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!!!!