A couple of lo's from my crop....

This one is from my aunt's wedding. We were all so hot after we ate so we decided to dip our "piggies" in the pool even though we were all dressed up. It started out as 3 of us and one by one others joined us until we had the whole deep end covered. My cousin designed windows for Barneys on Rodeo Dr. at the time and took a bunch of photos. He said he was going to do a big display of our toes. I don't think he ever did it though.

scrapped out...

I'm exhausted. My friends came over last night to scrap around 5:30. We chatted and had a light dinner (oriental salad and chicken salad, spinach artichoke dip) . We finally got scrapping and I got through 6 pages (one double lo was semi pre-planned).

I had fun but didn't get to bed until 11:30 after cleaning up. My husband was snoring loudly as he had a very long day (left at 5 a.m. and got home at 8 p.m.). So....I couldn't sleep. The alarm went off at 6 and I just wanted to hit it!!! I'm sure I'll catch up tonight.

Maybe I can photo a lo or two and post tomorrow. I still need to journal on them. I have to do that in private, not at a crop. I can't concentrate enough while others are around. Anyway, back to work....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!

Weekend...

Had a fun but tiring weekend. My two cousins and aunt from MD stayed with us for the weekend. We went out for clams on Fri. night since that's the first thing they want when they come up here. ( They take us out for crabs when we go down to see them). So....the restaurant had a special of frozen raspberry margaritas and I had to try one. THEY were delicious. Need I say more?!! Went home and had a lot of laughs on my porch.

Sat. we went out shopping. I was so excited because my cousin is going to be a first time grandmother and wants to start scrapbooking!! So...she asked me to show her my stuff and then asked if we could go shopping. I had fun telling her about everything and she bought a ton of stuff! We also went to Christmas Tree shops for the other cousin. She bought some Carmel Jr. mints and Sugar Babies (limited edition - covered in chocolate). YUM!

The wedding was Sat. evening at a country club. It was very nice. Started with cocktails & appetizers at the pool (beef wellington, coconut shrimp & chicken, scallops in bacon). The dinner was scrumptious. I chose beef and got a huge filet mignon done just right. I ate the cake which was to die for with delicious frosting and jam in the middle. I was a very bad girl all weekend. After the wedding, we went home and had more drinks and mini Charleston Chews & Jr. Mints and the Godivas they brought me.

Sun. we went to one of my aunts for a visit. They cooked some New England deli hot dogs and I ate those and her delicious potato salad. Very, very bad but got it out of my system. I only gained a pound, believe it or not! I'm back to the diet and treadmill today!

Olivia's Monograms

The favorite is.....hot pink with bling!

Very busy day off!

Well, I cleaned and cleaned on my day off, and finally gave up at 3 p.m. to hit the shower. I didn't even have time for the treadmill!

I scrubbed blinds, washed and replaced shower curtains, kitchen & bathroom floors, dusted, cleaned showers & 4 toilets. Whew!!

I decided I needed to get to the lss for a little fun. I didn't want to waste the entire vacation day! So...off I went. I bought some Bazzill papers I needed, some cute chipboard letters (smaller than I own), 4 stamp pads because I never seem to have the right color even though I have tons!! I can't remember if there was anything else....oh yeah, gotta have that Ranger stamp cleaner. I was about to run out!

So I got home and filed my paper in my CH verticals, made a quick little card, and they were home (dh & mom) for dinner!

I've been making a set of monogrammed cards for my cousins' daughter to use as thank yous. Everyone spoils her to death and my cousin wants to make sure she thanks them. So I'll post a couple. Olivia gave me the colors to use and wait until you see which was the favorite! It was probably the easiest one.

How Virgo am I?

You are 100% Virgo

How Virgo Are You?

This is SO accurate!! I was born 9/22!

It doesn't seem to show above that I am 100%!!

Crazy day

I have to kick some major butt today to get all of my work done. I took tomorrow off to get ready for my company that will arrive on Fri. Also, we are having a little cocktail party at my aunt's for the bride to be. I'm sure I will consume a couple of cocktails or glasses of wine and won't want to go to work tomorrow. :-) I have Fri. off too! But I have to get my nails done, food shop and all that before they arrive. So....I have to clean tomorrow.

It's another GORGEOUS day out...sunny and high 70's - low 80's. Wow. I want to be outside!!! Well, off to get my mounds of work done!

Thirteen things I don't like (from Jodi's blog)
1. Spiders & snakes
2. Liars
3. Pompous people (some doc. students & profs.)
4. Lima Beans
5. Raisins
6. Fingernails scraping on the chalkboard
7. Bad hair days
8. Messy rooms
9. Blogger when it doesn't allow me to post pics, or even post a post
10. Lack of privacy at my house due to additions to my once quiet family!
11. Scrappers block!
12. People who don't wash their hands after going to the bathroom.
13. People who talk on cell phones while shopping or ordering something and they hold up the line!

Weekend

Well, it was fun. Friday, my boss let me out early so we were able to get the food shopping done and go home and relax. The girls and I had a blast in Portsmouth on Sat. We went to my cousin's condo and then downtown for lunch at the Blue Claw and then shopping. It was really good to spend some quality cousin/aunt time!

Sunday I was pretty lazy. I haven't been sleeping well due to hot flashes at night so I cleaned up the house, went on the treadmill and while I was all sweaty, I put my bathing suit on and went on the patio out back for some sun. It was such a beautiful day that I decided to enjoy it! Wow! It was really hot in the sun so I only stayed out for an hour. Then after I showered and all that, I decided to sit out with my hubby and enjoy the shade on the patio. It was GORGEOUS! Perfect temperature. I was able to read a lot in my book, "Memoirs of a Geisha." Grilled steak tips/veggies for dinner and went into the "shop" as my hubby calls it.

My cousin asked me to make some monogrammed cards for her daughter to use as thank yous. The aunties and her grammy spoil her with gifts all the time so she wanted some nice cards to give them. I made about 4 Sat. night and 3 or 4 more last night. I think Olivia will like them. She's 7 or 8 yrs. old, I think. She said her favorite colors were light pink, light purple, light green ("like your shirt" which was seafoam), and light blue. Girls are so easy!!

Today should be another crazy day so I decided to post early before chaos begins!!!!

Busy, busy!!

Well, I couldn't even post yesterday. I was so busy at work, I couldn't even find my desk!! Today will probably be the same so I thought I'd post early.

Last night I got my hair highlighted and cut. Still not sure what to do about the style but decided against the flippy sides. I took a weekend day off styling due to consuming one Hypnotic martini too many and just basically shook my head under the blowdryer and everyone commented on how much they loved my hair! And they thought it made me look younger! I thought, ok, what am I spending all this time on?!!! So it's back to flippy in the back and sort of tucked behind the ears but not really short on the sides. I don't know. I just like easy!! And younger....

Tonight I have to food shop. Such excitement on a Fri. night!!! Then I have to get up bright and early to go to Portsmouth, NH with the girls (aunts & cousins) to see my cousin's new condo. She's leaving for Germany after the wedding next weekend. Her newlywed hubby already left. He's a pro hockey player in Wolfburg(?) Germany. So....after seeing the condo, we'll have lunch in downtown & go shopping. Fun.

We just made an offer on a piece of land in Maine so I'm anxious to see if it's accepted today! I'll wait to post about it until it's sure.

Covered bridge

bridge

Bethel Covered Bridge

Bad blogger!!

Well, I took a few vacation days and haven't had time to post. We had a nice relaxing weekend. Sun. my son & his gf made us some Hypnotic martinis! Yum! I had a little headache on Mon. My dh & I went to Rockport & Gloucester (MA coast), shopped and had a nice fried clam dinner for lunch!! Then we had an ice cream, took the trolley back to the parking lot and went home. Bad for the diet but I thought I'd be back on track Tues.

Well, yesterday we took a long ride to Maine to check out more vacation properties for the future. We stopped for lunch and they didn't have salads so I had a small italian sandwich. After looking at several ponds & lakes, we headed home. We stopped at a covered bridge to take pictures. I love covered bridges but I must have some strange connection with them ;-) It poured as soon as we got out of the car which is what happened the last two times we visited one!!! I'll post a few photos we took. We were getting soaking wet standing outside but we didn't care!!

Today is just a clean up catch up sort of day before I go back to work tomorrow. My dh starts his new job on Monday so we need to get a few things done. We might go to Maine to visit friends over the weekend.

Ah....life is good......finally!!

I know I shouldn't jinx myself by saying that but I finally got my retro pay. It was a raise we were supposed to get 3 yrs. ago but thanks to our illustrious governor, we didn't get funded. Anyway, enough complaining. I can now pay off my huge amex bill that I've built up while my husband was unemployed.....basically by buying sb/stamping stuff & a few other things! oops.

We are picking his car up today...YEAH! I no longer have to be dropped off at work to be stranded at this godforsaken place all day!!!!!!! I can shop for sb stuff on my lunch hour, right?!! Well, maybe not. I need to behave for a while until my husband is bringing in some serious commissions!!

Anyway, those are my three good things this week - my dh's job, my retro pay and his car. I feel like things are moving in the right direction finally!!!!!!!

What kind of coffee am I? The best is true!! But I hate black coffee!!

You are a Black Coffee

At your best, you are: low maintenance, friendly, and adaptable At your worst, you are: cheap and angsty You drink coffee when: you can get your hands on it Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

Cars, cars, cars....

Went car shopping last night instead of scrapping! I had NO choice in the matter LOL. My dh wanted either a Pontiac Vibe (has a Toyota engine) or a Toyota Corolla. Well, we found out that the Vibe only has the engine and not other components of a Toyota so we're back to the Matrix or the Corolla. He needs good gas mileage with his new job since he's getting an allowance instead of the paid gas. So....we really wanted to stick with front wheel drive and all of the Matrix's are now all wheel. The salesman is on the commercial with some schtick about being the prince with a wand and he magically finds what you need. So....they found a car that they thought would be for us. It was a used 05 Matrix with front wheel drive. The only problem is that it's white which is our LEAST favorite color (no offense to those that have white but it's just our preference). So we left there, ate a Wendy's dinner at 9:00, ran to pick up my son and now we have to figure out if we can live with the white or go for the Corolla. I don't care either way and told dh that. He's the one that has to drive it every day, all day. I only have to use it on nights & weekends to save gas when I shop or run errands. My big piggie takes too much gas! More later....

Gnarls Barkley

I just had to share....I am LOVING this guy!! The song, Crazy, makes you want to get up and dance!! What I was shocked at is my 16 yo loves it too! It almost reminds me of a Barry White-ish song or something much older. Check it out!!



http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000F3AAUW/ref=pd_bbs_null_1/102-1835311-6409708?v=glance&s=music

Doing the Happy Dance....

Wooooohoooo, woohoo hoo!! My husband was offered a job yesterday! I never thought I'd be able to say that again! It's been a long 9 months (like a preganancy!!!). I am afraid to get too excited. He'll sign the agreement today and start on 8/7 (after drug screening, etc.). We are so happy!!

I'm also happy that I can officially say I've lost 19 lbs. Two days on the scale does it for me!! I feel so good today. I know I'm not skinny but I feel soooo much better!! We have a staff apprec. cookout today so I'll be seeing people from another campus that I haven't seen in a while. I wonder if anyone will notice?!! I hate when you think you look like you've lost 50 and no one says a word!!! I don't care either way. My stomach is NOT hanging over my waist band any more. YEAH! Go SB diet!!! :-))

things

Well, the 9 a.m. interview seemed to go well. It's between my dh & another guy who is being interviewed this afternoon. I really hope this works out.

I'm getting out at 3 today! Yeah....hope to scrap some extra los!! I did two extra last night so I was very happy. It was my son at the sr. prom with a girl he broke up with. Oh well..moving on to 2004.

Ah.....bettter

Well the weekend was much more pleasant at my house. I think we've finally gotten through to my son, or I hope so!! I saw my old son here. Told him he better keep it that way. He's off grounding tomorrow so back to the friends.

My husband got a call on Fri. from the pres. of a company he wanted to have a second interview with. He had given up hope on that one so it was a pleasant surprise. He also has a second interview with another company and was about to give in and take the job even though the money was horrible. I desperately want him to get the one at 9:00. Maybe he won't even have to go to the 4:30 interview! Now I just have to find a ride home!!!

I scrapped this weekend and also made 4 or 5 cards. Fun, fun, fun!!!! I needed the therapy!! :-) Back to work tomorrow and it will be a looooong day since I"m getting dropped off early & don't have a car to go out at lunch time. It's supposed to be in the 80's so that means I can't walk either. Maybe I'll bring a book....need to finish Memoirs of a Geisha!

Cards, cards, cards....

Well, I didn't do any scrapping because I had to make some cards.

First of all, my 20 yo niece had her baby boy, Derek, yesterday. Wow, that makes me a great aunt and my mom a great grandmother!! He's 6 lbs. 2 oz. Can't wait to see him! I hope they don't have to struggle too much for the next several years.

Second, my neighbor returned my stamps so that I could make a golfer's card and sent a few of hers along with a card she made. It was so cute that I decided to copy it for my golfer.

I think I have all of my July & most August cards done now. Maybe I can get back to the scrapping tonight!

I hope to get to my lss on Fri. if I have a car during the day. They have a free make & take card from Amuse and I may pick up some Bazzill papers and the Hero Arts flourish stamp.

Not sure what's going on but my links aren't working.

This link is for the blog quizzes.

http://www.blogthings.com/quizzes/

There weren't many tunes that I liked on his...Not true!

Your Musical Tastes Match: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

See his whole playlist here (iTunes required)

What Celebrity Matches Your Taste in Music?

What flower am I? Mostly true!

You Are a Blue Flower

A blue flower tends to represent peace, openness, and balance.At times, you are very delicate like a cornflower.And at other times, you are wise like an iris.And more than you wish, you're a little cold, like a blue hydrangea.

What Color Flower Are You?

Oh MY, I am so excited!!!

Neece, one of my SBA friends, was able to give me a list of favorites & blogs!!! Yeah!! Thank you sooo much! I really appreciate it. What a nice surprise this morning!

I scrapped two pages last night - one of my youngest's lacrosse & then his school photo. I tried to do one more so my total wouldn't be an odd number but my dh came in to talk. He has a 2nd interview on Wed. and will probably take the job even though he'll be making less than me. It will be tight but at least it's money coming in.

Thanks again, Neece!!

Weight loss & layouts...

I got on the scale this morning as I do every day. I lost another 2 lbs.!!!!!!! I'm so excited. I was bored to death with the 16 lb. weight loss. It feels like I was stuck there forever! I hope this wasn't a fluke so when I get on tomorrow it'll be back at the 1x0 number! Keeping my fingers crossed and my stomach tucked!! :-) Now if I can get to the 20 lb. loss.....

I'm hoping to scrap again tonight. I got two pages done last night which brought me to 101 for the year!!! I could not leave it at 99 so I rushed through the other 2. And I hate odd numbers so I need to move up to 102 or 104 tonight!

Here's a card I made for my cousin.

You can't see too well but the black car & HB are embossed. This is not my design. I made something very similar at a class at my lss a long time ago.

Better days...

Ok, things are going much better around here.

I got to scrap the other night and did 2 pages, one Frankentoe and one family reunion page. Nothing last night because we ended up going to JCP after the anniversary party and then put the curtains up in our bedroom. They look nice.

Today my dh is off to a jam session and my mom returns home this afternoon. So....I could lay out in the sun and get some color on my white legs (and sweat to death since it's around 90), or I could clean (NOT - did most of it), or SCRAP some more!!! I also have to make a card for my cousin, the cop. He's always looking out for us so I have to make a personal one for him. He loves orange so that's where I"m starting.

Back to work tomorrow and also the start of summer school for my ds. Wish me luck!!

No scrappin'.....

Well, I didn't scrap last night but I made two quick cards and cut some bookplates for my SBA friends. I ended up going out at 10:30 to pick up my 16 year old. He THOUGHT he had a ride home. Grrrrrr.....I was in my pj's and it was pouring buckets. Oh well. It gave us a chance to talk after I dropped his friend off.

Tonight is another story. I'm going to get something done, hopefully scrap another page or two. I've been putting off my husband's surgery. It's a gross picture of his toe with pins and stitches. Yuck. I think I'll call it Frankentoe.

Cards, cards, I just love making cards...

I scraplifted this from www.splitcoaststampers.com I just changed the color, stamp, etc. I used my CTMH stitches for this with a white SU pad. It's for my SIL's bday. She loves butterflies and the color purple.

It's been a few days....

I took Mon. & Tues. as vacation days so I've been off the computer.

Yesterday I set out on my walk after applying ocean scented lotion. I read in a magazine that bugs don't like the smell. So....on I went and almost stepped on a squashed turtle and then some frogs. I went down the swampy winding road and low and behold the horsefly started on me. I thought he'd go away but he was relentless as usual. I cut my walk short and headed home to exercise on the ball.

We went to Loew's got some nice curtains and decorative rods. They don't fit. The window is too close to the wall so we'll be heading out again for that. We also have to check into our plan at verizon.

I have been on a scrapping roll! I got 4 more los done and I also made a card for my cousin. Last night I used my stitches set from CTMH and made a card for my sil (aug. bday). So I'm ahead of myself - yeah!!

I hate the thoughts of going back to work tomorrow but I may take Fri. off. Still nothing on the job front but getting closer. He has been on two interviews and is waiting to hear back. My fingers are crossed. More later...

Scrapped again!

I did another 2 pg. lo. Nothing great, just a ton of photos of my niece's wedding from 7/03. I cut out a part of their invitation and used it for my title. I did my first hideaway journaling! I had no place to write down the funny story about my son winning the centerpiece (a fish bowl/vase). So I made a strip of paper and tucked it behind his photo. I hope to get to our Aug. 03 vacation tonight. Or maybe update the boys books. The older they get, the less I have to scrap so it should be easy to catch up. It's kind of sad though. I'm running out of those cute younger boy things to scrap. Oh well.....some day I'll have grandchildren, right?! Hopefully not too soon though. I want to make it to 50 before I have any. That would mean my 20 yo will be out of college for a whole year.

I'm going to my lss on my lunch hour today. I need adhesives!!! I also want to check out the new stuff since I haven't shopped in forever! I really hope this job thing works out for my husband.

July 4th

Well, it was kind of strange yesterday. My oldest son was in Maine, my youngest was swimming with friends, and my mom was at a cookout that we didn't want to go to. We just wanted to hang out and do our own thing. It was very quiet though. I went to the mall and exchanged some things and bought others. I found a dress for the next wedding & I'm very excited about that!

We ended up going out for dinner at a local casual restaurant. We both got a big 25 oz. beer and a lobster roll. Our tradition has been boiling lobsters for 4th of July but we had no one to do it with! So we ended up having it anyway. I broke the diet again by eating the roll & some fries. We also had some boneless buffalo tenders that had a little bit of breading on them. YUM...but NOT on the diet. I will be on the right track today and for the rest of the weekend! I think I gained a total of 2 lbs. back. Not too bad since I ate a lot at the wedding & over the weekend!

I scrapped 2 more pages last night! YEAH! I think that's 7 pgs. for the weekend!

My dogwood tree

summer

Weekend...

Had a great time with my cousin & her husband. We picked them up at the airport and went out for fried clams. They live in MD and don't get the fresh clams we do. It was delicious. I decided to break my diet for the day and was sorry to see that I gained 4 lbs. in one day!!! I did lose most of that though.

The wedding was beautiful and we all danced our behinds off! I'll have to see if we have any photos to post later. It was fun but I was happy to drop them at the airport just because I was tired.

I took some photos for the sba challenge outside yesterday. I'm sad to say that the flowers on my dogwood tree are going by and we will have to move or get rid of the tree because it's touching the house. The flowers above are from a neighbor. This is what summer looks like to me! They've spread like crazy and they're so pretty when the sun is out. I caught them at dusk so they're somewhat closed. Don't mind the weeds!

Ahead of schedule

I probably won't have time to post for the next few days so I thought I'd post a photo of the porch with the furniture in it (just for Jodi!! ;-) We've ordered new cushions but they haven't come in yet. The lower area isn't done yet either. It has a couch instead of a hot tub! Patience, patience!!

Baby Notes book I made for my niece....

Things....

I decided to walk inside last night and not take a chance with the horseflies. My neighbor tells me she gets attacked also. She said they're bad through July but seem to die in Aug.

Anyway, I ended up scrapping a 2 pg. lo of the beach (love the beach!!!). I'll post the baby notes book I made for my niece above.

Tonight I have to concentrate on cleaning and maybe groceries so that I have time to shop for a dress for the wedding tomorrow and then get my nails & hair done. I don't think I'll be scrapping! So excited not to have to work!

Is it me?!!

I got home last night and got ready for the treadmill and saw that my husband was also ready to get on it. So....I decided to take a walk outside which is really better anyway. I live on the top of a big hill so I really use my leg muscles walking around my house. Well....I was having a good walk when suddenly I was attacked by a horsefly. Ugh...this happens to me all the time. I can't figure out if it's just me (maybe my hairspray?) or what. My neighbors walk EVERY day on the same roads I walk. Why don't they get attacked? It's so annoying because the same stupid horsefly followed me for a mile out and back. It's a swampy/remote area so I guess I should expect it but now I don't want to go back again. I ended up running half the time so I could get away but it didn't work. He flew faster than I ran! He just buzzed around my head over and over. I cut my walk short because of it. Oh well...tonight it's the treadmill for me!

I tried to scrap but my husband wanted to talk about his job interview. It's not something he's excited about but there's nothing else at the moment so he may have to take it. I'm not happy about the amount of $ but it's something. It's now been 8 mos.! I wish something else would come up so he didn't have to take this but I don't think that's going to happen.

Shower

Well, my niece's baby shower went well. She got tons of stuff. I had a house full of women! We had lobster & chicken salad rolls, a mandarin salad, potato salad, fruit salad, cake, lots of apps, mimosas and bloody marys. It was kind of funny because my aunt made a nice triffle w/strawberries & angel food cake but left it at home in the fridge. She lives about 40 min. away so she couldn't go back. My other aunt made choc. covered strawberries and left those at home over an hour away! So we just had cake.

I cheated on my diet for the first time in 6 weeks. Not too bad though. I ate a small scoop of potato salad (it was to DIE for!) and I had a small piece of cake. I got on the scale this a.m. and was 2 lbs. up but I can take those off this week.

I'm off and running this week. We have my cousin and her husband in on Fri. for the weekend for my other cousin's wedding. We'll pick them up on Fri. and take them out for fried clams on the way back from the airport. That's the first thing anyone from out of state in my family wants when they visit!!

So..I have tonight through Wed. night to clean my house up and find a dress for the wedding! We pretty much got the shower stuff all put away so I just have to clean their bathroom and all that. I also have to have my nails done (maybe my lunch hr. on Wed.). Thurs. night I'm getting my hair done. Whew......

Baby shower card

Here's a card I made for my niece's baby shower this weekend. I used left over papers from Sharon Ann that I used on the baby album I made for her.

Good and bad...

Well, the good news is I scrapped a lo last night. It was from the morning we woke up to 11 deer in the yard, right outside the family room! I titled it, "Oh Deer!". It's ok, not my best, but it's done! Here's one of the photos (above - since I can't seem to move the photo!!!).

 I've been watching the hawks outside my window at work. They are amazing. This huge one just was sitting on the windowsill next to mine and he was just looking in at me after he killed a little bird for breakfast. :-( He brought a piece of nest up so I was afraid he was moving in. I walked straight toward the window and he flew away. Scary! He's attacked my boss's window before because it's mirrored and he sees his own reflection. He's now perched in the tree in my view. I'm keeping an eye out for him. I'd like to get a photo with my Palm if I could!

Another quick card for my mom

Back in the office....

I was out of the office yesterday fromm 10-1:00 for training on the legal ramifications of supervisors/managers. It was interesting but I'll never use it with the staff here. Perhaps some day in the future?!

Then I had an appt. to have some moles removed. Not too bad. I almost ran to the lss but contained myself!! I first have to figure out what to get at Lifetimemoments with my g.c. (thanks again, Kathy!!). Everything I want is on backorder or out of stock so I may just wait a bit. I started to look at the ribbon and realized how ridiculous that was. I have way too much to use in my lifetime! Maybe some brown or white rub-ons....

I was very excited to get my CTMH order in from Kristen when I got home! I bought some paper, 3 ink pads, a marker and the Simply Stitches stamp set. I love it!!! I made two cards for my pal in Alisha's swap and quit for the night. I guess I'm not doing too well in Kathy's challenge of scrapping every night this week. I'm at a big fat ZERO so far! Maybe tonight....

I'm just loving KT Tunstall's cd!!

All is well....

The weekend was good if you ignore the constant rain we had. My aunt's huge cookout was inside. It worked out well because she has lot of room to spread. My oldest was able to introduce his new gf to most of the family. She managed to survive us! She's very outgoing and bubbly.
I managed to put 2 lbs. back on. Could it be the beer I drank or tons of pistachios I ate? ! I'm back to Phase I today. I'm not going there!
The English couple left midday on Sun. We had fun with them. They love to laugh (and drink, of course.). I'm glad to have my house back though.
I was finally able to scrap last night. It was a fun lo because it brought me back to my friend, Nancy's visit from MI. We went to Lost River in NH so we were climbing through the caves/rocks.
Well, I'm procrastinating. I need to do an employee review (hate them!!!!). Luckily she's a model employee so there are no negative comments to put down.

The sun is finally shining here! Yeah!

p.s. Thanks for the comments, SBA ladies!!

My mom's "nana" birthday card

It's hard to see the shimmering chalks in this photo. Just a quick card from the boys for my mom's birthday. I made this with Hero Arts stamps, Versamark ink & Pebbles Chalk. The card is a Joann Essentials.

New porch paint....

It's hard to tell the real color since this was taken at night but I'm loving the second paint color I picked! It's more of a greenish blue, rather than the blueish green.

TGIF!!

Well, last night worked out ok. I got my hair cut but didn't feel I had time for a highlight since I bought the ice cream cake before I went! I don't know what I was thinking. I was trying to save time. Anyway, my dark hair is ok. I'm never happy with it for a few days.

I beat the Britts to my house. We ended up going to Outback. I stuck with my diet & skipped bread, Bloomin Onion, etc. I did have two beers though. We went home and had ice cream cake (they did, I skipped) and more drinks. I told them I had to get to bed after 11:00 because I had to get up at 6.

They're off to Boston today and we'll just hang out at our place tonight. I have to make broccoli salad and lemon dessert tonight for tomorrow's family cookout. I hope the weather improves!

So, I rushed in this a.m., read my emails & saw that I was the challenge winner! Yippeee! I never win anything (guess I can't say that any more). I'm very excited. So I thought I had a 9 a.m. meeting. I shoveled down some yogurt and my coffee so I wouldn't be hungry. I got downstairs to the meeting and there wasn't anyone there. Come to find out, the 9 a.m. meeting was on the other campus and my meeting will be at 2 p.m. Just what I want to do on a Fri. afternoon!!! Oh well......

Ready or not, here they come!!

Got the gifts for my mom and ended up putting lots of miles on the car with youngest and his friends! I got most of the cleaning done and my hubby vacuumed last night. We didn't get the porch furniture on the porch yet. I wasn't pushing since J wasn't in a good mood and sore from sealing the tile out there on Tues. Oh well....

I did manage to sb two pages on Tues. night and put together another 2 pg lo but still have to pick out embellishments, etc. That'll be Sun. night after the Britts leave.

I lost another pound so now I'm down 12 (hope I didn't already post that - crs). I feel so much better! I would love to double that amount and then I'd really feel good! Well, I have to run out at lunch time to get an ice cream cake for my mom's bday and a gc for a mani/pedicure. Then after work I head to the hairdresser and will come home to company. I let her worry about what to do for dinner. I thought she was taking them to Outback or Bugaboo Creek. I'll just show up and see what is happening!

Just another manic Monday....

Yikes, it has been a zoo here. I can finally breathe for a few minutes while I wait for an answer on something. I'm taking tomorrow off so Wednesday ought to be fun!

What a weekend. It was good but busy. I have to clean tomorrow because the Brits are coming on Thurs.!! My mom's friends have a wedding in NY and will drive in to see us for a few days before the wedding. I don't have a clue what to have for dinner Thurs. night since I have a hair appt. at 5:30 and won't get back until about 7. Fri. they'll go into Boston with my aunt & to Outback Fri. night. They LOVE Outback! Sat. we're having a huge family cookout at my aunt's house. She has a great pool and bbq area. Not sure about Sun. but I'm hoping they're traveling back that day. They are fun people and love to party. We'll be totally exhausted by then!

So I'm hoping I can finish my cleaning and find a gift for my mom's bday and then take some ME time. I want to scrap again. It's been way too long! We shall seee.....

I YI YI!

What a day it's been. It's year end so everyone wants me to try and spend all of the money left. It's also graduation on Sunday so everyone calls us to find out the info instead of going online. It's the mad rush....can't wait until it's over.

Well, today I saw my one friend, the woman in her 60's, reach her final destination. I've always wondered how far she actually has to go. She must work at the church I pass on my route. She has a good 3-4 mile walk to work every day. Poor thing. I know it must sound strange that I see and think about these people. Oh well...

So tomorrow is a bridal shower for my cousin. I have to finish making her monogram cards tonight. I need 6 more! I made the cutest book for them to write her gifts in too. Then I have to work at graduation on Sun., giving out diplomas to all Education students at the tent. I'm glad it will be on the cooler side. Last year we melted in that thing! The tech guys are streaming the commencement on the web. A few of us will go around the corner to the Brewery for drinks afterward! Yippeee...something to look forward to.

Faculty, faculty, faculty....

Ugh....we are enduring another miserably hot day at the University. They are fixing the a/c (that's exactly what they told us LAST year when we were sweltering). So...it's about 78-80 degrees in the office. First we had a visitor come in for a faculty interview. He proceeded to sit in our waiting area, take his shoes off, and put his feet on the coffee table we have!!! I wouldn't do that at my best friend's home. Why would you do that?!!!

Second, a faculty member emailed to ask what we have to do to get the a/c on. I want to reply and say, "Oh, sure, let me just run over and turn it on, I just forgot!!!!!!!". I mean HELLO, doesn't he realize it's not just hot for him?! He's our newest addition. The arrogance of these people! Some are nice but most are just so full of themselves. I jokingly said that if he had some magical powers to let me know & they'll turn it on when they're done. I'm just a tad snippy when I'm hot! :-))

Daily Commute....

Is it just me, or do you feel like you know each person on your daily route? I leave for work at the same time every day. Along the way, I see the same people. It's mostly when I get to the city. I see this little girl at the bus stop all by herself and it bothers me that her mom isn't with her. She comes out of this apartment and walks up a 1/2 block and waits. I would never let my little girl wait by herself there. Maybe I shouldn't judge because I don't know her family situation but I worry about her.

Then I see a young mom with her daughter waiting for the city bus. I feel bad that they don't have a car and have to wait in snow and rain for the bus. I always see them hugging and laughing and talking and I think what a great mom she must be. I saw them in the grocery store one day and thought I knew her from somewhere and then realized it was the bus stop mom. Today I saw her and she cut her long curly hair very short and had it straightened. She's a pretty woman and it looks great on her. I commented to my husband (he was driving me today) that she got her hair cut and he asked who she was. I told him I see her every day and feel like I know her!

Then I see this older (maybe 60's) woman who walks every day. I'm not sure how far she has to walk to work but it's at least a couple of miles or more. Depending on what time I leave, I see her in different spots, during rain, sleet, snow. I am always going the opposite way, otherwise I'd be very tempted to stop and give her a ride. My heart breaks that she has to walk so far to work.

I hope this doesn't sound strange. I'm just wondering if others have the same daily observances.

Forgot the most important part of the weekend!!

I stuck with the diet with the exception of drinking low carb beer. I have now lost 10 lbs.!!!!!!! I'm thrilled to death! I love this South Beach diet!! Now I can work on the other 30. I'm setting 10 lb. goals at a time though. Feels great!!!!!

Riverfront...

Lake front...

Memorial Weekend....

Aaaaah, what a weekend! We left Sat. a.m. for Maine. Looked around at a few areas for vacation homes. Got to our friends' in Cornish, ME & then headed to Lake Sebago. The place had its own beach. Very nice!! We sat out in the Sun. on the deck for a bit, cooked out, went in and played cards. The next day we sat on the beach & deck. It was really hot and sunny, great weather!!!! Then we headed for our other friends camp on Ossipee River in Saco, ME. It was very humid there. The river was way up! We ate steamers, lobsters, corn, etc. Came back late that night to our Cornish friends' home and slept. Left fairly early Monday but not early enough to avoid the little town parades. We had to take a detour but didn't lose much time. We cooked out when we got home. A nice weekend, all in all.

Memorial Weekend plans...

I can't wait for tomorrow to come! We are heading to Maine (just the two of us) and meeting a realtor to see a few vacation homes and then heading to our friends' house. Then we'll head over to Sebago Lake. We are staying at a beautiful place right on the lake (so I'm told). We'll come home on Mon. and have a cookout with my mom, two boys and one gf. It should be a nice relaxing weekend. Ahhhhhhhh.....

Porch project

here's the paint that I'm not crazy about. It's beautiful at night, a greenish blue watery color. During the day it becomes baby blue or robins egg blue and is too bright for my taste. I think they may be painting the new color today. I can't wait to see it but I'm a little nervous. The tile is now finished and I don't have a photo of that yet. I LOVE the tile!

A painted house without shutters!

Well, here's the new paint job on our house. My neighbor said we should leave off the shutters so it could look like an old colonial. We toyed with it but think we like our black shutters so they're putting them on today.

Well, it's been a while....

My back is somewhat better. I've started the South Beach diet and I'm on my second week. I've lost 6 lbs. so far. I was successful in controlling myself last weekend which was very tough. I had a party at my neighbor's where the margaritas were flowing (my favorite) and I refrained. They also had TONS of apps and I did not have anything. I went to my cousin's graduation party the next day and didn't have anything but what was on my diet and had two low carb beers. My mouth was watering over the cake but I didn't even have a bite. I was so proud of myself. Now I have to get through Memorial Weekend without indulging. We are heading to Maine. I'm planning on packing lots of veggies and stuff for salads so that I'm not tempted. I'll stick to low carb beer again since that didn't seem to bother me.

I'm so excited...my cousin from LA is coming in this week for his brother's wedding. He will be visiting us either Thurs. or Fri. night. I just love him. He's a riot! And the boys love him because he's very artsy (photographer & also used to design windows on Rodeo Dr., now works for Armani). I have to get my house back together as much as I can.

We''ve had painters for a couple of weeks now so my rooms have the screens sitting in them, the windows are filthy but I don't want to clean them until they're done. The house looks great with the new paint. Hopefully the shutters will go back on today. The porch is coming along also. I'll have to post photos when I get time. I wasn't crazy over the color. I wanted a watery blue and it's kind of too bright during daylight. It's perfect at night though. So...I picked out a new paint for the second coat. I'm hoping it's what I want. We've ordered new cushions for the patio furniture and will get the hot tub soon. They are tiling the upper porch floor today and will then move on to the bathrooms. I have to hurry up and pick out the tiles!!! Then we're doing wood in the entire downstairs of the house. Whew! Moving too fast for me but John is concerned he'll have a job and won't have time. He interviewed yesterday and it seemed like it may work but I don't want to jinx it. Keep your fingers crossed!!!!!!!!!!

nana mom's day card

Here's a card I made for my mom from the boys. You can't see the background and the colors are off but you get the idea.

Ugh again!!

My back is really killing me today. I'm walking around like an invalid. It's been a zoo here but I don't have the energy and tomorrow will be worse. I have 150 people coming here and there's not enough seating. I've been keeping my fingers crossed that some won't show up! I won't be able to move around tables and chairs like I normally do so I'm hoping the student who is supposed to be here shows up!!!

I was supposed to start the South Beach diet today but didn't have the right ingredients in my fridge. I'm thinking I'll stop on the way home because my co-worker really wants to start and wants us to support each other. I'm not sure how this will work. I'm not used to doing things like this with a male!! I need something to get me going though!!

I think I'll skip the treadmill since I have no energy and am in serious pain. I ate my share of cookies and candy today, just so that I have it out of my system for the diet (good excuse, huh?!).

Ugh....

Well, my back is out again. It started yesterday and it almost felt better by bed time. I woke up in pain this a.m. I'm beginning to wonder if it's my mattress. I've been walking around with Deep Heat on so my new perfume is mentholyptus! Yuck.

I just reread my post on Fri. I did NOT have a margarita at lunch or at home on Fri. It was a little hectic and I ended up having a couple of Coronas with lime instead.

Sat. was good. I made my paint can at the lss and spent a decent amount of money that I don't have!! Ahhhh.....retail therapy! Gotta love it. Took photos of Greg which was a little stressful. He was not cooperating. John and I ended up at Lui Lui after Home Depot on Sat. night. The pizza (chicken, broccoli, white sauce) was delicious!!!!!! Sunday.....hmmmmm...I can't remember what happened. Oh yeah, we grilled outside but had to eat inside. It was a little chilly. E & his gf joined us. Then I went into my room and made several birthday & mom 's day cards.

My house was painted yesterday. I'll have to take a photo. John called me at work to say that the paint was much darker and could I zip home (20 min. one way) and take a look? I said that I could not since my boss was in and I was swamped. So he said he'd tell them to go ahead and I said fine. It came out really nice! It's what I wanted originally so mistakes can be good!!

Another weekend already!

Oh, I'm so happy Fri. is finally here! It is a gorgeous day out (almost 80). I had a quiet week email wise because my good friend was away! Hope she had fun!! It's been a zoo at work so I haven't had the time anyway.

Picked out some tile for the bathrooms last night and took samples home. I'll have to make a decision before my husband drives me crazy!!!!!!! 8-})

IWe're grilling steaks & I just have to have a margarita (or five) for Cinco de Mayo. I may end up getting one for lunch with a friend. I need to relax a bit!

Tomorrow I'll go to my fav store (stamp/scrap) and enjoy their anniversary sale & fun. Then I have to pick up the flowers for Greg's gf's prom. Yikes...he tried on the tux last night and looked soooo grown up! The pants were a mile long so I pinned them and John took them back today. They said he should have been there when we picked it up. I told him to tell them that THEY should have given him the pants he was MEASURED for! I'm not sure how he made out yet.

Oh, and he's back to the girl pants!! I'm very disappointed. I hope it doesn't last long. I asked about the jeans I spent a fortune on and he said he'll wear them once in a while. Grrrrrr.....

one more thing...

J NEEDS a job!!! I forgot to add that. That's why he's so ready to go crazy on the house. He's driving me crazy by calling at work just to chat! He watched some infommercials the other day and bought some state of the art ladder and a stupid pasta cooker - yes, that tube thing. He cooked dinner last night and it was horribly pasty!! The sauce would have been good but the pasta was horrendous. He's sending it back. This was after he made more pasta today, called me at work to ask how to make pasta salad. He needed something to make with his experiment! LOL I don't think I'll be trying it! too funny.....well, off to the treadmill.

Hump day...

Not much new. Got Marissa's gift out for her first communion. I hope she likes the cross & card!

We've been on a rampage trying to pick out paint & tiles for the house. J is very anxious to get it done. We are having wood installed on the first floor rooms, tile in the bathrooms & porch, having someone paint the porch (FINALLY), J is painting our bedroom & redesigning the closets. Then we'll just need a hot tub to go in the room that was built for one about 2 yrs. ago! I'm happy the house will be done when our visitors from England are here and also when I have my niece's baby shower, but I'm not happy about having to rush my decisions. I'm not very confident in my decorating skills.

More later...

Weekend..

Well, Fri. night we went out to look for bookshelves/storage for my sb room, found what we wanted at the Mill Stores. Can't wait!

Sat. I cleaned and then we went to the party. I was wrong about J's aunt's ages. They are 60, 80 & 85. It was a nice time. J's brother flew in from MI for it.

Sun. I went food food shopping early so we could spend the beautiful day out back. I got settled on my LaPlume chaise (ahhhhh) with my magazine and read for a little bit. It was nice but quickly got breezy. We didn't last too long out there. Came in and cooked dinner for the fam. DS' gf joined us. She's very sweet.

Later, I bolted for the sb room and made a first communion card for Marissa who is my godchild in MI. I just found out this past weekend that it's next weeked so I obviously can't go. I need to find a gift on my lunch hour.

J is suddenly saying that all I do is spend time scrapping or stamping so I guess I have to back off for a bit! He's never complained before. It usually gives him time to play the guitar or research real estate in ME. Oh well...

Saw this on Cherylp's blog and thought it was fun.

Five things:

in my fridge
1. cheddar cheese
2. olives
3. water
4. sour cream
5. various bottles of condiments

in my closet
1. lots of clothes
2. lots of sandals (my favorite thing)
3. some dress shoes
4. purses
5. belts I'll probably never wear again

in my purse
1. my wallet
2. my cell phone
3. a pen
4. gum
5. Advil packs

in my car
1. emergency kit
2. umbrella
3. handiwipes & tissues
4. as many cds as I can fit in the compartment
5. my gate id card

on my bathroom counter
1. body lotions
2. face lotions
3. curling iron
4. toothpaste & toothbrush
5. perfume

Cousins photo from last weekend

I'm the one in the paisley print (4th from the right)

Ah...the weekend is here!!

I don't really have any plans for tonight but I need to food shop & clean this weekend and also try to find something to wear for Sat. night. We're going to John's aunts' birthdays (3 sisters who are 60, 75, 80, I think!). I think I already posted about this. My memory is gone.

Yesterday I got an email about a new study that one of our university departments is doing on memory. I emailed for more info. They're having subjects (over 45) take a smart pill for a month to see if memory improves. I'm all for any memory boost I can get!!!!!! They said it's B12 and a few other things that won't affect any medications or vitamins currently being taken. Should be interesting! They are compensating those who participate but I'm really interested in an improvement.

It's very quiet in here today (LOVE it). No faculty, no bosses, just two of us chickens!! I'm having lunch with John since he has the car for a p.t. appt. I cannot wait until he's working!!!

Diet/Life change update.....

I haven't had any chocolate, cookies, etc. this week and I'm trying to eat smaller healthy meals. So far I've gone down about 3-4 lbs. Now if I could keep that up long enough to add a zero to the end of those numbers, I'll be good to go!! I've been on the treadmill every night too. I'm planning on walking during lunch for the days I don't have a car too. I need to dedicate more time to exercise rather than scrapping/stamping my life away (not that it's a bad thang!!).

Got two more pages done last night. Can I say I'm snowmobiled out?!! I've done 6 lo's in a row of snowmobile trips. I'm ready to begin Lost River soon! I love looking at those photos because they make me laugh & remember when my good friend, N, visited from MI.

The other version.....

I think I like the other one better!!

Finally able to post!

I have had so much trouble posting lately, I almost gave up.

This a.m. I was emailing back and forth with N and tried to send her a picture of my do. Well, I took a rotten photo of myself with my Palm and tried several other times. I thought there was something wrong with it so I took it into the Palm expert. He took a photo while I was standing there and it came out fine. I guess I need photography lessons.

Update on the weekend...

Well, Fri. night we went to rent a tux for G. His gf came with us. It was pretty painless. He chose a black tux, white shirt with grey vest & tie. It was funny because he had on a hood and I told him to take it off before the guy came over. He couldn't understand why. I told him it was rude to talk to someone with his hood on. So...he finally took it off, the young guy came over to talk, let him try on a jacket and G lifted the hood and took it off as soon as the jacket was on and the guy told him to put it back on. I said, "I told him to take it off and finally listened and now he was telling hime to put it back on?!" We got a chuckle out of it. M was laughing at him in the tux with the hoodie underneath. Can't wait to see him dressed up!!! Sat. just went to Christmas Tree shopping and then food shopping with my mom. Things are going a little better these days, not sure why but maybe I'm just getting used to having no privacy and someone else's quirky things in my house. Sun. went to R's shower. It was very nice. We had mimosas, lobster newburg, salad, asparagus salad(have to get the recipe from M on that one!!). Then we had this TO DIE FOR cake from some upscale bakery in Newton or Brookline. YUM! It was whipped cream frosting, white cake with strawberries in the layers. Oh, it was SO worth the calories. We took a piece home and some Newburg & salad. So after the initial stuffed feeling wore off last night, we heated up the newburg and ate that, salad, and cake for dessert. I'm so done with eating. I've it my all time high weight wise and I cannot go any higher. I'm back to salads at lunch and light snacks. I will not cave to the endless supply of chocolate at my office. Got some gorgeous shower photos from my cousin today and saw why I really need to lose. The bridal party is absolutely gorgeous. They're all skinny and young. It was nice catching up with my aunts & cousins.

Weekend update..

Well, Fri. night we went to rent a tux for G. His gf came with us. It was pretty painless. He chose a black tux, white shirt with grey vest & tie. It was funny because he had on a hood and I told him to take it off before the guy came over. He couldn't understand why. I told him it was rude to talk to someone with his hood on. So...he finally took it off, the young guy came over to talk, let him try on a jacket and G lifted the hood and took it off as soon as the jacket was on and the guy told him to put it back on. I said, "I told him to take it off and finally listened and now he was telling hime to put it back on?!" We got a chuckle out of it. M was laughing at him in the tux with the hoodie underneath. Can't wait to see him dressed up!!!

Sat. just went to Christmas Tree shopping and then food shopping with my mom. Things are going a little better these days, not sure why but maybe I'm just getting used to having no privacy and someone else's quirky things in my house.

Sun. went to R's shower. It was very nice. We had mimosas, shrimp cocktail, lobster newburg, salad, asparagus salad(have to get the recipe from M on that one!!). Then we had this TO DIE FOR cake from some upscale bakery in Newton or Brookline. YUM! It was whipped cream frosting, white cake with strawberries in the layers. Oh, it was SO worth the calories. We took a piece home and some Newburg & salad. So after the initial stuffed feeling wore off last night, we heated up the newburg and ate that, salad, and cake for dessert. I'm so done with eating. I've it my all time high weight wise and I cannot go any higher. I'm back to salads at lunch and light snacks. I will not cave to the endless supply of chocolate at my office. Got some gorgeous shower photos from my cousin today and saw why I really need to lose. The bridal party is absolutely gorgeous. They're all skinny and young. It was nice catching up with my aunts & cousins.

Weekend

Good God! I just typed a whole big message and got an error message! It's now gone.

Anyway, I guess tonight is the night G will grace me with his presence so that we can try to rent a tux for 5/6 (jr. cotillion). I'm not thrilled about dishing out the dough for his gf's cotillion but what else can I do. If I buy a suit, he'll never wear it again. Either way it's going to cost around $150. Then the ticket and flowers will bring me to over $200. I guess it'll be fun to see him decked out!

No plans tomorrow other than cleaning and food shopping. Sun. is R's shower. NO clue what I'm wearing. I guess the ol' black pants and a top will have to do. Too many things this time of year!

I hope to get more scrapping in this weekend either tonight, tomorrow night or Sun. night. We shall see. I also have 3 bday cards to make for next weekend's party. It's J's aunts' birthdays - three sisters (60, 75, 80). Should be fun with the rest of his family! We don't get to see them much. Ciao for now!

Bleached card

Here's a reject for the card contest I entered. I only entered because they are choosing two winners, one for talent and the other random (me). I hope I win!

I bleached the flower. It was my first time stamping with bleach. Fun!

Soooo tired...

Left at 8 a.m. for the Cape, got to the cottage and loaded up a double bed, twin bed & frames for both, bureau & lawn mower. We didn't think Seafood Sams would be open so we went to Cooke's in Hyannis. It was delicious!!! We got scallops & clams & onion rings. YUM. I was so full, I didn't eat dinner.

Anyway, we drove home, unloaded (with the help of G and a friend). Got the van back to Uhaul and put most everything in the attic. I'm so glad the boys were there to help. I was wiped out from the drive. I nodded off a few times on the way home but felt guilty that J had to drive in silence. He just loves to talk!!!!!!! I don't even hear what he's saying half the time. It has taken me lots of years of practice to shut it off.

I'm not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow!!!!!!! Well, it's only three days. It shouldn't be too bad, but then again the teachers/principals are on vacation and they'll have time to come in with any issues!

I went into my sb room and put some photos on paper but that's as far as I got. I'm too tired to concentrate so it'll have to wait until I'm fresh tomorrow night!

Grrrrrrr......

The fun never ends. I had a decent day putzing around, made another batch of scalloped potatoes for E who was coming home from Maine in the afternoon. Got my swap package out in the mail, we picked up a rental van so that we can go to the Cape tomorrow to pick up some furniture and things.

Sat down tonight and finished monogram note cards for R's shower to go with the gc I got. Then I pulled out some photos to get ready to scrap and G called. Wanted to know if he could sleep at someone's house. Ok, he had a sleep over Thurs. night, Fri. night, Sun. night. We told him no this morning and gave in, of course. Now J is mad at ME for giving in even though I asked HIM to make the decision so he couldn't get mad at me. Oh well........he was told that there would not be another sleep over until the weekend, no matter what. He cannot stand to be alone. He has to have a buddy around all the time. So I guess he'll be busy while we drive the 2 hrs. down to the Cape, load up and then drive 2 hrs. back. I hope I at least get a seafood platter out of it!!!

My Hawaiian name. Having fun with these quizzes!

Your Hawaiian Name is:

Leilani Anani

What's" your Hawaiian Name?

Just dreaming back to my Hawaii trip...

Here's our fav beach. Only the locals would go there. Sometimes it was empty!

Weekend is finally here!!

I'm very excited that I have a long weekend coming up!! Tonight we have to food shop for Easter and then we're going out for fried clams!! J is finally cheating on his diet for this! He's lost about 20 lbs. I seriously need to as well. My mom is heading to her sister's for the night! I'm happy for her and us. She'll have someone to talk to and we can talk without worrying about saying something that will be repeated. Not sure what G is doing (our 16 yo).

No official plans for tomorrow. I was really hoping to get a card done to submit to a contest tonight but I don't think that'll happen. Maybe tomorrow morning since the deadline is the 15th. I don't think I'd win on talent but they are also picking a random card so I have a chance to win!!

The cottage fiasco seems to be coming to a close. We are heading to the Cape probably on Tues. to clear out our things. Hopefully we'll get an other fried seafood platter at our favorite, Seafood Sams!! We won't be going back for a long time! I think we'll head North this summer to Maine and rent a place on the water (lake, not ocean). It'll be fun though. I will really miss the National Seashore park beaches at the Cape. :-( Maybe we'll rent a place there next summer.

Gorgeous weather!

What a day! I went out for lunch and didn't want to come back. My stamp store called to say that my order was in. They are in the same town I live in but way on the other side of town and they're not open at night except Thurs. So....being anxious, I thought I'd fly there at lunch time. It was a great day for a ride. I flew over, picked out 2 stamp pads also. I flew back thinking that it would take a while. I got here with 20 min. to spare. I was ripped off. I could have browsed some more but then again, I would have spent more money I don't have. Oh well....now that I know it doesn't take that long, I'll go back another day!

Got a call from my oldest asking whether or not the campus police would jimmy his car. Locked those keys in again and his ex-gf still has his spare and wouldn't answer her phone. So...in my nicest voice, I call the campus police saying that I work here and could they possibly take care of my son. They did and he was happy. Another hard day at work! ;-)

Things....

Well, first off, I'm happy the Red Sox are winning on opening day!! J called me a few times today and that was one thing he called for. The other was to tell me that E was actually CLEANING his car!!!!! His new gf must be having a positive influence on him. Amazing...I'm liking her more and more! What's not to like, she's sweet, friendly, pretty, helpful (has taken the groceries in), AND gets my son to clean his room and car?!!! Yessirreeeeee!

Oh, and a little update on the boy pants!! Got to AE last night, found two pairs, one 29x32 and oone 30x32. He liked both so we got them and went to the register. Now mind you, we found them on the clearance rack and there were several more hanging there. The total came to $96!!! I almost fell over. I told her they were on clearance and she said they shouldn't have been there and they are full price. After arguing, she caved by giving me a coupon even though I was using my Amex instead of AE charge. Big whooop!!! My total was $82. Gulp. Oh well, they look good(normal) on him so we'll just have to deal.

I'm disappointed about this Easter. My family has gotten together as a big group for as long as I've been around (46 yrs.). This year everyone is so busy with the weddings and showers (4), that no one has offered to do it. I can't have that many for dinner. I don't like to entertain if I don't have to. We're about 25-30 strong when we can all make it. So....this year will be quiet. E is going to ME to meet gf's mom. We will cook for mom, G and the two of us, unless G goes to HIS gf's!! This will be mom's first Easter alone. We'll have to try to keep her busy. On the upside, I don't have to find an outfit to wear and can eat what I want and be comfy in my sweats!!

I feel the need to post something.

Boy pants

Oh, I'm sooooo excited. My 16 yo son now wants to wear BOY pants!! He's been wearing tight girl pants (it's a band thang) and I've been embarrassed. Well, last week we bought the checks/plaids, etc., and now he wants MEN'S American Eagle jeans like his brother. So...I'm not letting any time pass so he can change his mind. I'm running to the mall on my lunch hour to buy some for his weekend on the Cape!! I never thought the girl pants fad would pass. Whew!! The only problem is that my charge will suffer! LOL I don't even care at this point. I just want him in normal jeans again.

Can't wait for my Junkitz address book class tomorrow! It should be fun. And I'm hoping to get some sb'ing done tonight!

20 yrs. ago...

It just dawned on me that 20 years ago right now, I was whipping my head back and forth like the exorcist!! I was in hard labor for a long time and couldn't take the pain but didn't want to scream so I just kept turning my head back and forth!!!! E was very stubborn. I was in labor for over 20 hrs. Ugh....when I think about that I can't believe I went all that time without meds. What a fool!!! He was born at 2:57 p.m. Anyway, he's well worth the pain I went through. I'm very proud of him. I wish I had a photo to post!!!

Here's a card I made last night....

Used Hero Arts thank you stamp and a HA flower stamp. I used Bazzill teal paper.

So much for the birthday...

Well, we had E's favorite dinner and then he decided he was too full for ice cream cake. His friends were waiting and it would have been too late if we did it later. So.....he saved his gifts and cake for tonight. His gf is stuck in ME with car problems and is hoping to get back tonight. If not, we'll have him to ourselves! If so, he'll go out with her and we'll have to try and squeeze a cake in. It's so hard when they get older!! He didn't want me taking his picture either. He said it was stupid to sit there doing nothing and have his picture taken. Oh well... I snapped a few but they're horrible because he was aggravated with me. Some day when they look at their scrapbooks, they're going to have a gap of about 2 years with no photos and they'll think it was me who neglected to take photos!!!

I spoke to G's gf's mom last night and she sounded nice. I feel comfortable about him going to the Cape with them now. I gave him the run down about manners and he was saying he could take care of himself. I forgot to tell him to make sure he puts the seat down!!! :-) He'll love that one.

Early Father's Day card I made to try out my Notch tool!

Kids & things...

Well, tonight we'll celebrate my oldest son's birthday. He will be 20 tomorrow but will be spending it with his new g.f. So we'll have his favorite meal, chicken, broccoli, ziti, which makes me happy because it's my mom's meal so she'll have to cook!! I always do the cooking for some reason and I hate to cook. Then we'll have ice cream cake.

G (youngest - 16 y.o.) has been invited to go to the Cape this weekend with his new g.f. and her mom. Yikes. I will have to call her to make sure she's really going and this isn't a ploy. I'm sure it's not. He told me to call her so I will. It feels funny having him away with a GIRL! She is a junior and asked him to go to the cotillion. Maybe I've already said that...hmmm...

It would have been a great weekend to go to Maine because I wouldn't have had to worry about what G would be getting away with with my mom at home, but I've signed up for a class on Sat. to make a Junkitz address book and then on Sun. my lss has their customer appreciation night. Oh well....another time.

Weekend

Well, Sat. night was fun. Got to catch up with some of the neighbors I don't normally see. I also learned some interesting things about my son's ex. I was told that she "took out" their mailbox and drove about a mile down the street with it. It was in July. They didn't want to tell me because they knew we'd feel bad. I can't believe my son didn't tell us! He wasn't with her and said he was really embarrassed to tell us. I told him there was no excuse!!

Anyway, did some yard work on Sun. and then went shopping with my mom and youngest. We saw the pants he wanted on clearance for $10 each. So...we each bought two for him! Then he found a pair of Dickies for $7. Good shopping day!!!

It's all about the shoes...

Well, Neece was kind enough to post my first comment!!! Thanks, Neece!

Here are a few cards I made this weekend (since you asked!).

April fools!!

Well, I decided to take Fri. off so I went shopping and found some cute jeans and a nice top for tonight. Then I went grocery shopping, went home and baked two desserts for tonight, stamped a bag for the gift.

Today I had a nice time at the lss doing my baby album. It's so cute! C is going to love it!! I might have to make another while I have it here.

Now I need to get my butt upstairs to get dressed. I hope Chris is surprised tonight! And I hope J can have a good time. He has family issues but they should be all over in a week. Until then, he's totally stressed until he has the discussion with his brothers.

So glad we're getting two nights off from Mom. She went to stay at her sister's last night and called to say she's staying again!!!!!!!! Yeah. Now I'm wondering if I'll hear from/see E tonight (my almost 20 y.o.). He went out last night for his gf's 21st and called to say he wouldn't be home. Maybe tonight. Her car is still here. Hope to stamp and scrap tomorrow!!!!!!!!