuff that came up with that thing! Alex said that our bedroom carpet looked like it had been cleaned. I know it's sick to say that I think I'll enjoy vacuuming...but I think I will. Just to see that stuff in the barrel of that vacuum is incredible! I might just do it again tomorrow!

I took part of my savings and spent it at Target on a small computer cart that I'm going to use as an "island" type thing in the middle of my scrapbook room. I stand when I scrap and I think having the island there and being able to walk around full circle to grab stuff, will be perfect! This will also allow me to use the scrapdesk that I have now for more storage and stuff. I need to put the cart together...hopefully tomorrow.

I have my annual dr's appt tomorrow...oh boy. Love this time of year...NOT! Hoping to get a few things done before I have to leave...and of course, when I get back too. Will need to do a few cleaning things with the girls over at Scrapforums. If I don't post the cleaning thread and challenges, those girls will hunt me down, I'm sure. Tomorrow's early day for the kids though...I don't like that part of Wednesdays! It always throws me off and I never seem to get much done on Wednesdays. I guess I'll just need to try my best.

YIKES...it's already 12:25am. I'm up wayyyyyyyyyy past my bedtime! Nighty night!

Ooops, I did it again...

Neglected my poor blog once again. And man, have I heard about it! I've had THREE people remind me to update again...and that's just today. I figured I'd get in here and blog a bit before I head off to finish folding the latest load of laundry.

Last week is a complete and total blur! I was so busy, I wasn't sure if I was coming or going! I taught my card class on both Tuesday and Thursday at Memory Lane. This was supposed to be an easy class and was scheduled for 2 hours...it ended up going for 3 1/2 hours almost. This was the first time this had ever happened to me...I'm usually right on with my times...but man, I didn't think that class would ever end. I learned from that one and came home and cut everything for Thursday's class. The Thursday class took 2 1/2 hours but it was so much smoother and one lady even said that it was the "best class she'd ever taken". Brought tears to my eyes, LOL. I was really doubting myself at that point and her comment really made me feel good. I'm currently working on a cute little canvas/accordian book to be used as a teacher's gift. I have it started...need to get it finished and on display at the store.

On Friday, I went to the Scrapbook Expo at the Convention Center. I was supposed to go with Kerri but she had family coming into town and had to back out. She would have had fun though. Even though I spent WAYYYYY too much $$...I spent the ENTIRE day there...looking at almost every booth, buying fun stuff that I can't get locally and I even signed up and took a class. (taught by the very same girl that taught at Memory Lane last month that I loved so much)

So, I get to the Expo, go in, and decide to do the usual trek...down one row, back up, down the next...well, I should have known better than to start with the Embellish It booth...stocked full with the awesome new lines of Basic Grey and Bazzill. There went that chunk of change. Then, just across from THAT booth was the Rusty Pickle Booth...had to get some of their cool paper and of course, their very cool little mini books. Basic Grey and Rusty Pickle...yum!

I had read about Rhonna Farrer's awesome new stamps last week and knew that I'd be getting some of them as soon as I could find them in stores. Wasn't I the happy scrapper when I found them at the Expo!?! I grabbed up two sets of them and have them hanging right over my scrapdesk...waiting to be used. I figure, with them hanging there, I'll use them quicker than if I were to put them away.

On Saturday, I spent the entire day working on cleaning out the scrap room ONCE AGAIN. Kerri came over here a couple of months ago and we spent days working on micro organizing the little stuff. It took FOREVER but it was all pretty organized, I've got a place for everything now, but unfortunately, the places that I have for everything, are now busting at the seems and I'm once again running out of room. So I spent Saturday cleaning up in here a little bit and then yesterday I went through a bunch of stuff and pulled the things that I know will never get used. I'm going to donate it to a local charity that takes in troubled teens...I've heard they want to start a scrapbooking program for their teens and I think they'll be able to use the stickers, patterned paper and cardstock that I'm getting rid of. I'm hoping that this will help me to get some room back in here...and help me keep things organized. Cuz I can't stand the mess this room gets to be!

I have a few DT projects that I need to work on this week. I'm trying desperately to finish the cleaning out before I start on a page or two. I know that once I start on a page, the other stuff will once again fall to the back burner and it'll get piled up once again. I'm so inspired to get creative again...but I really do need to finish what I've started. I'll work on this sorting stuff tonight and see if I can't make a bigger dent. Then maybe I'll start scrapping tomorrow!

OK...there's a bit of an update. I'll try and post more this week. I'm sure if I don't post again, Erin or someone will bust my chops again. :)

I'm off to sort through patterned paper.

Time for an update...

My friend Erin reminded me that it was time to blog again. So here goes. Thanks Erin! Glad to know that some people actually read this crap. LOL

It's 8pm...I started this entry around 11 something this morning and am just now getting back to it. Whewwww!! It sure was a busy day!

As most of you know, this week has been Spring Break for my kiddos. Although I do enjoy having my kids home (most of the time), this week has been CRAZY. Trying to keep the place picked up has been a chore in itself. Although, today, both Josh and Emily kicked in to help me whip it all back into shape because Josh has his Crew team over to watch movies, eat pizza and maybe play a bit of Texas Hold 'Em.

So far, we have seven of them here...we're expecting at least a couple of others. They've made themselves comfy on the couches in the family room and have a movie playing while they eat pizza. I'm so happy that Josh has a circle of friends to hang out with and do stuff with. They're all pretty good kids too, so that makes it twice as nice. (Josh is usually the one to stay at home and not seek out things to do with friends...he was so excited to have everyone over here tonight)

I took two classes at the LSS here this week! TWO! Two classes that I wasn't teaching! The first one was taught by a girl that designs for Prima. We did a scrapbook page and used burlap, rocks, crystal lacquer...all sorts of things. She had it as a beach layout but I was in a hurry and just found a photo of Josh and Emily that I liked and took it with me. You can see my version of that layout here...Embrace Life. All credit goes to Michelle Van Etten though...she taught this class.

The next class was a very cool mini album made using the new "Girlfriends" line by Rusty Pickle. This class was taught by Diana McGraw. She's a designer and rep for Rusty Pickle and was an amazing instructor. We made a 12 page accordian book and I love this little book. I was so inspired by her, I came home and looked at her gallery at the veggie bucket and spent hours looking through the galleries over there. She's teaching at the Expo here in a couple of weeks...there are a few Rusty Pickle classes and I'm not sure which one she'll be teaching. But, I'm seriously thinking about taking a class there of hers...or at least stopping in to say "HI".

While the gang's watching movies in the other room, I'm thinking of taking the laptop out to the backporch and digi scrapping for a while. I've got a couple of DT things coming due on the 1st of April. Might as well crank them out while I don't have anything else to do, right? I thought about working on cleaning up the scraproom while I watch my own movie in here, but...I think I'd rather chill on the new back porch with a Corona and the laptop.

Almost time for yet another pizza to come out of the oven...this will be #4. These boys can eat!

Happy Friday...enjoy your weekend!

BUNCO, CREW and more.

The kids started their Spring Break yesterday and don't return to school again till the 20th of March. I can't believe that we're headed into the LAST 9 weeks of school already. Josh will no longer be a FRESHMAN (he says, thank goodness) and Emily won't be in Kindergarten anymore. Another case of time flying...that's for sure.

I started the weekend off with BUNCO with Kris and a few others in our Bunco group. I haven't been to Bunco since before Christmas. I'm not sure exactly WHY I haven't been able to go, but things have come up along the way. After I said I'd be there, I thought seriously about backing out again at the last minute. The thought of being out late, drinking and having a few laughs with the girls and then getting up and being at the lake for Josh's regatta at 6:30 this morning, didn't appeal to me in the slightest. But, Josh found a ride to the regatta and that gave me a chance to sleep a bit later.

Josh called at 7 something to tell me his schedule for the day. He said they were racing the Freshman 4 boat first but that I didn't need to be there because he thought they'd get spanked. The next two races that he was in weren't till after lunch so Em and I headed out to breakfast and then went to the lake right at about noon. As it turned out, the coach changed the line up for that first 4 man boat and they ended up taking 3rd place for the race that I missed. Darn it...I hate missing stuff like that...I was there for the final two races though. The Novice 8 boat took 2nd place and the Freshman 8 boat took 4th. Josh ended up coming home with a silver and a bronze medal. That makes a total of 3 medals now. Pretty cool, in my opinion!! Here's a pic of his boat coming in second...not a good shot in the blog, but it'll make a great print, full size. Emily and I walked to the finish line to get a few pics and while over that way, we walked further to the playground that they have there too. It gave Emily something to do for a little while. And of course, I had my camera with me so why not take a shot or two of Em while I was at it. This was one of my favorite shots...look at that hair! (and the lack of teeth, LOL) She had such a great time on the slides and didn't believe that her hair did that when she came down. Now I have a picture to prove it. She also thought it was funny to shock me as she came off the slide too. Rotten kid!!

Well, that's about all that I've got to tell about today. After being up late last night and spending the day in the sun today, we're all about ready for bed. Actually, I think Josh has beaten us to it. He's already snoring, I think. Emily is her usual "fighting bedtime" self...she won't give up till I join her. Since Alex is camping with the boy scouts, Em likes to sleep with me...and won't go to sleep till I come in there too. I swear that child is SPOILED ROTTEN!

Till next time...

Thursday again??

Another week almost finished! I've been saying all week that I wanted to get over here to blog. And here I am...not a month later, as usual. I'm trying to do better with this. But sometimes there's just nothing exciting to blog about.

Tuesday was Emily's kindergarten program. They sang songs about growing up and being what you want to be...no matter what it might be. Some might look at some of the songs as being sexist, but they're just in kindergarten...and I thought the program was adorable. Emily's class did a song about sailors and sailing the deep blue sea...the boys wore sailor caps and talked about swabbing the decks, etc...the girls wore hula skirts and bathing suits and sang about sailing the ocean only if the boat was a yacht and that the boys could swab the decks but the girls would rather be getting tans. They had fun singing and that's all that counts, right? I took TONS of pictures, of course...and will get them into layouts and shared on here soon. (I hope)

I'm working on my next class layout for Memory Lane. I'm doing a card class on the 21st and 23rd. We'll be making 10 different cards using ONE sheet of 12x12 patterned paper and coordinating cardstock. I have half of them complete...just need to add the last bits and pieces to the last of them. I'm on my way up to have lunch with Emily in a few and then off to Memory Lane after that...to finish them and get them on display.

Spring Break starts tomorrow for us. Geez!!! I think it's a bit too early...considering it's not even "SPRING" yet. I mean, I know we're in Florida and it "FEELS" like Spring...but Easter is still a month away. And whatever happened to tieing Spring Break in with the Easter weekend anyway? Oh well...my complaining never seems to get the dates changed so I guess I'll quit my bitching and try to enjoy the next week with my kiddos home. Well, Em will be home with me...Josh has Crew practice just about every day next week...and that will take up almost all of his day each day. Maybe Em and I will go to Sea World or make a trip over to see the famous Mouse. We really should take advantage of those annual passes that we have.

Josh has a big Regatta this weekend. We have to be at the lake at 6:45 in the morning. This one is for medals too! I sure hope his boat can row as well as they did last weekend. They'll come home with medals for sure if they can keep that up!

Well, time for me to head off to lunch at the elementary school. I hope to get my scraproom picked up a little bit when I get home...I'm really itching to do a layout or two. But with me just dumping the tote bag in the middle of the floor...I'd better get stuff picked up and re-organized a bit first.

Ahhh...the story of my life!

Good Monday Morning!!

Here it is...the start of a fresh week. I got another good night's sleep last night and I'm feeling good! Just posted the cleaning threads over at Scrapforums. I've changed things up a little bit and am making it a little more worth doing...we'll tally points now and earn entries for a fun RAK at the end of the month. I'm looking forward to seeing how many folks we can get in there and participate. I'm hoping that it will also motivate me to keep going and get done what I need to get done.

Miss Emily lost yet another tooth last night. This makes #5 already. I knew it was a little loose but we weren't making a big deal out of it because she's already missing her two front top ones. The bottom two front ones have come back in and now she's lost the one little one to the left of the two bottom front ones. She looks so stinking cute! And of course, she was THRILLED to have the tooth fairy coming once again! Of course, the tooth fairy is going broke with all these teeth coming out one right after another. LOL

I've got a few things planned for today...nothing fancy or exciting really...just want to get the house back in shape, unpack all the stuff in my XXL that I still haven't unpacked from the PMA trade show last week, catch up on a few more loads of laundry, pack up my technique swap that I did for the Shaker Box (it's late...darn it) and sort the card swap that I hostessed at Scrapforums. (I should get the last set of those cards in today's mail). I also need to get up to Memory Lane and finish the cards for the card class that I'm teaching there on the 21st and 23rd.

I guess I should get up from here for now and make this a somewhat productive day, huh?

And sleep is what I got!!!

I ended up going to Josh's meet yesterday. And I'm so happy that I did. His Novice 8 boat took 1st place out of 5 and won by 2 boat lengths. It was great to see them cross the finish line above and beyond everyone else. I would have really felt awful had I missed that.

On the way home, I stopped and picked up subs for us and we all sat outside on the new patio set and ate our late lunch. This was actually the first time we've done this as a family since the pool was finished. Alex and I both agreed that life could be a lot worse and that it was so nice to be able to do that. After we finished eating, I decided it was time for the nap that I'd been wishing for since I woke up yesterday morning. That was at about 3:30 yesterday afternoon.

Sometime around 8pm, I woke up...only long enough to get some water and snuggle with Emily while she watched some Nickelodeon next to me. At 9:30, we turned the TV and the lights off and went to sleep together for the night. I figured that with that forever long nap, I'd be up at 3am and not be able to go back to sleep. WRONG! Alex woke me around 8 something this morning and told me that I'd slept long enough. LOL

I guess I really needed to catch up on my sleep, huh?

Today, I've been putzing around the house...cleaned up some of the mess from Friday night's crop. Ran the dishwasher with the first load. There are a few other dishes that still need to be washed. I need to get my stuff up from the kitchen table and the signs of the crop will be gone. I've also been doing a few loads of laundry today...in hopes of getting it all caught up again.

Emily wants to go swimming...she's already in her bathing suit. Alex told her to be patient and he'd go in with her later. I think he's going to regret that...the water is only 68*. Brrrrrrrrrrr....NOT ME! Not till the water temp is around 86. Still a ways to go for me!

Time to fold the whites and start another load of laundry. Maybe I'll come in here and straighten up the scraproom a bit in a little while. I've got a couple of Netflix movies here that I could watch while I do that.

Yeah, that's the plan...off to do the laundry now.

Oh, and thanks for the comments, Stacie!! Love knowing that someone is actually reading my random crap!! ;)

Sleep!!

I just wanna sleep...just climb back in bed and sleep. Just a few more hours...PLEASE?! I type this as Emily is in the background making some siren type noise...playing with the dog. Alex and Josh have gone to Josh's meet. I thought I'd be able to stay here and go back to sleep but Emily just came to me and asked when we were going to the lake. I JUST WANT TO GO BACK TO SLEEP!!

It was a busy week, yes...but staying up with the girls and scrapping last night probably adds to the need for more sleep. I think it was almost 2:30am when I finally went to bed. It was a fun night...we had 16 of the 17 gals in our group. It's been a long time since we've had THAT MANY of us be able to make it to a monthly crop...but it's been even longer since we scrapped that much. Just about everyone here last night was scrapping! It was awesome!

I just mentioned to Emily that I wanted to go back to sleep and that we'd miss Josh's meet this week and she whined "Nooooooooooooo". Darn it!

Guess I should get in the shower and get ready to go. I'll be taking a nap as soon as I get back...you can bet on that!

Cleaning!!!

That's what I did for the day. I scrubbed both bathrooms really well, stripped our bed and washed the sheets and put them back on there. I got Alex's den picked up and vacuumed up the chewed up wooden ruler, compliments of Koda. I'm going to dust my bedroom and run a quick vacuum and that'll be the extent of my cleaning for today. I have to get ready to go to the LSS and get ready for my class from 6-8.

I did call around to the Target Stores in the area to find the patio furniture set that I want. Everyone had the 4 piece set but I wanted the end table and ottoman to go with it and I was having a tough time finding the Ottoman. Luckily, the store at Waterford has all of it. They're holding it for me. I was going to run and pick it up when I got the kids from school, but decided not to rush it and be late for my class. Instead, I came back here and worked on getting a few more things cleaned.

WOW, two days in a row that I've blogged. Can you believe it, Stacie??? :D

Oh, and I did manage to get a good night's sleep last night too! Ahhhh...it felt so good! Hoping for another one tonight!

Hey Stacie...this is for you!!

Stacie must be the only one that truly loves me. She's the only one that leaves me comments to remind me of how long its been since I've blogged. At least I know that someone IS actually reading this silly thing. Thanks Stacie...love ya Chica!!

OK...we'll start off with what I've been doing for the past two days. I was invited to go to the PMA (Photo Marketing Assoc.) Convention and Trade show to SCRAPBOOK...of all things! The Scrapbooking Industry is trying to inch their way into the photo industry because well...they just go hand in hand together...bottom line! And they were looking for a couple of scrappers to come down there and just SCRAPBOOK to show how it's done. So...for the past two days, that's where I've been (along with my cool friend Kerri too). Scrapping, meeting and chatting with so many fantasticly fun folks. I managed to get 3 pages done and came home with some really fun product too. It was so much fun and made me think that I'd really like to get into the scrapping industry...more than just teaching or creating pages for other folks. I think my ideal job would be a buyer for a scrapbook store/chain. I love keeping up with the industry and read the websites and stuff about what people like to see...I could shop to stock scrap stores and spend someone else's money doing it! I think that would be an awesome job! Hmmmm...how would one find a job like that anyway??

The pool is COMPLETE! Still a few little things that need to be taken care of, but they're just the little things that only "WE" know need to be changed. Of course, the water temps are way too low for ME right now. I think the floating shark thermometer read 68* today. Only about 20* more and I'll be ready to swim. Emily doesn't seem to mind the cold water. She's already been in the pool on three different ocassions. The nut!

I have my Disney layout class to teach tomorrow evening at Memory Lane. This is a repeat of a class that I did last month. There were a few people interested in an evening class, so we decided to go with that. My next class isn't till the 21st and 23rd. I'll be teaching a card class. My first one since beginning to teach there. I hope there's a good turnout for those two dates. I guess I should get going on the cards and get them on display soon! Maybe that's what I'll work on Friday night.

My scrapping buds are coming HERE on Friday night for our monthly gathering. I'd love to say our "monthly crop" however, we usually end up "gathering", eating, laughing, drinking and laughing some more. We have gotten a little better with the scrapping lately...maybe we can say this is the beginning of getting back down to business. It'll be nice to have my buds over for a party...its always so much fun when we get together and most of them haven't seen a lot of the work that we've done to the house in a while.

Since I've been gone most of this week and I'm having company over...I need to really bust my tail tomorrow and Friday to whip the place back in shape. Things are looking a bit untidy and cluttered right now...need to work on that, BIG TIME!

So, with that...I'm headed to bed. Going to get my good 8 hours of sleep in tonight and get up early and GET BUSY! Hopefully some of my challenge partners will join me. **wink**

Night!

SLACKING!!!

Stacie commented on my last entry and said that I'm a slacker. I think she means that I'm slacking on the blog thing...and yes, I am! I am sooooooo horrible at keeping up with blog entries...both adding to mine AND reading others. Can't really blame it on not having enough computer time...cuz I think I spend too much time on the computer already. Just not doing the things that I necessarily SHOULD be doing, like blogging and digi scrapping.

Stacie...for you...I will try to do better, chica!! ;)

Gotta get some stuff done around the house today though. Having a little pot luck over here tonight and since I shopped with Kerri all day yesterday and was a lazy bum the day before, I've got a bit of catching up to do today. Plus, I promised I'd have lunch with Emily today. A mom's job is never done!

Another weekend...

Man, what a day yesterday was. DH and I were extremely tense and ended up snapping at each other yesterday afternoon. He'd been a little snippy at the kids and then mentioned something about needing to get the place cleaned up because it was getting to him. ANYTIME he mentions anything about the house being a mess, I tend to take it extremely personal. I probably shouldn't take it personally, but I do...sometimes I feel as if I'm being pulled into 50 different directions, being asked to do this or that...taking me away from what I "should" be doing. Can you call this person? Will you do this for me today?? I need you to do me a favor??? Sometimes I feel like I get taken advantage of...like everyone needs MY help...but that I need to scream and yell or beg and plead to get anyone to "help" me if I fall behind.

We all cleaned the house in our fit of anger...we cracked the proverbial whips and even had the kids cleaning up. Emily is a SLOB! No matter what she's doing, or where...something gets left wherever she was. You can always tell whether Emily's been in the room. Blankets get left on the floor. Clothes laying all over. EVERYWHERE! We had a long discussion with her about this too. I have to really get onto her about this and maybe increase her chores to help a bit more around here. She doesn't really do much of anything. THIS WILL CHANGE!!!

DH and I ended up running a few errands last night together and talked things through. Glad to get it off of our chests...that's for sure! We both agreed that we need to start spending more time with the kids...he really needs to show DD a lot more attention than he does.

Today, we all kicked in and picked up the front yard. Since they started the pool, we haven't been running the sprinklers because the pipes are broken in the back. The weeds were taking over the front yard terribly! We all worked together and were able to get it looking decent before 1. Plenty of time now to head off to the park or do whatever it is we're going to do.

Oh, DH got my computer all hooked up yesterday. We're a little concerned about the docking station...we got a laptop this time so that I can take it with me if I want/need to. (to the condo, etc) Anyway, the laptop doesn't dock right up to the docking station...it connects through a USB. This means that everything else that I have...my printer, scanner, hotsync cradle, card reader...everything else needs to be hooked up through a USB hub. We got the high speed hubs and everything is connected...but, my mouse is being whompy now anytime I go to the web. Just a slight delay really...but a delay nonetheless. I think I might need to call Dell this week and see if we did this the right way. I will be very frustrated if I have to wait for every little step...the computer is a monster and shouldn't be slow AT ALL.

OK...em's here and ready to head to the park. I'd better get on with things. I want to come home and play with my Wishblade...but will need to pick up the scraproom a little bit before I can play. While cleaning yesterday, things got dumped in here...stuff that nobody knows what to do with or stuff that nobody cares to deal with. Just put it in Mom's room...SHE'LL take care of it.

WHATEVER!

Stacie wants to know...

I haven't gotten up since my last post...oops...sitting here enjoying my Caramel Dolce latte from Starbucks...surfing the net...checking e-mail. I went ahead and checked Stacie's blog to find out what I'd been tagged to do. This is my second post for the day, so if you're interested, scroll down and read my last entry too.

Here goes my tag stuff...

Most recent...

Music downloads: I don't have an MP3 player at this time, so I don't d/l music. Most of my downloads these days are of digi scrapping kits. I leave the music d/l to DS and DH...they've both got the Ipods. For me, music is usually listened to on either Yahoo Messenger music or I've got the TV's on the digital music channel that plays the PARTY FAVORITES. Stuff from the 70's, 80's and 90's. Party stuff from my day...not today's party stuff. LOVE that station!!!! Told ya I was a dork!!

Audiobooks: I haven't listened to an audio book in a long time. I usually like to listen to them when I'm going to be in the car for a long period of time...especially when I'm by myself. I don't go very far in the car anymore though. And if I do, I'm usually not alone.

Videogames: Again, not a big thing for me. Sometimes I'll play Galaga or the Barbie game on the PS2 with the Emily and if I get really bored, I'll play JewelQuest on Yahoo Games. But other than that...nothing. Oh, we got Scene It for Christmas...we've played it a few times lately. Does that count??

Books: I'm currently reading VANISHING ACT by Jodi Picoult. A very good book, IMO...only the second book I've read by her. The first being MY SISTER'S KEEPER. Liz at Memory Lane says that all of Jodi Picoult's books are good. Before this book, I read AT FIRST SIGHT by Nicholas Sparks. It was good too...but I didn't see the ending coming...that's for sure. Alex just finished reading THE DAVINCI CODE and said that he thinks I might like it. I'll try and start it next.

Movies: Haven't seen many movies in the theater lately but I love NETFLIX!!! I just watched Monster In Law, Bewitched and Must Love Dogs. They were all three excellent movies, IMO...and they're headed back to Netflix today. Not sure what's in the queue next.

Television: During the day, if I'm not listening to the music channel on TV, I usually have the TV tuned into either TLC, HGTV or the Food Network. In the evenings, I enjoy the Bachelor, Survivor, The Biggest Loser, Wife Swap, Super Nanny and Lost. I never thought I'd be a reality TV junkie. LOL! My favorite Sit-Coms are King of Queens (so much like Alex and I), My Name is Earl and Yes, Dear. Most of the TV shows that I like get recorded with the DVR and I find myself watching them while folding laundry during the day. And fast forwarding through the commercials too.

Tag: Ummmm...I'll tag Kerri, Jess and Kristin

January 23rd...already???

Here we go again...time is flying again! Wasn't it just New Year's Eve???? It can't possibly be almost the end of January already. HOLY MOLY...I think I need to slow down a little bit...breathe...take everything in and cherish every possible moment. Time is just getting a little too fast for me. YIKES!!!

OK...so I said I'd do better with the blog thing this year. I'm really starting this one off good, huh? Sheesh, January 5th was my last entry. Ooops...and Stacie tells me that I've been tagged again. Better go check out her blog and see what fun I've got waiting for me over there.

So far this month, I've...

Taught the calendar clipboard class at Memory Lane...TWICE. Had a good time with both classes and am gearing up for my Mini Love book class this Thursday and then again next Tuesday. I'm working on a Disney layout and another two page layout for the month of February.

My friend Kerri came over here for three days in a row and we spent HOURS cleaning my scraproom. We sorted embellishments by color, put stuff in bins and flat out re-organized my room. I was so happy to get it done! I've got a few things left on the dining room table that need to be sorted and moved in here. I'm sure Alex is tired of looking at it. Most of it is stuff that I'm not keeping...but I need to sort it and decide if it's giveaway stuff or stuff that I want to try to sell on Ebay.

Kerri came back over this past Saturday and we scrapped ALL DAY and into the night. I think she left sometime around midnight. We actually scrapped in my newly organized scraproom too. I never have room to set up another table to have someone else scrap in here with me...but this time, I DID!!! It was GREAT! And to top it off...we actually scrapped too!!! I got 3 pages and a card done and Kerri did like SIX pages. We watched movies and took a break to eat dinner from Firehouse Subs too. YUM!!

My computer died earlier in the month. Alex and I had talked about getting a new system for me but I didn't really want to spend the money. Well...the hard drive finally gave up and left us no choice. Alex went to Dell and put together a pretty nice system for me...one that is basically set up for doing the digi photo stuff that I like to do. AND...we got a laptop this time, with a docking station, monitor and keyboard...I can use it at home like a regular PC but can take it with me when I go to the condo, etc. It's here and set up, but we're waiting for the docking station to get here before we hook up the printer, scanner, etc. to it. At least I'm online though...I'm a happy girl! Going to install my PSE 4.0 today!

I've also started doing the cleaning challenges over at Scrapforums, this month. Each day, I share a list of daily chores that should be done each day and then a list of extras that should be done that day. I've gotten some pretty good feedback on those challenges and it's certainly helping me stay on top of things. I'm finally almost to the point where things are looking good almost every day!

The pool is just about finished!!!!! Actually...the pool itself is done, there's water in it and the pump is running...the water's cold, but that didn't stop Emily. She actually went swimming yesterday AND the day before. They did the clean up of the yard and the fence goes back up on Wednesday. I can't wait to be able to let the dogs out and not have to worry about Koda taking off over the temporary fence anymore. I'm so ready to have my backyard back. I'm tired of looking at the dirt instead of the grass. The landscape guy comes today to measure for the sod...the screen goes up around the pool sometime this week and then we need one final coat on the deck...and we're DONE!!!! Woo hoo!

I think those are the highlights of the month...I'm off for now to get some work done and then to check and see what Stacie tagged me with this time. :D

Oh, and don't forget to enter the FUNK IT UP contest at Scrapforums too!!! We're taking entries for the audition round till the 27th...better get over there and get those layouts uploaded! The winner is going to walk away with over $300 worth of prizes!!! Get in there while you can!

Thanks for reading!

Tag I'm it!!!!

My friend Stacie tagged me...hehehehehehe...(I'm a dork!!) Here goes...

2 names you go by: Mom and Niecy
2 parts of your heritage: English and German
2 things that scare you: SNAKES and anything happening to one of my kids.
2 things you are wearing right now: My cool hairclip that's made for "thick hair" and holds my hair up nicely...and my white Keds. (boring, huh??)
2 of your favorite bands or musical artists (at the moment): Ummmm...Toby Keith and Carly Simon (CD I got for Christmas...told ya I'm a dork!)
2 favorite songs (at the moment): Jesse (Carly Simon CD, LOL) and ummmm...can't think right now.
2things you want in a relationship (other than real love): honestly and loyalty
2 truths: I love to have a clean house, all the time and it drives me crazy that it can't seem to get that way anymore...and I would do almost anything for anyone. All ya gotta do is ask. (I said almost anything :D)
2 physical things that appeal to you (in the opposite sex): Blue Eyes and a cute butt.
2 of your favorite hobbies: photography and scrapbooking (shockers, huh?)2 things you want really badly: For my pool to be finished and for DH to get the promotion that he soooooooooooo deserves at work. (without having to move to another company)
2 places you want to go on vacation: Hawaii and Australia
2 things you want to do before you die: See my kids grow into happy, healthy and successful adults and go back to London with my oldest two. (they were born there and I'd love to take them back)
2 ways that you are stereotypically a dude/chick: I cry at sappy movies and my moods can swing with the best of them!!
2things you are thinking about now: I really need to get my DT stuff done for Eclectic Scraps and it's getting close to bedtime.
2 stores you shop at: Memory Lane Orlando and Target
3 people you would like to see take the quiz? Ummmmm...I don't of anyone that HASN'T already been tagged. If you read this and haven't been tagged, leave me a comment and I'll tag ya. LOL

Oh, and don't forget about the contest at Scrapforums!!!! See my last blog entry!

Back in the swing of things!!!

Ahhhh...the kids are back in school, I've had a day of rest and now I'm getting in gear again. My house is looking good today and the laundry's getting done. I have a couple of things that I'd like to do for Eclectic Scraps. I've got DT stuff due there and have really been anxious to play with Jess's new kit. I think her stuff ROCKS!

I have a dr's appt this afternoon. I've been fighting a cough for the past week. I can't really say it's a cold because I'm not congested and I really do feel ok. I was really sleepy on Tuesday but that seems to have passed too. (I could always take a nap, given the chance) I'm going to go to the dr today just to make sure there's nothing in the lungs that needs help getting out. I can't stand coughing the way I've been coughing!!

Oh, and I think I need to mention the FUNK IT UP contest at Scrapforums!! We're accepting layouts for the audition round over there now and man, there have been some really awesome layouts uploaded already. Get over there and enter before the end of the month. We're going to vote on the 27th and the top 30 will move on to Round 1. Oh, and can't forget to mention that we have over $300 in prizes to give away too. The grand prize scrapper will be crowned the QUEEN OF FUNK and will win a HUGE goodie box put together with a ton of sponsor goodies and each of the other 29 will get goodies too. So whatcha waiting for???? Get over there and upload your layouts in the FUNK IT UP GALLERY! I know ya wanna play!!

A NEW YEAR...

***Another week+ has gone by...alot to mention...this is a long one!!!!***

WOW...2006...already? I remember years ago, not believing that it was the year 2000...and now it's SIX YEARS LATER...already! I think I need to slow down a bit...take things in a bit more...appreciate "time" a little better.

Our Christmas day was nice and quiet. I don't like going anywhere on Christmas Day. Since I've had children of my own, I like to stay home, in my jammies all day (if I desire) and just plain relax. This year, the kids were up before 6:30 and so excited to see what Santa brought. Josh doesn't believe anymore but he's such a sport about not blowing it for Emily. She was so fun to watch that morning and was especially fond of the note that Santa left for her, thanking her for the milk and cookies and reminding her to be good this year.

The excitement began the day after Christmas. Brooks and Kyle flew in from Atlanta and spent the week with us. We had everyone over for dinner the day after Christmas. We did the family gift exchange and ate and ate and ate some more. We had more than 20 people here and there was enough food to feed an army. After dinner, we played Scene It...guys against the gals...the guys won. Darn it. It was fun though...Alex got the game for Christmas and it was our first time playing. Emily got Scene It Jr. Maybe I can do a bit better at that version.

The week with the boys flew by, of course. We didn't do much really but I think they had fun. (hope so anyway) They went bowling with their cousin Erica and her boyfriend one night...went to a Magic Game one night, but left early because they were bored...went putt-putting one day. Brooks is almost 20 now but it's so hard to let go and let him do things on his own. He was willing to drive everyone to play putt-putt...including Emily. I think I was more worried about Emily going than anything else. But, they went and she behaved herself and had a blast. It all worked out.

New Year's Eve was fun. The weather was gorgeous and we had a "mini block party" between our house and Nancy's house. We grilled out and had lots of yummy things to eat. Alex set up the fire pit and we sat around it for most of the night chatting and drinking a couple of drinks. A few of our neighbors came out to visit...some that have lived here forever and have never met each other. I told everyone to come out and play...and a few commented on me being the one to bring everyone together. That makes me happy. The lady that we bought this house from wasn't known for her friendliness, we'll just put it that way. But, it was great to ring in the New Year with Nancy and Bruce and all the others that were there too. (I love spending time with our friends/neighbors, Nancy and Bruce!!)

New Year's Day was quiet...Brooks and Kyle flew back to Atlanta this afternoon. We all slept in this morning and I took them to the airport with Mom and Richard. It's always sad to see them go but at the same time, I know they're eager to get back home to their lives...and I'm usually ready to get us back into some sort of normalcy here too. It was nice to come home from the airport and see that Alex and the kids picked the place up a bit. I came in, commented on the house being cleaned up and then headed to the bed for a 2 hour nap. Alex woke me around 6 and asked if I wanted to take the dogs for a walk.

Oh, that's right...I almost forgot...we got another dog!!! She's a 10 month old mutt...a husky mix possibly. She looks a little bit like a shephard mix too though. Who knows what she breed she really is. All I know is that she's a sweetie and has come in and made herself right at home. We got her from a client that my sister knows from her vet's office that she works at. This couple had her but didn't feel that they could give her the energy and stimulation that she needs. They brought her over on Wednesday for us to have for a few days and "try out". Her name was Dharma when she got here but we changed her name to KODA when we realized that she'd probably be staying. Alex wasn't too sure that he could be a "two dog person" but he seems to be warming up to her now. She's a sweet dog...already house broken, sleeps in her crate at night and really isn't a chewer of anything other than her toys and bones. She loves to play and given a chance, she'd run the neighborhood...this is something that we'll be working on. I've got a call into the trainer that we used for Sunny...he's going to call me back this week and we'll start some obedience training with Koda as soon as we can. I'll post pictures of her soon too.

Tomorrow, Alex goes back to work. The kids don't go back till Wednesday. I want to get my scraproom cleaned up a bit so that I can start working on things again. I've got a mini love book to get done and up at Memory Lane. I did manage to finish my clipboard calendar and get it on display. I'll be anxious to see how many folks I get signed up for those classes. (the 15th and the 19th) I also need to think about what I want to teach in February. I know Liz will be asking about my plans for those soon too. I'm open to suggestions. But...with this scraproom looking the way its looking...I need to get busy on THAT first and foremost.

So, with that...I'll end this entry. I went to bed early tonight and woke up shortly after 11. Here it is now, almost 1:30...and I'm feeling pretty wide awake. Maybe I'll grab one of the new books that I got for Christmas and read myself to sleep.

Banana Pudding, Brownies and Chocolate Covered Pretzels...

That's what I did today. Well, not actually till this afternoon/evening. Every year, I try to bake goodies and give a plate of them to our favorite neighbors. I was beginning to wonder if I'd be able to get this done this year but I can't "not" do it. Each year, I do the baking and I let the kids deliver the goodies. I think it helps them to understand the good in giving. Plus, Em enjoys helping me do the baking.

So tomorrow, we'll finish up the cookies and get everything packaged up and ready. I certainly hope that tomorrow brings a better mood for me. Today was a tough one. I was so uptight and grumpy. Emily tested me at every turn too. I don't want another day like that. My mom always gets grumpy during the holidays and I really don't want to be like that. I want to be happy and enjoy the holidays. When you're grumpy and everything is such a chore, it takes the joy out of the holiday. Those are the types of holiday memories that I have from my childhood and I really don't want to pass those on to my kids.

So, for now...I will take a deep breath, get a good night's sleep and work on focusing to get as much done as possible tomorrow. It helps too, that Alex is now on vacation till after the first of the New Year. He'll be able to help too.

Oh, and on a great note...the pool deck will be poured in the next few days. They're shooting for a Friday pour, but chances are, it'll be next week. The deck was mostly formed today. They'll be here first thing to get it all finished. Then we're scheduled for an inspection. The deck guy told me that he'd try for a deck pour for Friday but the concrete company might be booked up trying to get as many jobs in before Christmas. If we can't have it done Friday, they'll shoot for Tuesday or Wednesday. I'll be happy to have a deck before the New Year's Eve party that we're planning to have.

The next step will be the finish on the inside of the pool, then a final grade and clean up. The screen is a little behind schedule, but it'll be done before we can actually swim. Once the final grade happens, we can put the fence back up, resod the yard and actually put water in the pool too. Woo hoo!!!! We're getting closer!

OK...I'm off for now. Was thinking about maybe taking a hot bath before calling it a night. I did just get my new Papercrafts magazine today. It's always nice to kick back in a hot bath and read for a while.

See ya!

More than a week?????

How in the world did THAT happen???? I was doing so well at updating my blog every few days and WHAM...life got crazy and more than a week has gone by. WOW! Time sure flies! (even if you aren't having fun!)

Let's see...in that week...I...:

Spent the weekend at Disney for Emily's birthday. Went over Saturday afternoon and stayed through Sunday night. We went to the Very Merry Christmas party and had a blast. Emily said it's her best birthday EVER. I took tons of pictures and we got just as many autographs. I had cut up 4x4 sheets of cardstock and used those for the autographs. Now...we just need to get the pictures ordered and make a little book with them.

Got more than 100 Christmas cards (the picture card things) addressed and are ready for tomorrow's mail. It just dawned on me on Friday that I only have a week left before Christmas. I need to get my rear in gear.

Finished the 20 Reindeer bags for Emily's class. (and they were a huge hit with the kids and the parents too...so easy to carry everything home in and boy were they PACKED!!)

Spent more than 10 hours at the school volunteering over the past two weeks. Helping with the stockings, the party and anything else that they needed help with. I usually volunteer in one class for just one hour a week. It was nice though to be able to help wherever they needed it.

Had to cancel my to-from tag class at Memory Lane. There were only two people signed up for the class. I didn't take it personally though...I know everyone was busy and December classes just aren't big. Now, on to January classes. I've got two projects twirling in my head...just need to get them finished and on display. I think I'm going to do a day and a night class for each. Wish me luck that all goes well with those. I'm anxious to get a few classes under my belt and to feel more secure in teaching.

My friend Michele came to visit on Tuesday. She's the owner of The Shaker Box. Her dad lives in Sarasota and she was here visiting him. She and her little girl, Lilly, came over for the day and spent the night here Tuesday night. Emily and Lilly took a little while to get used to each other but by the end of the evening, Lilly was calling Emily her "best friend". Michele and I made a yummy spaghetti dinner and then made cards together till after the girls were in bed. My friend Kerri came over too...it was great to see her again and she couldn't believe that Michele and I had never met IRL before that day. Oh, and can you believe...neither one of us remembered to take pictures while they were here. Uggghhh!!!!

I helped the Boy Scouts make luminary kits for our annual Luminaria sale. We spent 4 hours at the church Friday night making kits and then the guys spent all day Saturday delivering the kits and collecting the $$. Emily and I only helped for a couple of hours on Saturday though. It was a misty and almost chilly day. I had a little bit of a sore throat working and just wanted to be home on the couch, under a blanket.

I read the entire book, My Friend Leonard, by James Frey. I finished his book, A Million Little Pieces, while we were at the hotel at Disney. The check in girl told me to be sure to move right on to the other book. I didn't even know there WAS another book. The first book is all about the author's stay and fight through rehab. He was terribly addicted to drugs and alcohol and was killing himself at just 24 yrs old. Great book!!!! The second book was about the next few years outside of rehab and his relationship with a guy that he became friends with in rehab. I read that one in just two days!!! I couldn't put it down. A definite recommendation for both books to anyone that may be interested.

I spent all day today trying to get this house cleaned up. It had become quite a pig pen with all the other stuff that I've had going on. I think I've done enough around the rest of the house...time to get started on the scraproom now. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to work in here. Sheesh!!!

And with that...I'm off to grab a garbage bag and start sorting through the many piles of whatever that have managed to make a home in the scraproom.

Thanks for reading!

Worse today than yesterday...

I feel soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo lazy!

I downloaded the trial version of Photoshop Elements 4.0 today and have been sitting here vegging and playing. It'll take me a little longer to figure out all the new features in this version. I'm used to the PSE 2.0 version and after watching the intro for 4.0, I was sold almost instantly. I guess I'll be adding this to my Christmas wishlist.

All I've done today is:

Make my bed
Spray the shower down with Bleach (and spilled bleach on the bathroom rug, ruining it...)
Started a load of laundry (still need to fold the whites that are just piled on the sofa in the family room)
Vacuumed our bedroom
Wrapped a book that I will be taking to school in a little bit for Em's b-day celebration with her class (nothing big, just cupcakes and a story)

I think that's about it...

Why am I so lazy??? Maybe it's the rain that's falling outside? Who knows! All I know is that there are PLENTY of things that I should be doing and could be doing!

For now though...I'm off to get ready to go pick up the cupcakes and take them to Emily's class. She loves to be the center of attention so this will be right up her alley!

Need to make sure the camera is ready to go too.

A moment to breathe...

I spent quite a bit of time at Em's school on Monday and Tuesday...helping with the Christmas "socks" that they decorated for their party next Thursday. They'll use these to hold all of the goodies they get from their classmates. All 5 kindergarten classes made these...I helped with about 35-40 stockings...and got them all completed. One of the teachers commented yesterday that this was the earliest those stockings have ever been finished. That made me feel good.

After school yesterday, Em and I went to the Mall at Millenia to see Santa. We'd heard nothing but GREAT things about this Santa and thought we'd make a trip over there. This mall is in a rather "ritzy" part of town and has anchor stores such as Bloomingdales, Lord and Taylor, Neiman Marcus...no Sears, J.C. Penneys, etc...we kid that this is where the "other side" shops. All the top dollar stores...not where I can afford to go regularly, that's for sure.

Anyway, we get there and we see Santa. Emily is extremely apprehensive with Santa...almost shy. Anyone that knows Emily knows that she is FAR FROM SHY. It was quite interesting to watch her interaction...she was so unsure of herself and of him. I think that she's probably on the fence as to what to believe and what not to believe anymore. Now that she's in school and has so many different influences. But that Santa was so "real"...real white hair, real beard...very realistic. I even picked up some Santa's Coal bubble gum and forgot to take it out of Emily's Limited Too bag...I told her that Santa must of stashed it in there as a warning of what might come in her stocking on Christmas if she's not nice. Her eyes were HUGE and she was a little worried about getting coal. It was PRICELESS!

I did a digital layout last night with a few of the Santa pictures. I like how it turned out. I'll get it posted at Scrapforums and maybe here later today.

So...the question is now...after all that running...I have today at home with no where to go. Plenty of time to get caught up on things around here...sooooooooo....

Why is it that I can't get motivated??

Geeez! I had so many great plans to get my house cleaned up again today...and the only thing that I'm doing is laundry, it seems. I've made the bed, sorted all of the dirty laundry and have both machines going, have folded everything but the latest load of towels and the folded stuff is sorted and ready to be put away. The dishwasher is running but the kitchen still needs some attention. I had so many great plans for the day and here I sit...listening to the Yahoo Country music station, surfing the net, blogging. I really do need to get up and get moving! I have a little more than an hour and a half before I have to get Emily from school. We'll be headed to dance a couple hours after that.

Anyway...I'll quit my bitching now and get busy again. I'm sure the dryer is finished and another load of clothes is waiting to be folded. I really need to work on our bathroom and master bedroom too. They're really bad!

See ya!

Today is the day!!!

****EDIT****
My class was awesome! I was pretty pleased with everything. I got sidetracked and had to bring myself back in a couple of times, but nothing major! Everyone gave me good verbal feedback so that certainly helped!

Now...to gear up for the class on the 15th. I'm excited now...now that my first class is under my belt! Woo hoo!!

Oh and after the class...I had lunch with Tina (works at Memory Lane) and my new friend Kerri. Tina could only spend her lunch hour with us but Kerri and I sat and yapped till it was time for me to pick up Emily. She's soooooooo much fun! And she's coming to the Ya-Ya's Christmas party tomorrow night with me too!

It's the day that I teach my first class at Memory Lane! An altered candle class. I have nine people signed up and I'm feeling pretty good about it. I hope everything goes smoothly! I'm not really nervous about it...just a little bummed that I went way over budget for it...but, chalk it up as a learning experience. Now I know what to do differently next time.

I'm off now to finish my hair and gather everything to take with me. I think I have everything pulled and sitting together...and if I forget anything, again...another learning experience. I need to be there at 9:30 and the class starts at 10.

Oh, and I got to play with alcohol inks last night. Liz bought them for the store for me to use in a tiny part of this class today and I wanted something else to show. I did this kind of funky card...love the background. I need and want to get more of these inks now. I want them all!!!!

OK...I'm off for now. Will write an update later when I get back from class!Wish me luck!

A much better day!

The Christmas decorations are almost all up. The house is just about put back together. Everyone seems to be getting along nicely today. Much much better than yesterday.

I've still got a bunch of stuff that needs to be done...just to get the house back in order. Floors need to be swept, boxes need to go back up into the attic, clothes still need to be folded and put away...not to mention the mess in my office and Emily's room that look like bombs went off in them. Oh well...tomorrow is another day. And I'll be home alone while the kiddos are in school. As long as I focus, I should be able to get stuff done around here. Or so you'd think. As long as I stay away from this computer, I'll do just fine. LOL

Off to sweep the kitchen and vacuum the family room...I'll then fold the towels, toss the socks in the washer to bleach and then I'll call it a day! Will probably do takeout for dinner.

G R U M P Y!!!

GEEEEEEEEZ!!!

DH woke up at 6:30 this morning and fell asleep on the couch again at 9...and din't wake up till after 11. He wanted to get the Christmas stuff put up today so that we could basically relax tomorrow. He was ticked off because we didn't wake him up...I tried to tell him that he should have just gotten up and gotten to work this morning instead of going back to sleep in the first place. Either that, or quit bitching at us for HIM sleeping. Of course, this sets my mood pretty much for the rest of the day. Every little thing gets under my skin from this point on. Kind of makes putting up the Christmas stuff a little on the unenjoyable side.

We still have stuff to get up inside and the lights on the outside need to be done too. Didn't get as much done as we'd hoped and we'll be getting the rest of it done tomorrow, I suppose. Hopefully we'll all be able to get up and get moving at an acceptable hour and just get it done.

And hopefully everyone will be in a pleasant mood...anyone starts bitching and I might just need to leave and go get some shopping done or something.

The painting got done though...the night before Thanksgiving actually. That's a good thing.

What were we thinking????

DH has this grand idea to get the family room painted before we put up the Christmas stuff. Of course, this is a job that we've been talking about getting done since we painted the dining room month's ago. But, it's just been put off and put off again. He was planning to get a lot of this kind of stuff done between Christmas and New Year, but now that Brooks and Kyle are coming that week, he'd like to have it all done before then. Soooooooo...we started painting LAST NIGHT. The room already looks better, but still...now, it's a mad rush to get it done before Thanksgiving.

I've already called to tell the school that I won't be there to volunteer today.

I'm off now to get my paint roller and gloves.

LATER!

The other "baby".

Another photo that I took while trying for the perfect Christmas card picture. This one of my 14 yr old son. But, for some reason, in this shot, he doesn't look 14 to me. He's looking so much older to me. Hard to believe my "little boy" is a teenager...well on his way to manhood! Man, I'm getting old! LOL

I did manage to get the shot that I'll use in the Christmas cards yesterday. Emily globbed lipstick on and was so angry with me when I took it off of her. She couldn't understand why she couldn't wear make up for the pictures. I tell ya, this child is 5 going on 17. She'll push my buttons every which way, trying her darndest to get her way. I'm going to have my hands full for the next few years, that's for sure! I thought for sure that Josh would be the one to give me the fit, considering he can't stand for me to take his picture. (can't you tell that in the above shot??? Sheesh). But no, Josh was a good boy...got a shower, dressed and was ready to go when I said so. After the fit with Emily, I was ready to throw in the towel and forget about sending any pictures in the Christmas cards this year. But, thankfully, it all worked out and I got some really great shots of my kids. Even a couple individual ones to hang in the hallway too.

I played in my scrap room almost all day yesterday. I made 4 of the party invites for Em's b-day party, a card and a layout for the December sponsor at Scrapforums too. I was very grumpy yesterday...and just wanted to be left alone. Unfortunately, nobody would sympathize with me and I kept having someone needing something or wanting me to do something...I guess that's part of being a mom though. I was happy to climb in bed last night and I slept like a rock till 9:30 this morning. Today, I feel better. For the most part!

Off to get some work done in the house today. DS needs the washer and dryer desperately so I need to get them emptied for him. I'd like to get my scrapbook room picked up a little bit maybe...at least the mess from yesterday. I need to finish 4 more invites too for the b-day party. I'd like to get them out early this next week. Oh, and I want to go to the gym too. Looks like another full day ahead!

My baby???

Where did my baby go??? How can it be that my "baby" will be SIX in just three more weeks? Where did the time go? How did she grow up and be so sassy??? LOL

One of the members at Scrapforums shared some of her photos from a shoot that she did of her kids for holiday pics. This inspired me to get on the ball and think about our pics too. So today, I ran to Joann's and picked up a nice size sheet of fabric and this fun garland as a "prop". I made Emily be my model for a little while so that I good see how things would work. I set up my "studio" in the garage, with the door open so that the natural lighting could be used. I turned off the flash of my camera and started snapping away.

I see this sassy little munchkin...such a little ham. I didn't take the time to wash her face or hands. Didn't grab the brush and noticed how badly she needs to have her bangs trimmed. Oh well, this is Emily!

Tomorrow, I'll set out to get a few good shots of Emily and Josh together. HOPEFULLY I'll get something that I'll be able to use for Christmas cards. Josh isn't always the most cooperative when it comes to having his pics taken. Hopefully I'll be able to catch him in a good mood. He's already been warned!

Tonight I'm off to play Bunco. My friend Kris got me into her bunco group and we play once a month. I always have a good time with them, even though I don't know many of them very well. I need to run to the store and pick up something to take with me...other than the Corona and lime, of course.

Wish me luck!

5 am and the gym...

What a combo, huh? That's how my morning started today. Alex and I joined a new gym, just up the street from our house...we joined a few months ago actually and embarassingly enough, we haven't been yet. We went last night to check it out and decided that we'd start this morning and we did just that. Of course, now, it's 7:15 and I'm ready to go back to bed. I guess I should just get in the shower and get on with the day...need to get Emily up for school in a little while anyway.

We're still at a stand still with the pool. We're waiting for the first inspection that was supposed to be done on Friday. But, Friday was Veterans Day and the county offices were closed. You'd think that would make the inspector come yesterday, but they didn't. Maybe today? Once they sign off on the permits, the shell can be shot. I'm so ready for the next step.

It's my volunteer day at school today...and then lunch with Emily. I think I'll go in early and get some leaves cut for Emily's teacher. She mentioned needing a ton of them for the Holiday crafts coming up. Oh, the joyful life of a stay at home Mom. Sounds fun, huh???

Maybe when I get back from school, I'll concentrate on the scraproom. I need to get my FUD project done and uploaded to the Scrapforums gallery. I just got back a bunch of pictures (like 200) from York Photo and I'd like to maybe work on some of them. Plus, I have some new MoBe' Stamps to cut too...I want to use them soon!!! So much to do in here...where to begin?

Off to the shower and on with the day!!! Have a great one!

Almost another weekend...

Where did the week go? Man, sometimes things just get so busy that everything just kind of blurs together and before ya know it, it's another weekend.

The pool has come to a stand still again...the eye candy was gone by 10:30 yesterday morning. They have it all framed in and now we have to wait for an inspection. The owner of the pool company (another cutie) came by this morning and said inspection will be tomorrow and the shell will be shot by Thursday of next week. It's all so exciting...but will be even more exciting when it looks more like a pool and not just a HUGE hole in the ground. And man, is it every HUGE! We took the deep end to 7 ft. so that we can dive off the deep end. Apparently this was a big deal and not something they do very often anymore. Every person that has come to do something with the pool has commented on the size and depth of this thing. But...this is what DH wanted and we'll really be able to enjoy it once its all finished!

My first class projects are finished now. I did two altered candles for the holidays and they're now on display at Memory Lane. So far, everyone has oohed and ahhed over them and I've got at least 4 people signed up for the class already. And a couple that are wanting an evening class too. Hmmm...that might work. I'll have to look at the schedule and see if I can fit in an evening class. Now, to get started on the to/from tags for the class on the 15th.

Going on a field trip with Emily's class tomorrow. Going to the theater to see a play. Should be a lot of fun. Em's happy that I'm going so that's what counts the most. I need to get up from here now and get all of my work done though so that I don't have it to worry about tomorrow though.

So, on that note...HAPPY CLEANING!!! (NOT!!!)

Moving right along...

They dug the pool yesterday and today there's three young hotties out there putting up the steel for the shell. It's amazing to watch how the pool goes together from start to finish. I found myself just staring in amazement as they dug the hole yesterday. And today, well...the steel doesn't impress me, but the cuties doing the job...they're impressive. Way young though. Maybe I should call my neice over for the day. She might like them. LOL

Off to clean the kitchen and get some laundry done, etc.

Back to Reality!!!!

What a MONDAY!!

Wheww...it's almost bed time. THANK GOODNESS! I'm whooped!

The day started off on a good note and never really got "bad" but it was much busier than I had expected it to be. The pool guys showed up and put down the markings. They said that they usually come a day before the diggers get to the job so tomorrow we may have heavy equipment in the back yard. And hopefully a really big hole dug by the end of the day. You know I'll be posting pics again too! It's already exciting seeing the form of the pool there...I called my friend Nancy to see if she'd like to sit in my pool with me and have a beer. I told her that I didn't have any pool floats or anything yet, but two chairs would do nicely. Unfortunately, she was on her way out and said we'd do it another time. I can see us now, sitting on the steps of the pool before it's finished...Before the water even begins to go in. We're nutty like that.

Had to close on the re-finance today...Gosh, you forget how many times you have to sign and initial on a mtg. loan. But, that's one more step that's finished and Fed-Ex has already picked up the package and it's on its way back to the bank. Woo hoo!!!!!!

While we were at the bank getting everything signed, a friend called me to see about having lunch. I haven't seen this girl in over a year now. She moved out of town and she was in town today and gave me a call. I was really happy that she did too. When she moved last year, there were some tough feelings that I had about the reasons that she was leaving. I realize now that I had no right to judge her reasons for moving and that if she's happy with the choices that she made then I need to be happy for her. It was great seeing her today and even better sitting there chatting with her over lunch.

Then it was off to Memory Lane again, to work on my class project. Of course, because I spent so much time at lunch, I cut myself short on time for working on my candles. I ended up leaving there to get Em from school and then going back. Emily worked on her homework while I worked on class stuff. I still need to go back one more time though. The LSS owner wasn't there today and I need to talk to her about a few things and get her opinion on some stuff. I'll get it out of the way early tomorrow and won't cut myself so short again.

By the time I got home, it was well after 4:00 and I was just plain exhausted. I called to order Chinese for dinner and picked it up when I went to get Josh from Crew practice. We ate dinner, watched the Cinderella Story with Emily and got in my jammies...It's bedtime!

It's the weekend!!!

Happy Saturday! Nothing much happening here. I went to Memory Lane today to work on my first class projects but couldn't get the fancy schmancy copy machine to work to reduce and print my picture that I want to put on one of the candles. I worked on the second one of the two and decided that I'd go back in on Monday while the kids are at school. Josh wasn't too thrilled with the idea of having to keep an eye on Emily while I did that...and Alex is hiking this weekend. It will just be easier to do it while they are at school. I don't want to be rushed.

The layout that I've shared here is one of the latest DT things that I did for Eclectic Scraps. Jessica's Mountain Retreat kit is what I used and OMG...what a kit! Jessica certainly hit the nail on the head with this kit...I've got so many "nature" type pics like this from all of Alex's hiking trips and camping trips with the scouts. I'm sure I'll get some great use from this kit! I LOVE IT!

I was thinking about scrapping tonight but I think I'm going to put Emily to bed and then watch a movie with Josh. Em and I watched "Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" today. Well, I watched the entire movie while Em said she was watching but spent most of the time out of the room, off doing her 5 1/2 yr. old kinds of stuff. Not quite sure what Josh and I will watch tonight...I'm sure we'll come up with something. Maybe I'll sort some pictures while I watch the movie...I'm in the mood to get some paper pages done soon and having pictures sorted mine motivate me a bit more.

Tomorrow will bring a day of cleaning up the place a bit. I need to get the points and cleaning challenges posted at Scrapforums for the Sparkling Spaces challenge that I'll be starting on Monday. Alex will be home sometime early afternoon...Em has a birthday party to go to at lunchtime, so I'll have to get up early and get busy so that I can get my stuff done before all the fun begins.

No progress on the pool...we close on the loan on Monday. I'm sure we'll get moving shortly after that. And once they really get started, I think progress will be made almost daily. Until then...the back yard will be a mess and sand will be tracked in the house by shoes and doggie paws.

Have a great weekend!!

No pressure!!

Well, I am officially an instructor for Memory Lane. I signed my contract today and I teach my first class on Thursday, Dec. 1st. I'm teaching an altered candle class that day and then on the 15th, I'm teaching a to/from tag class. Now I just need to get busy on my samples and get them up to the store for display.

Wish me luck...I've never done anything like this before. The LSS Owner, Liz, has been trying to talk me into this since she opened the store 4 yrs ago. She's thrilled that I've finally said yes. I sure hope I don't let her down.

And the fun begins!!!

Today is the official start day of the construction of our swimming pool. The bobcat crew was here waiting when I got home from taking Emily to school. They took up the concrete by the screened porch that will, in a few weeks, be part of the pool deck. In fact, that entire wall where the screen and door is...that'll all be gone too. That back porch will open wide up to the entire pool and deck and it's going to look INCREDIBLE!

The pool guy says he tells everyone 12 weeks for construction and if he finishes in 6 weeks then he's the king. So, let's see...our pool should be finished no later than January 26, 2006. (that's 12 weeks) Of course, we're hoping they'll be done WAYYYYYYYYY before that!! We won't be swimming till at least April, but it'll be nice to look at.

Now, I'm getting anxious!!!! Bring on the heavy equipment!!

Halloween Fun

Ahhhhhh...the morning after. Dragging through the morning because of the sugar rush just before bed. Chili and Corona for dinner...dealing with cranky little girl getting outta bed after her fun night before. Oh well, it was a fun night...and we will recover.

Emily dressed up as Daphne from Scooby Doo for Halloween. (because she IS Scooby Doo's biggest fan, ya know!!) This costume came with a bright orange wig but it was a MESS. I decided to pick up some orange hair paint and went with that idea instead of the wig. Of course, Emily thought this was a great idea and was only slightly bummed that the stuff washed out in the shower. She thought it was cool to have ORANGE HAIR. Oh dear...I should be worried about this in the future, I think. This is just one of the many pictures I took last night. She's such a ham!

It's already been a long day...had to leave this entry and go do my volunteer time at the elementary school. Then it was off to the Memories Store in Orlando. They're CLOSING! I can't believe it...they were the first LSS in the area. According to the manager, the landlord chose to not renew the lease and wanted them out YESTERDAY. They're clearing their inventory and right now, everything was 20% off. Its kind of sad that they're closing, but at the same time, I'm hoping that Memory Lane will get some of their business. (especially if I'm going to start teaching there) I ended up picking up 130 sheets of 8.5x11 Bazzill Cardstock in a bunch of different colors. I've been needing to stock some of my 8.5x11 cardstock and I figured that was my chance.

It's raining now...and I'm still tired. What I wouldn't do for a nap right about now. Unfortunately, the laundry has once again piled up and I have $144 worth of stuff to sort through. Some of which I got for RAKS at Scrapforums. Lots of great stuff happening there these days and ya just never know when a fun prize might be needed.

Cheer practice has been cancelled. Bummer...well, not really, but...still. Guess I need to find out what's for dinner now.